AWAITING IN THE DARK

Chapter 8

Wake up, Juliet! I feel myself being shaken awake. I open my eyes and peer at the person standing above me with their arms on my shoulders. I wonder if I could push them off of me with my mind. Send them flying into the wall, making them regret waking me up. Whoever thought it was a good idea to wake me up must not value our relationship.

"What is it?" I ask yawning.

Courtney is jumping with excitement.

"The royal family is coming back. "

"What?" I say sitting up quickly.

"They're coming back into power. " Courtney says with excitement.

"Where did you hear this?" I ask feeling a slight sense of relief.

"A royal newsletter arrived at the clan house today. Signed by the former King.

The royal family has all the genes in their family. They are werewolves, vampires, and of magic. They used to control the community a long time ago. Nobody knows why they left the throne. Eventually, werewolf packs, witch covens, and vampire clans started to govern themselves.

Everyone went their way and created their own rules. My coven continued to follow the laws that were set by the royals. Other covens, packs, and clans did not. They turned to the practice of evil trying to climb their way to power. They are who we fear and why we need protectors.

With the royal family getting back into power means our laws will come back. Those who don't follow the laws will be forced to deal with the royal army and power.

After quickly getting dressed I run out of my house and to the coven house. There are people gathered around pushing each other to get a glimpse of the paper in the glass case on a stand. Waiting patiently for everyone to move
so that Courtney and I could read the letter.

We waited for what felt like hours. Finally, we made it. Peering through the glass I read the letter. It doesn't give much detail but it's informative nonetheless.

The paper states that the former King's son is coming into power. He will be taking over and ruling the community. He has found his soulmate. After years of searching for her, he has finally found her. That means he has unlocked all of his powers from his warlock genes. Usually, a witch or warlock born from the royal family has to find their soulmate before they can unlock all their gifts. Nobody knows why but vampires and werewolves are born with soulmates. In the royal family, you can't take the throne without having your soulmate by your side. It's a rule the royals have always had but I never understood why. So what if they haven't unlocked all their powers? A king or queen is better than nothing at all. I've read the history books. I've been told stories of what it was like when they ruled. It was far better than it is now. The clans were safer.

Does this mean there will be no war? That would be a relief to everyone in the coven. I don't think anyone in the coven is ready to participate in a war.  From my understanding, we're behind in our education compared to other covens. We just don't have as many resources or teachers as they do. Maybe we will be granted more resources now that the Kingdom is going to be ruling again.

When the royal family stepped down from power, many witches and warlocks disappeared. Afraid of a war and being used, they decided to hide. That left our coven with a storage of teachers and leaders to run the coven. I only know about this because of my mother. I was just a child when it happened.

My father was one of those who ran and hid. He left my mother and me one night after the kingdom's announcement. My mom said he was afraid he would be used for his magic as he was a very powerful warlock. I think that was just an excuse. I don't remember him much but I don't think that's a bad thing. Why would I want to remember the man who abandoned us?

Walking out into the sun, I look for Courtney'. She was right beside me when we read the letter but now it seems she has disappeared.

I walk to the park and sit on one of the many benches they have. It's peaceful here. Kids are playing with the swings. Birds are chirping. Squirrels are running around on the ground collecting acorns. There's no sense of urgency here. People are not pushing each other. Nobody is talking obnoxiously loud on their cell phone. I take it all in and relax sighing.

I hear footsteps crunching the leaves as someone walks near me. I look up and see Courtney.

"I knew I'd find you here. " She says with a small smile.

"I couldn't help it. I had to come here and watch the squirrels. "

"They are cute. "

"Yeah. I like it when they get an acorn and try to crack it but realize you're watching them. They stop every few seconds to watch you, making sure you're not trying to take it. " I say happily.

"That's quite an observation. " Someone says behind me.

I turn and see Noah standing behind the park bench.

"Hi." I squeak

"Hello, Juliet, and the lady, I don't know. " Noah says

"Oh! Noah this is Courtney. Courtney this is Noah. " I say introducing Noah and Courtney to each other.

"Nice to meet you, Noah. I should get going Juliet. Here's a coffee. It's vanilla," Courtney says, hugging me goodbye. 

Noah walks over to the other side of the bench and sits down. He looks at his hands and plays with a pocket knife.

The awkward silence is killing me.

"Have you heard about the Kingdom announcing their comeback?" I ask Noah.

"Mmhm. "

"Are you not excited about it?"

Nothing. He says absolutely nothing. How do I get him to talk?