The Council

Prologue

~1835~ New York

I let go of my daughter's hand to move my rain-drenched hair away from my face.

"Come children, we must hurry." I whisper running across the cobblestone street. I glance every few seconds behind me. My bare feet stepping into a muddy pothole. The Council will surely find me at the pace I am going.

"Mommy, I'm scared." My son, James, says grasping my hand tighter.

"I-I know honey, but both of you will be safe." I reply, cupping my hand on my sons cheek.

"Safe? Safe from what mommy?" Caitlyyn asks looking up to me.

Lightning strikes in the distance and rain continues to pour down my back. I look behind me and one of the Council members-Tammer- comes around the corner.

I gasp and turn to James," James, take care of your sister, I love you both so much." I hug them both before letting go of their hands.

I grab a letter I wrote to my cousin, Isabelle earlier this morning. "Here James, take this. It's a letter to Isabelle. You know where she is James. Go to her quickly."

I look back to find Tammer walking closer towards me. "But mother." He starts.

"Go James. Now, I'm sorry my darlings but you have to go. Run!" I say and turn away to face Tammer.

"No! Mommy!!" Caitlyyn's voice yells behind me. I turn around to find James dragging Caitlyyn away.

A tear falls down my face as I watch them leave. I turn to face Tammer again, my face changed with anger.

I feel my body change into my Aterik form, my Fallen Angel form.

Tammer smiles as he says, "Good evening Elizabeth Andrews, it has been quite some time since I saw you last."

I set my jaw, "It's Marrington, Tammer. Elizabeth Marrington"

He smirks and begins walking in circles around me,"It's such a pity what happened to your husband. Cole was it?" He pauses to stand in front of me." All you had to do was join the Council. Your husband would still be alive and your children wouldn't be fatherless."

I clench my hands in a fist, my fingernails digging into my skin. "I will never join the Council. You killed my husband it is your fault he's dead."

"Don't be so sure about that dear Elizabeth." He comments grabbing my wrist.

"Let go of me." I scream pulling away from his grasp.

"Times have changed Elizabeth, people change." He says grabbing for my wrist again.

I back away," You haven't changed at all! You're still heartless and cruel."

Tammer lets out a bellowing laugh. I suddenly feel like I have been punched in the stomach. I stumble backwards, I fly my arms in the air trying to keep my balance. I fail, falling to the muddy ground.

Tammer laughs again hitting me in the head as I try to get away. The rain continues to beat down around me. Tammer is going to kidnap me. Hopefully the Council doesn't find Caitlyyn or James. My world fades into darkness.