Prints_Birth of The Demon Page 2

  A deep voice Dominaze did not recognize came from behind her. “Welcome home, Dominaze.”

  Turning, she looked up to see a man standing over her. His dark hair was streaked with pale blue and reached his lower back. Blue swirls, similar to Hemrick’s, covered his skin. As impressive as all that was, it didn’t matter. It was his face that she couldn’t stop staring at. He looked like her. Dominaze was looking at an older, male version of herself. She knew immediately this man was her father.

  Trying to compose herself, Dominaze scrambled to her feet. “Kyro…I mean Dad,” she quickly corrected.

  With tear-filled eyes he embraced her. Dominaze stood motionless with her hands by her side. She couldn’t decide whether to hug him back and before she could, the moment passed.

  “Finally.” He breathed. He pulled her back and stared at her. “You look incredible.”

  An unsure smile was all she could manage as she looked into the features that so closely resembled her own. Dominaze felt the awkwardness level rise as they stared at each other until something behind Kyro pulled her gaze from his. Looking past him, her mouth dropped open as she beheld what clearly wasn’t there before. An enormous marble bridge glowed against the dusk sky leading to the island in the distance. Placing her hands over her mouth, Dominaze took in the view. The Miami hotels were gone, replaced with large glowing mansions. The path they had followed was now covered in a thick garden of incredible flowers bursting with unbelievable colors. She was in a paradise.

  Kyro put his hand on her shoulder. “Dominaze, this is Domicile, your home.”

  Dominaze couldn’t believe her eyes. She shook her head in amazement and terror.

  “Where… I mean what… when did..?” She stuttered and pointed around aimlessly.

  Everything that was here before the storm was now gone, replaced with completely new scenery.

  Kyro opened his arms to their surroundings. “Domicile is a world within a world.” He explained. “It is one of three worlds coexisting in the same space.”

  Dominaze swallowed hard and tried to nod. “Three worlds? Okay.” She laughed nervously. “So we’re not in Florida anymore?”

  Kyro shook his head, looking quite amused.

  Dominaze had to remind herself to breathe. “This is a different world?”

  He nodded.

  “This is real?” She exhaled slowly, trying to come to terms with what she clearly couldn’t deny.

  Hemrick stepped in front of her. “This is home of the Prints.” He smiled. “It’s what we are and what you are about to become.” He held his arm out so she could see his blue swirled markings. “This is why you had to leave.”

  She touched the blue on his skin. “A Print?”

  Hemrick nodded, “For now you are a Talom, an adolescent, until your actual imprinting. Prints exercise authority over everything, the earth and everything on, within, and above it. We exist to create, manage, and keep the balance of all things.”

  “But how did we get here?” Dominaze couldn’t stop looking at her new surroundings, afraid they would fade away.

  “Through the winds.” Hemrick answered.

  “Is anything you say ever going to make sense?” she asked, still in awe.

  “Probably not for awhile,” he admitted. “Dad and I are Wind Prints. We create and influence the winds. I carried us here through a wind current.”

  Dominaze laughed nervously shaking her head. “Sure.”

  “Come.” Kyro gestured to the bridge. “There’s so much to tell you before the Elders arrive.”

  “Who are the Elders?”

  Kyro placed his hand on Dominaze’s back to guide her forward. “There is one Elder for every imprinting group. Tomorrow you will meet the Elders over water, earth, and vegetation.”

  “Why are they coming to see me?”

  “Few Prints come from being raised in the world you know—the world we refer to as ‘The Keep.’ Only under unique circumstances can a Talom be permitted to live outside of Domicile. The Keep is set aside for the Humans to live in. When a Talom returns from living there they must go through an interview before they can stay.”

  Dominaze’s head felt like it was spinning as she tried to make sense of everything. She rubbed her throbbing shoulder.

  Kyro placed his hand on her shoulder. “The throbbing will stop once you’ve imprinted. The discomfort is from your strip forming.”

  “So why was I in…The Keep?” A pit formed inside Dominaze’s chest as she realized she was raised in a world she wasn’t meant to be in.

  “Kora, your mother.” Kyro answered. “She insisted you stay with her while she raised Fallen and Amanda, your Human sisters. Humans are not permitted here, so she took you away until your imprinting birthday.”

  “What?” Dominaze paused at the top of the bridge and pulled away from him. “Mom took me away from here knowing the whole time that she would just be sending me back with no explanation? And you let her do this?”

  Kyro shook his head. “You were only a baby, Dominaze. Kora insisted you needed your mother. When the Elders agreed she could keep you, I had no say in the matter.”

  Dominaze didn’t say anything. The pit inside her chest burned as the anger she held for her mom turned into resentment. Too many questions flooded her head. How could her mother force her out of such a beautiful world and into one she didn’t belong to? Why didn’t her mother bring her back when she struggled for so long to get along with her twin sisters? She shook her head and forced her mom from her mind.

  Dominaze looked around at the incredible scenery. If this was the world she was always meant to be in, maybe she could actually fit in here after all. She touched her sore shoulder and smiled. Excitement filled her as she realized she was a part of something bigger than she could have ever imagined.

  “Okay, and what about the other world? You said there were three?”

  “Let’s introduce one world at a time, shall we?” Kyro pointed across the bridge. “First, welcome home.”

  The island was so much closer here in Domicile. It would have taken forever to cross the bridge in The Keep. At the end of the bridge was a garden of brilliantly colored flowers with a mix of palm trees and weeping willows. Behind the garden rose a massive glass mansion that illuminated the area like a giant light bulb. Arches and balconies surrounded the glass walls and bowed staircases connected each level. The entire place was bustling with Prints at work.

  “Home?” It seemed unreal.

  The walk was surreal as Dominaze tried to take it all in. Prints covered in green-swirled markings hovered over the garden plants, making them grow, shrink, and even combine and change shape. A short, stout man appeared to be splashed with a color pallet, as if he had collided with a rainbow. As they approached him, Dominaze’s mouth dropped as she realized he was growing apples, oranges, and grapes—instantly—on the surrounding trees and vines. With just a wave of their hands, Prints were clearing the pathway of debris, filling empty creeks with water, and blossoming a heavenly garden. She couldn’t help but laugh at the site of a woman struggling head-first up to her waist in an animal burrow, yelling at something. She gasped at the gangling lizard-like Print leading two large crocodiles away from the garden. Each Print that saw them passing stopped and waved. Dominaze pinched herself several times to be sure she wasn’t dreaming.

  “Do all these Prints live here?”

  Kyro shook his head. “They have quarters they can stay in on the island, but most live on the mainland. They are here to maintain and care for our home.” He opened his arms to the mansion in front of them.

  The last of dusk’s light faded as they came to the large entrance. The glow coming from inside was inviting.

  Just then, Dominaze noticed a familiar face. It was Thora, her dad’s assistant. It only took Dominaze a minute to pinpoint what was different about her. Her skin was now covered in soft grey marks that faded in and out over her entire body and her long braid
was entwined with grey streaks.

  “Thora,” Dominaze smiled.

  Thora jumped, startled by her voice.

  “Oh…hi.” She stuttered while mindlessly tapping her foot on the ground.

  Dominaze admired Thora’s markings “What kind of Print are you?”

  “Oh, I’m a Mouse Print.”

  Dominaze was sure she had heard her wrong. “A what?”

  “A M…mouse Print, dear.” Thora shrugged her shoulders while blushing.

  “A mouse,” Dominaze repeated. “Wow. That is so interesting.” She raised her brows as high as they could go.

  Hemrick pushed Dominaze through the door before either of them could say more.

  Dominaze’s mind was running. “There are Prints for mice and crocodiles? For fruit, and wind, and plants?”

  Hemrick laughed as Dominaze began to daydream at the possibilities. “There are Prints for everything that makes up all three worlds.”

  “Do I get to choose what Print I become?” Dominaze’s eyes grew big.

  “No,” Hemrick shot her hopes down.” It’s based on the balance in nature. When there’s too much or too little of something, a Talom that holds the personality and characteristics to best help rebalance it will imprint in the area that needs the most attention. For example, Thora imprinted during a mice influx. Nature needed the mice controlled, so she imprinted with the mice.”

  “Oh.” Dominaze nodded, looking back toward Thora. She stepped closer to Hemrick and spoke softly so Thora wouldn’t hear. “Is there a rodent influx of any kind right now?”

  Hemrick smiled. “No, and I’ve never known a Print to imprint in a way they were unhappy with.”

  Kyro placed a hand on Dominaze’s shoulder and looked her in the eye. “Everyone is important to keep nature in balance. Every Print has a purpose.” He motioned for her to follow him.

  Walking through the entrance nearly took Dominaze’s breath away. It was lined with silver twisted pillars and in the center, water spilled down a silver fountain. Incredible scenic art covered the walls and marble flooring ran seamlessly through the house. Following Kyro and Hemrick, she noticed the silver and glass theme seemed to continue forever. More Prints were bustling around the house. Each of them wearing a white uniform. Dominaze watched as two Prints moved from window to window. One had bright red sharp markings, while the other was covered in brown, grainy speckles. The Print with brown speckles raised his hand to the window. The glass peeled away from the frame and folded onto itself until it was a large glass hovering above the marble. The Print with red markings then raised his hand and the glass marble heated into a glob of fire. It then cooled and the glass stretched again to fit the opening perfectly.

  Dominaze furrowed her brow, trying to figure it out. “What are they doing?”

  “Cleaning,” Kyro announced. “Those windows were getting filthy. They’re burning the impurities away.”

  “That’s how you clean your windows?” She looked around at all of the large windows. “Not much privacy here.” She pointed to the glass walls.

  “We own the island.” Kyro said over his shoulder. “It doesn’t get much more private than that.”

  Dominaze’s eyes grew wide. “I see.” She lightly touched a silver statue of a woman wearing a thin robe. She paused and admired all the silver details. “Someone likes silver.”

  “Your mother,” Kyro answered.

  Dominaze dropped her hand. “Oh.”

  Kyro guided Dominaze to a long white sofa. “Your mother had an unhealthy obsession for silver.”

  “Strange,” Dominaze scrunched her forehead. “At home she refuses to even have silverware in the house. She’s almost afraid of it.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me.” Kyro’s eyes were deep in thought. “Her obsession caused a lot of problems.” He let his mind wander only for a second before coming back to reality. “But there are far more important things to discuss tonight.”

  Dominaze was grateful. She didn’t want to talk about her mother. Hemrick sat next to her as their dad thought of where to begin.

  “I want you to be at no disadvantage, Dominaze. Taloms here attend many courses to help prepare themselves for their imprinting. They learn to clear their minds and are encouraged to physically exercise their bodies. You will be given the best tutors available after your imprinting. Taloms are usually required to imprint within a secure facility for safety reasons. However, I have been granted the right that you be here while you imprint to help you feel more comfortable.”

  Dominaze was glad she didn’t have to be sent away. “When will I imprint?”

  “During the first hours of your fifteenth year. You will wake that morning as a Print with authority over your own element.” Kyro smiled.

  Once again butterflies filled her stomach. “So, tomorrow night?”

  “It’s a natural process and nothing to fear.” Kyro assured her. “At dawn tomorrow, three Elders will arrive to give you permanent rights back into Domicile. We have a Talom celebration planned afterwards for you to meet others and at dusk you will retreat to your room for the imprinting process to begin.” Kyro smiled, clearly pleased with tomorrow’s itinerary. “Once you’ve imprinted, we will discuss further education for your element.”

  Dominaze’s head buzzed as the reality of what was about to happen set in. The Elders coming, meeting other Prints, imprinting for life and having abilities she didn’t understand—it was almost too much too fast. It was a game of tug-of-war, excitement and terror pulling her apart.

  “Are you okay?” Hemrick touched her arm.

  “Fine,” Dominaze lied. “Just tired.”

  “Do you need to eat?” Kyro looked at her face. No doubt she was looking more pale than usual.

  “No.” The thought of food made Dominaze’s already nervous stomach nauseated. “I just really want to rest.”

  “Of course.” Kyro took her hand and helped her stand. “We’ll show you to your room.”

  It was all a blur now. Dominaze barely noticed a group of Prints passing as they left for the night. Her pounding heart made it hard to hear. In a daze, she followed Kyro up the stairs and down a long hallway. His voice sounded far away as he opened the door to her new room and wished her sweet dreams. She didn’t remember saying anything in return or walking across the floor, but as her heart finally relaxed and her breathing deepened, she realized she was under blankets, lying in a huge bed. Her eyelids grew heavy and her mother’s last words snuck into the last of her consciousness.

  “You’ll forgive me.”

  Whether the anger she felt came from her mother giving her away so easily or from keeping her from this world for so long wasn’t clear, but after tomorrow she would know who she was always meant to be.

  ~3~

  RIGHTS INTO DOMICILE

  A sudden bright light ripped Dominaze from her dreamless sleep.

  “Good morning sleepy head,” Hemrick called as he threw open the curtains.

  The sun had barely peaked above the ocean’s horizon. Its intense beam blinding Dominaze as it lit up her room. She blinked at her surroundings.

  “I’m still here.” She smiled.

  “Good thing, too. Dad would have flipped if you had disappeared.”

  “I was sure I would wake up back in Brooklyn and everything from yesterday would’ve only been a dream.”

  “Well it will quickly turn into a nightmare if you’re still wearing that silly old shirt when the Elders arrive.” Hemrick came over and flicked the collar of her mother’s blouse.

  Dominaze looked down at herself. “What do I change into?”

  “I’m here! I’m here!”

  A lanky girl, much taller than the average teenager, came bursting into the room. Everything about her was too long and too slender, even her slim, stretched nose. Rolling ringlets of white-blond hair reached her waist and bounced as she nearly galloped across the room. Her eyes reminded Dominaze of dark chocola
tes. There were no markings on her skin. She was a Talom, like Dominaze.

  Hemrick gestured to the tall girl. “Dominaze may I introduce Marinetta Scotts.” He turned to her. “You’re late.”

  “I know. I know. I’m sorry.”

  Hemrick held his hand up. “It’s fine. Just make sure Dominaze is ready on time.” He turned back to Dominaze. “Dad thought she could help you get ready for the day.”

  Dominaze scrambled out of her bed. “Thank you.”

  “I’ll have you ready in no time.” Marinetta gave a quick smile before disappearing into a massive closet. She called while still out of sight, “I know just the style you need for today.”

  Hemrick shrugged his shoulders. “Well since ladies fashion isn’t part of my expertise, I’ll wait in the hall. Trust whatever she picks for you. Marinetta is a bit of a fashion expert and Dad had her pick just about everything in your closet.” Hemrick turned to leave, but stopped and turned back to whisper. “Be nice. Our dads are close friends and Dean Scotts is Commander over Domicile’s largest military.”

  “I am nice.” Dominaze hissed.

  “Sure.”

  Hemrick left just as Marinetta returned with her arms full. She looked around the room confused.

  “Where did Hemrick go?”

  “He’s waiting in the hall.”

  “Oh” Marinetta smiled as she placed everything neatly on the bed. “Your brother is so sweet.”

  Dominaze couldn’t help notice a twinkle in Marinetta’s eyes. “Do you like him?”

  “Shhh…” Marinetta nodded toward the door, but then shrugged while smiling.

  “Isn’t he a little old for you?”

  “It’s only a five-year difference. I’m the same age as you. My birthday is only two weeks from now.” She grabbed a dress she had brought out and held it up for Dominaze. “Five-years difference may sound like a lot at fifteen and twenty, but at fifty and fifty-five, it’s hardly different at all.”

  “Oh, I didn’t actually know how old he was.” Dominaze slipped off her mother’s blouse and put the dress on. It was black, stiff and short. “Um…is there something with a little more length?”