Bloodlines

Chapter Two

Wind whipped in my ears, my red hair flowing behind me as I took in the breathtaking setting before me. It took the words mountain meadow to a whole other level.

High above the clouds, trees and flowers I wasn't aware existed seemed to thrive here. Everything was brilliantly vibrant from the green grass and leaves to the blooming flowers. A waterfall tumbled down into a flowing river that extended way past what I could see.

Was I dead? Had I ascended to the heavens at such a young age? Surely I had more life to live than just those short sixteen years.

An oddly familiar voice called my name from behind me.

"Mom?" I whispered when I turned and caught sight of her.

A gentle laugh escaped the figure's mouth. "No, my little gem."

Only one person had ever called me that. It had to be impossible, though. She was dead...so did that mean I was too? Another impossible thing about this whole thing, she looked nothing like how I remembered her. She was a splitting image of my mother-er, I guess my mom was a splitting image of her.

"Grandma?" I asked, a little less sure than before.

She nodded and took a few steps towards me, smiling softly down at me as she gently took my hands in hers. "Don't fear, little one. Everything will make sense soon enough."

I shook my head slightly, tears pricking the corners of my eyes. "Am I dead? How am I talking to you if you're dead?"

She kissed my forehead softly. "All will be answered in time, my little gem. Soon, but not yet." She lifted her head as if she had heard something. "It's time to go now, little one. We'll meet again soon, I swear it."

Faintly, I heard another voice from somewhere far away calling my name out desperately. Arya!

"One more thing before we part ways. That friend of yours that you share a birthday with? She'll need these answers too," my grandmother said.

"Wait! Grams, what do you mean by that?" I explained in almost as much desperation as the voice in the distance that was still calling for me. I received no answer as the beautiful world in front of me faded into nothingness.

My eyes slowly fluttered open and I was instantly engulfed in a tight hug by my best friend.

"Arya, honey, give the poor girl some room to breathe." A gentle voice said, pulling Arya off of me and setting a cool washcloth on my forehead. "How are you feeling?" The school nurse, Nurse Morrison, asked me.

"As good as someone who just passed out can be, I guess." I joked.

She pursed her lips and shook her head slightly. "You're still burning up." She sighed and walked over to the water fountain so she could get a cup of water for me. "I called your mom, she should be here soon." She told me as she handed me the plastic cup.

I took the cup from her and took a sip from it, nodding. "Can I talk to Arya alone for a moment, please?" I asked.

She nodded and walked over to her desk to give Arya and I our privacy.

I grabbed my best friend's wrist and pulled her down on the cot beside me. "Listen, crazy things happened while I was unconscious." I whispered in case Nurse Morrison was trying to eavesdrop on us.

"Well, duh. I dragged you here myself!" Arya whisper-hissed.

I rolled my eyes at her. "I'm serious, Arya. I don't know what's going on, but I was promised answers. Answers that we will both need."

It was her turn to roll her eyes this time. "You can't possibly expect me to believe that, Cadence. There is almost a 100% chance that whatever answers you were promised was just your subconsciousness trying to make sense of the whole thing."

Ugh! Stupid AP Psychology! I thought to myself. "Then why was the one promising me answers was a young version of my grandma? I didn't even know what she looked like when she was young. Make that make sense, Miss Psychology Expert." I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest.

Arya opened her mouth to answer when the door swung open by my very frantic mother.

"Hi mom" I greeted.

Her head jerked to where I was sitting and she rushed over, cupping my face in her hands as she inspected my face. "Oh, goodness. Are you okay, sweetie?"

"Mom, mom. I'm fine. I'm good now." I pulled her hands from my face and held them between my own.

"I'm not taking any chances. Come on, we're going home." She looked at my best friend and smiled softly. "You too, Arya."

Arya blinked a few times in surprise and nodded slightly, following behind my mom and I.

My mom led us to the front office and sighted the both of us out before walking us to the car.

When we got back to the house, she sat us both on the couch and sat in the armchair in front of it.

"I was hoping I wouldn't ever have to have this conversation with either of you, but it seems luckis not on our side." She sighed and ran a hand down her face. It was only then did I realize it looked like she'd aged five years in a few hours. Whatever it was she was going to tell us stressed her out big time.

Her next words shocked the both of us as she took a breathe and admitted just barely above a whisper, "Both of you come from a magical bloodline, and it seems as if the world needs magic again."