The Lightning Girl{Temp Hiatus}

Chapter One

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The beginning of the day had been fine, Elysia mused. She had been called Michella back then, the crown princess of Myia. Her adoring parents had gotten her tutors and bought her expensive gifts. She was a bright girl, or that's what her teachers had said at least. It was her fifteenth birthday, and a masquerade ball had been planned as a gift.

Then the stranger had offered to dance with her. Elysia had agreed, laughing as her twirled her faster and faster to the music. The other guests had stared in shock, but it didn't matter. Her dancing partner had whispered jokes in her ear and she had a honestly fun time. Only later did she realize she didn't know his name.

Setting out to find him, Elysia had dashed across the room several times. Then she had looked outside, and heard the thunder. And then, the lightning had hit her. After that it was all blinding white pain as the energy raced down her spine, lighting her nerves on fire. She should have died. Instead, she lived and was proclaimed one of the Lighting-Struck.

She, like all other children in Myia, had heard stories of the Lightning-Struck. They were creatures, like the Were-folk, or the Seelie Court Elves, who got struck by lightning. The strange lines that covered their bodies made them faster, stronger, smarter, and more dangerous. Mortal children never survived the Changing that gave you Lightning-Struck speed, strength, and brains.

After being hit by the lightning, the children's names often changed. Names in Myia changed with the child. One day you might be a Angie, the next day a Koy. Elysia's old name, Michella, had meant “Crown Child”. It was a good name for a crown princess. But now she was Elysia, a Lightning-Struck.

She had been allowed to pack a bag before leaving. It was a fairly big bag, the biggest Elysia had, that she chose. Made out of deer skin, it easily fit the three pairs of riding clothes she had, as well as a few other gifts. Two pairs of deer skin boots had been added to the bag, as well as a couple bone combs. A small ivory and bone knife had been thrown in as well.

Those were the practical items. Elysia also added in an emerald necklace her mother had given her. The stone, about the size of a newborn's fist, was encased in tiny, thread-like gold strands and hung on a gold chain. There was also a pair of golden dancing slippers, and two diamond hairclips. All of her possessions of value were locked in an ebony box, locked with an ornate, jeweled key that was placed on a black leather cord.

Elysia had hugged her parents goodbye, trying not to cry at the repulsed look on her mother's face. The scars had marred her creamy pale skin, although her eyes were as striking as ever. The jagged lines looked like the tendrils of lightning that had caused her so much pain. But they were part of her now, so Elysia didn't cry over it.

A packet with a bit of bread and cheese was thrust into her bag, and Elysia was sent off. There had been rumors about a city of Lighting-Struck, far away from Myia and the Courts. It was her only chance, Elysia decided. She would be a mortal among the immortal, but they were Lighting-Struck as well.

The Courts could also be an option. One, the Seelie Court, wouldn't take in something as marred as Elysia, unless she proved herself to be one of theirs. The other Court, the Demon Court, would welcome her in if they thought she would help their side. The Were-folk, and the Naen were two sides of the same coin when it came to allies.

Naen were selfish things, made up of Pixie blood and the Snowbell's life source. Were-folk were ruthless killers, created by a bitter witch to fight the Naen. They both hated Mortal people, and took a sadistic joy in killing them with lightning storms. She hated both of them, and what they stood for.

But, Elysia decided, it was pointless to worry about that. All that really mattered was that she got to the village with the other Lighting-Struck. They would welcome her, as long as they never found out she was a Mortal. That would be her secret to bear, she had no other choice. They would never know about her life before, or about Michella.

The stranger that ad lured her outside, however unintentionally, still weighed heavily on Elysia's mind. Not so much who he was, but what he was. No mortal could have not known that she was the Crown Princess and therefor off-limits as a dancing partner. There was something bout him that weighed on her mind like iron shackles, preventing her from forgetting it all.

He had dark eyes, Elysia remembered. They were like little pits of night, nights without stars. His skin had an icy pallor, like a thin coat of ice covered his body. And his hair was a warm chocolate, not quiet real. He was only a year of so older than she was, although much taller.

She wondered now if he had been wearing a glamor. He might have been a Lighting-Struck too, or maybe one of the Seers. He might have known she was to become a Lightning Girl, and showed up to protect her fate. He might have been a Demon, sent from the Demon Court to wreck havoc on Myia. Elysia wished she knew.

But thoughts like that were useless now. She had to find the other Lighting-Struck, she was one of them now. A voilet-eyed Princess, covered in scars. A Lightning Girl. Elysia, not Michella.