I barely remember the flight to Idaho – just that I wrapped myself in a blanket and slept most of the way. Occasionally, an overly perky flight attendant woke me but after a few sarcastic smiles, she left me alone. We rented an SUV and drove the two hours north to McCall where our house on the lake waited for us. I have to give Mom credit – any time something needs to be done, she does it right then and there.
The large cabin-like house was nestled on the edge of the lake. Complete with dark green roof and walls made entirely of rounded trees, the house blended in with the pine trees surrounding it. Moss laden rocks formed a stairway from the patio down to a silver beach complete with its own private dock. Large boulders flanked the house’s left side while the massive mountains towered over it to the right. Everywhere they could, an array of wildflowers grew.
The inside was just as grand as the outside. Soft silky rugs covered the dark wooden floors. A small library stuffed with old books, a large chaise longue, and heavy wooden table and chair occupied the west side of the house. The library led into a comfortable living room with a 72- inch flat screen television above its large stone fireplace. As it was summer, a huge bouquet of fresh flowers sat in the fireplace instead of wood.
The dining room had a fantastic view of the lake through the tall trees growing around the house. A wide pass-through gave access from the kitchen to the dining-room. A small bathroom and the laundry room completed the first floor. All of the bedrooms were on the second floor.
The moment I saw Naira, I couldn’t contain my shock; no one had mentioned anything about her growth spurts. Though she had always grown quickly, the speed with which she had begun to grow was alarming. She looked much older than just three years old. When I hugged my little sister, my mouth dropped open at Mom and she smiled gingerly at me as if to say ‘I don’t know what to do about it’. It was freaky.
Naira and Mom quickly decided to share a room together – one which had a bunk bed. Naira’s squeals’ of delight would be heard at all hours of the day. Mom reveled in her innocence. I think she was trying to hold onto it as long as she could.
I chose a smaller room with a full-sized bed and spent the entire day and night in its soft covers, dreaming nothing. I’d have preferred to have slept the entire time Thayde and the guys were away and woke up when they returned. It would have been nice, but it wasn’t going to happen.
In the early morning, I dragged myself from the warm covers, pulled on some sweats, and walked out the front door into the crisp, cool air. Idaho always had crisp mornings. I’d never grown used to the humidity of Florida. It always made me feel like I couldn’t get a proper breath of fresh air.
Making my way along the drive, I was soon stopped by a sharp curve that would have made me start walking uphill. I opted out of that and pushed my way through some huckleberry bushes. A short while later, I found the perfect place – a small opening in the trees a few yards from the lake. It was here I vowed I’d come every morning to center myself and try to find some semblance of peace.
After a long, tranquil moment, I sensed movement and opened my eyes. A beautiful lady clothed in layers of long green material was making her way toward me. I watched her tiptoe barefoot around the ferns, careful not to break them. Her shiny black hair fell like a waterfall to her hips.
Reaching me, she gathered her dress and knelt.
“You’re Aletheia,” I said.
Holding my gaze, she nodded. After a brief moment, I closed my eyes and breathed in deep. The peace I felt was still very much present and I didn’t want it to go away, but it didn’t take long before my curiosity got the better of me.
“Does my mom know you’re here?” I asked.
“She does.” Aletheia’s voice was soft, barely audible. I opened my eyes and frowned slightly.
“Does Tammer?”
“He does.”
“Have you heard anything from them?”
“I have.”
“And?”
“They are aware I have accepted the job of teaching you the ways.”
“How are they? Are they all right? Have they found Limus? Where are they?” The questions streamed from me in a jumbled mess. She simply smiled.
“They are fine.”
If she was going to be this evasive the whole time, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to stand it. Sucking in air, I tried not to let my anger boil. I started over and held out my hand.
“Morgan.”
She cocked her head, watching me with intense violet eyes. Her cool hand made me shudder as she took mine.
“You are able to center and calm yourself.”
“Not really, this is the first time I’ve been able to control myself at all.”