The Light Within Her - Book Nine

Ch. 9- Birthdays and Betrayals

"Oh, darling, I've got history in my blood."

As we were packing our things in the car, Bea turned me around with a frown on her face. I know it would be difficult to convince her to go with us since she knows my relationship with my family. But how do I tell my best friend that the only way to stop these attacks is to go back home? How am I supposed to tell her that I am a Princess of a Kingdom that no one knows about? The others tried to look the other way as she pulled me to the porch. "Soari, we have known each other for five years. Five years of telling each other our darkest secrets." her eyes gazed into mine with fury. "I know when you lie. So why are you doing that now? What do you not want me to know?"

I shook my head and crossed my arms over my chest. At the moment, I was wearing comfortable black shorts and a band t-shirt that Bea let me keep. "It's the only way I can protect you from everything." I confessed. "Everyone that has gotten too close to my family gets hurt and I am trying my best to avoid that happening, Bea."

"What is that supposed to be mean?" she snapped. "Why are we going back to your home if you are afraid of that?"

I sighed. "It's my Father's birthday and he would like for me and my friends to be there." Every minute, every second, I have wanted to tell her everything about my other life. I wished I could show her my sunlight and how fast I can run in a second. But what I said was true, after all. People get hurt when they get close to my family. My uncle Jax was a human like Bea and he got murdered by my great Aunt. Jesse Davenport got too close and died tragically in front of my sister. So many innocent people have died because they know my family. And I would rather Bea have a long life without knowing about the supernatural world than a short one. "It's a Masquerade ball and it's supposed to be fun, Bea. I want you there with me."

Her eyes softened. "Of course."

"Hey, you two," Amias stood by the driver's side. "It's time to go." We both nodded and walked down the steps again and got into the car. The boys were sitting peacefully in the front, while us girls were all squished together in the back. Almost twenty-four hours of driving where I can barely move. Great. Just great. If I didn't love these girls with my entire being, I would be try to convince Luc to switch places. But I won't.

Twenty-four hours and I will be in Ambrosia. I will be home after I ran away five years ago. Five years did not seem like along time for an immortal being like myself, but it did seem so at times. It seemed like a century ago that I was back home. I just hope I can avoid my family members while retrieving the books I need. That is what I hope for, most of all.

***

It was nighttime by the time we finally arrived in Ambrosia. From the looks of it, the Werewolves must all be inside celebrating my Father's birthday. They were not surrounding my home like they always did, which made it easier for us to sneak in. Of course, I knew that I was late to the party. But I didn't care at the moment, I needed to fulfill my plan. There was a line of cars in the driveway and ours was the last one parked, with the windshield down. It was an red Cadillac and made the drive easier as the wind was in my hair and the music was blasting in my ears.

Before we came here, we stopped at a hotel to get ready for the ball. It wasn't grand like my palace, but it was nice enough for us to get ready. After a few hours of hair and makeup, all of us were ready. Amias and Luc were dressed in fancy black and white suits, Luc wearing a black mask that covered his eyes and Amias wearing a white. So contradictory, I realized. I turned and gazed at Emmeline, who was wearing a navy blue strapless dress with flowers the same color embedded into it. Her hair was braided and covered in the same flowered and wore white sleeves that ended above her elbow. Her mask was similar to her gown, with flowered embedded into the mask. She was a full blown Fae in my mind.