The sun was painfully bright that summer evening long ago. Maria stood just inside the open door, looking at the redhaired girl playing in the sand.
- Paula, she said. Her daughter's eyes turned towards her. Maria flinched. Why must she be so different? Her green eyes were locked on Maria's red ones, intimidating her. She swallowed and spoke again.
- You shouldn't be outside at this time. The sun hasn't even set.
Paula blinked. She stood up, and stared past Maria, into the dark hallway behind her.
- Don't wanna.
- Don't disobey your mother. Now get in. Maria was getting more and more irritated. She was standing in the shadows, but the sunlight still bothered her.
- Don't wanna, said Paula again.
Maria started gathering courage to step out on the yard, when suddenly a dark shape cast a shadow over Paula. Looking up, Maria saw it. A man with black eagle-wings was cirkling above the yard. Maria started running towards Paula, but after only a few meters the man landed in front of her. His face was twisted like all shapeshifters'. He spoke, and his words closed around Maria like an invisible cloud.
- Why do you try so hard to make her one of your kind? Maria flinched, stepping back. You know very well that it isn't possible.
- It is, Maria retorted weakly. A warlock can change her when she gets older.
- Before then she will understand that you are truly monsters, and that it is her quest to kill you and restore the Ancient Clan.
- Did you come here to tell her that? Maria clenched and unclenched her fists, wanting to strike out at the man who was taunting her with such a calm voice. It was impossible, of course. She would have the council after her and the rest of the village if she hurt him.
- No. I also need to give the girl a present from the council.
Maria's eyes widened.
- What is it? she demanded.
Without answering, he turned around and strode up to Paula. She was standing in the same spot as before, watching him with her intensely green eyes.
The shapeshifter leaned down towards her and took something out of one of his many pockets. It looked lika an amulet of sorts, and it hung on a thin chain. When he hung it around Paula's neck she seemed to fill up with power. Her eyes gleamed brighter than ever, and she flexed her long fingers. She bowed briefly to the shapeshifter, stepping past him. Maria stared at her. It was like she had aged several years. Her eyes were filled not with defiance, but with hatred.
- Paula... Maria's voice was weaker than before. Her throat was dry.
- One day... Paula's voice was strong and confident, carrying through the air. One day, I will return. I will destroy you.
As the last rays of sun disappeared behind the mountains, a pair of leathery wings grew out of Paula's back. She crouched down, sat still for a few seconds, and flung herself up into the air. The shapeshifter followed.
Left on the ground stood Maria, staring after them as the other nightcreatures awoke around her.
Prologen i en historia jag skriver. :D Jag måste öva mer på min engelska... :S
