Empress Uprising

Chapter 7

*Theo*

I lead the kids outside and down the path that leads to the lake. They have all listened and not said a word since I pulled out the teacups. So far neither Hilda nor Luca display Kora’s more negative personality traits. In fact, they both seem to feel unease when Kora shows that side of herself around them. Hilda has been working with Kora more these days and I was afraid she would start acting like her. Luca has spirit magik. It doesn’t take but one bad day to abuse it in the wrong way. I work with Luca on his emotional control daily though. He is a strong young boy with a great heart. He will make an amazing healer one day if Kora allows it. Thea though. Thea was destined to be beyond this coven.

*Flashback*

“ You said I would still be able to feel if my child had a wolf or not. I did not feel anything but magik when she was born. You lied. Why?”

I was not mad at the seer. After leaving Ember I knew what the seer meant she saw in her vision.

“ I did not lie. The child you will father to be born with a wolf has not been born yet.”

“ Why did you not tell me about Ember?”

“ About who?”, the seer asks. Judging by the look on her face I do not think she knows what I am talking about. I turn to leave and the seer asks, “ Do you mean your mate?”

“Yes. Ember is my mate, but not my wife.”

“Oh. I see. Choices are not a part of my gift. I can not help you any further. I will add one thing though. Some events you can not control. Others however can be manipulated if the want is great enough.”

*Flashback over*

The seer said no more. I still don’t fully get what she was saying. No one from this coven is welcome there anymore. So it is not like I can ask again. All I can do now is try to help anywhere I can. Right now that means Thea.

“ Ok, we can sit by the lake and talk. Sorry I made you wait, but as we all know Kora can hear too much in that house. I like it by the lake at night it is peaceful.” I tell them as I sit.

They all just nod at me as they are sitting-down. We are all side by side and looking out across the lake to the other side. It is beautiful out here as always. The fireflies are dancing around as the frogs croak. The moon is blight tonight even though not full. It shimmers off the top of the lake and casts a rainbow of color that dances on top of the lake and moves with the ripples. I know they are all waiting on me to talk.

I sigh and begin. “ Hilda, Luca. If you both want to stay for this conversation you will need to drink a potion afterward. It will erase your memory of the past few hours before drinking it. I ask this because your mother can not know what we will be talking about. I will be drinking it as well. I have taken it quite a few times over the past years. I make it myself and I promise it is safe. Do you agree to this?”

“ If this is about Thea and her safety, then yes I agree.”, Luca said almost instantly.

“Fine”, is all Hilda said.

“ What about me?”, Thea asked.

“ Kora can not use anykind of magik on you. That is why she forced me to put the bracelet on you. Your mother prayed to the moon goddess before you were born for your protection. We did not know what had happened till Kora’s basic magik to move you to a crib bounced off you like you had a shield. She told me to try mine and it worked so we knew it was only her you were protected from.” I told her and then took a breath because I know there is more to come from all of them.

“ So how often does mom make you do things like that dad?”, this came from Luca.

“ Not that often son. She can use all types of magik so she rarely needs me for anything. Usually only involves me in it at all if it has to do with Thea.”

“Why stay?”, Hilda ask.

“ You three. There is only so much protection one can give when spirit magik is used the way Kora does. By staying I keep a healthy balance so that she feels safe. It also allows me to stick by and raise you three. She can not control me to do anything that would harm another. I made sure of that before Thea was even born. I will not be a part of something like Red Moon again.”. I answer as I gesture to them all. “Thea are you ready to talk?”

“ Yes, No. I don’t know. I have so many questions. I do not know where to start.” She is still looking at the lake and nothing else.

“ Well, let us see. You have your pick that’s for sure. You know you will have the strongest affinity with fire, but you should be able to feel the others if you try. We can discuss how to control them all. Or we can discuss your wolf?”, I know I have caught her off guard when she snaps her head my way with her mouth half-open.

Thea adjusts quickly though and Responds, “ I do not know what you are talking about.” Then looks back at the lake.

“ I know you have one Thea. I felt it when you were born and I still feel it to this day. You are the reason I had to learn about all the potions I have made. Kora does not know and never will. The seer told me I would, but I did not understand till the day you were born. I love all three of you. I cherish the day each of you was born and will always remember it. But when Thea was born. That day I felt another connection I had never felt before. It's always been just a feeling, but I know what it is. That is why we will be drinking these” I tell them all as I bring out the three bottles I have made of my memory potion. “ There are some things Kora must not know. This is one of them. I thought that your brother and sister would appreciate knowing. Even if just for a short time.”

“You go through all this trouble just to keep Thea safe?” Hilda ask.

“ Yes and no. Not all of it is for Thea. I will protect each of you from anything. Even if that something is Kora. I also do what I can to help other coven members live a happier life.” I answer.

“ Ok, do you have a wolf, Thea?” Hilda asks again. This time she seems intrigued by though.

“ Ummm. Yes, but she didn’t want me to say anything. She thinks it's ok now that Theo said he has those potions though. Her name is Cyra. She says she has still been here and sees it all as I grew up. She is as about a fan of Kora as I am, but she approves of you three.”, Thea says and everyone laughs just a little at that.

“ What's it like?”, Luca asks.

Thea took a second to think and then told Luca, “ I am not sure yet. It was surprising to hear her the first time. I actually got caught up in talking to her and did not even realize where I was when Theo put ice water in front of me in the kitchen.”

We spent almost two hours talking about a variety of things. The kids did not waste their chance to ask me things. Hilda and Luca helped me go over all the basics of controlling magik. How to feel each one and then call it. Hilda asked me a lot of questions about her mom. Luca seemed to be more curious about why he and Hilda did not have a wolf. Thea did not ask a lot of questions. She did ask about Red Moon, but I can not discuss that right now. She seemed to respect that and did not push. She listened to everything though and practiced the things we told her. She could easily gather a small ball of fire in her hand after just a few tries. She has not had the chance to shift yet. I told her to just be honest when she arrives at the Academy and they will help her.

That place is the safest place right now for anyone. Its fortification alone is better than any one coven, pack or hive could ever dream of. Not to mention all the people they have in there for trainers. Most have been to war with both humans and supernaturals of all kinds. Perfect ones to train the next generation going in. They also train all types of supernaturals in hopes to form more unity throughout the years. It is working. Just slowly. Thea is the first hybrid of her kind, but there are other types of hybrids. She will be trained for both her heritages. I have faith in my secondborn. Now I need to worry about the firstborn and youngest. I can not allow Kora to get Luca’s to taint his magik. I can not allow Hilda to be swayed by her mothers' way of taking power either. Kora made me jaded to using her magik for the good of all but my children will not get that way no matter what. I already allowed Kora to take one person I love away. It will not happen again not physically, spiritually, or emotionally.