Ebony
An hour and a half had passed since I’d known Shelley was in labour. Unfortunately, my own supernatural powers were limited to the visions. The vampires could whizz, the werewolves could run at speed, demons could open and travel through portals, and angels could fly. It wasn’t entirely fair that I helped the universe and still had to pay for taxis, but such was my lot.
I rang the doorbell at the farmhouse and Mary answered.
To say we’d spent a large portion of the last week or so together she appeared to groan before smiling at me. “Ebony, lovely. I thought you were okay enough to stay back at your own house? Only it’s a little hectic here.”
“I saw the baby coming in a vision. I have to be here.”
Mary bustled with pride. “She’s absolutely gorgeous. Well, she looks a little weird when her eyes change but other than that, she’s just perfect.”
“Erm, okay. Well, am I all right to go see her?”
“I’ll just check. Come through to the kitchen while you wait.”
Mary disappeared. She was another supernatural able to come and go, although Mary wasn’t able to venture too far from where she’d been brutally slain, so there was that.
She appeared again making me jump.
“Yes, you can go visit. Like I said, watch for the eyes. It’s making everyone startle. I hope the child bounces because someone’s going to freak and drop her before long.”
Slowly, I made my way up the stairs bracing myself. I expected that the minute I walked through the door I’d be hit with visions connected with the baby’s future. She was going to be the most powerful ruler of Withernsea after all.
The door to the bedroom was ajar, and I could make out someone walking around and the sound of murmuring. I tapped on the door and Theo opened it wider, a massive smile on his face.
“Welcome, Ebony. Our first proper visitor! Come in, and meet Charlene.”
Not a single vision hit me. Perplexed, I made my way over to Shelley who was sitting in an armchair with the baby in her arms. “Look, Charlie, it’s Ebony. She’s come to visit you because you are so very special.”
I took in the sight of the baby. She had a small amount of dark, soft downy hair on her head, and the cutest button nose. Her rosebud lips and heart-shaped face cemented the fact she was going to be a beauty. She opened her eyes and I swear to God she stared at me knowingly. It was the strangest feeling. An intense feeling of calm washed over me.
“Hello, Charlene. You are very beautiful. I’m Ebony, and my role here is to make sure you live a safe and happy life. The thing is, I have visions, so I will always let you and your mummy know if there’s any danger around.” My gaze met Shelley's.
“That’s why I’m here. I know it’s usually close family who come first, but my visions have returned and I need to be here as you receive visitors. The heads of all species will come to see you because of the importance of your daughter.”
“I’m going to need you to get me a new make-up pallette. I can’t be seeing people in this state.” Shelley pushed back her hair.
“You’re a new mother, you look radiant and beautiful.” It was a total lie. Shelley looked like she’d been dragged through a hedge backwards while a tornado happened, but you didn’t tell a new mother that. She did have that new mother glow though that came with the birth endorphins. I’d get a hairbrush later and help her look a little more presentable.
“You really think Charlie could be in danger?” Shelley bit her bottom lip.
“I don’t know at this point. The visions haven’t revealed anything to me yet, but it’s best to be cautious.” I glanced at my watch. It was almost 4am.
“Is it okay if I take my room again? I’ll leave you to rest now.”
A woman came into the room and Shelley introduced her as the midwife.
“I’m staying for the next few hours, just to make sure everything’s okay and to give mum a chance to rest, and then if everything stays fine, I’ll leave around midday? I’m sure by then all the family will have gathered around.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to hold my grandbaby soon.” Mary appeared in the room, a frown on her face. “Only all this caring for visitors is draining my energy, meaning other people get cuddles and I haven’t had one yet.”
“I haven’t held the baby.” I said to Mary, feeling I’d not earned the irritated look cast my way.
“Would you like to?” Shelley said. “You’ll have to excuse my manners, I’m tired.”
“Yes, please.”
I took the baby from Shelley, ignoring Mary’s thunderous expression and her large ‘harrumph’ before she disappeared again. That newborn smell wafted beneath my nose and for the first time ever, I wondered if I would have any children of my own.
Again, the baby’s eyes opened and stared at me. It was if the baby was letting me know I would be fine. But that was impossible, surely? She was just a baby.
Not any old baby. The words appeared as clear as day in my mind.
My eyes widened, my arms wobbled, and I saw Shelley notice. “She do the eye thing again?”
“Yes.” I lied. “It’s quite something isn’t it?”
Can you speak in my mind? I suggested to the baby, feeling rather foolish.
You betcha, but shhh, right? It’s a secret. Until my body catches up with my mind.
Then a vision came. It didn’t hurt. Didn’t feel like my head would explode. It just floated through. A vision of Charlene.
Not a word, remember?
Okay. I’m here to protect you though, so if I need to tell them, I will.
Agreed.
Oh boy. Shelley and Theo were headed for one big shock.