My feet could no longer support me and I kept stumbling into the walls. Everything had it out for me today, even the walls were intent on tripping me. After hitting my head for the fourth time, I resorted to crawling. Where I was going, I had no idea but I just wanted to get as far as possible from them. How they didn't hear all the racket I was making was beyond me I refused to ponder what they could be so engrossed in that would steal so much of their attention. Some small eternity and two flights of stairs later, I was in the living room.
Basement. Mother had confiscated a keg of fuel just two days ago from Clara, our neighbor's daughter. I doubted she had had time to give it back to her dad. If that man was intent on using me for my grandpa's money, I intended on ending everything right here. At least mum would have a chance at a new life then.
Father's feet thundered down the stairs just as I clabbered down the two short stairs that led to the basement. I panicked and dashed into the darkest corner of the basement I could find. My back scratched against the wood behind me and I heard it give. A deeper hiding place! I jumped into it and found myself in a small room. There was nothing else in the room beside a weak, barely there light and a strange gold triangle right in the middle of it. What the heck? It's placement was strange. Mother called me her little kitten because I just had to know how everything worked. It had certainly got me into more trouble than I could count and this was obviously no different. I pulled on the weird ring out of curiousity. It gave almost immediately, following my hand as I pushed it to me. The triangle was a false cover for a square hole. It wasn't visible until the triangle was pulled off. What a nifty little trick! But who would go through such trouble to hide something in here? Certainly not mother, which left the scumbag of the year.
I felt around for an opening and soon found a small hole big enough for my middle finger, pulling it opened up the hole to a silver box. How many levels were there? There had better be a damn good reward for all of these hurdles. It wasn't a box or a briefcase or anything of the sort I've seen. It had no handle or opening or anything like that even if it was just a pale silver case. I tapped on it for want of something to do. A hologram shot up on it and asked for a six letter password. I tried our last name but that didn't work. My mother's name also wasn't correct-surpise, surprise- then the hologram thing informed me that I had only one try left. Damn.
Think Kiera, think. What did I know about my da-Frank. That man was no father of mine. He was born in Arkansas and raised in an orphanage--I wondered if the lack of love in his early life was what turned him into such a heartless monster.-- Not the time Kiera, the voice in my head admonished.
Okay, back to the task at hand. What else did I know about Frank? Oh! He was a thirty eight year old police officer who had rapidly risen through the ranks in our small town of Lynnwood, Los Angeles. He was in line to become the next captain of our county, the youngest in history. Loved beer, the king's and hated women. Really, he was the biggest sexist there was. He believed a woman's place was in the kitchen hence why mother wasn't allowed to work, or think, or have an idea of her own let alone a voice. He never wanted me, he always wanted a son. As a matter of fact, I was named Kiera because that's the name he wanted to give his son, Kieran. Wait, That's it!
The one thing frank Ballad held dear to his black heart. I sent up a silent prayer to any gods that listening right then and typed in the words Kieran. A second later, the hologram disappeared and the box thing split in two.
Whoop- whoop! I pumped my fist in the air as I jubliated my success. To bad my joy didn't last long.
There were several sheafs of paper and wads of cash. So many of them, I wondered why a police officer didn't simply keep such a large amount of money in the bank.
Hmm, dear Mr Frank was up to something the law didn't approve of. I wondered how much trouble he'd get into if this was found in his possession.
I unraveled one of the papers and read it. The more I went through each document, the more I hated that man just a little more. The rage that had been burning in my heart minutes ago turned into icy cold fear, it's gnarly fingers gripping my heart and my lungs and squeezing the life out of them. Frank Ballad was no beast in human form, he was the devil incarnate.
I collapsed once again in dispair. What did we ever do to him? Was it something I said? The way I behaved? Because I was a girl? Was that why I counted for nothing to him? Did I even exist past a ticket to luxurious living to him?
Money. He did all of this for money. Our love and adoration meant nothing to him except a green paper he could blow on that sex doll pumped full of Botox. Even if it was the last thing I did, I would make sure he didn't get a dime of that money. I packed the paper and the fat wads of cash back into the box and jammed the halves together as a possibly harebrained, absolutely reckless plan formed in my head.
I put the box thing under my oversized shirt and held it together with my pants. I uncapped the keg and poured an ample amount in the small secret room, then I made a trail up the basement stairs. After checking to make sure there were no movements, I made a line out to the kitchen where I grabbed a box of matches and unlocked the backdoor and made a line out to his car. I'd wanted to burn that stupid bright red Audi since the moment I saw it. He refused to buy mum a car even though she was always running errands both for the house and for him and also when I'd asked him for a car for school-even a used one, he'd refused! Then the next day after my birthday-which he failed to get me a gift for-he shows up with a car worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. I poured as much as possible gasoline on it and moved away from the car. When I was as far away as possible, I rolled up a wad of newspaper and lit it on fire then threw it at the car. BOOM! went my dad's favourite thing in
Not the time. I reminded myself as I hurried away from the disturbing image in the mirror. It was nothing but a figment of my imagination anyway and I needed to get to mum before dad got here. Weird voices and faces that weren't mine would be analysed and dealt with at a later date. Mother was awake. That was good, and also bad. I'd hoped she would still be asleep when I got here, it would have made my work easier. "Mum!" I ran over to her and hugged her. Her eyes looked sallow and tired. She looked tired in ways no woman of her age should be tired. "Hey baby." Dad had said almost the same thing to his tramp earlier today. I cringed at the comparison. "What's wrong, love?" She asked worriedly, turning my face this way and that to get a better look at my face. "Nothing. Dad..." "Shh.. don't say anything. Your dad just lost his composure for a minute okay? He loves me, he loves us." "Really? Is this what love is to you?" I asked snidely. "You don't understand. This is a battle.
I woke to sunlight filtering in and yawned in the face of a tall, slim man in black suit. "Ma'am" He shook me gently, his voice warm and inviting. "Yes?" I groaned, yawning and stretching my arms in his face with all my strength. "The train is now in London. All passengers are disembarking." He related in a bland tone, his face betraying no emotion at my uncouth behavior. I sat up immediately and glanced around. Ours was a private car so there was no other person here besides mother, the conductor and myself, but I could here the sounds of people moving and talking. "What time is it?" "It's 6 o'clock in the morning ma'am." "Thank you." I murmured to the still standing conductor. He nodded his assent before turning smartly on his heel and exiting the car, leaving mother and I alone. "Where are we Kiera?" Mum gasped in a frightened voice, peering at everything as if they were made of poison. I groaned once again, working out the kinks in my limbs. Where had the hours gone? When
The fear choking me deprived me of the ability to scream. I staggered back from the display case, flailing about wildly until someone stopped from me from falling with their body.I whirled around to find my mother with tears in her eyes."I'm... I'm fine." I choked out, patting my arms to convince her and myself that I really didn't just catch on fire a second ago. I found several people holding their phones out and staring at us in morbid fascination."We need to leave here now." Mother whispered urgently, wiping the tears from her eyes. I nodded and we speed walked in one accord down the street.Glancing around after we cleared another block, I spied a small boutique, just like the man had discribed."C'mon mum. Time for a little shopping." I didn't wait for a reply as I entered the air-conditioned store. The clothes in here looked pricey but I had Frank's money to blow so why not do it on designer clothes.I shook myself, trying to get r
Evening was upon us once again. The journey to Llanwrtyd had taken the better part of two days. I was tired, cranky and weary. If I never took another bus or train again, it would be to soon. But somehow, I was inexplicably relieved. I'd been trying to gain entry into Llanwrtyd for centuries, each attempt a failure, but now, just when I was beginning to believe that the guardians had really been successful, I found my ticket in. I was brought up short by the thought that was mine, yet not. The voice had spoken in my head, but the thoughts were definitely not mine. I was nineteen years old and I never even knew Llanwrtyd existed before today. Why would I have spent centuries trying to come here? "Okay, I have had enough now." Mum yelled right in the middle of the street. Thankfully, there was no one to hear her. "That signs says we are in Llanwrtyd, Wales. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Wales is in the United kingdom. We are in another continent!" She roa
"Okay. Here is Gracie's BnB." He announced a small eternity later. I exhaled gratefully and jumped away from the truck. I'd never met aan who spoke for long periods of time as Bill. He didn't even care that we weren't contributing to the conversation.We knew literally everything about Bill. From the size of his ranch, to the names of his children, to that of his parents and his favourite spots in Llanwrtyd but the man didn't even know our first names.'Must love the sound of his voice' the voice piped up once again.The building he brought us to was antique and also charming. The wooden steps led to a brown balcony and a woman in a rocking chair and a black cat in her lap. She closed the book she was reading and clabbered to her feet."Guests! Oh, what a beautiful sight." She exclaimed happily, even clapping her hands together.'Sheesh, desperate much?' The voice sniped again.
She gaped at me but now that I've had the idea, it seemed like the best thing in the entire world. After I was able to force some food down mother's throat, I made her wear some new clothes. We would need a car and I needed to find something for mother to do during the days. Activity and interaction with other people were going to snap her out of her downtrodden mood.We braved Catwoman again and after an hour of her lectures on about all things Llanwrtyd, mum was able to get a word in edgewise and ask her for directions to a realtor."Looking to buy a house here? Oh, that's such wonderful news! I knew you were here to stay just by the looks on you." She gushed happily. "Why, my nephew works in the real estate office. I'm going to get you his phone number right now! You and I going to make truly wonderful neighbours." She prattled on but I'd tuned her out, frozen as I was in terror. Neighbors? I'd have to see her on a daily basis for the rest of my life?
"He swindled you!" She screeched."Why do you say that?" Mum wondered."That house is haunted. No one has been able to live there since Nana Baker died there over a hundred years ago.""Really?" I drawled in a bored voice. That was the latest excuse ever."Yes, really! No one has been able to live in that house longer than three nights. They either run away, run mad or die." She related with petrified eyes."Oh no." mother gasped, her eyes wide with fear. I was glad that she was being cognizant of her surroundings and taking part in conversations again, but I didn't want Mrs Clark scraing the daylights out of her."I doubt that's true mum. Ghosts don't exist.""It's not just ghosts but demons haunting that house. You think I'm making up tales?" Mrs Clark challenged dangerously.
Kiera's POVMy eyes snapped open suddenly. I blinked a few times, trying to figure out where I was. I licked the top of my lips as the world slowly came into focus and people stopped screeching in agony. Gingerly, I sat up until I was resting my elbows on my knees, the only sound in the room my harsh pants. Something had woken me up, but I couldn't pinpoint what it was. Well, whatever it was, I was glad for it.Before I'd woken up, I had been in the midst of a dream. To put it more accurately, a nightmare. People were screaming in agony. It was endless and bloodcurdling.A loud piercing sound rent the air and I flinched instinctively.My eyes went wide with panic as my heart galloped rapidly. It took me ten horrible seconds in which I died twice before I finally located the sound.I huffed at my own jumpiness and leaned towards the edge of the bed to pluck up the phone. I needed to change that stupid ringtone before it gave me a heart attack. ‘I'm hungry.’ The text message was just o
Kiera's POV (CONTINUED)“Mira?” I called in disbelief, moving closer to the two figures. Big doe eyes lit up when she caught sight of me. One would think she just saw her long lost love with how wide her smile was. “Kiera!” She thrilled and ran over to hug me. I stood frozen to the spot, trying to comprehend what was happening. She ended the strange, too tight hug a few seconds later, her megawatt smile lighting up her eyes. “You're back! Thank goodness, I actually thought we'd have to wait for hours. Are you just coming back from school?” She asked with a nod in the direction of my backpack. “How did you know where I live?” I demanded in a tight tone, cutting through her chatter ruthlessly. Being a brilliant mood reader, Mira's effusive smile dimmed somewhat, but didn't completely fade. "My uncle told me.”Oh, yeah. Tru, the demon seeking giant. “Why are you here?”“You don't want to see us? It sounds like we're not welcome.” She clipped, her eyes turning a brilliant yellow as i
Kiera's POV(Continued)"Okay, so this is how this is going to go down." Jerkface began softly, his gaze trained on the empty road ahead. We were in a wooded area of the town. After Mason's whispered threat -it could be nothing else- I had been in a sort of panicked trance. By the time I was cognizant of anything, a small see through bag was in my hand and Rhemir was on the phone. Shortly after, Rhemir had ended the call with a "Yes, sir."Then he turned to Jerkface and I and informed us with a rueful grimace that he had an important errand to run for his uncle. I wanted to ask if this was the same 'alpha' who had called him out of school a few days ago, but the sudden thundercloud that hovered above Mason's head had me changing my mind. The two of them exchanged a meaningful glance but Jerkface gave a short shake of his head. With a shrug, Rhemir turned and exited the shop. So now, I was in a huge black truck on the road to Lord knew where and the only thing I had for company be
Kiera's POV(Continued) The phone store was compact, but boasted of a vast array of smartphones, tablets, laptops and all the necessary accessories. It was also silent, the only occupants being myself, a boy and girl just about a year or so older than me who are definitely employees of this fine establishment. I spied the burly owner behind an oval desk glaring at me and I promptly headed farther into the store. I stopped next to an aisle of phone chargers, staring at it blankly. A little bell rang as the front door opened, admitting two bodies. Resolutely, I continued inspecting the wall of chargers even as the new entries kept walking towards me. Soon, their body heat was behind me and I didn't have to look at them to know it was Rhemir and Jerkface. "C'mon, the latest phones are in the next aisle." Jerkface asserted....and he promptly gripped my elbow and dragged me along for the ride. Sarah dragging me where she wanted, I had no problem with. But Jerkface doing the same thing, t
Kiera's POV (Continued)"Kiera?" The voice was anxious but gruff. Whoever spoke was scared but trying to sound tough. An innate urge made me want to reach up and comfort the voice. I reached out with my hands blindly. Thick layers of clothe, a firm body. A soft but bushy mound of hair. And then the most delicious scent my nose has ever been honored to smell. It was a cross between melted chocolate and s’mores. Or maybe the s’mores was coated in chocolate before being roasted. Hmm. Yummy.I scooted closer, seeking more of the delicious scent with my nose....and the rest of my body. Something big, fluffy and warm engulfed me, and I scooted as close as possible, not even wanting the tiniest wisp of air between me and the wonderful scent and my comfy pillow. Soft exhalation hit my hair. It felt like relief. I was too busy enjoying this heavenly pleasure to try and determine what relief my comfy pillow was feeling. “Hey! No indecent acts in front of my shop! Get a room!” The voice yell
Kiera's POV(Continued)Rhemir was waiting outside when I exited the building. I found him lounging against the ancient brown doors, his gaze unfocused. He sprang into motion the second he saw me."Hey! There you are. You ready?""For what?" Jail?Can he hear Celyn bouncing around in my backpack?"Why would I take you to jail?" He asked quizzically, his eyebrows furrowing."Um.. where are you taking me?""Home? The school day is over and we missed you at lunch, so I figured I'd give you a lift home." His baby blues narrowed on my face. "You don't consider your home a prison, do you?" He frowned suddenly, his countenance back to warrior mode. He was primed and ready to wage war on my behalf. If he knew what'd I'd done to a fellow girl just a few short minutes ago, he wouldn't be so willing to defend me."No of course not! It was just a random slip of the tongue, okay? You can stop looking like you want to rip someone apart now." I snapped, just barely stopping myself from making a run f
Kiera's POV(continued)I was staring at the buttocks of a squirrel.Why was I staring at a squirrel's butt?Blinking, I rose and tried to confirmexactly what I was looking at. The pain flared to life again."Easy there." A soft voice murmured.I lurched to my feet, and promptly ended up on my butt with a pained groan for my effort. Tears rushed to my eyes as that stupid effing flame made itself known."Are you alright, keeper?"I turned, careful to twist only my neck and no other part of my body. Staring at me in consternation was a tall willowy figure in a frilly gown. It reminded me of something that was popular in the eighties. She wasn't floating in the air. But I knew what she was. Ghost. Sorry, trapped soul.She was strong though, her solid form on this realm stating clearly that she has been here a very long time an
Kiera's POV(Continued)"Human existence is on the brink of extinction." Nana Brooke's voice broke the weird silence that ensued after that horrific show. "They're tired of being in the shadows. They want to rule. Your gift is the only thing stopping them. It is also the only thing that can help they become victorious." Talk about a double edged sword.I turned to her, shell-shocked. "My gift?"She nodded lightly. "Yes, the gift of the flame. It was given to me by William." My mind flashed back to Whitlock's terrified ramblings. It was the flame he'd been trying to hide from 'the traitor.'"I come from a long line of witches Kiera. But we were different. We can't cast spells like other witches -some say it meant we were weak. We only have a particular strength we excelled in and could do well. My mother's was making illusions. She was the strongest there was. Apart from these strengths, we are spec
Kiera's POV(Continued) Reluctantly, I did as she said. "Whoare you?" I wondered. Where was I? That was the next question on my tongue, but I wanted to put a name to the face first. Why did it feel like I should know who she was? "Why, I am Nana Brooke." "You don’t look like a nana."I declared succinctly. Every time I hear the word nana, I always picture an old womanwith a long gown, blue shower-cap and a large wooden spoon. Instead she wore a trim ice blue gownand comfy shoes. Her black hair was gleaming and in a short bob. "The afterlife must be pretty neat." She laughed heartily. Even her laugh was familiar. "We are not inthe afterlife child." Oh, thank goodness. I wasn't dead yet. "Then whereare we?" "Somewhere in the in-between." She has black eyes just like me,