Magical Girl: Book One, Ancestry Read online

  All her life people stayed a step away; they knew something wasn’t right and she did too. The ability to see fiends, preying on weak and angry minds, was merely a symptom of a very real difference in composition. She was antithetical to them on the most basic level. Still, she didn’t know what that meant.

  Until now she’d floated through the world, never accepted, like an unwanted tourist. There was nowhere to call home, no one to call family or even friends. When she was Emma she had nothing.

  What did Holly have?

  Levi. The house that was him. She could feel the binding between them; his actions were completed by her declaration. An equation that sat unanswered for decades or longer and she wrote the answer with the blood of her heart.

  He said the people of her first life knew truths; she understood that to mean they’d accepted the worlds both seen and unseen. Could she do that, too? She must have once. It would have been natural.

  In those days she could kill a person without using her hands.

  Growing up in this ‘enlightened’ age made it hard to accept the idea, even if she knew it was true. Her memory of those two, the ones who planned to harm her, was too clear to be denied. She could see the splatter of red, the slash across flesh, and she remembered the way the other ran from the room.

  She was a murderer. Or was she? They weren’t like her and she wasn’t like them. Was she even human? She was unnatural at the least. A foreign body like an illness, one that killed when it felt in danger.

  Holly’s mind slipped from there, sliding back into unconsciousness, wholly unaware of the ones in her room.

  Levi sat on the edge of the bed, Hazel hovered before him. A tiny thing, born of whisper, captured with a shout. Untameable and wild. A force with shape of it’s choosing.

  Today the choice was winged fey.

  “You said too much!” The voice fit the body. “Too strongly!”

  He glanced away. It was hard to take it seriously when it looked like that.

  “She is young and silly. She doesn’t know anything and telling her won’t help! You aren’t helping her! You’re as selfish and odious as ever!”

  He wouldn’t deny it; that was a universal truth he could never escape.

  “You never loved her, you only wanted her. You followed her for years, let her die by the hands of others because you didn’t want to do it yourself again. Now she’ll live, but she’s stuck here with you! This is the height of injustice!” A finger wagged savagely. “It will come back on you again and she’ll be caught with an impossible choice!”

  “The choice is not impossible, don’t exaggerate,” he finally spoke.

  Hazel continued as if he hadn’t answered, “And you didn’t tell her about him.”

  Him.

  ∞

  Two brothers in the pursuit of immortality. Neither thought it possible, both were serious in the idea. What they found was fundamentally wrong and yet what neither would do alone they did together.

  Death willingly given brought life.

  That was how Levi called her, the first of her kind, into life. One born never to die.

  The truth he he kept from her was that it wasn’t his decision alone.

  Even long ago humanity knew murder was wrong; the brothers rationalized it by making contracts with those on Death’s doorstep to end their suffering early.

  Could they have been saved? Might they have lived? Was there something left for them to do?

  No one would ever know.

  They used those at peace, those in fear, indiscriminately to further their goal and it worked. They lived on and on and on, saw civilizations rise and fall, and were effected by the never ending ends in different ways.

  Levi grew evermore despondent. His brother restless and volatile.

  They were both of them selfish.

  The plan to bring someone else on the journey of forever came unbidden, neither remembered whose it was anymore, but they both agreed to try. His brother found the insane queen, three made an agreement, and one killed the child to see if she was immortal.

  The other departed for places unknown when they appeared to fail.

  Levi did not know where his brother traveled, when he would return, or what his reaction would be upon seeing the face of one they’d hoped to make their companion. His attempts to make contact all failed.

  Or were ignored.

  Between the two of them Levi thought himself the more level-headed. He did not storm away in anger when the girl died, he considered the consequences of her mother’s actions and reasoned something may have gone awry.

  The girl’s second life was not long after the first, all things considered, and she seemed tied to him. He supposed it was because he killed her, but he thought of it like an alert. An indescribable feeling when she came into the world once more and he was pulled to her.

  She did not live beyond a few minutes that time.

  He was distraught by the trials she suffered, realized it was no fault of her own and yet couldn’t bring himself to leave her be.

  Now she’d made a declaration, without any understanding of how much weight her words could have, and his brother had no idea any of it happened.

  Trying to predict his reaction was futile, but shock would be predominate. The real question was how he’d respond to it. What would he want from Holly and what kind of expectations would he have?

  There was no foretelling it; the only thing to do was await his return.

  Chapter Ten

  When Holly woke she remembered her dream. Realistic and bright. A day in the sunshine when she was young. Wandering through a flower garden, tripping winding paths, finding herself alone and realizing, for the first time, that it would stay that way.

  She lay awhile, thinking of it and wondering if she would recall more in the days to come. In a way she hoped not; that was all so long ago, did it matter anymore? But, she was curious too. And, as she thought of it, she decided it did matter. No matter the years that passed, it was part of her. All the trials she’d faced, all the ones still to come, they meant something. Exactly what that ‘something’ was she couldn’t be sure.

  Regardless, the past was there and it would be foolish to try and erase it.

  The truth was it hurt, hurt her heart, to think deeply. Knowing she wasn’t wanted was painful. Still, now that she remembered the incredible abilities of those people she wanted to know more. What happened to that civilization? Was it still in existence, hidden from the rest of the world? Could she find it again?

  There were stories of highly advanced cultures, like Atlantis. A place destroyed by an earthquake, all it’s technology and knowledge lost to the ages, nothing more than myth at best.

  Levi said her original home was, “Somewhere between Arcadia and Utopia.” He’d told her the people lived long lives and they refused him, knew that he’d done something unnatural to extend his life.

  By all accounts they were sophisticated. It wasn’t a place of human or animal sacrifice, she could recall no wars or fights. The very idea that two plotted to harm her seemed essentially wrong.

  They shouldn't have done it, the thought shouldn’t have entered their minds. To hurt a child? Had that even been done before? The fact that they neglected her was far outside the norm, too, she felt sure of it.

  She needed to know more.

  Out of the bed she moved to the dresser, changed her mind and went to the wardrobe. She took the first gown she laid hands on, white with blue detailing and flowing like water. Maybe wearing it would bring her closer to the past?

  With a deep breath she stepped outside once more and walked the route to the fog, which cleared as she moved into it. The scene was different than before, no longer sublime. People were running, shouting. Fearful. She felt the earth roll beneath her feet. Stone walkways cracked and she fell backward, out of the past and into Levi’s arms.

  “Disturbing, wasn’t it?”

  “Where?” her tone was insistent as she stood straight and tu
rned, held onto his forearms tightly. “Where was that?”

  “Does it matter?”

  His question made her pause before saying, “Yes. Not it’s location, if it’s destroyed then I can’t find it anyway, but-”

  “It’s still there. In ruins.”

  That changed everything.

  ∞

  She demanded to go, immediately, and he didn’t say, “No.”

  He supposed it was guilt that made him so readily acquiesce. The earlier thoughts of his brother and the truths he was hiding made him feel the need to give her what she asked.

  Hours later they were seated beyond first class on an airplane, in a private suite. Her passport was forged and he’d not told her that either.

  Holly’s mind was elsewhere, she wasn’t thinking of international law or the logistics of travel, instead she was set on what could be found. Was there anything left? Would the place be overrun by spirit beings? Would she be knocked over by an onslaught of memory?

  On top of that she’d never gone beyond suburbia and wondered at the significance of this spur of the moment trip. She wasn’t thinking as she threw clothing, suddenly appeared in the dresser, into a suitcase found beneath the bed, and she hardly noticed the Things in the world and airport.

  Now seated and calmed, her thoughts in less of a whirl, Holly considered how important this could be, even beyond going to the site of her former home. She was one in a party of two. With Levi.

  Did it mean anything?

  A surreptitious glance in his direction made her think not, at least he didn’t seem to think so. In all of her rushing she didn’t notice whether he was nervous about being with her, alone, for however long their trip would take. He certainly wasn’t now and she decided she wouldn’t be either. Whatever their relationship was, and she wasn’t sure how to define it, there was no point in worrying; they would have forever to figure that out.

  She looked around at the luxury surrounding her. They were off to the Mediterranean Sea, headed for an island she didn’t know the name of. He said they’d charter a private boat for that leg of the journey.

  When he handed over a tablet, a webpage already open, she took it with a little reluctance; part of her was nervous, the rest jittery with excitement. On the screen was their destination. It wasn’t exactly a tourist attraction, but there were tours listed and hotels. Private beaches. A playground for the super rich.

  Holly had no frame of reference for anything like it. Wealth? She’d never encountered it, definitely didn’t live with it. Levi was capable of living a life she’d never dreamed of and she was bound by fate, one of his making, to be part of it.

  The idea was undeniably romantic, the start of a fairy-tale. A man cursed to live on while all around him died, a man who found a way to gain companionship.

  What trials would they face?

  It was hard to imagine any sort of hardship as she sat beside him, dressed in a peter pan collared mini-dress. Navy blue and white. He looked the picture of sophistication in an untucked button down shirt and slacks, sunglasses hiding his eyes.

  She wondered how much money he’d amassed through the years. Decades. Ages. She’d caught a peak of the card he used to pay for the seats, it was clear with gold script and unlike anything she’d ever seen before.

  The lifestyle he was capable of living was inconceivable, yet he remained in that dark house full of magic, alone until she was called back into his presence. Destined to be by his side.

  It was hard to comprehend.

  ∞

  They had a connecting flight on a small, private jet. There were no barriers to anything upon arrival at the next port and Holly quickly realized she was far out of her depth. People were falling over themselves to be useful. Clearly, their originating airport warned of their arrival and they were escorted through the huge building to a confidential room for the pinnacle of premium passengers.

  A lounge of exceptional hospitality with complimentary refreshments, massage chairs, and privacy areas. She’d never thought she would experience anything like it.

  Sixty minutes later she was trying not to read anything into his hand holding hers. It was for convenience, so they wouldn’t get separated, so no one would ask questions.

  That was what she told herself as they were seated on another flight; they were the lone travelers here and the ride was a short one. From there they took the chartered boat he’d told her of, luxurious as the rest of their accommodations, small and fast. Even so, it took over an hour to reach the island and her heart was pounding the entire way, as she dealt with a mild case of sea sickness.

  When land came into sight she breathed a sigh of relief. Feet on solid ground again, Holly held Levi’s hand by necessity now. She couldn’t stand. Her legs felt like jelly.

  The moment he realized it, he swept her up and into his arms. Stammered objections were ignored and the attendants were professionally discreet, there were no whispers or staring, so she quickly gave in. It was more embarrassing to think they might misunderstand. The last thing she wanted was for anyone to think this was all against her will. If there was one scenario Holly didn’t want to experience, it was a run in with authorities.

  Thinking of it made her wonder about Lori again. What exactly happened to the social worker? Did she go back to work, as if her young charge, Emma, never existed? Her file was burned to nothing when Levi took hold of it; perhaps he did more than ruin that single copy.

  She found herself distracted though, by the sight that was the hotel. She thought it small at first glimpse, then realized each floor was an apartment of it’s own and in the end that wasn’t where they were staying anyway, but the entrance was captivating. Light colors and gentle prints. One-of-a-kind chandeliers.

  They checked in at the desk, but were then led back out to a newly arrived convertible that Levi insisted on driving himself. Their bags were already within and the drive took them to an over water villa. It was set on white powder sand beach front. A tropical paradise with a huge low deck, sun chairs and thatched roof cabana.

  She couldn’t believe her eyes as she gazed around the vacation home.

  “This island is part of what was once the highly advanced civilization you come from. It broke into pieces and the memory is long forgotten, excepting small tales of places like Atlantis.”

  He moved so fluidly, the luggage entered the room behind him. The door closed on it’s own.

  Holly wondered if she would be able to learn to do that. When she was young, four years-old, she’d sent a knife into the throat of a would-be attacker. Looking back she knew, even then, that it was wrong. The way she’d used the elements for death was against humanity.

  “But,” she murmured, fingers tracing standing beams. “Not against nature.”

  How did she know that?

  The bondage of decay.

  The words echoed in her mind; where had she heard that phrase?

  A flash of memory, a thick stone tablet. Writing she no longer remembered, but for a moment she knew what it said. That was where she’d seen it. It was part of a whole; was it lost in the disaster?

  Those people knew things about the way the world worked and no one would teach her much, but she sought to learn on her own. She’d known the first death was in self-defense, but the second was different. After that she tried to find out what no one would tell her.

  Now, Holly wanted to remember.

  Chapter Eleven

  He told her they would wait until the following dawn to set out for another, uninhabited, island. It wasn’t far and they wouldn’t be disturbed.

  “There’s really nothing to find,” he spoke dismissively. “I’ve looked many times before.”

  Holly didn’t doubt that, what else would a man who lived forever have to do? But, she might remember things he could never know. That first life was the one she recalled the most and there had to be things only she could find. Places only she knew to look for.

  “There are ruins,” he reiterated. �
��But they’re little more than rocks on rocks. Years of storms have washed away any trace of what used to be there.”

  She was putting her clothing into the provided dresser, trying not to think of what the night might bring.

  “Archaeologists have been there and I’ve had your things all these years,” he revealed. “Anything worth taking is long gone.”

  She heard his words, but her mind was elsewhere. It was a ridiculous thing to worry about, he wasn’t thinking of it at all, but Holly found herself back in time. Back on her wedding day as evening fell, back in her nightdress and nervously awaiting her husband.

  As if he even remembered it, she knew he didn’t, and even if he did he’d never known how she felt.

  The desire. The betrayal.

  Drawers slid closed as she put the last of her things away. She was surprised by the amount, by the items themselves; she’d really not noticed anything as she was filling her travel bags. Underthings, swimsuits, and everything in between. All appropriate for the weather of the island.

  A few things appropriate for activities she refused to consider.

  “How does it do that?” she asked quietly. It was still hard to speak to him.

  “How does what do what?” His tone was unconcerned.

  With a quick breath she asked, “How does the dresser know what I need?”

  “I don’t know,” he said simply. “I didn’t make it.”

  She considered that. “Then, you don’t know where the clothes come from either?”

  “No.”

  Would all their conversations be this stunted? She hoped not, but also realized the hang-up was on her end. She was unused to speaking with people. She’d always been the odd one out, a wall flower and a loner. Today, she found herself one-on-one with a stunning man, who was technically her husband. What was she supposed to do with him? How was she supposed to talk to him?

  She was so tired of being nervous! Tired of worrying about everything and being afraid that death was around every corner. Tired of not knowing her place in the world.