Anna Grayson and The Order of Merlin
The Book of Births

Many of the wizards who weresearching the grounds outside the Grayson estate stopped what they were doingto look up toward manor hill. They heard an explosion of screams that wouldmake any who heard it wonder aloud: Did something good or bad just happen?The tumultuous uproar sent the owls from the owlry into flight around thehouse, and most of the forest creatures were suddenly still as if stopping towonder too what had just happened. The thunderous screams of happy delight werecoming from the family room of the vast estate, where Anna was being hoisted uptoward the ceiling by Mister Grayson while Eric, Dowla, Tencha and even Damonbellowed and cheered in chorus with every framed image within the house.

The healers had confirmed it;Anna was indeed a witch. At that moment, it didn’t matter how this hadhappened, or why it had taken so long to be acknowledged. No one knew why herpowers were lying dormant for so many years before beginning their inevitablerise within the last few days. All of these questions would be discussed andtalked about in the following days to come. For now, the Graysons were injoyous celebration.

Anna was beside herself withjoy. As the powerful master of the Grayson family held her above his head, Annawas arched back with her hands pressed against her crying face in utter shockand disbelief. She had told herself this could not happen. She had convincedherself there was no way it could be true. She did these things to protectherself from what she thought would only be the most depressing results. Butshe was wrong; Anna Grayson was indeed a witch. A sorceress from a most noblefamily, who could trace its history and accomplishments back several hundredyears. She was now exactly what everybody in the Wizarding world expected whenthey heard her name. She was a Grayson, and Anna would now take full part inthat heritage.

“You did it Anna! You’rewonderful, beautiful! Your mother would be so proud of you!” shouted herfather. Anna lifted her hands and looked down at her beaming father below her.She reached down and hugged his head, bawling tears of joys into his blackhair.

“I can’t believe it, daddy… Ican’t believe it. It’s true — isn’t it? I love you so much. Thank you forgiving me a chance,” Anna screamed. Her father lowered her down just enough tohug her properly, but low enough to allow the rest of the Grayson family to runin and hug them both.

“I knew it! Didn’t I say ityesterday? Didn’t I tell you? Oh Anna, I’m so happy for you,” yelled Eric, whonow grabbed Anna by the waist and hoisted her high again. Anna was passed fromMister Grayson to Eric without her feet ever touching the floor.

Anna hugged Eric with all hermight. “You never stopped believing, did you? You never stopped telling me tokeep my dreams alive and now look at us. Oh Eric… I can’t believe it,” Annacried, hugging her brother even tighter.

“Put her down… you’re going tosmother her,” yelled Tencha, but when Anna’s feet finally hit the floor she wasinstantly mobbed again. Tencha and Dowla were still screaming as they attackedAnna from both sides.

“I can’t believe it… oh, Anna,I can’t believe this,” yelled Dowla, tears of joy streaming down her face.

“You’re a witch? How could youkeep this from us? I suppose now you’re going to be looking for some seriouspayback for all those spells I threw at you?” cried Tencha, through a very wetface, as she grabbed and hugged Anna again.

All of their past misdeedsforgotten, Anna sobbed in happy delight as she held her sisters close, swayingside to side in a walking dance between them.

There was a whisper in her earfrom Dowla. “Anna…Look at daddy.”

Anna let go of the twins andturned around to see her father who had his back to the family, leaning weaklyagainst the mantel of the fireplace. A single hand covered his face; he wassobbing. Anna looked at Dowla, who smiled, and motioned for her to go to him.Anna walked across the room, amongst the continuing cheers and laughter, andplaced her hand upon her father’s shoulder.

“Daddy?” she said softly. Herfather turned and smiled down at her, his eyes full of tears.

“I told you before — none ofthis would matter to me,” he said somberly. “I told you I couldn’t love youanymore than I did a few moments ago… and I meant it. I can’t possibly love youmore, but so much is now open to you, Anna. Whatever limitations we thoughtmight have held you back have been washed away. I’ve prayed to God so manytimes to give me the wisdom and strength to help you, but I never expected this.I will be thanking him for the rest of my days for what’s happened tonight, andfor giving you this chance. I now leave the rest to you,” he said, kissing eachof her hands.

“I have tried to tell all of mychildren — never take anything in life for granted. If anything good canbe said about the years leading up to tonight, it’s that I know I’ll never haveto remind you of this prudent wisdom. You have been blessed tonight, Anna. Godin heaven has decided to smile brightly on you and our family once again. Letus not forget to thank him often for his grace and mercy.”

“Amen,” said Eric.

“I was blessed long beforetonight, daddy,” Anna said through her falling tears. “I was blessed the day Iwas born… because you were my father.” They hugged again, as the portraitsaround them sang together and cheered.

Mister Grayson suddenly brokeaway, “Widwick!” he bellowed.

“Yes, Master Grayson, I ishere, sir,” said the house elf, wiping his own tears away as he scampered intothe middle of the room.

“This calls for a feast!Nothing but the best for the family and our fine guests tonight,” said MisterGrayson.

“Yes, sir; of course, sir. I isproud to do it, I is,” Widwick replied, and with a snap of his fingers and aloud POP, he Disapparated straight to the kitchen.

“I hope you will stay with usfor dinner tonight and join in our happy celebration!” Mister Grayson saidgleefully to the healers in the room.

Nosova and Doctor Pearl lookedat each other and smiled. “Thank you, it vood be an honor.”

“I’ll just need to send an owlto the Chancellor,” Pearlsaid, beaming. “Oh… and that reminds me.” She walked over to Anna and reachedinto the pocket of her robes to pull out the invitation to Castlewood. “Ibelieve this belongs to you, my dear?” she said with a smile.

Anna took the letter and heldit tight with both hands against her chest. “Thank you,” she said with ashaking voice.

Doctor Pearl straightened. “CanI inform the Chancellor that Miss Anna Grayson of the Grayson Estate acceptsthis invitation to join us at the Academy in three days?” she said, in aserious and business-like voice.

Anna smiled, wiped her nose,and then straightened to reply. “Yes, you may tell our good friend theChancellor that Anna Grayson of the Grayson Estate formally accepts hisinvitation to study the Magical Arts this upcoming year. I look forward tomeeting him personally, and participating in all of the many rich traditions ofhis wonderful school.” Anna and the doctor nodded properly, and then stoicallyshook hands.

“OH PLEEEESSSSEEEE…” saidDowla, rolling her eyes next to them.

Anna and Doctor Pearl werebarely able to contain their giggles, and burst out laughing once again. Annahugged her. “Thank you so much for helping me, Doctor,” she said softly.

“It was my pleasure, dearie, mytruest pleasure,” Pearlreplied with a sniff. She pulled away from Anna and smiled up at MisterGrayson. “Could I borrow an owl for my message of good news back to theschool?”

“Of course; just go down to myoffice and ask for Greechins. He can assist you with all your needs. Pleasejoin us for dinner afterwards, and give my regards and thanks to ChancellorThordarson.”

“Thank you, and I will,” said Pearl, and she turned andheaded downstairs once again.

Anna turned to replace Damonstanding behind of her. His smile gone, he was now carrying a very suspiciouslook on his face.

“So… there is a witch in thereafter all,” he said haughtily.

“Apparently so,” Anna replied.Even though she was happy, she couldn’t help feeling Damon still looked rathersmug for one about to eat his words.

“Yeah — how ‘bout that Damon?It looks like you’ll have to drop the word squib from your vocabulary,”interjected Eric from the side. The rest of the Graysons laughed. Damonsmirked; his bony jaws clinched tight as his eyes darted scathingly in Eric’sdirection.

“Yes… it’s all veryinteresting, isn’t it? First a squib… and then you’re not. First a Muggle… andthen a witch,” Damon said, in his all too familiar and menacing voice. “Let’sjust hope you don’t revert back again in the near future,” he said, with acurled smile. “I’m looking forward to our wizarding duels at the school… littlesssssq… sister.”

Anna stared at her brother andthen smiled. She then reached out and, for the first time in her life, shehugged Damon, leaning in to whisper into his ear, “Thank you for your support.”Damon pulled away with a very uncomfortable look on his face. Obviously, thehug was not the reaction he had been working for.

Recovering adequately, hestretched out his hand with the familiar twist returning to his upper lip.“Good luck in school, then” he said sharply.

Anna looked down at Damon’shand and raised her own to grasp it tight. “Thank you, Damon. I look forward toseeing you there,” she said with a coiled smile. They shook, but before Damoncould move away, Anna yanked him close so that their noses were nearly touchingagain. “And I’m looking forward to our duels as well… both with and without ourwands,” she growled through her steely gaze. Damon’s eyes flashed, as if theyhad already set the date for their first encounter.

“Oooooooo… now that doesn’tsound too good,” said Dowla, wide eyed and looking around the room.

“Oh boy — I’m reserving a frontrow seat for that fight,” said Eric, smiling with an evil grin. He looked atMister Grayson standing by the fire. Their father was smiling too.

“Yes — and make sure you buy anextra ticket for me. I’ll gladly travel the three thousand miles to see that!”said Mister Grayson, who walked over to Anna and Damon, still glaringmenacingly at each other, their locked grip squeezing for all the pain theycould muster. Their father swatted them both on the shoulders. “Let’s eat!” hesaid sharply, and then walked between them to break the two apart.

Damon placed his hands into hisrobes and smiled congenially at his father passing between them. He could seeMister Grayson’s eyes glaring at him from their corners. Damon looked again atAnna, dropped his smile, and then turned to follow their father into the diningroom.

As the rest of the family fellin line behind them, the Healer Nosova whispered to Tencha, “Did I misssomething? Is there something vong between Damon and Anna?”

Tencha turned. “Oh, it’s just alittle misunderstanding they have,” she said, smiling.

“Oh…? And how long ‘ave theybeen arguing?” he asked suspiciously.

“Since birth, I’m afraid,” saidTencha, and she laughed at the very shocked look on Nosova’s face.

TWO

The Grayson feast was amemorable event. Widwick, with Gabby’s help, had presented a fabulous meal. TheW-Ds included ham and roast beef and several different casseroles and breads.The wine, as always, was fantastic, and Mister Grayson gleefully showed HealerNosova his extensive wine cellar before returning to the dinning room to jointhe family for desert and coffee. Widwick thought it best to avoid serving piesthis night, so he offered several old-world puddings and cakes for desertinstead. Soon the whole family was full and content, enjoying the company oftheir guests, and engaging in happy conversation.

“Widwick, as always, you havereally outdone yourself again tonight. The meal was outstanding,” said MisterGrayson, who raised his coffee cup in the elf’s honor.

“Yes, the dinner was fantastic— thank you, Widwick,” said Doctor Pearl approvingly.

“You is very welcome, Master-sir.It is always wonderful to have guests to cook for,” Widwick said with pride.

“You mean guests to showoffto,” said Dowla with a laugh. “Widwick is the best cook on the Wizarding westcoast.”

Anna had never been so happy,but something had been troubling her thoughts throughout the meal. “DoctorPearl, may I ask you a question?”

The doctor looked up at Anna,smiling. “Of course… what is it, dear?”

“Well — how did the school knowto send me that invitation? It seems they knew I was a witch even before I ormy family did. How is that possible?”

Doctor Pearl grinned broadly.“Well… it’s just a bit of simple old magic, really. You see… our school keepstrack of all of the children born in America by way of a magical book ofbirths called the Tonnanarsus. When a future wizard or witch is born,either from a wizard or Muggle family, their name is magically written into thebook. The founders of the school placed an enchantment on the Tonnanarsusto save them from having to search out these wizarding children, and to keeptrack of their whereabouts until they reached the age of invitation to theschool. For Castlewood — the age of invitation happens on their eleventhbirthday. Each day, the book checks for the children of age, and then sendsthem their invitation before the start of the school year in September.

“So why couldn’t we have justlooked in the book when I was born; and saved my family a lot of…” Annastumbled slightly on her words, “a lot of heartache about my lack ofabilities?” Pearlfrowned, and then looked at Mister Grayson. She seemed to be searching forpermission to explain. Mister Grayson peered over his coffee cup at the doctor,and then nodded his careful approval.

The doctor then turned to Annaagain. “The staff at the school will not look in the book for individual namesborn to our wizarding families. This information is considered most private.Who is or is not wizard and Muggle-born should be of no concern to anyone butthe families involved. Our traditions for the book’s use are based on theseformalities and…” Pearlstopped as if trying to replace the right words to explain something delicate,“some very dark history.”

“Dark history?” asked Tenchapryingly. “What do you mean?”

Doctor Pearl gave an unpleasantsigh, glancing again at Mister Grayson. “In the early days of the school, theold wizarding families who knew about the book would contact us to make sure anewborn’s name was written in the Tonnanarsus. The practice of givingout this information, even directly to the families, was stopped nearly twohundred years ago.”

“Why did they stop? I mean ifthe parents of the baby wanted to know — why wouldn’t the school give them theinformation?” asked Anna.

The doctor wiped her mouth withher napkin nervously, looking somewhat uncomfortable. “The school stoppedgiving out this information when reports were delivered to the staff that someof the children… were being killed by their wizarding parents if their nameswere not found in the book.”

All of the children gasped,except for Damon, who let go an amused chuckle.

“Yes… for whatever reason, beit pride or arrogance, these families apparently saw to it these children didnot survive long if they received information not of their liking — God resttheir souls,” Pearlsaid, picking up her wine glass to take another drink. “Now keep in mind, thesewere very rare occurrences, perpetrated by families whose reputation alignedthem to the darker elements of the Wizarding world — but they were not the onlyones doing it. There were also reports of Muggle families destroying wizardingchildren as well.” This time Damon gasped.

“Once a Muggle family found outabout the book after one of their children received an invitation — they quitenaturally started asking questions about some of their younger brothers andsisters. These were very dark times for the school. So the decision was madenot to give out any information from the book about a child until they reachedtheir eleventh birthday.”

Anna glanced over to herfather. “Daddy — did you ever have the book checked for my name?”

Mister Grayson set his coffeecup down and looked at Anna. “Yes, I did. Whenever one of my children turnedeleven, we usually received an invitation within the same week. I can honestlysay I never really expected it, but when your invitation didn’t come, I madecontact with the school to have the book checked… just to be sure.”

“And…” asked Anna, “did youreplace my name written in the book?”

There was a long pause asMister Grayson leaned back in his chair and looked at Doctor Pearl. He turnedto face Anna again. “No… I was told your name was not written in the book ofbirths.”

Anna was shocked, as waseverybody else at the table.

“But father — I don’tunderstand. If Anna’s name wasn’t in the book when you had it checked two yearsago, why would she receive a letter now?” asked Eric.

Mister Grayson paused. “Nowthat’s a very good question, Eric. I think I’m just as confused as you are onthat issue.” Everybody at the table turned to Doctor Pearl.

She smiled slightly. “Well —it’s kind of a mystery to us all. When the Chancellor told me about hisconversation with Mister Grayson regarding Anna receiving her letter, naturallywe went to the book of births to check.” She stopped to take another drink fromher wineglass.

“And? What did you see?”demanded Eric.

Doctor Pearl set her glass downand looked up at Anna. “Your name was there in the book of births, dear, but,strangely enough, it was the very last entry made. It was as if the Tonnanarsusonly recognized your birth a few days ago, but it must have known how old youwere, because it sent out the invitation almost immediately.”

The whole Grayson family satstunned in their chairs. Even Mister Grayson seemed very surprised. The Doctorseemed to appreciate their confusion.

“We don’t understand iteither,” Pearlconfessed. “In the entire history of our school — this has never happenedbefore, and both Healer Nosova and I agree, in all our combined years ofmedicine, we have never heard of anything like this — where a witch’s powers liedormant for this period of time. Some witches and wizards have very weakmagical strength, to the point of almost being a Muggle… but nothing for nearlythirteen years? It’s unprecedented. Even Chancellor Thordarson seemed ratherreluctant to try and explain this.”

There was a strange stillnessresident around the table until Nosova spoke. “Vell… that is not entirelytrue.” The family turned to face him as the man continued. “There vas one othercase in the record that described something similar to this occurrence. Itinvolved a vizard over fifteen centuries ago. Now, you must know, the recordsof that day ver nowhere near as accurate as today, but it seems there vas a boywho did not display any magical ability until he vas almost fifteen years old.Later in life — he became one of the most powerful vizards of the day… and inhistory.

“And… who was that wizard?”asked Tencha

The doctor paused and lookedaround the table very slowly — his eyes finally fixing upon Anna. “His name vasMerlin.”

Everyone in the room wasstunned. Finally, it was Dowla who spoke first.

“Merlin? You mean — the Merlin?The greatest wizard of all time; that Merlin?” she stammered in amazement.

“That is right,” said Nosova.“Rather strange, is it not? And I never saw the similarities until tonight.After my examination of Anna yesterday, and hearing her accounts of the strangecreature-like abilities she described to me, I made contact vit a few of mycolleagues to gather their advice on this case. I never mentioned your family’sname, of course, but one of these healers told me some of the patient’scomments and abilities somehow sounded familiar to him. He contacted me againthis morning to say he found the information he had remembered in some of theold vitings on Merlin in his early life. Everybody knows, of course, ofMerlin’s great magical power, but very few people know about the otherabilities that made this skillful vizard unique. For example — did you knowMerlin vas an Animagus?”

“Yes — I heard that before,”said Mister Grayson, “But wasn’t there something special about that too? I seemto recall hearing something more than just his being able to self-transforminto an animal. However… I can’t remember what it was that made his casespecial.”

“Very good… yes — in fact, he vasvat ve call a natural Animagus,”replied Nosova.

“Ah, yes… that’s right, now Iremember,” said Mister Grayson, who stood and began to pace behind his chair.“As you explained to Anna last night… Animagi usually go through extensivetraining before attempting this very difficult transformation. But Merlin wasable to do it without any training at all. It was spontaneous. I forget whatanimal he was able to turn himself into — some kind of bird, I believe.”

“Correct — in fact, it vas afalcon,” said Nosova, who seemed impressed with Mister Grayson’s recollectionof the facts. “Being a natural Animagusmade Merlin unique in the vizarding vorld and throughout most of our history.He vas also able to accomplish the most complex spells vit-out the use of a vand.In fact, in his later years, he vas rarely seen vit a vand at all. But thething that really made me think about Anna vas the connection Merlin had vitthe animals — especially the magical creatures. It is said he could calm thevildest creatures, and even sleep in a den of lions as a brother. Of course, alot of this is open to interpretation, but some of his encounters are very velldocumented. He most definitely had a very deep understanding of the innernature of all magical creatures and animals. Now, I still hold to my originalstatement yesterday. No vitch or vizard has ever been able to turn themselvesinto a magical creature, and that vood also include Merlin himself.” Nosovathen turned to Anna with a confronting smile. “Fortunately, Anna, this leads usto believe the Lethifold that attacked you and Damon the other night mostdefinitely came from outside.”

“Well — of course it did,” saidDamon, staring at Nosova with a confused look on his face. “Where else would ithave come from?” Apparently, neither Eric nor her father had shared Anna’sbelief that she had turned into the Lethifold with the other members of theGrayson family. Anna was relieved.

“It doesn’t matter,” saidMister Grayson. Their father obviously didn’t want to share Anna’s fears withanybody else. Healer Nosova seemed to understand Mister Grayson’s wishes andchanged the subject.

“Any-vay,” the healercontinued, “…ve found this information about Merlin’s abilities laying dormantfor most of his childhood. I never knew Mister Grayson had called the school tomake the arrangements to have Anna’s abilities checked until I arrived herethis morning.” The doctor paused to take another drink. He sat back and thenlooked at Doctor Pearl. “I think it tis ironic dat my studies of Anna’s caselead me to reading about Merlin’s past, yes? And now we replace something in hispast that leads us back to Anna tonight.”

“Well, it certainly does makefor… hic… interesting dinner conversation, doesn’t it?” said DoctorPearl, who seemed to be giggling a little too much as she tipped her glass totake another drink. “The fact is — it remains to be seen what kind of witchAnna will be. Because her abilities came to the surface so late, she may besomewhat limited in her abilities,” she said, swaying slightly in her chair.“Or… who knows? She might become the next great Merlin,” she chimed brightly,raising her glass as if toasting to Anna’s unknown future.

Damon tutted loudly — sneeringat the very idea of Anna’s name being used in the same sentence as the world’sgreatest wizard.

“Ah… you may scoff, young man,”retorted Pearl,looking at Damon. “But you never know how a Castlewood student might turn out,”she said with building pride. “However limited or great Anna may be… Castlewoodwill bring out the best in her, as it does all of its students.” She hiccuppedagain and took another drink.

“Spoken like a true facultymember,” said Mister Grayson with a smile. “The Chancellor would be proud.”

Two hours later, Anna was warmand in bed, reflecting on her future. Her life had been in a state of utterchaos just two days ago, and now she couldn’t be happier. She was going toCastlewood. She was going to study the magical arts with Eric and the rest ofthe Grayson children. Anna was almost giddy with delight.

But then, as if remembering thecoming of some menacing storm, her thoughts circled around that of theLethifold. She knew nobody believed her story about changing into the creature.How could she go to Castlewood and put everybody there in danger? But how couldI not go? She had prayed for this opportunity, and now here it was withinher reach. How could she give up this chance? At that moment, it all seemed toounfair to even consider, and she rolled over onto her side and closed her eyes.She tried to reach out with her mind in the spaces around her room, but foundshe could not. She summoned a small part of her courage, and began searchingdeep within her own soul, looking for the coldness of the creature inside her.Was it still there? Would it come back again? She couldn’t tell; there was notrace of the thing within. Anna was cozy and warm, inside and out, and her mindfinally relaxed for the briefest moment, but long enough to fall into a deepsleep.

THREE

It was several hours later whenAnna started to feel very cold again. At first, she thought she had lost herbedding while she slept, because the coldness seemed to sweep over her entirebody so completely. It wasn’t until she heard the faint but familiar tinklingof the crystal fixture on the bedroom ceiling that her eyes snapped open. Theroom was still dark, but Anna could now see her fogged breath in front of herface, as she lay on her side shaking from the cold. Her eyes moved to theiredges, searching for what she could see of her room through her tangled hair.

“Ssssssssssssssss,” came aneerie hiss from the foot of her bed. It was that sound again; the samefrightening sound made by her visitor three nights ago, when the thing came todeliver its strange warning of danger.

Anna bolted up, her eyesstruggling to focus on an image blooming white at the foot of her bed. To heramazement, she could see something floating in mid-air in the center of theroom. It was a wisp-filled cloud of luminous radiance that continuously changedits shape and color. The thing seemed to brighten on its circular edges, andthen flow in onto itself toward a dark center. It made no sound, but lit thewalls with a dim vibrating iridescence, like an unnatural light passing throughmoving water.

“Danger is coming, child,” thewhispery voice said. “You must prepare yourself.”

It was the same message asbefore. Knowing the thing hadn’t tried to hurt her the first time, Annaresponded quickly.

“Who are you?” she askedanxiously. Then, not knowing if the light before her could understand what shewas saying, she added — “Can you hear me?”

“I hear you, child. Are youprepared?” asked the strange voice.

“Prepared? Prepared for what?”

“The conflict to come.”

“Conflict? I don’t understand?Who are you?”

“I am… part of the family… anally,” said the voice, “You are to embark on a crusade, little one. A struggleagainst madness.”

Anna repeated the only thingshe understood. “A crusade? What does that mean? What are you?” Anna’s braverywas growing bolder by the second.

“My name… is… unknown to menow. I have only recently awakened. Chaos is coming. Magic has detected theinevitable clash… and seeks to protect itself.”

“Protect itself? Magic? Whatare you talking…?”

“I am your interpreter,” thevoice interrupted. “I was sent to assist you… and make sure you are ready.”

“Sent by whom?”

“By the forces fighting againstmadness — by magic itself.”

“You speak of magic as if itwere a person. You’re not talking about any magic I know.”

“What of magic do you know?What power, until recently, have you used to touch its existence, to think youunderstand its nature so well?” the voice said, in an increasingly angry tone.

This statement surprised Anna.Was it her imagination, or did this thing just say it knew about the changes inher abilities? How could it have known… unless?

“Do you know anything about thestrange things that have been happening to me?” Anna asked suspiciously.

“Sshh,” hissed the voice, “Iknow the power given to you at birth has been awakened. Magic has aroused usboth to aid in its protection.”

Anna could now see the formlesswhite cloud beginning to take on a defined shape; the smallest resemblance of aperson was now standing in the room before her.

“Protection from what?” askedAnna.

“Chaos,” repeated the voiceagain.

“Look… I don’t understand. Yousay you’re here to help me, but you can’t tell me who you are. You say I haveto prepare for some kind of conflict, but I don’t understand what you mean,”said Anna, walking across the bed on her hands and knees toward the thing floatingbefore her.

“I weaken,” said the dullingform. And judging by the dimming light now projected into her room, Anna knewthe thing would be leaving her soon. She decided to dump her remaining caution.

“I have been invited to go toCastlewood and study the magical arts — do you know that?” she asked. There wasa long pause.

“Yes…you are to be prepared.You must understand your nature if you are to protect magic from madness.”

“But I can’t go to Castlewoodbecause I…”

“You must go!” the voice said,sounding slightly panicked.

“But… I think… I’ve become amonster. A thing too dangerous to…”

“It is of no consequence,” theglowing figure interrupted sharply.

“What are you talking about?”Anna argued back, “I can’t put all those people at the school in danger.”

“The creature you fear ismerely an extension of your own nature. It can be controlled.”

“So… I did change into that…that thing?” Anna’s heart was thumping so hard she thought it was going toexplode. “Why?”

“Yes… orbus; you and thecreature you dread are one. Do not fear it. There are many such familiaritiesin your nature. You must learn to control your passions. They will only bringchaos out of the magic you have touched.” The voice was now fading fast; thefigure began to turn away as if to leave the room.

“Why do you call me orphan?” Anna asked, her mind searchingfor as many questions as possible in the time remaining.

The figure stopped and turnedtoward her again. “Your mother… is gone, yes?” asked the clouded light standingthere.

“Well… yes… she died many yearsago… but my father is still with me.”

“Your father? Who is… whatfather is this?”

“Boris Grayson is my father,he’s sleeping in the room down the hall,” Anna answered unthinkingly.

The form seemed to fall backslightly upon hearing this and then, quite unexpectedly, it shot forward. Itsfar-off shapeless body charged through the air, changing shape as it advancedupon Anna. Anna scrambled backwards trying to get away, finally replaceing herselfpinned against her headboard as a huge featureless face, a dazzling bright headthe size of a door, peered at Anna just inches away. Anna’s head was turned;the side of her face pressed against the headboard as her terrified eyes, halfclosed, cowered before the creature from the corners of their sockets. Thecoldness of the thing was overwhelming, penetrating straight through her chestand into the skin of her back.

“You… are the daughter of BorisGrayson?” screeched the form in front of her, the enormous head turningslightly, almost pryingly. “ANSWER!” The thing demanded.

Anna could barely breathe. Shecouldn’t move. She kicked down at her bedding with her heels, pressing herselfhard against the headboard, trying to get away from the thing pressing in onher. Finally, Anna managed to speak.

“Yes, my name is Anna Grayson.Boris and Victoria Grayson are my parents. Please get back. I… I… can’tbreathe,” Anna said, in a terrified voice.

The massive head moved forwardstill nearer, inspecting Anna closely as she pressed back against the wall. Thefigure then backed away, reverting slowly into the shapeless, now walking format the foot of her bed. Although Anna’s room was still very cold, the airaround her seemed to instantly warm as the creature moved away.

“Forgive me,” said the figure,“I have been away for a very long time. Things are not as I remember.” Anna wasrelieved to see the ghost-like presence return to a less hostile form. “I tire.We shall speak again when I have gained enough strength to return to you. Youmust work to understand your nature, child. I will help you where and when Ican.” And with this final promise, the light began to fade; and in a flash ofstunning white, it vanished. The room immediately began to warm again, but Annawas still pressed against her headboard, shivering with fright.