The True Born Huntress✔

Book 9⌇7. Shadow Strike

Chapter 7 ∣ ShadowStrike

-Mavis 12 Years Old

I couldn't believe the feeling that came with this amazing talent that Scáth taught me. The feeling that came with closing off my mind from the real world, focusing on the darkness, the core of the shadows that linger on this world drew me into a completely different realm. I found that when I melded with the darkest of shadows, the speed at which I traveled was faster than even my dad could travel. In fact, it was faster than any vampire I have ever seen, and I enjoyed the way it helped me escape from reality.

Moving in and out of the shadows was unlike anything I've ever experienced.

"Come on Mavis," my dad chuckled while he and my grandpa had decided that playing a game of tag would help my stamina and agility and so far...I was the only one who had been it this entire time!

"I can't catch either of you!" I groaned in frustration and sat down on the grassy backyard cross-legged with my arms folded just beneath my chest and grumbled.

My grandpa sighed and began to walk toward me, my dad shaking his head. I kept my eyes on the grass in front of me, upset with how I seem to never be as good as everyone else. I'm a little surprised when my dad and my grandpa sit in front of me, my eyes lifting slightly to see them both giving each other a second look before glancing back at me.

"What's wrong?" My dad asked abruptly when I met his gaze.

"I'm never going to be as strong as you, as quick as you, or anything," I pouted and unfolded my arms to pick at the blades of grass with my fingertips.

My grandpa chuckled and said, "I'd be surprised if you were."

"Dad!" My dad exclaimed to my grandpa, both of them going back and forth at one another.

It was when my grandpa stated, "She needs to come to the realization of what her limits are! She's not a pureblood let alone a common vampire..."

It's because I'm a hunter...it all comes back to that simple fact.

"We don't even know her limits!" My dad spat back with slight anger.

I suddenly stood to my feet, my dad and grandpa glancing up to see my movements. I shook my head, tears in my eyes as I know I'd forever be compared to them, that I couldn't just be myself and accept what I am...

"Mavis?" My dad asked gently before he stood to his feet, coming near me before wrapping his arms around me and pulling me close to him. A few tears escaped my eyes as I buried my face into his shirt, a soft sniffle leaving my lips.

"Seriously dad...what's wrong with you?!" My dad growled at my grandpa, feeling him shift slightly. His hold on me tightened a moment when a small sob passed through my parted lips.

My grandpa's voice darkened, and he shot back, "Well, it looks like you're a better father than I could have ever been with you."

"That's because you didn't even try to understand me," my dad spat back with venom and I could feel his muscle tense. This all goes back to their own history, my dad telling me about a boy who lost control and was banished from his coven...only to later rise up and become King of those who made him the monster they feared him to be. It wasn't fair for my dad, the way he was treated, and sometimes, I feel the exact same way, with just the mere looks I get when people don't think I'm watching.

The tension could be cut with a knife and at last, my dad was the one to put an end to their argument as he asked, "How about we play one more round of tag before we head in? The sun will be up in a few hours and your grandpa doesn't look good crispy."