The Tribrid

A Tribrid

**Katherine**

My sister and I sat by the fireplace, listening intently as Grandpa told us stories about the past. His voice carried the weight of history, wrapping around us like a warm, comforting blanket.

"Back in the day, hybrids were considered dangerous and were killed on sight," Grandpa said, his tone grave as he looked between Emily and me.

"Papi, what's a hybrid?" Emily asked, voicing the same question that had been lingering in my mind.

*"Well,"* he began, leaning back in his chair, *"Hybrids are people with two types of supernatural blood running through their veins—like a vampire and a werewolf, a werewolf and a witch, or even a witch and a vampire."*

His words sent a shiver down my spine.

*"They were said to be powerful troublemakers, nearly impossible to kill. So, the Supernatural Council declared a law—any hybrid, whether born or turned, had to be eliminated immediately."*

My breath hitched. *"When born? You mean... they would kill a baby?"* I asked, crawling onto his lap beside Emily, absentmindedly playing with his silver hair.

*"Yes, little Katrina."*

I winced. I hated that name. It made me feel like I belonged to a different era, one far removed from my own. But I let Grandpa call me that because, in return, Emily and I got to call him *Papi*, a nickname he despised.

*"What made hybrids?"* I asked, curiosity bubbling inside me.

*"For vampire-werewolf hybrids, they had to be turned,"* he explained. *"Some special vampires have blood that can transform a werewolf into a hybrid. As for the others, hybrids are naturally born when two different kinds of supernaturals have children—like a werewolf and a witch."*

Emily tilted her head. *"But what about vampire-werewolf hybrids? Can’t they be born?"*

Grandpa chuckled. *"No, princess. Vampires can't have children."*

Emily frowned in confusion. *"But you and Grandma had Mommy."*

I stilled. *She has a point…* If Grandpa was a vampire and Grandma a werewolf, how did they have Mom? Was it because he was an Original? One of the first vampires ever turned?

Grandpa simply smiled. *"Yes, your grandma and I had a miracle."*

Emily and I exchanged a shocked glance. *"So… Mommy is a hybrid?"* we blurted out in unison.

How dare she not tell us?

Grandpa chuckled, shaking his head. *"You two didn’t even let me finish before ambushing me with questions! You’re supposed to be five and eight, not little interrogators."*

We both looked down sheepishly.

*"Continue, Papi,"* I urged.

He sighed playfully. *"As I was saying, hybrids were once hunted. But over time, people realized how unfair it was to punish couples who weren’t of the same kind. So, the most powerful witches—"*

*"The Five?"* I interrupted, eyes wide with excitement.

Grandpa feigned annoyance, and I quickly raised my hands in surrender.

*"Yes, The Five,"* he confirmed. *"They found a way to bind one part of a hybrid’s nature, making them only one thing. They sealed away the weaker part, allowing only the dominant gene to manifest."*

That made sense. *"So, in Mommy’s case, her werewolf gene was dominant,"* I mumbled, more to myself than anyone else.

But another question nagged at me. *"Grandpa, why do vampires and werewolves hate each other?"*

He smiled knowingly. *"You are one curious little thing, aren’t you?"* He leaned forward. *"A long time ago, a witch fell in love with a werewolf. But fate had other plans. The werewolf was fated to a vampire. When he told the witch, she was furious. She begged him to reject his mate, but he refused. Blinded by rage and jealousy, she used the power of a blood moon to cast a curse—one that would ensure eternal hatred between vampires and werewolves. However, for some reason, the curse didn’t work on us Originals."*

That explained how Grandpa and Grandma managed to be together.

Emily yawned, snuggling into Grandpa’s chest.

*"I think that’s enough stories for tonight,"* he said, lifting us effortlessly into his arms.

He carried us to our room and tucked us into bed, kissing our foreheads. *"Goodnight, my loves."*

*"Goodnight, Papi,"* we murmured sleepily as he turned off the lights and left.

I lay there, staring at the ceiling.

*"So, if they never discovered binding, Mommy would have been killed,"* Emily whispered.

*"Go to sleep, Emily,"* I said, turning onto my side. *"For all we know, Papi made that story up. You can’t trust everything he says."*

But sleep didn’t come. I tossed and turned, my mind restless. Then I heard it—whispers.

As a werewolf, I had enhanced senses: hearing, smell, and strength. These abilities usually surfaced around age eleven, but for some reason, mine had appeared when I was eight. I hadn’t told anyone. They already thought I was a freak because I healed faster than the average Alpha.

I focused on the hushed voices.

*"What do you mean you can't help her? You're the strongest witch we know—apart from The Five!"* My mother’s voice was sharp, urgent.

*"I'm sorry, Luna,"* an unfamiliar woman replied. *"But all her genes are dominant. We can't bind her."*

My breath caught in my throat.

*"And how the hell does she have witch blood in her?!"* Mom demanded.

*"Calm down, Ciara. You'll wake the kids,"* my father soothed.

Who were they talking about?

I tiptoed toward the door, pressing my ear against the wood.

*"How does she have witch blood in her?"* Mom asked again, this time quieter, more controlled.

*"I was a witch before we were turned,"* Grandpa admitted.

I froze.

*What?!*

*"Dad, you never told me that,"* Mom said, her voice laced with shock.

*"I didn't think it was necessary,"* he replied. *"When my siblings and I were banished from our village, we were left for dead. One night, under a blood moon, we helped an old woman gather firewood. She couldn’t give us food or shelter, but she offered another way to survive—by giving up our magic. She was a siphoner witch. She drained our powers and used them to turn us into vampires. I never thought the witch blood would remain in my system. That was a thousand years ago."*

A heavy silence followed.

Then my father’s voice. *"Nina, is there anything we can do?"*

*"I'm sorry, Alpha. But your daughter is what we call a Tribrid. She cannot be killed, nor can she be bound. The only thing I can do is teach her everything I know about being a witch. But we must ensure the Supernatural Council never finds out about her. If they do, they will either kill her or lock her away."*

My blood ran cold.

*"Wait… daughter?"* My heart pounded. *It's either me or Emily.*

*"How old is she?"* Nina asked.

*"She's eight,"* Dad answered.

I swore my heart stopped.

They were talking about *me.*

*"Then we must begin her training immediately, she only has until eighteen!"* Nina declared.

*"Why eighteen?"* I asked, unable to stop myself from speaking.

The door swung open. I lost my balance and fell flat on my butt.

*"Ouch,"* I whimpered, looking up.

Ten pairs of eyes stared down at me. I hadn’t even noticed Grandma was there.

I swallowed hard. *"Hi."*

A woman stepped forward. She didn’t look older than twenty-five. *This is the powerful witch my mother spoke of?*

She smirked. *"I’m older than I look, sweetheart."*

I gulped.

*"I assume you heard everything?"* Nina asked.

I nodded.

*"Good. Because from this moment on, I will be your teacher… until you turn eighteen."*

*"Why eighteen?"* I repeated.

Her expression softened.

*"Because, sweetheart… when you turn eighteen, you’ll have to leave home."*