Queen of Darkness WATTPAD VERSION [Inter-Universal Protectors: Book 3]

20

The sun had barely risen when Hathor was woken up by Imogene's strangely happy announcement that class was to start tomorrow and they needed to be ready to get up. There were a variety of reactions to the news. Troy yelled, telling Imogene to "shut the fuck up" because it was too early. Maddie groaned loud enough that the entire building probably heard her. Sky made a comment about having a shower as Isaiah's annoyance made the temperature of the apartment plummet momentarily. Hathor slammed a pillow over her face and pulled the covers further over herself.

Of course, Imogene would have none of that and begun waking everyone up on her own.

Troy was her first victim. A loud roar ripped through the apartment, followed by what sounded like Imogene running away. Hathor had enough sense to look up as her door opened and a large silver wolf plonked itself beside her bed. Isaiah was next. His shrill cry of "get out!" came just before Imogene's laughter. No doubt she had walked in on him getting dressed. Again. After that came a cry of protest from Maddie who, from the sounds of things, was being dragged from her room. When Imogene opened the door to Hathor's room, she spotted Troy in his wolf form by the side of the bed and wisely backed out without question.

Once the door was closed, Hathor reached down to brush her hand over Troy's head. A low rumble which sounded a lot like a purr escaped him. She giggled at the sound, continuing to stroke his head. His fur was so soft! 

"What are you doing?" Troy asked, sounding amused.

"Sorry," Hathor said, retracting her hand. 

A low growl escaped the wolf. "Did I say you could stop?"

She smiled, lowering her hand once again to pat his head. His tail wagged happily in response. 

It wasn't until Imogene yelled out again, this time saying breakfast was ready, that either of them moved. Troy pushed himself to his feet, padding out of the room. Isaiah made a comment about if he would prefer to eat dog food and another growl sounded. Hathor shook with laughter, waiting another minute before getting dressed and joining her friends. 

Partway through the meal, there was a knock at the door. Maddie went to investigate and came back soon after with six thin screens in her hands. They were handed around the table. The group's timetables for their final year at the Academy had arrived. 

The second her own was handed to her, Hathor cringed, immediately regretting filling all fifteen of her class slots. Troy, who was seated beside her, glanced over and whistled, looking between her timetable and his own. It was clear she would be doing the most classes this year. Perhaps filling all the slots had been a bad idea after all.

Imogene must have seen the look on her face. "Oh, come on, Hathy!" she exclaimed. "Since when do you give up on a challenge?"

"It is quite a lot," she started slowly.

"And you totally got this!"

The rest of her friends gave encouraging nods. Under the table, Troy slipped his hand into hers, giving it a small squeeze.

"Yeah," Hathor said. "I got this."

* * * * * * * * 

At the same time Hathor was being woken up, Amneris found herself in a similar position. A massive saber-tooth tiger had her pinned to the bed and was growling in her face. She rolled her eyes, pushing the beast's face away.

"What do you want, Nikki?" she asked. "The sun is barely up. Go find someone else to take you on your morning walk."

Nikki returned to her Fae form but continued to pin Amneris to her bed. "That was very offensive."

"Tell someone who cares."

"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed."

"Yes, and you were on it."

Instead of moving, Nikki lay on her back on top of Amneris. The Queen sighed, not bothering to push her off and instead managing to wiggle out until she lay beside her friend. Thankfully, Colt was no where to be found. He was probably off doing that early morning training thing with Leo today. 

"Why are you waking me up so early?"

Nikki dangled a phone between her fingertips. "Tara called you."

"What the fu-" She glared. "Is that my phone?"

"Yep."

Amneris snatched it away. "What is it with you and going through my personal things?"

The Shifter shrugged. "I get bored sometimes."

She glared again. "At least tell me what Tara said. It must have been interesting for you to wake me up so early."

A nod. "Apparently someone broke into the castle and freed one of the Frozen Ones."

"I always thought that castle had crap defenses," she snorted.

Nikki gave her a grim smile.

"What?" Amneris asked, suddenly concerned.

"It's about who broke into the castle..."

"Who was it?"

Silence.

"Spit it out!"

"You might want to sit down."

"I'm lying down."

"Oh, right."

"Nikki."

The Shifter took a deep breath, looked her dead in the eye, and said, "It was your mother."