Emberborn

Let the Truth be Told

I let out a shaky breath as I hesitantly took a step forward. The cool mountain breeze kissed my skin as the autumn sun began to rise in the east.

It's been three weeks since I woke up from that vision, three weeks spent isolated in my cabin with Ronan.

I haven't spoken to anyone since the incident.

They all agreed to keep their distance as long as I came to this meeting today. That was the deal Uncle Cayden and I made.

My body has healed drastically. Almost all of the wolfsbane and silver is out of my bloodstream, which means that now my beast can grow stronger. My figure has filled out a little more; my bones don't stick out as much, and my face doesn't look so sickly. The forest in my eyes glows a little brighter now, slowly turning into the meadow of shamrocks I'd always known. The sun had kissed my hair lighter, my loose curls flowing down to my hips.

I was finally starting to look like my old self.

But the places that are hidden from the rest of the world will never change. My skin will always be carved with scars that someone else earned.

"Seraphina," Ronan said sternly snapping me out of my wandering thoughts.

I glanced down at the little brunette who has also changed. She seems a little more confident in her own skin now. She's not as timid anymore, but she still has a long way to go.

We both do.

"Sorry..."

I sighed and raked my fingers through my hair as she began to giggle.

"You know you don't have to come with me right?" I breathed out.

I wasn't too keen on Ronan coming with me to this meeting. I knew that this was about my past and I didn't want Ronan to have to relive the hell she's still trying to get out of.

She just rolled her eyes and began to go on ahead of me.

"I don't care. If you're going, I'm going," she called out over her shoulder.

As the days go by, I see more and more of her feisty side. She really is a spit-fire. No wonder we get along so well.

I shook my head as a smirk tugged at my lips.

"After all, you've known these people your whole life. You obviously care a lot about them," she said lightheartedly, spinning around on her heel to face me.

"We owe them an explanation. Weren't those your exact words?"

I placed my hands on my hips and glared at her unamused. That just caused her to laugh even harder.

"Don't hate the player, hate the game. Now come on, or we're going to be late."

She turned around and sprinted forward before jumping and shifting into her fur. I let out a huff of annoyance and quickly followed in suit.

We ran hard through the thick forest, down through the valley. The crisp morning air combing through my fur felt like heaven as the tiny creatures of the woods scampered away. I couldn't help but adore this moment, it just felt so natural, so right. It has been far too long since I've had a moment of pure bliss.

The little female let out an excited yip as we broke through the clearing. I trotted to a stop as their large cabin came into view. Waiting for us on the front porch was Uncle Cayden, Aunt Arden, Murphy, and Zack.

I freeze in place as I lay eyes on their faces.

Suddenly, my mind floods with memories of that vision. Their bodies unmoving, torn up and covered in blood...

"Seraphina... They're your family. They deserve to know you've been through. They need to know what we're up against." Ronan whispered into my mind.

I shook out those dreadful images from my head and nodded slowly. She was right.

I have to tell them the truth, especially since their lives are at stake.

We trotted up to the bottom of the stairs where there was a stack of clothes waiting for us. Ronan and I quickly shrugged on leggings and a T-shirt before walking up the stairs. The second I came into arms reach, Cayden pulled me into a bone-crushing hug and breathed in my scent.

"I'm glad you came," he whispered.

"Me too," I said smiling and hugged him back.

When he finally released me, the rest of them took turns squeezing the life out of me and nuzzling my cheek. They also welcomed Ronan with open arms and honest smiles. Once the welcoming committee came to an end, we all entered the cabin together.

I thought that it was only going to be the Rhodes family at this meeting, but damn was I wrong.

As I walked through the front door that led straight into the living room, I was overcome by more faces, some I knew and some I didn't. My eyes scanned the room, my wolf uneasy by this sudden surprise.

Willa was standing off in the far corner of the room, smiling proudly at the health of my body. A nodded respectfully and shot her a sheepish smile. Their smell hit my nose before I even looked around the rest of the room. I glanced over in disbelief at the couple to the right of me.

There they were, lounging against the throw pillows on the couch in all of their vampire glory. Their faces were unmistakable with personalities that were just as unique.

His piercing black orbs were the first to reach my eyes as the female with long, jet-black hair continued to play with her nails.

"Well, it's about damn time you showed up," he said playfully as he rose to his feet.

Not a single feature on his face has changed over the years. His brunette hair was still as curly as ever and framed his defined face perfectly. His thin lips were curved into the same whimsical smirk I've always known, and his voice was still the same thick and sarcastic tone.

I didn't even get the chance to open my mouth before a high-pitched screech filled the room. Not even a second later, I was off the ground and spinning in the arms of my sassy yet loving childhood friend.

"Oh my Goddddd!" She squealed.

If I had any air left in my lungs, I would have laughed, but the strength of her grip made that nearly impossible.

"Need. To. Breathe," I managed to squeak out.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry," she said quickly as she placed me back on my feet.

"I just, well... You're here. You're actually here!"

A loud, fake cough cut the very excited female off.

"Hello, I missed her too ya know?" The brunette called out. She groaned and rolled her extravagantly light green eyes before saying sarcastically over her shoulder,

"Oh, I'm sorry, princess. Do you feel left out?"

All I could do was shake my head and laugh before running into his muscular arms. He held me close and buried his head into my shoulder. A genuine smile crept its way on to my lips as I squeezed him back. Our reunion was cut short however by my little brunette as she whispered to me,

"Um, Ser?"

I stepped out of his warm grasp and looked over my shoulder with a meaningful grin plastered on my face. Ronan was standing next to Uncle Cayden with a worrisome look, while the rest of the group couldn't be happier.

"Ronan, I'd like you to introduce you to the two vampires who protected me when I was little.

"This is Finn and Renly."