Page 13 of Celestia, Year Four

"Somewhere along there," Odion replied.

"It's going to take a while to explain but sleeping will help the fogginess go away, " the woman encouraged.

I turned to look up at her. "May I ask who you are?"

"Ah, I forgot to introduce myself. We haven't seen shifters in many years, so I didn't deem it as a priority. My name is Esmeralda. You can call me Esme for short."

"Hmm," I mused. "Why is your name familiar to me? Like… hmmm… from a… history lesson or something. I don't know. I guess more than one shifter has the name Esmeralda, but I remember someone in the past had the same name...just not coming up," I mumbled.

"Bi." Momo lifted her head and I gave her a smile as she stared at me.

I used my free hand to pet her head and that seemed to calm her down, her tears coming to a stop before she yawned.

Laying her head back down to my chest, she fell right to sleep. "And… she's asleep."

Odion smiled and Esme giggled quietly. I returned my gaze to Esme as she crossed her arms and gave a slight shrug.

"I'm surprised they would risk exposing the truth with mentioning my name in history books they teach you shifters."

"Huh? Exposing the truth? Of what?" I asked.

She gave me a sympathetic smile and I pouted my lips. "Fuzzy mind category?"

"Sadly, yes," she replied.

"I'm going to sleep," I mumbled and on cue, I yawned, suddenly feeling sleepy.

Right on time.

Odion stood and switched places with Esme.

"I'll help you." He ushered me to hand over Momo and I gently passed her to him.

Once I lay down, I lifted my hands. "I can sleep with her next to me, right?"

Odion looked confused for a moment but nodded. "Sure."

He handed Momo back to me, her little body pressed against mine as I cuddled with her, and I yawned again.

I wondered if the others were okay and I wanted to figure out where Arielle was. I couldn't sense a connection between us, which was beginning to make me uneasy.

"Odion? What about Arielle? Can't she come here and cuddle?" I requested, fighting to keep my eyelids open.

"She's safe with the others. I'll explain when you’re well rested," Odion assured me, his hand brushing against my cheek and moving a few strands of my hair.

I wanted to argue, but another yawn escaped me, and I snuggled into the soft black pillow.

"How about Esme? Where's her name from? I'll forget if I don't ask now," I mumbled, allowing my eyes to close.

Something warm drape on top of me, and I almost fell right to sleep.

I heard Esme giggle and felt something rest on my forehead. I could tell from the slim fingers that it wasn't Odion but Esme, and I suddenly experienced a cool sensation run through my body. It brought a wave of peace, and all my previous worries and fears melted away.

"My name is Esmeralda Rainbow, or Esmeralda Rain in your history books, Celestia. I was once the ruler of these lands centuries ago and was a part of the High Council when my ruling was transferred down to my daughter… the you from the past. Sleep well, child, for there is a lotto reveal to you. We will make sure the truth is revealed and you understand the role you play in this game the High Council is playing."

My mind fell into the dark abyss.

THREATENED BALANCE

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