Old Promises, New Mysteries: Book 2 of The Kinstone series

A couple days before my birthday, I was sitting in my room, going over a yet another assignment from my mother. Nothing outrageous mind you, but something that had to be done regardless.

My pencil flowed across the paper as though I were conducting a symphony. Well that would the case if I wasn’t such a sloppy writer. I often suffered from the curse of “thinking faster than I wrote”. This tended get me in trouble with my mother whenever I had to handwrite assignments.

When I had finished it, I tossed the pencil onto my desk and leaned back in my chair. I groaned as I stretched out my back, hearing the joints pop.

I heard my phone going off. I scrambled as I sifted through stacks of papers, desperately trying to locate it. I nearly decided to just dump everything onto the floor until I managed to locate it. A bright grin stretched across my face as I saw who was calling me.

“Hey Jenn,” smiling.

“Hey Aria, hope I didn’t snag you at a bad time.”

I shook my head, “Nah, you’re good. What’s up?”

“Well I just wanted to wish you an early Happy Birthday and tell you much it sucks that none of us can come see you.”

I smiled, “Jenn, you’re fine, trust me. I’m just glad I was able to come visit you for yours back in July.”

“Hah, more like it was planned for that to happen. Not saying I didn’t love the hell out of you coming. Kinda miss ya girl.”

I giggled, “Miss you too.”

“Hey, switch to vid chat. It sucks just talking through the phone.”

I nodded as I clicked my phone, allowing for video calling. I smiled as I saw my best friend’s face pop onto the screen. Her blonde hair was draped over her left shoulder. “There we go, much better.”

Jenn smiled as I watch her image shake as she moved around her room. “Okay…so here’s the deal. Since none of us can come, and we’re all holding out hope to see you for the Winter Solstice, Heather, Mandy and I are gonna be sending you our gifts.”

A soft blush burned across my face, “Thanks Jenn.”

She smiled brightly, “You’re welcome babs. So something else I gotta ask…any boys this time around? I know you were talking about that hunk of a merman awhile back. Or hell, what about that vampire you met up with in France?”

I sighed, “No boys…and he’s not even a friend. But he is interested in me, which creeps me out a little, seeing how he’s like twice my age. It’s something that Rachel is not all on board with.” I then had to remember who she was talking about, in reference to a vampire. I groaned, now knowing who.

“Oh…you mean Drakon Velkoz. He’s the last guy I would ever think of having a relationship with. His sister’s a bitch and don’t even get me started on his dad. Not to mention, the guy is way older than me. My mom would never in a million years let him near me. Hell, I want nothing to do with him.”

Jenn chuckled, holding her hands up. “Okay, okay… so that’s a 'No' on guys. Any girls?” looking slyly at me.

I looked to her, puffing my cheek into a pout, blushing, “No…” Jenn laughed loudly.

She then smiled into the camera, “What plans do you have for your birthday?”

I shrugged my shoulders, “I don’t know, my mom and I haven’t really talked about it. I’m wondering if she’s got some kind of big surprise for me. Last year was amazing, but to be honest, super overwhelming.”

She nodded, “That’s understandable. Oh god how I wish I was there. It still sucks that we’re all spread out all over the place.”

“Tell me about it. Apart from the rare chance we get to travel to each other or the festivals, we hardly ever get to see each other.”

Jenn grew a soft smirk, “You do know everyone figured out that you threw your last match, right?”

I blinked, “Ah…no…no I didn’t,” looking away from the phone.

Jenn laughed, “Well come next summer, no one’s gonna let you get off easy. We want to see where everyone stands for the year.”

I sighed, waving my hand, “Yeah, yeah, I get it.”

Jenn grinned, “Good.”

Jenn and I spoke heavily the next few hours, talking about the latest gossip within the Coven, the latest videos trending online, or even about what music had been growing in popularity. I even learned more of her daily life at school. I didn’t even notice that the sun had even set.

I learned that Jenn’s mom had been hospitalized for an illness that had been spreading around St. Louis. I giggled as she walked me over to her little brother, Stuart, who was sleeping quietly in his crib.

The little boy had grown a bit since I last saw him back in July. It was during my visit that Jenn’s parents had decided to go out on a date, leaving Jenn and I in charge.

I quickly settled into my role as a big sister, having had tons of experience in dealing with Micha and Luna. Even Fenris found himself joining in on the fun. Jenn and I both laughed as we watched the tiny infant tug on the wolf’s ears and then one of his tails.

As the hours grew later, the world around melted away so much that I didn’t notice my door had opened, in walking my mother. Rachel slowly crept over to me, plucking the phone right out of my hand. “Ah…h-hey!” I exclaimed in protest.

My mother smiled as she peered into the screen. “Hello Jennifer.”

“Oh, good evening Lady Rivenfeld.”

She smiled softly, “I hate to break up your time together, but it is getting rather late. I know for quite certain that you have school in the morning.”

“Yes Ma’am, I do.”

Rachel smiled, “Good. Now, give your family my best.”

“I will my Lady.”

My mother then turned to me, “Say your goodbyes and it’s off to bed.”

I grumbled as I swiped my phone from her, seeing Jenn’s face, “Well, I guess we outta call it night.”

Jenn smiled back at me, “We’ll talk soon girl. You get some sleep.”

I nodded, “Seeya.”

“Night.” The phone then went dead as the call ended.

I plopped backwards onto my bed. My mother smiled as she sat beside me, her hair gently touching my cheek. I looked up at her, reaching for it, and twirling around some of it with my fingers.

She smiled, leaning in to kiss my cheek. “Now, it’s bed time sweetheart. While you don’t have lessons in the morning, you are still a child who requires her rest.”

I nodded to her, “Yes ma’am.”

Rachel leaned up and kissed my forehead, “Good girl.”

She then slipped off of my bed, turning off the lamp on my desk, and walked over to the door, hand resting of the light switch, “Goodnight my love.”

I rolled my head over to her, “Night Rachel.”

She smiled, flipping the switch, and closed the door behind her. I lied on my bed, staring up at the darkened ceiling. I wasn’t really that tired, but gradually I felt the darkness slowly take me.

My body felt light on my bed, almost numb. My mind began to fade away as my eyes closed. The silence on the room acted as a lullaby, soothing me even deeper off into sleep. Soon everything around me faded away into nothingness.

I woke up the next morning feeling groggy and with a sharp pain in my shoulder. I sat up on my bed, feeling my shoulders pop and ache back into life. I opened my eyes, seeing a dark and quiet room. I smiled as I stretched my body, my muscles burning as more of my joints popping loudly. I spun on my bed and slipped off of it.

I smirked, still remembering the long phone call with Jenn. It was always great talking to her. Hell, I loved talking to anyone from the Coven, especially Marron.

I missed her like nothing in the world. I sighed, wondering where she was and how she was doing. I slapped my cheeks, rousing me from my train of a thought. There was now something more important I wanted to do that morning. Go for a run.

I quickly dressed in leggings and tank top. I pulled out some running shoes and a light hoodie, throwing them on. I looked over to see Fenris already sitting by the door, tails wagging. The wolf looked absolutely majestic, almost as if he hopped right out of a painting. I giggled softly, grabbing up my weight bands, slipping them over my ankles and wrists.

Finally I tied my hair into a high ponytail and reached for my phone, sliding it into a arm holster and grabbing some earbuds. I opened the door, with Fenris slowly walking out first. I smiled as I followed after him.

The Manor was still quite dark, with only the moon’s light shining through the windows. We quietly walked down the corridors, passing past the library. I knew that most of the staff was asleep, with really only the kitchen having a skeleton crew for both at the start of the morning.

As we entered into the foyer, the room was eerily quiet, with only the sounds of the swaying chandelier swaying softly from the ceiling. We hopped down the stairs, with Fenris padding softly to the floor below. I nearly freaked when his nailed clicked on the marble tiling.

This was always the tensest portion of whenever he and I would go running together, simply getting out the door without waking anyone up. While I knew I could go out whenever I wanted, with the exception of that incident with overdoing my experiments, I still had to be mindful of everyone.

It wasn’t like it was a game of whether I could get caught. Though I still made it out to be like one, in a way.

In any case, Fenris and I walked past the parlor eyeing the smoldering embers from the fireplace. Rachel must’ve been in there before heading up to me. I shook my head as I reached the backdoor, opening it softly, with Fenris quickly slipping out first. As I stepped out onto the back veranda, I gently closed the door.

The morning air was nice and crisp. I took in a long deep breath, filling my lungs with cool fall air. The sky was almost clear, with the odd cloud floating against the starry sky.

The wind picked up slightly as I could hear the trees buffering against it. A smile rose on my face as I scanned the dimly light fields. I then craned my head towards the forest.

I looked over to Fenris, who was stretching out his body, yawning. Even after a year living with the wolf, I still could be in awe of how amazing he can move. I too stretched out my body, feeling it burning to life.

After finishing, I tapped the jewels on the bands, causing them to glow, and assuming the weight equivalent to five pounds per band. A couple jumps on the deck and I then leapt off for the forest.

The forest echoed with the sounds of birds as they began to wake for the morning. Even as my music blared in my ears, I could still faintly hear them. I was as much at home in the forest as I was in the Manor or the lake.

While here, or anywhere for the matter, I could drop my guard. Not that I was naïve, but I knew that nothing bad could ever happen to me. Not with Rachel, Fenris, or anyone else on the Estate there to protect me. I was at peace.

Whenever I went running early in the morning, I tend to shut off my mind and focus on the path before me. This was something I did even before coming to live on the Estate, get up early and head out for a run. It allowed my mind to flow endlessly with thought after thought or even have no thoughts at all.

I had no fear of anything while out in the forest, except for losing myself to the connection between Fenris and me. Granted that would only ever happen if I actually delved into it. Otherwise, there was nothing in this world I feared.

The forest was filled with the smells of earth and foliage, the light from the moon filtered downward through the trees, at times I couldn’t see it due to thick thatching of branches. The trail I ran on had always been lit for my protection and guidance. Over time however, I grew to devise my own path.

I would veer off and run deeper into the forest, leaping from rock and tree. A bright grin rose on my face with every step. My body felt light and my legs like springs, exploding with energy.

I loved to stretch out my hands and grab the branches, swinging myself forward. I loved parkour, despite its growing out of the need to train with the pillars, I found it exhilarating.

I rose higher and higher into the tree line, running along thick long tree branches before leaping for the next tree. My heart would race wildly upon scaling some of the larger and taller trees.

Fenris of course easily kept pace with me, well to be honest; he was always in a light trod rather than running. You wouldn’t think a five and a half foot tall wolf would be that agile in a thick forest.

Yeah well…he is, oh dear God is he. This wolf loves to race with me, whether it is running on through the forest or with me in the air.

Now with training, I was more agile and graceful than most humans, if not more given how with being able to transform in to a kitsune, which really exploded my agility. Fenris is easily three to four times more agile than me.

He could dodge and weave his way through nearly anything. I found it difficult at times to just keep him in sight, when he wanted to be.

With all that running though my head, he and I simply ran straight through the forest. Sometimes the best things in life are the simplest. And today I wanted to just enjoy a nice leisurely run with him.

As we trudged onward, the smell of the lake flared in my nose, bringing yet another smile to my face. Every step I pounded into the dirt spurred me forward as I neared one of the many entrances/exits into the forest.

The lake glistened with moonlight as I could see the water rippling gently. Upon exiting the forest, the sight of fresh dew-covered grass came into sight.

I hastened my pace, wanting to sprint if just a little, to really get my heart pumping. My shoes easily glided through the grass, feeling the cool water kissing my ankle as it was kicked up.

My hands opened as I stretched out my arms, feeling the weighted bands pulling down on them. Water swirled around them into tiny little rings, pulling straight from the grass below. I slowed down, instantly dropping the ringlets.

As I stopped, my breath was heavy, and my hair was damp from the humidity and dew. My arms and legs burned from the run, even my sides ached softly. It didn’t matter to me, just proof that my run was a good one.

I leaned down to stretch out my arms, running through more of my exercises. Fenris merely sat and watched. When I finished, I plopped myself onto the wet grass, and stared out at the lake.

The previous year, while visiting the Estate, the gossip had taken me to Nerazon before my birthday. It was an amazing experience, one that I could never begin to forget. This year, I hadn’t made any really plans prior to it. I pulled out my earbuds and turned off the music on my phone.

I leaned back, resting on my hands as I stared outwards. The sky was still dark, but over the horizon, I could see it turning from deep navy to almost white as the sun slowly began to rise over the hills. The wind picked up slightly as it blew past my face. It felt cool and moist as it kissed my face.

I felt a splash of water hitting my face as I looked over to see Fenris. Little orbs of water orbited his body as he grinned, lobbing several at me. I smirked, holding up my hand, catching a few, with some hitting me square in the face.

I giggled as I stood up, reforming the ringlets, shooting them at him. The wolf swatted them away with his tails.

Water dripped from my face as moved my hands over the dewy grass, summoning more and more water, forming little balls that also orbited me. The wolf grinned even more as he hurled little droplets at me, again, dodging several as I threw my own at him.

Fenris intercepted them, adding the water to his stock. Already winded from my run, I still hopped around on the slick damp grass, hearing my feet swishing through along the blades. Several of my “attacks” managed to strike him on the head, splashing on his dark fur. I laughed as I caught him by surprise, causing one droplet to swerve around one of his, and strike him on the butt.

This actually made the massive wolf rise to his feet and lunge at me. I gleefully dodged him, dancing on the grass as more and more water was flung towards me. Fenris still bore a playful and loving smile on his face.

With every droplet of water thrown at me, I would twirl on the grass, sometimes catching it and hurl if back at him. I giggled as I would flip in the air, feet twirling in wide arcs as I dodged the water orbs.

This was just one of the many games he and I loved to play with each other, never to hurt one another, just a chance to bond and have some fun. I think he also did this to train me, helping me with my agility.

The spring before last, Rachel trained in me gymnastics. I learned how to flip, tumble properly; she even trained me on balance beams and uneven bars. It was a hard and grueling first few months but in time, much like everything else, I grew to love the training, especially the uneven bars.

I loved the feeling of swinging end over end, having the blood rushing to my feet, switching over my grips on the bars, and transitioning from bar to bar. It’s also how I grew to love the sensation of flying through the air long before actually transform into a dragon.

Being active physically was something I took a sense of pleasure from. My early morning runs are proof of that. Fenris seemingly had since picked up on this, hence these games. At heart, he was very much like a dog, playful, loving, and always close by.

A big dumb grin drew across my face, as my mind drew on some old memories. In the back of my mind, I felt myself returning to when I was little, and playing catch with my dad.

Images of him soon flashed straight the forefront of my mind as I felt my heart aching against my chest. It at had been a few years since he passed away, but I still could hear his voice ringing through my ears.

He and I were extremely close to each other, always going out together, and having fun. Movies, gun shows, gun ranges, sporting events, he and I simply loved to spend time together. Even the simple act of being in the same room as him was enough.

I missed having long discussions with him over anything and everything. While firm and strict with me at times, he always was there for me when I needed him.

When he passed, my heart nearly shattered. A part of me was lost that fateful morning. It was the very same feeling when I received the news that most of my family had been killed some time later.

In a lot of ways, Fenris reminded me of my dad. Like him, he could be strict and firm, even disciplining me when I needed it. But he was always there for me, always close by. In many ways, I do see him as a father-figure.

Hehe okay, okay I know it’s a little to think of an animal as a parent, but then I could show you countless articles and studies of children being raised by wild animals. Granted this was way different, but still very much the same.

Fenris had helped break through a locked door that I had placed onto my heart the very night he and I first met. I finally was able to let go of the survivor’s guilt that I had acquired, which eventually allowed me to completely accept Rachel as my mother when she adopted me two months later. Since then, Fenris and I have practically been inseparable.

Water flew through the air as we hurled it at each other. We were having so much fun it was through the world seemed to fade away to nothing. Water flung in all directions without care or discretion.

Another memory came to mind, the first Christmas I spent with Rachel. Christmas morning, my soon-to-be mother and I went out and walked the snow-laden Estate. It was a cold morning with still freshly fallen snow on the ground.

When she and I neared the Manor, Rachel hurled a snowball at me. This quickly escalated when magic soon became involved with me transforming into a kitsune. It was a glorious morning, and much like now, everything faded away.

Splash!!! “Gah, watch where you are throwing those!”

I turned to see Rachel standing a few yards behind us, wiping water from her face. I stopped and giggled loudly as she flung it away from her.

My mother glared at me, “Not very funny young lady.”

My giggle soon became a boisterous laughter, “Oh yes it.” Even Fenris stood opposite of us, baring a large grin, and tails wagging.

I soon felt myself being splashed in the face with water, only to see Rachel grinning as well. I spouted water from my mouth, only to burst out laughing even louder as I stood there drenched.

Laughter soon gave way to crying as I dropped to me knees. My mother came rushing to me, holding me close to her chest, rocking me gently. Fenris too walked over to me, licking my face.

“There, there my beautiful girl, it’s all right.”

While I had mostly accepted and moved on from the deaths of my family and Rachel having long, long since been a mother to me even before officially becoming my mother, there were times when I would simply break down a cry.

It had been ten months since they passed, but I still felt like it had just happened. Like with my dad, I could still hear my birth mom’s voice in my head.

After my dad past, she became a pillar for me to stand on and lean against. We would have our disagreements, what family doesn’t? But we still were family. My mom was someone special, and I loved her dearly.

While she and I didn’t quite have the same bond that my dad and I had, she still was someone I looked up to while I needed someone. We had nearly separated over a few dumb decisions, but still back together as we forgave each other.

Tears streamed down my face as I clung to Rachel. My heart wretched, trying to push out the memories of that long and hard week after I received the news and subsequent planning of the funeral.

Not only was it a hard week to get through, having to deal with all of that, I also lost more family the very day of the funeral. My uncle, trying to act more like my father, told me that I should move to Indiana, which was something that I had no intention of doing.

After a long and angry discourse, we basically severed ties with each other. I hadn’t seen or heard from him since. It felt like my world had shattered into a million pieces that day, feeling more alone in that moment than I had ever in my life. Thankfully, both Marron and Rachel were there to piece my broken heart back together.

After a few moments, I finally was able to settle down, still with hot fresh tears streaming down my face. Rachel gently kissed my cheeks and forehead caressing the former, wiping away my tears, as she stared into my eyes.

Her violet gaze further soothed my aching heart as she held me close to her chest, running her hand down my long hair. I took a long deep breath, calming my racing heart. A smile rose on my face as I looked at my mother.

She smiled warmly, still holding me close, arms wrapped tightly around me. “Feeling better my love?”

I nodded my head, resting my head onto her chest. She pressed a kiss onto the top of my head, “It will be all right my love. I know it hasn’t been easy this past year, and you have made incredible strides. Never lose your happiness.”

I smiled, “Thank you Rachel.”

She rubbed my back, humming softly to me. I immediately felt like I could shrink into a small child in that moment, almost wishing I did.

A few moments passed and I blushed as my stomach began to whine, squealing loudly. My mother smiled, “It would appear, my little girl requires her breakfast.”

I nodded, smiling, my face still burning from embarrassment. Rachel then slowly rose up us up from the ground, still holding onto me.

I felt Fenris slide his head under my arm, his soft fur resting under my hand. I looked down and smiled to him, stroking the top of his head, softly digging my fingers into his fur.

A comforting chill rose out of his fur, one the wrapped around my fingers. Rachel then squeezed her arm tenderly around my shoulder. I nodded, stepping forward, heading for the Manor.

As strong as I had become, in my heart I was still very much a vulnerable child, insecure and unsure of myself. Both Rachel and Fenris knew this truth all too well, hence why I think they were always so close to me. While with them, I felt stronger than I was alone. Shortly before I came to live permanently on the Estate, I was still living in my old apartment.

But after the incredibly filled month of last December, and being on the Estate for so long, the old place just didn’t feel like home anymore. In fact I felt even more unnerved being away from the people over that previous year I had come to call my family.

It’s said that we have to find a new routine after we face tragedy as we try to return to some sense of normality. Well, the Estate had become my new “normality”.

After coming back from Georgia, I quickly forgot that I was only there until the spring semester started. This might have come from how I was so emotionally drained that didn’t even think to separate that I was visiting Rachel for the month.

But I really believe that the moment I stepped back into the foyer and Rachel ordering me to bed, that I fully embraced the Estate as my home and where my heart now resided. So it shouldn’t be too hard to accept the notion that I just didn’t care anymore about my old life, I was home.

We trekked through the Estate, the wind swirling gently around us, feeling even cooler than before. The sky was filled with light greying clouds. A hint of rain rose into my nose, signaling a storm was on its way.

Rain before my birthday, not the worst thing that could happen. I shrugged it off as we neared the veranda, stepping lightly onto the deck.

I let out a soft giggle. Rachel smiled as she turned to me, “What is so funny?”

I smiled to her, holding up my wristbands, “I completely forgot that these were still weighted.”

My mother smiled, stroking the gems, releasing the spell on them. My arms and legs immediately felt lighter. I smiled as well, slipping them off my wrists and ankles, slipping them into the pockets of my hoodie.

The door opened, revealing Sebastian and a host of maids behind him. “Welcome back my ladies,” bowing softly to us and handing us some towels.

I smiled to him, “Thank you Sebastian.”

The old lycan smiled, “Breakfast has been served and is waiting for you Young Miss.” I nodded, with Rachel still holding me close to her. My stomach growled even louder now that the smell of and prospect of eating hot food swirled around me.

Rachel chuckled, letting me go, “Go ahead sweetheart.” I smiled, heading for the breakfast, drying myself off with the towel.

I heard Fenris furiously shaking his body, freeing the captured droplets of water that had become trapped within his fur. I grinned, seeing the droplets freeze midair, and the falling into a small bucket. I shook my head and trotted off.

After breakfast, and a hot shower, I planted myself onto the couch in my room. I peered over to my desks, one for studying, and the other my model building work station.

“Model” housed a couple unopened kits, which I had ordered a while back and had yet to open and start building. A new project to work on, which brought a smile to my face.

“Study” held stacks and binders from my lessons with Rachel, along with a few of my textbooks. Also on it laid a couple open books from before my break, of which I was still pouring through from the other day.

I had been reading up on yokai lore, more gifts from Yukari and Asha, having received them just weeks prior. I still missed them, having not seen them in a year. Despite our near constant letters, phone calls, and video chats, it wasn’t enough.

I knew that in just a few short months I would be traveling to Japan to live there for two whole months. While there I would undergo training as a yokai, learning about being a ryujin and kitsune, understanding both forms. I’d live amongst other yokai, being one of them.

While here on the Estate, I could learn from everyone else about three of the other five forms I could transform into, but the last two were the more difficult due to the fact that I didn’t have anyone there to learn from. Oh I would receive tomes, scrolls, and other bits of lore from Yukari and Asha, but it just was never enough, and everyone knew this.

When they came last year for my birthday, that’s when I learned that I was going to go back. During the summer it was decided that I would spend the latter half of spring in Japan. I couldn’t wait to go back. But I still had to be patient, a virtue I was all too familiar with. So wait I must.

The same, if not even more so, all right maybe a thousand times more would be Marron. The last time I actually got to see her was during the summer gathering when it was held in New Orleans back in June.

I wanted so badly to see her. I missed being with her.

For some reason, she dropped all contact with me. I hoped she was doing okay. This wasn’t new as she was still very busy with her job as a fashion designer in Seattle and with handling some of the Coven’s day to day operations.

I sighed heavily, pulling my legs tightly into my tiny chest. I wanted my big sister. Don’t get me wrong, Silvi is very much my big sister in every way, and there’s no denying that fact. But Marron is someone very special to me, almost as special if not equally as Rachel. My closet was full of outfits she had personally designed for me, ranging from causal, formal, and all the way to Lolita.

But what made her special was that she was the first person that I had met and interacted with from the world I now called home. When I first started all of this, she was sent to watch over me, protect and guide me.

Through her, I was able to really learn how to be a girl. The two of us would hand out with each together, go eat, play, shop, just have fun.

Marron and I had grown incredibly close, and still are. The two of us share a bond that’s unique only to us. To her, I’m her “Baby Ahri”, a pet name she gave me, and one I cherish deeply.

I had often wondered what might’ve happened if she hadn’t been recalled early. What kind of life what I have led if I had actually moved in with her?

It was something I knew she and I both thought about. I smiled as I then saw a picture of the two us of on my desk. It was taken during the festival. Marron, shoulder length wavy red hair, part of her hair on the left side of her face was braided near the front. She had the deepest emerald eyes you could ever see on a person.

She was draped over me, arms wrapped tightly around my small body. The two of us smiling broadly, the sky in the background was clear with sparse clouds. The picture was taken with us standing in front of St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square. I sighed heavily, still wanting to see her.

A book then fell over from a shelf on “Study”. I grumbled, having to leave the comfort of my couch, as I walked over to it. There lying on the desk was a brown leather bound book, with flowery etched covering, clasped shut with a button. A soft smile rose on my face as I picked up the book.

This was my diary from the first six months of my new life after receiving the necklace. Inside held all of my thoughts and adventures during those initial months. I tenderly stroked the soft leather binding.

Unclasping the button, I skimmed through its worn, handwritten pages, reliving all that had the diary contained. Some of what it contained where questions and feelings, so of which had been answered, with others a mystery.

During my first visit to the Estate, I brought the diary with me. At first I wasn’t sure what to do with it, but with the encouragement of Velhemina in confessing my feeling to Rachel, I handed it over to my now mother. She of course returned it to me afterwards.

Now it stands as a reminder of those formative months, a treasure that no one but Rachel knows about. I placed the diary back onto the shelf, stepping back from the desk, looking at it. I nodded and headed back to my couch, curling up on it.

The sky outside was growing darker by the second as I laid my head onto a pillow. The lights dimmed as I reached over to the coffee table and opened the music box that Rachel had given me last year for my birthday. I smiled as the music began to play, listening to the soft and gentle tones. I gazed at it, letting the melodies sooth me off for a nice long nap.