Solasta Academy: All Hallows Eve

Chapter Five

The pounding in Calia's head did not stop as she slowly chewed on a piece of grilled chicken. If this was supposed to be a miracle hangover cure, she wasn't sure what was. Definitely not this, as she swallowed it to stop the puke from coming up her throat. Calia was pretty sure there were tears in her eyes, maybe a slight grimace because Carsten Meryn smirked at her as if he knew. She dropped the fork in her hand and instead gulped down the glass of water as she thought it would help. It didn't. If she were fully sober now, she'd be mesmerized by the vines along the palace's dining hall wall. The long table she sat at was made of ancient oak, and there were many bowls of fruits and meats in front of her as if she were in some fairytale. However, she realized Faylinn was much different from Ambrosia, as the former was old and enchanting, while the Vampire Kingdom was modern and darker.

Arzhel quietly sat beside her with his warm hand on her knees, which she appreciated. Ever since she felt the terrible feeling in her chest, she was anxious. Terrified. The boy beside her was, too, but he covered it better than her. Her friends who sat on her other side were nursing their hangovers as terribly as Calia. Lottie was cradling her head as if she was two seconds away from slamming her head on the table and falling asleep. Elliot was outstretched in his head and nodding, though trying to pay attention to what her guardians and their family were discussing. Jade kept opening and closing her eyes, though she might give up on the war and fall asleep within minutes. And Gods, Torin was downright asleep in his seat and snoring softly. Calia almost wanted to laugh at that, but nevertheless, the others were in panic mode. And so was she, but the hangover she was suffering through did not help one bit.

"We need a plan," King Aeson eventually said. He sat at the end of the table with his parents, the King and Queen of Ambrosia. Elora's parents and brother were also present for this meeting. Soari and Amias sat in front of her, as did her friends Emmeline and Kerim. Mostly all Fae attended, as they were the only ones who felt the shift in the Earth.

Calia quickly glanced at Soari, whose golden eyes were rimmed with worry. Through that, her guardian composed herself and asked her older brother, "How can we plan if we don't know what will happen, Ace?" Then, she turned her attention toward her mother. "Did you give Uncle Christian a call?"

Elora nodded once. "He should be here soon."

"Though he might not give us the answers we were hoping for," Sebastian inquired. "My brother does not like for us to know our futures." It did make sense, Calia thought for a second. Christian is burdened with the power of premonition, so why would he burden others with it? Especially his family. As if on cue, the Fae guard opened the door, and there he was, looking similar to Sebastian and Ellie Breevort. Though his striking blue eyes gave him away. Calia only saw him in pictures and guessed it was the perfect time to meet the legendary Lost Prince of Ambrosia finally. "Glad you came under short notice, brother."

Christian sat in an empty chair next to Sebastian, then gave the King a slight nod. "You didn't exactly tell me the details over the phone. What's going on?"

"Something happened," Elora confessed. Calia glanced at both her and the Prince as he stared at her with utter awe. Observing all of them, their expressions, and their body movements were interesting. She wondered if they knew how terribly they hid their feelings from others. The Queen's golden eyes did not shine as much as they did when she looked at her husband, which was the most enchanting. "The Fae felt a shift in the Earth."

Christian stayed silent as if waiting for more information. When none came, he angled his head to the side and gave Elora a confused expression. "And?"

"We feel it only when something terrible happens like a plague," she waved her hands around everyone in the room. "Or a war. Or goddamn shadow creatures infesting our world. We called you here to ask if you can tell us anything."