Chapter 8- The Legend

Anna had told me to meet her at the library so we could work on my healing techniques. I was on my way there when I heard some hushed voices talking in one of the rooms. I went to check what was going on to see Duke and Drake talking. Drake seemed really distressed and it felt weird for me to see Duke comforting his brother despite equally looking distressed. During the time I've known them I've never seen them have a normal discussion that didn't involve an argument.

"You do know she's miserable, right?" Drake asked with a narrowed look and a quirked brow. He sat on a couch while Duke stood leaning on a wall at the corner of the room, looking his brother over in concern.

"I know but I'm trying to keep her safe even though it doesn't seem like it" Duke replied. He let out a soft sigh and made his way towards the couch but made sure he left some space between them. Drake turned away from him not even wanting to look him in the face.

"I'm really sorry", Duke's voice was soft and genuine. Drake finally turned to him with a hard look, "Sorry isn't going to erase everything you've done. It isn't going to erase all the pain that Anna and I have experienced. And it's not going to help Cassandra", Drake's voice was low but harsh.

"I understand" Duke replied sadly "I know it wouldn't be easy for you to forgive me but I promise I'll make it up to you. All of you." A look of determination crossed his features, "I'll find that witch and I wouldn't let him hurt you" Duke promised making a small smile to spread across Drake's lips though he tried to hide it.

At that point I felt like I should leave since Anna was still waiting for me. I couldn't help but think about the brothers' conversation. I replayed it over and over again in my head. If Duke didn't want to keep me here apparently but the way he spoke told me he had no choice. How could he have no choice? Also, who was this witch that attacked Duke and is seemingly under cover here in the mansion? Who was Duke trying to protect Drake from?

I walked into the library to see Anna shelving and organizing a few books. She also seemed to be looking for something. "Hey", I greeted.

"Oh Cassandra", she looked up from looking through the pages of one of the books and gave me a warm smile. "I've been trying to find a book on vampire healing. Can you help me?"

"Sure", I answered. The library was quite huge. I'd been there before but I still couldn't quite navigate my way through the rows of shelves well yet.

I went in between shelves and started to look for a book on vampire healing. As I walked past a shelf, a heavy looking book suddenly fell out of it right beside my feet. I picked it up and put it back on the shelf. The book suddenly threw itself out and ended up hitting me square in the stomach. I held on to my belly as I groaned in pain. The book was so heavy. I went to check if there was anything in the shelf that was stopping the book from going in.

When I found nothing, I put the book back only for it to be thrown back with even more force than last time. I managed to jump out of the way on time but was very shocked the moment the book changed direction and hit me again in the stomach a lot harder than before. This time I screamed and it seemed to grab Anna's attention as she ran up to me seconds later.

"What happened?" she asked as she saw me crouched and grabbing my stomach.

"That book is trying... to kill me", I said while gasping for breath and pointing accusingly at the book.

Anna raised a questioning brow and looked me over like I was crazy. "Did you hit your head or something?" she asked in suspicion and concern I would have thought she was joking if she didn't look so serious. I got a little annoyed at that. "No", I pouted childishly causing Anna roll her eyes at me. She picked up the book and went to place it back on the shelf. I moved as far as possible so that the book wouldn't hit me again.

The moment it touched the shelf it flew right out with lightning speed. It swerved past Anna and headed straight towards me. There was barely any time to react and I just shrieked and held up my hands out in defense.

When I didn't feel anything hit me, I lowered my hand and peeked at it a little. To my surprise and utter fright the book was hovering in the air right in front of me. I just blinked frozen in fear and uncertainty. The book suddenly moved and before I knew it I was getting hit in the head and stomach repeatedly.

I struggled trying to overpower the rather powerful book. Yes, I'm fighting a book.

And hopelessly loosing.

That's just to show how crazy my life is now. A memory appeared from my past. I tried to shove it to the back of my mind but in no avail.

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She grabbed my hand roughly and dragged me away. I knew I was in so much trouble but I really didn't mean to break the dish on purpose, it had just slipped. The moment we got in front of the door of the room I had learned to fear, I began to thrash around in her grasp. Her hold on me grew tighter and I started to cry. "No please! I wouldn't let it happen again", eleven year old me had begged but was completely ignored.

A few minutes later, I sat on the cold floor blindfolded as I awaited the punishment that was sure to come. I heard the voices of two males, ones I had grown to fear, their voices brought chills to my spine. "Ready to play, pet?" one of them asked and I immediately felt a punch land on my stomach. I started to cry but knew my punishments had just started as I got a few blows on my head as well. I fought hopelessly having no strength to make a good attempt to fighting them off and being completely at their mercy. It went on for what seemed like forever, leaving me with bruises and scars not only on my body but also on my mind.

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"Ugh", I groaned as another hit came on my stomach. I continued to try to shake off the feeling of dread that had taken over me. A snarl left me and the book was sent flying. As I stood trying to catch my breath, my gaze landed on the book that appeared right beside my leg. I shrieked and jumped the other way wanting nothing more than to get away from the horrific object.

"What did I ever do to you?" I mumbled as I glared at the book harshly. It opened, flipping past various pages before stopping on a particular one. Anna who had stood there watching the scene unfold with utter shock- and being completely useless- walked up to the book and taking a look at the open page.

"It wants you to read this", she explained as she pointed at a particular page.

"Nope, not going near that thing", I refused.

Anna rolled her eyes as the book closed shut, floated into the air and steadily made its way towards me. The way it moved didn't seem real, it made me rethink the past month. Maybe I was actually sleeping and this was just some terrible nightmare. Blake is going to come to wake me up and ask why I looked so distressed. My brother would comfort me and then assure me that it was all a dream and not reality.

Though the moment I felt the book hit me smack in the face and I felt a wave of pain wash through me, it became very certain to me that it wasn't a dream and that terrified me.

"Jeez, chill out. Quit being so aggressive you stupid book", I mumbled but I guess books these days have ears because this one heard everything and was just about to give me a good smack in the face.

"I mean smart book", I rushed out. The book seemed satisfied as it lowered itself onto a table and reopened its pages. "It seems to like you", Anna commented with a wide grin. "Yeah, it does", I replied sarcastically with an eye roll as I turned my attention to the killer of a book that laid before me.

It told a story, a legend.

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Centuries ago,the werewolves and vampires went into war. There was massive blood shed and hatred between the two species. In the end, they made a pact to stay out of each others businesses but the hatred they had for each other did not diminish.

Witches had found themselves stuck in between the disagreement between the two other species. They had always been loyal allies to the vampire kingdom since the beginning of time so it made complete sense that they would take their side.

Witches formulated a spell that protected every newly born and newly turned vampire from the harshness of the sun. They were able to walk freely under the harsh rays without disintegrating and turning to ash- another factor that strengthened the relationship between these two supernaturals.

The story went on to talk about a boy who would be born to be a part of all three supernatural kingdoms: Vampire, werewolf and witch.

An unheard of phenomenon.

A taboo.

He would be born extremely powerful and would be targeted by different species. He would be the heir to the werewolf throne and even Dracula, the vampire king would be intimidated by him.

This powerful prince has one mission, to restore the peace with the help of the group of powerful supernatural beings set up by the deities to assist him. But sometimes to bring about peace... there must be war.

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I stared at the pages for a while, letting the new found information sink in. "What does this have to do with me?" I asked.

Anna who still had on a very astonished expression tore her gaze from the page to look at me.

The look on her face mirrored mine. Confusion.

"I don't know", It was then I realized just how complex the path ahead of me was going to be.

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