The Prince's Gift

Chapter 15.

*Photo: Priestess from Ana's dream

I opened my eyes to see the glowing electric blue of the cave. The sound of water filled the air as it swirled around us with its own energy. My mother's hand squeezed mine and released it, stepping back from me and kneeling beside my father. My eyes widened as a black cloaked woman stepped through the water, reaching out for me as she came closer. As my own feet moved in to the cool water, I could see that her eyes were black, completely void of color and she had a stroke of charcoal swiped across her eyes. A glowing gold symbol was painted on her forehead and dripped in a line down her nose and lips.

I felt completely entranced by her, unable to look away. Those black eyes captured me and refused to let me go. She knelt down beside me in the shallow water and began to chant over me, taking my small hands in hers. My heart raced, wishing I could understand the words, but I stood frozen. Silent.

My eyes widened when she looked back to me, her black eyes open and seeming to swirl from the magic inside of her.

"You are blessed beyond measure little one." Her voice was smooth and had a tenor I'd never heard before. Every word seemed to hold me tighter. I was spellbound. "You have many gifts that will come to you with age and progression of life. We have not seen one of your kind in over a century. You have been sent to us for a purpose. You will save us. You will save many."

I closed my gaping mouth and nodded slowly, acknowledging that I'd hear her. She stood and began to chant once more, swirling her hands above me before placing them on my head. Her chants became louder and I could feel the energy in the room electrify. My entire body began to buzz from within and my skin felt like bugs were crawling all over it. I wanted to scream out, to call for my mom but I couldn't. My body was frozen and my eyes shut tight.

Suddenly, my body jolted and I screamed as a hot glow began to concentrate on my face and hands. I was too afraid to open my eyes, so instead I just focused on my breathing.

In and out. In and out.

As quickly as it had begun, every feeling of pain and discomfort disappeared and the energy in the room seemed to be sucked out. My eyes shot open and the woman was gone. Just my parents kneeling in front of me on the bank, their eyes wide and slow smiles stretching across their faces. I looked down to see my reflection in the water and jumped. Was that me?

A girl with glowing skin and wild blonde hair stared back at me with glowing emerald eyes. They seemed even brighter than the creatures in the ceiling and I couldn't stop staring at them. On my face, a glowing gold crescent sat upside down on my forehead with a line leading down my nose, lips, and chin. Under my eyes were dots followed by lines as they scattered away from my eyes. My hands caught my attention and I could see that I had two swirled suns on them on the backs of my palms above glowing gold fingers.

What happened to me?

I jolted awake to the sound of a door knocking. I blinked my eyes against the harsh sunlight filling the room and I quickly slipped into my robe and ran to the door, opening it to see Fallon. My eyes widened and I pulled my robe tighter before letting him in.

"Finally. I'd been banging forever. I didn't know if you could hear me." He stalked past me and slumped into the chair.

"Hi to you too Fallon." I said before shutting the door. He scowled at me and I could see that this was not a friendly visit. He didn't have his usual humor. "What's wrong?"