The Queen Of Death and Ruins

A royal meeting

I had never seen my parents so worried before. In the two years that I had lived with them, Azriel and Seraphina had been the most led back, easy-going parents that anyone could have ever asked for. Granted I was never out of their sight for more than hours at a time, and every time we went out their guards had never failed to keep tabs on me, but as Kira, Zephyr and I showed back up at the infirmary, the scene had seemed chaotic. Everyone had been wondering how I had managed to leave without someone noticing me. My mother had been frantic, saying that I was probably unconscious somewhere and in need of help. As I had made my way into the room, both my parents had jumped, hugging me and reprimanding me for leaving at the same time.

"You seem to be perfectly fine," Doctor Phoebe said, flashing her little light in my eyes. My parents had found her after they had calmed down, insisting that I should be checked as soon as possible to make sure I was alright. "No sign of a concussion and your memory is fine."

If only she knew.

She took her time examining me, checking if my chest hurt when I breathed and if I were feeling dizzy or nauseated. Her deep blue eyes —a beautiful contrast to her dark skin— scanned my head thoroughly, inspecting and cleaning the wound on my head.

Behind her, the eyes of my family and friends —and Mr. Blackthorn, who had joined our little group in the room looking cleaner than I had left him— were scrutinizing her every move, anxious to hear the final verdict.

"I would feel better if you take it easy for the next couple of days,” the doctor said as she took her gloves off, "but other than that you're free to go." She finished with a smile and a collective sigh of relief left the mouths of the audience behind her.

"Thank you Doctor." I smiled as she squeezed her way past my parents, waving off their thanks with her soft grin.

"I'm so glad you're alright. You gave us quite the scare." My dad sat down on the edge of my bed, hugging me tightly.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be," he whispered back. "Now that you're finally cleared, how about we get out of here? I don't lik  hospitals." He pulled back with a shiver.

Everyone nodded in agreement, seemingly eager to leave the infirmary, and started heading out of the door.

"Mom, can I talk to you for a second?" I said as my parents were on their way out.

"Of course." She nodded. "We'll catch up with you guys soon." She closed the door behind my dad and turned back to me. "What's wrong honey?"

"Nothing." I chewed on my bottom lip, unsure of how to say what I had in mind without worrying her. "I don't know."

"Is it your head? Should I call Doctor Phoebe back in?"

"No, no." I waved my hands frantically. "I'm fine. It's actually about the attack."

"What about it?" She gave me a quizzical look.

"Those creatures that attacked the academy, the Outliers? I've seen them before."

"You have? Where?"

I took a deep breath.

"They were in my nightmare."

A beat of silence passed between us.

"I don't understand."

"The night before they attacked the academy, I had my usual nightmare. Only this time it was more detailed than ever. I was running away from someone —or something— and I got backed up in a corner. Those things showed up, they surrounded me from everywhere, only I didn't feel helpless. I was powerful, mom. My magic was nothing like I've ever experienced before. My light was burning high, forming a protective wall around me and incinerating those shadows where they stood. It felt so real." I felt a pang of regret and sadness in my heart, wishing for that feeling to become a reality. I sighed and continued. "I keep trying to come up with a logical explanation for this but every time I come up short. I mean, what are the odds of me having a dream about them only to have them attack my school the very next day? What does any of this mean?