The Phoenix (The Prophecy #1) Read online

  Anastasia buttoned the shirt and then looked down at the photo that she still clutched in her hand. She prayed Dakota would forgive her for leaving.

  “Who’s that handsome young man?” Annabelle asked as she came around and sat on the chair next to her.

  “Dakota. He is my best friend.” She smiled. “Or was anyways. If all of this is real I don’t know that he will forgive me for leaving.”

  “My dear, if he is truly your best friend he will forgive you for anything. Especially for coming to a place where you would be safe.”

  “He tried to get me to leave so many times.” It was strange feeling so comfortable around someone she had just met, but Anastasia couldn’t help herself from telling Annabelle exactly what was on her mind.

  “Why didn’t you?”

  “I didn’t want my father to go after his family as well. They are such kind people.”

  Annabelle’s face grew serious.

  “I don’t want to tell you not to call him your father, but a father does not do the things to you that this man did. The man who did this is evil and does not deserve a name that should be filled with love when it is said.”

  Anastasia couldn’t agree more. “Mitch.” She said feeling strong for the first time in her life, “his name is Mitch.”

  “Atta girl.” She smiled and stood. “Let’s go out and meet everyone.” Annabelle held Anastasia’s hand as she led her out of the small cottage.

  Gregory was standing with Brady and showing him something Anastasia couldn’t quite wrap her mind around. He was holding his hand out, palm up, and was bouncing a small ball of light on it. Brady was laughing and fell into a fit of giggles when Gregory closed his hand and the ball evaporated into about a dozen more tiny lights that floated up and got lost in the sky.

  “He works with magic.” Annabelle whispered to her. “Has been studying it the last seventeen years. He enchants each healing potion I use to give it a boost.” Anastasia could hear the pride in her voice. Had she ever once heard the same in either of her parent’s voices when they had spoken of each other? She knew the answer was no. “Unfortunately, we need it more often then we used to nowadays.”

  Anastasia was about to ask her why but then those she had passed when walking into the village formed a circle around her.

  “Everyone!” Annabelle raised her voice to gather everyone’s attentions. “This is Anastasia.” She looked at her lovingly and lightly squeezed her shoulders, much like Dakota’s mother had done over the years. “She is going to be staying here with us.”

  She heard everyone’s voices speak out in greeting and she saw the warming smiles.

  “This is Genevieve,” She pointed to a short older woman leaning on a cane for support. “She and her daughter make clothes.” Annabelle moved to stand in front of a portly man with a beard. “This is Aime, he handles all of the iron work and makes weapons for our Fighters.”

  A large man came to stand in front of her and then he lowered his head in greeting. Anastasia didn’t believe she had ever seen a man who was built so solid in her life and she was instantly intimidated. He smiled kindly at her and the feeling disappeared. His hair was brushed with grey at the temples and he looked as though he were in his early forties, although from his build you wouldn’t be able to guess it.

  “This is Tony, he and Gregory have been best friends for years.”

  “It is wonderful to meet you Anastasia. I am so grateful that Gregory has found you.”

  She smiled back to him and shook his offered hand.

  “This is Maximus and his mother Leigh. You will be joining Maximus in training with Gregory.” Annabelle gestured to a tall boy about Anastasia’s own age that stood next to a kind looking woman. Her light eyes crinkled when she smiled at her.

  “Its lovely to meet you Anastasia. Isn’t it Maximus?” She elbowed her son and when he turned to look at Anastasia she nearly jumped back. His blonde hair was pulled back at his neck and a deep scar curved on his cheek. But his eyes, a light grey, were what had shocked her. She saw no amusement in his gaze, no warm welcome. His expression made her feel as if she were only an inch tall.

  She smiled and nodded at Leigh turning away from Maximus as quickly as she could. His eyes had been cold just as Mitch’s had been, colder even maybe.

  Anastasia continued to smile as Annabelle introduced her to a dozen more people and then whisked her away to a small cottage that sat on the edge of the village.

  “You will meet more of our people day by day. Some are out hunting, others are away fighting.”

  “Fighting?”

  Annabelle sighed. “The Brutes are becoming more of a problem then we ever thought they would be.” She opened the door and began to light small lanterns and candles placed throughout the small house.

  “Brutes?”

  Annabelle nodded and continued. “Big burly beasts. No one truly knows where they came from although some believed they were once men who sold their souls. Lately they have been attacking villages. Some of our men have gone to try and hold the line and push them back into the mountains. We call those men our Fighters, they keep us safe.”

  This must have been why Gregory had said so many children had lost fathers. “Why have they been attacking?” She wondered.

  “Not quite sure. Supplies it seems since they leave nothing behind. It’s so sad, no bodies are left and not one single survivor has been recovered.”

  Anastasia’s head was spinning. She left one war zone to only have been brought to another. Was this the evil she was supposed to defeat? How was she supposed to do that? She hadn’t even been able to escape a single man by herself.

  Anastasia turned to look around the cottage. She could see three doors off of the main room that she assumed were bedrooms or bathrooms. The kitchen was small, with only a basin and two short countertops. A Dutch oven hung over an empty fireplace. It was so small, but it seemed so much like a home that Anastasia’s heart ached. Why couldn’t she have been born into a place that felt this much like a home? She could all but feel the love that the walls held.

  She followed Annabelle over to a small table and they sat together.

  “So, tell me of the woman who raised you. Was she kind?” Annabelle smoothed out her skirt and then folded her arms on the table.

  “Monica, she never hit me.” Anastasia looked down at her hands as she spoke, not wanting to see the pity she knew would be reflected in Annabelle’s eyes.

  “But she didn’t do anything to stop that man did she.” It wasn’t a question and Anastasia continued to stare at her hands.

  “I'm sorry dear, I didn’t mean to bring up any bad memories.” Annabelle sighed and reached across to lightly touch Anastasias hand.

  Anastasia looked up at Annabelle but hadn’t been prepared for the anger that shone back on her face.

  “You deserved so much better Anastasia, you must know that.”

  She nodded. “I just wish I knew why I had been born in the first place. Mitch was always telling me how unwanted I was.”

  “Oh child. You are meant for so many great things.” She cupped Anastasia’s hands. “You have to believe that you were wanted. That man was a monster and he is the one who should have never been born.”

  Anastasia laughed. She didn’t know where it came from, but she felt the humor bubbling up from her chest and she couldn’t hold it back. Annabelle looked so angry but on her kind face it was so out of place.

  Annabelle looked surprised at first, but began giggling wildly with her.

  “Thank you Annabelle. You have been so kind to me, and you’ve only just met me.”

  “This is your home.” Annabelle’s face grew serious and Anastasia felt a piece of herself that she hadn’t even known was missing fall into place. There was something so familiar in her face, gentleness that Anastasia must have seen somewhere.

  “Would you like some tea?” Annabelle stood and went to light the fireplace.

  “Yes please, that would be great.”


  “Are you hungry?”

  Anastasia hadn’t realized she was but she didn’t think she had eaten anything since lunch the day before since Mitch had interrupted her dinner with Dakota.

  “Starving. Thank you so much Annabelle.”

  “You are more than welcome dear.” She smiled at her and when Gregory walked in

  Anastasia saw the look of love that passed between them. The only other place she had seen such love was when she had been near Dakota’s parents. She had always hoped she would find love like them, had foolishly believed that it might have been with Dakota.

  “Well isn’t this a sight to come home to.” He pulled Annabelle in for an embrace and kissed her deeply.

  “Well hold on a second dear, we have company.” She giggled and Anastasia blushed.

  “I know we have company, but I still love you. Even more after each and every day.”

  “And I you.” She looked up through her lashes at him and Anastasia looked away.

  “How are you doing Anastasia? Somewhat settling in?” He asked releasing Annabelle.

  “Yes, thank you. I love your home- it’s so comfortable. I think that would be the word?” She laughed embarrassed. “It’s just that I don’t think I’ve ever felt more comfortable anywhere, other than my friend Dakota’s house.”

  Gregory smiled warmly at her and sat across from her at the table.

  “I am very glad. We would like it if you would consider this your home now. We would love for you to stay with us, but if you would be more comfortable we can set something up for you in town.”

  “I would like to stay here, if that’s okay?” She didn’t skip a beat and searched his face for any hesitation but saw none. In fact, she could have sworn she saw relief.

  “That’s more than okay.” Annabelle smiled and placed her hand gently on Gregory’s shoulder. “How about you help me cut up some vegetables for this soup?” He stood and followed her into the kitchen.

  Anastasia watched, perplexed. She had never seen Mitch even step foot into the kitchen, let alone help Monica with dinner. She had always brought him what he needed to the table, his coffee, meals, after dinner drinks. Everything had always been served to him. As she watched, Gregory and Annabelle worked together as a team helping each other and laughing as they did it. Something about this house and them made her feel as if she had finally arrived home.

  She immediately felt a twinge of guilt at the thought. Dakota had felt like home to her too. She could not even have imagined her world without him in it, and she had just left him behind without so much of a note. She had to leave though didn’t she? Mitch would have killed her had she stayed and at least this way she stood a chance of seeing Dakota again, maybe someday anyways. She pushed the thought back deeper into her mind. She was just going to have to get used to not having him with her, she had no choice.

  Dinner was wonderful and they spent the rest of the evening laughing. Anastasia listened to stories of how Gregory and Annabelle met and the different adventures they had been on together. He told her of his time exploring his magic trying to learn as much as he could. She sat in awe as she listened to the different worlds that were out there. He had been to twelve of the fifteen that existed and told her stories of how different each one was.

  When she felt the exhaustion begin to set in, Annabelle smiled at her.

  “That’s enough for tonight my dear. The poor girl is about to sleep in her chair. Besides, don’t you need to go check in with Tony?”

  “Oh yes. I had completely forgotten.” He smiled and stood to lightly kiss Annabelle on the top of her head. “Goodnight Anastasia, please sleep feeling safe tonight.”

  “I will, thank you. Goodnight.” She was surprised at how truthful her words felt. Other than the nights she had snuck over to stay at Dakota’s, she had never slept without the fear that Mitch would come in to punish her for something else. And even on those nights, she had known she would have to go back the next day.

  “Come on dear, I’ll show you to your room.” Anastasia followed Annabelle into one of the small rooms off of the living area. When she entered the room she began to feel dizzy. She couldn’t believe how tired she was.

  The room was small, only room enough for a twin size bed with a wooden frame, a small nightstand and a four-drawer dresser. A mirror hung over the dresser and Anastasia looked away, not wanting to see the bruises she knew were on her cheeks.

  “There are some clothes in the dresser and the bathroom is through there.” She pointed to a door that sat on the other side of the dresser. “You have it all to yourself, although you will find our setup is quite a bit different than yours was.” She laughed and kissed Anastasia’s forehead. “Goodnight my dear. And remember, tomorrow is a new day.”

  “Annabelle?” Anastasia asked as she started to shut the door behind her.

  “Yes dear?”

  “Thank you so much.” She wrapped her arms around Annabelle in a gesture she had never given Mitch or Monica.

  “Oh honey, you are so welcome.” Annabelle hugged her back and Anastasia closed her eyes tightly. “You sleep well tonight Anastasia.” She squeezed her one last time and then left the room.

  Anastasia changed into a nightgown that Annabelle had set out for her. She crawled onto the mattress, surprised at how soft it was. She pulled the blankets up over herself and held the photo of her and Dakota tightly against her chest. Tears welled up in her eyes as she thought of the times they had spent together. She said a prayer that he wouldn’t hate her, that on some level he would understand why she had left. She wished that he would have a happy life with her last thought, and then fell into a deep dreamless sleep.

  When Gregory came home, Annabelle stood in the kitchen staring out the window into the night. She was so beautiful, he thought to himself. How could she continue to captivate him even after all this time? He stood watching her a moment and then moved to where she stood.

  She leaned into him when she felt his arms come around her.

  “Hello love, all is well?”

  “It is. There was a little trouble with one of our out posts, but the Fighters were able to neutralize the problem.”

  “That’s good.” She replied but he could hear the absence in her voice, she wasn’t really there and he knew why.

  “How’s our girl?”

  She smiled and turned to face him. “She’s adjusting well, surprisingly.” Tears filled her eyes and he cupped her face.

  “Annabelle, what’s wrong?”

  “They were awful to her Greg, so incredibly awful. The marks on her back-” She covered her face with her hands and the tears she had been fighting so hard to hold back came out in a rush.

  “I know my love.” His jaw tightened. “But she is here now, and we will make sure she has the life that she deserved; the one she should have had from the beginning.”

  “You knew? That it had been the ones who raised her who hurt her?”

  “I only discovered that tonight.” He ground his teeth together, fighting back the anger he felt at what had happened to her in that house. “Back when I first found her, she had looked so happy. Her and a young boy were walking hand in hand together and she was smiling.”

  “Dakota.” She added remembering the picture she had held. At his puzzled look she added, “She brought a picture of them together with her.”

  “When I arrived there this last time I projected myself into the house and saw that man hit her.” His jaw tightened and the anger began to resurface. “I wanted to kill him Annabelle.”

  She touched his arm, knowing the battle he must have fought with himself. “Its good you didn’t Greg. I would have lost you both.”

  He nodded and continued. “She disappeared upstairs and as I was about to show myself but that boy showed up again. He had brought her dinner and she looked so calmed by his presence that I waited. My magic began to waver so I left and when I came back I was too late. Why did I wait, Annabelle? I could have protected her sooner.”<
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  “Its not your fault my love.”

  “I should have never let Vincent near her. I should have protected her from the very beginning.” He had blamed himself every single day since she had been taken. He should have known that she wasn’t safe where they had been, they should have left the moment the seer had told them of her future.

  “We can protect her now my love.” She leaned into him again and he wrapped his arms around her.

  “But for how long?” He asked? “You remember what the seer said? How are we supposed to protect her from her destiny?”

  “We train her. We make sure that she is prepared for what she is going to have to face. You will train her to physically protect herself and I will teach her what I know of herbs. We can prepare her.” She assured him.

  “How do we tell her?”

  “We don’t, at least not at first. I think that it would be a little much for her to take in at the moment. Let’s let her get settled, begin her training, and in the meantime we will give her the home that she needs.”

  “I agree, time is what she needs.” He nodded.

  “She is beautiful isn’t she?” Annabelle asked looking up at him.

  “She is. But I always knew she would be.” He grinned down at her.

  “Oh, really? And how is that?” Annabelle asked playfully.

  “Because you’re her mother, and you are the most beautiful woman in all the worlds.” He kissed her deeply. This was the first night in seventeen years that his entire family was under one roof, and he would do anything necessary to keep it that way.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  “Put your body into it Anastasia.” Gregory showed her the right hook again followed by a block. She was a quick learner, and in the three months she had been there had already picked up on the hand to hand well enough that she was able to spar with Maximus who had been training almost a year longer then her.