Prologue

Freya’s P.O.V

Walking at a slow pace I enjoyed the crunching sounds of freshly fallen leaves on the forest floor. The morning dew still lingered. The air was crisp, allowing the soft earthy scents of soil to entice a calming sensation within me.  I enjoyed taking little walks around the depths of the forest, just taking some time to myself. I began humming softly, a peaceful smile formed on my face as I broke out of the tree line. I paused, feeling the soft breeze nudge against my back as I faced the dirt road that separated my land from the neighbouring town. For a moment, I considered heading into town to collect some candy or sweets for my daughter as today marked her 8^th birthday. A small tug on the hem of my skirt broke through the calmness, spooking me. My balance wavered ever so slightly. A mess of tangled fire red curls with leaves and other debris from the forest floor caught my eye, belonging to that of a small child. Her head was bowed, looking at the ground her small hand still closed tightly around the hemming of my skirt. Taking a look over her she could not have been much younger than my own daughter, her clothes were tattered and she sported many cuts and grazes on her flushed skin.  My heart slowed as I bent down placing my hands gently on the girl’s shoulders.

“Hello little one”

I attempted to keep my voice gentle and calm as her fear-stricken emerald green eyes met mine.

“Help me please”

Her little voice was laboured and frantic. It seemed as though she had been running for some time. I glanced around searching for any signs of danger yet I could find none.

“From what my sweet?”

“The monster.”

She whispered as her eyes grew bigger pleading with me.

“The monster?”

I asked confused.

“Yes, the monster”

She nodded still whispering as if she thought it could hear her.

“It got my mummy and I ran and ran but it followed!”

Her voice was now shaking, tears falling from her eyes. I stood quickly and pulled her in closer as I heard her trying to stifle her sobs. We were both safe within my lands thanks to my Wiccan heritage, however, there were many other beings that could be confused for monsters. Staring out at the road in the distance, I again tried to see any sign of a threat. My heart had begun to pound. Not with fear, but with a sense to protect this innocent child. I held the girl into me as I debated on what my next steps should be. Protecting the girl was of course on the forefront of my mind but I needed to make sure her mother was dead or just injured.

“Little one, where did you see your mother last?”

“Back… at… the… car”

The poor girl was still sobbing, I gently stroked her hair. Pulling out the sticks and debris as I did.

“Okay, and where is the car?”

She gazed up at me, tears still streamed down her face. Slowly she lifted her hand and pointed in the direction towards town. I sighed heavily, knowing I would have to go and inspect this car and I could not leave her alone. Thankfully I had brought some of my calming herbs with me, in the event of an emergency. I pulled out the soft velvet pouch and grabbed the small one's hand.

“Shh, it’s okay little one. My name is Freya and I will keep you safe.”

She looked at me curiously as I poured some of the herbal mixture into her cupped hand.

“What is it?”

Her voice was soft and still broken from her sobs.

“Its magic, if you smell it for me it will make you feel better”

I smiled warmly at her as she looked at me unsure. I bent down and sniffed the herbs myself to show her it was safe. The scents of lavender, rosemary and citrus flooded my nose instantly calming my body. The little girl followed my lead and I watched as her eyes grew in surprise as she too felt the calmness wash over her, I used this herbal mixture many times when I was in need. When I needed to escape the darkest memories I held. It also aided in helping my daughter sleep when her aggression got the better of her. I looked into the little one's eyes smiling softly again trying my best to reassure her that she would be safe with me. My body froze momentarily as she threw herself on me hugging my legs tightly. I quickly recovered hugging her back feeling my heart warm to her touch. Odd, when I typically was not the maternal type around other children but this one felt as if she was like my own.

“It is okay little one, you are safe with me”

“Thank you, miss warrior”

Her voice was muffled but calmer.

“Warrior?”

“Yes, my mummy always said Freya was a strong warrior”

I chuckled softly picking her up and holding her against my chest. She was surprisingly light.

“I suppose it is, and what is your name little one?”

“Emma”

She yawned out, poor little thing must be exhausted. There was something about this child that made me want to protect her with everything I had. I began walking out towards the town as little Emma drifted off in my arms. I may have looked like a feeble hippy woman living in nature but my heritage gave me certain gifts. Notably, I could handle much more weight and distance than typical humans but I was not as strong as many of the other classes.

We walked along the winding road for longer than I expected, this little girl must have been exhausted from running this distance. Even as an adult this would be close to a 30-minute run. Disappointment rushed through me as I saw

a burning car smashed into the tree line, with its front and back windows completely shattered. A half-burnt corpse leant out of the driver’s side door, I could see some untouched fabric of a green and yellow sundress that would have matched Emma’s tattered one. I could not see another body in the vehicle so perhaps Emma’s father would be okay. I sighed deeply, pained knowing that Emma had lost her mother. A glint of a ruby red snakeskin purse caught my eye sitting about throwing distance from the car. Before I had taken my first few steps towards it I heard an unmistakable low growl pulling my attention back towards the car. Two feral yellow eyes stared back at me. Although the body of the creature was hidden behind the wreckage, I knew which monster this one was. A rouge wolf. After all, I had spent many years of my young adult life living with them and I knew some tricks. I held Emma tighter to my chest gazing back into the beast’s eyes unblinking, showing no fear. The beast looked at Emma and growled in recognition. I felt her little body stiffen in response but she did not wake.

“Stop, wolf.”

I spoke in my mother’s tongue, a language only known to those of us that had gifts. Anger flashed in his yellow eyes before they closed and the sound of cracking bones echoed around us. A thin, dirty man walked out from behind the wreckage into view. He had dark brown hair and his naked body was caked in blood and filth. The way he walked towards me showed he had not been in human form for some time.

“Give her to me.”

His voice was dry as each word came out more like a cough.

“What is she to you?”

I spoke with a sense of authority and strength. Reminded of my first lesson when dealing with any werewolf was to establish no fear as they saw that as a weakness. He growled, glancing from me to Emma before stopping and sighing.

“It is not your business witch.”

He spat out witch like a slur, his eyes narrowing on me. I scoffed and shook my head, I would never understand why they held such hatred towards my kind.

“I will not hand over a frightened and injured child to a stranger”.

He glared staring at me intently, deep in thought. He suddenly stiffened in fear sniffing the air. I frowned stealing a quick glance over my shoulder as wolves were not quick to fear, even more so rouges. I looked back at him confused, I could not sense anything. He shook his head and gave me a small but frightening smile.

“Fine, it’s your death sentence”.

With a finale sneer, he turned and took off towards the town, the dirty brown fur of his wolf springing into view. Confusion flooded my mind. He didn’t even put up a fight. Perhaps he was not the one to attack Emma? Why did he want her? My old coven would need to know why a rouge had come so near, and the murder. This whole situation was very suspicious. I breathed deeply, frustrated as I had pushed that part of life away when my daughter was born and was not looking forward to re-opening old wounds.

I remembered the purse. Giving Emma a tight squeeze before collecting it with one hand so as not to disturb her. I closed my eyes and spoke a prayer to the Moon Goddess. That be her mother human or something else, her spirit would find rest. My heartfelt heavy for Emma, images of my own child running through my mind. I couldn’t help but make comparisons between the two. Whatever had happened here I would protect Emma, I would cherish her as if she were my own. I gently laid little Emma down on the grass, sitting next to her I went through the purse. Not much of note was in there. No wallets, no keys, nothing at all to suggest who Emma and her mother were. I frowned wondering if I should make contact with the humans’ police force. No, that would not be a good idea. Knowing that a rouge had recognized her meant there was more at play here other than typical human violence. The feeling of a paper envelope brought me back to the present moment. I opened it and found a letter and an attached photo inside. I bit my lip as Emma’s mothers' words washed over me. Her father was dead. She had no one left, apart from a group that her mother was taking her too. From the information in the letter, I was not sure what the group were, wolves, fay or vampires. But I knew they were not human.

I put the letter back into its envelope and into my handbag. I carefully picked Emma back up already deciding I would adopt her. I turned and began walking back towards my home, as soon as I stepped back into my protective ring around my property the little one began to stir. I slowed my steps smiling down at her as she opened her eyes. Rubbing the sleep from them, her calmness did not last long as the memories of what had happened to her flashed across her eyes. She began shaking and sobbing again.

“Hey, hey it’s okay shh”

I calmly rocked her

“I’m taking you back to my house okay? You will be safe okay?”

Emma continued to cry but buried her face into my chest, I hugged her tightly trying to comfort her.

“Now Emma, I must tell you I also have a daughter. Her name is Sera”

I was close to home now and did not want the poor child to have any more surprises tonight.

“She will help protect you okay? Like a big sister”

I felt Emma nod into my chest, the pain from her eventful day overwhelming her. I did not ask her any more questions for now. Once she had settled in I would attempt to discuss her mother and father, but right now I needed to focus on making sure she would be able to start the mental healing process. Thankfully, her physical wounds would heal quickly and without scars. Her mental ones were what worried me.