Octavia (SAMPLE SOON TO BE PUBLISHED IN STORES!!)

The Begging

"Octavia, Time to get up for school," my mom called. I groaned into my sheets ugh "5 more minute's mom!" I yelled in return. I heard her laugh and walk away. I hated mornings they always come to quickly and last to short. I wanted to stay wrapped in my goose down blanket. It was warm and I felt safe. I sighed I knew if I did not get up my mom would come back and practically drag me out of bed by my feet with as much enthusiasm as a sloth I got up, "Man, I got to pee" I thought to myself as I made my way across the hall into the bathroom. Our house was not a huge one, it was cozy and cute like a little fairytale cottage. The outside did not look like a perfect circle, it was an old cottage style brick tan and about four hundred years old. It had a thatch roof like ones you would find in England. The doors where a robin egg blue with tiny details carved into it. The door was made of an old oak wood, it was heavy, but it was beautiful. The windows on the other hand where a ghastly green it kind of reminded me of puke green. For as long as I could remember I would ask my mom every summer if we could paint them to match the beautiful robin egg blue door, she would always say "Octavia, sweetie, you know we do not have much money. We are on a tight budget so no; we cannot afford to paint them." I would drop my shoulders in defeat every time. On the inside it has One bathroom two bedroom all so close together the doors almost touched. The walls where a beautiful flower pattern I could never name out which flowers, roses carnations daisies maybe? They were all a golden cream color and so delicate as a child I would be afraid to touch them I did not want to mess up the pretty patterns. I used to imagine fairies lived in them. I knew that was impossible only fairies existed in the homeland Valeria. My mom would just laugh anytime I mentioned this and would say "Oh Octavia, you have the wildest imagination" and walk away. Something told me I was right about the fairies the walls seemed to glow a faint gold hue. I never did find out if I were right or not, but I could swear late at night if you listened hard enough you could hear tiny bell like giggling coming from them. My room was the prettiest out of all of them. I always wondered how my mom afforded to make it just what I wanted over the years growing up, she never did tell me. My room had the robin egg blue door "I insisted it be painted that color when I was like 5" when you walked in it seemed like you were showered in dancing light. I had tiny crystals embedded in the walls that all where assorted colors. It looked like it was real crystals but when you touched the walls they felt as smooth as silk. On one side was my vanity table we got at a yard sale of my principle I fell in love with it instantly. I do not know why I was so drawn to it. It was an old Victorian style painted gold with little butterflies carved into the wood. They would glisten like they had diamonds in them I knew that was impossible, but I could have sworn the stones were real. It was not a huge vanity it kind of seemed like it was made just to fit perfectly in the space between my windows. The mirror was oval and had gold trim around it and more butterflies. I always loved butterflies I do not know why but they quickly became my favorite of the flying bug family. The floors where a dark mahogany wood my mom painted little golden butterflies on it when I was little, I remember throwing a fit when she said no the first few times, she finally gave in after all I am her only child. She feels bad because she is a single mother. I never knew my father my mom told me he was someone at royal court who she had a one-night drunken fling with. She could not tell a hone we have a few strict laws but the most important is no sex before marriage. Our powers depend on the pure blood through covens so if someone would fall pregnant and it is not someone In the coven, they would be banned outsiders and stripped of their powers thrown into the Valerian jail to await death. I shuddered at the thought. We had to keep pure until marriage that was the one law that had to bending. Although out house is small. I did not mind living in this house I loved it. Big houses scared me, and you never knew what could be in them. I know that sounds silly but growing up being taught that every creature the humans feared that go bump in the night existed you would be scared to. After I did my business. And took a shower I pulled my soaking wet hair up into a towel and wished it dry, it always took forever to fully dry. I went back to my room, a smile creeped onto my face my mom laid out my clothes for me she is so sweet a little erratic and hairbrained but sweet. I sat at my vanity to do my hair and makeup for the day. I stared into my reflection. A girl with jet black hair olive tan but not to tan skin and violet eyes started back at me I was different. I had to hide my true eye color I could not risk anyone finding out, I was never told why. My mother since I could remember would cast illusion spells on me when I was too little for contacts to hide my eyes. Every time I would ask her, she would shut down. I tried to pull it from her mind but she would block it out so I could not get any information. The only thing she would say is" I must keep you safe Octavia, you are my world and if anything would happen to you, I would not survive it." I loved my eyes and I hated hiding them, with less enthusiasm as a cow being led to slaughter, I reached for the lens case. Muddy brown ugh it was the only color that hid my eyes I hated them they felt weird and made my eyes itch. I put them in and started working on my hair. Long and shiny likes a raven's wings. It was poker straight and came down the middle of my back. I did not mind my hair; it was beautiful and in certain light you could see blues and purples and reds. It always flowed like silk and would never get to messed up. As weird as it sounds it would listen to me. I would send a silent prayer up and say please behave today and not even a strand would move out of place. I decided to just brush it and leave it down I did not feel up to messing with it today. I dotted on some come here boys red lip gloss that gave the color of blood red to my lips. It had tiny gold sparkles in it. I knew it would look amazing with my violet eyes. But I had to hide them. With my full lips and violet eyes, I would think to myself I look like a member of the royal family. They all had something that stood out the women where unrealistically beautiful and had tiny gold marks under their right eyes. Lord Devs was a Celtic knot. Others had dragons, stars, moons, wolves and the last of them the bottom was a pentagram each represented something. The Celtic knot was the mark of the royal family same with butterflies. The dragons where warrior clans they were fierce and proud you would not want to get mixed up with them. Most of the warriors pledged to be loyal and protect the palace they would stay there as guards. The starts where the priestess the ones who lead the ceremonies and rituals. Moons came next the moons where goddess incarnate, they had the power of the goddess, and they would communicate to them regularly. They would warn of trouble and celebrate blessings. The wolves where the bottom of the royal pack, no pun intended. They were the normal workers potion maker's tailor. They used to be hunters long ago but with our numbers growing smaller and smaller every day the royal family decreed that the guards would do the hunting for now on. They seemed to breed like rabbits so there were always more guards than anyone else. Then came the pentagrams, the servants they were not even considered a part of the royal family even though they had the golden mark. They would serve or be put to death if they refused, Now you may be wondering you did not mention the butterfly. To be honest I did not know much about it. All that I knew was the family who had that mark where the highest rank in our world. Higher than the royal family. They were the head and at the very top Count Grant. He was the last of the butterflies. Ne never married and never had a child. From what I understood his father was a cruel man and was responsible for our decreasing numbers. There was a rumor that Count grant made a promise to his father that the butterflies would die with him, He would never marry and would never have children or sire an heir. The butterfly clan would cease to exist. Sometimes at night I would dream that I was a princess, living in the palace I would dance with Lord Dev and Count Grant would be smiling and everyone would be happy. I glanced one more time into the mirror before getting up to get dressed. I did not recognize the stranger who started back at me. She was me but brown eyes stared back. I was ordinary nothing special about me. Nope just a regular teen I walked over to my bed and grabbed my hip hugger jeans I smiled these where the ones that made my butt look amazing if I do say so for myself. I put them on along with a lacy black thong and matching bra. The shirt that was on my bed looked new, puzzled I grabbed it and walked out of my room I could see my mom bustling about in the kitchen. Remember how I said our house looked like a cottage? Well, the kitchen was the crowning jewel. It reminded me of those country kitchens you see in those home magazines. It had a little wood burning stove and canary yellow cabinets and counters. This room always seemed so cheerful I blamed that on the yellow. I smiled to myself at that thought and I walked down the tiny hall into it. "Hey mom?" she turned and looked at me "yes dear?" Hey brown doe like eyes staring at me "Umm I was just wondering is this shirt new?" I held it up Her face flickered I did not recognize the look it happened so quickly, but I knew something was up "Oh yes, I got that for you and would love to see you wear it today" she said turning her back on me. She knew if she looked at me, I would be able to sense something was up. She always said we did not have the money to buy new cloths I would ask every month on a girl trip to the mall for a few bucks and she would always say no. "Mom," "look at me" Her body stiffened I knew she was trying to come up with an excuse, slowly she turned around. The look in her eyes almost made me take a step back. Was that fear, panic, desperation, guilt? I could not tell. I ran the potential conversation through my head me asking where the money came from her making excuses and lies then it is turning into a full-blown argument, and quickly, I decided to drop it, I did not want to start with her today. Lack of sleep and caffeine I did not have the energy to spare. I walked up to her and gave her a hug. "Thanks mom I love it." She relaxed. "You're welcome, dear now hurry up and finish getting dressed or you will be late." She said with a smile on her face. "Ok mom" I said and went back to my room. I put the shirt down on the bed and looked at it. I started at it for a few minutes, studying every detail of the shirt. It had a shimmer to it, there was something magical about this shirt, I could not put my finger on it. I kept staring at it the material a silky black that had little silver beads around the chest area shaped into a butterfly. It was beautiful I had to admit. I was a little scared it would not fit over my boobs. They were not small or huge either but for a 17-year-old they were big. I took the shirt and pulled it over my head, as soon as it touched my skin, I gasped at how it felt. It was so light and silky it kind of felt like I stepped into a cloud, and it wrapped itself around my body. There was a warmth that came over me and I could have sworn I felt a slight buzzing on my skin where the material touched. It took me a moment to determine that it was my imagination, it was a shirt for goddess's sake. They are not magical, well not in this world at least, where I descend from yes, there is magic, but in this world no materials do not have any magical properties. I turned to my mirror and was stunned it fit perfectly almost like the shirt knew where to curve to match my body the butterfly wing folded perfectly around my breasts; the shape looked like it was made to fit me exactly. I shivered, and I shook the feeling off and grabbed my shoes. They were my favorite pair. little ballet flats that sparkle. Once I finished getting dressed, I grabbed my phone from the charger and smiled. My best friend apparently has been blowing up my phone Man does that girl ever sleep. I put the phone in my purse and walked out into the kitchen again. Mom made me a sausage and egg breakfast sandwich. "Hey mom got to run Kayla Is freaking out right now." My mom chuckled, "when isn't she?" She asked with amusement in her eyes. I laughed grabbed my sandwich and kissed her on the head. I noticed she was staring at me again, "Octavia, sweetie you look so beautiful." "thank you, mom, I love the shirt, it feels like it was made just for me, can I ask you a question?" I asked, "Of course, what do you want to know?" My mom asked with caution. "I noticed when I put this on," I said pointing to my shirt, "It felt like there was an electric buzzing against my skin where it touched, I know its forbidden, but is there magic in this shirt? My mom looked startled, I wanted to question her more I knew that look. While I was forming the question in my head my phone started to play Material girl by Madonna. I signed it was Kay and if I did not answer her perky butt would be at my house bursting through the door like she lived here yelling at me about not having her back and blah blah blah. I took my phone out of my purse and smiled. "Ok this can wait for after school" I thought, "Bye mom Kay is blowing up my phone, but we will talk about this AFTER school I might be home a littler later than normal cheer tryouts are today and you wanted me to get more involved, so Kayla is dragging me to try out" I made sure I put a lot of meaning behind it so she knew I was serious. "I love you." I said to my mom "I love you too Octavia," my mom said. I turned to the door and opened it. It was a bright and sunny day I loved the sun, if it hit my hair exactly right, you could see streaks of dark purple blue and red. I made my way down the street towards Kayla's house. I read her messages while walking. "O, you will not believe what happened at Tyler's party last night! It was a shame you were not there." "No, seriously are you mad at me because I went? Text me ASAP!" "OCTAVIA ROSE HALLOWAY YOU ANSWER ME THIS MINUTE Uh-oh she used my whole name she must be mad, I texted her back quickly "K calm down I am fine I fell asleep early now get your cute butt outside I will be there in two" I put the phone back into my purse and focused on my food. I walked down the street, it was not country, but it was not metropolitan it was kind of in between We lived in a sort of suburban town called Hemlock Grove it was in Georgia, so it was always sunny and warm. There were a few farms scattered here and there and the population was about five hundred of normal humans, which did not include my coven. If you included, then it would be more around 750. I arrived at her house in 2 minutes she just lived around the corner, Her house was one of those old grand colonials like in Vampire diaries or originals you know the Mickelson house. That is what it reminded me of. Kayla was sitting outside basically bouncing with excitement. I shook my head as she bounded towards me like a lost puppy, Kayla could have been part of the royal family. She descended from the ancient Indigenous people that where once the leaders of our clan. She was so beautiful She has golden hair that flowed to her butt and her eyes were an emerald, green with flicks of blue and gold. Her skin like a porcelain doll tan and rosy cheeks. She had the perfect body, tall but not freak tall a skinny waist like a model and perfect perky breast her butt was like j low's we always joked how she could be related to her with just her butt. If I were not straight, I would have had a huge crush on her. She was the definition of beauty; I love that girl with all of my heart. We have been best friends since Pre-K I will never forget how we met. When I was little, we went to a school on a farm. I had issues controlling my magic and I tried to hide it the best I could. One day we were learning all the animals when a kitten came up to me and started to wind itself around my legs, I got so excited I did not feel the electricity until it was too late. I went to pet the kitten and I accidently shocked it. The kitten screamed and ran away everyone screamed and the boy next to me his name was dan or something said, "Octavia's a freak!" I did not even notice Kayla until I heard a little voice "If you say one meaner thing about her, I will lay you flat out on the ground do you understand me" With that she punched him straight in the face. We have been friends ever since. She is the only one outside our coven who knew about my powers. She helped me keep them in check. "Earth to Octavia!" I heard Kayla say, I laughed "Sorry Kay, I was lost in thought about the first time we met." She giggled "Girl that was epic! I was so bad ass back then." I laughed "Kay you still are bad ass no one will mess with you." Kayla smiled "Well at least not in the way I don't want them to." She said as she swayed her hips seductively. "Wow! Kay can you be more vulgar?" I asked. She laughed "Octavia, my pricy little princess, when will you learn boys are toys." I looked at her "Kay you know our laws, I can't I have to stay pure for the coven." She gaged "That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard seriously that is like ancient," I signed "I know but the law is the law there is no getting around it." I said we shared a long knowing look, "So anyway what happened at Tyler's party?" I asked as we started walking to the school. "you were blowing up my phone so something must have happened, and I swear Kay if it's about sex I don't want to hear it." She rolled her eyes, "Find I'll leave that part out, anyway, guess who showed up!" I shrugged my shoulders "who?" I asked. My mom would not let me go to the party she says no good comes from alcohol and boys. She kept me locked up tight on party nights so I would not go ruin myself. "Well Kelly showed up." That made me come to a halt "wait Kelly! Kelly the girl who had a baby last year and got kicked out of school Kelly!?" Kay nodded with a smile on her face. "Yup! she sang she acted like she did not care; she was flaunting her skank all over the place. "Ewe" I said "doesn't she have any modesty looks like motherhood isn't for her" Kayla agreed. "Rumor has it she gave her baby up, she said she didn't want to be burdened in high school and didn't love the thing at all" That made me sad. I wanted nothing more than to be a mother. I always loved kids I will kill to have my own someday I will if I find the right person but there is only so many to choose from out of 250. I have not been through the Soulmate search ceremony yet as I am only seventeen that normally happens at 18, when you are an adult. "oh, and guess what!" Kayla interrupted my train of thought. "There was this new guy at the party, his name is aspen, and Girl let me tell you, he is FINE" I shot her a look "Kay please tell me you didn't," she smiled "Do you not have any modesty?" I asked exasperated. She just laughed and smiled at me. We arrived at the school. Our high school admittedly was beautiful. It looked sort of like Buckingham Place. It was a cream-colored stone with lots of windows and columns. The front walk was lined with rose bushes there where fountains on the lawn and smack dab in the middle there was a courtyard. That is where the students ate lunch. I signed "See you later Kay" I said as I started walking to the furthers part on the left. The coven took special classes first thing in the morning. To any normal human it would look like a cooking class but really, we learned alchemy. I arrived at the door that opened to the "kitchen" and walked in. I did not notice where I was going, I slammed into something, no someone. "Sorry!" I said I heard a laugh, "its ok princess" the stranger said. "Octavia, my name is Octavia" I said, "don't call me princess, I'm not one nor do I ever want to be." He looked kind of shocked. "I'm sorry Octavia, my name is Aspen" he held his hand out. Aspen was tall probably around 6'3 and was built. His muscular frame and mahogany brown hair that came over his eyes a little, his eyes where a deep ocean blue you could get lost in. His skin was a beautiful tone of peach not like pink or orange peach but like the beach girl you see. I looked at the ground "Hello Aspen." It did not click with me right away but that named pulled something in my memory. "Class takes your seats!" I heard the teacher say, "We have a new student, one from a visiting coven please give the warmest welcome to Aspen." "Welcome Aspen" we all said in unison. He smiled. Aspen, that name kept tugging at me, but I did not know why, "Ok everyone we will be going over the properties of Wolfsbane today, who can tell me the properties?" The teacher asked. No one raised their hand. "Octavia, with your mother being a gardener you must know" the teacher pointed me out. "Wolfsbane is perennial Alpine woodland wildflower and a member of the deadly aconite family. It grows to about three feet tall, spreads out in clumps and produces lovely spikes of ivory, green or bright yellow pitcher-shaped flowers from spring to midsummer. The bright green leaves are palmately shaped and deeply lobed and toothed. It can also be made into a potion that is lethal to werewolves" I said. The teacher smiled "Yes! That is correct, now can you tell me what the potion does" Everyone's eyes were on me, I hated being in the spotlight, "The Wolfsbane Potion was an innovative and complex potion that relieved, but did not cure, the symptoms of lycanthropy, or werewolf. The main ingredient was wolfsbane also referred to as aconite or monkshood. As such, this Potion was extremely dangerous when incorrectly concocted since Aconite was a very poisonous plant. Especially to werewolves" I heard aspen say. Everyone took in a breath you could feel the tension in the room. "thank you, MS Holloway," the teacher said "Anytime" Aspen responded with a crooked smile. I did not know if I wanted to punch him or kiss him. We did not learn what potions could be made with it yet, he was putting me on the spot to fail. "Thank you" I mouthed at him "welcome" he replied. I turned away and focused on the teacher. The bell could not ring soon enough. My favorite class was next. Spells and charms. I was good at this class I was immensely powerful, more powerful than anyone else in the class, so this was always an easy A for me. As I gathered my things, I heard a familiar voice "What class do you have next?" It was Aspen. "Spells and charms," I said. "Damn I have warrior training I was hoping to see more of you." He said with a flirty smile. I did not return it. "Aspen, you know the law, I'm not intreated I don't want to even go there ever not with you or anyone." He looked taken back "Octavia, I am sorry if you thought that was my intention. I did not mean for it to come off that way" Something in my mind told me not to believe him. I just shook my head and hurried out. My class was on the far side of the quad, I cut through the courtyard to save time. I arrived just as the bell started to go off. "Octavia over here!" I heard Sarah say. Sarah was of the maids. She was sweet but did not have anything above dirt. I liked her as a person, we were not besties like Kay and I, but she was someone I did not mind hanging with. "Hey Sarah" I said as I walked over to her. "Octavia did you hear?" "you're going to have to be more specific Sarah," I giggled "there is a lot that went on last night" she rolled her eyes, "No not about Tyler's party the other thing!" "Huh?" I was out of the loop. She moved closer to me. "Our cousin coven moved here from Valeria, they need to marry their girls off to keep the power flooding they are desperate, bidding wars have been going all day at the palace for the prettiest girl." "What!" I practically shouted. "those girls are no more than my age! Its forbidden" I said with worry, "Octavia you know the royal family, they will do anything to help our people, and rumor has its Lord Dev has been mated to someone." That made my heart break. I always had the hugest rush on Lord Dev. He was tall and handsome, like model handsome. He had perfectly chiseled cheeks and beautiful golden blonde hair that shimmered like the sun. His body was muscular and perfect, his eyes oh his eyes where sky blue mixed with an ice blue. I met him a few times over the years only for a brief moment during ceremonies or rituals. H was always really nice to me. I knew it was impossible for a commoner like myself to ever have him, but My heart broke. "what do you mean?" I asked Sarah. Before she could explain further Mrs. Jackson walked in. She was the charms master. She was a sweet old lady maybe in her 60's she was short and plump with silver hair. She reminded me of a fairy tale grandma. Class let's sit and start please; she was so sweet by far my favorite teacher. "Now as you all know our cousin clan has come from Valeria to visit and marry off some of their girls," she said that with a little disgust. ". The whole class bursts to outrage excitement and giggles. I was stunned. "What they can't do this!" I said in panic I did not want to be married off, I did not want to move to Valeria, I did not want a husband! I am only 17 I want to go to college and get my equine vet degree, I did not want to be a wife to some stuffy higher rank. "Settle down!" I heard Mrs. Jackson say. They class obeyed. We had so much respect for her. "Now I know this is a huge shock, the law stated only royals are married off at the age of 18, but desperate times calls for desperate measures." "now there are a few here who have more power than a normal member," she looked directly at me. I felt myself shrink back "Take this advice but remember I didn't give it to you," she said, "do not use your full power or potential in the ceremony" Our eyes met. "Octavia, listen to me you are in great danger, your life is about to change do not fight it embrace it. You have no idea how special you really are" A voice her voice floated through my head. I gave a sharp quick nod. My insides started to coil like a snake. Mrs. Jackson has always looked out for me. She and I had a close bond and if she said I am in danger I believe her. I lowered my eyes but before I did, I heard her say "tell no one not even Kayla" I snapped my head back up and looked back at her. She stared at me in desperation how did she know about Kayla? I mean yes, she knew she was my friend, but did she know that Kayla knew about me? She turned away from me and started going over the lesion, I zoned out. What did she mean I was in danger? What did she know that I did not? I let my mind wander during class. I was pulled out of my own personal debate when the bell rang. I practically ran out of class, I had to get home. I had to talk to my mom. I had to know what was going on. I text kay and tell her I was not feeling good, and I was going home and to cover for me. My phone played Material girl. "Do you, ok?"
Yes, just feeling a little sick I'm going to go home I'll talk to you later" I text back. "Ok what is up? I know you; you wouldn't skip school for anything" Kayla responded. I turned off my phone and ran. I didn't notice something was following me I was almost home just one more block to go, I heard something that started me to my core coming from behind me, a hissing, Now vampires don't burst in flames that is fairy tale stuff, they can go out in the sun it weakens them but if they drink from someone with magic in their blood, someone like me they can tolerate it for longer periods of time. I willed my powers to the surface just enough to put down whatever was following me. I turned around quickly almost falling. I gasped, Guards our type but not our type, there was something strange about them. They had red rings around their eyes. "Sleep" I heard one of them say, that was the last thing I remembered. When I came to, I was in an unfamiliar room. It was huge! My instincts kicked in and I got ready for any kind of attack. I looked around trying to find a way to escape. The walls were covered in gold scrip I could not make out. The room was a perfect circle and the floors where shiny marble. I got up from the bed I was on and looked at it. It was a queen size bed that was royal looking. Almost like I was in a "Oh Crap!" I said to myself. I knew where I was. The castle of Lord Dev. "What am I doing here?" I thought. I have not broken any rules. I wear contacts to over my eyes I never use my powers so what could he possibly want? Then I remembered what Mrs. Jackson said, "we will be holding a ceremony demonstrating our unique abilities, they have also agreed to marry off our clans' girls as well" I paced the room OK well from what everyone knew I wasn't special, I hid my eyes and my powers, I only let small amounts come through so why am I here? "Kayla!" I spoke. Shit! Mrs. Jackson seemed like she knew Kayla knew about us. It is forbidden or us to talk about our kind. If anyone found out that Kayla knew I would be put to death. I was going through all the possibilities in my head for what felt like hours. Running my hands along the walls to see if I can find a hidden passageway. I shot bolts of electricity at them and fire, I tried to command them to move or shift. "Damn!" Nothing, well, If I am going to be a prisoner, I am not making it easy. I shoved the furniture to the side and made defensive point where I could duck with any potential incoming attacks, My mind wandered back to when I was little. My mom made me take defensive magic classes, they were not as popular with the others. My mom said one day it would come in handy, I went over the lessons I learned, Rule 1: Always have protection Rule 2: Never turn your back on the enemy Rule 3: Make sure you have an escape, well that was as out. I checked every surface of the walls and room and windows. There was not a way out. No weapons, nothing I could use to defend myself. I will have to use my magic. I have not used it in a long time. I did not even know if I would be able to make my powers obey me. It has been a while since the classes you have to will the power to you coax it like a child until you have complete control. A few moments later I heard footsteps. I tensed my body ready. Willing the power through me. I felt it the electric vibrating through my body, the sparks dancing on my fingertips. I would have to put all of me to knock someone out, I am powerful but not enough to take on an adult or elder. I watched the handle start to turn the door opened slowly "One, Two, three" I counted to myself as soon as the door was open just enough, I sprang into action. Hands at the ready I reached for the person standing in my way of freedom. I grabbed him, willing all the electricity in my body into him, willing I was powerful enough to keep him down my heart raced as we tumbled to the ground, I heard him start laughing, confused I looked at him "why is he still conscious I had enough voltage to out down a giant," I thought He smiled at me. "Princess it will take a lot more than that to take me down. Now why do not you just sit, and I will explain what is going on. "Princess? My name is" I did not get to finish. "I know who you are Princess Octavia, I have been waiting for you." WTF why did he keep calling me princess I want a member of the royal family by any means. Sure, my mom was friendly with them but.... Then it hit me. My father was someone My mom met at royal court, she never told me much about him only that I had the same eyes. I looked up at the stranger A wave of nausea came over me, the world swirls my vision was going in and out tiny sweat beads started to form on my skin. It felt cool I blinked a few times to clear the haze out of my eyes, I sucked in my breath in shock, he had my eyes. Violet eyes. I was the only one I knew in our entire coven who had them I passed out once more not before I heard him say Welcome home daughter. I had a weird dream vivid and weird, I thought he called me daughter he was smiling with those violet eyes, my eyes looking back at me. We were sitting on a bench in Valeria flowers and fairies all around us. He spoke to me telling me the story of star-crossed lovers. The man loved the woman so much Octavia, with everything he was. They fell pregnant out of wedlock and as you know that is against our law. They woman and the man decided it was best to hide their baby. 9 months later they had a beautiful daughter. She was perfect. The man did not want to leave but he must, there was no choice he had to protect the woman he loved and their child. You must understand he had no choice. His voice faded and blackness overtook me. What felt like hours I woke up again, the stranger was still sitting with me. Welcome back to the land of the living Octavia, now are you going to try and attack me again or would you like to know what is going on? He looked amused Debating in my head if it was worth it or not, I said Depends are you going to tell me why I am here and more to the point on why we have the same eye color and why you said daughter! I shouted at him. He laughed you do have your mothers fire I will give you that. The mention of my mother lit a new fire in me "DO NOT TALK ABOUT MY MOM!" I shouted as I ran to the door. Before I could reach my freedom, it slammed closed and locked. "Octavia please dear come and sit." I heard him say, I turned around I looked at him and studied his face. He had my eyes and same hair color. His skin was a little tanner than mine. He had a scar under his right eye that was shaped like a I gasped it was shaped like a butterfly! The dream floated through my mind again. He had no choice was he talking about himself? Is it possible, no I shook my head, not my father according to my mom was dead killed in the war when Valeria was invaded? He could not be, but the eyes and the scar it could not be a coincidence. He noticed me looking and smiled. It is not a coincidence you are wearing that symbol he said. It is the symbols of our bloodline. He touched the scar with a tenderness and smiled. OK So are you going to tell me who you are? I asked. I already knew the answer His name was Count Grant He was the head of the coven like the head leader sure Lord dev was the leader considered to be King, But Count Grant was the one who called all the shots. We live by his rules and if we do not Death. "I think you already know who I am Octavia" He said, "Now do you want me to tell you why I had you brought here or not? I sagged my shoulders in defeat it was pointless to try and keep fighting I was not going anywhere. I walked over to the empty chair next to the count and looked at him. Fine, tell me why I am here? I asked, He looked me over once and said Octavia the reason I had you brought here is because well you are my daughter, and I thought it was time we met. I did not let him finish. "NO" I interrupted him; I am not you had nothing to do with me for 17 years! My mom raised me I am not your daughter!" I shouted. He flinched with the power that came out of my anger. "That proves right there that you are my daughter, he said No one else except those in our bloodline have the power to push their power out of their body using words. He smiled and we have the same eyes. I immediately said My eyes are brown, oh really are they know he looked amused. He handed me a mirror and when I looked at its A girl with violet eyes and raven-black hair was staring back at me. What? I gasped Where are they! You will not be needing them anymore Octavia You are not leaving this castle. That pushed me over the edge with that I jumped up and pushed all my power out of me I yelled a war cry and lunged at him. SLAM It felt like I slammed into a brick wall pain screaming at me I ignored it and kept pushing. "OCTAVIA STOP THIS AT ONCE THAT IS A COMMAND!" With those words my power came back into me, and I slumped. If we get commanded by any leader, we have no choice but to submit. "Now Octavia let me explain why I had you brought here, You come from an immensely powerful line, and you have royal blood which makes you a target. There are people out there who want to hurt you. You need to stay here for your safety. "Why? What danger could I be in, I am a nobody. Sure, I have some friends but all I am is a quirky teen that is it. You have me confused with someone else." I tried to explain. "Octavia, Do you have any idea what our bloodline carries, why the royals are protected at all costs?" He asked, I shook my head no, "Let me explain. Our blood in the wrong hands could end our existence. The power we hold is in our blood not our body people do not seem to realize that, and it was good for a long time except someone spilled the secret. There have been reports of royals going missing and being drained of blood bodies found with no trace of blood or magic." He looked at me and I shivered "Vampires" I breathed they were our number one enemy. I never really understood why, all I know is I was raised vampires are evil vampires are cruel vampires are our enemy. My head felt dizzy He looked at me and shook his head yes, "Vampires, Your mother reached out to me she asked for me to keep you safe Octavia..." I felt something he was holding back a key piece of information. I reached into his mind I hoped he would not notice. "And Told me you would be 18 soon." The thought was brief, but it was there, I stiffened there was only one reason that age mattered in the royal family, When I turned eighteen, I would be married. "NO" I shouted again you are not selling me like a common whore! I will not get married I will Leave I AM GOING HOME!" He backed away a little "How? I did not say anything." He asked. "I shrugged; it was easy" I said" Your mind isn't very guarded if I can get in without any effort." I did not hear the door open lost in thought I had to get home, I had to get away. OK I will play the card I was given with the best hurt child voice I could muster I turned to my father, "Will I ever see me mom again?" I asked. He looked amused, I was ready to ask him what his problem was until I heard a familiar voice, "Of course, you will, you think I would ever let anyone take you from me?" I spun around my mom was standing in the door. "MOMMY!" I shouted as I ran over to her. "Oh, Octavia I am so sorry I didn't tell you sooner, this is for your protection baby" At that moment I did not care I was glad to see my mom. I held her close to me, "Its ok mom, I love you" I said breathing her in. I did not realize how much I missed her; I do not know exactly how long I was out for It felt like days. I pulled back "We have some serious talking to do mom; you have a lot of explaining" She laughed. "Oh Octavia, always straight to the point, I love you" I love you to mom" I said holding back from screaming at her.