More Truths
Serafine POV
Pin shoots through my body, but I grit my teeth and ignore it. I’ve been stuck inside for too long. I tried to leave today, but Helena and the Healer told me no. Apparently, I’m in the early stages of labour.
I’ve done the only thing I can: read more of the Threadborn book and the journal that Helena found.
Sighing, I rub my stomach and reach for the journal again. Opening it I begin to read. It‘ s mostly spoke about the Veyrathi and the changes they have gone through. It makes me wonder though.
Why was this librarian writing down everything about the Veyrathi? If they did it, are there more journals out there like this, hidden within the dusty remnants of forgotten libraries? Another burning question is, does Helena record everything as well? Has she been writing all this about me?
I haven’t asked, sure I want to know but I’m not ready to hear the truth just yet. Pain shoots through my back again and I grit my teeth. Okay, focus, I can read, that’s something within my abilities right now.
‘Scanning the pages for where I was I pick up on the last line I read. She was in labor.
“Birth was like any other, except the guardians seemed to feel her pain, along with her mate. The baby is a girl.”
My stomach clenches at that. Is this the thing that makes Xander come looking for me? I hope not. I continue to read.
The next part is blocked out; black pen covers the words and hides what it says. I don’t like that; I don’t like how parts are blacked out as if they are hiding something. One good thing that came from this journal is that there’s constantly a mention of the Veyrathi planning to go to somewhere called Nyvarras Hollow.
G
Apparently, it’s a place of Veyrathi, where the first one was born. It’s meant to be a place of the Veyrathi and Threadborn ancestors, and the most powerful place for us. It‘ s similar to the Witches Sanctum. Only it’s for Veyrathi, and I would be lying if I pretended I didn’t want to go there.
I feel there would be more answers there, but finding where it is is impossible, as the journal never mentions it. Apparently, it’s in the Threadborn journal I have. It must be somewhere further in where I’ve yet to reach, as I’ve not heard of Nyvarras Hollow yet.
Sighing, I go back to reading.
Successfully unlocked!
“Both mother and baby died, no warning signs, nothing. Just silence.”
1/4
More Truths
What? I stare at it, the last line on the page. It’s said so simply, so matter–of–factly, like it‘ s normal and nothing. How could they have just died? How can there be no other explanation?
My hand flips the page, looking for an explanation.
“Mother and baby were prepared for burial when their bodies began to shift. I just learnt where the Guardians come from.”
Sickness twists in my stomach. Am I going to die?
“Helena!” I call out in a panic.
She rushes in fast. “Is it time?” She asks, and my head shakes. I hold out the book and
she reads.
“I’m going to die, right?” There’s no mention of why, so surely it’s something about us?
“Oh no, don’t worry. It was likely due to loss of blood.” She is trying to reassure me, but
it fails.
“Serafine, you do understand the part after, right?” She looks from the Hollowfang raven to the Silvermane Hound. “The words in this say that the woman and baby who died, turned into A hollowfang Raven, or Silvermane Hound or maybe both.”
Wait, I didn’t notice that part. I look to the Raven.
“Do you remember your life?” I ask, feeling uneasy.
“I only remember this life, nothing prior.”
I stare at it. Was the raven once a Threadborn, Veyrathi? Was it the woman or maybe a baby?
“What if that book is a sign that I will die? We’ve no idea if Veyrathi are supposed to have children. Surely it disrupts the balance?” If there’s only ever one Veyrathi at a time, then what does this mean?
“You’re panicking over nothing. Everything has gone well. There are no complications. This journal was dated over six hundred years ago. Medicine back there was basic, as well as the ability to check the baby.”
She’s really trying to ease my worries, but it isn’t helping. I shift as pain shoots through my back again, this time harder. I groan and grip the blanket beneath me. “It says that her mate felt the pain. What if he feels it, what if he knows I’ve given birth and comes to find us?”
“You have the guardians here. They won’t allow him to do anything.”
“But my father… If I have a boy.” I feel sick. “He’s always wanted control, and this, me having a son, he will use that.”
“Serafine, neither your mate nor your father knows where you are.”
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More Truths
I shift, feeling more uncomfortable. The pain is worse, but I’m trying my best to pretend it’s not real. I’m not ready. If it’s a boy… I panic more, and Helena grabs my hands.
“You will be safe, I promise.” She squeezes my hands gently. “Let me get the Healer, as I’m sure you’re ready to have the baby.”
She turns and leaves, and I fight back the screams as pain explodes through me. It’s going to be a girl. It will be a girl. My father won’t want a girl. If he hears I had a girl, he
won’t come.
It’s going to be a girl.
Those are the words I repeat throughout everything. Every bit of pain, every push, I remind myself that the baby will be a girl. It has to be a girl.
My body shakes as I finally push. Closing my eyes, I pray, “Please be a girl.”
“It’s a boy,” Helena whispers.
I break down crying, my body shaking. Now I need to stay hidden. I can’t be seen by anyone in a pack. Anyone who finds out who I am will tell my father.
The baby is placed in my arms, and my breathing stutters. The eyes staring at me remind me so much of Xander that it hurts slightly, and part of me wants to return. I was safe there from my father, but I would never have been safe from Xander.
My arms tighten around the small bundle as I cry.
“You have the guardians, never forget that.” The Healer grips my hand. “You’re also not weak. You can protect yourself and your son.”
“Not alone,” I whisper.
“Yes, alone!” Helena snaps. You’re not like us, Serafine, and it’s time you stopped thinking about it. You’re powerful. When you’re healed, you need to train. You need to give yourself time to uncover how powerful you are.”
I know she’s right. She keeps telling me that there’s more beneath me, more beneath the surface, but I refuse to acknowledge it. Now I have to. If I want to protect the baby, I have to do it.
It’s scary, though. I’ve no idea what a Veyrathi is capable of or the effects it can have on me and those around me. Still, I need to do this; I need to ensure no one gets close to the baby.
“Do we have a name?” The Healer smiles at me and waits.
“Eyrx,” I whisper. “It signifies strength and skill.”
“A perfect name,” the Healer smiles, and I nod.
I know now that I need to protect him from my father. He’s the biggest threat right now.
3/4
Her
