Darkside 11 

Avery laid on her bed unconscious. Lil was camped at her side. Shane on the other. Crystals surrounded her each one glowing. 

“You should eat.” Tina walked in carrying a tray with a sandwich and a glass of tea.

“What happened why isn’t she waking?” Lil asked. 

“I don’t know.” Tina sat the tray down on a desk. 

“You rebounded quickly.” Lil said. 

“I don’t know. It gets fuzzier and fuzzier. I only remember being frightened and then I felt safe.” Tina said. 

“Soon you won’t even remember that.” Lil said. 

“I think maybe I have Avery to thank for surviving.” Tina sat. 

“Maybe. She’s been so aloof lately. I just attributed it to Bette tossing her from one city one school to another, but maybe I was wrong. You seem to more than someone who just went through the change. Why is that?” Lil asked.

“I don’t know. I just know things. One minute I have no clue, and the next I know exactly what it is. It’s so confusing.” Tina said. 

“You’re starting life over. It’s bound to be confusing.” Lil said. 

“Does it ever get any easier?” Tina asked. 

“Yes it does, When we, Halflings, are born we have one parent who is a vampire and one who is witch. Avery is different. When Bette and I were still together and trying to get pregnant, we were approached by an Ancient. A group of them actually. This is where it gets confusing. You just have to go with it and accept it. They told us that we could magically conceive a child that would my child and Bette’s and no one else’s. They also said that if it succeeded the child would change the world for the better. So we agreed.  I know this sounds crazy but when she was two she got sick, a disease that only affected Ancients. It almost killed her. That’s when we had her tested in both realms. Magical and Mortal. The results were mind boggling. What we didn’t know in the beginning was that the Ancients were making a power play. They failed. We won’t let her be a pawn in their schemes.” Lil brushed Avery’s hair behind her ear.

“Does Avery know?” Tina asked. 

“Avery knows everything. She always has. She’s so smart so powerful. Maybe we should have….” A tear ran down Lil’s cheek. 

“No we did the right thing.” Bette walked into the room. 

The crystals began to pulse. Then they began to change color.

“What the?” Bette said. 

“They’re floating.” Lil said. 

Avery’s eyes opened slowly. They were brilliant blue. 

“What’s everyone standing over me for?” She asked. 

“You’ve unconscious for a week and a half.” Bette said. 

“Oh. Well I’m fine now.” She sat up. 

“No you’re not. Look at you’re arms” Lil said. Avery looked down. 

“Oh I can take care of those.” Avery snapped her fingers and the extended mark disappeared. “Now I’m going surfing.” 

“NO you’re most not going anywhere.” Bette barked. 

“There’s no need to bark orders at me.  There’s nothing you can do to stop me.” Avery stood. Bette held out her hand. Avery laughed. “That tickles.” Bette looked confused. Until that moment Bette had been the most powerful person in there coven. 

Avery strolled right past her and into the bathroom. 

“What’s going on?” Lil asked. 

“I have no idea.” Bette said. 

“Oh and by the way. I’m not going back to those remedial schools I’m staying here with mom and Helena.” Avery emerged from the bath room having changed into her swimsuit. She waltzed past Bette and out the door. 

“Well Bette what do you propose we do know?” Lil said. 

An flash of light went off in the room and smoke appeared up from the center of the room. 

“You are going to do exactly as we say. As you should have done all those years ago.” An Ancient said.