Awakening - Chapter Three

For disclaimer see chapter 1.

Past

It was early morning, very early; there was still a lot of time until Hasana needed to open her bookshop. And her daughter wasn't up yet, too.

Hasana used this time to look up some old journals of her ancestors. She was in her private library, trying to find some answers. She'd opened the journal of Elena Smoke. It was one of Hasana's oldest books, frankly without the conserving spell around it, it would've been hardly readable today.

Hasana began to read the chapter, which had been written in Latin, where she found the most about their old power.

The third day of the second moon, 1415:

Le donum de regina de draco

The gift of the dragon queen had been given to our ancient ancestors for saving her life. For many generations it helped us to fulfil our holy duty: To protect the helpless from those who prey on them, but those times were long gone. Now, humans fear and hate us instead of searching our help.

Death has taken many of us and chaos reigns the world. The smell of death and disease is everywhere as it is war. I've never seen so many suffer and die before; this is a dark age. So much pain and fear which is why we need to be strong, but our power fades; every generation there are less of us who could use the full power of the donum. The "Call of the flame" is its name as it gives us the ability to master the enormous strength of the fire elemental. I am afraid I might be one of the last and I am near way as strong as my mother or my grandmother was.

She was looking for answers on how to control her daughter's powers. Elena Smoke's journals were one of the best sources as she was one of the last who were able to call the flames to her aid. But she was also the one who changed their role from guardians to healers. Elena seemed to know that someday we might need this information, since witch powers sometimes had the peculiarity to jump over several generations.

"I only hope this is not some weird sign of a junction in time. Well, however it's more likely it has something to do with her using Aubrey's powers for healing. Maybe this had worked as a catalyst," Hasana thought, after she had read a bit more.

She was very uneasy about their current situation. While Hasana was a pacifist and a healer like every member of her family today, she disliked Dominique's tendency to take power over everyone and everything. She would do what ever was in her power to keep her daughter safe - from everyone.

"Hopefully Dominique doesn't do anything stupid, like trying to control her." She thought. Hasana knew little about their ancient family power; but of this she was sure: The "Call of the Flame" did protect its wielder from everyone who dared to attack her or him. It did not care from where the attack came, nor did it know friend or foe. In Caryn's current state this would cause a catastrophe. "At least I have been able to convince her to leave us alone for the time being." She sighed in relief.

Hasana also had her own difficulties to deal with the vampiric taint. "I wished you were still alive, Monica," she thought, "you were always the stronger of us two in things like this."

Since aeons vampires have been their mortal enemies. It is hard to overcome such a thing, especially in such a short time. True, witches of the Smoke line hadn't done battle since the Dark Ages. True, this had happened before to one of their own, but that does not made it any easier to bear. Yet, the taint triggers all her alarms but she's doing all she can, for her daughters sake – and for them all.

"Well, I've been worrying enough for this morning," she thought. "It's time to do something useful." At this thought a tiny half-smile graced her lips. She looked outside, feeling already better.

"Hm, it's almost half seven. I should prepare breakfast for my daughter." Hasana went into the kitchen to prepare breakfast for her daughter. Concentrating her on the simple things, like preparing something to eat, did help to keep her from her dark thoughts about the future.

Dominique arrived at her house a few hours after sunrise. She knew that her presence at Hasana's would do more harm than anything else, so she went home. But her mind was miles away. That was why she didn't react when someone called her name.

"Mother?" She heard her older daughter, Adianna, calling. Adianna was surprised at her early arrival since Dominique had planned to stay over the weekend at Hasana's.

"Is something wrong?" Her daughter asked her, looking curiously at her mother but also very respectful.

"No, nothing is wrong. I just decided to leave earlier." Dominique eased her daughter's worries; she gave her eldest daughter a good long glance. "Is everything all right?"

"Well, we might have some trouble in school. You know, Sarah discovered that one of the teachers is in fact a vampire." Adianna smiled a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about this Mother. I'll look out for her."

"You shouldn't have to," Dominique said sternly, "Sarah is old enough to deal with it on her own."

"I know, but she's still my little sister." Adianna nodded. "If not me who then?" She thought.

"That she is." Dominique smiled a rare smile. "But now I have work to do. I have to prepare for the next council, so, please leave me alone

"I'll see you later then." Adianna nodded, smiled and left.

"Take care." Dominique whispered.

Dominique went into her study room. She closed the door carefully and went to her desk.

"Well, that's not the only thing I have to do." She thought. While Dominique was not much of a politician, she indeed liked power, and of course it hadn't been all about kindness when she had agreed with Hasana to leave them alone. She knew that the current situation was very fragile but she also knew that when the time came and Caryn had control over her power they would have one of the strongest weapons since a long time. "And then those leeches would have little to laugh." She thought excitingly. "Hell, we could even burn down New Mayhem, again." There was an evil smirk on her lips now. "All we need is to find it."

"But first I have to deal with the council." She said to herself and took the invitation from the desk.

"So, let's see what they are writing." Dominique opened the envelope.

"That's early!" She eyed curiously. "But that's more then a month earlier then expected."

"I wonder what's this about." She went over it, reading it carefully. "Hmm, sounds interesting."

"So, the Triste are asking for our help" She smirked.

Author's note:

Adianna was introduced in 'Shattered Mirror'