day over twenty two, looked at her, and she became paralyzed. In his gaze, she saw a flicker of recognition in his eyes, but as quickly as it came it was gone again. She was overcome with a desire to know who this handsome male was.
Gran interrupted her thoughts and broke the spell between them with one life-altering sentence. “Ally, I need you to sit down. I have to tell you something. I’m sorry so sorry…” Her grandmother didn’t have to finish the sentence. Ally already knew what was coming, as soon as she saw her face, and the first words, “I’m so sorry” were uttered.
“No,” she cried in disbelief, closing her eyes and collapsing down onto the floor.
She felt like her whole existence was spinning out of control, and the world started to get blacker and blacker, but she welcomed the darkness, anything to block out the pain, the shock and the truth of what had happened. Madame Isabella’s prediction came to pass…
Ally's eyes began to flutter open, and she felt herself being held by strong, comforting arms. Her vision was filled with the stranger’s piercing emerald eyes staring intently at her. He had caught her as she passed out, falling towards the floor. Ally knew he was concerned about her. It was reflected back at her in his eyes, and in the energy that seemed to flow out of him and fill the room. She felt a connection with this man, which didn't make sense, but she couldn’t think about that, not just after what she had been told. The worry lines around his eyes relaxed once she had opened her eyes and tried to stand up.
He held her in his arms and until he was sure she could balance on her own. Then promptly helped her back into her chair and stood to one side. Who are you? She wondered.
Her grandmother was fluttering about asking if she was ok and telling her that she should go lie down, since just moments ago, she fainted dead away from the shock of learning her parents had passed on
“What happened?”
Adele’s face paled, and she seemed to be lost in her thoughts for a moment before replying. “It looked like an animal attack.”
Ally’s mind was racing, trying to process the information. She was trying to form a coherent sentence, but all that escaped her mouth was a series of sputters followed by, “No, n-n-no. You can’t be serious! What kind of animal around here would do that?"
Adele looked at the stranger. They seemed to be carrying on a conversation between them without words.
“Who are you?” Ally asked, annoyed with them both. She had the feeling that she was intentionally being kept in the dark, and she didn’t like it one bit.
“I’m sorry, darling.” Adele looked warily at him. “This is James Carlisle, a family friend. He was invited for breakfast by your parents this morning. They had something they wanted to discuss with you, but the police came to the door and…”
“Oh, God…” Ally whispered. James Carlisle, her guardian and soul mate was standing right in front of her. She was staring at him openly in shock and disbelief, at the same time feeling there was something between them. By the look in his eyes, he felt it too.
James spoke with genuine concern. “Alessandra, I’m so sorry for your loss. Your parents were wonderful people. It is a true tragedy.” He looked at her grandmother and said, “Adele, I must go, but I will return.” Turning his full attention back to Alessandra, James stared intently at her with his sultry eyes for a moment longer than necessary before saying, “It was a pleasure to have met you Alessandra. I am just sorry it was under such tragic circumstances.”
Looking into her eyes, he took her hand and kissed it gently, then turned around and walked out of her life.
Ally watched him leave and sank into a chair at the kitchen table.
“It has begun…” she whispered to herself.
Adele dropped the coffee cup she had been holding on the floor with a loud crash. Her eyes widened with shock as she asked, “What has begun?”
“I don’t know exactly, Gran. All I know is that it won’t be good.” Ally replied.
Feeling defeated, she began to sob hysterically for the beloved parents who had been taken from her.
Chapter One
Five years later…
It was a brisk winter's night. The pale full moon hung low against the charcoal sky while the blinking stars shone bright. Ally loved the night.