Blood By Candle-Light

Chapter Four: Thrimina's Wish

Florencia Tremadia Pack, Iris Creek – Months Ago

Afternoon

Sunbeams cascaded through the autumn leaves and mulberry bushes by a crystal lake. Koi fish bubbled to the surface as a few berries made an impact. The ripples guided towards the banks surrounded by wildflowers and bentgrass. Swallowtails, monarchs, and blue-spotted emperors glided over three young women as they gave chase, giggling to their hearts’ content. 

Out of the three was Thrimina. It’s the annual Moonfire Festival, and her eighteen birthday. The other two, Remina and Shara, were her closest friends, born on the same night under the Blood Moon. It’s rare, indeed, to have one let alone three feathered-foxes born during this time. Neilda, Thrimina’s mother, worried that they would be sought after because their powers surpassed the rest of the pack. But the Elders assured her that no species, witch, or human, would ever detect such raw powers. 

Thrimina was born with the gift to heal, Remina’s was catoptromancy, or to see people and places from outside the pack through mirrors, and Shara’s ability was to project one’s desires into reality. These elements were viewed as dangerous to the Elders, and so the three were prohibited from using these forms of magic. 

Neilda knew this, but she secretly let the young women practice in the safety of a small garden behind her crystal fortress. For she did not agree with the Elders when they decided to kill off witches. It would not be long before the witches revolted to take back what belonged to them. 

“I almost have it!,” cried Remina, whose stretched-out hands come close to entrapping a monarch. “Shoot. It got away.”

Thrimina chuckled, and without looking, tripped over herself and into the water. The koi swam up to her, thinking she was food, then dispersed in disappointment. 

“Speak for yourself. You had Thrimina fall into the lake!” retorted Shara.

“Sorry, birthday girl.” Remina walked over to Thrimina, offering a hand to lift her up.

Thrimina couldn’t help but smile as she stood. Her sheer baby blue gown was drenched, her dark n*****s seeping through. The other two laughed as she attempted to cover herself.

Shara and Remina guided Thrimina back to the fortress, with her arms entwined with theirs. Neilda waited by the door to greet them with open arms. She had a special surprise for her daughter in the Tea Room. 

***

Thrimina Feilde’s POV

I can’t believe it. Today marks my eighteenth birthday; a day I earn both my freedom to venture off our pack’s territory and have my feathered-fox revealed to me. Not that I’m ungrateful for everything my mother has done for me, but I’m worried about what I must do after I leave.

I must find a suitable mate. The Elders have been reminding me this since last year. My soul can’t take the possibility of letting a human die after impregnating me. 

“I’ll remain celibate!” I recall shouting at them. They and my mother did not take it well. Oh well, I can’t sway their primeval traditions. 

My friends and I laugh, clinging arm to arm as my mother walks through the opened door of the fortress. She smiles and waves, sighing a bit as she sees me drenched from head to toe.

“I was hoping to present a beautiful young woman,” Mother jokingly says. “Luckily, I have an extra gown waiting for you in the Tea Room.”

“Tea Room?” I respond, a bit confused. 

“Yes, there’s a surprise waiting for you and your friends.”

Remina, Shara, and I cling to my mother, giggling and cheering. 

“Off, off, off! I can’t afford to get wet,” Mother chortles. 

All of us rush to the room. Silver, gold, and blue balloons litter the ceiling. Several tables in royal blue sit side by side in the center, with room for guests to sit comfortably. There are two rows of makeshift carts filled with food for a lunch buffet, and a large four-tiered cake on a single cart in front of them with a “Happy 18th Birthday” on each tier. 

Mother directed me over to a back table on the right, where my dress lay over a chair. So beautiful, it is, layered with silk and tulle. The base is black, floor-length, having a five-foot train etched with gold stars and silver phases of the moon. From the hips, the gown is seven layers of different shades of blue and diamond-encrusted. An inverted crest embellishes the bodice, with gold tulle stretching across to create an off-shoulder effect. 

Tears of pure content stream down my face. I run over and hug my mother once again, then return to the gown and put it on. 

“Just as the sun reflected my eighteenth,” Moth starts, “shall the moon reflect you.”

“It’s perfect, Mother. I love it.” I say. “What about my friends?”

“We’re wearing ours,” they reply in unison.

I shake my head as I lay eyes on their common outfits. True, they’re not a part of the royal triage in our pack, but they are family in my eyes. But who am I to decide on what their ceremonial gowns are. 

The Elders arrive and sit at the first two sets of tables. They eye me walking up the aisle, nodding in approval. I assume a neutral position, twiddling my thumbs behind my back. Water drips from my hair still, seeing I had no time to dry it. 

Right, I think. I guess I’ll start the transformation first.

I step forward, letting out a subtle sigh, then kneel on the polished marble floor. I press my hands against the icy surface, relieving any tension in my body. 

Sudden surges of pain radiate throughout my body, causing my back to arch upward and my joints to snap out of place. “Aaaaahhhhh!” I scream. Minutes go by before the pain subsides. I notice I’m standing, then walk over to my mother, disappointed that my efforts to meet my feathered-fox lay to waste. 

“Mother, I’m so sorry. I ju–” I look up and see that she’s not looking at me. Her eyes, along with the Elders, are gazing wondrously where I had sat on the floor. Instinctively, I turn around and see my feathered-fox. She’s gorgeous and matches the night sky, similar to what Mother said she would be. I vigilantly saunter to the creature, smiling. 

“Hello,” I say, bowing.

Its head tilts down, acknowledging me. “It is nice to finally meet you, Thrimina. My name is Diecana.”

“It’s an unusual name, no?”

“I could say the same about yours,” she growls playfully. 

“What happens next?” I inquire.

Diecana strides toward me, then turns around with her side against my thighs. “You ride while I run.” 

I climb onto her, shaking uncontrollably. She laughs at me as I try to find reigns as though I’m riding a horse.

“Grab a hold of my neck feathers. They’re sturdy enough that they won’t break or pluck.”

I look over to my friends also transitioning into their feathered-foxes. Their animals are just as gorgeous. Shara’s boasts of colorful reds and purples and multicolored feathers. Remina’s is snow white, the feathers translucent when staring straight at them, but chrome under bright lighting. Neither of them had special markings though, which made my heart sink a bit. Nonetheless, they seem happy with their matches. 

The Elders escort us through the same door leading out to the garden, and our animals book it across the field. The coats of the beasts shine as the sun reflects its rays upon them. I can see Remina and Shara riding atop looking back at me as if to race through the woods. 

“Challenge accepted,” I shout. All three of us shift to a crouching position as our feathered-foxes gain momentum, this way we don’t strain their backs. Nearing the border between the human territory and ours, we break then circle back around toward the fortress. 

I phase back into my human form, panting and wobbling side to side. “I won!”

“That’s no fair. You had a head start, “Shara whispers, sticking her tongue out. I retaliate with the same gesture, falling on my ass, then laughing afterward.

Life feels great. I can relive this moment forever. 

***

Augustus Shetherport’s POV

Crossing through human territory is a nightmare. It’s broad daylight, and as a vampire, my chances of dying are far greater than at night. I approach a wall of trees that separate the humans from the feathered-fox pack. I’ve managed to kill a few that lead astray from their territory to explore the human world. Luckily, my human charm draws them in before their lives flash before their very eyes. 

Feathered-fox blood is addictive. Unfortunately, it leaves me wanting more. Maybe it’s a part of the curse Bulna distributed to me. After all, she forced me to drain the lives of the party guests without my knowledge. What makes this so different?

As I climb up one of the trees, I see three feathered-foxes approaching at great speeds. I’ve never seen them in animal form, just heard about them from local witches and tales from humans. The one in the center catches my eye. Like a blanket of night on its back, my lips part, and my eyes widen. I take in the beauty of the golden feathers that spread across shades of blue and black. When I divert my eyes on the other two, my mouth waters. I know if I wait and follow them to their base, I’ll be able to feast on more than just them. 

Using the abundant leaves as shelter against the scorching sun, I travel branch to branch, careful not to make a startling sound. I stop a couple of trees behind as I see a small group of regal, yet beautiful, women approach the beasts. The one I fawned over a few moments ago transforms into a woman of porcelain and silver. My God, she's sublime. Her gown reeks of high status, something I took for granted years ago. Royalty, perhaps?

The witch who cursed me would gall if she knew that I’m craving someone new for s****l release. On the other hand, she did say that I would lust after many I deem radiant. Why must my curse complicate things?

I perch myself on the branch, and wait for nightfall, so that I may feast upon the flesh of these immortal beings. 

***

Thrimina Feilde’s POV

Guests enter the Tea room, filling the large space with laughter and chatter. The clanging of metal tongs and spoons on our refurbished crystal dishes ring heavenly in my ears. 

I look around the room of the women, all sporting gowns of grandeur, their hair decorated with chained jewels and flowers. “If only men could co-exist with us, then maybe it would be more fun,” I link to Diecana, who can’t agree more. 

I gather a plate of brisket, mashed potatoes, fried okra, and butter rolls, and a bowl of mixed fruit. My mouth salivates over the delicious food, which leaves me to rush back to my table. 

After dinner, the Elders entertained us with placebo magic–concocting powders that turned to colorful smoke, and sparks from flash paper to congratulate us on our birthright transition. All I can think of is a wish. When each of us come forth, we declare a wish that must be sought after as the sun god, Xerna, grants it. My anticipation is growing as I plod towards the front of the room to face the guests. Looking up, and seeing all of the balloons nestling against the ceiling, I close my eyes and picture what I want my wish to be. 

A man. Though I’m a declared celibate, it wouldn’t hurt to share my days with a human male to learns things about his world and to share from mine. Maybe even meet a witch. My mother and the Elders always spoke ill of them, stating that their magic corrupts the balance of a perfect world. It’s something else I dreaded for the longest… having to kill one and consume them of their magick. It churns my stomach every time. 

I gaze into the crowd, clearing my voice. “I, Thrimina Elaine Feilde, declare a wish to the sun god, Xerna. My wish is to–”

Screams echo from the corridor, sending the guests into a state of panic. This isn’t what I had hoped my day would turn out. Women flee left and right to find another exit, forgetting that there are escape doors throughout the room floor. I open one up and urge the guests to climb down. I usher them in as fast as I’m able. Then the door swings open, and a man with blazing eyes scouring the space, gold blood dripping from his lips. No! He sets his eyes on Shara and lunges at her. I rush to her, and think I’ll be able to knock the man to the ground––something, to help her escape. My mother grabs a hold of my wrist, pulling toward the bunker. Cries and jolts of pain spread throughout my body as I watch him suck her dry, her hands reaching out to me. My mother shuts the trap door before Remina can enter. 

"Noooo!" I screech, attempting to open the door. Mother locks it and pulls me further into the bunker.

"This is how it must be," Mother whispers into my ears, clenching onto me as I fight to break free and help.

"No..." I whimper. My soul is forever crushed as I listen to the screams of my dear friends and other unlucky pack members. 

***