3. Violet

3

VIOLET

I wake with a start, my slow heart thumping as the remnants of a nightmare cling to the edges of my consciousness. For a moment, I'm disoriented, and the unfamiliar surroundings add to my confusion. Then reality comes crashing back - I'm in my room at MistHallow, safe for now, but with a whole new set of complications to deal with.

A soft rustle of pages draws my attention to the corner of the room, where Amara sits in an armchair, a thick book open on her lap. She looks up as I stir, a gentle smile on her face.

"Good evening, Violet. How are you feeling?"

I sit up slowly, running a hand through my tangled hair. "Like I've been hit by a truck, then run over by a train for good measure and then slammed into by a Dragon. So, you know, just peachy."

Amara's smile widens slightly at my sarcasm. " Understandable, given the circumstances. You've been through quite an ordeal."

I snort. "That's putting it mildly." I eye her warily, still not entirely sure what to make of this woman who claims to be my guardian. "So, what's on the agenda for tonight? More earth-shattering revelations? A crash course in how to be a vampire-witch-fae hybrid thing?"

"Actually," Amara says, "I thought we might start with something a bit more fundamental. Meditation."

I blink at her. "Meditation? Seriously? With everything that's going on, you want me to sit and chant ‘om'?" I'm being spicy, but I can't seem to help it. It's like I woke up on the wrong side of the bed and am choosing violence.

"It's not quite like that," Amara explains patiently. "Meditation will help you access your Morgana powers."

I hesitate, torn between my desire to be free of Nathaniel and my uncertainty about these new powers. "I don't know. I was just getting used to being a vampire. Now you want me to add ‘witch' to my talents?"

"I understand your reluctance," Amara says softly. "But this is part of who you are, Violet. Who you have always been."

"Yeah, about that…" I glare at her, and she has the grace to look ashamed, at least. With a sigh, I nod. "Fine. I'll try. But I have some questions first."

Amara inclines her head. "Of course. What would you like to know? "

The words tumble out before I can stop them. "What exactly are you? Are you a Morgana, too? Is Nathaniel? Is that why he's so powerful?"

Amara's expression turns thoughtful, almost sad. "It's complicated. I am indeed a Morgana. Nathaniel himself is something else. A hybrid, like you, but different. His power comes from a combination of Morgana heritage and ancient vampire bloodlines. His sire was one of the very first vampires."

"But we're not related, right?" I ask, a note of panic in my voice as all this talk of descendants is freaking me out.

"No," Amara assures me. "Not by blood anyway, but by magick."

I need to know more about that, but I feel like I need breadcrumbs right now instead of the whole loaf. I try to process this information, feeling like I've only scratched the surface of a much more profound mystery. "Okay, but can you at least give me a bit more? I mean, you're his mother, but you're trying to protect me from him. That's a lot to wrap my head around."

Amara sighs, her eyes distant. "Nathaniel wasn't always as he is now. Once, he was a brilliant, compassionate young man. But power can corrupt even the purest hearts. When he embraced his vampire nature, something changed in him. The balance between his Morgana heritage and his vampire instincts shifted."

"And you couldn't stop it?" I ask, trying to understand.

"I tried," Amara says, her voice heavy with regret. " But by the time I realised how far he'd gone, it was too late. He'd become too powerful, too ruthless. That's why I've dedicated myself to protecting others from him, especially those with Morgana blood."

I nod slowly, digesting this information. It doesn't explain everything, but it's a start. "And me? Where do I fit into all this?"

Amara's gaze sharpens, focusing intently on me. "You, Violet, are unique. Your potential power is great. There have been stories of a creature who would be strong enough to house the power of Morgan le Fay herself."

"You think that's me?" I croak. Okay, so I don't know much about this Morgan le Fay, but I think it's high time I found out. Clearly, she is some kind of super-witch,

"Yes. It's why Nathaniel wants you so badly and why we must do everything we can to keep you from his influence."

The weight of her words settles over me, heavy and oppressive. "Did he think it was him? This powerful creature?"

She shrugs and doesn't answer, which confirms that I'm right. But then Amara's expression softens. "I know it's overwhelming. But you're stronger than you realise, Violet."

"Yeah, I keep hearing that, and it's starting to piss me the hell off," I growl. "I know I have inner strength. I'm not some pushover. I never was. Nathaniel made me a victim, and I can tell you right now that it will never happen again."

She beams at me as if I just fell from the fucking moon and places her book down. She rises and claps her hands. "Now," Amara says, her tone becoming more businesslike, "shall we begin with the meditation?"

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. "Okay. But fair warning, I've never been great at sitting still and being quiet."

Amara chuckles. "Don't worry. This isn't about emptying your mind or achieving perfect stillness. It's about connecting with the power inside you, learning to feel and direct it."

Settling onto the plush carpet, I cross my legs and straighten my spine. Amara's voice washes over me.

"Close your eyes, Violet."

I comply, darkness enveloping me.

"Now, breathe in through your nose."

I inhale deeply, the air cool as it fills my lungs.

"And out through your mouth."

I exhale slowly, feeling ridiculous.

"Again. In and out."

With each breath, I become more aware of my body: the rise and fall of my chest, the slight tension in my shoulders, and the tingling in my fingertips.

"Focus on the air entering your body," Amara instructs, her voice taking on a melodic quality. "Feel it flowing into your lungs. "

I concentrate on the sensation, picturing the air as a stream of silvery light.

"Now, as you exhale, imagine pushing out all your worries, all your fears."

I visualise dark smoke leaving my body with each exhale, my mind gradually clearing.

"Good," Amara murmurs. "Keep breathing. In and out."

I lose track of time, lost in the rhythm of my breathing. The world fades away, leaving only the steady in-and-out, in-and-out.

Gradually, I become aware of something else. A warmth in my chest, pulsing gently, is so at odds with my cool vampire body temperature that I know it has to be this Morgana thing. With each breath, it grows stronger, spreading through my body like liquid fire.

"Do you feel it?" Amara asks, her voice seeming to come from far away.

"Yes," I whisper, afraid to break the spell.

"That's your power, Violet. Your Morgana heritage awakening."

I bask in the sensation, marvelling at the energy coursing through me.

But then my mind wanders. I try to follow her instructions, but all I can think about is Nathaniel, about the guys, about the crazy turns my life has taken. Every time I start to focus, another thought pops up.

"It's normal for your mind to wander," Amara says, as if reading my thoughts. "When you notice it happening, just gently bring your attention back to your breath. Don't judge yourself or get frustrated. Just keep coming back."

I nod and try again. In, out. In, out.

"Is it back?"

"Yes."

"Good. Now, try to focus on that sensation. Don't try to change it or make it stronger. Just observe it."

I do as she says, respecting the strange energy coursing through me. It's subtle but demanding in its own way. It is a bit overwhelming. It wants attention. As I focus on it, it grows stronger and more defined.

"Now," Amara continues, "I want you to imagine that energy taking shape. It can be any shape you want, a ball of light, a flame, whatever feels right to you."

In my mind's eye, I see the energy coalescing into a swirling orb of purple light. It pulses gently, in time with my heartbeat.

"Now, very gently, try to move that energy. Just a little bit."

I concentrate, imagining the orb of light floating down my arm. To my shock, I feel a corresponding tingle in my hand. My eyes fly open in surprise.

"I felt it!" I exclaim. "It moved!"

Amara smiles, looking pleased. "Well done, Violet. That's an excellent start."

"Is that my Morgana power?" I ask, staring at my hand in wonder.

"A small manifestation of it, yes," Amara confirms. "With practice, you'll be able to do much more. But this is a crucial first step of learning to feel and direct your energy."

I flex my fingers, awestruck by the lingering tingle. "Wow. That's actually kind of amazing."

"It is," Amara agrees. "But it's just the beginning. Your Morgana heritage gives you an innate connection to magick, but it takes practice and study to truly master it."

"And the vampire and fae stuff? How does that fit in?"

Amara considers for a moment. "Your vampire nature enhances your physical abilities and gives you certain affinities. Blood magick, for instance, will likely come quite naturally to you now. As for your Fae heritage, well, that's a bit more unpredictable. Fae magick is wild and changeable. It might manifest in unexpected ways, especially as you are only half Fae and a very distant half at that."

I nod, trying to take it all in. It's a lot to process, but I can't deny the thrill of excitement churning through me. This power, it's a part of me, and it's something Nathaniel can't take away.

"So, what's next?" I ask, feeling eager to learn more.

"We'll continue with these meditation exercises," Amara says. "They'll help you build your connection to your power, make it easier to access and control. But we'll also start with some basic spell work. Simple things at first, like lighting candles and moving small objects. As you grow more comfortable, we'll move on to more complex magick. "

I nod, then pause as a thought occurs to me. "Wait, what about the severing ritual? Shouldn't we be focusing on that?"

Amara's expression turns serious. "The ritual is important, yes. But it's also dangerous. The stronger your connection to your power, the better chance you'll have of successfully breaking the sire bond. That's why this groundwork is so crucial."

"How long do you think it will take?" I ask, trying not to sound impatient.

"That depends on you," Amara says. "Everyone progresses at their own pace. But given your natural affinity and the urgency of the situation, I think we can make significant progress in a short time. A few days of intensive training should prepare you for the ritual."

I nod, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness. "And Nathaniel? What if he comes back before we're ready?"

Amara's expression hardens. "We're taking every precaution. The wards around MistHallow have been strengthened, and there are powerful allies watching over you. But you're right to be cautious. We need to work quickly."

"Powerful allies? You mean Glacier and Cryos?"

She nods.

"Why are they so invested in me? I'm not of their, you know…" I wave my hand around, searching for the right word and landing on one that I'm not sure is right, "species?"

Amara's expression becomes thoughtful. "The supernatural world is full of ancient alliances and long-standing feuds. Glacier and Cryos are invested in maintaining the balance of power."

I frown, trying to understand. "Balance of power?"

"Yes. Think of the supernatural world as a delicate ecosystem. Vampires, Fae, witches, demons, Dragons - all these different beings coexist in a precarious balance. Someone like you, with the potential to wield immense power, could tip that balance dramatically."

"And that's bad?" I venture.

Amara nods. "It can be. Especially if that power falls into the wrong hands. Like Nathaniel's. Glacier and Cryos, as leaders of their respective realms, have a vested interest in keeping things stable."

I let out a long breath, feeling the weight of responsibility settling on my shoulders. "Okay, got it."

Have I? I guess we'll find out.