Chapter 2- Everly

Nothing about my family would be considered normal. Nothing about the realm I live in would be considered normal either. Yet, we are probably one of the most functioning and loving families one could meet. My parents love and support Kai and me. We are close to each other, and I love my family. I feel safe and happy when I’m around them. I’ve always felt loved by my parents, really my whole family. Even Death has my back. After all, Dad and his entire bloodline are the legacy of Death, so he has a vested interest in us.

There is a knock on my door. “Come in,” I state, turning to my closet to grab some more clothes to pack. I have no idea what I will need, so I’m packing a little of everything. 

“Are you planning on packing your entire room?” Kai asks with a raised eyebrow as I come out of my closet with an arm full of random clothes. 

“Maybe. What’s it to you, Punk?” I ask, dropping the pile of clothes onto my bed. 

“Your room looks like a tornado hit it,” Kai states as he shuts the door. 

Looking around my room for the first time in hours, Kai is right. My room looks like a tornado destroyed my room. Clothes, shoes, handbags, jewelry, and makeup are strewn across my room with no rhyme or reason. I guess I’ve just been in my own world packing. I need to finish packing before my big party in the ballroom tonight. I leave tomorrow morning, and I know I won’t have time to pack after the party. 

“Well, I’m slightly panicking. I don’t know what to bring. I have no idea what I will need,” I state, flustered with a sigh. 

“Is it because you are going rogue like an idiot?” 

“How do you know that?” I ask, putting my hand on my hip and popping my hip out a bit. 

“Because I know you, and I saw it in a dream that you go to that music school. Mom and dad will be pissed when they find out you lied.” 

“I’m not lying! I really am going to the music academy to study music. I love music. Everyone knows that. I can sing. Plus I play piano and guitar. There is nothing wrong with me investigating if the haunting rumors are true while I’m there. If I just happen to run into spirits, then mom and dad can’t be mad.” I reply defensively, deciding I’m going to pack everything because I don’t know what else to do. I can’t decide what to take. Even though I’m sure I can just buy it if I need something. Mom and Dad are giving me money while I’m off exploring the human realm on my own. 

“Is that what you are telling yourself? Come on, Ever. Your act does not fool me. Why are you really going to that school and don’t say music. Yes, I know you love music, but that is not why you are going to that academy place.” 

I huff at Kai and his stupid ability to know when I’m bullshitting. “I want to prove myself, okay. I know everyone believes in me, but I don’t always believe in myself. I want to prove I can do missions on my own and do the job that’s expected of us. Don’t you worry you can’t live up to Dad?”

“Dad and Mom will love us no matter what. If you told them you wanted to be a musician and play concerts for the rest of your life than work for the coven, they would fucking let you. They love us. Yes, Dad leaves us some big shoes to fill, but he will always guide us if we need it. I don’t worry about it because I know I can do it.” 

“Well, kudos to you and your award winning ego, but not all of us have that.” I retort, rolling my eyes. 

Kai is so much like Dad, constantly oozing confidence and pride. Kai even looks a lot like dad, except he has Mom's dark hair like I do. Kai also has natural grey highlights in his hair. I guess it’s a lycan thing. We both have dad’s dark grey eyes. Kai is built a lot like dad, with solid muscles and toned in all the right places. I’m a lot like Mom, with a nice curvy body with nice boobs and a cute butt. I can’t even pretend that I’m not gorgeous. I know I’m beautiful. I don’t lack confidence when it comes to my body, and I don’t normally lack confidence in my skills and talents, but lately, I can’t help it. I can’t stop the pressure I feel to be everything that is expected of me, even though I know I could never really disappoint my parents. 

Kai is right. I could tell them I didn't want to work for the coven, and they wouldn’t stop me. The only thing that they would say to me is that I have to have kids. Eventually, it’s required by Death that our bloodline always continues, so Kai and I have to have kids at some point. I don’t care that I have to have kids, I’m just not ready for that. I haven’t even found someone yet. Kai and I don’t get familiars like the rest of the coven members. Our wolves act a lot like our familiars, and we will eventually have animals to help us. Our animals will be gifts from Death when the time is right. I’m not sure when that is. 

“Maybe you should talk to Mom. You know she struggles with feeling confident with her talents.” Kai suggests pulling me out of my thoughts and back to reality. 

“Maybe. It’s not that I can’t talk to Mom. I just don’t want to worry her. You know she has struggled with letting me go on my own. The academy eased her anxiety over my leaving. I don’t want to undo that.” 

“She is only okay with it because she thinks you will be learning music and exploring your hobby, not hunting spirits down. Mom is being well, a mom. She is worried about you. She’s always been worried that the weight of our burdens in the coven would get to us. Look, Ever, you can do this. I get why you need to do the rogue mission thing, but be careful. At least call me for fucking backup if you need me.” 

“I will be careful, and I will be learning music. I’ll just also be investigating at the same time. My intuition tells me to start there, and that’s what I’m going to do.” I state with more confidence than I’m feeling. 

“Follow your intuition, just be careful, and if you get into trouble, call Dad or me. Just because we are immortal, Ever, doesn't mean we can’t die. Remember that. You are important and loved. No one wants to see you hurt or dead.” Kai states seriously. 

He might be a little over two years younger than me, but he seems so much wiser. I don’t know why he is. Maybe it’s his version of premonitions? Kai is like Dad. Dad is wise and always has good advice. I’m like Mom, I have my moments, but most of the time, I’m an anxious ball of energy waiting to implode. Kai and Dad are impressively good at keeping their cool. It’s sometimes infuriating how well they can hold together like nothing ever phases them, yet you know things do phase them. They are good at masking their emotions. Mom and I are like open books. We share our feelings and often are too hard on ourselves. Sometimes I love being like my mom, and other times I wish I was more like my dad. Either way, I look up to both of my parents. I’d hate to disappoint them. 

“Kai, do you ever fear disappointing mom and Dad? Fear maybe we won’t live up to the legacy we have to follow? I don’t know why I feel so insecure right now. I've been counting down the days till I left for months now. I was so sure I was ready to face the world on my own, to prove myself, but now it’s actually happening, and I’m freaking out slightly.” I confess, plopping on my bed in frustration.

My room is a gothic fantasy inspired thanks to Mom and her obsessions with fairytales. Mom loved to read me fairytales at night time. Some she made up; others were real stories in books. Mom was fantastic at engaging me in the story. Sometimes she would do different voices or act it out. I looked forward to it every night. I’d get lost in the fairytales of princesses, heroes, spells, and true love. I always saw my parents' love story as a dark fairytale that inspires me to have something unique and special like theirs. 

I changed my room as I grew up even though my nursery was very similar themed. I kept the dark plum paint and the pretty black forest that is painted on the one wall. My queen-size canopy bed is all black wood with vines curved going up the posts. All of my furniture is black with details of vines, roses, and lace. I love my room. I love that Mom and I decorated it together. It was our project, and it made it special. I am going to miss my family. They are amazing people, and I know I’m lucky to have them. I know not every kid is fortunate to have parents who love and support them. 

Still, I have to do this. I have to explore the world on my own and do what I feel I need to do. This time is about finding myself. Taking the long road home as I find my path in life. I need to know that I’m good enough for myself. I know I have nothing to prove to my family or coven, but I have everything to prove to myself. Kai is right. I have to follow my intuition. I’m meant to go to the music academy for a reason, and maybe my own dark prince waits for me on this journey. I have no idea how I became such a hopeless romantic when I am surrounded by death and darkness. I blame my parents and grandparents. Both couples are ideal and make having a relationship look easy. 

“Thanks for the chat, Kai. Promise to write in our journal as often as you can.” We have magical journals that we can write to send messages to each other. It’s magical texting and way cooler in my opinion. 

“Of course. I’ve always got your back, Sis. Now that you have packed half of what you and mom own, you should probably get ready for your birthday party. I know it will take you forever and a day to get ready.” 

“Here, I thought you would leave on a good note,” I state, shooing him out the door as I roll my eyes at him. 

“Love you, Sis,” Kai says blowing me a kiss in a joking manner as he walks down the hall. 

I huff, rolling my eyes at his ridiculousness. He can be a goofball when it comes to our relationship. “Love you too, Bro,” I reply, shaking my head as I shut my door. 

Once again, Kai is right. I need to get ready. The party is going to be dressy. I picked out the perfect dress with Mom a few weeks ago. I didn’t want to make a big deal out of my birthday, but Mom insisted we do something big since it’s technically my last birthday. No other birthday matters after this one, as I’ll never age. I’m not even mad about being stuck looking like a hot young eighteen year old. This is the stuff some people's dreams are made of, and I’m not about to shit on my fortunate fate. I guess Dad really is liked by all of the Five and not just his father. Fate has been kind to our family. I guess it pays to be in favor with the Five, who are the god-like beings of our universe.  

Time to get dolled up and celebrate my last birthday ever. It’s kind of exciting to have a big send-off. I’m glad Mom and Grandma talked me into it. I’ve always been the center of attention around the coven for many reasons. I don’t mind being in the spotlight, so I’m actually excited to perform on stage at the academy. I honestly will be exploring something that I’m incredibly interested in. I’ve never really had the chance to explore my interest in music like this before. It’s exciting. 

Suddenly I find excitement replacing my apprehension from earlier. Mom always encourages us to take adventures if they come our way. Her adventure led her to my dad, and they are beyond happy together. I hope I’m lucky enough to find love as they did. Nothing says I can’t have my adventure while proving myself. I can explore my interests while also investigating. It’s the perfect place to start my journey. Time to trust my intuition and believe that it will steer me in the direction I’m meant to go in.