Morningstar

The sound of wood being chopped apart, with boys obnoxiously shouting and hollering at one another, woke Lowena at dawn. "Lowena?" a female's voice called with a gentle knock on the door. "C-come in," Lowena croaked, her throat dry from the burning fireplace. A stunning young girl came into the room. With her flawless copper skin, long midnight-black hair, and perfect smile, the sight of her made Myrna jealous. She was beautiful and held a bundle of clean white towels. "Hi, I'm Aiyana," she introduced. I'm sorry if you wanted to shower last night; we just finished the laundry." "It's okay," Lowena replied. "How, how?" "Did I come to live here?" Aiyana finished. "Yes, sorry not to be intrusive," Lowena deviated. "I always came up to visit and never saw any of you. It was only my aunt and uncle; now there's nine of you from the looks of it-" "Twelve," she corrected. "There are others you've yet to meet." "Wow," Lowena gasped in shock. She thought her uncle and aunt did

"W-what's going on?" Lowena stammered. "We need to get you ready for tonight's celebration!" Aiyana eagerly helped Lowena get dressed. "This looks ridiculous," Lowena chuckled. "A fox-fur bikini with this weird wolf headdress?" "It's tradition," Aiyana reminded. "I love yours. The midnight black fur matches your hair; it's stunning," Lowena gawked. "It's a red wolf fur you're wearing, not a fox," Aiyana corrected. "Really?" Lowena huffed, "I've never seen a red wolf." "They are rare and need to be celebrated," Aiyana said while finishing Lowena's makeup. "I look like some tribal woman," I groaned. "It's-" "Tradition," Lowena said in unison with Aiyana. "I know," she sighed. "I still don't believe in any of this, but if this is what he needs, then so be it." "You still don't believe?" Aiyana shivered. "How? None of them have shown you yet?" "Shown me what?" Lowena asked. "Wow, you look so much like your mother," Eli commented, standing in the doorway. Lowe

Cade seized Lowena's wrist, pulling her away from Derrick, "You know better, dead man." "Lowena asked for a drink," Derrick chuckled, "I couldn't tell the girl no." Cade growls like a wolf, baring his teeth like one. "Now, boys," Eli interrupted, "Let's not disturb this lovely night." Cade looked at Lowena, his hand still firmly on her wrist, "Come drink with your kind." Before Lowena could respond, Cade adjusted his hand so both their fingers interlocked and pulled her to a bonfire far from Derrick. Cade's grip wasn't as tender and gentle as before; now, it was firm and dominant. Lowena felt she had no choice but to follow. "Why did you call him a dead man?" Lowena questioned. "Lowena!" Cade sighed frustratedly, passionately grabbing Lowena before looking back down at her. "You need to start believing in what you are." Cade started walking again with a frustrated growl. Lowena bit her lower lip as they approached Aiyana. Aiyana's eyes widened at the sight of their ha

"Good morning," Kieran greeted with a tray of food. It wasn't a good morning for Lowena, though. She wasn't burning up like last night, but her body was still physically frustrated. Something she felt she needed deep within her, something different, but she couldn't pinpoint what. She removed her bikini and put on one of Kieran's oversized shirts to sleep in. The summer heat wasn't helping calm her nerves either. "Why are you bringing me food?" Lowena defiantly folded her arms across her chest. Kieran ran his free hand through his hair before placing the tray on the bed. "Eli wanted me to apologize." "Apologize for what?" she sneered. Kieran approached her, causing her cheeks to blush and look away from his dominating gaze. She remained still on the bed. "You know what." His voice was deep and seductive, making it more difficult for Lowena. "Or do I need to remind you?" She bit her lower lip, still unable to look him in the eye as he slowly moved his hand betwee

Lowena walked back with Caspian, the rain easing til the sun came out to play. "It's amazing how you can do that," she admired. "It is mother nature; us fairies are bound to her in one way or another. Many are known to you as mythical creatures, such as the phoenix, griffins, and sirens. You may have seen them at the celebration last night," he explained. Lowena's cheeks blushed, and she confirmed, "There were these two women I first met; they looked almost like bats." "Those are the vampires. They have the most allure to them; they are the most predatorial. Their beauty enchants you, draws you in under their spell, and makes killing easy. They release a venom, similar to snakes than bats, that relaxes the prey, a euphoric opium if you will. "Wow," she hushed, "And the girls in the bird-like costumes? The ones that had scales?" Caspian chuckled, astonished by her curiosity, "You have your serpents, nymphs, mermaids. All can be fairies or witches; it depends on whether th