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

As we exited the forest, I began to look back on what happened over the past year. I used to be the person known as Clay. And then two years ago, the woman beside me sent me a necklace that transformed me into the girl that I am now. Well, to be more accurate I was reborn.

A lot happened since that day, some good, other’s…not so much. I lost most of my family in a tragic explosion. But I now stand a fourteen year old girl, and quite happy with my mother, who adopted me six months ago. My old life seems like a long distant memory, nearly forgotten in my mind.

I’m not same person I was then, and if I had to be honest, I’ve never been happier in my life. I have two amazing big sisters.

The first was actually the very first person I met from the world that I had fallen in love and was adopted into, she would be Marron. Marron looked after me for a few months before she was called back prematurely.

My second big sister is Sil’vari, or Silvi, who is a dragon, and a gluttonous one as that. We practically adopted each other the very day we met.

And then there’s my aunt, Velhemina, who’s an alraune and lives within the greenhouse, tending to the plants within. I love swimming with the mermaids that live in the lake who have since become some of the closest friends I have ever known.

Fenris nudges my hand with his massive head, causing it to rest upon the top of his head. I giggled softly, scratching between his ears. Oh, and then there’s this big oaf of a wolf. Fenris bonded with me last Christmas and we share a magical link with each other.

He also acts like a father to me sometimes, often forcing me out of bed if I sleep in too much or will often snap me back into place if I get too far out of line. But he often will encourage me and is always by my side.

I gazed up at my mother, smiling warmly with a hint of a blush in my cheeks. Finally there’s Rachel Rivenfeld, my adopted mother. She is a five hundred year old witch from England whom I actually met while as a kid over twenty years ago in St. Louis, where we discovered that we shared a bond closer than blood with another.

Five months ago, when we were back in that city, our memories of our meeting resurfaced. We each held half of something called a Kinstone, something that when made whole again, glowed. We then hugged each tightly and knew that we were meant to be together from then on. Like we needed a rock to tell us that.

Fenris then stepped behind me, racing under me and lifted me onto his back. I yelped, blushing deeply as I cling to his fur. “That wasn’t funny Fenris,” I chided. The wolf looked back at me, curling his lips into a smile once more.

. . .

Rachel looked down at her daughter and smiled, seeing her tail splitting into eight larger ones. She looked on, knowing that within the past few months, Aria had since learned how to better control of her tails, causing them to form into the appearance of a singular one, while also able to shorten the length of her tails.

Aria’s control over her magic had grown immensely under her tutelage. Without the infrequency of the visits, she was able to develop her daughter’s knowledge and skill in the magical arts.

Rachel smiled knowing that Aria had also expanded upon the foundations of her own invented magicks and abilities, combining them with her innate abilities granted to her from becoming a kitsune, as well as the other forms she was able to transform into. Fenris and Aria had grown incredibly close to one another, now able to act and react with near-flawless precision.

Even before Aria came to be her daughter, the young girl and she had shared an incredibly strong bond with one another. The two of them had only grown even closer as time went by. Rachel loves her daughter more than anything in this world, and she knows that her child feels the same as she does.

While as much as Aria had grown while becoming her daughter, Rachel still worried deeply for the young girl, as any mother would. Aria was far wiser and mature than her physical form would portray. Yet this hid a fierce childishness her little girl possessed, having become a child in nearly every way possible.

She had tried to shield her girl from the world. Yet the world had often held a tendency to come crashing into her life. The girl’s mother would still fight to protect her daughter from all harm, and yet knew of the stubbornness and determination that had long since been instilled into her.

The massive wolf then playfully bucked, gently tossing the child into the air. Aria yelped as she clung even tighter to her mount. Rachel chuckled softly as her daughter pouted. “I could’ve been thrown off, you doofus.”

The wolf merely smiled at her, wagging both of his tails. Her bonded had grown to love having the child riding upon his back, finding it his preferred place for the girl. The wolf had indeed become a father-figure to girl, caring for her, alongside her mother, when she would become ill.

He had often gone so far as to discipline her if the need arose. Rachel was grateful to have another being to rein in her daughter, if the need ever were to arise.

The sun began its cresting of the hills as we nearly reached the Manor and were then greeted by the house staff. The welcoming party all bowed to them as they stepped onto the back veranda, “Welcome returns,” spoke Sebastian, butler and head of staff.

I slid off of Fenris’ back, instantly reverting to my human form, my long hair becoming a soft dark blonde.

Rachel looked to him, “Thank you Sebastian.”

The old lycan bowed his head once more, “Preparations for your trip have been made. The both of you are to leave at 9:00 in the morning, and should arrive in France roughly ten hours later. There will be however, a short layover in London my Lady.”

She nodded, “I would also assume that you made contact with the Court of our impending arrival?”

Again the butler bowed his head, “They wished to convey their immense eagerness for your return.”

Rachel let out a protracted sigh, not looking forward to her return to that castle in the slightest.

I looked up at her, “Something wrong?”

She looked to me, feigning a reassuring smile, “Not at all my love.”

I raised my eyebrow as I stared up at her, “Uh-huh. Not buying that smile.”

My mother grinned ruffling the top of my hair, “All you need to worry about is preparing for our journey young lady.” I giggled.

The butler cleared his throat, “Dinner will be served shortly my Ladies. Madame Sil’vari has already arrived and is waiting within the dining room for the two of you.”

I smiled, hopping away from my mother, “See you inside,” and then bolted into the Manor, quickly followed by my bonded wolf.

“Don’t run in the-,” Rachel sighed exasperatedly as she shook her head, “that child will never learn.” She then smiled, watching her little girl disappearing into the house. Rachel then entered into the house after her daughter.

As I neared the dining room, a broad grin stretched across my face, seeing my dragonic sister sitting at the table, already tearing into a large roasted ham.

I giggled, “Tangisir myvish,” smirking, “tiliw t I itheik ihk udoka tiliw wux.” (Evening sister. Couldn't wait for us could you?) The dragon looked up at me, her long flowing deep red hair, draped over her shoulder.

Silvi grinned, proudly baring her gleaming white fangs, with bits of meat hanging from her mouth, “Darastrixi nurti itheik ihk lyriki Moxt Altiui. Tangis ihk asta moxt myvishi.” (Dragons never wait for others Little Wing. Even for their little sisters.)

I giggled, walking over to my seat, and sitting into it, “I’m guessing you heard the news right?”

Silvi nodded, ripping off another chunk of ham, quickly chewing it and swallowed, “I did. Personally I’d much rather you and your mother stay here and just ignore the Court. I worry that either of you won’t make it back here unscathed.”

“Is there something I should know about the Court that Rachel hasn’t already told me?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

The dragon shrugged, smirking, “Not really. I’m sure the both of you will be just fine. Well…perhaps only missing an arm or even an ear if you’re lucky.”

I leaned forward, resting my elbows onto the table, and then my head onto my palms, grinning, “Do tell me more about this oh so wonderful place. Maybe I should bring something to defend me. Because if it’s as bad as you say it is, then wouldn’t a dragon be at home amongst all of the carnage and bloodshed of politics?”

Silvi looked to me, grinning even wider, “Hence why you’re going instead of me.”

My grip loosened, sinking my head as I sighed, “Cheapskate.” The dragon bellowed a laugh.

Rachel then walked into the dining room, “Why can’t you eat your dinner neatly?”

The dragon smiled, “Simply because I can.”

Rachel sighed as she took her seat at the head of the table, “Dragons,” she then smiled towards me, knowing I too could transform into one myself.

I then reached over to the one of the plates before me, pulling food onto it. I then eyed a large leg a roasted lamb, quickly snatching if before my sister could, and placing it next to Fenris.

I giggled as the wolf began to devour the leg, hearing the sounds of bones crunching. Rachel saw the exchange, releasing a soft smile. I looked to my mother and giggled softly as I started to eat.

I looked over to the dragon, “Are you gonna be okay with me being here for a week?”

Silvi looked over to me, “Little Wing, I will be fine without having to deal with a hapless little hatchling,” grinning.

I giggled, “You’ll be a nervous wreck while I’m away and you know it.”

Silvi looked away, pouting, “N-no I won’t.”

I laughed, “Knew it.”

My mother panned over to me, “Aria, eat your dinner.”

I turned my face to my mother, still grinning, “Yes Ma’am.” Rachel smiled as she too began to eat.

After dinner, Silvi rose from her seat and stretched her body, unfurling her wings, the sounds of their muscles as they creaked to life echoed through the room. The dragon then belched loudly, followed by a short-lived ball of flame.

I giggled, holding up a sheet of paper with a “10” written on it, “Nice one sis.” The dragon laughed loudly, giving a bow.

Rachel leered over to her, “Please do not encourage my daughter.”

Silvi laughed heartedly again, “Oh relax Rachel. The two of us are merely having a bit of fun.” I grinned broadly.

My mother sighed, shaking her head, “I feel as though I am raising two children.”

I giggled even more. She then looked to me, “Young lady, I do hope you remember our agreement.”

I turned my head toward her, “I do. You let me have the Fall off, but I have to go half a semester in the spring before I head to Japan.” She smiled and nodded.

Fenris’ ears perked up as he lay beside me. I leaned over and scratched him behind his ears, hearing him give a gleeful groan in return.

I then placed my cutlery onto my plate and turned to Rachel. “May I please be excused?”

My mother smiled, “Yes you may, my love. Hurry up to your room and finish packing.”

I nodded to her, “Yes Ma’am,” I rose from my seat and, like my sister, stretched my body, feeling my muscles burn. I peered over to my sister, “Night sis.”

The dragon smiled, “Have a good night Little Wing.”

I smiled, walking over to my bag, which I had placed onto a chair, and head out of the dining. Fenris rose from beside my chair and followed after me.

I walked through the foyer and headed up the stairs towards the second floor. I reached into my bag and pulled out one of the books that I was reading earlier and opened it once more.

I wandered down the hallways, dodging past pillars and columns with ease while still having my nose in the book. I had long since memorized the placement of everything on the floor to the point where I could walk with my eyes closed. The only time I’d look up was to gauge where my room was.

I then felt a soft nudge at my back, smiling, and knowing that it was Fenris telling me that I was close. Without looking, I lifted my hand and opened the door to my room. I walked over to my desk, placing the bag onto it, bookmarking my place in my book, and resting it onto the bag.

Standing beside my desk were a two large bookcases, each filled with dozens upon dozens of books, manga, JPop albums, and anime I had purchased over many years.

My personal library had grown significantly since I began living with my mother and even before being adopted. I had always possessed a fierce hunger for books and Rachel at times had struggled to keep that hunger sated. I giggled, seeing a small stack of fresh books resting on one of the shelves.

To the left of my desk was my model building station. Another hobby that I took great pride in was the construction of model robots, which adorned several shelves hanging above my desks. Resting beside my desk, on a heavily stand, were two swords.

The first being a short sword forged from one of Silvi’s fangs. The smaller one, which sat below the long sword, was a kodachi. This was from Asha, a ryujin from Japan. Both were birthday gifts and cherished treasures of mine.

Hanging above my swords rested small dual vial containing dirt in one capsule and water in the other. Both had been drawn from where I was born in Tennessee. I gave a soft smile, reaching over and stroking it. It too had been a birthday gift, but this particular one had been from my aunt Velhemina.

According to her, alraune always carry with them a sample of soil and water from their homeland, my case being Knoxville, Tennessee. Well, the water came from the Tennessee River itself while the soil came from my old house in Chattanooga.

The sky hadn’t quite fully gone dark as I eyed my balcony window. The curtains rippled softly as the fan overhead whipped around.

I nodded and turned to see that resting by my bed was a medium-sized open suitcase, already filled with clothes, shoes, and other necessities for my trip. I walked over to the case and gently lifted the clothes within, eyeing what the maids had packed for me. I smiled, approving the selection.

My ears perked up as I saw Fenris hopping onto my bed, resting at its foot. The wolf nearly took the whole width of the bed as he stretched out upon it. I smirked at seeing how easily the wolf made himself comfortable.

I then walked over to my closest and stepped into it. I thumbed through the various outfits that hung upon racks. I leaned up against the wall as I stared at the outfits, sighing softly.

My experience with the Court has been met with…mixed reactions. The first was when the vampire Beltrok Velkoz and his children paid Rachel a visit just to see me. After a heated discourse, a very heated one, I was then challenged to a duel with Velkoz’s daughter Irina.

The duel was long and brutal, leaving me battered and bloodied. But in the end, I was the victor.

The duel had left an impression upon the coven Rachel was a part of, garnering the respect of many of my age group. I didn’t really care for the adulations of others because of my victory, being wary of it.

My other experience was from Tobias Algernon, an apparently high ranking member of the Court. After my family was killed, he attended the funeral and gave his condolences to me. I was obviously wary of the visit, given my previous experience. Given all of this, I was less than excited about traveling to the court.

Shaking myself loose from the stupor, I selected a couple outfits and walked back to the suitcase, carefully slipping them into it. Satisfied with my selections, I closed up the case, and locked it, placing it onto the bed.

I then crawled onto the bed, lying down onto it, and eyeing my room. I let out a soft sigh, knowing that in the morning, I would be flying halfway across the world and into the heart of Europe.

I had traveled a great deal over the course of the past eighteen months. In a strange way, I had become used to traveling so much. Part of me actually just wanted to stay home on the Estate and live out my life there. But the truth was that it was nothing but a dream, and that came with being the daughter of Rachel Rivenfeld.

I peered over to the wolf resting at the foot of my bed, “Hey Fenris?”

The wolf lifted his head and looked to her, “What troubles you Aria?”

I smiled, shaking my head, “Nothing.”

Fenris shifted his body, curling it, motioning me over to him with his head. I smiled as I crawled over to him, curling up into his side, running my thin fingers through his fur.

“I can feel your apprehension little one. You are hesitant to be amongst those whom your mother has distanced herself from for so long.”

I sighed softly and nodded, “I don’t like the idea of leaving once again, flying halfway across the world, and to a group that everyone in the Coven doesn’t really care for. Plus there are my own issues with them.”

“I understand your reservations my love.”

I peered over the wolf’s massive side to see Rachel stepping into my room. “I will say that you cannot judge the entirety of the Court given your scant interactions with it,” she said, walking over and sitting onto the side of my bed. “There are many within the Court that I still correspond with and call my dearest of friends. These same friends were equally outraged over what transpired between you and Beltrok.”

I nodded as my nervousness was now present upon my face. Rachel leaned over and kissed my forehead, “Remember to stay calm my love, and abide by the rules.”

I nodded to her, “Yes Ma’am.”

Rachel softly stroked my cheek, “Get some rest sweetheart. You will need it for tomorrow.” I nodded, stilling staring into her eyes. Rachel smiled, “Goodnight my precious.”

“Night Rachel.”

My mother nodded and stood up, heading for the door, closing it behind her.

I sighed for a moment and rose off of my bed to undress myself, walking over to the wardrobe and pulling out a pair of pajamas. A slight grin rose upon my face as I saw the fox Lolita nightie that Marron had made for me two years ago. I would wear it on occasion, still remembering my first few months after receiving the necklace from Rachel that started my slow progression into becoming the little girl that I was now.

I slipped on the pajamas, tossing my clothes into a hamper by the bathroom. I then walked back over to my bed, pulling the covers back, and finally crawling into it. I stared up at the ceiling, as the lights began to dim. With a heavy sigh, I rolled onto her side, closing my eyes.