The Equinox Princess

In the mortal realm, Jessica, one of Mildred's classmates, was turning twenty and had decided to throw her birthday party. With her parents away overseas with a business trip, she had been given free rein to invite her friends and use the house with one caveat: the restricted area was strictly off-limits. Undeterred, Jessica had sent out invitations to everyone she knew, and soon the house was buzzing with activity. Mildred had received an invitation, along with an offer to bring her friends.

Mildred and their friends had gathered in Clover's room, buzzing with excitement as they helped Clover get ready for the party. Diana, paused mid-stroke while painting her toenails, looked up at Clover with a critical eye.

"Clover, did you choose an outfit for the party?" she asked, her brow furrowed in concern. This was Diana's third attempt at painting her toenails, as she couldn't seem to decide on a colour.

The room was a flurry of activity, with clothes scattered everywhere, and the sound of laughter and chatter filling the air.

"Yes, I did," Clover replied, enthusiastically opening her wardrobe to reveal a long plain black dress. "I chose this one because it's long and I love black colour.

Mildred's eyes widened in horror as she took in the dress. "No, that won't do!" she exclaimed, shaking her head vigorously. "We're going to a party, not a funeral! Goodness me, Clover! If I'd known you'd chosen that dress, I'd have come over hour earlier."

Thelma, who had been quietly observing the exchange, smiled knowingly.

"Don't worry, Mildred. I'm here to help. Let's find Clover something more… festive."

Clover stood aside, looking a bit shy and out of her element. She had never been one for playing dress-up or experimenting with fashion. Even when her mother had always bought her beautiful dresses, Clover had always defaulted to her comfortable staples: jeans, t-shirt, and a trusty hoodie. The idea of dressing up for a party made her feel a bit awkward, but she was willing to let her friends help her out.

Her mind began to wonder, and a nagging thought crept in. No wonder Nicholas fell for Lizbeth, she thought to herself. Maybe he was bored with my style, or lack thereof. I always dress the same way, every time. The realisation stung, and Clover couldn't help but wonder if her fashion sense had played a

role in Nicholas's change of heart.

Clover's mind was brought to present by Thelma, her comment trailed off as she rummaged through Clover's wardrobe, "Ah, I've found you!" she exclaimed, emerging with a simple yet elegant blue dress. The dress fell just above the knees, striking a perfect balance between modesty and style. Thelma held the it up against Clover, scrutinizing the fit. "This one will bring out the colour in your eyes," she said with a smile. "Try it on, Clover!"

Clover took the dress from Thelma and slipped into the bathroom to try it on. When she emerged, the room fell silent, with all eyes fixed on her. Everyone was taken aback by her stunning transformation. The dress accentuated

Clover's hourglass figure, showcasing curves that would make even the most

seasoned runaway models green with envy. Her simple, baggy clothing had been a clever disguise, hiding a physique that was nothing short of breathtaking.

As the makeover began, Diana took charge, expertly styling Clover's locks into luscious waves that cascaded down her back like a golden water. Meanwhile, Mildred worked her magic with makeup opting for a natural look that enhanced Clover's delicate features.

With a subtle touch, Mildred applied a smoky eye that brought out the sparkle in Clover's baby blue eyes, making them shine like sapphires. She finished the look with a nude lip colour that added a touch of softness to Clover's face.

As they worked their magic, Clover's transformation began to take shape and her friends couldn't help but gasp in amazement at the stunning young woman emerging before their eyes.

As they stepped into the party, the pulsating rhythm of the music and the contagious laughter of the students enveloped them. Couples were already getting cozy on the moonlit lawn, while others slipped away into the shadows, hidden by the silhouettes of the trees.

Mildred grasped Clover's arm, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Come on, let's get this party started! She exclaimed, dragging Clover into the house where the music was even louder and the atmosphere was electric.

Mildred led Clover and their friends to the lounge where the party was in full swing the room pulsed with energy as everyone shook their bodies to the rhythm of the music. The group danced with abandon, lost in the beat, until exhaustion finally caught up with them. Collapsing onto the plush couch, they

laughed and caught their breath.

"I'll go get us some drinks!" Mildred yelled above the music, still dancing as she made her way through the crowd. With a final spin, she disappeared into the sea of revellers, leaving her friends to recover from their dancing frenzy.

Thelma's eyes sparkled as she spotted her boyfriend, John, entering the lounge.

"Excuse me, guys," she said, flashing a sly smile before slipping away to greet him.

Clover and Diana exchanged a knowing glance and smiled at their friend's

excitement. As the dance adrenaline wore off, Clover began to feel a little overwhelmed by the chaos around her. She was chatting with Diana when Lizbeth walked in, Nicholas by her side.

The news of Lizbeth's pregnancy with Nicholas's baby had spread like wildfire, and the air seemed to vibrate with tension as their eyes met. Lizbeth smirked at Clover, a triumphant glint in her eye, while Nicholas's gaze lingered on Clover's face, his expression a poignant mix of longing and regret. Clover's heart skipped a beat as she felt a lump form in her throat, her emotions threatening to surface.

Diana noticed Clover's mood shift and quickly stepped in to lift her friend's spirit. "Wanna dance again?" she asked, trying to coax a smile out of Clover.

Clover nodded, and the two of them lost themselves in the rhythm of the music.

Mildred returned with their drinks, expertly weaving through the crowded room. "Where's Thelma?" she asked, scanning the dance floor.

Diana smiled as she replied, taking a sip of her drink. "She went to meet her boyfriend, John."

Meanwhile, outside, a sleek black Range Rover parked discreetly down the street, yet still within sight of the party. Four burglars emerged from the vehicle, their movements swift and calculated. They slipped into the house through a restricted area at the back, avoiding detection.

The intruders crept upstairs, their presence masked by the thumping music and laughter from below. They began to methodically search for a safe and valuables, their eyes scanning the rooms with practiced precision.

As the night wore on, Clover found herself separated from her friends. Diana had excused herself to take a call from her parents, while Jason and her cousin were too engrossed in each other to notice her slip away. Deciding to take a break from the chaos, Clover headed to the bathroom to refresh herself, unaware of the danger lurking just out of sight.

As Clover finished washing her hands, she reached for her lip gloss to apply a quick touch-up. But before she could even twist the tube open, a figure slipped silently into the bathroom behind her.

When Clover turned to leave, her eyes widened in terror as she found herself face-to-face with a stranger. She opened her mouth to scream, but the music pounding from downstairs drowned out her cry for help. Panicked, Clover sprinted towards the door, but as she flung it open, she was met with an even more horrifying sight: another intruder, gun in hand, blocking her escape.

Before she could react, the first burglar clamped a cloth-covered hand over her

mouth, stifling her screams. Everything began to blur, and Clover's world went dark.

*****

Clover groaned, her throat dry and scratchy, like the arid desert. She struggled to adjust her sight, but a blindfold obscured her vision. Disoriented, she realised she was lying sideways, confined to a moving car. Panic set in as she tried to scream, but her voice was muffled by a cloth gag sealed with duct tape.

Tears streamed down her face as she silently cried, hoping that if she remained

quiet, her captors might reveal their location. But her hopes were shattered when a rough hand slapped her face, making her head spin.

"Shut up," a menacing voice growled.

A second voice chimed in, "Easy, man, no one will hear her out here. We just need to do what we were told, then we'll be done with her." He paused, his tone dripping with malice. "It's a shame, really. I wish we could...enjoy her before the drop-off."

Clover's heart racing, she felt a wave of terror wash over her. The words sent her into a panic, and she struggled against her restraints, desperate to escape.

The car's smooth ride gave way to a bumpy, gravelly path. The vehicle jostled and lurched, tossing Clover from side to side. Time lost all meaning as they drove on, the only sounds the hum of the engine and the occasional thud of the tires on the uneven terrain.

After what felt like an eternity – over an hour, perhaps – the car screeched to a halt, sending Clover's stomach lurching. "We're here, but this place is..." one of the men began, only to be cut off by a sharp slap.

"Aww, man, what was that for?" he asked, rubbing his cheek, but Clover didn't hear a response. An unsettling silence fell, punctuated only by the creaks and groans of the car's cooling engine.

The car door creaked open, and Clover was yanked out, her hands freed from the rope that bound them. The cloth gag was ripped from her mouth, but the blindfold remained, shrouding her in darkness. She heard footsteps shuffling around her, followed by the slam of car doors and the screech of tires as the vehicle sped away.

Panic set in as Clover frantically removed the blindfold, her eyes scanning the

desolate surroundings. She found herself abandoned in the middle of a dense forest, with no sign of civilization in sight. Disoriented and terrified, she stumbled forward, chasing after the disappearing taillights.

"Please don't leave me here! No, please stop!" she screamed, her cries echoing

through the forest, only to be swallowed by the darkness. The last glimmer of the car's taillights vanished, leaving Clover alone and frightened.

She collapsed onto the forest floor, overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty. Tears streamed down her face as she wept uncontrollably, her body shaking with sobs.

Eventually, exhaustion took over, and she cried herself dry.

As the darkness closed in around her, Clover realized she had to wait until sunrise to try and find her way out of the forest. With no phone to call for help, she was truly alone. She sat on the forest floor, her mind racing with thoughts of escape, but for now, she was trapped, at the mercy of the forest and its secrets.

As Clover sat against the tree trunk, she began to feel an eerie presence, as if

unblinking eyes were trained on her. Her heart skipped a beat as she sprang to her feet, and that's when she heard it – the unmistakable snap of twigs, a sound that sent her senses into high alert.

"W... who's there?" Clover stuttered, her voice trembling with fear. Her eyes scanned the darkness, desperate to pinpoint the source of the sound. The trees seemed to loom over her, casting long, ominous shadows on the ground.

And then, she saw them – two glowing red dots, staring back at her with an unnerving intensity. Clover's eyes widened in terror as she stumbled backward, her heart racing with fear. The red dots seemed to be drawing closer, their glow burning brighter in the darkness.

A low, menacing growl echoed through the

forest, making Clover's blood run cold. The growl grew louder, more ominous, warning her to freeze in place. Clover knew she had to escape – fast – or risk becoming prey to the unknown creature lurking in the shadows.

With a surge of adrenaline, Clover spun around and sprinted through the dark forest, her legs pumping furiously as she desperately sought escape. She didn't dare glance back, fearful of what horrors she might behold.

The pounding of footsteps behind her grew louder, closer, and more menacing. Just when it seemed her pursuer was about to overtake her, Clover's feet flew out from under her. She tumbled down a steep hill, her body rolling and bouncing until she landed with a splat in the raging river.

The powerful current swept her away from the forest's terrors, carrying her downstream. Clover struggled to swim, but the darkness made it impossible to see. She could only protect her head and keep herself afloat, praying fervently that the river would eventually lead her to safety. The water rushed past her, a deafening roar that filled her ears, as she clung to the hope of escape.

After an interminable struggle, Clover's exhausted body collided with a hard,

unyielding surface – a rock or a submerged log, she couldn't tell. The impact left her dazed, but she instinctively wrapped her arms around the object, clinging to it for dear life.

As the darkness slowly receded, the sun's rays crept above the horizon, casting a warm glow over the river. Clover gazed out at the water, taking stock of her predicament. She was stranded in the middle of the river, its wide expanse stretching out before her like an endless blue sea. The current would inevitably sweep her toward the ocean, a daunting prospect.

Swimming across the river seemed impossible, given its width. So, Clover

made a split-second decision: she would let the current carry her while swimming diagonally, hoping to reach the riverbank. With a deep breath, she pushed off from the rock, letting the river's flow guide her as she stroked through the water, her eyes fixed on the distant shore.

After an interminable struggle, Clover spotted a tree root protruding from the water. Summoning her last vestiges of strength, she grasped the roots and pulled herself out of the river. Exhausted, she stumbled to a nearby tree and climbed onto a sturd branch, settling into the crook of the limb amidst the leafy foliage.

As the warmth of the sun enveloped her, sleep claimed her, and she remained there, unconscious, until the sound of horse hooves and the murmur of voices from a passing entourage roused her around midday.

Groggily, Clover sat up, rubbing her eyes. She was about to climb down and flag the entourage for help when a low, urgent voice whispered a warning in her mind, freezing her in place.

"Don't," a low, urgent voice whispered, freezing Clover in place. She wondered

if it was just her imagination, but the voice spoke again, "If I were you, I'd avoid that entourage altogether."

Clover's face paled as she turned around, trying to locate the source of the voice. But there was no one in sight. The voice seemed to emanate from within her own mind.

"Don't be ridiculous," the voice drawled, its bored tone dripping with sarcasm. "There's no one here except you... and me, of course."

Clover's eyes scanned the tree frantically, searching for some explanation. "Look, if you don't stop what you're doing now, you'll attract unwanted attention, and we'll end up in trouble," the voice warned.

Clover's gaze returned to the entourage, her mind reeling with the voice's words. "That man on the black horse... I think he's a royal vampire or a high-ranking noble vampire. His aura says it all. And don't even think about trusting anyone around here. There are too many supernatural beings lurking in the shadows."

Clover's eyes widened in shock as she stared at the entourage. "A... a vampire? Do they even exist?" The revelation sent her into a panic, her mind racing with questions and fears.

"Shh, no speaking aloud," the voice whispered. "They'll hear you. And yes, we're in the Immortal Realm. You crossed the veil that separates our realm from... other beings. Beings best avoided."

Clover's brow furrowed in confusion. "What veil? I didn't see anything," she said, her voice laced with scepticism. Her eyes narrowing. "Who are you? How can I hear you, but not see you?"

"Seriously, are you that oblivious?" the voice teased, its amusement evident. "I reside within you, which means we're inextricably linked... a trio, if you will." The voice chuckled, the sound echoing within Clover's mind.

Clover's eyes widened in alarm. "You said trio... that means there's another voice," she stammered.

The voice responded with an air of nonchalance. "Of course, but she's still dormant, waiting for her time to awaken. Patience, Clover... all will be revealed in due time."

"You haven't told me who you're," Clover said impatiently.

"I'm getting to that," the voice replied, its tone unwavering despite Clover's growing impatience. "But first, let's just say... I'm a part of you, a fragment of your own soul. And my name is Ariana." The voice paused, as if savoring the moment. "Now, are you ready to hear the truth about yourself, Clover?"

Clover's nonchalant facade faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. "I'm ready to hear it," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil brewing inside.

The voice, now grave and serious, revealed a shocking truth: "You are a hybrid, Clover - half demon, half Nephilim." The words hung in the air, heavy with implication, as the voice continued, " A being of contradictions, born of darkness and light."

Clover's eyes widened in shock, her mind reeling from the revelation. "What? I'm not a demon, you're crazy!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in protest.

Ariana's chuckle echoed in Clover's mind, laced with amusement. "Have you realized that you're the one who's crazy, talking to yourself like this? That's utter madness, Clover.

Clover shook her head, her mind reeling. "No, I'm talking to you, Ari," she insisted.

Ari's laughter echoed in Clover's mind, tinged with mockery. "Take a look around, Clover. Do you see anyone named Ariana nearby? No, of course not. We inhabit the same body, remember? To anyone else, you're just talking to thin air. And since I'm the only one you can hear, that would be, uh... utter madness." Ari's tone dripped with sarcasm, her words cutting deep into Clover's fragile grip on reality.

"That's because you're in my head," Clover shot back, her mental voice laced with defiance.

Ari's amusement was palpable. "Exactly. And in your realm, that would be a one-way ticket to the loony bin. But here, in this world, you're not alone. There are others like you, and some... far more sinister. That vampire, for instance."

Ari's tone turned serious, her words dripping with caution. "So, when you need to speak with me, use your mind, Clover. Telepathy is safer. We can't afford to draw unwanted attention."

Ari's tone shifted from caution to urgency after a brief pause. "Clover, listen carefully. Since you were speaking out loud, I've been trying to mask your aura, but it's too late. That vampire I warned you about has already locked onto our location. His aura is malevolent, and he's closing in fast. We need to get out of here, now. Move, Clover, move!"

Clover hesitated, still reeling from her ordeal. "But I'm exhausted and starving," she protested, her body screaming for rest and sustenance.

Ari, however, remained resolute. With a sudden jolt of adrenaline, Ari seized control of Clover's body. Before Clover could even process what was happening, Ari leapt from the tree, landing gracefully on the ground.

Then, in a heart-stopping move, Ari launched herself off the riverbank, plunging

Clover's body into the icy waters below. The river's powerful current swept Clover away once more, the freezing water enveloping her like a shroud. As she tumbled through the waves, Clover felt her exhaustion and hunger giving way to a growing sense of desperation. What was Ari's plan, and where were they headed?

The world around her began to blur, and Clover's thoughts grew disjointed. The river's roar grew fainter, and the cold water's grip loosened. Then, blackness enveloped her, and everything went silent.

*****

Clover's eyes fluttered open to the savoury aroma of chicken soup wafting from a steaming bowl on a nightstand beside her. Relief washed over her, and she thought she was finally home. But as she reached for her clock, which usually sat on her nightstand, she realized it was nowhere to be found.

Panic set in as she scrambled out of bed and frantically scanned the unfamiliar room. Rushing to the window, she was met with a terrifying sight: two enormous wolves stood

guard just outside, their eyes fixed intently on her.

As if sensing her fear, they advanced towards the window, their paws making barely a sound on the ground. Clover's blood ran cold as the wolves' hot breath fogged the windowpane. She let out a blood-curling scream, her heart racing with terror.

The door burst open, and a young girl around Clover's age rushed in, concern

etched on her face. "What's wrong?" she asked, scanning Clover for any injuries.

Clover pointed a shaking finger at the window, and the girl's eyes followed her gaze. To Clover's surprise, she strode to the window and scolded the wolves.

"Andrew, Isaac, stop scaring our guest!" The wolves, seemingly chastened, backed away from the window.

Clover's fear began to give way tobconfusion. "Y... you guys named the wolves human names?" she asked, still trying to process what was happening.

The girl turned to Clover, a curious expression on her face. "Oh, you're truly

human. Wow, I thought my mom was lying to me. It's been ages since I've seen one." Her eyes sparkled with fascination as she studied Clover.

Clover's confusion deepened. "What do you mean you haven't seen a human? Aren't you one?" she asked, her brow furrowed in perplexity. "And you speak as if you're older?"

The girl chuckled warmly. "Wow, too many questions at once." She smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Before I answer anything, eat your soup. It'll get cold, and soups are always best served warm."

She gestured to the forgotten bowl of soup on the nightstand. Clover's gaze lingered on the girl's face before she nodded. "W... would you stay with me while I eat?" she stuttered, a hint of vulnerability in her voice.

The girl's smile never wavered. "Of course, I would," she said, taking a seat beside Clover on the bed.

As Clover savoured the warm soup Maribelle introduced herself with a bright

smile. "I'm Maribelle," she said, extending her hand in a friendly gesture.

Clover swallowed a mouthful of soup, feeling a hint of strength return to her voice. "I'm Clover," she replied, her eyes meeting Maribelle's in a tentative smile.

As she savoured the warm, comforting soup, Clover's gaze drifted to the window, her thoughts turning to her family. She wondered if they would ever find her, and a pang of longing and uncertainty settled in her chest.