Dawnbringer

part 10: "Dearest Dawne"

Dawne's head was still spinning from the day's events... her meeting with Veda answering many of her questions, yet leaving many more unanswered... Finding out her mother's a witch, almost being assaulted, and then there is Ezra. Ezra made her feel things she never knew she was capable of feeling, he made her feel unsettled in the most pleasant of ways. He made her feel out of control of herself for the very first time in her life. Like she is at his mercy. She was at his mercy, if it wasn't for that mercy she would be dead the first time she needed him, and assaulted or even killed the second time she needed him. She still didn't understand how he knew she was in danger. It couldn't be coincidence. It was almost as if he were shadowing her, watching over her.

"Hi, Babygirl. You're late today. Don't let me worry like that... your phone was off, you know I always tell you to keep it charged and on", Dawne could see her father's worry and she understood it. He was afraid of losing her too.

Jack Swanson was in treatment for depression and trauma ever since his wife's death. He didn't want the kids to know, but Dawne overheard his call with his therapist in a moment of despair, but she kept the knowledge to herself. Her father wanted to appear as a pillar of strength for his daughter and son. He needed it. He needed purpose to go on. "It's fine, Dad, I was with a friend" she reassured him, deciding against worrying him with what happened to her earlier. He told her dinner was in the oven; lasagne. Her dad has always been a good cook, and he used to enjoy cooking with his wife. It was their weekly thing.

After dinner and her bath, Dawne settled onto her bed with the letter Veda gave her from her mother. It read;

"My dearest Dawne,

If you're reading this I have left this world for another place. I don't want you to be fearful, or sad, or mournful. I want you to be joyful and embrace the good memories, who you are and the amazing woman you are going to be.

You will always be a part of me and me of you. Nothing can break that bond. The fire, the light that has been a part of me for the longest time is passing on to you now. Don't be afraid of it. I have asked my sisters in the craft to be there for you, to mentor you and teach you how to harness this great power. It has been passed to me too, from my female bloodline... as it is now passed on to you, and how it will be passed on to your daughter some day.

Remember to always use it for light, not dark, because now that you have possession of it, the darkness will try to draw you in to harness those powers for it's own sinister purposes. Fire and light walk with you, as it walked with me. Stay strong and true to yourself always.

I haven't left you, when we die we live on and I will be there as your guardian to guide you in your dreams to the light.

I will love you forever and a day my precious girl.

Blessed be.

Mom"

Everything Veda said was true. Her mom told it to her in her own handwriting. Dawne realized that her mom was trying to give her messages in her dreams...and the hooded man, the dark vortex? Was that the darkness her mother was referring to? ...