Marked: A Two Halves Novella (10 page)

“Castall said I could come to you for help. He gave me this
to pass along.” Cautious, Ekim lifted his hand toward the top of his long coat.
The “kids” watched the movement closely. He pulled a white envelope from the
inside breast pocket and handed it to Hannah. The initials
H.G.
were
handwritten on the front, the back sealed with a wax stamp. “It should explain
everything.”

Hannah let a smile surface as she carefully opened the
letter. The kids continued to glare at Ekim as she read. When she finished
reading, she looked up. “Sarah and William are unique, like my children.” She
glanced lovingly at them. “The half-breeds can bring salvation to both
humankind and vampires. Without them, the demons will win.” Her eyes widened.
“They will bring peace and balance to the underworld—but only together. When
they learn who they are, they are to overthrow the demon lord. Together, they
will be stronger than Aseret and his army.” Her eyelids partially closed when
she spoke. Her eyes moved from side to side; she was making a prediction.

Sliding from the stool, Hannah squatted beside a potted
plant and scooped a fistful of dirt into her hand. She let it fall through her
fingers down to the floor. Her eyes rolled back in their sockets, and her head
tipped back. “You will be captured, Ekim. Do not fear. They will save you. You
will be Sarah’s only hope. Believe in what you feel.” She paused. “Beware of
Xela.”

Then her head fell forward, and she looked up at the “kids”
with her own eyes. “Your father’s asking you to move to Pinedale immediately.
You will be Sarah’s secret guardians throughout her childhood and adolescence.
You will be her friends and companions. You will protect her as if she were
your blood.” She rose and handed the letter to the girl at her side, who read
it.

“Sarah’s only one. How are they going to be her friends?”
Ekim pointed hesitantly at the siblings.

The young woman looked up from the letter. “We assume
whatever shape we need to be. We will befriend Sarah as children.” Her gaze
returned to the paper. “Your daughter has a difficult journey ahead. We will do
everything that’s asked of us and nothing less.”

Ekim blinked rapidly, then wiped his eyes. The vampire
features were gone from her face and her brother’s. “Thank you,” he said, taken
aback by the sudden change.

“Our oath to you, Ekim, is to protect your daughter. She is
destined to stop the extinction and bring balance. We will protect her with our
lives,” the young man promised, straightening his shoulders.

Ekim believed him. His hope restored, the vampire let out a
long held breath.

“Ekim, you are part of the keeper’s plan. Your family is
part of their plan as well. You are therefore part of our family. You can
expect the utmost faith and loyalty from Mira and Xander.” Hannah pointed to
the siblings. “They are stronger than many demons. They are wiser than most.
You should stay away from Pinedale. Your scent is too familiar to the seekers.
I’m surprised you’ve outrun them this long.”

“Where should I go?” he asked.

The witch seemed to fall back into a trance. “Go back to the
vampire territories. Spread the word that half-breeds will save their kind from
demons. They should get ready for a battle.” She opened her eyes and looked at
him. “You should leave now. Take what you need from the forest.”

Ekim wondered if she’d noticed how pale he was.

He pitied anyone who crossed Hannah’s path. She was both a
powerful witch and a mother with the fierce instincts of a lioness. A mother he
wished Sarah had.

She tucked the letter into a leather-bound book on a side
table. A mark identical to the one on Hannah’s wrist was embossed on its cover,
surrounded by colourful gems. Ekim smelled the centuries in the paper of its
pages.

Unexpectedly, Hannah stepped forward and hugged the vampire,
then turned on her heel and walked toward the invisible door. As she
approached, the earthen wall cracked, opening to the outside.

“Thank you.” Ekim bowed toward the siblings and Hannah
before stepping through the door into the twilight. He had to move quickly to
avoid capture but hesitated on the threshold before moving out into the woods
and looked back.

Both siblings stared into a wall mirror. Their facial
features changed. They ran their fingers across their face where the cheeks
grew rosy, pudgy; the skin became smoother, younger, and softer; their noses
shrank. The hair thinned and grew silky as eyes became blue, then brown, then
green.

They were becoming toddlers.

###

About the Author

Marta lives with her husband and two kids
in Cambridge, Ontario. A great skier (in her kids eyes), she loves the outdoors
and quiet mornings on the porch with a cup of coffee. She can often be found
creating new worlds in front of her computer. She has a sarcastic sense of
humor and those very close to her know that she can make a joke out of almost
anything; but she would suck as a comedian.

If you enjoyed Marked: A Two Halves
Novella, please consider leaving a review. All authors depend on the support of
their readers to find an audience.

Books by this Author in the Two
Halves Series:

Book 1: Marked: A Two
Halves Novella

Book 2: Two Halves

Book 3: Two Equals

Book 4: Evil-Bent: A Two
Equals Novella

Connect with Me Online:

Twitter:
http://twitter.com/martaszemik

My Blog:
http://martaszemik.blogspot.com
/

Acknowledgments

As always, I am grateful to be surrounded by many loving
people who support me, my fantasies, and my writing.

First and foremost my family, without whom this novella
would never be in the hands of my readers.

Each writer takes a different approach to their work. For
me, I began writing because I wanted to, now I need to. And I wouldn’t be able
to do it without the help, encouragement and inspiration from other writers and
my blogger friends. I am honoured to know all of you. Your words of wisdom,
share of knowledge and enthusiasm for the written word astound me every day.

I am grateful to my editors Marg Gilks and Nicole Zoltack,
and my reader and editor friends for their invaluable input, critique, support
and love. A big thank you to Robin Ludwig Design Inc. for the beautiful book
cover.

To anyone who ever wanted to write: all it takes is will,
imagination and belief. I hope I can one day inspire others to do what they
love, the same way authors have inspired me.

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