A Ribbon Strand: Raised Hackura

Prologue          Haley Conners woke, startled. She looked around her and sighed, “Damn… Faerie again! Just once...can I wake up in the Hackura realm in these realities? Just one damn time?” I heard a gurgle. I looked over and my eyes went wide. This was my room, and I was… a baby? I heard someone coming. I popped into the closet and peeked out. Aiden came into my room. He popped over to my crib. He picked me up, “Shhh little Haley. Big brother is here.” He rocked me back and forth, “You are beautiful. You have so much hair for a newborn. Are you hungry? I can get you a bottle.” He conjured one and stuck it in my mouth. He sighed, “Life will not be easy for you here, but for now… I can keep you safe. You’ll have to be strong. You do strongly resemble our mother. I am hopeful that will help.” I started to cry when the bottle was done. Tears filled my eyes. Aiden conjured another bottle. He said, “Greedy little thing, aren’t you? Don’t be sad/ I know it’s hard sometimes. I’m sad too. My father died recently. He’s gone to the beyond, but he wasn’t expecting it. My Uncle, not your uncle mind you my dad’s brother, died as well. We were quite close. Our brother is not taking it well. He’s a bit depressed. It’s why he’s only come to see you once.” A knock sounded on the door and Masium opened it. He looked at me in Aiden’s arms and rolled his eyes. He said, “We have to go, Aiden. You are needed in the fire territories. You have to calm them down. They are upset about your father’s death.”             I frowned. Aiden was upset too. It was his father for god’s sake. Aiden said, “Yes, I know they are upset Masium. I am upset. I should’ve had centuries with him, and yet he is just gone. I’ll be there in a minute.” Masium said, “Put the halfling down and let’s go.” Aiden hissed at him, “She just fell back asleep. I am NOT in a good mood Masium, do not speak ill of my sister today. She is JUST a baby. She has done nothing to you.” Aiden gently put me down in the bassinet and they popped out. I popped over to the bassinet in time to see myself conjuring myself a bottle. I snorted, “At least I got lots of food as a baby.” I heard someone else coming. I picked myself up and said, “I’m sorry but It’s better this way.”             I popped her to the Hackura realm. The baby version of myself startled awake. I stared in shock. There were banners everywhere that said It’s a girl. Everyone was celebrating. There was a parade… a parade? Tears filled my eyes. I felt someone behind me right before I felt a blade at my throat. “Why are you here, fairy?” I smiled; it was Bjourn. I popped behind him. I said, “I was actually looking for dad.” Another blade touched my throat. I rolled my eyes. That would be Marcus. Bjourn said, “Who is your dad, fairy? Why do you have a baby?” I said, “Really? Look at me Bjourn and tell Marcus to chill the f**k out with the blade.” Bjourn looked at my eyes and stepped back in shock. Marcus said, “Bjourn?” Bjourn said, “Put the blade down brother.” Marcus did so immediately.             I turned around, “Hello brother.” Marcus dropped his sword. He said, “What the f**k?” I said, “We should get the family together to explain it all just the one time.” Bjourn said, “They are already together.” I smiled, “At the parade? You guys never told me you had a parade for me.” Bjourn said, “Well, you’re supposed to be a baby so… How the f**k would we tell you?” I laughed, “Where is everyone?” Bjourn’s phone beeped. He looked down and said, “Waiting for us in the main room. Let’s go.” I smirked and grabbed Bjourn’s hand when he touched Marcus and popped us to the main room. The baby me giggled when they both swayed on their feet. I said, “Oh yeah...it’s your first time popping. In my reality I pop you guys places a lot… Sorry?” Marcus groaned. Harper said, “WHAT THE s**t?!” I said, “Hey Harper, where’s your boytoy lover?” Harper said, “Who?” I sighed, “Never mind.” Logan frowned. I said, “AWWW look at how cute you are! Let me have this moment, you might just be five right now...but this is the only time I will be taller than you.” Logan said, “Why is she big, daddy?” I turned. My dad was in shock. Veronica was looking at the baby version of me. Veronica said, “Is that?” I cut her off, “Me as a baby. Yes, look long story short.” My dad said, “No, long story. Explain the long story.” I sighed, “Ok… the condensed long story is. In my reality, I was abused, beaten from the age of three, and raped from the time I turned six years old.” My dad, Bjourn and Marcus yelled, “WHAT?!” Veronica gasped. The baby version of me popped to her. Veronica cooed at her, saying, “Titus…. she’s so beautiful! Look at our little girl.” My dad looked at me and his expression melted. He sounded mystified when he said, “She is beautiful.”              I said, “Anyway….my Uncle Fabian had this ring, it's horrid. I was beaten and told I was nothing. Everyone hated me because I was just a partial fairy.” My dad hissed, “I TOLD your mother I would come for you at sixteen. She knows I am not human.” I said, “No one believes her. They think you lied to her, and she was distraught over Fenilton’s death, so she believed you. Anyway, when I was thirteen, I ran away. I stumbled into the human realm. Marcus was nearby and came to get me. He brought me home. It killed you guys how scared I was of you. I didn’t talk to anyone but Marcus at first. Eventually Miley, then mom, Dad, Bjourn, and then after getting involved with pranks...the rest of my brothers. I’m in this alternate reality deal because I’m twice light bound to my mate.” My dad’s eyes turned gold. So did my brother’s. Veronica rolled her eyes. She asked, “Who is your mate sweetie?” I said, “Alpha Eric Conners.” My dad said, “I know of his father.” I said, “Oh you all like him calm the f**k down.” Marcus said, “We would’ve felt your pain. We wouldn’t have ignored that.” I said, ‘You didn’t ignore it. As I said, my Uncle Fabian was my lead abuser. He is VERY into experiments and he gave me this bracelet that muted our connection. He didn’t know that of course. His intention was to hide my sorrow, specifically from my mother.”                Veronica said, “How did YOUR mother allow this?” I said, “She made a deal with Fabian so he wouldn’t kill me. That’s as far as she was willing to go for me. Fabian promised me to many people. One being the vampire king of Tennessee. I was kidnapped while pregnant so he could snack on me…. it was a whole deal.” My dad’s eyes were glowing so bright. He plucked the baby version of me out of Veronica’s arms, who rubbed his back. He stared at baby me and said, “It won’t happen here my little Princess. Daddy is here now.” He looked back up at me, “I am sorry for what you have suffered. Are we… do you and I get along in your reality?” I said, “Of course we do. You’re my dad. I get along with all of you. Mom actually adopted me recently in the earthly realm at my request.” Veronica’s eyes filled with tears. I stepped forward and grabbed her hands and said, “You were more a mom to me than mother ever was. Dad...I need the baby version of me to stay here.” Veronica looked at my dad, setting her face with a stubborn expression. Veronica took the baby version of me back, declaring “She won’t be going back there, Titus. She’s OUR little girl! I don’t care if they get a talking to by us…. she’s never going back there. Raped? Abused? No! Not to our little girl.” My dad said, “I wasn’t considering her going back after hearing that.” The baby version of me began to cry.             Veronica sighed, “Oh poor thing! Are you hungry? We have no milk for her! We aren’t ready!” I laughed. I said, “Baby me….do your thing.” The baby version of me stopped crying and looked at me. I said, “Odd how instinctually, even as an infant I knew I wasn’t safe there, you are safe here.” Baby me conjured her bottle. Veronica said, “Well…. why couldn’t you boys have done that?” All of them rolled their eyes. I snapped my fingers. I said, “My wing is ready as a baby's room.” Veronica said, “Oh no, you’ll need to do that in our wing. You’ll be in the room off of ours until you’re old enough to go to your wing.” My jaw dropped, “What?!” My dad said, “Where were you in Faerie?” I said, “My room. It’s on the opposite end of the castle from… well from everyone. Aiden’s room was the closest to me. He will need to help you with me. Him and Bex.” Marcus said, “Help with what?” I said, “Training me on my fairy powers.” Marcus said, “What powers?” I said, “I can control the elements, conjure, I can pop, snap, do charms. I’m the strongest healer Faerie has ever seen. I’m also the truth seeker.” Bjourn said, “I just read about that, it’s rare.” I said, “It is. Aiden, Arion and I are the promised siblings.” Marcus said, “I do not like the sound of that.” I smiled, “It’s complicated. Do you have me? Baby me? I need to see some other people.” My dad hugged me, “Thank you for bringing her here. Can you take Bjourn to Faerie?” I said, “Of course. Why?” My dad said, “To kill Fabian.” I said, “Hell yes. Let’s go big brother I was heading back there anyway.”              I popped Bjourn and I to Faerie. Bjourn asked, “Can I leave without you?” I said, “Yes, you just can’t get in without me. Fabian will be in his experiment facility. It’s the building out back.” Bjourn said, “He will die soon sister.” I said, “You could throw in Hexxus, he’ll be with him.” Bjourn frowned, “I expected the place to be in a panic.” I said, “Why?” Bjourn said, “You’re missing.” I said, “Likely they haven’t told my mother because they are happy about it. Arion, Aiden, and mother won’t know.” Bjourn said, “I could just kill them all.” I winked, “I could give you a list.” Bjourn said, “Do that.” I kissed his cheek, “I need to get moving. It was good to see you big brother. I’m giving you a big hug when I get home.” Bjourn said, “That’s f*****g weird.” I laughed and popped away to the fire territory. I found Aiden in the private places for royals. He was crying. I stepped out, “Aiden…” He looked up, startled then sat back down. He said, “Haley?” I said, “Hello big brother.” He wiped his eyes, “You’re in the ribbon?” I said, “I am. I need to talk to you.” Aiden said, “The floor is yours.” I said, “This is a hill, but ok. God...your uncle isn’t dead.” Aiden said, “WHAT?!” I said, “Fabian killed your father. He tried to kill your uncle, but he fled to the Earthly realm. Fabian will die soon… there are others though.” I handed him a list. I said, “I conjured this list to my oldest brother's room on my dad's side of the family, but you need this too.” He said, “Fabian… killed my father?” I said, “He did. There’s more.” Aiden said, “What could be more?” I said, “I suffered here. I took my baby self to my father.” Aiden said, “A human cannot protect you! Bring yourself back home.” I said, “My father is King Titus.”              Aiden was silent, “King Titus… the Hackura king?” I nodded. I sighed, “I have a lot to do Aiden. Look...we are the promised siblings. You, me, and Arion. Maybe with Fabian dead he won’t be such an ass.” Aiden said, “WHAT?! We are the promised siblings? You’re joking!” I said, “I’m not. I told my Hackura family you needed to train me on my powers.” Aiden said, “You’re the truth seeker then!” I said, “Yes. We are getting off topic. Take power here, Aiden. You’ve always been ready and mom’s not right to lead the Fae. You are. She knows… I don’t know how long she’s known, but she knows we are the promised siblings. I need to go speak with Marcious.” I kissed his cheek, “You’ll be a great leader brother. Our people will rally behind you. Find the partial fairies Aiden. We all have powers.” I popped away to the water lands. Marcious was waiting. He jumped, “The Princess? You’re a jumper?” I sighed, “Yes, yes, yes. Look here and listen. You’re going to meet your mate. She’s going to cheat on her husband with you. You have a baby; her name is Evelyn… go with Emmaline it’s better. Anyway… you agree to let her mother raise her. Don’t. When her husband finds out Emmaline isn’t his he runs her out of town. She lives in a tent. Keep Maribella safe and away from my uncle’s ring. It shouldn’t exist but… you know.” Marcious nodded, “I will do as you say. I plan to start looking for my mate now.” I winked, “Try California.”              I popped away. I went to my Aunt Faelynn’s mate’s house. I killed him and his brother then popped into Marcus’ room. I left him instructions to kill David Forrester after Emmaline was born. I left a note for myself with my dad when I was older, then I popped to Lexi’s house. Her parents were staring at me wide eyed. I said, “You need to...you know what…hang the f**k on.” I popped to Jordan and popped back. Allison and James got up. I said, “Jordan didn’t kill Lizzy. Lizzy is alive. She’s Hanson’s string, and he took her. He’s got some weird ring of his own going on. You and your people are under a magical spell. I don’t know a good witch right now…. My dad, King Titus could tell you. I looked at James, “Unless you want Lexi at eight years old to trip over your dead body, break her arm and try to keep her dead mother alive, YOU WILL LISTEN TO ME! Lexi turns to drugs to numb the pain. Jordan tries to help them, but he does it from afar. He misses something.” Jordan said, “Who thinks they can kill my brother?” I said, “Hanson. Don’t let it happen and keep Noah the f**k away from Lexi. He’s Hanson’s son.” James stepped back, “No!” Allison said, “Oh...no.” I said, “Oh yes. I have to go.” I popped out.             I smiled when I ended up in Eric’s room. I looked out the window to see him training. Even at thirteen, he had such a good work ethic. I saw a piece of paper on his bed. I picked it up. It was a memo about me being born. I smiled. He really did seek out information about me. I left him a note. And popped out. I left a note for my lion who was also training. Jeez… they needed to lighten up. I left a note for Debbie and Dale Lyons, warning them about Chrisassty and Lacy. I popped out back to my wing in the Hackura realm. Bjourn was sitting there. I said, “You work fast.” He said, “I found my note you left me. This is a lot of damn names.” I said, “My uncle was a sick man.” I hugged him, “I love you Bjourn… I’m fading.” My eyes closed and I opened them. I was back in my realm. Eric was waiting for me. I hugged him, and said, “We need to go find my brothers. I need to hug them and my dad.” Eric held out his hand, “Then let’s go.” I smiled. I loved this man.