Shine of the Dark Moon

Chapter 1

Stolas watered his plants as he sang to them.

BOOM!

The green house rattled, as one of the empty pots shattered to the ground. "Dad! Can you come in here for a sec?" Stolas sighed as he took off his sunhat and went inside the palace.

Stolas opened the door and was hit with clouds of smoke that filled the kitchen.

"What happened?! I thought you said you had everything under control?" Stolas said as he coughed

"Okay, so don't be mad but I kind of blew something up." Esmeray said the ends of her hair were singed.

The grimoire was covered in dust and so were Esmeray's horns. "Implet, you need to be more careful next time." Stolas cleaned the dust off of Esmeray's horns.

"I'm not a child anymore, Dad." Esmeray said as she moved away from Stolas as he tried to get all the dust off her horns.

"I'm 15 so I'd appreciate it if you stopped treating me like one." Esmeray said as she handed Stolas back the grimoire.

"It's been weeks, Implet, it's surprising how you haven't mastered that fire spell yet." Stolas said as he wiped off all the dust that was on the grimoire.

"I know you said it's one of the easiest spells in the book but the flame always goes out or it gets too big and... well you saw what happened." Esmeray crossed her arms.

"Well, you aren't exactly a full Ars Goetia. I can understand why it's more difficult for you." Stolas paused. "However I'm sure you can get it right, it'll just take some time."

"Yeah... maybe." Esmeray responded, not fully convinced. "By the way, can Molly come over today? We were texting earlier and she wanted to show me something cool."

"Not today Implet, we have that meeting with the rest of the family. I want you to be on your best behavior, and I don't think it would go well if you brought an Imp to the gathering."

"Since when have you cared what the rest of the family thinks?" Esmeray asked skeptically. "If you did, you wouldn't have married Dad."

"I... well..." Stolas sighed. "I'm just doing what's best for you. I want you to make a good impression, it will play in your favor."

"Honestly, do you ever take my side on anything?!? I don't care if I make a good first impression or not. I'm not going unless Molly comes!" Esmeray was standing her ground just like her dad had shown her.

"Esmeray! I was shunned by the rest of the family for doing the same thing! Ever since Octavia told me she didn't want to be heir, that responsibility has passed onto you."

Stolas rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Like you said before, you aren't a child! So stop acting like one!"

Esmeray groaned as she flew off to her room and slammed the door. That's when she heard her phone ring. It was Molly.

Esmeray quickly answered it. "Hey Molly..." She said, still in a bad mood from what her dad had said.

"Hey Esme! What did your dad say?" Molly asked, as cheerful as always. "He said you couldn't come. So I'm not going." Esmeray huffed.

"Hmm, do you know where it is? The gathering?" Molly asked, leaving Esmeray confused. "Yeah it's in one of my uncle's palaces. I don't know exactly where though. But my dad said you couldn't go remember? Why are you asking?"

"Have you forgotten that I'm a trained assassin? I can easily sneak in. All you have to do is take your phone and leave your location on! I'll meet you there." Molly told her, and Esmeray immediately felt better.

"Alright! Just be careful. I don't want you getting caught." Esmeray told her. "Relax, I've got this Esme!" Molly said, but Esmeray heard her dad coming up the stairs.

"Shit! Got to go, my dad's coming!" She said frantically. "I'll text you later okay?" With that, Esmeray hung up.

Stolas knocked quietly, then entered the room. "Hey Implet..." he said softly. "I'm... sorry about earlier. I wasn't trying to be so harsh."

"Well, you succeeded." Esmeray said as she hugged her legs. "Look Implet, can we just talk?" Stolas said as he sat on the edge of the bed.

"Where's dad?! If I have to talk to someone can it at least be him?" Esmeray said not bothering to even look at Stolas.

"This isn't something that concerns your father-" Esmeray cut Stolas off "Well, make it concern him you're the last person I want to talk to right now!" Stolas reached for Esmeray but stopped himself "Fine, I'll give you some space but don't think you're not grounded." Stolas said switching from being hurt to frustrated.

Esmeray looked at Stolas "For what?!" Esmeray said as she sat up "Oh, I don't know, maybe talking back to me, practicing magic without my assistance, practically blowing up the kitchen without bothering to clean up the mess." Stolas glared at Esmeray "But-" Stolas cut Esmeray off "No buts give me your phone." Esmeray hesitated to give Stolas her phone "Now!" Esmeray handed Stolas her phone as she fought back tears. Stolas stood up and left the room.