I found my mother sitting on the short row of steps in the backyard. “What are you doing here? Was the pasta that bad?” She asked, immediately I sat down.I huffed, shaking my head in disbelief. “Of course not, mom. It’s just that I was lost in my thoughts. I was wondering why your face seemed so sullen. And I kept wondering what the Lycan king had said in the meeting about me. My mind conjured up the worst thoughts, and believing that, had caused me to drop the fork. Mom, I could never be unhappy with your food. Never think of that again.” I replied, placing my hand across her shoulder, whilst pressing myself to her. She hugged me then by the side, rocking me gently, more to console herself than to reassure me. Anything to make her feel okay. I thought, wrapping my arms around her too. Perhaps Lent was right. I had been the cause of the uproar tonight. If I hadn’t let go of the reins of my mind, if I hadn’t believed the stupid imaginations of my mind, then the fork in my hand wou
“Are you sure that you are okay with going to school today? You can tell Naomi about the recent developments when she comes to pick you in a few minutes' time. You don’t need to go to school.” My mother started, as her eyes made a trail, from my head to the chunky boots which adorned my feet. I had told her that Naomi would be picking me up this morning for school; there was no need for me joining a still furious Lilian in her car. However, I understood my mother’s worries. Tucking me into bed last night, she had asked me why I had kept the bullying from her all these while. I had told her that I hadn’t wanted to trouble her with my troubles. But she had been adamant with the theory of being better off knowing about the situation before it had been brought to the council. “Mom, I will be okay. No one will touch me, not after what the king had proposed. I will be fine. Naomi will be with me too.” I answered, putting my books into my backpack, despite the knowledge that I wouldn
“Maya!” Naomi shouted my name, extricating me from my wholesome thoughts. A smile bloomed on her lips when our gazes met. A smile that wavered the next second when she just realized something—the furrows on her forehead were enough giveaway. I am sure it was because of the news. Her parents must have told her.“Hey babes, good morning.” I greeted her, nudging her by the shoulder when she pouted and looked away. “Come on, you know it’s not my fault. Let’s get out of here though, before they bear holes in your head with their eyes.” I said, dragging her by the arm to her bike which was a few feet away from her. She turned then, chuckling softly when she saw the looks on the faces of my siblings and my father. “I bet they didn’t see the change coming. Their loss really.” She got on the bike, and handed me a helmet. “Yeah, thanks.”I will miss this bike too. I thought, as I hung my arms around her waist. Maybe, I could get mine when I got to the city of humans. Maybe, I could learn h
Why was the time damn slow? Shouldn’t it be time for lunch? I wondered, my eyes catching the square clock that has been hanging in our class, since forever. “You shouldn't have bothered coming to school today if you were going to be this distracted.” Naomi whispered as she brought her head and book close to me like she was showing me something. The professor was looking at us.I shrugged at her question, not knowing what to say. She was right. But what she didn't know was that I had come to school to catch a glimpse of Adam for the last time.It was stupid. It was a lame expectation. Nevertheless, I was yearning for an alone time with him again. “You could have waited for me at your house. You know, spend more time with your mother...” Naomi was saying, and I just nodded along, not having anything to contribute to the discussion. The bell rang for lunch then, and we all breathed out in relief. We, as in the whole class. It was obvious that I wasn’t the only one bored out of my head
Adam’s eyes remained fixed on me as he spoke on the details of the party that had been arranged in my honor. This caused flurry tingles to assail my belly continuously. “Does this suit your taste, Maya?” He asked suddenly, and my cough started all over again.Naomi snickered before handing the water can to me for the second time. She must be finding this very hilarious. Well, wasn't it? And why the hell was I coughing? Was it because he was addressing me in public or what? Jeez, Maya, get a grip on yourself.“Maya..” He called again, ignoring Claire’s rude snort. The girl must be gritting her teeth at this point. She must also be wishing that I was dead and buried, for having gotten the attention of the king. Well, too bad it was only for tonight. I would have loved to torture her the more with this facade that Adam was putting on. I was sure that he was trying to make amends because his father had instructed him to. Naomi pinched me then. “He is calling you, Maya. For god's sake,
The cafeteria was buzzing with hungry students as usual. But this time around, something was different. They were all giving me side glances. Hadn’t they had their full of sly looks this morning? I wondered, still beside Naomi. We were walking toward the queue to get our own food. “So…when are you going to meet him?” Naomi asked, bringing my attention to another topic that had taken residence in my head. Since Adam had mentioned and planted the motion that he wanted to see me during the lunch break, I’ve been spacing out a lot.It was obvious, well at least to me, by the look in his eyes, that the last thing he wanted to talk about was some damn party. He wanted to kiss me, maybe even fuck me. Would I let him? That was the question that had been brewing in my mind all this while. Would I let Adam fuck me?“You have spaced out again. It is good that you are actually leaving really. I don’t know where your mind would have been in if you were actually still staying here. Adam would
The terrace. That’s where I thought we were going to, but seeing Adam take a detour into the garden right after the terrace was a huge stop in the show. My movements slowed until it came to an abrupt halt. Why the garden? What is going on there? I looked around me. There was no student or teacher in plain sight. Everyone was busy eating their lunches and I was here following an ex bully, or still bully—who knows what he has in stock for me—into a garden I haven’t been in since ninth grade. “Coming or not?” Adam questioned with an emotionless face, as he suddenly turned around to face me. He must have noticed that I wasn’t following him anymore. “Where are we going?” I asked him, slipping my hands into the pockets of my jacket. I was nervous; like so nervous. “The garden obviously. Are you blind too?” He piqued an eyebrow. “Stop behaving like a scaredy cat and follow me. I am not going to eat you up, unless of course the eating has to do with the hotness down there.” He laughe
He brought me to the secret lair of he and his brothers? Was that a trick statement meant to make me swoon and drop down my pants or was he really telling the truth? “So, keep it a secret. Don’t tell Naomi even.” Adam said, stepping away from me finally. He turned aside to look at the waterfall. “Sure I will keep your secret. Although I don’t know if it’s because saying it out would spoil your getaways with other girls whom you might have said the same thing to, or if it is because…” I was still talking—still asking myself when I had gotten this brazen—when all of a sudden Adam's lips were on mine. A record time. I thought, before blinking my eyes closed and kissing him as softly as he was doing. It was like he was worshipping my lips. But how fast could he move? It wasn’t his birthday yet. One second I was talking, and the next second or less than that, he was right up here with me. I wish I was that fast. I would have left the pack a long time ago. “You still think I
What have I done?Panic swept through the magic room like a tidal wave, mingling with the smell of smoke and the sound of screams.My heart sank as I realized the magnitude of what I had unleashed. I had wanted to prove myself, to show my mastery over the elements, but now, all I felt was guilt and remorse.As chaos erupted around me, I knew that I would carry the weight of this moment with me for quite a long time. For in my quest for power, I had unleashed a force beyond my control, leaving destruction in its wake. And now, I could only watch helplessly as the flames consumed everything in their path.The flames. They held me captive. They had me frozen in the midst of the ensuing chaos. They had my heart sinking into the depths of sorrow. The flames, born of my own magic gone awry, danced voraciously across the classroom. Smoke choked the air, thick and suffocating, as desks and books became engulfed in a raging inferno. The screams of my classmates pierced the cacophony of destru
As I caught sight of Sinclair standing by the door of my classroom, a flutter of nervous anticipation stirred within me. The time for my magic classes had finally come, and despite my excitement, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of apprehension. The time has come.Mr. Lethon must have sent him. I thought, checking the time on my wrist watch. It was exactly the time for my magic class. Sinclair was quite punctual.Since I had decided to cut him some slack for not doing anything about Levina's bullying, we have exchanged words here and there—greetings especially—but it has not been like the same. Probably, because I have been avoiding him really. I'm not sure why. I think I just didn't want to talk to him, not that freely as before, at least not yet. However, he was here to pick me up.I looked at Professor Bulock talking about some impossible theory of magic, and almost called him to the fact that his time was gone. But that would be falling under his radar again. I was tired of that
As Diana and I walked hand in hand to school, chattering like monkeys, a sense of elation bubbled up inside me, replacing the feeling of shame that had subsided a little after Laura's words of encouragement.The Queen had fulfilled her side of the bargain, as she had promised us. She had moved the children's classes back to the general school, and she hadn't disturbed me since then. And even though the weight of her last words had never left me, I couldn't help but feel relief and gratitude, walking to school like this, hand in hand with Diana. It was pure bliss.As we walked, Diana regaled me with tales of spells and enchantments, her enthusiasm quite infectious. I knew that it was because I had just shown her, though messy, that I was good enough to be filled in with magic spells. We exchanged knowledge eagerly—I told her about the book I had stolen from the library, and what I had learnt from them—each revelation sparking a lively conversation that danced between us like fireflies
Finally, It was Friday. A sense of anticipation coursed through my veins like an electric current as I ruminated on what it entailed for me. Magic classes.Today marked the beginning of my journey, officially, into the world of magic—a world I had longed to explore ever since my encounter with the vision of the community's first queen. For two days, I had immersed myself in the ancient magic books, devouring their contents with an insatiable hunger for knowledge. With each page I turned, I had delved deeper into the mysteries of magic, learning the intricacies of summoning and controlling magical creatures, as well as the secrets of casting spells both simple and complex. Though I had practiced in secret, hidden away from prying eyes, my determination never wavered. And now, as I sat at the breakfast table with my family, my newfound skills lay dormant, waiting to be unleashed."Well, how are you feeling, Maya? Seeing that today would be your first time learning magic?" I shrugged
I suddenly found myself standing in a vast, lush forest bathed in the golden light of a setting sun. Ancient trees towered overhead, their branches adorned with shimmering leaves that seemed to glow with an ethereal energy. Birds chirped melodiously in the canopy above, their songs blending harmoniously with the rustling of leaves.In the distance, I saw figures moving through the forest with purpose. Without much ado, I walked toward them, pausing when I noticed that I was literally gliding on the air. My feet weren’t touching the grassy ground. I opened my mouth to gasp in surprise, but air didn’t ooze out of my mouth, neither did a sound come out.I couldn’t talk here? If that was so, then I hoped that I couldn’t be seen.As I approached the figures, I realized they were villagers clad in simple yet elegant garments, their faces painted with elaborate colorful patterns. They spoke in a language that echoed with ancient wisdom, their voices carrying a solemn reverence.Among them
As the minutes ticked by, as I neared home, my thoughts circled back to the Queen’s cryptic demeanor, to her parting words. Consequences. What plans did she have in motion? How would she retaliate against our interference? The uncertainty gnawed at me, yet I clung to the conviction that our actions had been necessary, a pivotal moment in our struggle for autonomy and justice within the community that was ruled by the Queen.With a deep breath, I gathered my composure and turned aside to gaze at Peter. He too, seemed lost in thoughts. There was a slight frown on his face, and I couldn’t help but wonder what had brought about the frown. The promise of the consequences?I sighed softly, and turned away, resolving to face whatever consequences awaited us with courage and determination, which was fortified by the unwavering bond of family and the conviction that we had taken a stand for what was right."I won't let her hurt my family," I whispered to myself a second later, my voice a quie
As Peter and I entered the Queen's personal office, I was immediately struck by the air of elegance and authority that permeated the room. Whilst on our way here, Peter had clarified that the room where I had once had a personal meeting with the Queen, wasn't actually hers, but Duke's. It all made sense now. The difference was clear.The walls of this office were adorned with rich tapestries depicting scenes of royal lineage, while intricate carvings lined the wooden furniture, each piece a testament to the skilled craftsmanship of the community's artisans.At the center of the room stood a grand desk, its polished surface gleaming in the soft light that filtered in through the tall windows. Behind the desk sat the Queen herself, a regal figure dressed in flowing robes of deep crimson. I and Peter bowed, and greeted.Beside her stood her brother, Hendel, his expression stoic yet filled with an undeniable sense of pride.But it was her two children who caught my attention. Duke and Ra
As the school day went by, it felt as though I was moving through a dream, disconnected from the world around me yet acutely aware of every moment. In all the classes of today, no one dared to make a jab or poke fun at me, their gazes sliding past me as if I were invisible. Even the teachers seemed to speak as if I weren't in the room, their words directed at the empty space where I sat.It was a surreal experience, one that left me feeling both relieved and unsettled. On one hand, I was grateful for the reprieve from the constant scrutiny and judgment that had plagued me in the past. But on the other hand, the silence was deafening, a stark reminder of the isolation that had become my new reality.However, in the cafeteria, the matrons heaped more food onto my plate than usual, their gestures accompanied by smiles, and then furtive glances at the students who whispered conversations about me. It was clear that word of my encounter with the beast had spread like wildfire, earning me
As I sat at the breakfast table, spooning cereal into my mouth, my mind was far from the mundane routine of morning rituals. Instead, I found myself lost in thought, replaying the eerie encounter with the beast just a few hours ago.I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over me since then. The memory of its glowing eyes and menacing growl haunted me, sending a shiver down my spine. And yet, as I glanced at the clock on the wall, I couldn't help but wonder: where had the light come from when I had ventured out of my room? The light rays when I had woken up had suggested that time was at least six am. Yet when I checked my alarm clock after my return, it had been just 2 am; too early for dawn to break through the curtains."Maya, is everything okay?" Laura’s voice broke through my thoughts, snapping me back to reality.I forced a smile, hoping to brush off her concern. "Yeah, everything's fine," I replied, my voice sounding hollow even to my own ears.But my family w