Chapter 1

"Catherine..."

The soft voice of her mom wakes her up. The room was lit with candles, and the fragrance kept the atmosphere peaceful and hypnotic.

Right on her side is her mom, looking down at her. Her round eyes are full of love while staring at her daughter. She caresses her face and traces every line that she inherited. She smiled as she caught Catherine's eyes.

"You're so beautiful, my love," her mom complimented while the light illuminated her beautiful face. She looks at her eyes rather than her face.

Catherine didn't make any noise and stayed still. She's capturing the moment with her, the touch of her mom's hand, her blue teary eyes, and the scars on her face. She remembers it all too well.

"I want you to know that no matter how hard it is, strive to live. Give yourself a normal life that I didn't have. "

A weird sound suddenly echoes in the surroundings. The sound's high pitch can destroy anyone's eardrums. Her mother quickly covers her ear to protect her.

Catherine didn't know what was happening. Her dad wasn't here. They're not in their home, and mostly, her mom is covered with bruises.

Catherine notices her mom starting to close her eyes. Her eyes began to swell with tears, and she bit her lower lip to keep from crying too loudly.A violet light glows on the side of her eyes, looking like a butterfly figure.

Her mom murmurs something, but Catherine can't hear it due to the loud sound.

A glow of light passes over her mom's arm. Catherine felt an extreme power being transfer to her body as it traced her veins.It was so powerful that her body could explode at anytime. But she trusted her mom. She trusted her more than anything. She let her control her body and mind.

Her mother slowly leans back, keeping the power on her and releasing her grip on her ear.

"Stay weak," she whispered.

Catherine gets confused, but she can't find any voice to speak. The power is manipulating her weak body.

As soon as she said those words, her mom shouted in pain, and a light coming from her body filled the room. The candles turned off and the wind blew harder.

Catherine couldn't hold the extreme light and later on closed her eyes as well.

The surroundings became peaceful. The sound is gone, as well as her mom's presence.

She slowly opened her eyes and saw a violet ash, still burning while it falls on the bed.

Her mom is gone.

" Mom?" Catherine called out. But no one responded. She couldn't find her.

"Mom!" she shouted again, but this time, her heart beat faster. Her hand also started to feel cold.

She looks around every corner, but only darkness surrounds them.

"Mom!" Fear starts to embodied her.

Catherine decided to get down from the bed. Her tiny feet try to fall to the ground.

The surroundings are not familiar to her. It's made of wood, and it is tiny. Their house, especially her room before, was full of toys and lights. But this—this space feels empty.

"Kaelin!" Catherine heard her father's voice. He's calling her mother's name.

"Catherine! Kaelin!" her dad rushed to the door. Her voice is full of concern and fear.

He bangs his hand on the door and looks left and right in the room. His eyes were lost as he sparked his hand to make a light.

Catherine was the first thing he saw. She's standing on the side of the bed. He quickly hugged her and buried her face in his shoulder.

Mr. Clark pulled out the medicine he took. He quickly searched the room for her wife.

"Kaelin!", his voice cracking as he ran to the window and surveyed the bed.

When he was about to look beneath the bed, the dust caught up on his arm. His eyes followed the path until he spotted a necklace.

His body became weak as his hands were shaking in sorrow. This is his wife's necklace, the one that he gave to her when she was pregnant with Catherine.

Mr. Clark couldn't hold his grief. His eyes were red as the sun. The whole room was turning into a massive wind.

He knows-

Catherine immediately hugs her dad. She cried with him. Her green tears fall on the ground, making some flowers grow on it.

Mr. Clark tightly held the necklace as she cried in pain. He could've saved her, but he was late. He's always been.

Why did she leave? Why did she let go...

----—

The sun was rising outside, but Casimir's 3rd generation was still sleeping. It's a normal day for them. No special occasion, no event.

"Get your assess up! At the count of three, 1,2-"

Catherine's eyes immediately opened as she heard their Aunt Bun's shouting outside the mansion. She knows what will happen if she's late.

As Catherine got up from the bed, she heard the clock start to tick. The sound of doors closing outside echoes through the house. as well as the footsteps running just like competing in a marathon.

Catherine doesn't have time to change her sleeping attire, so she just gets her bathrobe and boots.

The ticking of the clocks became faster. The laughter and shouting outside are also getting louder. She's going to be dead if she goes there late.

Their Aunt Bun isn't like any other aunt that you know. She's going to pinch your ear every second if you don't obey her.

"Catherine!", she hears Muka's shouting outside.

"Coming!" Catherine shouted back, still putting the boots on.

In just minutes, Catherine ran outside her room. The other room where her other cousin slept was already empty.

Gosh, she's not going to make it.

Catherine runs downstairs as fast as she can. The wind follows her direction. As the papers flew everywhere, the clocks' sounds also stopped.

The door opens itself and there her aunt's stick welcomes her. She's holding the timer in her left hand and the stick in the other. Her cousins' faces are full of worry while staring at her. They know what will happen to Catherine again. This time, they don't know what will be her punishment.

Catherine looks at Muka, who's gesturing at her to stay still. Xperia also looks at her but immediately ignores her. She's talking to Niphea on her side.

Last month, After the 4 moons appearance. All of the Casimir's grandchildren celebrated their adultery. They will going to the academy and learn to use their powers very soon. But first, The Casimir's need discipline as honor to their ancestors. Their family is a known healer and respected. They are Full of doctors and witty educators. There are among the most famous family in Vermont.

"Well, well, well. Look who's helping me to clean the animal's poop today. " Her aunt's voice is scaring her.

Catherine laggingly walks to her cousin, forming a straight line. Only if she didn't have a nightmare last night this wouldn't happen.