Chapter One

In that moment I was free. I felt my paws connect with the moist earth and the coolness of the shadows caress me. I was home in the jungle and away from the humans that caged me. I ran for what seemed like hours but I didn't care. Then I heard a sudden noise that frightened me.

No. They are coming for me, I thought. Now I tried to run faster but it was no use; time seemed to slow me down. I'm done for, and then...

I woke up screaming again.
It was the third time this week and it was always the same dream that ended the same way. I knew that I was a panther in my dream and that I ran away from hunters but they always caught up with me but at the last second I always woke up, sweating and more exausted than when I went to sleep. I got out of bed and went to the bathroom to shower away the remains of the nightmare. On my way there, I walked past my full-length mirror without as much as a glance in it's direction because I knew I would see a tired girl in rumpled, black pajama bottoms and a white T-shirt that proclaimed, "Bite Me: If You Dare" on the front in black lettering. I went straight into the bathroom and took a nice, relaxing, long shower.
I came out and picked out a pair of ripped, black, skinny jeans and a green shirt that said, "I'm not Irish but kiss me anyway." I walked up to the mirror I avoided before to apply eyeliner and lipgloss, but as I stared at my reflection; terror filled me. It stared back at me with cat-slit, emerald green eyes instead of the usual chocolate brown and my dark brown hair was now midnight black. But, the most shocking of all were the cat-like ears poking out of the top of my head and a tail that slitely swished back and forth. Oh. My. God.

No, this is not happening!

Chapter Two

I took my towel and wrapped it around my head, took the tail and shoved it uncomfortably in my jeans which made me hiss in pain and I ran down the stairs before it got any weirder. The house was a two story with an atttic and basement. The three rooms were upstairs and the kitchen, living, and dining room were downstairs along with the two car garage. We had a huge back and front yards with porches on both sides. The house was fairly new but was bulit victorian style. As I ran, I tried not to trip and was relieved when I made it all the way down.
I started calling my mom franticly hoping this was another dream. After a couple minutes I found her in the kitchen and I took a seat at the counter and waited for her to finish making her omelet. I knew it wasn't for me because I don't like eggs. She sat down and started to eat her food. We usually don't use the dining room unless it's a holiday.
"Mom? I kinda of have something to show you." I said as casually as possible.
"Good Morning to you to Luna. What's wrong sweetie?" she asked but as she looked up to look at me, her smile faded and her face twisted in horror. Great. My mom thinks I'm a freak of nature, I told myself. I had unrapped the towel and pulled the uncomfortable tail out. "Oh."
"That's it, 'oh'? I have cat ears and a tail and 'oh' is all I get?"
"Calm down Luna, this is new for me too. But, I do have something to confess."
"What are you talking about?"
"It's best if I just show you so follow me." And with that said, my mom got up and started to go upstairs and I followed now more curious than scared.
We climbed the stairs to the attic in silence. We came to a stop in front of the attic door that my mom always kept locked so that my little sisters wouldn't 'get hurt ' but my guess is that that was only an excuse. She opened the door and signaled me to go inside. My little sisters were still asleep and wouldn't wake up for a while. It was early for them to be up so I followed my mom inside.
It was dusty in the attic and I had to stop myself from sneezing several times as my mom looked for the right box. She finally came to a box with the word "BOOKS" written on the front. What would mom want with books at a time like this? My mom seemed to read my mind and set the box on an old picnic table we were gonna get rid of but forgot to. She opened it and carefully took out several old leather-bound books. They looked ancient. None had title nor author but my mom handed one of them to me. It was one of the thicker ones but as a opened it I realizied it was blank. I was about to show my mom when letters started to appear so I pulled the book close instead and started to read instead. It was a book about the history of magical beings. What does it have to do with me? I thought, but then remebered the ears. Oh, yeah. The book started skiping pages like mad until it landed on a chapter with a picture of a witch and a half-dog, half-human thing fighting. The chapter was titled: THE GREAT WAR.
It was a detailed story of a feud between the shifters and the witches. The feud soon became a long war that lasted close to a century. it was then that the king of shifters and mother (queen) of witches ended the war by getting married. The sides still have a lot of friction between them but live in some what peace, but the heir to both sides ran away to never be seen again. They can only hope a decendent will one day show up.
"Nice story but what does it have to do with me?" I asked, almost guessing what I was going to hear next.
"Honey, I think you know. I can't read that book because I'm human but the story has been passed down through word of mouth. the fact that you can read it means your anything but." She told me.
"I can see that but why the story of the runaway royal makes no sense to me."
"What that book doesn't tell you is that our ancetor fell in love with a human and that was and is forebidden in your world. So, he ran away with her and had a family that can be traced back to you, dear." I hated the way she said 'your', like we no longer share the same world.
"So now not only am I a freak but a royal freak! That's just great!" I said, sarcasum driping like venom.
"I know this is hard for you but you're not the only one in the family. Your cousin Esmeralda is like you in a certain way."
"What?"
"She's a witch and a specific type too. She's an oracle."
"Like the predict the future-mojo kind of thing?"
"Something of the sort, yes. When she had her first vison it was of you looking like this. She saw you as a shifter and well here you are. But, don't get me wrong she said you have witch power but it's not strong enough."
"Since when has she been like this?"
"It happened when she turned nine. You happen to be a little more tradional and change at your coming of age. Happy fifteenth birthay, Luna." She tried to lighten the mood but it wasn't working. In mexican culture a girl becomes a woman at the age of fifteen and a big celebration is thrown. In many fantasy stories girls get their powers at their coming of age.
"So what now?"
"We will still have your party but, the courts from both sides will come to meet you and your cousin. After that you will both start school at King Arthur Acadamy in England."
"And the surprises keep coming don't they mom?" I said bitterly.
"I'm sorry honey, but they thought it was best and frankly I do too."
I sighed and took a minute to let it all sink in, "Okay, mama. I'll do it; I mean if it means so much to you and if I don't have any other choice." She smiled at me then and pulled me in for a hug that I really needed.
"Um, but can you help me hide the ears? We can't go get ready for my party with me looking like this." We both laughed at my comment and stayed silent for a moment. Mom finally broke the silence.
"Okay. Close your eyes and relax think of how you look before this morning." I did as she told me and took a deep breath I thought of all the pictures I've seen of myself. I opened my eyes and hoped for the best.
"Did it work?"
"See for yourself." She said smiling as she took me back to my room.
. . .
I saw that my ears and tail was gone but the jet black hair and emerald eyes stayed. I also noticed that my skin was now porclin white; my usual tan forever gone. My hair that was usually shoulder length, now barely touch my butt. I thought I was looking at Snow White instead of me. Well at least the rest of me was still there. I was still the five-foot-one, curvy, girl but, I just looked a little different.
"I can see why those people want me to move; none of my friends will recognize me anyway, right?" I said backing away from the mirror.
"It's gonna be okay. Now let's get going."
. . .
When we arrived at the mall we went straight for the salon to get our hair done. Our usual hairstylist was surprise at my appearance but smile and said, "It's been a while, princess."
Don't tell me she one of them too, I pleaded at who knows what at this point. The tall, lanky woman ask a young girl a little older than me to do my hair. She was very pretty. She resemble our hairstylist very much so I was sure it was her daughter. She had straight strawberry blonde hair, light blue eyes and tall figure.
The girl complimented me on having beautiful and it was a shock because usually my hair is a mess of curls but, I guess it changed dramticly. It was still curly but now instead of a mess, it seemed to be like I just fixed it. She started to braid it in a very complex way that I found amazing. It took her a great deal amount of time since my hair was so long now. I eventually became uncomfortable with the silence and was happy when she motion towards the mirror.
Now I was sure I was staring at royalty. It was such an intericate braid thay it resembled the hairdos you often see in movies that take place in the mideval times.
"Oh. Wow, it's beautiful! Thank you... uh I don't think I know your name."
"It's Vanessa and your highness should not thank me. It's what I do." She said in a shy voice.
"Well, since you seem to know what's going on I'll tell you now just call me Luna and thank you anyway."
"It's an honor that princess really." She said blushing from embarasment but she smile a very sweet smile and show me to a table where I would get my nails done.
I was greeted by and old woman with a sweet grandmother face who got to work as soon as I got there. It took about half an hour to get my nails done and by then my mom was done and waiting for me. She look great. The auburn highlights she got went well with her light brown hair. It had been curled from it's normal straightness and was magnifcently pinned up. My mom was a very good looking mexican woman witha spanish air to her. The highlights really made her brown eyes standout.
"Ready to go, my little princess?" She asked
"Will people please stop using that term? Please?" My mom just laughed at my plea and walk me to the car.
. . .
When we got home my grandmother was there with my aunt get my dress ready for me. They babysitted my sisters while we were gone. They had known about my change and so did the rest of my family. How it had gotten out so fast that I was now "gifted" was a mystery to me. I also wondered who it was that we were going to explain this whole mess to my friends and their families. But, I decided not to worry about that just yet. My grandmother was fitting me into the dress.
It was an excuisite dress. I never thought I'd see the day I could actually use that word. (I have a very extensive vocabulary) It was a white dress that was embroidered with green wines that had red roses and buds blooming from them. The top was a heart shaped corset with shoulders sleeves. It was full length and puffy and reminded me of a gown you'd see in a disney princess movie. It was also a two-piece, so that meant that You could take the skirt part off to reveal a cute mini-dress.
"You look really pretty you know." a heard a very familiar voice say.
"Thanks Esme." I told my cousin in the pretty red dress.
"So I heard you changed but I never saw you changed this much in my vision. In any case, now that you know I can show you my true self." Light shimmered and wavered aroud her for a second and suddenly the girl in the red dress was no longer light skinned with light brown hair and hazel eyes, but instead a girl with a pixie cut blonde hair, fair cream colored skin, and strange red eyes took her place. The girl was still taller than me but now she had a graceful appearance. She's still the girl you nicknamed Esme as a child. The cousin you grew up with, who you're closer than sister with. She was my little cousin, a year younger, and all that had changed was her image After repeating that several times in my head, I gave her a big hug.
"I heard you're a big shot oracle now. I'm glad you remembered us, little people." I joked and that made her smile. "Since you're a witch and all there's something that's been bugging me this morning." I paused for a moment then after seeing her nod I told her.
"I look like this now and I did invite friends so..." I trailed off dreading to finish the sentence.
"You want to know if your friends will recognize you." She finished for me. "Don't worry they will. The council of elders feared this so they took precautions and cast a spell that will make the humans see what they think they should see. Except for the family of course. Since they do have magic decent, they are the only humans in history to ever have any communiction with us legally." She surprised me with all this information which of course she would know.
"Oh." That's all that came out of my mouth. Stupid! I called myself.
"Well, are you ready?" Esme asked me with the most serious look on her face.
"No. Let's go." I said honestly. She laughed and walked me out to the awaiting limo. I took a deep breath and went in.

Chapter 3

The ride to the ballroom we rented for the night was long. It was anything but silent though. Esme and I talked on and on about how and I was supose to act in particular ways to certain people. It was all very confusing but as long as Esmeralda was with me nothin could go wrong.
We were talking as we arrived and didn't notice at first what was going on until the driver politely told us to get out. I had a feeling he didn't like us all that well. This at the very least was still normal. Ever since I was little I could tell if someone was lieing or hiding something from me. Call it an instint if you will but it's always been this way and the normality of it was reasurring. That brought me strength to move forward and walk through those fateful doors that would brings more strangeness into my life.
The ballroom was quite a site. It seemed like something out of a fairy tale. I remember dreaming of this day as a little girl and was disapointed with the dread that filled me instead of joy. I straightened my back as I walked closer to my table at the center of it all. I could almost feel the stares pierce me like knives. I sat down and some of the tenstion seem to evaporate as people I didn't know lined up to greet me.
One by one they stated their names and wished me a happy birthday. I nervously thanked each and was glad when my voice didn't crack. They all seemed genuienly happy for me which is why this girl in a black mini dress stood out like a sore thumb. The way she look at me was so disturbing, I actually flinched. Her honey eyes held so much hatered in them that it surprised me since I have never seen her in my life before and the way she snarled at me seem almost animalistic in it's nature. She was also walking up to my table and as she did I noticed That her hair was a mesmerizing dark brown, along with a light tan that told me she had been outdoors alot during the summer. It wouldn't shock me if she was a cheerleader of some sort.
"Listen well bitch. I don't care who your ancestor is, that throne belongs to me and neither you or blondie here are getting in my way." She sissed. I wanted to punch her so bad at that momment that it took a minute before I looked her straight in the eye.
"It's nice to see you care so much but I on the other hand could careless of you throwing bitch fits but I really don't have time to deal with the tantrums of annoying skanks like you. I have other people to greet and your fat head is getting in the way so : GOODBYE." I made it sound so sweet I felt like I might actullay get a cavity but it seemed to make miss wanna-be furious and by the way she was blushing I had just embarassed her infront of appearently very important noblemen. She stocked off, but not before giving me a look that could kill. I just smiled innocently and waved.
As soon as she was out of sight I turned on Esme and gave her a look of my own. Who the hell was that?! I told her with my eyes.
"She's Jasmine Gardez and was supose to be the princess but now she's next in line for the thorne should anything happen to you. It's seems she's not happy at all about you poping out of nowhere and taking her place." She said calmly.
"I wonder what could have given that away?" I asked sarcasticly. After that greeting the rest of the court was easy and there were no more incidents. It was then that I was allowed to talk to my friends and that helped me relax to the point where I could enjoy my own party. I had a nagging feeling that the court coming and watching my every move was strange. It was as if they were trying to see if I was worthy to be whatever it was I was supose to be. The music started and I decided to ignore it when Yesenia ,who I've known since middle school, pulled me to the dance floor and I forgot my troubles.
I dance for hours with my friends and enjoyed my last momments together because after this they wouldn't remember me. Esme explained that since I wasn't human anymore, that humans weren't supose to know about me. Their memories of me would be erased. I began feeling a pain that can only be expressed as sorrow. I had one more thing to do before I left.

. . .

I walked over to the one person I couldn't dare face this whole time. It was strange but he was looking at me as if i was someone else the whole time. His pircing dark eyes never left mine as I got closer. It made hesitate several times. He look really good in a dress shirt and slacks. He seem lost in the shadows, since he stayed at the fartherest spot in the room from everyone else. He was always antisocial. I remembered. I looked down as I finally reach him because I knew if I looked up I would see his brow furrowed and his lips twisted into a frown. Instead I stared at the floor and said "Hi Hunter."
"Follow me." was all he said as he walked towards the exit. He knew I would follow, I always did. I stared at anything but him. The dark skinned boy I had a crush on since the third grade. I was a year younger than him but I skipped a year and that's how we met. Hunter Venandi had always been distant and unapprochable, so it surprised everyone when he approched me the day I transfered to the elementary school almost seven years ago. We've been friends ever since and I've like him all this time.
"What happened to you, Luna? That is if you are Luna." he asked.
"What the hell are you talking about? It is me." I said kind of angry.
"Then why do you look so different?"
"What are you talking about?" I asked confused and that's when I realized what he was talking about. "You can see me? The real me?"
"Luna, you're not making any sense. What's going on?" Now it was his turn to look confused. This was my chance tell him what I felt and if he rejected me it wouldn't matter because he wouldn't remember it.
"That's not important right now. There something I've been meaning to tell you for a while and I want you to listen because this is my last chance to say this."
"What are you talking..." Hunter was about to say something when I cut him off. I gathered my courage and kissed him. It was a little clumsy and awkward at first but, when he kissed me back it became something sweet and tender. I was screaming with joy on the inside and at the same time, I felt like crying. I pulled back I say what I had to.
"Hunter, I've like you since the third grade but, I've always been scared to tell you because I thought it might ruin our friendship and I couldn't risk it. Then you started going out with Emily and I really regreted keeping quiet and I know you guys broke up a year ago so I'm telling you now." I rambled. I looked at Hunter and waited for an answer. He hugged me tightly and laughed.
"I thought you like David."
"He asked me out and I said yes beacuse I thought I could get over you but he dumped me the last day of school. I really can't blame him."
"Oh.", that was all Hunter said before he kissed me. This time it was more passionate and full of lust. I let my thoughts go blank but there was a faint voice at the back of my mind trying to tell me something but I refused to hear it.
As time went by the voice grew louder and harder to ignore. You have to break it off. The elders won't like this.

It kept repeating the same phrase until I finally broke away from Hunter.
"What's wrong?" he had such a look of concern that I felt my heart break. After tonight, I won't even be a distant memory.
"I'm fine. It's just that I realized that I pretty much ditched my cousin so I have to go back." I said, glad that my voice didn't crack. Hunter took my hand in his and walk me back inside where Esme seemed to coicedently be waiting for me. I said my goodbyes and was basicly dragged away from Hunter.
"I see you finally got my message. I would have tried to contact you sooner but my specialty is not telepathy." Nana whispered to me. It was then that it hit me on why I listened to that nagging voice earlier. I always listened to Esme because she was level-headed while I was more of a in-the-momment, rash-decision-maker. "In any case the elders would like to see us."

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Tag der Veröffentlichung: 29.06.2012

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