Like a magic trick

7:00 AM, Swanson Residence 

The alarm's scream got me up in a jiffy. I hit the snooze button cursing the stupid Devi for waking me up this early on a Saturday.

My eyes cleared and I looked up the ceiling when my eyes caught a strange object.

Purple and dust.

"Geez! My eyes."

Krista burst into a laugh and descended to the floor.

Her scaly light blue wings pedaling her all the way to the ground, disappearing when her feet reached the ground. A death I could not match, one of the reasons I left the court of Radiance. 

"It looks beautiful each time you do that." 

"The wings.?" Krista shrugged brushing off the residue of fae dust plastered on her back.

It was disheartening she took it for granted and even ruined my morning, though unintentional.

"So. Why were you creeping me out on a beautiful sunny day?" I asked, stifling a yawn.

"Remember I'm leaving for the Court of Radiance training next month, well... They changed their mind and gave us a notice to come today."

I noticed she was dressed to kill. A white flannel shirt that suites her quite well. A Black pencil skirt and black heels to match.

"Really? That so unfair. I wonder why Dad still lets you go there."

"To get my magic wand." Krista joked.

The truth was she wanted the role of guardian so bad. A guardian was a special mundane' protector. Call when it a fairy godmother.

"At least you get away from Dad's overbearing attitude."

Like on cue, Dad showed up, resting heavily on my door frame.

"At least she's making Martha proud. God bless her immortal soul."

His plan was to get to me this morning but I was having none of it. Today was a special day for me and not just me but Krista too.

"Happy birthday." I rushed to hug Kristy who returned the favor with the aim to shatter my spine.

"I thought you forgot," Kristy said.

I would never. She was my twin after all. Our Birthdays came with nothing special. Surely our sweet eighteen would be nothing special. Not materially though. For me, it meant freedom. I had checked out several apartments on the net in anticipation of this day.

"So what did you get us this time Dad?" Krista asked as she leeched herself until Father's back.

"This." My father revealed, retrieving two black books from his back pocket. 

"What are those?" Krista snatched one with Glee.

"Your mother gave me years ago to keep for you and never mention it until you clock eighteen." He answered.

The mention of my late mother caught my attention but also brought a flash of that unfortunate night. 

"Let me see." I reached out my hand for my book but my father withdrew it.

"Valerie...Maybe when your sister is gone."

"Why?" I shocked myself.

Dad had maltreated me a lot but I had always kept my cool. Why? I always reminded myself that when I was legally an adult, he would respect my wishes and opinion but he was a heartless monster who wasn't going to change. Not today, I resolved. It was my birthday for freaking sake.

"Give me the book Dad!" My tone was harsh and it scared me but seeing the look of defeat on my father's face. I pressed on.

He was petrified by my defiance and didn't move so I snatched the book from him.

"You..." He began, his voice laced in rage and venom.

"Dad, not today. We're eighteen remember."

My father made a grin just for her, He then turned in my direction, his grey eyes burning my resolve and breaking the walls of tears I had sealed.

"Some might never get a life with their attitude."

I knew what he meant. I was a powerless Fae after all.

He wanted to break me but I wasn't going to give in.

"One day Dad, you'll look back and wonder why you made me suffer?"

He smirked, on top of that burst into a laugh, like a crow.

"Suffer? I gave you a house, a home, food you ungrateful—."

"Pipe it down guys or I might not go today." Krista cut in, as usual, she was our mediator. 

What could I do without her?

"It's ok," Father said with a smile just for Krista.

The leather-bound book which I hoped would secretly be a letter from my late m turned out to be the family's Grimoire, containing brews and magic spells for tricky situations. 

Why would she even give me this?

I know she wasn't trying to spite me but her trying to make me feel special all her life always reminded me I was not.

The Radiant court had spat it out, My father lived it and now her gift reminded me of it.

I couldn't just throw it away. No way! I cherished her memory too much to do that. Even if it would remind me, I didn't have magic.

Rejected by the Radiant court, I had created human life for myself and had a job at a coffee shop which I helped my best friend run.

"I'll go make breakfast." I declared, leaving the already awkward gathering.

That was one thing my father would not complain about. My cooking. I was a whizz in whipping up the best food anyone would want. It might even be my secret ability.

The kitchen was in a mess. Pans unwashed, dirty plates, and all.

"Krista, you never clean up!" I yelled, knowing she wouldn't answer.

Probably packing already. She had been blabbing already about how she would meet up with old friends.

Getting a clean pan, I whipped some eggs. It was morning so probably something light.

We still had bread in the refrigerator that I prayed had not gone bad. We had a problem with electricity a day before.

The eggs were ready and I served them in two plates. Krista and I had a fetish for sharing food. Dad was a loner.

"Foods Ready," I yelled.

A small disquietude and they were downstairs.

My father acting like he couldn't care less.

Krista had packed and was dragging down her heavy suitcase. Father didn't help. He was obsessed with the belief that she needed to be strong to survive.

I joined her.

"You shouldn't be helping her. I would help her in tough times."

Krista and I rolled eyes. How would dragging a bulky suitcase help with any real-life situation apart from torturing boys who want to help you?

The breakfast was a quiet one. Not with Dad watching us like a flashlight.

Krista would be gone soon and I'd be burning myself in 36 Diner just to get away from father until she returned or I got my apartment.

"I'll miss you, Krista." I managed, escaping my father's glare.

"Me too." 

4:00 PM, Swanson residence

The diner really stressed me out, the sandwiches were ordered a bit more than usual. 

Frankly, I was drained.

I was glad I would have an hour or two to rest mentally before Father and his nagging returned.

Opening the door and warming up pasta, I ate, watched TV then proceeded to the room.

Collapsing on the bed, I waited for the tiredness to drag me to sleep but my mind only seemed to wander to my Grimoire.

It was on my bed just waiting for me to pick and read.

Listening to my curiosity and to entice my eyes, I picked up the book and read. A paper slipped out.

A pink sticky note that read,

"Like a princess, Your eighteenth birthday holds a lot of surprises. Happy birthday, my dreamer, Remember you are just as special."

Just as special? Another mood kill. I suddenly wished I hadn't taken the book at all.

My phone rang, disturbing me slightly and I run into my purse to get it.

The Radiant court! Why were they calling?

"Hello."

"Hello, Mrs. Swanson." A feminine voice greeted me, I could hear typing in the background.

Still confused as to why they were calling, I continued,

"Yes?"

"Checking the records of our students, we found out your sister isn't on our list. Is anything wrong?"

What the hell did she mean?

My sister left the transit at 8:00 earlier today. She should be there already. I was literally panicking.

"No, Check again. She left Dellville transit hours ago."

"As I said before, she isn't here." The speaker was obviously disgusted.

"Good day Miss Swanson."

I was too dumbstruck to stop her from cutting the line.

Getting my dynamism back, I called Krista.

For an eternity, the call went unpicked.

This was unlike her. She would never bounce her calls.

I tried and tried again.

Bounced ten times, I knew something was wrong.

Kristy, where are you?