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Prologue
The fog settled slowly over the decrepit town. All was deserted and decayed. The little city had the feel of a long-forgotten, sad place. Kaden shivered, just like he always did, and walked into the town, his cloak swishing around his ankles.
He gave in to a tiny grin, despite his setting. He could never shake the pleasure of wearing something so…fun. He shook his dark hair out of his eyes and moved on.
“Wipe that grin off your face, you’re making me sick,” A voice deep within the shadows bellowed. Kaden didn’t flinch.
“So it’s a crime to smile now?” He retorted, staring at the spot where the voice came from. Out of the depths of a crumbling building walked a gruff looking, dirty, middle-aged man.
“It is when you’re in this town…” The man said, pulling his weather-worn cloak closer to his body.
Kaden gave a joyless laugh, and the two moved on toward to very far edge of the town. Clouds of fog wafted by in the breeze
“Why are you always late?” A girl’s voice, crisp and sharp, came to them from a short ways away.
“There was an old man having some trouble getting across the street,” Kaden replied nonchalantly. They almost couldn’t spot the other three teenagers at the end of the road.
They all sighed impatiently. “I don’t want to stay here any longer than I have to. This place is cursed,” said one of the adolescents, a boy with darker skin and hair the same shade as a raven’s.
“Oh please, there are no such things as curses, or ghosts,” the last one said, another girl with hair the color of honey and small, fair features.
“Sure there are, Venus. Just like there are such things as wizards and witches,” Kaden said.
“Oh really? Have you ever seen one?” She asked back.“A wizard? Sure I have! I am one, aren’t I?” Kaden replied sarcastically.
“Oh, aren’t you hysterical,” Venus said, rolling her eyes.
“Not now you two. There’s important business to be discussed tonight. We don’t want to overstay our welcome,” the boy broke in.
“Stop being so superstitious, Rafe, it’s just an old town,” Eglantine stated. She had elegant light brown hair gentle eyes.
“Quiet, all of you, and follow me,” their mentor, Ronan, said.
“Now, Brayan has a new assignment for you all,” Ronan started. “It something you’ve never really tried before. There’s a young witch in your home state, Florida, who is around your age. She doesn’t know she’s…gifted yet. It’s your job to assimilate yourselves into her life, tell her about her future, and train her in our ways. She’s going to play an important part in all of our lives.”
“…Why are they leaving it up to us? If it’s so important, why aren’t you or more senior magical beings taking on this job?” Rafe asked, looking nervous.
“Personally, I have no possible inkling of why he would choose you. But I’m under Brayan’s orders.” He replied.
“Fantastic…” Venus said sarcastically.
“So, who is she? What does she look like? Will we know her when we see her?” Kaden asked.
“Here she is,” He replied. With a sweeping motion, a screen-like shield appeared in midair. When you looked at it, the edges seemed to shimmer faintly. The teenagers didn’t seem at all surprised. The screen showed a full view of what appeared to be a kitchen. Within it, a young girl, no older than sixteen, was sitting at an island in a house, and opening a soda, while reading a book propped up on a basket laden with fruit.
Kaden laughed; he’d always liked people with the ability to multitask. “Hm. She looks smart,” he stated without thinking.
Ronan looked at him quickly, with a sharp look in his eyes. “Why would you say that?”
Kaden blinked, and replied, “I don’t really know. It’s just a feeling…”
Ronan chuckled. “You’ve always had a gift for knowing.” Ronan zoomed in on her face.
“So is she? Is she going to discover something great about us?” asked Eglantine.
“I’m not quite sure, myself. We just need to wait and see,” said Ronan.
The four teens stared at the screen for several minutes longer. They all seemed to be lost in their own thoughts. She had the violet eyes that Nature Witches were always born with, tinted with gold. Her strawberry blond hair was loose and fell like curtains over her shoulder when she looked down at the counter, apparently contemplating something she had read. Kaden couldn’t tear himself away.
Suddenly, she gave a start as if something jumped out and scared her, and stared directly into Kaden’s eyes. Ronan cursed softly and closed the screen almost instantly. “I was afraid that was going to happen. She’s too talented for her own good, actually. Even without training…” Ronan trailed off, shaking his head. Kaden blinked, and looked around. Everyone seemed to be staring at their shoes.
“Well! She’s cute; I approve!” Kaden stated, rubbing his hands together.
“Hey, not so fast there, Kaden. You know the rules. This is work, not free time,” Ronan stated warningly. Kaden sobered at once. He looked regretful, angry, and miserable all at the same time. He looked down. “Yeah…I know.”
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I looked at the cabinet quizzically. I could have sworn there was someone there, staring at me. I rubbed my neck uncomfortably. Slowly, I turned back to my book. After reading the same line three times, I shut it angrily. I couldn’t focus now.
I looked at where I felt the gaze again. I walked over slowly and touched the cabinet with shaking hands. Instantly, I pulled away. It felt like a…non-electrical shock. Like it was some kind of prickly fuzz. I eyed the cabinet suspiciously for several minutes, until I jumped at the sound of the doorbell ringing. I sighed, feeling stupid and superstitious, and went to get the door.
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It's a bit short, but prologues shouldn't really be that long, right??
