Chapter 8

After they walked inside, I stood where I was for a few minutes, wondering if talking to them about the gift was something I should have done. I hated being skeptical of people who obviously loved me, but my father’s training was hard to put aside.

I had to trust my intuition and it told me Mira and Kenner would never betray me. I went upstairs to my room. My father’s sword remained in my hand. I placed it on the chest of drawers before I sat on the bed. I held the package for several minutes, simply savoring it. When I was ready, I attacked the string first. It was knotted and had to be cut. I slowly removed the paper. Inside was a square wooden box about an inch thick. It had no seam to open and I wondered if it was simply a piece of cut, polished wood. My fingers tingled as I held it. The energy grew until it lit up the entire room. I allowed it to expand. The box recognized my magic.

Blue, purple, and green swirled around the room. I watched the wood change into something else entirely and I was holding a box. I lifted the cover and found several sheets of old paper.

My Dearest Daughter Tara,

Always know I love you. I may not be with you physically, but my energy walks beside you. When you close the top of the box, it will return to a piece of wood. After unlocking the key the first time, it will take a drop of your blood to reactivate. Use it to store your treasures as I have done.

Many trials await you, but I know you are the woman to overcome them. The necklace belonged to your mother. Wear it and feel her love.

I lifted the pages to my face and breathed in their scent. I wasn’t sure if it was my imagination or if I could smell my father’s unique fragrance that he always carried even after he returned sweaty and unwashed from his missions.

I turned to the next page.

Our kind—wielders—were poorly used by the vampires for generations. They did not deserve our power or our loyalty. They grew frightened of our abilities and tried to control us. My father was cast into servitude for one hundred years.

The werewolves destroyed us because of the power our blood gave vampires. They killed wielders on sight. My mother barely escaped with me. She was a powerful wielder. I never knew my father due to his servitude, but she told me he was also powerful. Their combined energy was passed to me. I married your mother, not because I loved her though love grew, but because of her great power. She understood this and felt the same. We were friends until we could no longer deny our feelings. When you were born, she held you for only minutes, then handed you to me and told me to take you away. She was dying and she knew it. She loved you as I love you.

Our families were part of the prophecy and we were raised knowing this. It caused resentment in me as it did your mother. We were never free. Before your birth, we agreed that you would be brought up without the responsibility of knowing your future. We planned to tell you when your power came through. It was foretold that a girl, the most powerful wielder in existence, would be born to us. That child is you, my darling Tara.

You will change the world for the better. It is written in time.

If you are reading this, I am gone and cannot guide you. It saddens my heart that you will be on your own. All I can do is tell you what little I know. One day your fingers will emit energy and you will have trouble hiding it like you did as a very young child. This will be a dangerous time for you. You must control it until the power changes everything you are. At that time, go out into the world and fulfill the prophecy.

Your sword will be an extension of your power. Leave mine with Kenner and Mira in case something happens to the one he made for you. Mira and Kenner are good people, but they are human and fragile. Kenner knows a little of my magic and he still loved us. He and Mira are people you can trust.

Our power is tied to the earth. Charge your sword in sand or dirt after it has expended too much energy. Sink your hands into soil when you feel depleted. Plants are your friends and they will also recharge you.

You are the princess of our people. This is in your blood and cannot be taken away. Vampires, werewolves, and wielders were not always at war. We lived in harmony. You are the link that will bring us together again. Fulfill your destiny, and then, my daughter, live your life free and happy.

Your mother drew the image before you were born. You looked exactly like this when you were four. She said she dreamt of you.

With all my love in this life and the next,

Father

I turned to the next page.

There was no doubt the image was of me. My small hand held a ball of energy and my expression was that of accomplishment. I remembered this exact scene. This was the only time my father hadn’t punished me when he caught me using my power. I’d forgotten I could form a ball of energy that way.

My mother’s signature was at the bottom.

I ran my finger over her name and then traced the entire drawing. I pulled the pages to my chest and rocked with heartache and happiness that my father had left me this gift. When I was ready, I pulled the delicate chain from the box. It was gold with a locket hanging from it. I opened the small clasps to find a picture of my mother on one side and my father on the other. I bowed my head and lifted the metal to my lips as tears trailed down my cheeks.

I lay back in bed with the pages against my chest and the necklace in my hand. After several minutes, I read them again.

When finished, I itched to take out my sword. I was tired and needed a good night’s sleep. I gently placed the pages and the necklace inside the box and turned off the light. I fell asleep with the box on my chest.

***

I woke to the sun shining through the window and the block of polished wood lying beside me. I smiled and placed it on the dresser. There was a vase of flowers on a small table and I put those on top of the wood.

I had to find the missing rangers and send word back to camp so I could start my new life. No more hiding and kitchen duty was now in my past. I dressed, then placed my knives in my boots and my sword on my back. I carried the backpack with the gunpowder.

I went downstairs and heard Mira singing. I stopped at the doorway to the kitchen and watched her cook and sing. She turned after another verse and her hand went to her chest.

“You scared me.”

“I didn’t mean to,” I told her. “I missed you so much.”

She smiled. “Were you able to sleep?”

“Yes, I’m rested and ready to start my day. I have more gunpowder and need to sell it in Hell’s Market. May I use Kenner’s name to open doors?”

“Of course, but take him with you for safety.”

I wasn’t sure if he should come. I worried for his safety more than mine. I was using his name, though, and if someone discovered who or what I was, he and Mira would be in danger.

“Is he here?” I asked.

“He’s in the stable.”

I turned to go out the back door.

“No, you will eat, and then you can find him.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I said with a wide grin. “It smells delicious.”

“Pancakes with warm maple syrup. I’ve been saving the ingredients for a special occasion. I also have coffee, not that hickory garbage.”

I laughed outright. I’d existed on that hickory garbage for years and it was better than nothing.

The pancakes and coffee were amazing. I ate quickly and washed my plate and cup as she’d taught me to do when I was a young child. My father brought me to their home every month. I loved to visit and hated to leave. Eating Mira’s food brought back good memories.

“Is your garden in the same place?” I asked when finished.

“On the west side of the barn where the light is good. Your father also spent time in the garden.”

I bet he did.

“My father mentioned it in his letter.”

“That was the gift?”

“Yes, it explained some things but left others open. After I finish in the garden, I will seek Kenner.”

I walked outside and went to the side of the barn where the large garden took up a good-sized strip of land. Mira and Kenner’s property was deceiving. It didn’t appear this large from the street. Food was a necessity and fresh vegetables were frequently stolen. Kenner’s reputation had kept theirs safe for years.

I removed the backpack and dropped it to the ground. I then pulled the sword from its sheath. It sizzled in my hands, seemingly in anticipation. I walked a few rows into the garden and stabbed the point into the earth. A vibration traveled from my hand to my arm and punched throughout my body. I went to my knees in the dirt.