Ch.1 Steal a Glimpse

Thank you to @najiyakavungal for the much needed family tree lol :P

Chapter 1

8 years ago

Maya's blue eyes watched her mother over the rim of her book as she huddled in her chair pretending to read. Gemma was unaware of the devious plan cooking in her daughter's mind as she checked her inventory and made a list of what to reorder.

Other than the bubbling of the water in the glass beaker and the occasional clink of glass jars in Gemma's hand, no other sound could be heard in the large hall. Maya's heart raced rapidly like a wild river as she waited for the right opportunity. Her palms were sweaty and her throat dry as the desert. She gripped the old spell book in her hands tightly as her body wiggled with mischief.

"Baby," Gemma said without looking up from her clipboard. "I'm going to run down to see if we had any new delivery. Want to join me?"

"No, thank you," Maya said, a little too quickly. "I....I'm excited about this spell."

Gemma looked up with a bright smile, "You are so cute. I am so proud of how hard you've been working on your training."

"Thank you," Maya smiled. "I have a very good teacher."

"Flattery won't get you anywhere," Gemma shook her head.

"But dad says you can flatter your way through anything."

"Don't listen to your dad. He thinks he knows everything," Gemma rolled her eyes. "Okay, I'll be back in a few minutes. You'll be fine?"

"Yes, mother. I shall be safe and sound," Maya said dramatically as she sighed with her hands over her heart.

Gemma sat the clipboard down on the table in front of her. She quickly took off her white apron and set it aside before heading out the door. Maya on the other hand didn't waste a second. She jumped up from her chair and ran to her mother's desk. Her eye scanned the volume of books until she found the one she needed first.

With trembling and damp hands, Maya pulled the gray book off the shelf. She quickly turned through the old delicate pages until she found the spell she needed for the plan.

"The duplicate spell," she murmured as she read the Roopcian words. She had practiced the spell once before with Adam. It wasn't a total success, but Maya knew if she tried hard enough, she would be able to complete it.

With a brave heart and abundance of curiosity, Maya turned around and pulled out the three leather bound small books from the bottom shelf. Their gold writing shimmered in the lights as Maya set them down on the table and raised her hand. Her tongue slowly moved over the roopcian words as she held her hands over the books. The tips of her hands started to glow along with the leather books right before the air around them started to shimmer.

Maya gasped slightly as she watched an identical copy of the books appear out of thin air beside the originals. She lowered her hands and poked the duplicate.

"Shit," she said. "It worked!"

In amazement, Maya stared at the books. She allowed herself only a few seconds to celebrate before she grabbed the duplicates and placed them on the shelf. She turned around and put the other spell book back before grabbing the three original books and shoving them into her school back. Before Gemma caught her, she went back to perch on her chair and pretended to read.

When the doors to the lab opened, Maya's heart began to pound to the point where she could hear nothing but her blood rushing past her ears. She began to rub her palms over her jeans to wipe off the sweat. Her little beady eyes blinked rapidly like a little bird as Gemma walked in through the door.

"Look what we got!" Gemma said with an excited cheer. "A whole shipment of Monkshood."

"Isn't that wolf's bane?" Maya raised a brow. "I thought that was harmful to dad and Adeline."

"Is it," Gemma said as she sat the box down slowly on the table. "It's deadly for wolves, but it's a witch's best friend. Every spell grows in strength with a little wolf's bane. When you are ready to use them, you must make sure you clean your hands thoroughly before you leave the lab."

"Right," Maya nodded. "Don't want to accidentally poison dad or my entire family."

"That would be very very bad," Gemma said, shaking her head. "And that is why, I keep this locked away."

"You are so smart," Maya said. "What would we do without you, mother."

Gemma laughed, "What did you do?"

"Nothing."

"You are being a little too nice,"

"You're right," Maya grumbled. "I need to go teas Adeline or beat up Mackey."

"Maya!" Gemma scolded. "No. I don't want Maksim or Adeline coming in here with another complaint about you."

"Fine," Maya said, getting up from her hair and grabbing her bag. "I'll tell them I'll beat them up if they come to you."

"No!" Gemma frowned. "That's not how it works."

"Reeelax," Maya began to walk out of the room. "I'll behave..... Eventually."

"I'll telling Exton to keep an eye on you,"

"No!" Maya stopped. "I'll stay in my room. I promise."

"The whole afternoon?" Gemma raised a brow.

"The whole afternoon," Maya nodded.

Gemma wasn't convinced. She narrowed her eyes and took a step forward. "Why?"

"Why what?" Maya asked in confusion.

"Why are you volunteering to stay in your room the whole afternoon?"

"That's what you wanted, right?"

"You hate staying in your room."

"Either I stay in my room or I go beat up Mackey, choose woman."

Gemma sighed as she rolled her eyes, "Fine. Stay in your room. I'll be coming in to check on you."

"Knock before you enter."

"Why?"

"I have to hide all my stolen treasures," Maya smiled.

"Just go," Gemma laughed as she shook her head.

Maya swung her bag over her shoulder and rushed out of the lab. She took off running down the hall as she impatiently headed for her room. As she passed the greenhouse, Xavier called out to her.

"Can't talk now," Maya said as she poked her head in to explain.

"What's the rush, troublemaker?" Xavier asked as he patted the loose soil around a tiny plant.

"Gonna go raise some demons from hell in my room," Maya said.

Xavier chuckled as he continued to work on his plant, "Tell them hello and ask them to invite Tobias over for tea."

"Oh Mr. Sexy Pants," Maya grinned. "Yes, he needs to come over for tea."

"I thought you wanted to continue working on your side of the garden today?" Xavier pointed to the little area where Maya had taken over.

"I told you, I'm summoning demons today. No can do," Maya shook her head.

"The plants need water."

"Well, couldn't you water them for me, please, Paws," Maya pouted.

"I watered them all of last week for you," Xavier said.

"Don't you love me?" Maya stomped her feet. "You're keeping track of how much you water my plants? Oh! How selfish of you, sir."

"They are your plants!" Xavier said in his defense. "You take care of them!"

"Not today,"

"They will die."

"Ugh," Maya groaned. "Fine, I'll send Adeline down."

"No, Adel-" Xavier tried to speak but Maya was already running off. He shook his head laughing as the little spitfire hollered for her sister in the halls. He knew there were probably palace officials shaking their heads at her loud voice and unruly behavior but he couldn't careless. This was her home. And he loved how she brought the place to life.

Maya stormed up the steps before she dove into her room and locked the door behind her. She quickly pulled all the curtains shut and threw her bag onto her bed. After turning on the bedside lamp, she pulled out the spell books one by one.

"Holy Moly," she said under her breath as she ran her hand over the gold writing. She inspected every book carefully and with a keen eye before she opened the cover to the first volume.

A hot shiver ran down Maya's back as she read the first few words. From her training, she knew not to read the words aloud. But even in her mind, she could feel their magic lacing itself around her. Eagerly, she began to flip through the pages reading the names of each spell.

Alteration spells, Hexes, Levitation spells, love spells....The book had them all.

Maya's hungry eyes grew wider and wider as she read through the titles. Her excitement grew with each page. She had all but finished going through all three books when one spell caught her attention.

Samsara

Maya slowly sat up in bed as she brought the book closer to her. She leaned against her pillows and held the old pages over her face as she read the inscriptions.

Samsara.....the cycle of rebirth. The answers you seek linger in the moments forever trapped in time. Steal a glimpse behind to light up the path ahead.

Maya chewed on her bottom lip as she sat up in bed once more. She ran her hands over the words and read them once more.

"Steal a glimpse behind to light up the path ahead," she mumbled. A small glowing light started to kindle within her soul. She felt her mind start to itch with so many questions and a heaping load of curiosity.

But suddenly, her mother's voice broke through her haze.

"Fay magic is wild magic. We do not call upon it."

"Don't be stupid, Maya," Maya said to herself. She shut the book and threw them back into her backpack. As if they might catch on fire or grow legs and crawl away, Maya shoved her bag under her bed to be safe. She threw her curtains open and unlocked her door. With one last look over her shoulder, she ran out towards the greenhouse.

"You're back?" Xavier asked looking up.

"Yeah," Maya took in a deep breath as she picked up the watering can. "My plant babies need me."

Xavier chuckled as he continued his work. For the rest of the afternoon, the two dug up the soil for new seedlings and tended to their old plants. Xavier helped Maya trim the dead leaves off their orange plant before picking some fresh lemons from the tree nearby.

"Paws?" Maya asked as she watched her grandfather pull a yellow lemon off.

"Yes, my love?"

"What was it like growing up in like....... ancient times?"

Xavier burst into a howling laughter from Maya's words. The deep sound vibrated throughout his body as he shook his head.

"What?" Maya asked in confusion.

"In ancient times?" Xavier raised a brown, still chuckling. "Well....it was different."

"How so?"

"Hmmm," Xavier thought for a few seconds. "Everyone wore too many layers of clothing. And everyone's hair always had too many pins in them. Women were, dare I say, a bit boring."

"I bet you're happy Mimzy isn't like them," Maya snorted.

"Oh I thank heavens everyday," Xavier said.

"Have you ever seen like....the same person?"

"What do you mean?"

"Like let's say a person died when you were little, did you ever see them decades later?"

"Only your mom can bring back the dead."

"I'm not talking about that," Maya shook her head as she played with the lemons.

"Then what are you talking about?"

"Um...I don't don't the right words for it," Maya said as she shifted her weight. "Like they are born again."

"Rebirth?" Xavier raised a brow. "As in reincarnation?"

"Yes," Maya nodded. "That's the word."

"No," Xavier looked out over his garden as he thought for a few seconds. "No, I don't think I've ever met any reincarnations of people I've known. And even if I did, I wouldn't know."

"Why not?"

"Because, as far as I know, when a soul is reincarnated, they rarely take on the same appearance. They might look similar, but never identical. And they wouldn't remember their past self either."

"Well that sucks,"

"Why?" Xavier chuckled.

"Think how much wiser everyone would be if we remembered all the lessons we learn in life."

"Wow," Xavier paused to look at his granddaughter. "I never thought of it that way. You're quite right."

"Yes, I know. I'm a genius." Maya smiled.

Once the pair finished their work in the greenhouse, Xavier took the lemons to the kitchen. Clare followed them curiously as she helped carry two lemons.

"What are we doing, Paws?" The little girl asked as Xavier pulled her up onto the wooden step stool beside the counter.

"I thought we could make some lemonade for dinner tonight," Xavier said as Maya washed the harvest.

"May I stir the sugar?" Clare asked as she pushed her brown locks out of her eyes.

"Of course, mon cheri," Xavier handed her a wooden spoon.

"I need to shower," Maya said as she handed the lemons over.

"You don't want to wait for the lemonade?" Xavier asked as he began to cut.

"No, just save me some for dinner," Maya turned to run out the kitchen when she bumped into her grandmother.

"Ah!" Rye shrieked when Maya slammed into her. "Slow down, Speedy Gonzales."

Maya giggled as Rye caught her before she fell over. She wrapped her arms around the girl and moved her back over to the little island.

"What are we doing?" Rye asked as she looked at her husband over Maya's head.

"Making lemonade!" Clare waved her spoon in the air.

"Hmm, yum," Rye said. "Should I have something to go with your special lemonade?"

"No, thank you," Maya said. "I just recovered from the last time you cooked."

"Hey!" Rye pulled back. "My meatloaf was amazing!"

"That was meatloaf?" Maya laughed. "Mackey and I could have sworn we were eating some kind of weird bread or tofu."

"You guys have no taste buds," Rye shook her head.

"How can we? You killed them all,"

Xavier tried to mask his laughter in a cough as Rye glared at him playfully. She marched over to him and smacked his side with a dish towel. In response, Xavier flicked her with water as she tried to walk away.

"My hair!" Rye shrieked. She gathered a handful of water from the sink and flung it at her mate, but he was too quick and jumped out of the way.

"Ahh!" Clare's little scream filled the air as she became drenched from the splash.

"Oh my baby!" Rye laughed as she jumped forward and took the little girl into her arms. "I am so sorry."

"Clare, you're going to allow her to attack you like that?" Xavier laughed as he handed Rye a small towel.

"Get her Clare bear!" Maya said from the other side of the counter. "Avenge your perfect hair!"

Clare giggled as Rye rubbed the towel over her head. She lifted the edges and looked up with her bright gray eyes. Rye looked down at her and kissed her little cheek. She was always reminded of Mavi whenever she looked at Clare.

"Maya, help me make some cookies for dessert?" Rye looked over her shoulder to the blonde.

"No, can do," Maya shook her head. "I need to shower. I have dirt all over me from the greenhouse."

"Ew," Rye scrunched up her nose. "Get out of my kitchen then."

"It's Paws' kitchen," Maya stuck out her tongue. "You can't cook, remember?"

Rye dipped her hand in the sink and flicked the girl with cold water.

"Ahhhh!" Maya grabbed onto the counter dramatically. "I am melting!"

Clare giggled as she copied her grandmother's actions. Together they splashed Maya with water until the girl ran out of the room screaming.

"You guys suck!" Maya said over her shoulder. "Good luck cleaning up the mud you created."

She heard Rye shrike from inside the kitchen followed by Clare's giggles. Maya wiped the water off her face and ran upstairs to her room. She ditched her dirty clothes in the laundry basket and hopped into the cold shower.

Several minutes later, when Maya stepped out of her bathroom wrapped in a plush white robe, she found her eyes immediately flicker to her bed. A strange tug pulled at her heart as she remembered what she was hiding underneath. With a watchful gaze, she moved around her room and lotioned her legs and arms. She hummed to herself to keep her mind distracted as she undid the towel from her hair and ran a comb through her locks.

But no matter how hard the princess tried to stay away, the curiosity in her mind was linked to the books beneath her bed. Maya's heart began to quiver as she walked over and pulled out her bag. After making sure her door was locked, she quickly pulled out the third volume of the old Fay spell books.

As if the book could sense what Maya was searching for, it opened to the Samsara spell. Maya kneeled beside her bed as she looked down at the words. Her heart was half coated with fear and half coated with excitement.

Maya read the words over and over as she battled with her mind. Should she do it? What if she couldn't pull it off?

After a long time, Maya figured she probably didn't have enough magic in her blood to pull off a Fay spell. It probably wouldn't even work so what was the harm in trying right.....

With a steady long deep breath, Maya cleared her throat. She gripped the book tightly and spoke the words of the spell aloud.

At first nothing happened but Maya wasn't too surprised. Spells usually took several attempts and she probably wasn't skilled enough for it anyways.

With another breath, this time much more shaky, Maya repeated the words. For a small fraction of a second, she felt a sharp poke between her shoulder blades. Her hand shot out to the spot as she rubbed it.

"Ouch," Maya hissed. "What the heck?"

She tried to look over her shoulder but it was an impossible task. With a few more rubs and pursed lips, Maya turned back around to the spell. Only this time, the words on the page started to zoom in and out. Maya's brows furrowed as she brought the book closer.

"What on earth...." she said as she felt her head grow dizzy.

Her eyelids became heavy as rocks. She felt the book drop from her hand as they slowly began to close.

One blink.

One link was all it took for Maya's bedroom to disappear.

The girl jumped up to her feet in fright as she stood in the shadows of a dark alley. Thunder roared overhead as the streets lit up with lightning. Maya pulled her robe tightly around her body as she looked around.

"Ah shit," she said. "Shit. Shit. Shit."

The streets were empty and silent. Dim lamps lit the cobblestone pathway as the scent of a storm brewing filled the air. Maya felt her way out of the darkness as she stepped out into the light. She looked both ways and found not a single soul in sight. The houses and shops around her all looked unfamiliar as she tried to get a sense of where she had landed.

Suddenly, a melodious laugh filled the air. Maya jumped in fright as a woman dressed in white walked though her. Maya screamed but the woman didn't hear her. She ran into the street as rain started to pour down from the dark clouds.

"Nick!" The girl giggled, "Come here!"

Maya looked over her shoulder to where a man stood leaned up next to a lamp post. He was looking right at her....but he couldn't see her. Maya ran up to him and waved her hand in his face. For a brief moment, the man, with his dazzling brown eyes blinked as if he could sense Maya. A small frown formed on his lips as he straightened up a bit.

Maya froze as the man's face came into the light. He was strikingly handsome. Piercing eyes that felt sharp as a knife. But no knife was a match for his strong jaw and their sharper edges. He was dressed in a military uniform, his broad shoulders filling in the shirt. Maya looked down to observe him.

He was dressed in a World War two uniform. Maya gasped as she turned around to the girl dancing in the rain. Her dress, her hair, her shoes.....

Maya had been transported to the past.

A flicker of fear gripped Maya's heart tightly as she stepped away from the man. She ran up to the girl and peered at her though the rain.

"Holy shit," Maya said as she recognized the delicate features of the dancing queen.

It was her. Not exactly Maya, but a version of her. An older Maya with dark brown hair and green eyes. She was twirling in the rain without a care in the world.

Maya couldn't believe her eyes. Suddenly she wanted to know everything about the girl. Who was she? What was her name? Where did she live?

"Nick!" The girl called out again to the man. "Come dance with me."

Maya looked back at the man watching the dancing girl from underneath a store sign. His eyes watched her in complete and utter amazement at how thrilled she was. He was captivated by the way her tiny body swayed so skillfully. Her feet barely seem to touch the pavement from where rain drops exploded like blooming flowers.

The rich chocolate of her hair excavated as it stuck to her bare shoulders. The hem of her white dress was starting to pick up mud stains but the girl was absent minded to it all.

Maya took a step closer to the man as her breath caught in her chest. She knew that look....

The look of longing and love. Like you could only see one person in the entire world.

He was her mate.

Maya's heart began to pound in her chest. She pulled her robe closer as she blinked against the heavy rain. The man took a step forward and walked out into the downpour. Maya took a step aside as he moved to the older Maya.

Her arms were wide open. Her fingers wiggled as if they were willing the rain. Maya watched breathlessly as the soldier pulled the girl into his arms and placed a hand against her face. A flash of lightning shot across the sky as the couple slowly brushed their lips over one another.

Maya felt her little heart jump up in immense joy. She had a mate!

Are you excited? What will happen next?