Bloodmoon

chapter1

I know all this must seem terrible. I wrote in my diary, why is a twenty-year-old woman keeping a diary? I am not sure, but it has come to be my escape in the darkest of times, my way of venting my frustration. I tried to mentally talk to myself, but it is not like I have a wolf in my head like Ethan to talk back and advise me, but back to my diary, it is terrible to tell him I believed the moon goddess would protect me because I truly did not believe this; as I was not one of her children, or one of her subjects. Unlike my family and unlike my mate, I am completely human and ordinary. Well, ordinary, if a girl with nothing special about her, anyway, lived with and served a bunch of vampire witch hybrid jackasses who claimed to be supernatural royalty and was fated to be the true soul mate of the vicious Lycan king and to rule at his side over werewolves, then yes, completely normal! Most humans would love this life and would find it a compelling read, should it be some sort of romance novel or movie, but it is not. This is just me wishing things were different in my pathetic life.

I took in the garden where I sat watching the dew land on the flowers. The dawn was fast approaching. I take in the colors, the midnight blue and the light pinks as the sky lightens in the miracle that promises this summer night would be turning into the most spectacular day. This is where my life began and only fitting where I should decide it should end as well.

“There you are!!!” She spoke. Venom seeping with every hiss, “Grams has been looking for you everywhere. Had the whole damned guard out searching. Your phone is off too, Melanie, have you been here the whole damned time?”

I continue to ignore her, knowing it will only per Volk her, but I can't help it.

“Hello, earth is calling stupid, where have you been?” She began to yell, her patience running thin. “I have wasted the whole night searching for you and you cannot even answer me you are so ungrateful. You were supposed to be helping set up for my coronation tonight and instead it is going to be delayed because of your insolence. You do not have to answer me; you can answer to Grams and Vincent. Now come on before I behead you and pretend I found you that way; your worthless sack of bones.” she reached out to grab her arm.

I quickly stood up to walk away from her and she lost her temper, “You little b***h, where do you think you are going?” She grabbed me by the throat and growled, slamming me with inhuman strength into the bark of a nearby tree farther into the forest. She came face to me. I realized, however, that with all the punishments I have taken over the years, that hit should have hurt more, “So death it is, I will drain you dear sister. How dare you disrespect me, the royal Queen of the night,” Jasamine shrieked.

I did not care for formalities, and I welcomed death. “You're not Queen yet sister, do your worst. It's only a matter of time before your ended anyway. You are only so cruel because you know you shall only inherit the throne because I cannot. The throne was and is mine!!!” I laughed hysterically, which only stoked the violence in her, her grip on my neck tightened and I was beginning to fade, I could feel my light fading and my only thoughts were I hoped if the moon goddess is real, she would grant my Ethan a new Luna one worthy of him and quickly before he was foolish enough to challenge my family. How did my life end up ending here? I began to see moments flint across my mind....

Months ago...

The day began like any other. I woke up at five in the evening to get breakfast ready for the royal family. Yes, I said five in the evening. The royal family is Vampires primarily, but they are also witch hybrids, so they eat normal food as well as a blood regimen. I hurried around instructing other servants to get everything done before they were ready to be served. My name is Melanie Winter Blackheart. I am the eldest daughter of Victoria Autum Blackheart and Vincent Blackheart Sr. The crown rulers of this realm. However, tragically, both my parents were slaughtered in a war with the werewolves while I was just a baby. My Grams took, overruling until I could become of age but also, tragically, on my thirteenth birthday my powers and my fangs never developed, proving I was unfit to rule, so my younger twin sister Jasamine Rachel Blackheart, has been deemed the next in line for the throne. Between her and my brother, Vincent Mason Blackheart, I had been reduced to a servant. My Grams, though, had reserved the ability for me to still have some freedom so that I may still have hopes of living outside these walls.

After preparing breakfast, I was able to continue with my studies. I took night classes at university and, with any luck, I could avoid my siblings all together. My brother was not at all bad unless Jasamine was around. She was, for lack of a better term, a witch. Through school, the other kids called her Witch b***h. Not that they knew she was a literal witch, but she was not liked except by her posse of morons. I tried to make it out the door but before I could, my Gram's gravelly voice bounded off the white marble walls behind me, making me freeze instantly, as is such the voice of the current Queen. I found it strange though that her verbal command “Stop” would normally weigh me down to where I could not move. However, I stopped of my own free will. Her command had little if not no effect on me. Something I felt the need to keep to myself. I slowly turned, trying not to show her this and keeping my eyes on the hem of her shimmering white gown out of respect, and I did respect her although I couldn’t fathom why. “Grandmother” I softly spoke and curtsied like a good slave.

“Melanie, raise yourself, you are not beneath me, you are my grandchild.” She extended her arms as if she expected me to run in for a hug. “Come here, Mel.” She obviously was not taking no for an answer; So, I stepped into her embrace when I felt something slip into my pocket. “There now see was it that hard to hug your grandma. I need you to follow me to see someone, follow me child.” she turned her lace and silk cape bellowing out behind her as she glided forward, I often wonder if she actually took steps or if one of her powers were levitation. I followed obediently behind her down the winding dark corridors. She stopped at the large bronze double doors and waved her hands in the air in a circular motion and said a few words I did not understand. Then all kinds of locks began to move, and a loud clinking sound echoed through the empty hall and the door slowly began to open, revealing a huge cauldron bubbling with green and black smoke. She led me through the door before it closed by itself behind us with a resounding thud that made my heart sink. I was mesmerized by the walls with no ceiling. They continued as far as the up as the eye could see into a starry night sky under a full moon. I double checked my watch and see that it is only seven o clock the moon nor the stars should be out but here I was seeing the most beautiful sky I had ever seen. I had almost forgotten about the strangeness of my Grams to bring me here she usually kept me out of magical affairs, and she certainly never introduced me to other supernatural beings. The woman hovered over the cauldron adding ingredients making more smoke and more light from escaping the top, stood in a long black cloak. With the hood blocking her face, I could make out only a strong triangular chin and full lips colored black. At her shoulders, her blonde and purple hair stuck out from underneath the hood and her nails were pointed and black. I had finally noticed the strange witch and grandmother had been watching me.

“May I speak Grams?” I positioned my eyes on the floor.

“Please,” She moved farther into the room.

“This room is amazing, but why am I here and who is she?” I pointed at the witch.

“Well Melanie, this is Jesse owl feather, she is a council witch, also your cousin on your mother’s side. We may speak freely here in this room darling, no ears here. I am so sorry that your fangs never came. I have been inquiring as to why. Jesse is here because, as you know, we are the vampire royals and reign supreme over the vampires and your mother was a witch royal who was the sole heir to the witches' throne of their kingdom. Right, you understand that. "She watched me curiously.

“I thought you and Jasamine ruled over the entire realm?” I patted my pocket and pulled out a necklace with a large red gem, “Grams, what is this?

“It is a Blood Ruby. It has a enchantment placed on it to preserve and protect its owner. I am giving it to you because if I cannot solve this conundrum of your powers or show Jasamine a better way, I want you to have as much protection as I can give you. About ruling the Realms, we do, but we do not well, not necessarily. Let me explain, there are multiple realms in our universe, we are at the top of our realm but not the sole ruler. Other realms, such as the realm of the Fae or angels and demons, have their own leaders. Although it is uncommon because there are hundreds of different realms, we do have to deal with each other from time to time. We do not necessarily rule all the realms, but we are a ruler in our realm. Now, our realm holds many fantastic beings that live alongside humanity. That can be a taxing task, so that is where the delegate council comes from. This council is made up of rulers from all the kingdoms of supernatural beings in our realm as well as others.” She paused, “Do you understand so far?”

“I think so” I fidgeted, not really understanding why I needed to know this.

“This council holds a spot for the Lycan king and queen, Luna, the main ruler over Lycans and wolves, the most powerful, Alpha and Luna, which is the werewolves royal a step under the Lycans, The Witch's queen and king, the vampire king and queen and then we have delegates from other realms the supreme rulers of other kinds such as the Fae and Angels and so on. This main council comes together to discuss critical issues pertaining to our race's laws, traditions, prophecies and so forth. Being that your father, my son, was the Vampire king, his fated mate was the heir to the throne of the witches, our two species intertwined and making them the rulers of both and when your mother became one of us, she became twice as powerful, combining the kingdoms. With their passing I have had to fill in until you or your sister could take over. So, while we are the rulers over the vastly large kingdoms of both witches and vampires, we do not necessarily rule the realm, but we hold a lot of power over it ruling the largest kingdom, and we do lead the council. Are you following me so far?” She took a seat at the long table that I had not noticed before.

“Yes, but what does this have to do with me?”

“You were to be the next Vampire and Witch Queen! When you did not get your fangs, I had to start training Jasamine, but I never gave up searching for a reason and how to fix this problem. I recently went to the council meeting and discussed this sensitive matter with a few selected members I trust. Jesse Here has a unique gift that enables her to see.” She motioned for the girl to approach us.

“See what?” I ask

“It depends,” Her gentle voice was a whisper, “I can see the past and sometimes the future. I can see solutions to problems and sometimes problems that need solutions. I am not a seer, I am simply different. I am not a full witch, I am part of Fae, so my powers are difficult to explain. I can see what the Goddess needs me to see. If you will be okay with it, I would like to work with you to see if I can help you find your Fangs, or your gifts. I cannot imagine that a child born of two of the most powerful beings in this realm could be born human. So, it makes sense to me that your power is remaining dormant or restrained for some reason.” She says, laying her hands our palms up in front of me expectedly.

“Well, what have I to lose?” I lay my hands on hers and a warmth radiated through my body from her hands. I felt a cool wind touch my face,

“Close your eyes, and imagine yourself being powerful, imagine yourself being strong.” I hear Jesse voice softly brush my ear.

If it were not for her warmth under my hands, I would have sworn she was next to my head; I close my eyes, trying to envision what she says but instead of seeing myself, I see the most vibrant green eyes staring back at me that make me feel safe and makes my heart skip a beat. The heat seems to start burning and makes me feel uncomfortable, and I hear Jesse's panic voice, “Melanie, can you answer me?”

Then Grams, “Mel, open your eyes!” I felt heavy all of a sudden and I felt the floor beneath me, and I welcomed darkness as I heard the lonesome howl of an Alpha.