Kerissa was ushered into a completely dark room. "Aren't you coming?" She asked Stanton.
He smiled sadly, "No. I'll rejoin you in a couple of minutes, maybe. If not, when you're done, come to the car. I'll be there." He flicked his blonde hair out of his eyes and walked back down the hall to the elevator.
The door closed, leaving Kerissa in utter darkness. A light clicked on, and before Kerissa stood the most beautiful woman Kerissa had ever seen.
Her dark eyes sparkled, and her dark hair was luxurious and reaching down to her waist. Her skin was pale, with naturally rosy cheeks. A sprinkle of freckles dotted her delicate nose. Somehow, they only made her look more perfect.
"I'm Tianna," the woman said.
"Kerissa."
Tianna raised her eyebrows. "Interesting name. How did your parents choose it?"
"My mom wanted us to be named rhyming names. She liked Marissa and Alyssa, but she thought that Alyssa was too common a name, so she changed it to Marissa and Kerissa."
"You go by Kerissa?"
"Yes."
Tianna nodded. "I see." Kerissa got the feeling that there wasn't much that Tianna didn't see.
"I suppose you know why you're here?" Tianna asked.
Kerissa shook her head no.
"Really? Well, I suppose I'll have to begin at the beginning then. I suppose you know the legend of Pandora?" Tianna didn't wait for Kerissa to nod, "Well, as everyone knows, when Pandora opened the box, she let loose all the evils of the world. The last thing out of the box was hope. But no one saw the evil thing lurking near the box, except Selene, Goddess of the Moon. She took pity on humans and gave them protectors, to keep hope alive."
"What does that have to do with me?"
Tianna continued as if she had not spoken. "The evil thing lurking near the box was the Atrox."
"Atrox?"
Tianna nodded. "The primal source of evil. The Atrox. Since creation it has been jealous of the world of light and tried to destroy it."
"But what about these protectors from Selene? Where do they fit in?"
"The protectors from Selene must fight, in a sense of the word, the Atrox, to keep hope alive."
"And me? Why do I have to know this?"
"Because, Kerissa, Tu es dea, filia lunae. You are a goddess, a Daughter of the Moon."
"A what?"
"A Daughter of the Moon. A protector of Selene. It is your job, your mission to stop the Atrox."
Kerissa struggled not to laugh. This woman, beautiful she may be, sane she was not. "Okay, supposing this is real-
"It is."
"Supposing this is real, how does the Atrox have any power?"
"The Atrox is always around. Sending shadows like tentacles to be its eyes. The Atrox devours hope."
"What happens if the Atrox wins?" Kerissa asked, fearing she already knew the answer.
"It is the end of the world as we know it," Tianna said, quite simply. Kerissa shivered, this was beginning to sound all too real for her comfort. "The Atrox also has Followers, those committed to its evil."
"Wait, Followers?"
"The victims of the Atrox. The Atrox steals their hope, sucking it from their soul. Then they become predators themselves, stealing hope from others, trying to replenish their own and feel alive again. But their hunger is never satisfied. They become masters of deceit. They look like anyone, you or me, but they hate the moon because it is a symbol of Selene and represents goodness. Under the full moon, their eyes turn phosphorescent, and even ordinary people can sense their evil."
"Then why aren't people aware of them?" Kerissa asked, "If they can see their eyes and sense their evil, then policemen should be out there fighting them."
"It's amazing how far people will go to deny what's all around them," Tianna answered calmly. "A woman sees a glint of yellow in a stranger's eyes, and rather then trust her instincts, she thinks it's her imagination."
"Can anything stop them?"
"Followers hate timepieces, watches with hands, sundials, but not digital watches. Anything that reminds them of their eternal bond to evil. It won't stop them as a crucifix stops a vampire, but it will give them a start.
"One more thing, a Follower can never harm you if you perform a genuine act of kindness towards them."
"You think I'm supposed to find that?"
"You have no choice." Tianna's voice suggested that she was commenting on the weather, nothing more. "That is what you were born to do, and it is my responsibility to guide you and help you understand your powers. Your breed is descended from unconquerable warriors. Remember their courage, and never dishonor them."
"How?" Kerissa asked in slight despair.
"You must find your gift."
"Gift? What gift? Like a present?"
"No. Your gift, your power, your tool to help you fight the Atrox. Each daughter is bestowed with a gift. But when you reach 17, you reach a metamorphosis. You must then choose whether to give up your powers and your memory of what you once were, or become a guardian spirit of some kind."
"Isn't there a third choice?" Kerissa asked.
Tianna smiled. "For some. Serena has one. Jimena chose her third choice. She willingly gave up her powers and stayed here on Earth, but she was chosen to remain, to give clues to the Daughters. I chose to give my life to bind the Atrox to the shadows once more. For this, Selene gave me back my body, and I was allowed to come back here to advise the Daughters."
"Jimena? Serena? You mean that they're Daughters?"
Tianna, for the first time, looked a little frightened. "Yes," she answered, warily.
Kerissa played nervously with the necklace around her neck. She rubbed the moon charm absently. Tianna watched her with narrowed eyes.
"Um…" Kerissa said, "I gotta go… its almost time for… time for…" She looked at her watch. What was it time for?
Suddenly, Tianna grabbed her wrist, staring at the watch. "A watch with hands," she whispered, and sank into her chair, murmuring words of thanks.
"What?"
"A watch with hands. You aren't a Follower. Follower's can't wear watches with hands."
"Why would I be a Follower?"
Tianna didn't answer.
"Why would you think that I was a Follower?"
Tianna paused. "Um… well, you see…"
Kerissa waited… not so patiently.
Tianna sighed. "Remember yesterday night, under the full moon? When Serena began acting weird? Did you see anyone's eyes glowing that night?"
"Stanton," Kerissa whispered in horror.
Tianna nodded. "Anyone else?"
Kerissa shook her head.
"Your eyes were glowing too, Kerissa."
"But, but I'm not a Follower!" Kerissa half-yelled, half-questioned.
"You would certainly be aware if you were indeed a Follower. You are not. The problem is: why are your eyes glowing?"
Kerissa thought. "I don't know," she said finally.
"What is your gift, Kerissa?" Tianna asked, finally.
Kerissa bit her lower lip, thinking of all her conversations with Stanton. "I'm not really sure," she said finally.
"But you have a guess." Tianna stated.
"Kind of," Kerissa admitted, "but first, what are the Daughter's powers. I mean, the ones that I know the most."
Tianna lifted an eyebrow. "Jimena has premonitions. Catty can time-travel."
"Vanessa?"
"Invisibility."
"Serena?"
"Mind-reading. Same as a Follower's."
"That's it," Kerissa breathed.
"Yes?" Tianna asked, politely.
"My power—it copies the powers around me."
Tianna lifted an eyebrow. "What makes you think this?"
"Well, the first time I felt… different was when I met Stanton. I think he must have been having a telepathic conversation with Serena. After that, I was able to talk to people in my mind."
"You mean you already have?" Tianna asked, "To who?"
"Serena. And Stanton. Mostly Stanton."
"Anything else?"
"When I was talking to Vanessa, I had this feeling. Like I wanted to float. Could that be…?"
"Invisibility," Tianna breathed. "What about an affinity with plants?"
"Yeah. My sister and I have had potted plants all over our rooms forever. We used to nickname each other. She was Lily and I was Rose. I love the way the plants get to know you. They keep all your secrets…" Kerissa trailed off, lost in happy memories of sunny days from years ago.
"That's because you've picked up another power."
"Whose?" Kerissa frowned.
"Marissa's."
"You mean, she's… a Daughter?"
"Yes. We've never had Twin Daughters before… this could get interesting." Tianna frowned slightly, then smiled. "Anyways, its time for you to go. Meet me back here on Wednesday, around 4."
"Sure. Thanks, Tianna. Will the others talked to me now?"
Tianna nodded. "Yes, but they don't know why I told them to. That's your decision."
Kerissa nodded, and headed for the door, "Oh, and Tianna?"
"Yes?"
"Is it… safe to travel with Stanton?"
"Oh, yes. Don't worry." Tianna smiled, and gently closed the door.