The Prophecy

“Have a good day!” I shouted after one of my regulars as I got to work cleaning the espresso machine and blender so I could head out quickly. The forest was calling me tonight and I needed to acknowledge the call. I looked at the clock, 3:59. Perfect. Everything was already cleaned. I was watching the clock, waiting for it to hit 4, when I heard the doorbell ring. My eyebrows furrowed as I looked at the door closing, but no one was there. I looked around outside but still didn’t see a person. Maybe they had come in with my regular and just got out of the bathroom or something.

I shrugged and went to lock the door, getting a chilling feeling come over me. I shut the lights and machines off, locking the back door as I left. My apartment wasn’t very far from work, luckily, so I walked quickly and was home in no time. I tossed my backpack on the couch and ran to my room. I stripped out of my work uniform and changed into my usual black leggings and an oversized emerald green sweater. This one matched my eyes so I wasn’t a huge fan of the color but it was super soft. The color was okay, I just thought it made me too green. I took my eye contacts out and blinked a few times to get moisture back to them. My eyes were a bit too piercing green for people to not notice them. Plus, if I called my magic at all, I didn’t want someone to notice my eyes change color.

I slipped on my shoes and left my apartment again. I needed the forest. When I searched for a small town to try to adapt to, I made sure I could get an apartment close to the forest. I wanted to go into a mortal town but it was scary, I at least needed my escape. I spent my entire life in hiding with my siblings. This year was the year Sybil said we all had to find our mates, that we needed to listen to our prophecies and let the supernatural world know that we weren’t extinct. All she could tell us was what our prophecy states and that our fated mate was involved in it somehow.

My prophecy was constantly running through my head, making sure I didn’t miss anything.

When your new life seems to be leveling out

A call will throw you off your tracks

Denial will prolong your destiny

When you accept what’s been staring at you

Your new home awaits you

A surprise will challenge you further

You’ll feel more lost than you ever have been

When you reawaken, you will be like nothing before

An old battle will re-emerge

But your new family will help you

To create an outcome no one could see

When Sybil came to me with my prophecy, I spent days making sure it was ingrained in my mind. It seemed pretty straight forward. Accept whatever I’m not accepting. This prophecy was four years ago. We spent the last four years studying. We learned about the humans and their mortal world so we could adapt into it quickly, and we learned about the supernatural beings. We didn’t go too far into their cultures, but we learned who was what, what they could do, etc. We learned about the Fae verse Dragon war that our parents were only children for. They had both been hidden away from the war. When everyone thought all the Fae’s were dead, they found each other thanks to my mother’s vision. They waited almost 500 years to have children, as told by the prophecy.

My father died 10 years ago, my mother four, just before my sister had the prophecies. We all decided then, we would take Sybil’s prophecies and go into the real world, and let everyone know we meant business. Fae’s were back and ready to repopulate to build a new empire. We knew what that meant. All of us had our mates we were destined to be with. We didn’t know who they were, but we were all ready.

I made it into the forest and took a breath, closing my eyes briefly. I walked about twenty more times before I got into my favorite clearing. It was perfect to mess around with my magic. Nature Faes were notoriously the strongest. We were the leaders, the fighters. Each nature fae has the innate fae abilities, such as telekinesis and wings, along with fae dust that had many uses. We also had the capability of having control over the four elements. All nature Fae controlled air no matter what. Those with healing affinities could control water. If you controlled earth, you were known for being powerful. Fire, however, was almost unheard of. To have fire, you had to have all other elements. They were the true leaders. There was generally only ever 2 or 3 faes at a time that could control all four elements.

I had three. I could control air, water, and earth. But I never got fire to work. Sometimes I felt it though. I felt the warmth of it at times but could never wield it.

I held my hand up, letting my powers surface. I felt air circling around me, and I let the earth element take over. I felt the clearing fill with plants and flowers. I needed this. I took a couple of deep breaths, relaxing fully but not for long. I had the same feeling I had earlier today in the cafe. I looked around, my magic at the ready. The earth was telling me a threat was coming.

It didn’t take long for a huge wolf to come charging at me. Animals didn’t attack me.. my hand motioned from pointing straight down to upward towards the giant attacking animal. I called earth to create vines to ensnare the beast. I held my fist closed as I kept the strength up to hold him. He was huge. This. wasn’t a normal wolf.

“Where’s your pack? Why did you attack me?” Did they already know about me, I don’t know why I bothered asking questions, he couldn’t talk. I heard a stick break behind me and I spun around, holding my other hand up. Why didn’t the earth warn me that time?

There were two more wolves but these two didn’t seem like they wanted to attack. Not like the first one. They lowered their heads in submission, like they were telling me they wouldn’t hurt me. I knew about werewolves. I knew I was going into werewolf country when I picked this place. I’m surprised that in the eight months I’ve been here, I haven’t seen any before. I knew I was stronger than them. It might be a challenge but I could probably take on an entire pack. The problem was I wouldn’t kill and I didn’t think I could hold them in vines forever.

One of the other two wolves started to back up while still keeping his head down. I looked behind him to see two more wolves. Again, I didn’t feel threatened. The wolf backing up disappeared behind a tree. My senses were on high alert. It wasn’t long before a guy around my age came out from where the wolf went. Shirtless and wearing a pair of gray sweats. I supposed he shifted back naked so I was happy he put on something. He was tall, extremely muscular, with jet black hair and gorgeous hazel eyes. I had never really been interested in someone before. I knew I was fated for someone else, but if circumstances were different, I may have had to reconsider.

“We don’t mean any harm.” His voice was smooth to hear. It wasn’t deep, but had a rasp to it. Wait- what was I doing.

“Tell that to your friend. He jumped me when I was just minding my own business.” I knew I was tiny and probably not scary to them, but I made my voice strong, still focused on the vines holding the offender.

“I’m sorry. He’s young and new to shifting. He lost control under the full moon. It’s my fault I didn’t think anyone would be out here. I promise he’s regained control and will just walk away if you let him go.” I looked at the wolf I was holding captive, he didn’t seem to be struggling against my vines any more.

I looked back at the guy and nodded, releasing my hold on the wolf. I could just recapture him as easily as the first if he tried something. He got up and walked off towards the two wolves that were standing farther behind and the three Of them walked away. I relaxed a little. Now there were only two of them.

“Thank you. I promise we didn’t expect to see anyone. I’m glad you stopped him. I’m Kai.” Kai. I liked that name. I could maybe learn to like him too if I wasn’t spoken for by someone I didn’t know.

“I’m Ivy. You’re lucky I didn’t shoot to kill and just captured him.”

He nodded, “I know we are. Thank you. I - obviously you know we’re werewolves, and I know you aren’t human, but I don’t know of anyone that can control vines.” It wasn’t a question, but I knew what he was asking. No one knew about us, but my siblings and I have decided to not hide anymore.

“I’m a Nature Fae, and I can do a lot more than just control vines.” I meant it as a threat, just in case he thought he could take me on.

“Fae… the legend says all fae had disappeared around 500 years ago. People assume they are extinct, as well as the dragons since the war.” So he knew some.

“My parents survived as the last two. They waited until the last possible chance to have kids. My three siblings and I are the last of the race.” We were done hiding. Once we all found our mates, we would move back to the castle. I would more than likely ascend the throne unless one of my siblings could rival my power, and we would start repopulating our race. Before, Fae were never able to reproduce Fae unless both parents were one, but according to my mother’s prophecy, that changed with us. We would be able to reproduce with whoever our fated mates were, and our children would be Fae and free of the curse. So we suffered without true love so our children and race could be free.

“I look forward to seeing more of you then.” It seemed like a weird comment, but I suppose it was not incorrect. We would soon be the talk of the supernatural world one way or another.

“I’ll just be leaving then. I go into these woods a lot so be careful or next time I won’t be so nice.” Again, my threat was pretty empty but he didn’t need to know that.

“We are only in town for a few more days. We shouldn’t need to run again. I apologize.” I nodded. That explained why I hadn’t run into them before, they didn’t live in town. I knew I would have recognized him. It wasn’t a big town.

I nodded and turned to walk away. Something in me said no, to turn around, but I ignored it and walked away without a second glance. Feeling like that definitely wasn’t the last time I would see Kai and his wolves. And that kinda made me smile.