Immortal Prophecy

Immortal Prophecy - By Samantha Adams

Five years earlier…

Two sixteen-year-old girls huddled together outside the billowing silk tent, beneath a sign that read ‘Fortune Teller.’

Kathryn, the young auburn haired girl, was nearly bursting with curiosity and anticipation. “Come on Ally, it’s just a bit of fun.”

Kathryn giggled and dragged the other girl, Alessandra closer to the tent. Alessandra hesitated and flashed Kathryn a wary glance.

“Besides what’s the worst that could happen?” Kathryn asked and shrugged.

Ally cringed. Nothing good ever happened when someone said that.

“Famous last words, Kathryn.” She took her arm back from her friend and looked around the Fair for something else that might interest Kat, but she came up empty.

“Oh would you stop being so serious!” Kathryn cried in frustration. “I know you’re a brunette and all but sheesh!” Ally had to stifle back a giggle despite her current feelings. Kathryn in a huff reminded her of a child having a temper tantrum, and Ally was almost waiting for her friend’s feet to start stomping in protest.

She looked around once more, just in case by some miracle, another stall had opened that would be intriguing enough to distract Kathryn’s attention from the Fortune Teller’s tent. However, it was not to be.

Going to see a Fortune Teller might have been just a bit of fun for most people, but they gave Ally the creeps. There was something unnatural about knowing one’s future. It seemed to defeat the purpose of getting up each day and never knowing what might happen. Life is what you make it, she thought to herself.

Ally shook her head in resignation after seeing the determination on her best friend’s face. Once Kathryn got an idea in her head, nothing could stop her, except maybe another brilliant idea. More often than not, it was easier to give in rather than trying to fight what was tantamount to an avalanche.

“Alright, we’ll go. But don’t blame me when your famous last words get us into trouble.”

Kathryn flashed her friend a dazzling smile, followed by what could only be described as an excited squeal. She then proceeded to drag her best friend into the tent looming before them.

Ally caught her breath as she entered. The air permeated with the scent of jasmine, cinnamon and something else exotic she couldn’t quite name. It was an altogether intoxicating smell. She stopped and looked around the scene before her. White candles were scattered around in candelabras and on tables, with an incredibly comfortable looking pair of oversized cushions covered with an exquisite Indian silk. A large ottoman was in the middle of the space, serving as a table, with a crystal ball in the centre. The woman sitting on the other side of the ottoman, presumably the Fortune Teller in question, appeared to be from some far away exotic land. She was one of the most beautiful women Ally had ever seen. Thick black hair flowed freely with a delicate headdress made of crystals and fine chains hung across her forehead. Ally wouldn’t have been surprised if she had been wearing a belly dancer costume. The headdress reminded her of images that she had seen of Arabian harems.

No doubt every aspect, the woman included, was designed to put the clients at ease. Luring them into feeling like they were somewhere exotic, instead of an over-the-top tent in the middle of a fair. Ally admitted to herself that it was impressive, but still there was something unearthly and not quite right about the woman before her or this place. Ally rolled her eyes at the thought. Her flare for over-dramatizing was taking over again.

The Fortune Teller stood up and beckoned to them to come forward. “Welcome girls.” She smiled warmly at them. “I am Madame Isabella. Please sit down and get comfortable.”

She lit the incense on the table that Ally instantly recognized as sandalwood. Not sure what to do next, Ally and Kat looked at each other briefly. Ally shrugged and turned her attention to the mysterious Madame Isabella.

Madame Isabella opened her bright violet eyes and looked right at Ally, who was taken aback by the intensity of those eyes staring at her. “Ally, I have a reading for you.”

She cocked her head to one side ever so slightly, as she did when she was trying to process something. “H-how do you know my name?”

Madame Isabella laughed softly, and gestured to nothing in particular. “I’m a Fortune Teller, Ally. It's what I do.”

Ally looked to her friend with one raised eyebrow that said, “I told you so.”

Kathryn ignored her and asked excitedly, “What is my name?”

“Kathryn,” Madame stated without hesitation. She turned to Ally, her eyes as round as saucers.

Ally had gone along with this at the start, but now every instinct was telling her to leave. She had always believed in trusting her instincts. You have them for a reason, so why not use them.

She turned to her friend to deliver the news. “Sorry Kat, you can stay, but I’m out of here. This is a bit too much for me.” She got up to leave, but her friend had a firm grip on her arm. Looking at Kathryn, she stated firmly but quietly, “Let me go.”

Kat looked up at her with big puppy eyes. “Ally, I need my best friend with me while I get a reading.”

Ally looked around the tent again, back to her friend and then eyed Madame Isabella before giving in. “Fine,” she said her eyes rolling. “But as soon as your reading is done, we are leaving.”

Kat smiled at her, and turned her attention back to Madame Isabella. “What do I have to do?”

“I need an object that belongs to you.”

Kathryn looked to her hand. “My ring?”

“That’s fine,” said Madame Isabella smiling and extending her hand. She enclosed the ring in her palm, at the same time closing her eyes.

Kat turned to Ally with a look of pure excitement written on her face. She reminded her of a child on Christmas morning. Madame’s voice interrupted her thought. “Kathryn, you will meet the love of your life but…” she paused, clearly hesitating.

Kathryn’s voice trembled slightly as she asked, “What? Is it something bad?”

Ally turned to Kat, and sent her the ‘I told you so’ look again.

Madame opened her eyes and said, “Your life will cease to exist as you know it before you meet him.”

Kathryn was staring at Madame Isabella with shock and confusion. “Cease to exist in a good way or bad way?”

Madame Isabella looked down at the ring again and answered mysteriously, “When the time comes you will know.”

Ally wanted to hit the Madame. Why did she say that? It was clear that Kathryn was just in here for a bit of fun. Would it have been too hard to say nice things, and why be cryptic about it all? Kathryn was clearly distressed by what she had been told.

Ally was just about to get up and take her friend out of this place, when she heard Kathryn mumble to herself, “Famous last words…”

“Come on Kat. Let’s get out of here,” Ally said.

Kathryn whipped her head around and stared directly into Ally’s eyes. “No, not yet. It's your turn.”

“Uh…I don’t think so.”

As she was about to make another attempt at escape, Ally heard her friend’s voice addressing her with a firm authority. “Alessandra DeCosta! You are having a reading, and I won’t hear another word about it.”

This was another one of those avalanche moments. Ally knew there was no point in fighting Mother Nature or Kathryn. She couldn’t help but smile at her red-haired friend, despite her eagerness to leave. Kat certainly lived up to the reputation redheads had. She sat back down and gave in.

“Alessandra,” Madame Isabella began, the tone of her voice becoming ominous and foreboding. Ally felt a shiver of dread run through her body. She should have listened to those instincts and gotten out of here, but no…

“You are a hunted woman, Alessandra. Two men are bound to you by destiny, but both have very different purposes. James Carlisle has been sent to protect you. Trust him with your life, he is your guardian and soul mate. Vincent, the other man, wants you dead…” She paused as she looked into the crystal ball, her eyes widened slightly and her lips parted in surprise. “Someone you love is keeping a secret from you that will shatter your world and change your life in ways you cannot imagine. You are not who you think you are, Alessandra.”

Ally, was vaguely aware of Kathryn’s arm around her. The feeling of dread had completely absorbed her to the point that she was paralyzed with fear.

“Are you ok, Ally?” her friend whispered, while giving her arm a squeeze.

Ally’s only response was a vague nod.

Madame continued, “Two people close to you will die, you cannot stop this. It is all meant to be and will mark the beginning of the prophecy…the prophecy you were born to fulfil.”

Ally’s breath caught in her throat. “Prophecy? What prophecy?”

“You were born to save an ancient race and kill Vincent. He will die at your hand if the prophecy is fulfilled.” The fortune teller paused for a moment, feeling desperately sorry for the sweet innocent girl sitting before her, but she knew that hiding the truth from her would ultimately lead to her demise. She leaned over and grabbed Ally’s hand in an effort to offer her some comfort. “The destiny that has been chosen for you will not be an easy one, but you were born to do this. No matter what do not lose hope, if you lose hope, then you have already lost, and you will die. Vincent will win, and the human race will be slaughtered with no one to protect them.”

Ally snatched her hand back as if it was burned. With a deceptively calm voice she said, “I want to go home, Kathryn. Now!”

“Of course,” Kathryn said as she helped her friend up.

“Ally,” Madame Isabella continued. “Remember that when you lose those people, things will have been set in motion that no one can stop. It will have begun.”

Unable to form any words, Ally glared at the woman, until Kathryn pulled her along and got her outside the tent.

Once outside, Ally felt like she could breathe again. They started walking so fast it was almost a light jog. Both were eager to get as far from that place as possible.

Madame Isabella watched the girls leave with a peculiar look on her face. “So the prophecy is true,” she muttered, shaking her head slightly in disbelief. “Poor girl, you have no idea what is coming for you.” A tear rolled down her cheek as she turned and walked back inside.

“I’m so sorry, Ally. I should never have forced you into that.” Kathryn felt dreadful for insisting that Ally have a reading too.

“It’s not true,” Ally muttered shaking her head. “It can’t be.”

Ally was still walking without a destination in mind, the only requirement she had was to be far away from Madame Isabella. Kat was walking with her, gently guiding her through the crowds. She could tell her friend was not watching where she was going.

“Not a chance that was way too bizarre,” Kat said, trying to be reassuring. However, they both knew that it more than likely was true. Madame Isabella seemed to be the real deal.

“Right.” Ally smiled trying to perk up. If I don’t believe it, then it won’t happen, right? Losing two people close to her, Vincent, a guardian and soul mate named James. It was all too much. Then the reality of what she had been told hit her. The air was knocked from her lungs, she couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, and then everything went black…

Ally woke up to the sounds of her parents’ voices whispering quietly somewhere in the room.

“Mum, Dad? Is that you?” She felt her warm quilt smothering her. The sensation was one she welcomed. But how did she get home, let alone get into her bed?

Her mother, who had been talking to her father on the other side of the room, abruptly looked up and came over to sit down by the bedside and took her hand. “Ally, sweetie, how are you feeling?”

Ally’s father came over and sat on the opposite side. “You gave us quite a fright.”

“What happened?” she asked whilst trying to sit up.

Her mother gently encouraged her to lie back down. “You don’t remember anything?”

She looked at her mother, trying to work out why she looked so worried. “Um, not really. I was at the Fair with Kat. We went to see a Fortune Teller and…” Her voice trailed off as it all came rushing back to her. Ally felt herself starting to black out again, but as she got control of her breathing, the unnerving sensation disappeared.

“Kathryn told us that the Fortune Teller predicted some awful things. Is that right?” her mother asked as she gently stroked her daughter’s cheek. It was something her mum had done to calm her for as long as she could remember.

Panic flooded Ally when she looked at her adoring loving mother and father. What if they were the two people close to her that Madame Isabella had been referring to? If the prediction came true, and it involved them, how could she ever live without them? Ally caught hold of herself before her thoughts started to run away with her, as they so often did.

“It wasn’t a nice prediction,” Ally said quietly, then realized Kathryn might have told them what was said. “Did Kat tell you what it was?”

Her parents looked between each other before her mother spoke. “No, she said that I could ask you.”

“Oh.” Her stomach dropped. Ally wondered if it would have been better to have Kat tell them or to tell them herself?

“Well, honey, out with it. What was so bad that you ended up passing out?” her mother prompted.

Ally told her parents what the Fortune Teller had said. With each passing word, she was convinced that her parents knew something that she hadn’t been told. The level of surprise she expected to see in their eyes, wasn't there.

“What aren’t you telling me? Is she right?” Ally asked her parents, feeling a raw fear clawing its way inside her chest with each passing second.

Her mother and father looked at each other with sadness and defeat in their eyes. “There is something we must tell you, but you need to rest first.”

“But Mum, if there is something I want to know, now!”

“Ally,” her father said. “We have a business dinner to attend tonight, but first thing in the morning, we will sit down over pancakes and tell you everything. I will ask Adele to have them cooking for us.”

She smiled sadly. Her parents had been keeping a secret from her, and if the Fortune Teller was right, it was going to destroy her world.

“Kat was really worried, but I said you would call her when you felt up to it.”

“Thanks Mum.” Her parents rose to leave when she stopped them. “I love you both. Please be careful.”

“We will, sweetie. We love you too.” Her mother smiled at her. “Now get some rest.”

“Good-bye, sweetie,” her father said, as gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. It felt so final, good-bye instead of goodnight. Ally almost said something but when she looked up, they had already left the room.

“Oh well, might as well call Kat.” She sighed as she picked up her Iphone and dialed her friend.

Kathryn answered almost immediately, sounding panicked. “Ally…Oh my god, I have been worried sick! Are you ok?”

“I’m feeling much better now.” Ally was hoping that she sounded convincing. The truth of the matter was that she was terrified, and filled with an inner turmoil, that she just couldn’t seem to shake.

“I was so worried about you! And I’m sorry for taking you to that Fortune Teller. What a horrible woman!” Kathryn was indignant on her behalf. Ally couldn’t help the quiet laugh that escaped her. She was very lucky to have a friend like Kathryn.

“It’s ok you didn’t know what was going to happen. I’m sure everything will be fine.” Ally felt the dread run through her again, and knew that nothing was going to be fine. She already knew a secret was being kept from her. Did that mean the rest of the prediction would come to fruition? She prayed with all her heart and soul that it didn’t.

Finally convincing Kathryn that she was ok, Ally finished the conversation and decided that she needed to try to forget about what had happened. Settling on reading a book as a way of losing herself, she began to read. Ten minutes later, the book fell from her hands as a deep sleep claimed her until the morning.

Alessandra awoke to sounds of conversation, the waft of pancakes cooking and fresh coffee coming from the kitchen. She immediately brightened convinced that she had been wrong. Her parents had come home after all! They weren’t the two people who would be lost to her if the prediction came to pass. She jumped out of bed feeling a sense of relief so great that she almost felt euphoric. Running to the door, she tripped over her slippers lying in the middle of the room. She stopped and quickly put them on, then continued in her rush downstairs to find her parents.

When she got there, she stopped short. Ally’s grandmother, Adele, was standing in the kitchen with a man she’d never seen before. She was struck by his eyes - an exquisite green, like the sea surrounding a Mediterranean island kissing the white sand. He was tanned and had a muscular physique. The smoldering stranger’s hair was so dark that it appeared to be raven at first, but upon closer inspection, his hair was actually a dark bitter sweet chocolate. He felt strangely familiar to her, but Ally was sure she had never seen him. A sixteen-year-old girl would remember a guy like that.

The stranger, who didn’t appear to be a 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.