Storm & Knight

*Chapter 4*

Raven's POV

Grandma's hazel brown eyes never left me as I stirred the hot tomato soup in my bowl. One thing I hate- is being stared at. I always like to blend with the background, not drawing much attention.  The important reason- keeping your powers secret. You cannot attract much attention to yourself. That is the reason why I don't and never had any friends. You cannot hide for a long time and at some point of time, you get exposed. Nick has always been my only friend- my sole confidant, my brother. He is the only normal person I trust, besides Uncle and Grandma. "So,  how was Australia?" Grandma's stern voice broke my train of thoughts. "Good", was my only reply. "Do you really want to do this, Raven? You have a whole life ahead of you", Grandma's voice broke to a whisper at the end. "What do you mean by that, Grandma? Of course I want to do this! This is what you have been training me these years, so that I can do this!" I rose up from the chair and proceeded towards the living room. I am fed up with these conversations. Can't she see how important this is to me? "Don't you dare use that tone with me, Raven!" Grandma's brown eyes were alight with anger as she stormed towards me." I didn't train you to become an assassin, a murderer!" she said that word with utmost contempt "I trained you so that you can control your powers! I trained you because I want you to live a normal life! I trained you because.." her voice abruptly broke at the end as she stared at the floor, " You trained me for what, Grandma??? WHAT?? I will tell you myself.. You trained me so that I can finally avenge Mama's and Scarlet's death!!" By the time I completed my sentence, I realized I was literally shouting that the house nearly shook. Scarlet.... My unborn, DEAD sister whom I never had the chance to meet. Blinking back my tears, I stared at my Grandma who was on the floor, crying her heart out. She will never realize it.. never realize how important it is for me. As I took a step back from her weeping form, a voice, barely a whisper, came from her "No Raven, I trained you so that you wouldn't end up like me....broke".

Why can't she understand me? Why can't she understand that all I am trying to do is to avenge her daughter's death? WHY??  A frustrated sound, more like a growl, escaped my throat as little specks of fire unintentionally came from my palms, burning the nearby bush. And as quick as my palms burned, it healed at inhuman speed, leaving not even a scar. Quickly realizing my mistake, I took deep breaths, calming myself down as taught by Grandma. Oh the irony!! The same woman who irritates me to my core somehow knows how to calm me down. Running a hand through my jet-black hair, I plopped myself down beneath a big oak tree. The moon was its highest in the sky, illuminating the dense woods with her faint light. Dad always referred to the moon as her. He used to say that she is a Goddess, the Divine Daughter of the Universe itself, the protector of life.  When I first went to school, when I first rode a bicycle without his help, he always said,' May the Moon Goddess protect you' It used to sound funny, coming from a man who proclaimed himself as an atheist. I cursed myself for letting my thoughts wander towards that direction. Stop it, Raven! Love makes you weak!  Closing my eyes, I rested my head against the bark of the tree. The forest always seemed to cast a calming effect upon me. Whenever my parents have a fight, Dad just runs into the forest and comes back only the next morning. It is only now I realize why he did so. Stop Raven!!! DON'T THINK ABOUT THEM!! I never believed in supernaturals, until that fateful day where I was labelled as one - a witch. There are only a handful of witches remaining in this world. Grandma is a witch herself - she can control anything with her mind. Usually,  the men in a witch family do not inherit any supernatural powers. They are just normal human beings. Females are the possessors of supernatural powers. But as they say, every good thing comes with a price. The only drawback to being a witch is that you get certain 'side effects ' or 'symptoms' related to your power. Grandma gets blinding headaches whenever she controls any thing. The pain is so severe that her screams of agony can be heard miles away. It was traumatic for a 10 year old when her grandmother endures terrible pain so that her granddaughter can control her powers. My mother didn't inherit any 'powers'. She was a normal human being, so was my dad. So imagine my Grandma's reaction when she receives a phone call one fine day saying that her granddaughter suddenly spewed fire from her bare palms! I have met a few other witches- all around Grandma's age. I am the youngest of all witches as well as the weird one. There is a legend that the last Fire Witch before me, an Asian named Lina who lived in the 19th century, was so beautiful that kings bowed themselves before her. But one look at her palms and the person would either faint or puke their hearts out. Her palms were charred, the flesh always ripe and blood oozed out of it constantly. Out of instinct, I brought my palms to my face. Not even a single scratch. The skin was so soft and tender as that of a newborn baby. My lack of 'symptoms' had baffled the witches and no one could ever find the reason behind it. Exhausted by the day's events, I closed my eyes and settled to a comfortable position against the bark. Times like these made me wish my mother were here, running her delicate hands through my hair, lulling me to sleep. The last thought before I closed my eyes was, 'Why did you two leave me?'

I woke up with a jolt, hearing the crunching of leaves nearby. Quickly assuming a fighting stance, I took my favourite dagger out of my trademark, combat boots and surveyed my surroundings. A revolting smell made its way to my nostrils. What in God's name is that stench?  The moon was still high in the sky and I was late to realize that the woods had become eerily quiet. The usual sounds of the wildlife was missing and the only sound I could hear was my own breathing. My eyes quickly zeroed in on a figure, crouched behind a dense bush. I always took pride in my vision - I could see things clearly even in pitch dark. Another weird thing about me. Quietly, I approached the figure and before he/she could realize, I quickly pounced on their back, rolled over and held my dagger to their throat. A startled sound escaped their mouth from my sudden entrance. I soon found myself reciprocating the same startled sound when a pair of blood-red orbs met my own green ones.

VAMPIRE.

Hey lovelies!!!  Long time no see... First of all, a thousand apologies. I was stuck with college work so couldn't update. But, voila!! Here I am!!! U guys can expect regular updates from now and if I ever fail, feel free to strangle me!!!!;)

Pllllleeeeeaaasssseeee do vote and comment. I know I have the shittiest cover for this book and I haven't chosen any cast nor uploaded any media. But please, a little something is better than nothing, right?? Come on guys!!  I need your encouragement and support.

As always, Hugs and Kisses
katnisskadi98