Prologue

Hi, my name is Caroline Mathews. I am a mythical creature called a changewing, a creature thought to be extinct. Unfortunately for our enemies, we still live. But, the humans don't know that. You may be wondering, what do the humans have to do with any of this? Well, you see, they are the ones who supposedly "killed" us. Crazy right? Anyways, now us changewings are in hiding. Most of us are in sanctuary, but some choose to live on Earth, or occasionally visit Earth, but still live in sanctuary, like myself.Others, they don't even know about sanctuary, so they are constantly hiding among the humans. So, what do we do when we are on Earth? Well, we pretend to be a human of course. i pretend to be a 16 year old girl, always going to parties, always wearing expensive clothes and high-heeled boots, going to school, and all that. Did I mention I was a singer as well? Well, I am and I'm quite famous too. Sounds like a perfect life, right? Wrong. Let's restart that intro, shall we?

Hi, my name is Caroline Mathews, and this is my story.

Chapter 1 -Caroline-

"Again, 'love'"

 

"Llsafuli"

 

With a frustrated sigh, Samantha got up and started to cook dinner. "Why can't you just speak one word in English? Not that nonsense language of yours?" Caroline, 8 years old, was frustrated as well. Why can't I speak this language? Amanda can and she is younger than me! I was confused, I could read and understand English, but never could speak it. The only exception is names and even then my tongue wants to roll them into other words, as if to say, Why speak another language when you already have your own?

 

I got up as well and joined my sister in our room. It was a tiny room, not surprising considering that they lived in a small apartment in New York City. On the left side of the room was Amanda's bed, toys-what little she had that is-and small, wooden dresser. On the left it was nearly identical, the only difference was less toys. In the center was a rug, woven by their mother, they got for Christmas 2 years ago, and on the wall a small window, facing the brick wall of the next door neighbors.

 

I walked over to Amanda, who was sitting on her bed, and sat down in front of her on the bed. "Llillafuli yuillll, Naillajhama rodlzifuli..." Live well, Fight brave....

 

"....Oaillai nsarolli" ....Die noble

 

That was how we often greeted each other. I know what it means, that it is important of some kind, but have no idea how I know it, or why it is important. Our mother hates it when we say our greeting in front of people. She says it makes her look bad because we are 7 and 8 years old and still speak gibberish. For some reason I get a little insulted by that and have an urge to defend the language we speak.

 

Amanda brought me out of my thoughts "Yuzinma masa ghdlzismaillasi saladl rillanoa-noghizih?" Want to practice our mind-speak?

 

I smiled and so did she. We recently discovered not only do we speak an entirely different language fluently, we can mind-speak as well. Amanda says it is because we are special, but I have a feeling, I don't know why though, that we are not entirely human. We have been working on this new ability for awhile, but can never perfect it no matter how hard we try. I only manage to give myself a headache after about an hour.

"Noladli, yuhaun nsama?" Sure, why not?

 

So, still no progress with speaking English? I heard Amanda's voice inside my head.

 

Nope, I don't get it. I can read English, understand English, mind-speak English, but can't speak English.

 

Bummer.

 

Is that all you have to say?

 

What is there to say?

 

True point.

 

Amanda gave a small giggle and I smiled at her, glad that one of us was having a good time.

 

As if reading my thoughts, Amanda changed the subject.

 

Imagine what people would think if they knew that we can do this?

 

Probably that since it is only 1900, we came from the future.

 

People have the craziest imaginations I tell you.

 

You sound so grown up, you must be from the future!

 

We both started laughing. After we calmed down, we started to draw in our makeshift notebooks. Our mother said she can't afford stuff like that, so we found another way to get notebooks. We used cardboard boxes and cut them to the size just slightly bigger than paper. Then, we poked holes into them and the paper so we can put the spiral in. For the spiral, we took thin, metal rods that we found on the street whenever we saw one, and spun it around our fingers until the whole thing was spiral and weaved it through the holes in the paper and cardboard.

 

As for the pencils and paper, my best friend Lucy gives me some whenever we need a refill. Her father was an artist and her supply of pencils and paper were endless.

 

I was drawing my family, me, my mom, and Amanda. I never met my father, mom said they were never married, and that he couldn't take care of a child yet, let alone two. I asked her why he couldn't just visit once in a while, but she just says he's a busy man and avoids further conversation.

 

While I was in the middle of the drawing Amanda I heard a noise. I looked up and saw nothing. But just as I was going to look back down and continue drawing an acorn hit my window. I looked at Amanda, silently asking her if she will be okay without me.

 

"Go ahead, I'll tell mom that you went out to see Lucy." She said. Her voice was strained, as if it didn't like the foreign words it was forming, and a hint of an accent as well. One that only her and I have.

 

"Mahazinhso" Thanks

 

I stood up and walked over to the window, opened it, and climbed out onto the fire escape. I saw Amanda get up as well and close the window behind me before I climbed down the stairs and met with Lucy.
__________________________________

 

"OK, so I know about this little hot dog stand that we can go to but I'm not entirely hungry so I was thinking we could..." I wasn't paying attention, I was thinking about my father instead. Drawing my family had brought up yet again, more questions about who he was, what he was like, and more importantly, why he left.

 

"Helllloooooo? Earth or whatever-planet-you're-from to Caroline! You in there?"

 

I jumped at the sound of Lucy's voice and saw that she was standing in front of me, waving her hand back and forth in my face. After a few seconds I realized that she had asked me a question. I nodded to acknowledge that I heard her.

 

"What's up? You have that look on your face. You're thinking about something and that something isn't good."

 

I'm fine, really. Lucy knew about my mind-speaking and didn't mind it. When I asked her why me and Amanda can do that and she said it was because we were aliens, but I doubt that.

 

She raised her eyebrows. "Then why do you have that look on your face?"

 

I don't have a look!

 

"Yes you do. Now spill"

 

I looked at her then finally gave in. Lucy wasn't one who backed down when she made up her mind.

Do you ever wonder why my father never wanted to see me? Or Amanda? Why he left? What he was like? Who he was?

 

"Probably because he thinks you would be better off without him. Same reason. Probably because he wasn't ready for a child. Probably just like you, smart, kind, helpful, etc. Most likely an alien too."

 

I laughed at the last one. She was serious and rational until she got to my last question. Then all reality was blown away and in came the crazy idea of aliens.

 

OK, so what were you saying before?

 

She looked puzzled for a second beforeshe suddenly perked up.

 

"I was thinking about going to the market to do a little shopping,my father game me some money to spend. But seeing that you're most likely not in the mood we could just go to the new hot dog stand a few blocks from here."

 

I looked at Lucy and smiled. She was the best friend I could ever ask for. She always knew how I was feeling and how to properly react to my mood. Like right now, she would cancel all her plans in order to make sure I was feeling better, even if it meant skipping shopping. (She loved her clothes)

 

Sure, but I can't eat too much or stay out too long. My mom would kill me if i missed dinner or spoiled my appetite.

 

She giggled. "Well, let's make sure you stay alive then. C'mon, I'll show you the way to the stand."
__________________________________

 

As we were sitting on the sidewalk curb, eating our hot dogs, a beautiful, palomino horse pulling a black carriage trotted right up to us and stopped. A man stepped out of the carriage and smiled in our direction. He was in his late twenties, with light, dirty blonde hair and green eyes. Although he was looking formal in his suit, I could see spots of paint on his hands and face.

 

"Hello girls"

 

"Hi dad"

 

He nodded towards me and smiled again. "Good evening miss Mathews."

 

I smiled back, knowing I couldn't return the greeting verbally. He turned back to his daughter and started speaking.

 

"So, Lucy. What are you up to this time?"

 

"Dad! I'm not up to anything, just having hot dogs with Caroline and making sure I get her back in time before her mother kills her for being late."

 

You act as if I'm unable to do anything on my own. I said to her. She didn't turn towards me but I could see from the twinkle in her eyes and her pressed lips she was trying not to laugh.

 

"Well then, we wouldn't want that now will we? C'mon, hop on in. I'll give you a ride and you can finish those in the carriage." Her father opened the door for us as we jumped into the carriage and sat in a seat, then got in and sat in the remaining seat. We were facing the front of the carriage while he was facing the back, talking to Lucy. So I just looked out the window as I watched the cars go by and the people walking on the sidewalks.

 

When I got home, I expected questions. But what I got was much different.

 

When I landed in my room after climbing the fire escape to the second floor and went through the window, I quickly went into the bathroom to wash my face. I looked into the mirror to see if I had any dirt or anything that I needed to clean. When I found nothing, I started to study myself in the mirror. While Lucy had emerald eyes, short, straight dirty blonde hair, small build, even for an eight year old, and tan skin-a result of her spending almost every summer outside-I was the opposite. I had ocean blue eyes, long, wavy, jet-black hair, average build, though on the skinny side, and pale skin.

 

When I was done, I dashed into the living room and stopped in front of the front door to make it look like I came through there. Not even ten seconds after, my mom walked into the room. When she caught sight of my she twisted around and began yelling.

 

"Where the hell have you been!? I was worried sick about you! Amanda said you left to meet Lucy, but I never saw you go through the front door! Please tell me you are alright! Please!" She checked me all over for bruises and when she found none, continued to fuss. She was pacing around the living room now, repeatedly running her fingers through her hair and ranting about how I could have been kidnapped or something. All I could do was open and close my mouth like a fish, trying to find words but none came. I didn't mean to scare her, I wouldn't have snuck out if I knew she would act like this.

 

I looked to my right, seeing Amanda watching our mother pace back and forth.

 

I never thought she would act like this if you went out to see Lucy. Amanda told me, worry written on her face. Do you think you could, I don't know, try to stop her? She is really starting to worry me.

 

Just as I was about to try to apologize to her, we heard a knock on our door. I spun around only to turn back around and dash to Amanda. I didn't know how, but I could sense this person was a stranger. I wanted to make sure Amanda was safe.

 

Mom stopped in her tracks and looked at the door. After what felt like forever, which was probably only a minute, another knock on the door reminded mom that she needed to answer it.

 

"Hello Samantha"

 

"You shouldn't be here"

 

 

Chapter 2 -Neptune-

"You shouldn't be here" Samantha repeated. "You said that once they all were born, you all would leave me alone, you promised!"

 

"Yes Samantha, I know I shouldn't be here, but we need to discuss something....." I looked over at Caroline and Amanda, then back at her. ".....important"

 

She looked at the children, still obviously upset, turned back towards the me, and sighed, giving in. "Fine, let's talk in my room. Girls, go to your room."

 

They nodded in acknowledgement, then did as they were told and headed into their room. Me and Samantha headed into her room, and I shut the door to make sure the kids don't overhear our conversation.

 

Samantha began to pace around the room. I just stood there watching her, patiently waiting for her to stop. Her light brown, shoulder length hair was all tangled from her fingers combing through it. Her dark chocolate eyes, filled with worry and anger. Her light skin, tanned from work in the garden. She was beautiful, no wonder my brother chose her. But it wasn't just beauty he was looking for, it was personality too. She was stubborn, kind, and protective, perfect for bearing the seven children. But, after having the boys, we found out she was selfish too.

 

Finally, she stopped pacing and stared at me, anger written all over her face. "Tell me, what is so important about my children that you had to come here and break your promise?"

 

"Samantha, first we need to talk about the boys. Why did you send them around the world, not letting them see each other?"

 

"Because! Boys are trouble makers, and I don't need five of them running around the already cramped house!"

 

"I think it's because you found out what they are capable of."

 

She snorted, "And what do you suppose that is, other than causing mayhem wherever they go?"

 

"Magic."

 

She looked surprised for a second then back to anger. "Well at least it's confirmed." She shakes her head, "And what does any of this have to do with my daughters?"

 

"Because Samantha, they have magic too."

 

"No. It's not possible."

 

"Yes it is possible and it's true. In fact, Caroline is going to be more powerful than any of them."

 

"No, your lying. All they can do is speak another language instead of English, and that is not magical."

 

"And why do you think they can speak a language that no one else knows, straight from birth, and can't speak English, even though that's he language they grew up hearing and learning?"

 

She threw her hands up, "I don't know! I never really thought about it."

 

"It's because they are speaking the language of their people. They are not human."

 

Her eyes grew big, as though she realized something. "It's that why the stranger came into my house and went straight for Caroline?"

 

"What?" I was confused, what is she talking about? "What stranger?"

 

"Years ago, when Caroline was just a baby, I found a strange man hovered over Caroline's cradle, speaking a strange language, much like the one the girls speak."

 

-----------------------------------------------Flashback------------------------------------------------

 

When Caroline was just barely a year old, I heard the front door creak open, which was weird because I could've sworn in locked the door. I got up and went to Caroline to check on her. When I got there, there was a man with no shirt, wool pants, and big, brown wings, hovering over Caroline. I stayed silent, hoping the man wouldn't hurt her. When he opened his wings just enough so I could see his back, I saw a big tattoo of a jumping and snarling tiger, covering his whole back. There was no other color other than black. Then, I heard him speak. He had a rough, but soothing voice and he was speaking in a strange language. It sounded the same as the one Caroline randomly speaks in. As I watched, I saw him take a knife and cut a small gash in his arm. He swirled his arm around the blood and it followed his fingers, creating a small whirlpool of blood. Then, ever so gently, cut the skin over Caroline's heart. I had to cover my mouth to keep from screaming at him. He continued to chant as he did the same thing to her blood. He then took the small whirlpools and combined them, creating a bigger one. Then, for the first time, spoke English. "When the time comes, my blood that will run through your veins will lead you to my people. Save us, Caroline Mathews. I know you can." And with that said, he directed the whirlpool of blood towards the cut on Caroline's chest. It went into her heart and when the last of the blood was inside of her, the cut healed, leaving a tiny scar on her chest. I couldn't take it anymore, so I yelled and charged at the intruder. He whipped around, opened his wings to full length,-almost as wide as the room-spread his arms wide, and faced me. He was handsome, leafy green eyes, sandy hair, and muscular build, except for the eyes and teeth. His eyes turned a glowing yellow and he had fangs -ones that looked much like the ones on the tiger-in his mouth, which was pulled back into a snarl. I backed up a little, not sure if he was protecting Caroline or planning to kill us both. He started me when he spoke, for I was expecting him to charge after me. "Next time you plan to sneak up on someone, make sure you don't breath rapidly and loudly." He turned around and jumped through the window. I raced to Caroline, making sure she was okay.

 

-----------------------------------------------Present---------------------------------------------

 

"After that day, I never saw him again." While she was telling me the story, she had her head down, looking at the floor. Now she looked up, straight at me. "Do you have any idea who than man-thing, whatever he is-was?"

 

"No, I'm sorry but I don't."

 

"So, if what you said was true that Caroline and Amanda have magic..."

 

"Samantha, don't do it. You're being selfish."

 

"Neptune, is making sure that you don't get in trouble or killed for having magical kids selfish? I'm sorry, but I don't want kids like that."

 

And with that, she walked out of the room. I didn't bother following, I knew I couldn't change her mind. So I just turned into water and went back to Olympus to report to my brother. He was going to be furious with her.

AN/ If anybody was confused with the name Neptune, that's the Roman name for Poseidon. I'm going to continue using the Roman versions of the gods throughout the series, so if anybody is confused with a name, just let me know and I will tell you the Greek version. Also, I'm sorry for the very late upload, I just didn't feel like working on it for a while and school has started too. I will try to do better. Thanks for reading!

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Tag der Veröffentlichung: 28.08.2016

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