Secrets Within

Chapter 3

“Your family did this to you? Why?” Haven looked up at Ruby.

“I wouldn’t tell them about you. My family wanted to use me to spy on you. I’m not the same little girl you were friends with, she moved, and she doesn’t know you. I was put in her place to get close to you. I couldn’t tell you before. I was so scared; I was locked up again when I refused to tell them anything.”

“You have been spying on Ruby for how long?” I can’t understand how I missed that. She is a traitor, and cannot be trusted.”

**Ruby**

“How can I trust you now?” I feel so betrayed, it’s like someone ripped my chest open and shredded my heart.

“I am so sorry Ruby. I’ll tell you everything!” I would like to know what she has to say.

“Start from the beginning. What happened to the real Haven?” She looked relieved; I don’t think she expected me to ask.

“We need to go somewhere safe; I don’t know if they know where you live. I don’t want them to get you. My uncle is crazy!”

“Baby, do think it is a good idea to believe her?” I thought for a minute.

“Yes, she may not be the real Haven, but this is the girl I grew up with. I don’t fully trust her; she will have to earn my trust back.” It looked like Dez was considering what I said.

“Alright, I’ll call Viktor and find us somewhere safe to go. I'll give you some privacy.” Dez walked out of the room.

“I am so sorry Ruby. I am not the same person I was when they sent me to you. You have showed me how real family is supposed to be.” Haven was crying again.

“You are the only family I have left” This is true, I’m the last of my blood. “I love you Haven, I think of you as my sister.”

“They think you ruined our family. I don’t know why or how but that’s what they think. I didn’t tell them anything, I swear.” I can tell that she's being honest.

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**Haven**

I am so thankful for Ruby, if she hadn’t believed me I would be all alone with nowhere to go. I was left to fend for myself for three months when I was eight years old. A rite of passage they said. I almost died and my parents didn’t care. Everyone does it and if you don’t survive then you weren’t good enough to be in the family. That’s the law, because Uncle says so. Nobody is brave enough to go against him even if they wanted to. Uncle has been in control of the family for fifty years, longer than anyone else. He’s power hungry and insane. Then I was sent to spy on Ruby. I was the only option and at the time I dreaded such an important task. To disappoint Uncle would be a death sentence, I now see it was a blessing. I knew nothing but abuse and hate, Ruby taught me kindness and love. I know exactly when my loyalty changed from my family to Ruby. I was dating a particularly abusive man, he barely tried to hide it. Ruby saved me from him, he had a knife to my throat after a bad beating, she showed up at just the right time. She beat him with my lamp, no one ever cared enough about me to be so protective. Ruby went to jail that day and he was in the hospital for six months. She took me to the hospital, the cops had to drag her away from my side. Ruby spent the weekend in jail and was back at my side as soon as they let her go. I owe my life to Ruby. What do I owe my family? Nothing!

“How could your parents let your uncle do that to you?” Ruby asked.

“He’s the leader. No one goes against him. Most of that wasn’t from him, it was from my cousin.”

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**Viktor**

I have spent the past few days researching the oldest prophecies. Perhaps they will hold more pieces of the ancient prophecy. There were once rumors that the ancient prophecy was broken up in to chapters. This has been some puzzle and so far I am not solving it. Today I have to make my way to the safe house. Dez has a keen eye, he may be able to piece this puzzle together.

An apartment complex would make a vulnerable safe house, but in fact can be quite clever if one has the connections to fortify it. I have secretly kept friendly with some warlocks. Their magic is old but strong. The complex is modern and high tech as well.

It’s a beautiful day, the sun is shining and the warmth from the sum warms my chilled skin. Summer is my favorite season, keeps me energized. I knocked on the door of apartment 6. Dogs barking, Ruby must have dogs. Dez has been quite secretive about her, this of course has my interest peaked. I wouldn’t be surprised by a shift in his loyalty, after all ones mate is something to be cherished. I want my son happy, not my prisoner. Makers usually turn someone in hopes of eternal loyalty and servitude.

“Viktor! You are late, were you followed?” His loyalty has definitely shifted, it looks as though he barely wants to let me in.

“I was not followed, you can still trust me. Your loyalty is exactly where it needs to be. I am so happy for you.” His cautious expression relaxing.

“I know I can trust you Viktor. Come in.”

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**Ruby**

“It’s lovely to finally meet you, my dear.” Viktor said as he kissed my hand. “We have so much to talk about. I have brought some of the scrolls from our archives. I came across three prophacies that are very similar, by that I mean minor details that are identical but the outcomes are drastically different.”

“Ruby,” I looked at Dez. “I haven’t told you about my meeting with Viktor, because I knew you would have questions that I can not answer.”

“I don’t like that you kept this from me, but I also understand why you did.” I feel like I’m going to cry. “Sir?” looking at Viktor.

“Please call me Viktor.” He has such a comforting energy.

“Viktor, what do I have to do with these prophacies? I’m nobody, just an orphan.”

Viktor looked concerned. “My dear girl, you have to know that you are everything to Dezmond and therefore greatly important to me. Dezmond is my son and now you, my daughter. Your life is worth ours, and we would sacrifice ours without hesitation to save yours.”

“Let’s get back on track, what are the prophacies about?” Dez asked, I could hear the emotion in his voice.

“Yes, yes, of course. Where to begin?” We all gazed at Viktor with anticipation. “Let us start with the witch...Not much is known of her. She birthed a miracle, a daughter. It is said that this child was a witch but no ordinary witch. She was a hybrid.” Dez interupted, “What kind of hybrid?” “Dezmond, mind your manners, you know not to interupt.” Dez lowered his eyes. Seeing this side of him is intruiging. “I am truly sorry, father.” Viktor Smiled and continued. “ It is not known, some translations say werewolf others say vampire and some even say she was a gift from the gods. This is all that is left of this prophacy.” “What!” We said together. “Frustrating, I know. This prophacy was penned on human skin, it doesn’t age well.”

**Dez**

Ruby looked at me then back at Viktor. “I’m sorry, did you say human skin?” Viktor smiled at her. “Yes, paper was scarce back then.” “Oh, okay.” Ruby looked puzzled. “What is the matter, Love?” She blushed, “It’s hard to imagine what life was like back then.”

Viktor was watching us. “No civilized vampire would still use human skin now that paper is so easily attained.” “Viktor, what does the second prophacy say?” I need to know how Ruby fits into this.

“As I was saying, the second prophecy is just as vague. It tells of a beautiful young woman who was alone in the world, searching for her purpose. She didn’t know that a great evil was after her. This evil was not of our world but knew of our existance. They were determined to gain control of our world as well as the mortal one. Fire took everything from her, her fear would be her downfall unless....” Viktor stopped “Unless what?” Ruby asked, her face pale. “That is all that was left. It was too deteriorated to translate.” Viktor continued. “The third says, a woman will be the downfall of our world. A prisoner, trained to hate all immortals including herself. This woman is key to our existance. If she is captured our world is doomed, our world will cease to exist.” Silence. “How are these prophecies connected?

Viktor looked Dez in the eyes and said, “The description of this woman is all the same. Electric green eyes, jet black hair and a vampire mate. This woman has the ability to bring our world peace or extinction, based on her choices.” All eyes were on Ruby. “It can’t be me, it has to be someone else.”

“Love, you are extraordinary, how can you think anyone else fits that description?” Ruby shifted into a massive black lion. The look on the lions face was pain and confusion. (“DEZ! Help me!”)

(“What am I to do? Has this never happened before?”) The lion was pacing now. (“No! I hurt so bad. How do I change back?”) Low growls were coming from the lion that was once Ruby.

(“I am not sure. Just think human.”) I am not sure if that will work but its worth a shot.

(“Ok”) The lion closed her eyes but jumped and yelped in agony.

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**Ruby**

That was the most painfull thing that has ever happened to me. It hurt to pace but it hurt more to stand still. Am I going to be stuck like this? Viktor looked to be in shock, he’s not the only one. Dez looked amazed. I did tell him I was part shifter. Finally speaking Viktor looked to Dez and asked, “So she’s definately a hybrid.” Dez got between me and Viktor. “Yes, she is. She is mine.” I didn’t understand what was happening, it was like the whole energy of the room changed. I stayed behind Dez. “I do not want your mate, I stake no claims, son.” I could see Dez relax slightly. Viktor continued to speak. “She appears to be stuck in that form, has she shifted before?” (“Dez, I have never shifted before, I thought maybe that was why I was abandoned.”) “This is her first time.” He didn’t answer me, his full attention was on Viktor. The pain was easing up now. “I am honored to have been witness to this monumental moment. From my understanding most shifters have thier first shift by thirteen years of age. I am curious as to what brought on a shift so rapidly.”

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**Haven**

They didn’t want me in the room with their visitor. I was hiding in a room upstairs, they recommended the basement, but I couldn’t go down there. I told Ruby that was where I was put to be beaten. Ruby told me that family doesn’t do that to you. What is family then? My mother died while she was having me, so my father didn’t have much to do with me. I was left with my uncle a lot and my cousin. They treated me like I was a servant and told me that I should be thankful that I was even allowed in their home. Uncle always had father off on missions so he didn’t know what was happening, not that he would care. I was nothing to anyone, until i shifted the first time. It was rare to be able to shift into another person and for it to happen for a first shift was unheard of. Uncle started my training then, had me shift into a girl my age. He taught me everything about her and I was getting hurt anymore so I excelled at every task. I still have not been in my true form in years. I was raised not to trust vampires and finding out Dez was one shocked me. He was nothing like what I was told. I’m realizing more and more how many lies I was told growing up. I was taught that shifters were superior to all other beings. Mortals are disposable. My family are the monsters, I like to think that my mother would have cared. I guess I'll never find out. I wonder what they are talking about. I hope Ruby forgives me; she really is my best friend. I know I can trust her and if she trusts Dez then so do I.

I wonder if I can even shift back to my true form. I want to try but now I’m scared to, what if Ruby doesn’t want to be my friend anymore? Will I still be who I’ve become? I know physically i will look different, but will I still be me? I think I’m going to talk to Ruby about this, maybe she can help me through this.

**Viktor**

Someone else is in this house, I could sense it when I got here. Her smell was getting stronger. She smelled of lilac and rain, and the bitter smell of anxiety. “Ruby, who is your friend hiding upstair?” The massive black lion looked at Dez with worry. “That would be Ruby’s best friend, Haven.” Dez looked slightly worried. That was troublesome. Why are they trying to hide her? I feel a hunger to meet her. “Dezmond, go get her please, I wish to meet her.” Dez lowered his eyes and left the room. A few moments later he returned. “Haven will be here momentarily.” “I do not wish to harm her, her scent is inticing.” I heard her footsteps, my heart started to race. This is invigorating, I havent felt anticipation like this in more than a century. The door opened and in came the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. Oh s**t! She is my mate. “Dez said you wanted to meet me.” her voice was quiet. “Yes, love. I am Viktor, it is most amazing to meet you. May I ask what you are? I can not place your scent, it is faint but not strong enough to over power the scent of your anxiety. What is troubling you?” “Well I am a shifter, where is Ruby?” “She is there. She shifted into a lion.” “What?!” Haven crossed the room to Ruby. “I didn’t know she was a shifter. That somewhat explains why my uncle is after her.”

“What is your uncle's name?” Haven turned to face me now. “His name is Ulric, he is insane and power-hungry. He thinks Ruby is valuable, he sent me to spy on her years ago. I haven’t been in my true form since.”I can see genuine fear in her eyes, I wouldn’t need to smell her fear to know that she is truthful. The pain she must have faced at his hands must have been excruciating. “Dez, I want Haven to remain with me. I will keep her safe, she can be a guest of the coven.” “Sir, she is not a vampire, they will not allow her to stay there.” So they hid her for her safety, that makes sense. “They have to, Haven is my mate. We may not be allowed to seek out our mates but if we happen to cross paths then it is considered a gift from the gods. Not all are fortunate enough to be blessed like this. Therefore, we cannot actively search. A loophole to our laws, most common vampires are unaware of this. This information is slowly passed down to each leader, but told to be kept secret from our subjects.”

“Viktor, I will go with you. I can’t risk being found. I’ll be killed. I feel like I can trust you.” haven walked up to me and stood by my side, where she belongs. It is now my purpose to protect her. “Could you help Ruby shift back?” Dez asked with hope. “I can try. Like I'd said I haven’t shifted in years. We will go upstairs for privacy.”