Stellaluna

History

Evangeline

I sighed happily, lounging by the lake. The moon was so big, a happy crescent, watching over me. I couldn't explain how good it felt just laying in the moonlight. I let my hair down from its normal prison, so I could feel the slight breeze run its soothing fingers over my scalp. I leaned back on my elbows, letting head fall back, and gazing at the stars. The sun would be up in just a few hours, but right now, it felt like time was standing still. I closed my eyes, wishing I could stay in this moment forever. Amaris was lounging in my mind, just as content.

How about we move here, she purred. I chuckled.

What about the lake and all the snow on the mountain side? I thought you loooooved it, I teased her.

Me? You spent forever hopping around like a pup, she laughed.

I sure did. I guess this place isn't far, but it is further away from Sarge.

Ohhh I forgot about them!

Hahaha 'you mustn't forget about Sarge and Arroooow' I sang, making her laugh

Okay how about we not tell them we forgot, and call it a day.

Hmmmmm. Okay deal. Hey Amari-

My thoughts were interrupted as I heard a noise. I snapped my head up and looked in the direction of the sound. I sensed someone, could hear a faint heartbeat, but I couldn't catch an unfamiliar scent. I slowly stood up, the feeling of being watched intense now. I took a step towards the dark woods, and saw a shadow lurking just beyond the tree line. I could almost see a faint light. Two? I quickly pulled out my blades.

They were eyes. Amaris growled in my head, pressing forward until we joined as one, and I felt my canines elongate, growing as I bared my teeth, the growling now coming from my mouth. I took another step towards the threat, when I felt magic rush over the clearing. What was this thing? I lunged forward and saw the shadow disappear, and heard the sound of heavy paws hitting the earth, running away.

"Evangeline!"

I spun around as I heard my name being called, and saw two women struggling to hold up a large man. I gasped and dropped my blades, running when I realized who it was.

We were in Hypatia's Library, the faint smell of old books, ink and of freshly brewed tea in the air. Selene's eyes were swollen and rimmed in red. I could smell blood on her. Sarge was laid across the long coffee table in between the couches and chairs. I stood, impatient and angry, waiting as the two most powerful witches I knew sat on the other side of Sarge, on the large sofa and sipped their tea.

"Well? Are one of you going to tell me what happened to the only family I have on this goddess forsaken piece of sh*t that we call Earth?!" I yelled, unable to contain the rage that was boiling since I first saw them. Hypatia's eyes flashed with a warning as she finally put her damned cup of tea down on the lamp table beside her.

"You will not raise your voice at me, young one. I have faced far worse than a teenage temper tantrum." She said, pronouncing each word carefully. But my fury would not be abated. I turned to Selene, who had still not looked at me.

"How could you let this happen Selene! He's the only thing I have! He's my family!" I exclaimed, slowly getting louder with each word. She finally looked up at me, but to my surprise her eyes were also filled with anger.

"He was my mate!" She screamed, standing up "I didnt let any of this happen! The only reason he is here is because of me! Its your fault he went to the capital! Its your fault he wanted to figure out why they wanted you! You! Its all because of you!" She cried, falling and throwing her arms on Sarge. I saw the mark on her neck as she cried, a crescent shaped scar, slightly shimmering in the light as her shoulders were wracked with her cries. Mate? I stumbled back, it was my fault. He had told me as much before I left. He was doing it for me. To cover my trail he said.

"Enough!" Hypatia yelled, " it wasn't either of your faults, so stop lamenting about! Donovan made his decision, and we cannot change it. What we need to do is figure out what we are going to do about it. Now SIT," she commanded. We both obediently sat down, feeling slightly shamed.

I listened as Hypatia recounted what had happened in the southern kingdom, and I had to refrain myself from interrupting a few times, as Hypatia gave me a look that said I would surely regret it if I did.

"Why would Sanguine do this to begin with? Why would King Axel?" I asked, once she had finished.

"Sanguine was my student long ago. I'm sure you've realized that I have lived a great while," I nodded and she continued. "When I was a young girl, before the lands had moved and separated, I was part of a great civilization. One that you've probably heard tales about. We were a society unlike any today. We were the blessed, the ones the gods first blessed. Each person was born, touched by a different God, and blessed with a different ability. Our city was the greatest, most advanced city that has ever lived. But humans are selfish by nature. And that selfishness spread like a plague. Everyone tried to steal each others blessings, through bribery, r*pe, murder, sacrifices. Any means they could. My family escaped, my father and mother and I, to try to find a better life. But as we left, my father and mother combined their powers, my father blessed with earth abilities, my mother water. I watched as together, they made the earth open and swallow our great city whole, burying it and unleashing torrents of water until nothing remained but an ocean. They had been cursed by the disease too. But the gods were not happy, and as punishment, took their lives. I stood alone on that cliff, as my parents ashes joined the nothingness that lay below. The gods cursed me too that day. I would never die and join my family and my people in the afterlife. Instead, it was my duty to endure that it never happened again." She held up her hand as I opened my mouth to spill all the questions I now had.

"Centuries past, and the gods blessed others. But separate, they each blessed only their children, in efforts to reduce the volatile mixture of my people. It is how werewolves were born, children of the Moon Goddess, and witches, children of the Night and the Three. Vampires, faeries, dragons.. each originating from a different god. As the world changed, and more creatures appeared, I was given more power to be able to better help guide them. But only from my god. I helped train many a priestess, alpha, king and wayward creature. One such was Soren Sanguine. He came from a line of vampires who would mate, have children, then turn themselves, so their line would forever grow. His father had accidentally gotten a witch pregnant, at the same time as his mate. The witch died in childbirth, leaving his father with two sons. They raised him, but as a b*stard, one who would never turn and become immortal. One who served his family. But he had his mothers magic, and his fathers hunger for power, made all the greater by his mistreatment. He left and I was drawn to him. He had the potential to be a worthy disciple, and followed my teachings with a passion. I thought the gods were going to allow me rest, with him as my replacement. But I soon saw that he only wanted the power to become immortal, and to be able to destroy whoever he pleased. I immediately dismissed him, but after many years passed, he found me. He looked the same as he did now. In those years he found something to give him what he had spent so long looking for. He attempted to kill me, and take my power. He brought me to the place where I was cursed, believing it to be my weakness. He stabbed my in the heart with a cursed blade, but I jumped from the cliffs before he had a chance to complete his spell. He thinks I am dead. And so I have been to the world. One of the alphas I helped, offered me sanctuary here. Ive been here ever since, send summons to those that I sense need council, and giving trusted powerful few an invitation, for when they inevitably find someone who needs my help," she said, looking at Selene and back at me.

She dismissed us, promising Donovan would be safe and giving me instructions to bring Selene to her room, that she had some how prepared. I felt awful for the things I said to her, and we walked in silence as I brought her to one if the rooms on the first floor, nearby the library. I stopped in front of her door, and faced her.

"Selene I-"

"Evangeline-"

We laughed as we started at the same time. She pulled me into a fierce hug.

"Im so sorry Evangeline" I pulled away

"No I'm sorry, I shouldn't have blamed you. I love you and I would never think you would harm my family."

"No I'm the adult," I rolled my eyes at her and she playfully swatted at me, "no really, I have loved and cared for you for years. Theres no excusing it."

"Of course there is! He's your mate! That bond is way stronger than almost anything, especially when its fresh! It is new right?" I asked, and she blushed

"Quite new," she murmured, opening the door and waving me inside. Her room was similar to mine, except she had no window or balcony.

"So how did that happen? You've known each other for years." I asked. She flopped on the bed.

"That's exactly what he said. My mother knew I would be mated to a wolf and spelled me, hiding me from the bond."

"So how did you break the spell and find out you're mates?" I asked.

"Ah.. um.. well.." she stammered, flushing red.

"Selene! When???" I gasped,

"On the day we left for the south."

"Oh, my, Goddess!" I squealed, and she busted out laughing. "It all makes so much sense! He was always looking for red heads, he was looking for you!" I laughed.

We spent the night talking and reminiscing. She shared how she already knew me from before Sarge, and what I had done. I was surprised she knew. I had started hiding after she found me. We talked early into the morning, and fell asleep together.