Part One

the beginning of my newest book

To see through the Veil
Written By: Linda Rogers

"Up arose the mighty beasts, with flaming kisses they tore the sky.Up arose the Shadowed Bliss, like a king he climbed the skies.Through mortal eyes they lingered, like a darkness fighting day.My eyes they could not linger, upon their horror filled eyes."
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          Welcome to my story, a bunch of pretty words ground together to hide the truth of my fate.I am Haven , A fey refugee come across the veil to avoid an assassin hell bent on killing the last of my Father's line.I am not a Noble, just born with the abilities of the Earth, powers thought lost to our people eons ago.With just a mere thought I can summon fire or a tornado, I can make it rain indoors and out.And with a lot of practice I can recreate Faerie on this side of the Veil.

           My story begins as most do, a day in the life of someone trying to be what they are not.A task that is tedious and stressful, in an already stressful world.
This day began warm, spring was in full swing, with a light misting of rain to summon the green things growing.My human illusion is of a tall woman with black and red hair three tones duller then my real jewel colored tresses.My eyes in this form appear to be jade, though when my power rides me they can sparkle like the purest gems.I have quite a few tattoos, all of which, when in this form are harmless.The dragon on my back, that extends to my lower calf always draws the most attention.But my favorite tattoo is the rose vines that climb around the dragon to entwine my body in blooming roses of all colors.Most days people never notice how the roses bloom with the growing seasons.I try to hide that bit, but I am a child of the Earth after all, and somethings just wont be hidden.
           The skies above me were a blue so gorgeous and light that for a moment it made me miss the world I was born in.The sun rose quietly in the sky, shedding light upon my small tattoo shop as I opened the doors to the wind, allowing the gentle breezes to refresh the stale air within.The shop was a two story number, with an elegant staircase that wound it's way to the second floor.It's metal and glass frame shone brightly in the light cast down from a huge sky light I had installed last year.Huge floor to ceiling windows allowed the spring time sun to illuminate the inside.With a quick stride I went to turn on the over head lights, casting a blueish tone to my work table.I loved light, it kept the nasties away from me and allowed me some sort of hope for my future.I had been out of town for nearly 5 months, on the run from something that loved to hide in shadows and mind rape you when you least expected it.My shop was musty and dusty, which reminded that I needed to hire someone to clean up for me if I was going to be gone.
          I turned on the radio and tuned it to my favorite mixed music station, I caught the last part of Hotel California, one of my favorite tunes.Singing the last lines I went about sweeping up and getting my tattoo supplies lined up all nice and neat.Though early in the day I had three appointments before noon and 3 more later in the day.I smiled as the song ended and a song I wasn't familiar with yet began to play.The beat was very upbeat, with a lot of base, so I turned up the music and danced a little.Inside my shop I was free to be who I was, The shields I placed over the windows and doors would only allow so much to be seen from the outside.The illusion would hold up against anyone trying to crack it, so long as their blood was not pure fey.I allowed my glamor to fall for a moment, safe inside my store.Like water falling from a great height, my illusion melted off of me.The clothes stayed the same, but my tattoos breathed into life, the dragon stretching his tawny legs and rose vines blooming fully in the sun.The tiger on my upper right should began to purr as big cats do and I stroked his snow white fur.I watched in fascination as the koi I had on my forearms began to swim lazily in a circle.I loved those two green hued fish, they always amazed me when they moved.The song ended and left me feeling giddy.Magic and music were the spice of my people, it always left us feeling reckless a little when we mixed the two.I calmed down my racing heart and quieted my tattooed friends, urging them into slumber once more.Pulling my glamor tight about me again I went to stand on the front porch.The world was waking up now, humans paced the sidewalks, intent on their own paths.A few glanced upwards towards me, one or two waving a friend hand in greeting.
         The world of mortals didn't realize what creatures walked their world with them, we had been keeping to the shadows for a very long time.I was one of but many who chose to live willingly outside of our world.The human world was colder by far, emotionally speaking.So much self interest and not enough interest in the world around them caused what little magic was left in this world to slumber.A few people were beginning to awaken the old ways, a couple of them had become my friends over the five years I have been here.I thought back on the days following my self inflicted exile and smiled fondly at my naivety.I was young and foolish in my thinking then, newly awakened to the powers that slept inside my blood.I was nearly killed three times in the first four days here and that's when i met Jacob.A human who, from some long distant relative, had fey blood.Though watered down, it was seen most clearly by those who knew what to look for.His eyes were a deep blue too jewel like to be purely human.His hair was the color and texture of ravens wings, that rich deep black almost purple and a softness most women envied.At five foot six he barely towered over me, by at least two inches.He was a self acclaimed Pagan, following the "Old Ways" as humans would call it.He said that he had dreamed of me, as did a few more of his Coven members.He led me to the small shop across the street of my soon to be be Parlor.Introducing me to his Coven had been the turning point in my Exile.I was at first timid, unsure who to trust, but they warmed to me quickly and so I confided in them.
       I was brought out of my revelry by a light touch.When my eyes focused again I was greeted by an impish smile and twinkling brown eyes.Heather was Jacob's girlfriend, already heavy with child.She and he planned on getting married before the baby was born, but at the rate she was growing, the babe might come before their plans came through.She wore a plain shift dress of green, a mix between emerald and grass green.The expanse of her belly gave her a slight waddling walk but she never complained.She was a slight woman, in her early thirties.I smiled broadly into her bright face and she giggled. "Haven , Jacob is across the street and wants to know if you want breakfast brought over.The Coven meeting isn't until later this after noon, but we are cleaning up Sacred Space and getting ready for the Spring festival." her voice was sing song and I understood well why she had chosen the path of the Bard in her studies.I glanced across the street to see Jacob waving from the picture window.I waved back and smiled. "Let me lock the door and I'll come over for breakfast, my first client is expected for another hour." She nodded and waited as I locked up.
      Fifteen minutes later had me sitting between the couple, gazing out the picture window with a cup of freshly picked herbal tea.The day was growing warmer , the sky lightening to a pale white blue.Mid-day was always my favorite time, when the world was at it's busiest.The energy of this world, though less magickal , was very uplifting.
I finished my drink then bid my friends farewell, with hugs given I returned to my store.