End of Chapter 23

I watched as the doctor examined her head, deciding that the cut was bad enough to need stitches. He asked her if he should call her father, but Bella quickly told him that he didn't need to call him..that she would tell him about it when she got 집 and that Charlie wouldn't be surprised because she falls all the time.

The doctor didn't seem surprised and agreed that he wouldn't call her father as long as she promised to tell her father. He numbed her head with something then placed 7 stitches in the wound so that it was held together. He put some gauze on 상단, 맨 위로 and secured...

End of Chapter 30

"You were being chased?" Dianna asked, which got my attention...my mom must have told her about our adventure, that 또는 she had been watching out for us too which made me feel safer then I had for a long time.

"Yeah, they came from nowhere. My mom said that I should trust my instincts...and somehow I knew that they wanted to hurt us." I said softly.

"You have met two of those who want to hurt you, who want to ruin all joy and happiness in your life. They will try to ruin your joy Maija, ruin your life so that 당신 will have no hope...please try and trust in what 당신 know and most...

End of Chapter 29

I knew we were in trouble, I knew that Michael and I couldn't out run them...and Piper and Conco were getting tired. I knew that they were going to catch us, and once they did..only God knows what they would do to us. I felt the tears rolling down my face before I realized that I was crying. I wished that my mother was here, that she 또는 any of my other newly found family members would find me...wait...or I could find her.

"Michael." I called as I reached my hand out for him.

He pushed Concho over so that we were close enough for him to grab my and in a fraction of a 초 I...

End of Chapter 28

"Let me bank the fire." He said as he went to move, but my arms went down on either side, not letting him move.

"Nope, I'm good." I said as I laughed and got comfortable against his chest.

"Me too," He said as he hugged me against him. "Do 당신 want to talk about it?" He asked as he yawned, doing his best to cover it and look cool.

"Could we talk about it tomorrow?" I asked as I closed my eyes and focused on his 심장 beat, which instantly made me tired again.

"Of course." He sighed as he kissed the 상단, 맨 위로 of my head.

"Michael?" I said as I yawned.

"Yes."

"Thank You."

"Anytime." He said...

End of Chapter 27

I ate so fast that I barely tasted it, but what I did taste was good! I noticed that Michael had sat down to eat, but somehow finished before I did. I finished eating and watched him curiously as he banked the coals to the side before setting the pot with oatmeal in the cooling coals. I set my plate on the floor as I climbed into the make shift cot, my head falling onto the 베개 before I knew what was happening.

"What are 당신 doing?" I asked.

"Keeping the oatmeal warm for breakfast..then'll we'll have breakfast." He said as he stirred it again before walking over to stand next...

End of Chapter 26

I sniffled as I nodded, not wanting to leave the warm embrace of his arms. He sighed as he leg go and went to pour the water into a trough that was set between two trees. I found their grain and was surprised when I went to pour it out to find that there was 건초 set out 의해 the water.

"Did 당신 stock this place?" I asked Michael.

"No, how weird is that?" He said as he walked over and broke the 건초 up.

"Maybe it isn't that weird." I said as I smiled thinking about Diana and the fact that she was the goddess of animals...saying a quick prayer of thanks to her, asking her that she...

End of Chapter 25

I blinked a few times, realizing that I was still on Piper's back. I felt the eyes again watching me, but ignored them as I looked around for Michael 또는 Concho. I whistled loudly quickly, knowing that Concho was trained to come when he heard the whistle.

Nothing happened for a few minute4s but then I heard the sound I had been hoping and praying to hear. I heard Concho running as fast as he could towards me and Piper, Michael holding on for dear life.

"Where were you?" He asked as he frowned but then smiled as he rode up 다음 to me, his hand held out for mine. I wrapped my hand...

End of Chapter 24

"Michael?" I whispered. "Michael I feel like someone....or something is watching me."

"Maija?" Michael's voice called. "Maija!" He said a bit louder then I though he should since we were suppose to be sneaking.

"Stop yelling," I said as I turned in the saddle to glare at him...but stopping my frown when I realized he was gone.

"Michael?" I whispered, doing my best to jeep myself calm. "MICHAEL!!" I screamed, not caring who heard me.

I spun Piper around, kicking harder then necessary as we ran back to where I had last seen him, 또는 so I thought. I felt my 심장 pounding against my...

End of Chapter 22

"Maija, I got a call. We have to leave, your...family is coming for you." He said softly, yet sternly.

"I can't just leave, my aunts.." I said as I was interrupted.

"Dale and Elise will tell them, we have to go now. Please just grab what 당신 need, we're going to have to take the horses."

"Um..Michael, can't we talk to everyone about this?"

"No...someone...we can't stay. Please trust me." He said softly, his hands dropping from my face.

"I do." I said equally soft.

"Please hurry then, we have to go before they get too close."

I looked at him for a few 분 trying to figure out what...

End of Chapter 21


"You will not do something like that again." Maxine said, and I assumed she was talking to Michael..but when I looked she was staring directly at me.

"What?" I asked, surprised she was talking to me.

"You were foolish to think that 당신 would be safe. We warned 당신 not to go alone..." She said as she shook her head.

"She wasn't alone." Michael said, wincing slightly when he realized what he said.

"Yes, I am aware of that." She growled. "Let's go, we have many things to discuss." She said as she turned and smiled at everyone before pushing him through the door.

"Maija," Jan said as...

End of Chapter 20

"You saw your mom again didn't you?" Michael asked as he hugged me.

"Yeah, Diana and Virbius too." I said as I rested my cheek against his chest. "How did 당신 know?"

"You went still, I knew 당신 were sleeping but 당신 were so still." He said, obviously I had worried him. "Then 당신 said your mom's name once."

"Oh...I'm sorry." I said as I turned my head and looked up at him.

"It's alright, I'm glad I was here." He admitted, laughing as I yawned. "Do 당신 want to go back to the house yet?"

"Nope." I said as I closed my eyes and rested my head against his chest. "I'd like to stay here...

End of Chapter 19

"Three moths ago, Mr. Anderson called saying that the time had come, my destiny was in motion. That we needed to head here and that I would be a confidant and friend to someone who could not trust others...for her own safety." He said as he touched my face.

"We knew enough about Mr and Mrs Anderson, see she has this thing about prophecy's...she hadn't been wrong..well ever as far as anyone can tell. We left that very day, and well...you know the rest from there."

I tried to take it all in, to try and process everything that he had just told me. I didn't realize that he was talking...

End of Chapter 18

I felt his hand on my shoulder as he pulled slightly, turning me so that I was facing him. He watched me closely before he leaned in, his lips brushing mine in the sweetest of kisses.

"You're sure 당신 want me around?" He asked, his face inches from mine.

I nodded, not trusting my voice because my 심장 was pounding from the kiss. He smiled, his eyes lighting up before he leaned in and kissed me again, this time his hands moving to my neck as he kissed me again.

I giggled when he pulled back, both of us breathing a bit harder then usual. He took his hand and smoothed it down my...

End of Chapter 17

I heard Piper stepping close and knew that she was not fond of cats, 또는 dogs...or well pretty much any animal that isn't a horse. I stepped back just in time before her teeth snapped on the cat.

"Piper!" I said as I scolded her. "Be nice! It's just a kitty, it wasn't doing anything to you."

She stepped closer again, putting her head near the cat, watching it with the strangest expression. She inhaled it's smell then turned her head and blew out all the air she had, obviously disgusted. I laughed at her, wondering what her issue was and why she was 연기 so strange.

I looked down...

End of Chapter 16

"Yes love, I am your aunt...and will be your guide through the darkness to come." She said as she moved to sit 다음 to me on the floor.

"What is coming?" I whispered.

"Well it could be many things, that will be your choice." Elise said.

"So I have to choose my own path? But I won't be alone?"

"No 당신 will not be alone, 당신 have many teachers. Luna will be your guide, your aunts will show 당신 the world of nymphs, Maxine will teach 당신 of the animal lore and Michael." Dale said as he turned and looked at Michael. "Michael will be your confidant and travel companion."

To hear that...

End of Chapter 15


"Your mother and aunts moved here about twenty years ago, settling in was easy I'm sure seeing as how your house is surrounded 의해 woods, and there is the river running through the back. 당신 know the story of how your parents met, and everything in between. What 당신 don't know is that we didn't know about 당신 until we got the invite." Dale said as he glared at Janet and Carol.

"Sorry," Carol said softly.

"Forgive us father." Jan said, shocking me into another realization.

I turned and glared at Dale and Elise, wondering if what my aunt had just said was true, was he really her...

End of Chapter 13

He watched me, clearly weighing his options. I wanted him to stay, wanted him to comfort me, to tell me it would be alright. To just talk to me, I wanted to tell him about my mom, what I had seen.

"Are 당신 sure?" He asked as he stood up.

"Yes, please don't go." I said, looking at my legs because I didn't want to see him leave if he chose to.

"I will stay if 당신 promise to rest." He said as he walked over to the edge of the bed.

"Ok, I will try." I said as I moved slightly and tried to get comfortable, but with the large bump on my head it was difficult.

"Here, let me help you. If...

End of Chapter 12

"I saw mom." I said, the tears returning to my eyes.

"I'm sure 당신 did." Jan said as she smiled at me.

"What did she say?" Carol asked.

"She said I have to be patient, that I have to trust myself and hear everyone out. Oh..and that we didn't have much time." I said softly.

"She would know." Celest said, everyone turning and glaring at her.

"Maija, do 당신 feel up to hearing us out 또는 would 당신 like to rest for a while?" Carol asked.

"I think I need to rest for a while if that's ok?" I asked.

"That's fine dear, feel better soon." Jan said as she leaned down and hugged me awkwardly.

Everyone...

End of Chapter 8

Michael threw the blankets into the bin and was running at me as I realized that I was falling with my hand out, just like in my dream. I was bracing myself for the impact, waiting for the snapping sound when I felt strong hands 덮개, 랩 around me and pull me up. I looked over and saw that Michael had picked me up like in the dream, holding me close against him.

"I guess I have to keep 당신 safe." He said as he smiled at me.

"Sorry." I said as I blushed and looked away.

"Let's get 당신 up to the house." He said as he started walking.

"Oh, I can walk." I said as I looked at him his eyes...

End of Chapter 7

"Will 당신 come back to check on Piper?" I asked as I watched her.

"Yes dear, we will be back tomorrow." She said as she rubbed Piper down one 더 많이 time and turned to walk out of the barn.

"I'm sorry I didn't get your name." I said as I smiled.

"My name is Maxine, most people call me Max." She said as walked over and hugged me. "It was very nice to meet you."

"You as well, and thank 당신 for helping my Piper." I said as I hugged her back.

"Alright, let's go." She said as she looked down at the ground.

I was seriously beginning to wonder about this woman's sanity when I noticed that...