Ava Galliano: The Last Dark Queen

Being Part of a Family Is Hard

Brent stood at Isa’s bedroom door, watching her frown into her calculus book. It was a look he had seen too often lately—deep frustration mixed with a touch of hopelessness. He never thought he would find himself here, in this strange, new chapter of his life. After so many agonizing years of inner turmoil and emotional pain, he was finally finding some peace, or at least the absence of suffering.

When Zuki had told him they would be taking in another child, he had been stunned. He didn’t know what to think at first. But, of course, he couldn’t refuse his Lord. Not after everything Zuki had done for him, after pulling him from the brink of death. And so, Isa had entered their lives. The Telfats were a wealthy, influential family once revered in the community—but those days seemed long gone. Ever since the rumors had started circulating, they had retreated into a quieter existence, keeping their wealth close to home and their private affairs even closer.

Brent’s gaze lingered on his sister.

"So, guess what?" he asked, a playful tone in his voice.

Isa didn’t even look up from her book. “No.”

She could feel Brent’s presence at the door, and the smile that was about to falter. She had been trying, in her own way, to make things work with him. But it was hard. So much harder than she had imagined. She had never really known love—not the kind she was supposed to. And now, she was supposed to open herself up to this new family, people she barely knew. A family that was kind to her, but she couldn’t help but wonder how long it would last.

"What?" she asked, finally looking up, her voice flat.

Brent stood there for a moment, a mock frown on his face. "I'm not in a guessing mood."

"Oh come on, guess what today is?" he teased, stepping into the room.

"Friday," she replied, deadpan.

Brent stared at her, unsure if he should laugh or be angry. She had been so distant lately, closed off in a way he couldn’t understand. Isa had once been his shadow, his inseparable companion, and now… now it felt like he was the one always chasing her.

“Did you pass?” she asked, trying to move past the tension. "Of course, you passed." Isa’s eyes twinkled with the edge of sarcasm, as she closed her book with an exaggerated motion.

"That's excellent. Are we going to celebrate?"

"You should come to the party at Cassie’s tonight. I’ll check with Mum first, of course," Brent asked, genuinely hopeful, unsure of how Isa would react.

Isa’s face darkened slightly. Cassie Boil was a name she didn't like to speak, a girl who had taken every opportunity to make Isa’s life miserable. It wasn't just about Cassie being popular—it was about the way she made Isa feel invisible, like she was always in the way. And when Cassie started taking an interest in Brent, pretending they were a couple when they weren’t, Isa’s discomfort only deepened. Cassie knew the kind of love Isa had for her brother. The kind of love that wasn’t just sibling affection.

"I'll pass, thanks," Isa muttered, watching as Brent slipped back into his room, disappointment written on his face.

Isa sighed, throwing her calculus book across the room in frustration. It landed at her mother's feet.

"Math again?" her mother asked, picking up the book with a knowing glance.

"It’s a stupid concept," Isa grumbled. "Why must one learn something they’ll never use in their future roles?"

Mrs. Telfast, ever the understanding figure, sat down next to Isa. "Brent mentioned a party tonight."

Isa’s eyes narrowed. "Did you say I couldn’t go?"

"No, honey," her mother replied, softening. "I said yes."

Isa couldn’t help the bitter laugh that bubbled up. "You’re supposed to be on my side."

"I am on your side," her mother said gently. "But I’m worried about you. You don’t seem to have many friends."

Isa shrugged, turning her gaze away. "Mum, I don’t have any friends. No one wants to be friends with a leech."

Her mother’s face tightened at the word, but she didn’t correct her. Isa had always been hard on herself, and that self-loathing was something Mrs. Telfast could never fully understand.

"Go to the party. You might actually meet someone new," her mother suggested, standing up.

Isa rolled her eyes as her mother left the room. With a groan, Isa stood and approached her wardrobe. She didn’t know why she was even considering going to the party. But then, as her fingers skimmed through the array of dresses, one caught her eye. A red dress, one that reminded her of Zuki—the strange man who had been both a protector and a mystery. Zuki had been in the third kingdom for a while now, and Isa hadn’t seen him in ages. It was strange to think that she had once spoken to him, but now, with time having passed, she doubted she would even recognize him.

Shaking the thought away, Isa chose the red dress, pairing it with fishnet stockings and black boots. A bit of magic to enhance her makeup, and she was ready.

She apparated straight to Cassie’s house. The party had been going for hours, and the front yard was littered with bodies sprawled across the grass, some drunkenly sleeping, others still stumbling about. Isa quietly passed by the couple making out at the doorframe and slipped into the kitchen, hoping to avoid too much attention. She grabbed a bottle of liquor that looked safe enough, poured herself a glass, and surveyed the party from the safety of the kitchen.

But Cassie’s eyes found her instantly, and the tension was palpable.

"Who invited you?" Cassie sneered, not even attempting to hide her disdain.

"Aw, damn. I was hoping no one would notice I was even here," Isa replied with a playful shrug.

Cassie’s gaze darkened. "Who invited you?"

"My brother did," Isa said calmly. "We’re celebrating together. Do you know where he is?"

Cassie’s posture stiffened, her expression darkening further. She had agreed to host this party only after Brent asked, and now, with Isa showing up, everything seemed to have shifted in an instant. Cassie didn’t like this. She didn’t like Isa’s presence or the idea of Brent and his sister sharing this moment together.

"What do you want with him?" Cassie asked, her voice dripping with venom.

Isa didn’t flinch. "Like I said, we’re supposed to be celebrating. Have you seen him?"

"No," Cassie snapped, "and even if I had, I wouldn’t tell you."

Isa didn’t waste any more time on Cassie. "Okay. If I don’t find him in the next five minutes, I’m leaving."

She finished her drink in one gulp and made her way toward the lounge, her eyes scanning the crowd. That’s when she saw him. Brent was standing off to the side, looking dazed, leaning against the wall for support. Before she could make her way toward him,her eyes shifted and he was gone. Then a hand shot out from the shadows and pulled her into a dark room.

"What the hell?" Isa yelped, instinctively throwing a punch at the chest in front of her.

Brent staggered back, laughing groggily.

"You scared the s**t out of me!" Isa laughed, relieved to see him, but then her hand brushed against his, and a moment of awkward silence fell between them. She quickly pulled her hand away, a faint blush creeping across her cheeks.

"Why did you invite me?" Isa asked, a little defensive.

"I wanted to celebrate with you," Brent said, leaning closer.

"You know I hate Cassie. Why would you invite me to a party she’s throwing?" Isa asked, her voice tinged with frustration.

Brent raised an eyebrow. "Why do you hate her so much?"

Isa bit her lip, unsure whether to explain. "Don’t worry about it. I shouldn’t get angry on a night we’re supposed to be happy about."

But as Brent towered over her, leaning closer with a hand placed above her head, something inside Isa snapped. He was too close, his presence overwhelming in a way that made her uncomfortable.

"We used to talk all the time and now it’s like I don’t exist. Tell me. Why?" Brent asked softly, his voice tinged with confusion.

"Because she can have the one thing I can’t," Isa whispered, her voice shaky.

Brent seemed to pause, the alcohol fogging his brain clearing for a moment. Without thinking, he leaned in and placed a kiss on Isa’s lips.

It was brief, but it sent a jolt through Isa. She shoved him away almost immediately, her heart racing. Tears welled up in her eyes as she touched her lips, still feeling the faint tingle of the kiss.

Without saying a word, Isa turned and fled, rushing out into the cool night air. She needed space, needed to clear her head.

As she paced in front of the pool, trying to calm herself, she slipped off her boots and dipped her feet into the cool water, her thoughts a chaotic mess.

"What are you doing out here by yourself?" a voice asked from behind.