He nods in response, “She takes with no thought to giving back, Serenity. It will be her downfall.”
Michael leans forward looking at his father, “Tell us who she is. Who is this woman who would kill my children, and destroy my home?”
Noel looks at Nick, afraid of her son’s reaction to the truth. “Mom! I deserve to know. I won’t lose my children!”
“You are right. It’s just complicated,” she replies. Nick clears his throat and grabs a book wrapped in a red velvet cloth. He places it carefully on the coffee table in front of them.
“First you should know the history, Serenity, of our people. You know I am a Saint. Through time our people have chosen a Saint to carry on our traditions. Not the toy giving tradition, but the business of bringing hope, to the hopeless, peace to the tormented and joy to the lonely. In order to bring balance to the gifts of immortality and magic, a guardian is chosen to join the Saint on this journey. Normally the Saint and the Guardian are lovers, soul mates, and partners. The partnership ensures balance. Only one time in history was this ever challenged.” Nick pauses and sips his coffee looking at Noel.
“You see, The Saint does not choose his guardian, but rather it is chosen for him, by the Well of Souls. The creator wanted to ensure that the gifts given would not be abused. So he created, The Well of Souls. It only shows itself on the Winter Solstice. To drink is an honor, Serenity. Those with a pure heart receive the gifts of immortality until the next guardian is chosen.”
“What happens to the current guardian?” Serenity asks.
“She will spend the rest of her life, loving her soul mate, and spoiling her grandchildren,” she replies softly.
“You are the guardian?” Serenity asks.
“I was the guardian. The five hundred years are almost up. This is where it gets complicated, Michael,” Noel says looking at her son.
“Only one other time has The Saint not had a guardian. You were chosen Michael to take over for your father, and Ashley was to be your guardian but...” she looks at Nick.
“But she died,” Michael responds. “Why wasn’t I told the truth before now? When was I chosen for this task?” he demands angrily.
“Don’t you dare yell at your Mother!” Nick roars. “It doesn’t work that way son.” He says pacing by the fireplace. “You and Ashley were to be the next in line, but she became sick. Dr. Chow could not save her. That left you without a guardian. We assumed that meant one of the boys would be the next Saint.”
“Michael, please understand that this has only ever happened once before, and we thought it was a myth,” Noel pleads. Nick pulls a leather bound book out of the velvet pouch and lays it down. The books is marked with a leather cord.
“There is a legend of the Winter Queen. It’s a little complicated so I will simplify it for you. It tells of a time when a guardian will fall. A Queen will rise, gifted with power mighty enough to protect both worlds. Her role is to ensure the safety of the Saint and if necessary his children, until they come of age and choose a new guardian. You are the Winter Queen, Serenity,” Nick explains.
“What of this witch, for lack of a better word. She is powerful and her hatred is deep. Who is she?” Serenity demands
“Tell him the rest,” Noel urges her husband.
“You see all those who came before you were partners and soul mates. When the guardian was chosen for me, I was already in love with your mother. Ayva was a local girl who was chosen to be my guardian instead.”
“I was prepared to let him go, Michael. A match between a guardian and their saint has always been true soul mates. I urged him to follow his destiny.” Noel says with tears in her eyes.
Nick walks to her and cups her face, “You have always been my destiny, Noel. I was prepared to step down to be with your mother. What good would immortality be, if I had to spend it alone?” Noel presses her hand to his and looks at Michael.
“Ayva was furious! She went after The Well of Souls determined to become a guardian, no matter the cost.” Noel takes a deep breath and continues. “She attacked me in the night and forced me to take her to the Well.” Noel replies quietly. Baron stretches and moves over to Noel whining softly. “It’s okay, boy. I had a protector that night, he stalked us all the way to the Well and just before she drank, he attacked. Baron was sent as a protector of the Guardian. Something told me to drink! I felt compelled and I drank before she could reach it! The Well began to swirl as though the plug had been pulled. The water drained away but Ayva broke free from Baron’s grip and dove for it. She drank only a handful of water but it was enough. The damage was done.”
“You see, Son, she was never meant to be a guardian, Noel was. Ayva used black magic to get her way, but in the end it backfired.” Nick continues. “Ayva was gifted with immortality, but not the full power of the Well. Her true spirit is hatred, fury, envy, and revenge. She is consumed with it. Her power fades, as the new guardian comes to power. For her punishment she was banished to the human world, never to return to ours. Now, it seems she has found a way.”
Serenity slowly stands and walks toward Michael. “The boys will be safe here, now. When the house was rebuilt, I wove a protective spell into the very
