The Portal to Sidhe: Book 1

by Kelsey Schaeffer

  Chapter 4

  Time froze, as I stood still not knowing what to say. The strange man on our front porch was looking for his daughters and he certainly had some type of magic, as I could feel it in his grip. Not long after I shook his hand, my father was by my side.

  “Can I help you?” he asked as he shook the man’s hand. My father felt the jolt as well, because he immediately jumped back a bit.

  “I’m looking for my daughters,” the man said smiling and gazing around the foyer from the outside, as if he was hoping to find his daughters inside.

  “This is my house and this is my daughter,” my father said, “I think you have the wrong home.”

  “This has to be the right home,” he said, “I feel it.”

  “What do you feel!” My father demanded. His face was turning red and I could see anger in his eyes.

  “My daughter...I know this is her home.”

  My father moved close to me like he was trying to shield me from the man. He took out his phone and began dialing someone. He called Sophia and told her she needed to come over immediately. The man did not seemed worried by my father’s temperament or actions. He simply remained on the front porch, standing quietly and remaining calm.

  “I mean no harm,” the man said politely. “I can explain if you—”

  “Please! Do explain!” My father interrupted gruffly.

  “My daughters were taken from me forty-two years ago. I have been searching for them for forty-two years. I just want to meet them.”

  My heart seemed to stop because in that moment, I knew exactly who he was.

  “Are you,” I gasped, “my grandfather?”

  “Miranda, go upstairs! NOW” my father demanded. I had never seen my father so angry in his life.

  “Wait...Dad. I don’t think he means harm.”

  “I don’t,” My grandfather said smiling, “I promise, I just need to explain—”

  Sophia suddenly ran from up the stairs to the porch, she was out of breath and said, “What’s going on?”

  “We need to put him in the holding cell,” my father said to Sofia. “He’s a vile!”

  Sophia grabbed the man’s arm and began to escort him down the porch, my father followed behind as he turned around to say, “stay in the house.”

  “I’m going with you Dad,” I cried as I followed behind, shutting the door behind me.

  My dad didn’t have time to argue, as he stayed close behind Sophia and the man. The four of us headed to the mansion and went straight to the basement. When we passed the security room, my father pointed and said, “Stay in there.”

  But I didn’t listen. I followed right behind. Sophia opened the cell and led the man inside. The man was extremely corporative and did exactly as asked. My father entered the cell and I followed behind. He gave me a dirty look, but I didn’t leave.

  “Lock us in and call for backup,” my father instructed. Sweat was dripping from my dad’s face as it was turning as red as a tomato. I had never seen my father in this condition in my entire life. I knew he was angry and even scared all at the same time.

  Sophia left the cell and locked the door.

  “If you lay a hand on my daughter, I will kill you,” my father said. “I may not be young, but I am still powerful!”

  “My granddaughter!” the man smiled as the threat didn’t seem to bother him. “I had no idea I had a granddaughter...and you must be my son-in-law?”

  “We know all about you,” my father said, looking angry and completely ignoring him.

  “I’m not here to harm anyone. I promise. I know what you must think.” my grandfather said. “Can I please just explain?”

  “Miranda, sit down,” my father said while pointing to a chair. He looked at my grandfather and said, “Sit!”

  Once my grandfather was seated, I sat down as well, and he began to tell his story.

  “I guess you all call us the vile?” My father nodded as my grandfather spoke, “Well, the truth is...I’m only half vile. My father was human and my mother a fairy—”

  “So I’m...part fairy?” I interrupted. I was filled with shock at the idea.

  My grandfather smiled and nodded his head. Then he continued. “My father’s grandfather was superhuman, he was good though—not a vile. I guess...I just was unlucky. I was bad...I was awful to my wife and did terrible things to her. After our twin daughters were born, she left and I never heard from her again. Once she left, I was alone. My mother is a full-blooded fairy and wanted me to join her and her other fairies, but I refused. I was in bad shape. I did horrible things and did not care of the consequences. My mother wanted to help, but I pushed her away.”

  He paused for a few moments before continuing. “Finally after years of pushing everyone away, I began to not only hate others, but myself. I despised myself and actually thought about killing myself. My mother came just at the right time. I was planning to kill myself the next day, when my mother begged me once more to live with her. At first I refused, but I finally agreed. I thought maybe I could use their magic to find my wife Lauren. My mother had other plans. Her and her fairies used their magic to keep me there, while they cured my evil and took away my superhuman power. It took months and it was horrible. At times, it felt as if they were cutting pieces of me away. They weren’t able to cure me completely; I still have some evil inside of me. I will never be as a good superhuman, but I am not the way I used to be. I’m not vile.”

  I smiled. I was part fairy and so was my mother. Despite my excitement, my father didn’t buy his story, “You’re full of shit!” he yelled, “There is no cure for the vile! YOU KILLED MY WIFE! YOU TOOK MY DAUGHTER! YOU KILLED MY FRIENDS!”

  My dad’s face was red and he was screaming. I had never seen my dad so angry in his life. I was confused by what my dad was saying about my grandfather taking me and killing my mother and her friends. Nothing my dad was yelling made sense and he continued yelling and screaming at my grandfather for several more minutes. My grandfather had triggered something inside my father, I had never seen before. Despite what I had heard of about my grandfather, he seemed terrified of my father.

  Seconds later, the door and opened and Sophia stepped inside. “Is everything okay?” she asked, ready to fight.

  “Yes,” my dad said quietly. I could tell my dad had years of anger built up inside. He held onto it well—until now. My father was beet red and dripping in sweat. His hands were trembling as he wiped the sweat from his eyes.

  My father then continued speaking to my grandfather angrily, “Almost eighteen years—vile free.” he said shaking his head.

  As my father was releasing his anger, my grandfather came to the realization that my mother was dead.

  “My daughter is dead?” My grandfather said as tears formed in his eyes. “Was it Alexis or Allison?”

  “Alexis,” my father said much calmer, “We called her Lexi.”

  “I deserve this...I deserve every bit of this,” my grandfather cried. He looked terrified and sad as he trembled and shook with tears in his eyes. He had come to meet his daughters only to find out one was dead.

  My father and grandfather went back and forth for what seemed like hours. My grandfather said everything he could to convince my father he meant no harm. At times my father seemed like he was convinced, but moments later he began to yell. I had never seen my dad like this before. One moment my father seemed okay, and then he was screaming once more. Finally my father told my grandfather he could stay in the holding cell until things sorted out. He told me it was time to go.

  My father knocked on the door and Sophia opened it once more. The two of us walked out, leaving my grandfather in the room alone. Before Sophia shut the door behind us, I turned around and said, “I don’t even know your name.”

  “I am Roger,” he said with a smile on his face, “And what is your name, Sweetheart?”

  “Miranda,” I said smiling.

  Sophia shut the door. Virgo and Damon were standing outside the door with
Sophia.

  “I want two additional guards outside the cell tonight,” my dad said, “We will meet tomorrow to further discuss this. Miranda, we will postpone your orientation.”

  I nodded my head.

  “I’ll stay tonight,” Sophia said.

  “Me too.” Virgo added.

  “I can stay with the two of you.” Damon said.

  My father nodded his head. It was two in the morning, the three of us headed back to our house.

  My father headed to the library and took a seat, “I’m staying up tonight. The two of you go upstairs. Damon, keep watch on her.”

  “Yes, sir.” Damon said obediently.

  The two of us headed up to my room. Damon followed me into my room. I went to the bathroom to change into my pajamas and immediately climbed in bed. Damon stood there not knowing what to do.

  “You can lay with me,” I said.

  Without hesitation, Damon turned off the light, took off his shirt and climbed in bed. As we lay in bed, I felt his warmth against my body and could feel his breathing on my neck. I was so worked up over everything that happened, I couldn’t fall asleep. I began talking to Damon, telling him everything that happened. I told him with excitement, that I was an eighth of a fairy. Damon was surprised, but I could tell he was quite excited as well. I was a hybrid, just like Damon.

  After talking for quite some time, Damon told me he could use his magic to help relieve my anxiety so I could sleep. He rubbed his hands up and down my arms and over my shoulders. At first it felt like a massage, but within moments, it felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders and I felt so relaxed. I only remember a few moments of him performing magic, because I quickly fell asleep.

  It felt like I slept forever. When I awoke, the sun was shining bright and I was in bed alone. It seemed that Roger’s appearance had brought good weather as the storms were finally drifting away.

  I heard the television quietly in the next room. I stepped out of bed and into the sitting room. Damon was on the couch watching a show and he smiled when he saw me. I looked at the clock; it was noon. For a moment I panicked; I had so much to do today.

  “I used some great magic on you last night to make sure you had plenty of rest,” he laughed. “I had breakfast with your father, he’s at the mansion now.”

  “I need to go!” I cried.

  “It’s okay,” Damon said calmly, “They know you’re tired. Have some breakfast and head over. Do you want me to calm you before you go?”

  I shook my head, “I’m fine.”

  “Well if you ever need me to do anything—”

  “It’s fine!” I cried. “I’m fine!”

  I threw on an outfit and ran down the stairs. I grabbed an apple and headed out the door with Damon was running after me. I headed into the mansion and straight for the conference room.

  There was a large group of people inside. They stopped talking and stared at Damon and I as we walked in the room.

  “I’m sorry.” I said feeling embarrassed.

  My dad looked exhausted, but he smiled and said, “Have a seat.”

  Brandon and Maria were in the room along with the entire council. Sophia and Virgo were also seated at the table and my grandmother Lauren and aunt Allison were there as well. Everyone looked overwhelmed and exhausted.

  Everyone was brainstorming ideas and speaking out about what to do about Roger. Some were saying to kill him, some said to banish him, others were recommending we give him a chance. My poor grandmother looked completely overwhelmed. She was the only one in the room who really knew him and what he was capable of.

  After what seemed like hours of debating, finally, it was Damon who quieted the room, “What if we use magic?” he suggested. “Addison and Ayden are very powerful fairies and so is my mother. I could even help. Heck, Miranda is part fairy too.”

  “If he’s telling the truth,” my father grunted.

  “He’s right,” Addison said. “We can use magic. Detecting a fairy is simple magic, we could easily find out if he’s a fairy...and Miranda too. We can even find out what kind of fairy they are. Damon’s fairy emerging ceremony is coming up soon anyway. We could hold one for Miranda as well. She may only be an eighth fairy, but we should be able to find out.”

  “But even if he’s a fairy, he could still be evil.” my father cried. “But I agree, I would like to know what type of fairy my daughter is.”

  “The fairies can do research and we can look into this further. There may be a way of revealing more about his superhuman side as well. I think it’s in our best interest if we keep him in the holding cell. The fairies will begin our research right away. Until then, let’s plan a ceremony for Damon and Miranda.” Ayden said.

  “That sounds good to me,” My father said.

  “We need to put this to a council vote,” Maria said, “Miranda, you need to vote as well; you are in training to be Queen.”

  “All those in favor of Ayden’s plan, please raise your hand.” Maria said. It was unanimous; the entire council raised their hand along with Brandon, Maria and myself. “Let’s break for the day. Sophia and Virgo, I want two warriors guarding the cell at all times. I want a Warrior in the security room additionally. Fairies, please work on finding a solution for revealing Roger’s truth. Miranda, we will continue your training tomorrow.” She looked at my grandma and aunt. “We can send a warrior with both of you as well...and let’s keep someone with Miranda.”

  My father instantly said, “I can protect her!” He looked exhausted.

  “You need your rest,” Brandon chimed in.

  “I can stay with her again.” Damon agreed.

  “Fine,” Brandon said, “But if the fairies need help, we will send someone else.”

  Damon nodded his head and smiled.

  “I want to keep this as quiet as possible. There is no reason to stir chaos in town. Let’s not make this an ordeal unless the situation changes. We have the ball next month and a switch in leadership. We don’t need to stir up chaos.” Brandon said calmly.

  Everyone nodded their heads and began filing out of the room.

  “What do you want to do the rest of the day?” Damon asked.

  “I don’t—”

  “I need to talk to you about something important,” my dad interrupted. He looked exhausted and bent out of shape. “We can talk at home.”

  Chapter 5

  When we arrived back home, my dad requested I meet with him alone in his sitting room. I knew something was going on by the way my dad approached me at the mansion. Tension loomed the air as we walked through the house.

  Damon waited in my room while I joined my father in his sitting room. I took a seat and my father took a few deep breaths in and out. He was sweating again and his face was blush. I knew whatever my father was about to tell me was a big deal and I was worried for what he was about to say.

  After a few deep breaths, he nervously began speaking, “Miranda, I have kept some things from you. You are eighteen now and will become Queen soon. With everything we found out in the last twenty-four hours, it’s time I tell you the truth.”

  My heart was pounding. I had no idea what my father would have kept from me for so many years. “Okay,” I said nervously.

  My dad took one more deep breath in and shut his eyes as he exhaled slowly. It looked like he was going to cry. Then he said, “Miranda...I don’t know how to tell you this. I promised myself when you turned eighteen I would tell you everything.” He breathed in again, this time sighing as he exhaled. He started to sweat even more and I could see his hands were gently trembling. Then he said, “The truth is, I’m not your biological father.”

  My heart dropped and I felt dizzy and weak like I was going to collapse as I could feel the blood draining from face. My father must have seen the distress on my expression, because he instantly came to my side and held me.

  He continued to speak as he held me, “I am your father. I spoke with you before you were even born, I held you first. Even af
ter your mother died, you were still my own.”

  “How?” was all I could say as tears formed in my eyes.

  “Your biological...dad…he was a vile. I was in love with your mother and he took her from me. His name was Taylor and he was evil. He manipulated her and made her think she was in love with him. He and a few others wanted to create a new community of vile.”

  Tears were falling from my eyes as my father continued the story. I loved my father so dearly and always believed that I was a child of my mother and father’s love. In truth, I was a product of evil and manipulation. My biological father was a disgusting vile. It was beginning to make even more sense why my father hated the vile so much. My father continued to hold me as I sobbed. He was crying as well.

  Finally after a few minutes of tears he said, “Whether blood or not, you are my daughter and I will always be your dad. You are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me and always will be. Please...please Miranda. Don’t let this change anything. You are my daughter, my baby girl. You are all I have.”

  I hugged my father and he kissed me on the cheek. After the two of us sat awhile, he told me to go do something with Damon. He told me to be happy and enjoy my life and not be sad over things that I couldn’t control. I was melancholy as I wiped my tears away, but I nodded my head and went to find Damon. I most always took my father’s advice; he was the wisest man I knew.

  I headed upstairs to be with Damon. I was still trembling and my eyes were still damp. My dad’s words continued to replay again and again through my mind. I had to settle down before I saw Damon, so I took a deep breath in and dried every bit of dampness from my eyes. I took a few more deep breaths until my trembling stopped, then I entered my room.

  Damon waited in the sitting room while I showered and dressed. When I finished, Damon looked impressed. I was just wearing jeans and a nice shirt, but it was enough to please him. I didn’t over dress, as our town was quaint and casual. The two of us headed out the door and towards Lexi’s.

  My dad owned Lexi’s, just as he owned everything in town, so we always ate for free. Damon ordered a hamburger and I had a chicken sandwich. The food was usual, nothing special, but it tasted good.