Carly awoke to the sounds of whispering coming from another part of the house. At first she was unsure where she was, then a sense of loss filled her heart. Mom! she screamed in her head. There was no reply but the whispers from the other room ceased. Maybelle peeked around the door, ” Ah, you’re awake. There is much to tell you, but first, may I offer you something to eat or some tea?”

” What happened to my mom? I need to go find her.” she got up and tried to leave the room. Maybelle put a hand on her arm to stop her. When Carly spun around to snap at her she saw the look in Matbelle’s eyes.

” No. You’re wrong. She can’t be gone.”

” I’m sorry, Carly. Let me introduce you to some friends of mine.” With that she led Carly to the other room. Sitting around a large oak table were what could only be described as creatures. There was a cougar the size of a large man, a buck with antlers that looked to be four feet across, a small man with skin the color and texture of tree bark, and a woman with the wings of an eagle.

” Carly, this is the Council of the Wise. They are here to help you now.”

” Wh… Help me? What do you mean? Where’s my mom? Didn’t anyone check on her? You said you would find out if she was okay!” Carly whirled around to face Maybelle with anger and hurt in her eyes.

“Carly.”

She turned at the sound of her name, it was the cougar-man.

” My name is Kiev. I need to show you something. Please sit.” He said.

Carly reluctantly sat in one of the chairs at the old table. She was still confused but her mom had mentioned something about a council awhile back. They had just kept their magic hidden for so long that she had nearly forgotten. She watched as Kiev raised his arms and began to chant in an ancient language. His golden eyes grew dark and distant as his magic flowed from him. In the center of the table a picture formed. It was her house, or what was left of it anyway. Where the cabin once stood, there was a charred clearing. The only thing left standing was a few stones from the chimney.

Carly began to scream. ” Mom! Oh my God! He killed her! I knew I should’ve stayed and helped!”