Grendilton: Rise of the Shadows

33 | Chapter Thirty Three

His grin was stretched from ear to ear and he couldn't help but nuzzle his nose into the nape of Macey's neck. He blew raspberries on her cheek then bellowed, "has my little moon bug been a good girl for mamma?"

She looked into her father's shimmering green eyes, knowing full well that she couldn't lie to him. There was no doubt that her adventurous side and her curiosity with her magic pulled her mother's nerves.

But Macey shrugged and nodded yes, making her father crease his brows together and frown, saying, "I'll believe you today since it's your birthday."

"Daddy!" yelled Dante, who was also scooped up by their father, receiving a large hug along with Macey who couldn't help but laugh at the whole ordeal.

She had forgotten that it was hers and Dante's birthday today, remembering that both of them were going to the Citadel on a special adventure. Her father made it sound exciting, telling them that it's going to be magical and have familiars for her to cuddle. But Macey's mother never smiled once about the idea — and she didn't know why.

"We have a surprise for you two," said Macey's father, who walked them towards their mother. All across her face was sadness as she held in her hand a small box wrapped in silver paper with a bow on the top.

It was an amazing sight to Macey who couldn't help but sigh in wonderment. She began to guess what it was, hoping that it was a sword so she could begin dragoon training, like her daddy. Or a new doll because she accidentally burned the others with fire.

When her mother opened the gift, Macey laid her eyes upon two bracelets. They were both made of orbs of dark greenstone, held together with with a silver chain. One of them had a sun gem and the other a moon crescent, glimmering away in the sunlight.

A brisk wind brushed up against Macey's face, picking up the bracelets with ease then looping around her wrist and Dante's.

"No matter where you are," sobbed Macey's mother, tracing her thumb against her face and also at Dante's. A tear ran down her cheek before she said, "you will always be together."

A harmonious chime then rang in Macey's ear, with the gems pulling towards one another before merging into one. Both her parents began to hum the music that was playing then Macey herself began to sing.

"A fond embrace," sung Macey, looking at her smiling brother who sang the final words...

"Until we meet ... again."

______

The skies above them began to turn grey with streaks of both black and purple creating thick clouds to form at a rapid pace. All around her, Macey felt the temperature drop tremendously, which was odd due to the fact that she was in the warm embrace of her father.

"Daniel," cried her mother, pointing off into the distance.

Macey peered over her dad's shoulder, watching this heavily cladded figure storm right towards them.

Her father looked up at the sky then flinched, yelling at the figure, "Astra!"

Astra stopped a few meters away, removing her helmet then dropping it to the ground angrily. Her long auburn hair flew in the wind and her starch white skin looked paler than ever.