《Hidden Royalty》


 Prologue

    Smoke fills the young vampire''s lungs as she hurries towards the teleportal. It was dark and she was having a hard time seeing. Being a young vampire like herself, her senses and immune system haven''t fully developed yet. She ran through the forest as fast as her small legs could carry her. Green flames ignited behind her, driving her out of the forest, but the main objective was to kill her. Her pursuers needed her gone; she posed a threat. They had already taken care of the child''s mother, and she was next.


    The young vampire could just make out a bright blue circle that illuminated the trees and shrubbery around it. The portal, just a few more steps, and then she was safe. She smiled pumping her legs to a quicker speed as the fire continued to roar behind her. The vampire is nearly there, but an uprooted root catches her foot causing her to crash onto the ground. Her face meets the earth, and her head begins to throb fiercely. Gold blood leaks from a head wound. She winces in pain, attempting to stand. Once back on her feet she hurries to the circle, with a few minutes to spare. In the blue circle the young vampire rakes her brain to remember the spell her mother told her to remember when she got here.


    The green flames came closer as she watched them lick at the earth and trees, but they didn''t burn. That particular fire, ''The Green Flame'', as her teachers called it was only meant to burn its victims. Only a few individuals are able to master such a flame. It took years to get it right. Many have died trying to control the flame. As the flames converge on her, the young vampire closed her eyes. Tears leak down her cheek, but she doesn''t dare make a sound. An image of her mother plagues her mind. She could remember her warm smile, the way the sun shined against her brown skin. How they''d spend time together in the garden behind the palace, planting flowers and a few berry bushes. How her mother''s golden eyes were always full of happiness.


    Even though her mother ruled with an iron fist, she was still loved and adored by many of her subjects. Her people were treated with care, they were listened to, and she made a decision to help them. In her last moments with her mother, the young vampire remembered the panic in her mother''s eyes. She told her how to get to the forest from the servant''s hallway within the castle walls. And once there get to the teleportal in the middle of the forest.


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    As a result, the girl could not remember the spell.


    "Please...." the diminutive vampire opens her eyes and pleads towards the sky. The sky was pitch black, but the green glow from the approaching flames cast eerie shadows making her shiver. She gets on her knees, tears still leaking from her eyes. The vampire''s voice wavers as she bows to her head. " I need your help, my goddess....". "I need to know if my mother is safe. I pray to you Goddesses Nyx of the night children......to help me..."


    Initially, nothing happens as the flames envelop the young vampire, allowing her to whimper as the flames converge on her. She could already feel the heat of the flames coming closer, taunting her with their nearness. Suddenly the wind began to blow, and the trees around her swayed to an unrhythmic beat. A warm tingle shoots through the young vamp''s spine making her feel fuzzy inside. A black and gold glow highlights her body like second skin.


    I hear you my child......For I have heard your cry. A feminine voice whispered in the young vamp''s head. It seemed as if the green flames had accelerated and had been merely inches away from her when she heard the voice.


    As the portal began dragging the little vamp, a few of the green flames caught her arm. Then like the wind she was swept away. The young vampire princess was safe. In a tree watching everything, a lone figure stood. They stared at the spot the young princess disappeared from, curiosity burning through them. As the flames began to disperse. They couldn''t help but smile. Even though the mission was a bust, they had witnessed something that no one else would ever see in their lifetime. The young princess was kissed by the night goddess, Nyx. Thus, her death would be even more valuable.


    The flames slither up the tree and back to its master, wrapping around them. The figure relished its warmth and disappeared back into the darkness like a shadow.

 1: Bad Taste

    13 years later...


    ¡°Late again, Ms. Simmons. That¡¯s the third time this week.¡± My biology teacher, Mr. Fisher, said as I walked into class five minutes after the tardy bell. Everyone¡¯s eyes were glued to me. Heat rose to my cheeks in embarrassment.


    I put my head down as I walked towards my seat at the back of the classroom. When suddenly I¡¯ve made contact with the floor, pain bursts through my face, and blood leaks from my nose, which I¡¯m pretty sure is broken. Chuckles resound around me, making my cheeks heat up even more. As I stand up, I spot the cause, or rather the person that caused me to become acquainted with the floor.


    McKenzie Fuller. A brown haired, blue eyed, bitch that thought she was better than everyone. This is because her father made a big donation to the school, and since she¡¯s dating the swim team captain, Gaberial Del Angelo.


    Who FYI, I¡¯ve been crushing on since middle school.


    It¡¯s the most clich¨¦ thing of all time. The mean girl is dating the loser¡¯s childhood crush, and the guy doesn¡¯t even know they exist.


    Holding my nose, I make my way to the back. Once I¡¯m seated, I zip open my bag and pull out my emergency tissues. You¡¯d be surprised to know that I get nosebleeds more than a few times a day. Somehow, the air around her affects my body strangely.


    Mr. Fisher continues his lesson.


    Drowning him out I turned my attention towards the window watching as dark gray clouds covered the sun.


    Great it¡¯s going to rain, and I was supposed to walk home from school today. With a sigh, I turn my attention to Mr. Fisher. He¡¯s wrapping up the lesson. As soon as the bell rings, I¡¯m up and out of my seat heading towards the cafeteria.


    My best friend Periwinkle - don¡¯t ask me why her parents named her that-, sat at our table waving frantically at me, like she hadn¡¯t just seen me this morning.


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    ¡°Hey,¡± I said, sliding into the seat next to her. Pulling out my lunch from my bag, I opened its contents to see a chicken salad sandwich, a bag of potato chips, carrots, and a bottle of water.


    ¡°Hey yourself. Anyways what happened to your nose Bea?¡± She taps the side of her nose indicating she saw the slightly red tissue stuffed in my left nostril.


    ¡°McKenzie.¡±


    ¡°Ugh, that girl is a total bitch.¡± She whispered, low as the Queen B herself passed our table, giving me the stink eye, before strutting to where her posse, and the swim team sat. To be honest though, it looked like she had a stick up her ass the way she swayed her hips. ¡°One of these days she¡¯s going to get what¡¯s coming for her.¡±


    I frowned at Peri¡¯s words.


    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± I ask, taking a bite out of my sandwich, but I regret it when it tastes like I swallowed sand. Uncapping the water bottle I gulp down the water trying to wash away the horrid taste in my mouth. Pushing the sandwich aside, I sighed. There goes my lunch. I wasn¡¯t even hungry anymore. My stomach churned as I looked at the remains of my discarded food.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry your pretty little head, Bea.¡± She pats my arm, then her eyebrows crease when she sees my face. ¡°Are you okay? You look slightly green. Do you need to go to the nurse?¡±


    I shook my head.


    What was the nurse going to do? Give me peppermints and ice?


    ¡°I¡¯m okay, just not hungry anymore.¡± Which was only half true. I was starving, but the food in front of me didn¡¯t look appetizing.


    ¡°Oh, well did you hear about...¡±


    While drowning out Periwinkles¡¯ useless gossip, I looked around the cafeteria. The place was packed full of people, and I was suddenly starting to feel overwhelmed. My head pounded, and the noise seemed to increase with each passing moment. Closing my eyes, I counted to 5 in French.


    Une...


    Deux...


    Trois...


    Quarte...


    Cinq...


    Breath...


    But it didn¡¯t work. Curse those therapeutic YouTube videos.


    I opened my eyes, but my vision becomes blurry. Everything was a blur and no matter how many times I blinked it wouldn¡¯t go away. The last thing I remember before passing out was Periwinkle¡¯s panicked voice and a pair of muscular arms encircling me before I hit the ground.

 2: Crazy Bitch of the West

    I woke up in the nurse¡¯s office.


    The place is quiet besides the low buzz of the fan blowing back and forth on the desk across the room. Sitting up, I groan as my head continues to pound against my forehead.


    A door opens and Martha the school nurse walks in throwing a pink piece of paper into the trash. When she sees me, she smiles and walks towards me.


    ¡°Good - you¡¯re up.¡± She stops in front of me holding a small flashlight. Nurse Martha turns it on holding it in front of my face. ¡°Follow the light with your eyes.¡±


    I follow her instructions, following the light.


    ¡°Everything seems to be okay; you can return to class, but first let me write you a slip.¡± She returns to her desk, and writes something on a piece of paper, before coming back to hand it to me. ¡°Give this to your teacher.¡±


    Taking the slip in my hand, I stand up from my place on the bed, leaving the room. The halls are empty, except for the janitor, Mr. Johnson, walking down the hall with his cleaning trolley. He nods his head at me, and I give him a small wave as I pass him heading up the stairs to the second floor, to economics.


    When I enter the room, it quiets, and heat rises to my cheeks once more. Handing the nurse slip to Ms. Dunn, I make my way to the back where Periwinkle sits with my things.


    ¡°Are you feeling better?¡± She asked, giving me my backpack, before I sat at the desk next to hers.


    I nod, taking out my pencil pouch and journal. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m doing better. My head still hurts slightly, but I¡¯ll live.¡±


    We turned our attention back to Ms. Dunn. After a while I started to get the feeling that someone was staring at me. Glancing around the room, my eyes landed on Queen B herself. If looks could kill, I¡¯d be killed in more ways than one.


    McKenzie narrows her gaze at me. Her blue eyes darken.


    ¡°Why is who shall not be named staring at me like I stole her favorite lipstick?¡±


    Peri looks up from her journal, glances at the bitch across the room, then resumes writing. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Maybe she¡¯s upset that her boyfriend is the one who carried you to the nurse¡¯s office.¡±


    I let her words sink in.


    ¡°Wait, what?¡±


    ¡°Girls,¡± Mrs. Dunn scolds us.


    We whisper our apologizes, writing in our journals for a moment, before returning to our conversation.


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    ¡°Yeah, it was crazy. One minute you were fine then suddenly you started to fall to the floor, then Gaberial was just there.¡± She shakes her head. ¡°But I could¡¯ve sworn he was sitting at the table with the swim team, and the witches. I don¡¯t know...it was strange...¡±


    My heart leapt into my chest. I couldn¡¯t believe it. My dark haired, hazel eyed, hot as sin, childhood crush, Gaberial Del Angleo, carried me to the nurse. And I don¡¯t remember any of it. What luck.


    The bell finally rang, and Periwinkle and I headed down the stairs. Our lockers were on the first floor, and we needed to change our books for the last class of the day. Thank God, they placed us right next to each other.


    I¡¯m placing my economics book in my locker, when suddenly I¡¯m pulled back. I didn¡¯t catch myself in time, so I ended up landing hard on my ass. Looking up my gaze lands on McKenzie and her posse. Lesly another bitch smirks at me while Yumi stares at me coldly. Her expression was blank with emotion. McKenzie on the other hand looked ready to kill me.


    ¡°What the fuck was that for?¡± I asked angrily, dusting my pants off as I stood.


    McKenzie scoffed. ¡°Like you don¡¯t know. You were practically all over my boyfriend. Pretending to faint so he could carry you. That¡¯s really bold of you.¡±


    I don¡¯t know what came over me, but the bullshit spewing out of her mouth pissed me the fuck off.


    ¡°First of all, I wasn¡¯t pretending to faint. Don¡¯t you remember you were the one who tripped me not even fifty minutes before in biology, hmm? Or is that stank ass body spray you put on killing your brain cells? I was feeling dizzy, and I had a headache no thanks to your ass. So, no, McKenzie I didn¡¯t pretend, as you called it, to be close to your boyfriend. I wouldn¡¯t stoop as low as you.¡±


    I was breathing hard, so hard I could hear my own lungs over the talking of the growing crowd around us. It was as if time had slowed, then the crazy delusional bitch lunged at me, knocking me on my back. I gasped as the air left my lungs and McKenzie started to hit me in the face. After she got me a few times, I started avoiding her attacks. When she tried to hit me again, I grabbed her wrist, twisting it at an odd angle. It let out a loud pop.


    Whoops, I didn¡¯t know how strong I was.


    She started to cry nursing her wrist to her chest. It was unsightly; snot poured out of her nose, and her eyes grew red and swollen, oozing black mascara. Not something you see every day. I hope she keeps this side of herself hidden. It is not a pretty sight to see.


    ¡°What the fuck happened?¡± A deep voice asked from behind me. A shiver ran down my spine as I scrambled to stand turning to face the one person I didn¡¯t want to see at the moment. I felt like someone had drugged me through the mud, then hit me with their car. Not the most attractive when your crush is standing in front of you. But I had to admit I looked better than McKenzie. She looked like someone had drowned her in the ocean.


    ¡°She did it,¡± McKenzie whined pointing a finger on her good hand at me. ¡°The crazy slut broke my wrist.¡± she sniffles burying her head on his chest. How pathetic. But I had to admit I was a tiny bit jealous. And did this crazy ass hoe just call me a slut? ¡°She just attacked me for no reason.¡±


    My anger shot through the roof.


    ¡°Attack you? You were the one who attacked me.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s lying. All I wanted was to make sure she was okay, since she had fainted earlier at lunch.¡±


    And the Academy Award nominated for outstanding acting is awarded to.............McKenzie Fuller. Really someone give this crazy bitch of the west an Oscar. Her acting is so on point that anyone would believe her. Gaberial glances at me. His hazel eyes flashed brilliant gold, before returning to their natural hue so quickly, I thought I was going crazy.


    ¡°Come on McKenzie let¡¯s get you to the nurse.¡± Gaberial said taking his girlfriend¡¯s hand and leading her away from the crowd of nosy bystanders. As I watched them disappear, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder where the teachers were when this all took place.

 3: Hearing Conversations

    As it turns out word travels fast and I¡¯m called from my sixth period class to the principal¡¯s office. When I enter, the lady at the front desk tells me to sit and wait. A few minutes later, a short woman in her mid-fifties with gray hair, green eyes, and black glasses comes out of a room.


    ¡°Beatrice Simmons?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s me.¡±


    ¡°Come, please.¡±


    I stand on shaky legs. A million scenarios on how to get out of this situation swam in my head. But none seemed reasonable. I had to accept my fate. Consequences and all. Following behind her, I closed the door softly behind me. She jesters for me to sit in the chair in front of her desk. Once I¡¯m seated, she clears her throat.


    ¡°Do you know why you¡¯re here, Ms. Simmons?¡± She asked, settling down in her leather chair behind her desk. I swallowed nervously. Of course, I knew why I was here. Or at least I think I do. I mean she could¡¯ve called me in here for anything.


    ¡°No?¡±


    It sounded more like a question than a statement.


    She nods, folding her hands on the desk. ¡°Well, I was informed that you broke another student¡¯s wrist. That type of behavior isn¡¯t tolerated here.¡±


    ¡°I know Principal-¡±


    ¡°Edwards.¡±


    ¡°I know Principal Edwards, but it was an act of self-defense.¡±


    ¡°How so?¡± she asked.


    I explained to her what happened after my economics class in the hall. She doesn¡¯t say anything until I¡¯m finished.


    ¡°It¡¯s interesting, I have a completely different story from Ms. Fuller. She told me she was trying to make sure you were okay after your episode in the cafeteria, but then you attacked her for no reason.¡±


    And of course, you believed her, I wanted to add, but I held my tongue.


    ¡°Ms. Simmons, you see my dilemma. I have two people here with completely different stories. Yet Ms. Fuller is the only victim. If you said that she hit you like you claimed, then where are the bruises?¡±


    I frowned; did I really need evidence that I was hit? There where people there standing watch, for God¡¯s sake, question them. They call them eyewitnesses for a reason.


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    ¡°Did you ask the witnesses?¡±


    Principal Edwards pulls out a yellow sticky note. ¡± As a matter of fact, I did. There were two, they said that Ms. Fuller¡¯s claims were valid. And that, excuse my language, ¡°Beatrice is a crazy bitch that needs to be detained.¡±


    My stomach twisted at her words. I had a feeling the two people she questioned were none other than McKenzie¡¯s just as evil friends, Lesly and Yumi. Out of all the damn people present you questioned them. Great, luck is definitely not on my side. The fortune cookie I had from takeout last night lied. I bet those numbers on the back were faulty too.


    ¡°But none of it was true. Did you at least ask Periwinkle what she had seen?¡±


    ¡°Ms. Blu, did give her statement, but it was three against two.¡± She shakes her head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Simmons, but I¡¯m going to have to suspend you for a week.¡± Principal Edwards smiles sadly at me. ¡°It¡¯s better than expelling you. That¡¯s what McKenzie¡¯s parents wanted. Had to talk them out of getting a lawyer and suing you and the school.¡±


    After swallowing the bile rising to my throat, I croaked, ¡°What now?¡± I asked. It¡¯s only the beginning of September and I¡¯m already being suspended.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already called your uncle; he told me he¡¯d be here to pick you up in an hour. You can get your things from your current class, just come back here when you¡¯re done.¡±


    I nodded as my eyes became blurry with tears. Standing up I made my way out of the office, and back towards my sixth period class to get my things.


    ¡°What the fuck do you mean, you don¡¯t know if she¡¯s the one?¡±


    I stopped in my tracks.


    ¡°I said what I said, and there is no proof or evidence that supports it. It could be anyone.¡±


    That voice sounds familiar.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have time for this Creed. We need to know if the princess is here or not. The kingdom is in turmoil, and with that imposter on the throne chaos that we¡¯ve never seen before will wreak havoc on Eldengar.¡±


    I frowned.


    Kingdom? Eldengar?


    To say my curiosity got the best of me is an understatement. I followed where I heard the conversation, surprising myself to be able to pinpoint the exact location. I was shocked to see Gabriel standing there, with some strange device in his hand.


    I¡¯m shocked that I¡¯m able to hear what they¡¯re saying clearly since they are quite a few feet away from me.


    Hiding behind the wall I tuned in once more.


    ¡°I know Alastor,¡± Gaberial sighed running his hand through his dark strands. ¡°But I think I may know who it is. Her name is Periwinkle. Something about her seems different from the others. Like she doesn¡¯t belong here.¡±


    I placed my hand over my mouth to keep a gasp from escaping my lips.


    ¡°How do you know?¡± the voice on the other end asks.


    ¡°I just do. Trust me on this one Al.¡±


    The other person Al grumbles. ¡°Yeah whatever. Don¡¯t forget to report your findings to the Concilium. I don¡¯t want them on my ass, Creed.¡±


    ¡°I will,¡± Gaberial said.


    ¡°Good, don¡¯t forget to report to Blood Raven next week bright and early, training starts...¡±


    I backed away from the hall and hurried back to my sixth period class.

 4: The Dream

    I tossed and turned in my bed sheets as the dream I had for the last three weeks takes over. It started with an elegant woman with rich brown skin and light blonde hair that glowed like gold. Her golden eyes were as bright and happy as the sun. She spoke to me, but I couldn¡¯t make out what she was saying.


    Then the dream turns twisted. There¡¯s blood and pain, and the beautiful woman is screaming for me to do something. Yet I can¡¯t hear her, but my body moves of its own accord, as if knowing what the woman wants from me. I make my way down a flight of stairs that are lit by torches and sprint to the forest.


    Green flames flickered behind me as I ran blind, but some part of me knew that these were no ordinary flames. These flames had a target. A target to kill and consume. And that target was me.


    The flames danced across the landscape burning nothing. Set on its prey, but before the flames consumed me, the dream shifted. This was new. It was always the flames that ended the dream.


    I¡¯m covered in blood that isn¡¯t my own. It¡¯s warm, sticking to me like second skin. It covered everything, the long white dress I wore stained in dark crimson. I licked my lips. The taste of iron rolled around my tongue. Humming in delight I licked the remaining off my lips then moved to my stained fingers.


    I wanted more. No, I need more.


    I¡¯ve suddenly become a shell of myself hell bent on finding more blood. The little on my lips, and fingers wasn¡¯t enough.


    I was hungry.


    Although the bleeding figure in front of me was still a vegetable, I could still sense life essences flowing through them. I smiled. Crouching down, I leaned over resting my ear on their chest as I heard the low beat of their heart. They we¡¯re bleeding out and I was determined to savor every minute of it.


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    ¡°B-Beatrice?¡± The person croaks breathlessly.


    Startled, I took my ear off their chest, looking at their features.


    Blood covered their neck. A large gash ripped through the soft flesh. It leaking on the white pristine floor growing into a crimson puddle. Bile rises to my throat as my gaze travels to their face. An all too familiar face.


    Periwinkle¡¯s sapphire blue eyes stare glassy eyed at me as blood starts to regurgitate from her mouth.


    I screamed....


    *********************


    My room door burst open, and my uncle entered with a bat raised high, with only a gray t-shirt, socks, and his boxers on. His pale gray eyes searched frantically for a threat that was nowhere to be found. After a pause he lowers that bat. A worried expression crosses his features.


    ¡°Are you okay Bea?¡± He asked padding towards me as I sat up in bed, shivering uncontrollably. I shook my head unable to form words.


    I killed my best friend. I killed Periwinkle.


    It was a dream, Beatrice. None of it was real.


    But it felt real. I was drinking her blood and enjoying it. Is something wrong with me? Am I a monster?


    I didn¡¯t realize I had started crying until Uncle Charlie sat next to me on the bed, holding me in his embrace. Tears stained my cheeks as they dripped onto his cotton gray shirt.


    ¡°Was it a nightmare?¡±


    I nodded.


    ¡°Do you want to talk about it?¡±


    I shook my head. What person would want to talk about a dream where they murdered their best friend? Tasted their blood and liked it. I¡¯d be shipped to the nearest asylum in no time.


    He lets go of me and looks me in the eyes, putting a loose strand of hair behind my ear.


    ¡°If you do decide you want to talk, I¡¯m always here.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± I whisper, settling under the covers.


    He stands and walks towards my door, saying a quick goodnight, before closing the door behind him.


    That night sleep never came.

 5: Craving your... blood?

How do I approach her? What do I say? Do I mention the dream?


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    How is this possible? Why does it smell so delicious? Why am I craving my best friends¡¯ blood?