by Marta Szemik
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.
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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.
Back to the Beginning
