Chapter 8

Jasmine's Story

"When I young, strange little things would happen. Why I left the farm. People thought I was strange because everything I grew, would grow. Even in dirt many thought nothing could grow did. My mom just told me I had a green thumb and I can grow anything. Then one day I hurt someone. I was sixteen at the time, and there was a boy I liked and I thought he liked me to. But it was a set-up by the other girls who were jealous of me. They were going to embarrass me in front of everyone. But it didn't work that way. One, a voice came into my head and warned me about what is going to happen. The voice even told me how it was going to happen. I didn't believe it at first, but then when Travis came up to me and said he would like to walk with me I knew the voice was right. But I thought I would turn the tables on them. Once a month, a church in our town would throw a picnic for everyone. They would take turns. This time is was my church. They were going to Travis to get my clothes off and show everyone I was a bad girl. But the voice already warned me about it. So when we were alone, he tried to get me out of my dress. I said no. I could tell he was getting frustrated. Then Linda came out of hiding and told me either way my dress was coming off. I said no. Then more girls and boys came out. I didn't know there were so many that would be there. But the voice did warn me, and I didn't listen. I thought I could do it on my own. I ran back to the picnic area, but they blocked me from getting there. They backed me up to a tree and started to rip my dress. I brought up my hands and started swinging. Then I hit the tree behind me, and all the kids fell except for me. Then I saw the roots of the tree come from the ground and grab at the kids. We all screamed, then when our parents came the tree roots let go of the kids. They didn't see what happened. The kids told their parents I did something to them. How could I? It was just me against ten kids. How could I knock them all down? They all yelled at me. My mother just hugged me, telling them I didn't do anything. But they wanted to blame someone, so they blamed me. My brothers and sisters blamed me to. We had to go home early because of it, so they blamed me. My sisters always thought I was weird and THEIR parents shouldn't have taken me in when my real mom died. Found out my real mom and their mom were best friends. I was adopted. No wonder I felt awkward in the family. My mom finally told me about my real mom. She died protecting me from some mysterious people. She knew about witches, but she knew my mom was good. Even told her how to farm land where they say couldn't be farmed. Her and husband adopted me legally far away so those people wouldn't find out. Then two days later, I ran away. I couldn't stay and put them thru all that again. Then voice in head guided me to New York. The voice kept me out of trouble, and how to survive. Five years later, I met Seth. It felt like the voice knew." Jasmine finally said. Then she looked at Theresa.

Theresa just stood there and looked at Jasmine, and Jasmine looked back at Theresa.

"Yes, I knew. I drew you there because Seth likes the big city to feed. It's big and by the time they connect them, he's gone. He can be there for months in the big city. And I felt what you did when you were sixteen. I knew if you stayed, you would be killed. One of the mother's knew about us and called her uncle. He is a witch hunter. He would have come with friends and not just killed you, but also your mother. It was the best for both of you. I sent someone in to buy her farm and they moved to. They are in an area where they are very well protected. Don't worry about her." Theresa told Jasmine.

"Thank-you." Jasmine said back.

"So, what is it about us that makes us special?" Jasmine asked.

"Well, I know you are the fourth we seek. But the High Authority is coming and they will want confirmation. So I have to give you a test. Like I found out with Caroline. The reason I went in the water with her is because the water around her would be very hot, not cold. And when I got in, it was very hot. Marney, was different. I actually seen her do things with water no other witch has done. She and her parents didn't know I was there. And now you." Theresa explained to Jasmine.

Theresa got up and went to the edge of the railing.

"Now you will see what I can do." Theresa said smiling.

Then Jasmine watched Theresa as she spread her arms out to the air. Then the wind picked up out of nowhere. Marney and Caroline just sat there expecting what was going to happen. Jasmine wanted to bolt herself down, but Caroline told her everything will be fine thru her thoughts to Jasmine. Jasmine relaxed and nothing happened like when she was freaking out. Seems Theresa can control the air around them to. Then Jasmine seen a dead branch fly into Theresa's hand. Theresa turned around and handed it to Jasmine.

"What am I supposed to do with this?" Jasmine asked. But as she was asking her question, the dead branch came alive. The brown brittle leaves became green and fresh, the branch grew thicker and healthier. Jasmine squeaked and dropped the branch. Jasmine thought the branch would go back to the way it was. But it didn't. It stayed alive! She even seen little white blossoms growing from it now. Jasmine looked at all of them. She didn't know what they would do. They were all smiling!

"It's her! The fourth member!" Marney exclaimed!

"Never thought we would find her!" Caroline yelled.

Then Jasmine just waited for Theresa to say something. But she didn't. She just seen a tear come out of Theresa's eye. And she wasn't sad. She was also smiling.

"What is it?" Jasmine asked loudly.

"You see Jasmine, not only do we control the four important elements of life, but we also control something else. Our bloodline is very old. Our ancestors controlled something else to help win the war thousands of years ago. And now we are all together again, we'll need their help…again. But only four witches with powers of life and can control them." Theresa started to explain.

"WHAT?" Jasmine yelled.

Before Theresa responded, the ground shook! All the masters came running out!

"She is the fourth!" Roman yelled! Then he looked at Seth and then Theresa. Seth couldn't believe it himself. He didn't think he would be the one bound to the fourth. But Theresa knew. She wanted Seth to figure and accept it himself.

Everyone went over to the edge of the porch to see the ground open up very deep. Then a box came up and landed in Theresa's hands very gently. The ground closed like nothing happened.

"Won't anyone come running to see what that was?" Asked Jasmine.

"No. This area is protected from the outside world. They can't feel and see any magic from here. Why we can be ourselves. Caroline, Theresa and I practice our magic here without fear of the humans." Marney explained to Jasmine.

Then everyone looked and saw Theresa holding a very old box with a lock on it. Not just any lock, but one of those steal locks during King Arthur's days. Then Dean handed Theresa a key. She set the box down and unlocked the box. She took off the lock and opened the box. Jasmine scrunched in to see what is inside the box. It was something she never expected. Four eggs…four very large color eggs.

"What? We going to hunt Easter Eggs?" Viktor asked. Then he sneered.

Then Theresa shut the lid quietly and went over to Viktor.

"Uh, Roman. Shouldn't we do something? She can actually hurt Viktor." Dean whispered to Roman.

"No. One he needs to know not to piss her off, especially now and only she can tell him what they are. Not yours or my place to tell him what they are. After all, she and the other three are the guardians of these eggs." Roman whispered back.

"Okay." Dean replied.

Theresa went over to Viktor and looked him straight in the eyes.

"These Easter Eggs as you call them are going to help us win this war, like they did thousands of years ago. Only we can control them, no one else." Theresa told Viktor. Viktor just swallowed nervously.

Theresa opened the box again. She picked each of the colored eggs to each woman with the coordinating powers. The red egg she handed to Caroline…fire. The blue egg she handed to Marney…water, the brown egg to Jasmine…earth, and she finally picked up the pure white egg…air.

"Well, what are they?" Konner asked looking at the eggs.

Then Theresa said one word and everyone couldn't believe it...

"Dragons…"