The Transformation of Anna-1 (rev 8/16)

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"The Transformation of Anna-2 (rev10/9)" 

The Transformation of Anna

One

The bliss of innocence calls to my heart, calmly, irrevocably.  My body yields and my mind wonders- will I regret my surrender?

     

It wasn’t a nightmare, but it felt like one to Anna.  Dusk sent its call to the night, releasing deep shadows to overtake the empty heart of the city.  Street lights flickered on as if to hasten guidance, but were little comfort as the stories of disappearances flooded her mind.  “Curfew breakers are never seen again.”  Her anxious whisper materialized as mist in the cold air like a lingering warning. 

She knew she’d been chancing fate, but the assigned task had to be completed on time.  She doubled her pace for the short cut she’d used the past several days.  Dread rushed her as she neared the block’s wide corner entrance and the heavy iron gates stood closed.  The ancient stone gryffin perched high on the stone gateway seemed to glare down at her, vowing to protect the area beyond.  She shook the tall barriers with disbelief.  “When do they ever lock Shilo Park?”  The frightened sound of her own voice sent chill through her edged nerves. 

She darted her eyes down each of the long palisades that fortified the town’s green.  The expanse seemed horrendous.  She whipped around at the sound of a whispered thought. 

Anna.

Beneath the dim light of a street lamp, dense smoke rose through a gutter drain.  In a billowing rise, it altered, taking the form of three men.  Icy panic filled her.  She ran, taking the shortest of the long routes home. 

There’s no use in running.

The words seeped through her mind like powder through a sieve, lighting on every fiber of her thoughts.  She threw her hands to her head, trying to block out the imposing voice.  Disoriented, she darted across the road, forcing her way through the street-side clutter in an attempt to hide. 

Her movements took great effort as the terror caused tremors to shake her body.  Stumbling past the overflowing trash bins, she found a narrow alleyway and rushed into the darkness.  A dim light in the distance seemed to call her to safety.  She ran. 

The scent of aged cabbage and urine filled the neglected space and brick buildings, cold and indifferent, loomed overhead, haunting her effort.

She approached the symbol of hope, and with a step halted, scanning the wall that blocked her escape.  Anxiety stung in her chest, as realization of her fate hit with force.  She slowly turned her gaze to the way she came.  With weighty steps, she backed into a corner, bracing herself with her hands to the wall on each side.  “Don’t breathe,” she told herself.  “They say not to breathe.”

The echo of steady footsteps sounded through the air and Anna stood transfixed, staring in the direction of her pursuers.  With seemingly measured pace, the three came closer.  Their black hair blended with the shadows, and each unified stride caused their capes to furl with the look of controlled motion.  Their eyes, the color of midnight, focused solely on her.  As they neared, the leader stepped up to her. 

He looked down at her with a penetrating stare. 

Anna shrank under their intimidating presence, but with hope of resisting, held her breath.

The men waited.

The sense of endless seconds filled her as she gazed at their resolute faces.  Heat coursed in her lungs, the need for breath deepening and she swallowed hard to ward off the growing want of air.

Just as she felt her chest would burst, the man before her opened his hand and lifted it as if gracefully setting a butterfly free.  A mist of dust with the brilliance of snow crystalline encircled them and lingered, enchanting the air. 

Anna’s eyes widened at the sight and she struggled to withhold the gasp that would betray her. 

You have to breathe sometime.

The voice sifted through her mind, taking hold of her conviction.  Her burning lungs begged for relief and she felt the tiny crystallites flow past her lips.  She looked up at him.  A small smile touched his coal eyes.   

The sweet taste of divinity lighted on her senses, offering the faint flavor of euphoria.  Every bit of logic told her to fight, but resistance became more difficult as the pleasure took her to the verge of acceptance.

Peace took her heart, serenity channeled her emotions and with the promise of bliss singing in her mind, Anna conceived a distant want of completion.  A need to ply to this man’s will was engendered.  She watched as he inhaled the sparkling mist and stepped closer.  Framing her face with his hands, he formed his lips to hers.  They were warm and seductive, unexpectedly tender.  His long hair softly brushed her shoulders as he intensified the kiss.  In a gentle gliding motion, he opened his mouth and she felt the loving caress of his tongue on hers.  A feeling of reuniting lost souls echoed through her heart and she resigned to the desire of the moment, inhaling his heavy breath.  In an instant, she was filled with the magic’s drug. 

Heat brimmed her lungs and filtered through her body.  From the center of her heart, the rapturous mist sealed her senses.  Then, with numbing repression, it seized her mind.  The final will of identity vanished.

She wavered at the feeling of weightless concern, then with sharp clarity, her focus was renewed.  She gasped a breath of rebirth and with unhindered adoration, looked on the three.  Her new sight brought to light their beauty, and with wonder, she took in their glory. 

The leader stood tall, like a pillar of strength, his gaze, that of an awe-striking night sky.  His hair was a sheet of black satin, its thick folds adorning his shoulders.  To his left stood a guardian, his countenance omniscient.  His stature was large and powerful.  A dark crest sat unruffled on his head, trimmed neatly, with distinction.  The third looked at her with deep onyx eyes that were set in the face of a god, square and defined.  On his head was a praise of laurels with joyous corollas that defied the taming of handwork.

Little else stole her view and nothing else mattered, only that she had them near and they allowed her in their presence.  Reverence owned her as she gazed upon the three and followed their every step through the quiet city to the wide doors.

They stepped inside.  The sire appeared and scanned her with a look of satisfaction.  He withdrew three coins from his pocket.  “The addition, I see.”

The leading man glanced at the prize.  “I believe the price is double for this one.  Your requirements were steep.  Far beyond that of a Grand Marshall’s standard order.  As per your bid, she will comply completely.  The transformation was a solid take.”  He looked back at the master of the house.  “And I see she pleases you.”

The sire chuckled and a crooked smile touched his lips as he studied Anna.

She blinked innocently and looked from one man to the other with questioning simplicity. 

“Okay.”  He pulled out three more coins.  “The Wizards of Shilo Manor own up to their reputation.”  Handing the man the requested currency, he looked back at his purchase.  “And I am very pleased.” 

The eyes of midnight turned to Anna.  She flushed with the pleasure of his attention.   

Lord Dressen is now your keeper, Anna.

The thought’s voice touched her mind like warm honey.  Unmistakable reverence flooded her as she looked at the sire of the house with new sight.  Every step he made to the door was grace.  The very motion of his hand grasping the handle was perfection.  Her unwavering eyes watched him thank the men as they left.

He turned to her, his brown eyes scanning her with a smile. 

Anna looked at him with unmitigated wonder.  She couldn’t imagine a more magnificent face.  Every line that accented his heavy brow and creased his narrow face declared his wisdom.  His black hair was a majestic crown tinted with silver and his stature straight with purpose.     

“Clair.”  His deep voice vibrated in her senses.  A woman appeared from the hall.  “Anna has joined the household.  She will have a room on the second floor.  See to it she knows what’s expected of her.”

“Yes, Sire.”

He turned to leave and Anna began to follow, but Clair’s firm grip caught her arm.  “Come with me, love.”

Confusion crossed her mind as he disappeared from sight and her focus widened to take in the surroundings.  Lustrous onyx, polished silver and a sparkling ceiling boldly commanded her view.  She sent her gaze to her guide.  The woman’s brown hair was tied back into a tight bun at her neck and her ferrety features wore a small smile.  The petite little lady led her to walk.  A wide staircase unfurled before her startled eyes, leading to a masterful stained glass window on the second landing. 

She watched the enormous work of art that took up the space from floor to vaulted ceiling.  Only the tug of her escort’s hand pulled her away as the geometric shapes absorbed her attention.

“You will be staying on the second floor.”  The servant opened a door at the end of the hall.  “This is your room.”  Making her way to the balcony doors, she opened them, allowing the sheers to skim along the breeze.  “The fresh air will help you relax.  I know this must be confusing to you.”  She headed to the bathroom and turned on the light to the vanity.  “Tell me, how does it feel?” 

Anna blinked to the woman as she peeked out of the room at her.  “How does it feel?”

Clair smiled.  “We were told strict requirements were sent with his order this time.  You’re a special one, you are, if you fit the bill.” 

She gazed at the servant with questioning eyes and the woman furled her brow.  “Well,” Clair went to the closet, withdrew a night gown and handed it to her.  “Get bathed and dress for bed.  I’ll be back when you’re done.  There are a few things you need to know.”

A sense of panic flashed through her as she watched the woman begin to leave.  She rushed to her side.  “You’ll be back when I’m done?” 

“You just get cleaned up and ready for bed- and welcome home.” 

Anna watched the door close like the cover of a finished book.  Finality.  Nothing.  She slowly led her eyes across the room to view the strange world around her.  The wide bed dressed in white comforters, the chest of drawers made of cherry and trimmed in gold, and the desk of like wood setting stately against the wall- they leered at her unblinking eyes and soon took on their rudimentary shapes, pasting themselves against the backdrop of ivory wallpaper. 

She blinked and ran through the vanity hall to the bathroom.  Slamming the door behind her, she quickly turned on the water, stripped off her clothes and slipped into the tub.  “She’ll be back when I’m done.”  She watched the wide stream of water fall from the ledge to her feet.  The splashing droplets sent disconcerting exhilaration coursing up her legs and she pulled her knees to her chest holding them tight with her arms. 

Flashes of bright sprites danced off the flowing current as Anna sat transfixed waiting for the measure to be enough to bathe. 

“She’ll be back when I’m done.”

A turn of the knob, a quick scrubbing of the body, a sudsing of the hair, a rinse and she was done.  Donning the gown and throwing her hair over her shoulders, she darted back through the vanity and halted with a step.  She looked back around the door frame at the motion she caught as she passed.

A woman.  Comfort filled her at the sight and she stepped back into the little area taking a seat on the stool in front of the mirror.  Big blue eyes stared back at her and when Anna smiled at the lady, she smiled back.  Her angelic face was flushed red and her long dark hair disheveled and wet, laying straggled on her shoulders and down her back.  Anna could tell this person liked her.  She kept watching and didn’t turn away like others did.  So, they sat quietly together, content to keep each other company in this confusing new place.  Her home.

Droplets of existence litter my fall, unhindered by guilt, devoid of consequence- and I breathe.