Shadows

Chapter Seven - Evelyn's Point of View

Gregori Blackstone, a Master of Shadow Magic. A vampire who seems to be in love with my daughter. I am furious, and wonder what my mother knew.

I will admit disappointment when I found out my daughter was a Shadow Mage. Rare and exceedingly rare don't even begin to cover Shadow Mages. It is usually in the domain of werewolves and, as my bad luck would have it, vampires.

I stare at Gregori in silence as he watches a wall. Two figures are dancing there, and they are made of shadow. Clearly its my daughter and himself. I curse my lack of mother's foresight. I need her abilities tonight. My daughter is dating the vampire. The shower is in the room Minerva.

"What are your true plans for my daughter? Are you going to make her like you?" I finally hiss.

Gregori jumps a little then looks at me. "Didn't you read me the Riot Act a few hours ago? My intentions with your daughter are to eventually make her my bride. I have no intentions of turning her at this time as Shadow Mages can live for centuries on their own. I remember a mage who was 500 years old before he died. She's stopped aging if you haven't really noticed. I was once human as well you know."

I glare at him, but my curiosity is peaked. "What do you mean by she's stopped aging? Also what do you mean by she will live for centuries? I am a healer not a Shadow Mage."

Gregori sighs, but answers my questions. "Shadow Mages are feared for two reasons. One, they stop aging around 20 years of age, and don't start aging again until a few years before their death If it is natural. Two, Shadow Mages live for centuries where other mages live for a century or so. Its something to do with the manipulation of Shadows. No one understands it."

I continue to glare at him. Something deep within tells me he's not lying, but I don't want to believe him either. "Why my daughter?"

Gregori looks to her and smiles softly. "Simply put? She's my fated mate. Sorry Ms. Brightlight, but fate wove us together. Did your mother never tell you that I was Minerva's mate?"

I stop and actually think about this. Mother and I had discussed Minerva many times over the years, but did she mention a mate? A conversation comes back to me.

Mother why Minerva? Why was she chosen to be a Shadow Mage? Why not another mage type. I can't accept this.

Evelyn you need to accept that your daughter is special. I have seen it. She will grow strong in her powers with her mate to guide her. He guides her now though your too blind to accept it. One day she will save your life. He will save hers, and she will become more powerful. Eventually, he will make her as he is, but not anytime soon.

Her mate? Mother please. She's barely four. Though I can't figure out what she means about the dinosaurs.

Her mate is making them, probably. He will protect her until she is of age. She has a good teacher. The schools will teach her little about her magic. She will be shunned by most, but make a few close friends...

I blink and groan. My mother told me alright. I look back at Gregori and ask the question that's burning in my mind. "Are you the reason beind the dinosaurs all those years?"

Gregori grins. "I have a thing for Jurassic Park. What of it?"

I look at him with irritation. "Do you realize it took over a month for my daughter to get to sleep without them?"

He hangs his head. "I figured it would take some time. I missed making them for her. I will not leave her again. Not willingly."

Minerva's sudden bone chilling scream causes our conversation to end. The room is suddenly plunged into blackness so thick you could cut it with a knife. Gregori rushes to her and all I can hear is his voice.

"Minerva, my beloved, wake up. Please wake up."

I hear the sound of nurses running into the darkness. "Ms. Nightshade? Ms. Brightlight?"

"I am in my bed, nurse." I call out.

"MOMMA! MOMMA! THE ICE IS TOO THICK MOMMA!" Minerva screams as the room becomes even darker.

"Minerva wake up." I call out fearfully. I have never seen this happen before.

"Minerva, wake up." Gregori says to her again. I hear a sudden gasp then the sound of my daughter crying uncontrollably into a shoulder.

"I will never let something this terrible happen to you or your mother again." Gregori tells her softly.

"I almost didn't save momma. The ice was too thick, and growing thicker. I didn't have enough shadows to save us." Minerva sobbed.

"You saved your momma and yourself, beloved. You are in the hospital and safe. I am here to make sure of that. I won't leave you again, Minerva." Gregori says.

"What do you mean by again?" Minerva asks still crying.

"I am the reason your shadow people were eaten by dinosaurs. I have watched you for many years. I have also been teaching you from afar. I can help you harness your abilities as they are now. Speaking of which can you rein in your shadows? The room is now black as pitch and the nurses need to be able to find you."

"Do you promise not to leave me again?" Minerva asks somewhat calmer.

"I swear to you, I will never leave you again. I have to leave for the day, but I will be back tonight and every night until the end of time." Gregori responds.

The room goes back to its customary darkness, and I see Gregori sitting on Minerva's bed holding her from the light from the hall.

"I've missed my dinosaurs. Please don't take them away again." Minerva says.

"Never again." I hear the promise in his voice.

"Ms. Brightlight, I need to take your vitals." a nurse says. I hand her an arm while staring at my daughter's bed.

Gregori holding my daughter as he would a lover. My daughter holding him as she would a life line. An imperceptible aura about them. A darkness that shifts and moves like dancers.

"OK, Ms. Brightlight, your heart rate and blood pressure are a little elevated. We heard your daughter screaming so thats probably why." the nurse says to me.

"Thank you nurse." I respond staring at the scene in front of me.

They take my daughter's vitals and leave the room. A few minutes later my daughter falls asleep again. Gregori gently lowers her to the pillow, and takes her hand.

"How long do you plan to sit there?" I ask quietly.

"I plan to go back to my chair in a few minutes. I am letting Minerva settle fully." Gregori says.

Soon he moves back to his chair, and watches the wall for several long minutes. I am about to speak when another voice breaks the silence. "Hey Gregori. I am here to replace you. Dawn is in half an hour."

"Thank you Harry. Any trouble entering the rehab hospital?"

"Nah, just told them Billy sent me. That man is on the warpath. Let me show you why." Harry says snatching the remote from the bedside table and turning on the news.

"Last night, Evelyn Brightlight's house fully collapsed under a torrent of ice. Evelyn and her daughter, Minerva Nightshade, are still in hospital. Back to you Bob." the news caster said.

"My house was destroyed by a torrent of ice?" I ask in disbelief.

"Yeah, sorry Ms. Brightlight. You'll have to live with your daughter for a while it seems. Bob said that he has had mages all over Minerva's house looking for traps. Guess he has a spare key." Harry says.

I hear a groan and look to Minerva's bed. "Yeah, Bob's got a key." she mumbles.

"I should go." Gregori says as he stands up. He crosses to Minerva's bed, and gives her a gentle hug. "I will be back tonight, beloved."

"OK. See you tonight." she says.

Harry sits down in the chair as Gregori leaves. Harry watches the early morning news as Healer Shadowdancer comes in. He steps over near Minerva and checks her over. He smiles at my daughter and lets her know that she will start physical therapy today.

Healer Shadowdancer leaves as my own healer comes in. Healer Lightbringer is an older male whom I actually trained under as years ago. He checks me over and lets me know that I too am starting physical therapy today.

"Momma, did I hear Gergori correctly?" Minerva asks me.

"About what sweety?" I counter softly.

"Did he call me 'beloved'?" she asks.

"He did. What I am going to say leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. He's your fated mate." I tell her softly.