The Damned

Holidays

Nix POV

Tomorrow is Christmas Day.  Here on the island we don’t believe in Christmas, but, because of our packs in America and Europe, we celebrate Christmas to fit in with mortals.  Once again, yesterday someone left gifts on our porch.  Only this time, there’s one gift for each member of my family and four gifts for me.  I wish I knew who keeps doing this so that I could thank them.

Waking up this morning, I feel groggy.  So, I decide to go outside, undress, and let Isla take over.  We run for a while and I feel less groggy.  By the time we return home, I feel refreshed.  I get dressed then go inside to take a shower.  I get dressed after my shower making sure to put on the mystery gift necklace I got for my birthday.  I’ve worn it every day so far because I love it so much.  After I am dressed, I go and eat a small breakfast.  As I am eating, my family comes into the kitchen.

“Morning, sis.”  Theo smiles.

“Morning.”  I smile in return.  “What’s going on today?”

“Well, Mom and I are going to the grocery store to get stuff for tomorrow.”

“Sounds good.  What are we planning for tomorrow?”  I ask.

“Hash brown, egg, and bacon casserole for brunch.  Then we’ll have veggies and dip for a snack.  Dinner will be ham, homemade mashed potatoes, gravy, glazed carrots, and rolls.”  Mom replies.

“Sounds delicious.  Do you guys want help getting stuff?”

“We would love for you to come along.”  Nina smiles.  I smile in return.  Mom nods in agreement.  After I finish eating, Mom and Nina get ready to go.  I grab my purse and cell phone and head out to the car with Mom and Nina.  We go to the store and split the list in three.  We each head off to get the items on our portion of the list.  We meet up at the register and then head home with our groceries for tomorrow.  Once groceries are unloaded, I go upstairs to my room and grab my sketching supplies.  I go back down to the living room where my family just put in a movie.

“What movie?”  I ask.

“Battleship.”  Theo replies.  I stretch out on the floor with a pillow and start sketching while the movie plays.  After the movie, Mom goes into the kitchen to fix us all some lunch.  She hollers for us after about fifteen minutes.  We all go into the kitchen and sit at the table there.  Lunch today is BLTs and waffle fries.  After lunch, Mom and Dad decide they want to go for a run.

“Anyone else want to join us?”  Dad asks.

“I’ll go.”  Theo says.

“Me too.”  Nina smiles.

“Nix?”  Dad asks.

“No thanks.”  I say and continue working on my sketch.

“Okay.  We’ll be back.”  Mom says.  I nod to show I heard her.  I don’t like the way my original sketch is going, so, I turn to a new page.  I think about what to draw and decide to draw a sunflower field with a few butterflies on the flowers.  As I’m finishing, my family comes walking in the backdoor.  They take turns taking showers.  When they are all done, they come back to the living room.

“How about another movie?”  Dad wonders.

“Sure.”  I smile.

“Sounds good to me.”  Mom says.  Theo and Nina nod in agreement.  “Great!  Nix, you pick it out.”

“Okay.”  I go over to our movies and look through them before deciding on Stardust.  I put the movie in and stretch back out on the floor.

“Good choice, sweetie.”  Mom says and I can hear her smiling.

“Thanks, Mom.”  I say turning to smile at her.  I turn the page in my sketchbook to a blank page.  I start working on a very detailed butterfly.

“What are you working on, sis?”  Theo asks.

“Well, I was working on a sunflower field.  Now, though, I am working on a detailed butterfly.”  I reply.

“Can I see the field?”  Mom asks.  I flip the page back to the field, get up, and show Mom.  “That’s incredible, honey.  You have a true gift.”

“Thanks, Mom.”  I show Dad who smiles encouragingly.

“I want to see the butterfly when you’re done.”  Nina says.

“Okay.”  I go back to my spot on the floor and continue working on the butterfly.  I finish just as the movie comes to an end.  I get up and show Nina the sketch.

“That’s gorgeous!”  Nina exclaims.  “Would it be alright…I mean…can I have that picture?”  She stammers out nervously.

“Sure.”  I smile.  I carefully tear the sketch out and hand it to Nina.  She shows Mom, Dad, and Theo who all give me great praise for it.  “What are you going to do with it?”  I ask.

“Well, for now I’m going to frame it, but when I turn eighteen, I’m going to get this as a tattoo.”  Nina smiles.

“Really?”  I ask surprised.

“Of course!”  Nina exclaims.

“Thanks!  That’s a huge honor.”  I smile while my cheeks heat up.  Mom fixes dinner and we eat.  After dinner, I go upstairs, get warm water running in my bath tub, grab a book and my pajamas, and slide into the water once it is full enough.  I fall asleep rather quickly tonight.  However, it is not a restful sleep.

Darian POV

Today is Christmas Day.  I hope Nix and her family like the gifts I got for them.  This morning, Mom and I are making French toast casserole for our brunch.  We’ll have a snack in the afternoon.  Dinner tonight is Cornish game hens, homemade mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans casserole, and rolls.  We have it every year.  It was Dad’s favorite.  After dinner, she and I will exchange gifts then settle down for the night.

After brunch, I decide to go for a run.  Mom agrees to join me.  I allow her to strip down and shift first then I follow suit.  Mom’s wolf is a beautiful deep gray.  I shift into my midnight black wolf and Mom and I head off running.  We run for a long time before heading back home and shifting back to human.  Again, I let Mom go first to give her some privacy.  Then I shift back and get dressed again.  We go into the house and each have a turkey sandwich.  Then I go upstairs and take a quick shower so that Mom can also shower.  After her shower, we decide to watch a movie.  I let Mom pick it out.  She puts the movie into the player and sits down.  I skip the previews.  The main menu comes up and I see Mom picked out Princess of Thieves.  I laugh because I watched this so much growing up.  It’s one of Mom’s favorites, and, because of that, it became one of my favorites too.

Nix POV

After brunch, I go upstairs and lay down because I didn’t sleep well last night.  As I start to drift off, I think about what my mate will be like.  I still have a couple years before I can sense the bond, but maybe he’ll be older than me so I won’t have to wait two years to find him.  As I nap, I dream of the midnight black wolf again.  The wolf is running with a smaller deep gray wolf.  They make a lovely pair.  I wake up wondering why I keep dreaming about a midnight black wolf.  Is the wolf male or female?  I assume male because of how big the wolf is.  If that’s the case, who’s this new wolf?  The smaller gray one.  That’s when a thought occurs to me.  A conversation I had just a few months ago.

‘What does your wolf look like?’  I ask suddenly.

‘Well, aren’t you a curious one.’  The guy smiles.

‘Sorry.  You don’t have to answer that.  I don’t even know where that came from.’  I say bowing my head.

‘It’s okay.  Seriously.  My wolf is midnight black.  His name is Xavier.’

That conversation was with Darian after the homecoming game in October.  He had offered me a ride home because it was raining and he caught me walking in the rain.  So, why do I keep dreaming about Darian’s wolf?  If that really is Darian’s wolf.  I shrug it off and roll over onto my side.  I close my eyes again and soon drift into a dreamless nap that lasts an hour.  When I head downstairs, I hear my family talking and a smile stretches across my face.  I love my family.  I wouldn’t trade them for any other family in the world.  They are all in the living room with plates of veggies and dip.

“Hey, Nix.  The veggies are in the kitchen.  Help yourself.”  Mom says when she sees me.  I go to the kitchen and grab a plate.  I put some grape tomatoes, green pepper slices, cauliflower florets, and dip on my plate.  I then go join my family in the living room.  We talk and laugh until it’s time to start fixing dinner.  Mom, Nina, and I go into the kitchen and start dinner.  The ham went in while I was sleeping because it takes about four and a half hours to cook a thirteen pound ham.

Once dinner is ready, we all sit at the dining room table.  Like every Christmas, before we dish our plates, we will go around the table naming one thing that we are thankful for.  Dad always starts.

“I’m thankful for food on the table.”  Dad says.

“I’m thankful for a roof over my head.”  Mom says.

“I’m thankful for friends.”  Theo says and looks at Nina who is next.

“I’m thankful for Lucian.”  Nina blushes.

“I’m thankful for family.”

“Nicely done everyone.”  Dad says.  “You may begin dishing.”  We serve ourselves then eat while talking about anything and everything.

Once the dishes are done, we all meet in the living room.  Dad starts a fire in the fireplace to get us all more in the mood even though it’s not cold.  As always, I start passing out the gifts.  We start opening our gifts one at a time.

From Mom and Dad, I got a mandala adult coloring book.  From Theo, I received two sets of the latest AirPods with charging cases.  Theo even told me he had one set engraved.  I’ll have to check it out later.  Nina got me a hundred piece Sharpie set that has fifty fine point and fifty regular sized.  Lastly, from the mystery person, I received a pair of sterling silver drop earrings, a sterling silver bangle, a silver Claddagh ring with a blue tanzanite gem (my birthstone) for the heart, and a painting of a wolf under a snowy full moon.  I thank everyone in my family then go upstairs with all my gifts.  Once in my room, I try on the Claddagh ring.  It fits perfectly on my right ring finger which is good since I’m not married or engaged.  I point the crown towards my palm to show that I’m not in a relationship.  Not that everyone knows what a Claddagh’s position on a finger means.  But I do and that’s what matters.  I open the AirPods and look at the charging cases.  Sure enough, one of them says ‘Love, Theo’ on it.  I smile.  I put my new AirPods on charging cables so that I can be using them as soon as possible.  I put my new Sharpies and coloring book on my desk.  I take my ring and necklace off because I’m planning to take a shower and I don’t like wearing jewelry in the shower.  I’m always afraid that the jewelry will fall off in the shower and be washed down the drain.  Which is crazy because I have a grated cover on my drain because of the way my shower is.  It’s a waterfall shower with jets on the sides.  But I still worry.  I grab my pajamas and go into my bathroom.  I start the shower to get the water warm while I undress.  I step in and let all my worries wash away.

As I run, I can’t help but fear that I’m being followed.  I keep thinking that I hear paws thudding behind me, but every time I look back, nothing is there.  I duck behind a bush and watch as that midnight black wolf comes to a halt just next to where I am.  I hear it sniffing the air then look right at the bush I’m behind.  Why doesn’t he attack?

Darian POV

Running through the woods, I come across a white bundle in a sunny patch of grass.  Xavier looks closer and we both see that it’s a sleeping white fox.  Once again I think of the prophecy.  But how can such a beautiful creature help bring about the end of the world.  I need to look into this prophecy.

Waking up, I groan and roll over to look at my phone which tells me that it’s 6:37 a.m.  Flopping back down, I know I won’t be getting back to sleep, so, instead I ponder the dream that woke me.  The white fox again.  She really was beautiful.  Who is she?  Does she live on the island and I just don’t know it?

‘Maybe she herself doesn’t know it because she isn’t of age to shift.’  Xavier says in my head.

‘If that were the case, then why do we keep dreaming about her?’  I retort.

‘Fair enough.’  Xavier goes quiet then.  I take a quick shower, throw on some pants and a shirt, and go down to my study.  I hope I can find the right texts for researching the prophecy.  If not, the library opens at nine and I know they have books that will help.  I spend two hours looking through the books I have on the prophecy and legend of The Damned.  I’m getting close.  It takes me another hour to learn the truth.  Turns out that The Damned are here to protect humans and the prophecy actually tells that the white fox is supposed to bridge the gap between The Damned and humans.  It’s why we send families to America and Europe.  Apparently, we are called The Damned because of our immortality.  There are other immortals but they have more weapons against them.  The Damned are very secretive, so, humans don’t know we exist.  Therefore, they only have the weapons for other immortals.  Of course, most of the stories of other immortals are from generations before the current ones.  Some humans believe the stories, but again, The Damned have been so secretive since our births that there are no stories in the human world about us.  But I digress.  I have to tell Mom the truth about all this.  She needs to know as Queen of The Damned.  I go in search of Mom.  I find her in her study on the phone.  She signals me in and I sit in one of the chairs in front of her desk and wait patiently.

“You’re welcome.  Bye now.”  Mom says and hangs up the phone.  “So, what have you been up to this morning?”

“Research.”

“On?”

“The Damned.”

“And, what did you find?”

“We are on Earth to protect humans not bring about the end of the world.  The prophecy has been passed down incorrectly.  The white fox is to bridge the gap between The Damned and humans so they can work together and live in peace.”  I explain in a short version.

“Really?”  Mom says shocked.  “I wonder why it’s been so muddled through the years.”  She looks away from me for a minute.  “Well, that explains why we send families to America and Europe.”  She smiles.

“My thoughts exactly, Mom.”

“Good work, Darian.”

“Thanks.”  I smile and get up from the chair.  “I’m going to go try and go back to sleep now.”

“Of course, sweetheart.”  Mom says and I leave her study to go upstairs to my bedroom.  I lay down on my bed and close my eyes.

Nix POV

Three days from now is a new year.  On New Year’s Eve, my family has always had a nice dinner then whoever is now old enough to shift, goes for a run.  This year, I will finally be able to join my family on the run.

When I get up this morning, I take a shower right away.  Once dried off, I dress in blue skinny jeans and a black tank top.  I put on all my new jewelry and go downstairs for breakfast.  After breakfast, my family and I sit in the living room discussing New Year’s Eve.

“Excited to be able to run with us this year, Nix?”  Dad asks.

“Yeah, I am.”  I say with a smile.

“Good.”  Dad smiles in return.

When the mail comes today, my parents remind us that Luna Aslanta’s birthday is coming up and that we are all invited to her party.  There is no way on this planet that my family will not be attending.  Especially since Nina will one day be Beta Female.  After lunch, I decide to go to the shopping center to find a gift for Luna Aslanta.  While looking in a shop, I suddenly hide behind a rack because Lucian and Darian are out in the commons.  Maybe I can sneak around this store without them seeing me.

Darian POV

“Hey, dude.  Isn’t that Nix?”  Lucian asks pointing to a young girl in a*****e across from where we are walking.

“Yeah.  It is.  Let’s go say hi.”  I say.

“Okay.”  Lucian shrugs.  We walk into the store and I tap Nix on the shoulder.  I think I hear her squeak before she slowly turns around.  “Hey, Nix!”  Lucian says enveloping her in a hug.  I notice she is wearing the ring and bangle I got her.  She pulls away from Lucian and I see she’s also wearing the necklace and earrings.  I smile to myself.

‘She likes them.’  Xavier says gleefully.

‘It would appear so.’  I say.

“Hey, Lucian.  How are you?”  Nix says avoiding eye contact with me.

“Good.  How are you?”  Lucian asks.

“I’m good.  What are you doing here?”

“We came to get gifts for Luna Aslanta’s birthday.  What are you doing here?”

“Same reason.”  Nix blushes.

“That’s sweet of you.”  I chime in causing Nix to finally look at me.  I smile and she looks away instantly.

“That really is sweet of you, Nix.  But I’m sure Luna Aslanta is expecting anything…from anyone really.”

“Then why are you guys getting her gifts?”

“Well, I’m the future Beta so I feel obligated.”  Lucian says.

“And I’m her son, so…yeah.  Self-explanatory.”  I smile again but Nix doesn’t look at me.  She looks everywhere else but at me.

“I see.  Well, I’d better get back to it.  Don’t want to miss dinner.”  Nix says.

“Okay.  See you later.”  Lucian smiles and leads me out of the store before I can say anything.  I turn back to look at Nix who is watching me.  As soon as she realizes I’m looking, she scurries off through the store.  I smile to myself, but continue walking away with Lucian.  We go into a different store before Lucian turns on me.

“What was all that about?”  He asks with a smirk.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”  I lie.

“Liar.  You like Nix, don’t you?”

“I know it sounds strange since she and I don’t talk, but yeah, I like her.”  I say truthfully.  “I’m actually hoping that she turns out to be my mate.”  I finally voice my hopes.

“Dude!  That’s some serious stuff.”

“I know.”  I hang my head.  Lucian claps his hand on my shoulder and I look up.

“There’s nothing wrong with having hopes.”  He smiles reassuringly.

“Thanks, dude.”  I smile.  We shop and, luckily, find two amazing gifts for my mom.  I get her a new leather briefcase for her travels and Lucian gets her a pair of drop earrings that have garnets at the end.

Nix POV

‘What was that all about?’  Isla asks as I scurry out of sight of Darian.

‘His eyes are just too mesmerizing.’  I say as a way of explanation.

‘He was trying to have a conversation with you.’  Isla scolds.

‘Well, I don’t see why?  I mean I understand Lucian talking to me, but not Darian.’

‘Darian is Lucian’s friend, so, I’m sure that’s why.’

‘Well, whatever.’  I snap and Isla goes quiet.  I continue looking through the shop I’m in before deciding to go back to the first store I went to.  I go into the store and find what I had looked at before.  I decide it will do, so, I grab it and go to the register.  It’s an LED water fountain that looks like a stone wall with a waterfall spout coming out of it.  I hope she’ll like it.  I finish my purchase then go to one of the clothing stores.  I look around for a while before finding the perfect dress for Luna Aslanta’s birthday.  It’s a plain black handkerchief dress that has sleeves with the shoulders cut out.  I go to Icing and find a long silver necklace that will look perfect with the dress and my new earrings.  I go home after that and immediately hang up my dress.  Dinner is called, so, I go downstairs and sit at the dining room table with my family.  While eating, my family asks me about shopping.

“It was good.  I found a water fountain for Luna Aslanta that I hope she likes.  I also got a new dress and necklace for her party.”

“Very nice, sweetie.  You’ll have to fashion it for us after dinner.”  Mom says.

“Okay.”  I smile shyly.  We finish eating dinner and I go upstairs to put on my new dress and necklace.  As I’m putting them on, I realize that I may not have the perfect shoes for this ensemble.  I finish pulling the dress over my head and zip it up.  I go look at my shoes in my closet.  I find a strappy pair of black stilettos that have some rhinestones on one of the straps on each shoe.  Perfect!  I slip them on and head downstairs.

“Whoa!”  Theo says with a shocked expression on his face.  “Nix, you look hot!”  I am probably as red as a tomato now.

“Thanks, Theo.”

“Very nice, Nix.”  Dad says appraisingly.  Mom and Nina nod in agreement with their eyes practically bulging out of their sockets.

“Okay.  I’m going to go change now.”  I say and hurry as fast as I can back upstairs.  Maybe this isn’t the right dress for Luna Aslanta’s birthday.  I mean, I don’t want the attention on me.  I go to sleep tonight thinking about whether or not I should return the dress and get something simpler.