Page 117 of Anaki

At least my little man wasn’t crying. He wasn’t sobbing over Abuela, and he wasn’t in a fit of overwhelming disbelief.

Unfortunately for me, I could see right through Anaki’s mind and see what he had done to protect Luis and me. He and Scales fought those creatures and still weren’t able to save everyone.

Not even Meriam, the sweet fae who’d invited Abuela and Luis into their home.

I snuggled closer to Luis, too tired to get up and clean myself off. I couldn’t bear the idea of leaving him right now. What if one of those things came into the cave? He would be left unprotected.

What could I do to save him, though?

I tried to push the claws out from my fingers. My hand shook as I tried to extend them, but to no avail.

We were sitting ducks here if I thought about it. I didn’t have a way toprotect us.

At that very moment, Anaki was down there, fighting against a fae who had cruelly snatched away the one person I had shared most of my life with. The woman who had been taken from this world far too soon, leaving a void that could never be filled.

I should have listened to her words more intently, and cherished each word she spoke. I should have believed wholeheartedly in everything she had ever told me. I took her presence for granted, and I failed to shower her with the love and appreciation she so deeply deserved!

I held back a sob and dug my fingers into my hair.

“Abuela, why? Why did you leave? You didn’t have to do this.”

Then she abandoned me with nothing but a name. A family name that feels like a curse on my tongue, forbidden to ever be spoken aloud. Why would she do that? Didn't she understand the torment of carrying this burden alone. Surely she knew I must eventually share it with someone? Secrets between sisters are a volatile flame, always ready to ignite into chaos.

Just look at the destruction I caused before!

“What have you done?” I whispered into the darkness. “Do you want my insides to explode? Do you really want me to tell? What mind games are you playing?”

Luis stirred beside me.

“Damn you. Damn the magic, the secrets, and our ancestors.”

I must have dozed off, despite being afraid someone would come inside the cave. The nest surrounding us made me feel safe. Anaki’s scent was strong, and I felt nothing could penetrate this fortress of softness.

When I awoke to the faint sound of light footsteps echoing outside the cave, my heart pounded wildly in sudden panic. The soft shuffle was loud through the stillness. Beside me, Luis remained peacefully asleep, his small form snugly curled beneath the layers of blankets, his breaths steady and rhythmic. Carefully, I disentangled myself from the cocoon of pillows and blankets, making a concerted effort not to disturb him.

I moved towards the entrance of the cave, I peered outside and saw that dawn was nearly approaching. Morning light filtered through the trees, casting eerie shadows on the forest floor. And then I saw movement near the edge of the clearing.

My breath caught in my throat as I recognized the silhouette of a figure approaching the cave.

The figure drew closer, and I could make out the familiar features of Anaki’s face, drawn in concern. Relief washed over me when I saw him. He was completely naked, but that didn’t deter me when I jumped on him and wrapped my legs around his waist.

“Hey, love, I’m glad you’re safe.” His warm hand ran up and down my back. “I was worried about you—”

I shook my head into his neck. “Stop, just stop and let me smell you.”

Anaki chuckled softly, a warm, infectious sound that danced through the air. His hand glided down my spine, a gentle caress that lingered at my lower back before traveling upward, weaving its way into my hair. The sensation was both comforting and electrifying, sending a shiver of delight through me. “It’s been a rough night, I promise it won’t always be like this.”

“What happened?” I whispered into his neck. “Is she…”

Anaki hugged me tighter. “It was quick, love. She didn’t feel a thing.”

I took in a sharp intake of breath.

“You can’t think about that, love. You can’t. It is what she was destined to do. I’m sure she talked to Tajah about it, too. We can talk to her, okay?”

I nodded silently. “What happens now? What’s happening down there?” When I tried to listen, I couldn’t hear much. My hearing would come and go. My body was exhausted, and the few scales that had appeared on my skin had faded away.

A dragon, I was going to be a dragon.