When The Witching Hour Strikes

Chapter 12

We were the only ones there, the room stood empty, as if nothing had changed since we left. Either we were the first, or dead last. With silence around us, we had nothing to judge what the situation was. With nothing to lose, I went up to a table, and sat down. Immediately, plates of food piled high appeared in front of me. The others came running up to me, each wanting to know how it happened.

As we ate and were merry, I pondered over the voice I had heard in the dark space. The identity of this voice seemed to escape me, although somehow deep down I knew who it was. And then there was the question of my mother. Who was she? Did I already know her? How would I find her? Did she want me to be in her life?

Cordelia broke the silence, as she had noticed mine.

"Ellie, what's up? You look like you've seen a ghost. What happened in that dark room?" she gave me a pointed look as she finished her toast.

While I pondered what to respond, the uncomfortable silence grew, as they waited for me to talk.

"Well," I began, hesitant of how much to tell them, but I knew they'd know everything anyway.

"When we got in there, you lot all fell asleep, with a sort of halo of light around each of you, very faint though. Then I heard a voice, but I didn't know who it was, or where it was coming from. It told me to follow it, and then step into this circle of light, where I couldn't see them, but could hear them perfectly.

The voice then talked to me, and told me that my purple energy wasn't because I was royal, it's because I can mind-wander, but I have no idea how to, let alone, why it's different. Then it told me that I would find my mother. But I have no idea how to look for her, or even if she wants me in her life, or anything like that. Afterwards, it stopped, and I went back to you guys, and found my way out."

As silence reigned once more, Alvin was the first to break it.

"Ellie, about that voice, I think I may know who it was talking to you."

"What? How?" I exclaimed, as the others also froze in shock.

"There is an old tale, which tells of Papatuanuku, the earth mother, who comes to aid those in great need of her help. It mentions that the person will have abilities that have not been seen before, and that they come from the mortal world, although they are a fae. There's nothing else in the tale, just that when she comes, it means that person will be of great value to their people."

"How do you know about Papatuanuku? Aren't you a fae from here like the others?"

"I am a fae from this realm, as are the others, but we study some important legends from the mortal realm in some of the more advanced classes, as you get older. I have studied these, and wondered if the old legends were true. It seems they are."

We sat in silence, me trying to digest what I had just heard, and the others all bearing confused looks upon their faces.

"So that means that I am somehow going to help all the people who live here? But I hardly know anything about them. What am I going to do? I don't even know how to fight, let alone defend masses of people!"

Cordelia was the first to comfort me. "Don't worry, your timetable will change to suit you, and you have us, we are your friends remember? What you don't learn in class, you can learn with us, right guys?"

The others nodded, silently all agreeing to help me. It felt really strange, but warm to have a group of people you knew you could depend on, even if you got off to a rough start. I smiled through the tears that had formed in my eyes, I was truly grateful for this bunch. As we all embraced in a group hug, I felt Ember move away, just a little, but enough for me to feel it.

"Oi, Ember, don't you dare leave me now, you did help us after all, come back here and hug us."

She sheepishly moved back, and was soon enveloped in our hug. We all slowly broke apart, and got back to our seats. I had friends who would support me, and it would all work itself out in the end.

I went to bed feeling content and as I fell asleep I relayed the events of the day in my head, to see if there was any clue in regard to finding my mother. The only one I could find was the voice, or Papatuanuku, telling me I would find her. But how? And when? There were so many unanswered questions as I stayed tossing and turning for a while.

That night I slept so deeply I barely noticed the shadows creeping closer to my room from the outside...

A/N: Hello! Yes I know it's been forever since i last updated, but I honestly struggled to write this chapter, so I am sorry if it seems like  a filler chapter, but these are needed to get the story moving somewhat. I will try and get the next chapter out very very soon, to make up for the gap. If I don't please don't cut me. 

Vote and comment if you enjoyed the chapter. 

Dedicated to DreamWriteLiveKel because they're amazing, and write so well! thanks for checking out the book