Zahara a We Are the Devil's Daughters Story

By Mara Reitsma

It wasn't easy being a female in The Void, add to that the fact that you were one of three sired by the Lord of Darkness himself, and let's not forget about that curse of hers either... Zahara was the perfect balance of her Mother and Father, giving her the ability to respect the rules, and yet know when some of them needed to be broken. This, and her abilities to get into the minds of others, made her the perfect transporter, ferrying the dead to the Great Courts to face judgement. Not bad for a female of three hundred! Together with her sisters Madrina and Euphamia, a badass attitude named Nyx, and an Angel with a flare for sarcasm, they work hard to maintain order and balance in their The Void, Sanctuary, and everything that lay in between. But an enemy from the past is waiting on their doorstep, and that curse of hers sends her on a wild ride; one that would start and end, with a Vampire named Markus. Zahara will have to figure things out fast!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Oct 10, 2016
• ISBN: 9781365454004

Book preview

Zahara a We Are the Devil's Daughters Story

A We Are The Devil's Daughters

Story

Zahara

Mara Reitsma

© Mara Reitsma. 2016

All Rights Reserved.

       ISBN# 978-1-365-45400-4

For, The Ladies!

It's not everyday you can hand your friends a character bio sheet, and create one hell of a series with what you get back! A lot of work went in to the making of Devil's Daughters and none of it would have been possible without you!  You guys rock!

PROLOGUE 

So, you're Father is, the bigs man himselfs? The short, fur covered creature asked, as he followed her along the trail.

    Bigs? Himselfs? Only a Shoohk!

To one side, the mountain rose up like a giant pile of ash, covered in streaks of red and orange, and shimmering through the night as the molten lava crept up from within the planets surface. To the other, a large lake, burning red as the molten rock bubbled away like a pot set to boil.

Do you ever shut up? Euphamia groaned, shaking her head so that her hood fell back and her hair blew free in the warm breeze.

    Locks of white and black fell about her shoulders, draping down across the black cloak she wore. Underneath she donned her most favorite of attire, a black leather wrap around secured at her back and draping don over one shoulder, and a pair of tattered leathers that disappeared beneath knee high boots.

It is justs... The furry creature let out with what sounded like a squeal a midst his horrid lisp, I's gets so excited, I's cannot helps but asks the questions. He clapped his hands together, Such funs, as always.

Then let me ask you a question... She sighed, stopping short in front of him, her deep purple eyes, glaring into his own little black beads.

I's asked yous first! He grinned again and looked around him.

Fuck! Fine! Mia let out, throwing her hands up into the air. My father, is Lord Eroch! Or as your people call him... The Fucking Devil! She spat out. Satisfied?

Yes. He smiled, But yous did not haves to be so rudes.

    Was he serious? How many times had she had to drag him back here? And he asked the same questions every time!

Great! Now tell me my furry little friend, why did you run? She eyed him down once more.

Because I's did nots do the things theys said. He shuddered, though she doubted it was from fear.

Like I haven't heard that before! Came another voice, and a figure materialized to their left and floated across the lake of molten rock to stand before them; the smokey mist that surrounded him like the steam from a nearby geyser.

Fucking finally! Mia let out with a whine. Where the hell were you?

Oh how sweet...you missed me! The figure laughed, and then removed his own hood. Do you want to hug it out?

The fuzzball cowered behind Mia, growling at the beast that had just arrived and she had to laugh. I thought I would be stuck here with Kizaal all night.

Keep your panties on Darlin! Just hit a bit of a snag.

Come now, Nyx, you know Mia doesn't wear panties! And another giggling voice sounded in the humid air around them.

You're late, Zahara! Mia mumbled.

Only, because you were on time for once! Her sister laughed.

Just don't tell Madrina, and I won't tell her how you misplaced that report from Nissa. Mia glared at her.

Zahara was full of fire tonight, with her long red hair and its thick black streaks, and the black leather one piece she wore beneath her cloak. She was 'radiating her inner heat'.

    Zahara, the perfect balance of their Mother and Father, a guiding light along that thin line, which marked the balance in all this chaos.

'You do that...and I will tell Father of your recent travels!' Zahara bore down on her sister, keeping a close watch on her amethyst hinted eyes.

'Get out of my head!' Mia shot back at her.

Are we done yet? Nyx cut in, his sarcasm clear as day. He hated to ruin the moment; no, he didn't hate it at all, the bastard was loving every minute of this madness. There is game of Hida'chi tonight and I don't want to be late.

You, and your card games! Zahara laughed, Do you do anything else? She inquired, staring at the demon who loomed before her.

I would rather die a thousand horrible deaths, AGAIN, than traipse about on Earth with all those Humans wandering about! Talk about a nightmare! The demon laughed, and Zahara shook her head.

And here I thought that a beast as handsome as you, would love nothing more than to terrorize the poor fools!

Terrorizing them is one thing sweetheart, but fraternizing with them... Nyx just laughed, What is the name of that club you like to visit?

Zahara shot Mia a nasty look. 'You fucking told him?' She glared at her.

No, she didn't tell me! Nyx sighed.

Right! She fucking tells you everything! Zahara rolled her eyes

There is that, and then the bit about me being half Demon, and you two are screaming your thoughts out!

    Why are you even listening? Zahara rolled her eyes yet again.

     Did I mention you were screaming? He shot back at her, his body growing larger, and the almost, tribal like markings that had once lay hidden, began to glow. Way louder than just following your asses; even if I ended up getting stuck in the back alley, of a fucking raver party! He hissed, the steam pouring off of him like water would against the embers of a fire.

You followed us? Zahara asked, not knowing whether to back away from the male, or stand her ground and argue some more.

Someone had to keep your drunk asses in line. He snarled back at her, but all their bickering was put to a halt, when a cool breeze swept over them, and they both shuddered.

Shit! Mia let out, and hung her head.

Oh Great! Nyx let out sarcastically, rolling his eyes and pulling his hood back over his head.

It's nice to see you too, Nyx! The voice could be heard before the figure appeared in a ball of white light.

Madrina! I was just on my way to see you! Zahara piped in.

And yet here you both are, bickering away as per your usual. Madrina sighed, And what of your target?

Uh, Mia? Nyx let out, and she turned to look in his direction.

You have got to be fucking kidding me! She choked out, as she saw the little fur-beast hurrying himself off towards the portal. Shit! She added, letting herself disappear and take form again, right in the little bugger's path. And where the fuck do you think you are going? She asked the hairy creature who stood in shock at how fast she had moved.

You's can't blames a Shoohk for tryings! He tried to laugh, but her glare had him turning around right quick, and moving back in the direction of the others.

I can blame you, for making me look bad! Mia mumbled as she led him back, gripping the scruff of his furry little neck.

Oh, Kizaal! Madrina let out, watching them draw closer, And I had hoped we were past all of this escaping business. She paused again, We had a meeting, you and I!

I's is sorry Madrina... buts the needs to leave was just too greats! The little beast whimpered, I's was weak!... Can yous forgives me?

It is not my place to forgive Kizaal. I am not my mother... Madrina reminded him.

But you are just as lovely! He cut in, and thought she smiled at him, her long red and white streaks blowing in a wind that should not have been there, he knew better.

I appreciate the compliment, but flattery will get you nowhere my friend, not with me!

I's knows! The little bugger let out with a huff, before hanging his head.

Great! So, can I fuck off now? Nyx grumbled, Hida'chi waits for no one ladies!

You may go now, Nyx! Madrina bowed her head towards him. Thank you, as always!

A pleasure! He grinned, and looked at Mia, And I will see you, later!

Traitor! She shot out at him, but it was too late, he was already gone.

The male is a blessing in disguise, Euphamia! He watches your back when I cannot!

I don't need you to watch my back, Madrina...

I fear that is not always true! Her sister sighed, and the awkward silence carried on.

Well if we are done here...? Mia started again, and Madrina shook her head.   

     Go! But remember, that we must meet with...

I'm not going with you, Madrina! Mia blurted out, I'm just, not going!

She is our Mother Mia! Zahara cut in, wanting to ease the tension in the air about them.

She gave up that right the day she... Mia started, but it was no use, they had gone over this many times before; and there was no way she was getting lost in another debate with her sisters. Not over this. You know where to find me. Mia finished, and vanished into thin air.

    Nothing but silence remained; and the slow steady breaths as Madrina tried to calm herself. It was not Euphamia's fault, she had not asked to be handed the proverbial short end of the stick; but she had grabbed hold of that son of a bitch, and would not let go.

Is shes always so bitchys? The small Shoohk mumble, and received glaring eyes from both Zahara and Madrina.

Our sister, is none of your concern! Zahara warned him.

I's is sorry!...I's just...

You were just about to join us in my study... Madrina started, and snapped her fingers, instantly transporting all three of them to the hallway outside her massive office. ...so you could tell us all about your little visit with the Skoz'ai.

    Zahara ad to take a step back and marvel at the massive book shelves that lined the walls; filled with scrolls and manuscripts, the likes she had never seen. It was a beautiful office, hidden away in such a horrifying place, but wow!

I's is afraid theres is not much tos tells yous! The little fur-ball let out, taking a seat in a chair much bigger than he was, and waited for Madrina to sit down across from him.

Then tell us what you do know, and make it quick. The night is fading and I wish to finish this paperwork before the sun rises.

Very wells! The Shoohk sighed, and bought his short legs up, crossing them beneath himself. Theres is a great unrests a midst the Skoz'ais. It is saids that the Shadowlands are no longers safes and thats they have becomes overrun with... He stopped to look about, as if making sure no one could hear him. .. with Ghosts and the like!

And? Zahara urged him to continue. There has to be more than that! I didn't send my sister into the depths of Shadow territory, to learn that Ghosts were invading!

No yous did nots! Yous sent her to rescues me froms my captors! And for that, I wills be ever gratefuls.

Then show us how grateful you are, and tell us what Mia risked her life for. Zahara demanded, And I swear, Kizaal, if you try to run one more time, I will let her toss you into the lake!

Zahara, let me speak with him! Madrina told her, I need you to make a run for me. There has been an incident within the walls of the Great Courts, and I need you to sort it all out.

What sort of incident? She asked, feeling the need for a long, hot shower.

One that includes a few of your favorite sons of darkness!

Fucking Vampires! The little, hairy one belted out, Night dwelling vermin...

And I hear they're not fond of the Shoohk either! And what do you know? We have a few of the nastiest in residence down below! So do yourself a favor and tell my sister what she wants to know, like a good little beasty. Zahara warned him through gritted teeth.

Go on now!I will let you know what he says when you return.

Oh this better be good, Madrina!

I thought you loved Vampires! Her sister laughed.

Fucking them yes! Dealing with their ego bullshit, not so much!

And with that, Zahara vanished from the room, leaving Madrina and the little mole looking male alone to discuss the matter at hand.

It is so peacefuls whens it is just you's and I's... The Shoohk let out, gawking at Madrina with his beady little black eyes. Tells me, will I's receive my usuals?

He couldn't help but sit in awe of her beauty, the long white hair littered with red streaks, the way it almost floated about her head in perfect harmony with the rest of her. She was a vision of ultimate beauty, like her mother before her, no man could deny any request she gave them; and dressed in her brown leather leggings and knee high boots, with the lace embroidered blouse and leather corset over top, it was only natural that this four foot nothing fur ball had always lusted for her.

Fuck that! Give her a vampire, swift and cunning, or a werewolf, clean cut and freshly bathed. And then there were the Angels... Soft spoken and sophisticated, tutored by Lady Ellaria herself; elegant and graceful and hot as, well, Hell.

    There was one Angel in particular though...

I's would loves a sip teas and to basks beneath the fire showers! Wheres are my females? Kizaal grumbled, drawing Madrina back to reality.

Don't waist my time, Kizaal, I am in no mood for your lustful antics! Madrina silenced his advances. You will tell me what I want to know, or I will call Zahara back here, and have you taken to the tombs.

His eyes opened wide in horror, and he sat forward in his chair. You cannots sends me downs there! Theys will tears me to shreds!

Then you best start talking! She warned him, and rose to pour herself a drink.

He hesitated for a moment, his mind trolling with terrifying images that Madrina could only imagine had something to do with his... betrayal: and then as if giving in, he hung his head and let the words fall from his fur lined mouth. Theys line the borders betweens the realms, theys waiting fors the opportunity theys need to begins theirs folly.

Go on... Madrina sighed, sitting back in her chair and stretching her arms into the air.

    She needed a bath, and just as soon as this little mongrel told her what she wanted to know and not some lie he thought was going to appease her, she might just get one.

It is saids that somes have come throughs already! That theys lingering on the vast planets, taking the forms of the inhabitants and walkings among thems, spreadings their lies. He stopped for a moment and shuddered, looking towards the flask Madrina had just put down, and she rolled her eyes as she made her way back to pour one for him. Thank yous! He smiled, and brought the glass to his lips before carrying on. The Shadows believes the enemies are preparings for a Greats War.

Madrina had to laugh, and knocked back the last of her drink. The Eno'tai have been at war for centuries; just not in this universe!

    Theys are supposeds to be's here alreadys. The Shoohk looked at her with his beady little eyes. Was he really frightened by these tales?

    Lies, Kizaal! Stories told to children to keep them from wandering off. She laughed, And did you really think that you would be safe a midst the Shadows?

A Shoohk coulds try. The small beast sighed, his eyes darting about the room as if looking for a way out; a chance at escape.

And a Shoohk would fail! Nowhere would be safe if the Eno'tai ever threatened this Verse! Madrina laughed, Except here of course!

And woulds you tells your Mother ofs my efforts? Kizaal inquired. Tells her that I's has helped you's?

There are still two hundred and thirty nine years left on your sentence my friend, and though she allowed me to send you for information before, she will not reduce your time in The Null!

    Befores?

     You ran Kizaal! We had to send Euphamia after you, and you think my Mother will look upon that with happy thoughts?

      But I's was scareds!

      And you will be safe here, if you in fact, Stay Put! She replied with a weak smile.

But its is so dulls in The Nulls! He laughed, sipping on his drink, but his grin soon faded.

Oh I think you will make do! She laughed back at him, and with a flick of her fingers, the little beast disappeared from sight.

She would see that he was taken care of, all cozy in his V.I.P cell on the the first floor. He would be fed and scrubbed down, and allowed to visit the whores if he so chose. Such was the life of a valued 'guest' in The Null, even if he had betrayed them; he was worth more alive and happy, than dead. So it had been first class accommodations for first class information, and news of the Eno'tai was a high as it could get; and yet there was so little of it lately, all torn and twisted with lies, she often wondered why he was kept around at all.

But then, this so called Great War, wasn't the only war Madrina and her kind had had to deal with recently. With threats of invasion coming from all over the Verse, one from the other side could cause even greater struggles among the races; and things had not been going so well as it, despite what everyone had heard.

    Crap! Madrina knew better than anyone that there was no room for doubt when it came to war, and even though she hated asking for things, she would have to involve Nissa in this. She needed someone she could trust, and who better, than the Captain of The Angel Guard, her mother's right hand.

Nissa would be able to confirm, or not, the Shoohk's story. Nothing got past the Angel.

     Madrina had to find him, and she had to find him fast. It wasn't like she believed what she had been told, not without knowing for sure... but just the thought of it made her stomach turn, and just like that, she disappeared into the tunnels below her keep.

CHAPTER ONE.

So many things to do, never enough time!

    Time, the one constant in the Universe; well that, and death, but death was so dark and vague, filled with mystery and fear for those who did not understand it. But time, now that gave birth to possibilities, if one knew how to manage it properly. Time, was neither friend, nor foe, it just, was. Too bad people couldn't do more with the time they had. Too bad they couldn't see time for what it really was, and embrace it...

    Time, was  Life; and just as one chapter ended and another began, so did the lives of all those people, on all those planets within this Verse, and the others.

    So....

In a time before time, in a Verse not unlike our own, there lived a people so advanced that they could exist everywhere, and nowhere, all at once. Omnipotent beings capable of unimaginable things, roaming a galaxy much bigger than our own, in search of something greater; something more.

They called themselves, The Eno'tai, and to them, the world was but a playground; a place to explore the vast possibilities that lay before them. They had existed as energy, moving and flowing like the tide, experiencing all that their Verse had to offer, but like so many others that had come before them, they found themselves in a state of unnatural boredom; so close to losing themselves in the numbness of it all.

    They had done everything, seen and experienced it all, their bodies no longer able to hold shape and their minds too advanced to be humbled by petty things such as love, family, and most of all, compassion. They had grown beyond all emotion in their quest for knowledge, they were literally dying for new adventures and yet none of them could remember how.

    This was how they lived, far removed from the lives and the chaos they had once let loose in their pursuit, of it all. There was nothing left in there Verse, save a few habitable planets that had allied themselves with the enemy for a time, and nothing was more sacred that the expansion of their minds; through the fateful demise of others.

  It was by fluke, that a handful of them happened to stumble upon the rift that day, drifting along in the currents of space and time, on the verge of forgetting it all when they found it. All it took was for one of them to reach out and grasp hold of it with their mind, and a moment later they found themselves in a place they had never seen; lost a midst stars that had never been charted. They had heard of places like this, little pockets in space and time, but never had they imagined they would find one; let alone find themselves without the longing to return to the others.

For thousands of years they were, what they called trapped on this side, trapped in the chaos that ran rampant through this new Verse. Hundreds of planets ravaged by war and devastation; no hope, no longing... just chaos. It reminded them of what they had suffered, the crimes of their own pasts beginning again in this new haven and there was just no way they could live in such havoc; there had to be something they could do to restore the balance... Something that would guide the races away from the same catastrophic end they all remembered.

     It was Eroch and Ellaria who came up with the idea. Two beings with immense power and knowledge, and a new need to reshape life around them. If they were to 'live' here, they would need this;  the life they already lived here, needed this. It wasn't long before the rest of them joined in on the cause, finding it more pleasant to live with the group, than without.

It was clear the people in this realm were in need of guidance, and Eroch and Ellaria were more than ready to help them. For each shadow there would be a light, for each fear, a hope; equal balance seemed the only way.

    And so The Void was created, or rather sectioned off at the far end of this new universe, and to compensate and return the balance, Ellaria created her Sanctuary. One of dark and one of light, and yet both offered the potential to do better for ones self. In such a wicked and twisted moment in time, where worlds worshiped Gods they had never met, went to war with neighboring tribes and distant planets, the need for such places was great.

It worked for a time, and there was peace a midst the races of beast, man, and many other species from planets near and far. Those who chose to follow the an honest path were greeted in the Great Courts and sent on their way to the Sanctuary; and those who could not control their carnal inhibitions, were sent to The Void, to serve out their sentences. Their hopes were for those crazed and deranged souls, a hope that they would see the wrong in their ways, and seek access to the peace of Sanctuary when they were deemed worthy.

     Everyone had a choice to make, every race, every being that lived, they all had the same choice to make; but when, that choice was finally made, was irrelevant. Years, lifetimes, it didn't matter, there was a place for you, a reason for your being; when you understood that, you had begun your journey forward.

And so it was, that Eroch became the Lord of The Void, and his Ellaria, the Lady of Light. Together with the others, they set out to restore the balance, each one tasked with an element of control, working together in unison for the better and hoping that one day they could prevent the past from happening here.

Sadly, it would not last though, and on that frightful of all days, the rift that had allowed them passage to their new home, had opened once again and let others follow in their stead.

    At first it was just a few Shadows, a distant tribe of humanoids with skins of blue and the ability to shift their shape at will; sneaky and defiant, but these Shadows were but a stain upon the fresh canvas they had begun to manicure. It was what would come next, that frightened them all, making them anxious was knowing that their people, the Eno'tai, would soon follow.

     To allow that, well it would have brought an end to their peace. Too many of their kind would wreak havoc on the delicate balance they had worked so hard to create, they would not understand the limits; just like before, and so it came to be, the decision to close the rift forever, had been made.

When the day finally arrived, and they had once again come together to do what had to be done. The destruction of the rift was crucial in maintaining their precious balance; they knew what it would mean, and still, they went ahead with their plan. Using what they could of their powers before it was too late, and rendering themselves flesh and blood in the process, they had closed the rift; but at such great cost. One quadrant that would have to be quarantined, one planet wiped from existence, and the life of one of their own.

Now, with mortal bodies and limited immortal powers, there was nothing left but to pass on their gifts; in a way that had been lost to them for countless millennium. They would bear children, and with them, the hopes and dreams that their people, their new people, the El'terans, would go on in the generations that followed; guiding the people of this Verse as they had done before them.

History lessons!

    As if she hadn't read enough, there were more books in her Father's library than she could ever read, and she was supposed to read them all? And this was all nothing compared to her Mother's Sanctuary!

For three hundred years, Zahara had followed the orders set down by her Father. One of three daughters born to Eroch, Lord of The Underworld and Ellaria, who was known to all as the Lady of Light.

    Triplets, and yet they didn't look anything alike, though they were the only pure blooded El'Teran's born to Eroch and Ellaria and were considered true heirs.

     They were raised in The Void, carrying within their veins the blood of both parents, it was their Father's that made it impossible to remain in their Mother's Sanctuary for too long; without actually having died first, that is. Rules were rules, and though they were her children, Ellaria could not let the darkness reside within the walls of light; no matter how badly she wished it so. Sanctuary was sacred ground, and to some races, the final resting place after a long hard journey; shadows did not belong there.

It not so much, pained, the three sisters, to live with such brief visits and the damnation that was cast upon them by their Sire's 'so-called' dark blood; but more of a hindrance, for there were benefits to it as well. The blood that ran through them, gave them the ability to vanish in the blink of an eye, travel vast distances in a heart beat, and since everyone made a trip to The Void, at least once in their lifetimes, they were always welcome in their Father's domain. They could cross any threshold, traverse any world, coming and going as they pleased; on one condition. that each of them contributed to keeping the delicate balance of it all. 

    Each of them had been tasked with maintaining order within The Void, each one of them trained to match their skills, and each one of them deadly in their own right.

Madrina had been born first, and was more like her mother than her sisters. She had long, beautiful hair that cascaded about her shoulders and draped down her back in thick, white and red streaks. Emerald green eyes waited for you when in her presence, piercing your soul with a need to confess your most horrid sins. Her loyalty and sense of duty, added to her insane desire to follow the rules to the letter, made her the perfect Warden of The Null; their Father's deepest, darkest, most sinister prison in all of The Void.

     This was where the baddest of the bad ended up. Murderers, thieves, rapists and thugs. Criminals of every kind lined the cells on all twelve levels, but the thirteenth, the darkest of them all, was reserved for those who had no hope at ever seeing the light of day.

    Pedophiles and religious lunatics, bent on destroying the delicate balance that held the universe together. Enemies with abilities to rival their own, locked away for the good of those around them, psychotic and lustful towards the taste of blood and war; and Madrina was the final voice, her word, second only to Lord Eroch's, would mean the beginning, or the end for some of them.

Euphamia had been born last, and it was said that because of this, she harbored her Father's evil streak. She had the same white and black streaked hair as he did, falling down their backs in luscious waves, and their amethyst colored eyes. She was the spitting image of Lord Eroch, though she did not find the resemblance at all comforting. Along with his looks and his mean streak, Euphamia inherited his hatred for rules. They confined one within boundaries; and she despised boundaries. But for one who bore the brunt of her Father's madness, there was good in her also, bestowed upon her with the infusion of her Mother's blood; a gift she despised as much as the boundaries and rules themselves.

     None the less, Euphamia was bound by those rules, and the wishes of her Mother, no matter how large the divide between them was. She was quick and ruthless, always keeping to the shadows, trusting none but the demon who walked the path beside her. She considered herself an outcast, a rogue element a midst her parents divine creations, suspicious of everyone and everything.

    It was this suspicion, and the abilities she harbored, that made her the perfect hunter; and her Father's first choice, as The Null's Huntmaster. Her task, which she found great joy in undertaking, was to round up those who would dare escape from their sentence, and she endured each hunt with a passion like no other.

Born in the middle, and a perfect balance of both her mother and her father, was Zahara. With fire red hair, littered with black streaks, and eyes the color of diamonds, she was swift and serene, calm and collected. Like Madrina, she stuck close to the rules, honoring their reason for existing. But like Euphamia, she could see the fault in their ways. Like a teetering beam, the rules upon which their lives had been based, where but a precipice, a delicate line that ran between the forces of chaos and order. This fine line, was what determined the right from the wrong, but like all things, there were times when the right things would have had a most devastating outcome. 

    Zahara's ability to foresee these outcomes like her mother, and that devilish control she had inherited from her father, allowed her to navigate that fine line, and bend the rules when needed. This made her the perfect Transporter, guiding all those lost souls towards the Great Courts, and accompanying them as they made their journeys to and from the afterlife...

But that was not all Zahara was doing. No, she had a whole other shit storm to deal with, one that involved two females, her sisters; and their never ending grief over one another. Zahara was the happy medium, stuck in the middle of light and dark, forced to see both sides of the issue, yet never able to intervene and put an end to it.

    The conflict, was that Madrina was so much like her mother and Euphamia, well she had a mind of her own; and a huge chip on her shoulder. Being the spitting image of her father, she had surpassed even his darkest moments; but then, no one had had to endure the agony that Euphamia had.

Madrina believed in the rules, Euphamia believed that rules were meant to be broken and it landed her in more trouble than Madrina believed it was worth; but Euphamia was their sister, and