Chapter 1 : Cave of Stones
1498 Words
An auspicious and magical day for a werewolf is the day they shift into their true form for the first time. Lysabel was not an exception. Every little detail was recorded in her journal, from her dress to her flower crown to the person who would escort her to the transitioning ceremony. The only difference is that her escort is now buried six feet under the ground.
“Are you ready, Lys?” She heard her mother yell at the top of her voice.
Staring at her reflection, she yelled back, “Yes, Mama. All done.”
Her hands glided over the white cotton fabric, palms sweaty and fingers trembling. Biting her lower lip, she fixed her flower crown, adorned with lilies and lavender, over her mass of red curls. Heart racing, she wore the bracelet her brother, Anzer had gifted her on her 12th birthday. A bronze chain, from which a stone dangles that appears purplish-red at night and bluish-green at daytime--- an artificial stone made to seem like an Alexandrite. The corner of her lips were slightly upturned as she remembered Anzer spending his entire day and night with a jeweler to finish the bracelet before her birthday.
A string of knocks brought her back to her bitter-sweet reality where she was to shift into her wolf without her brother chaperoning her.
“Coming, Mama,” she announced, her voice strangled and chin quivering. She hoped her mother would not accompany her to the ceremony. That is one of the reasons she has been keeping her mother waiting. Lysabel was certain that her mother was impatient; waiting wasn’t something Iora Garcia is used to.
The instant Lysabel stepped out of her room, she received a scowl from her mother.
“What were you doing for so long, Lysabel?” Her mother queried, her straight fiery crimson locks mirroring the fury in her eyes.
“I am a girl, Mama. I need time to get ready. Oh, and I have to meet with Archelaus first. So, you don’t need to come with me.” Grinning at her mother, she informed. After a brief pause, she shook her mother’s shoulders and advised, “ You just enjoy the ceremony.”
Raising a brow, Iora folded her arms over her chest. Disbelief shone in her chestnut eyes. “Is Archelaus going with you to the ceremony?” She finally voiced her question.
“Yes. Can I go now, please? Everyone is going with their friends.” Scrunching her brows, she pouted and tried to convince her mother. Wetting her lips, she prayed to all the four Alphas of Salvantine,’ Please, Please.’
Lips pressed in a thin line, Iora contemplated for a few seconds. All the things that could go wrong played out in her mind. But eventually, her hands went limp as her chin gradually lowered to her chest. Sighing, she grumbled,” Fine.”
A surge of warmth buzzed through her body as Lysabel whooped loudly while throwing a victory punch in the air.
“Thank you, Mama!” she shouted, dashing towards the front door.
“Please be careful, Honey!” Her mother bellowed, pinching the skin of her throat.
Lysabel didn't hear her mother's warning as she was already out of the house, basking in excitement.
The path ahead of her was obscured by darkness, as was her fate. Only the moon and the stars lit it enough for her to see through the shadows and navigate her path. Birch trees lined each side of the road, trying to say something to her, but all she could hear was a gentle hum or a whisper. The stars that lit her path were arranged in such a way that Lysabel thought they were guiding her to the Cave. Jaw set, fists tightened, she strode forward. Time seemed to move more slowly on this journey, and she could hear a low quiet buzzing of the darkling beetles --- or perhaps it was merely the whisper of her own thoughts echoing in her mind.
Lysabel was quite sure about what she wanted, but standing at the threshold of the cave, her mind raced, and her breath came in quick, shallow gasps. She felt her stomach twist and lurch like an avalanche rushing over the hills. To calm her nerves, she placed her hand on the cave. It hummed in reply, quivering softly as a purple light shone from the gray stones that formed the cave's structure. She took a long breath in. Clutching her bracelet, she staggered closer to the cave, her limbs trembling. Once she stepped inside, dread fled, and her breath slowed down. Her heart resumed a steady rhythm, serene warmth enveloped her in a quiet solace. A mossy fragrance floated gently to her nose with a hint of dried sage scent.
Thoughts stilled, Lysabel treaded forward. The cave was engulfed in darkness. As she marched deeper into the cave, light solely reflected from the four stones resting on concrete pedestals, lined immaculately one after the other. Silence embraced her, allowing her foggy mind to clear so she could finally decide what she truly wanted. Her gaze swept from the Emerald to Ruby, then Sapphire, eventually fixating on Alexandrite. Each of the stones was encased in their particular blobs of light.
“Ah, Another Garcia. Splendid!” A deep velvety voice purred.
Lysabel gawked at the wolf who spoke, fur red as a ruby, eyes pools of lava. Her step faltered as she tried to back away from the stones as two other Phrynges emerged out of the velvety warm thin air. Gulping, her fists tightened, shoulders tensed as she glanced around uneasily. Sensing her reluctance, Ruby Phrynge spoke to her.
“ I thought you came here on your own will. What makes you shiver so violently, child?”
Wetting lips, she tried to speak, but her voice caught. “Uh.. um.” The more she tried to clear her throat, the more talons of dread tightened its grip.
“ I told you both to give her some time.” Sapphire Phrynge painstakingly shook her head.
“Oh, come on, Hope was shining on her face! How could I know it will turn into fear when she sees us?” The Ruby Phrynge looked at Sapphire Phrynge as if she had plunged a dagger right through his heart.
Perhaps it was the need to hide her fear, or maybe time was slipping away from her grip, that finally drove her to speak for the first time since she had entered the cave. “ I am not scared. You just surprised me, that’s all.” Lysabel lifted her chin, her heart threatening to burst out of her chest. She had never heard of someone who stood up to a Phrynge and walked away with their heart beating.
“She speaks.” The Emerald Phrynge stated, fur glistening a mix of emerald and pine green. His paws thudding on the ground boomed inside the cave as he strolled closer to her. Circling, he surveyed her from head to toe while she remained still as a brick. Lysabel felt his burning gaze on her, his fur leaving feather touches on her bare arms, rising goosebumps. The Emerald Phrynge was so tall that even if she tried to stand straight, she still had to stare up at his face to observe his expressions. Amusement. That's what she witnessed.
“ Is it a phrynge-like gesture to inspect a woman? “ She arched a brow, freezing the Emerald Phrynge mid-step.
Giving her space, he retreated to his place, where the other two Phrynges strived relentlessly to mask their snickers but failed miserably. The Emerald Phrynge glared at the two and then stood straight in his place, chin up and chest puffed.
“ Why is that seat vacant?” Lysabel probed, pointing towards the throne of the Alexandrite Phrynge.
“ You know very well, Child. That is where your brother was supposed to sit. Given the consequences, it remains vacant,” The Ruby Phrynge stated, glancing over the throne. Pain twisted his face, but it took him a blink to mask it completely.
“Why are you asking silly questions? We all know why you are here,” Emerald Phrynge said nonchalantly, rolling his eyes.
Grimacing, Lysabel felt a sour taste in her mouth. Her face burned, and her neck stiffened. She decided then and there that she did not like the Emerald Phrynge that much. Narrowing eyes, she crossed her arms over her chest. “And what am I here for, Mr. Oh so know-it-all?”
As soon as she said that, snickers filled the air, and the temperature rose to such an extent that tiny beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. Emerald Phrynge glared daggers at her, the look on his face was utterly murderous. But she did not back down. Lysabel glared right back.
“You are here to fulfill your dead brother’s dream.” The Emerald Phrynge sneered, nostrils flaring.
- Writer
