Darkside 14 

Tina sat straight up in the bed. Her dreams had been so real lately especially the ones with Bette.The sun shined brightly into her room. She looked over at the clock. 7 am. 

Tina made her way out of bed. She passed through the living room and straight into the kitchen without even looking at the wall. She poured herself a cup of coffee and headed into the living room.

Tina looked up at the wall and stopped dead in her tracks. She dropped her cup on the floor. 

The pictures had been strategically placed on the tree. Four places on the tree remained empty. Four pictures laid on the coffee table with a letter with her name on it. 

“What the Hell?!” Tina exclaimed. She jumped when the hot coffee spread to her bare feet. “Shit.” Tina looked at the floor. She ran into the kitchen and grabbed a towel. She hurriedly cleaned up the mess. 

Tasha appeared in the apartment. 

“Are you okay? What’s the matter?” She asked. 

“I’m fine what are you doing here?” Tina asked. 

“I sensed you were in pain.” Tasha answered. 

“I fine I just split coffee.” Tina walked into the living room. 

“okay I’ll leave you then.” Tasha said. 

“Wait Tasha maybe you can help me.” Tina said. 

“I am at your service.” Tasha responded. 

“Did Bette send someone to help me figure this out?” Tina motioned towards the wall. 

“Bette has gone deep into Dor Eneg Elen in search of something. She’s been gone since you left and has been unreachable.” Tasha said. 

“Is she okay?” Tina heart was racing. She wasn’t sure of her feelings for Bette yet but she knew she wanted Bette to be okay, to be better than okay.

“Bette has friends there she’ll be fine.” Tasha looked at the wall. “Where did you get this?” She asked. 

“I think an Ancient gave it to me yesterday at work, but I only had the tree put together. I couldn’t figure out what I was supposed to do with the pictures. It is it important?” Tina asked. 

“This, Tina, is the Family Tree of the Ancient Royal Families. This was said to be lost in the great battle. Look at the roots. These are the Ancients. For thousands of years they only reproduced within themselves. It was forbidden to mate with mortals. The great battle occurred and was waged for a 500 years. During the years of the battle the Ancients breed with mortals, creating Halflings, however an elite group remained pure. Those are the core you see here.” Tasha was pointing to the top of the trunk.