Kristina Evans, click
here to update your pages on AuthorsDen.
Blogs by Kristina Evans
Vanessa Smythe 12/1/2017 5:50:01 PM
Everything around her felt new. The dense forest seemed young and fresh with smooth tree trunks and shiny leaves that sparkled with silver streaks shooting through the air. Mesmerised by the shooting arrows of silver Vanessa made her way further down the path to see what else there was. Time slipped by as she felt more and more relaxed. The streaks that were like the sun’s rays were more like bolts of lightning now. It was then she realised that it was getting dark. Quickly she made her way back to Emilia, but she wasn’t quick enough, as now it was completely dark. Emilia had warned her about the difference between the two realms but Vanessa had not expected it to be so dark that she wouldn’t be able to see.
Everything felt magical as Emilia led the way through the forest back to the open field where Vanessa had witnessed hundreds of horses galloping towards the moon. The horses stopped as Emilia explained that they had to wait until the moon was in position. Vanessa gazed up to the sky to look at it. Then it was falling down, growing larger by the second.
‘Hold on to your horse’s mane!’ Emilia called out to her as her horse started to canter.
She didn’t know if she was scared or excited as she hung on for her life. Emilia took the lead. Faster the horses galloped as they drew closer to the ever, increasing moon. The wind was blowing through her hair as she experienced the feeling of freedom that she felt when she rode a motorbike. Putting her arms out, Vanessa could feel the fear disappear. Confidently she let go, trusting that he would give her a safe journey.
Standing below the balcony there was a doorway with blackened edges. Emilia remained silent to let Vanessa take it all in. Vanessa felt hesitant but her horse kept going. Walking through the dark tunnel made of solid stone didn’t help the claustrophobia. She thought of her tiny bedroom and how spacious it would have felt at the moment. The light at the end of the tunnel was the only thing helping her forward. A grand archway of sculpted cats entwined in the stone to reveal a village of houses in the rock. People with cats’ eyes were coming out to see who the newcomer was that was entering their home. Finally, Emilia stopped in front of one of the houses and Vanessa jumped off relieved to be back on solid ground again. The jolt quivered through her body as she landed – the ground was truly solid; solid gold. Looking at the ground with disbelief, she suddenly thought of the Macleod family and how they would have loved it here.
Peering over the horse’s back she saw another black horse arrive. Its huge, bat-like wings flapped with ferocity. This horse wasn’t the same as the one that she was now hiding behind. Vanessa was surprised that her horse didn’t even flinch as the other one landed close by. Stomping the ground, with its ears back and nostrils flaring, it changed into a black jaguar. Screaming, Vanessa ran for her life. The sleek cat gave chase and had her cornered before she had made the first building. Nobody was coming to save her as she continued to scream. Terrified at not being able to move, the jaguar knew that it had won. Crawling over the top of her with its teeth showing, to take the first bite, Vanessa was reminded of her dream where she was faced by the fangs of the snake. Closing her eyes, expecting the worst, she felt nothing. Her horse had come to her aid. Rearing up it struck out at the wild cat. Scrambling out of the way Vanessa looked around for something to help her horse. Poised in the crouching position, the jaguar was ready for the attack, when Emilia appeared. At that moment, the wild animal transformed into a woman wearing a black cloak.
‘You’re safe with me,’ Aerona, said as she put her arm around her.
‘No, I’m not,’ said Vanessa as she kept her guard. ‘I was almost eaten by a wild cat that changed into a woman.’
‘That shouldn’t have happened. The shape-changers don’t come here but I allowed this one to come to speak with me.’
Vanessa was confused. ‘What’s a shape-changer?’
‘In another realm, there are people who can change into animals. Mainly, they prefer to live in an animal form, as it’s easier for them to eat. Because she changed into a jaguar instead of a human her animal instinct took over. You became food for her.’
It was too much for Vanessa but she wanted to know more.
‘Why is she here?’
‘She thinks that the dragon is in danger,’ Aerona stated with great concern.
The answers to Vanessa’s questions were getting worse.
‘I know it’s all a bit too much to take in but don’t worry, you will end up here anyway, and all your questions will be answered.’
