My Fate That I Don't Want

Chapter six: New beginnings

- I just want to start by saying I wrote this while listening to My Universe by BTS and Coldplay, so if you wanna get in the mood listen to that while reading;) Skbjkg not really (in the mood I mean) but it's a great song and JK's vocals are like honey, thank me later.

LIBERTY’S POV

I yawned as I was looking out the window of the moving car. Me and Genevieve had arrived in London not thirty minutes ago and had been picked up as soon as we exited the baggage area. Not gonna lie, the guy who was driving was low-key creepy, but at least he drove comfortably. Genevieve had just explained that he was some kind of servant to her coven or something, but I didn’t pay too much attention to it, I was way too busy with the scenery outside of the window, having never traveled outside of the US.

We were getting farther and farther away from the city and were entering far-stretched hills and soon thereafter a foresty landscape. As we drove further and further into the forest, I kept imagining tree cottages and magical creatures everywhere, wherever it was we were going.

The first energy field came as a shock. Like we were passing through this invisible barrier of pure energy. I suddenly felt really powerful and I could see in my reflection in the window that my eyes had started glowing. That part kind of freaked me out, but the rest of it was awesome. Two more followed and Genevieve explained they were there to hinder unwelcome creatures in their territory.

“So it’s like Harry Potter then, right? Where like they wouldn’t be able to see it?” I asked.

“Um, I mean I guess it’s kind of similar, but not really,” she answered.

Can’t say I was too happy about her answer, seeing as I had been super excited thinking I had figured something out. She laughed slightly under her breath seeing my pout.

“If you want, I’ll tell you more about it later, but for now let me brief you a bit,” I nodded.

“Okay, so, this doesn’t usually happen, but considering your… condition… our coven leader will want to meet you, so listen carefully…”

And that I did. For the last ten minutes of the ride, I listened carefully as she explained to me how stuck up their head witch was (not my words), but also how she was smart and kind and was willing to listen if it was worth her time. How I had to bow, no matter what, if not, I would probably get blasted. I don’t know what that was about, but okay. Then when she was done she just kept telling me about this witch I was low-key, starting to fear.

As we were driving through the biggest, most intimidating gate I had ever seen - not that I had seen many gates (the ones from movies, that is, the big intimidating ones), but still - and all I could think about was that if the vampires in this world had bigger, scarier ones I was out of here. Then, as we drove around a huge turn, I spotted it. An even bigger, more intimidating castle… just great.

“Come with me,” this young girl who seemed weirdly old said as she opened the door for me. She gave me the creeps not gonna lie.

As me and Genevive were walking behind her through a dark corridor only lit by torches, I couldn’t help but wonder if I was being led to my death. But then again, I couldn’t really die and would just resurrect into this badass bird and kill everyone, so that was fun… I should stop making jokes to myself at such grave times. Now that was funny! Get it? Grave? I’m being led to my grave… yeah no now I’m explaining my own joke to myself, I should just stop.

Because of my little distraction… game… I had now lost count of how many left and rights we had taken through this maze… Oh well, who am I kidding? I forgot after the first three turns, plus this place was probably enchanted for you to get lost and not find your way out so it’s not like it really mattered.

I was bored again, so I did the only reasonable thing and leaned into Genevive, lowering my voice to a whisper, “So how old is the girl really? And if you say anything below eighty I won’t believe you, she’s creepy,” I shivered as Genevive looked at me bemused.

“Who? Gertrude?” she asked, pointing to the girl.

“Yeah,” I answered, eying the girl suspiciously.

“Oh, well, no one knows her exact age, but she’s been around for about seven hundred years. She was cursed as a child, hence… um… the childlike body. Anyway, she’s been a servant all those years, never really talks much, I think she’s just tired of it, to be honest,” she finished as if it was the most normal thing in the world. Simply continuing to follow the… um... old woman?

After way too much walking, we finally stopped in front of a large door that appeared to be of wood, but I still would bet my a*s it was just enchanted that way. It was way too shiny… It was kind of suspicious but seeing as the girl..? Old woman..? I don’t know, anyway, she suddenly cleared her throat, effectively gaining my attention.

“Her royal highness wishes to see you,” the girl-old-woman-thing said as she bowed and opened the door at the same time… some muscle that must’ve taken.

As I walked in behind Genevieve I couldn’t help but be in awe of the sight that met me. I had expected a dungeon of some sort, but boy was I wrong. The sight that met me was, for lack of better words, heavenly. The room was all this soft cream marble, with huge windows on each side looking out on the beautiful hills and forest. We must be at the top of the tower, which is weird considering we never climbed any stairs, but the ground was way too far away for us to not be. The whole room was decorated with gold ornaments. Gold paint, vases, light curtains, flowing materials, carpets - everything.

It was stunningly beautiful, but not more beautiful than the woman seated on the golden throne in the middle of the room, all the way to the end of it. She had beautiful chocolate skin complimenting the golden paint on her face. Her dress was flowing white with touches of gold complimenting her curves. Her long, dark, incredible curly hair lay down her shoulder like a storming waterfall. She was beyond anything I had witnessed, she looked to be twenty, but I knew better, and if I were to guess, I would guess older than anyone in this castle, even Gertrude. The woman gave out such a powerful… presence..? Glow..? Well, whatever it was, it made me want to love and cherish her as her servant forever.

The woman’s piercing dark brown, almost black eyes found me and, as if something snapped within me, I fell to my knees, bowing forward as my head touched my hands on the ground.

“Your majesty, I’m Liberty Allan, I came to meet you with my dear friend Genevieve Olsen from your coven. I desperately need your help, although I am aware that is too much to ask. I have nowhere to go…” I didn’t know what else to say, but I didn’t dare look up.

I heard soft steps coming toward me, but I stayed in my position, not lifting my head until I felt a soft touch under my chin forcing me to look up. She was even more beautiful up close, breathtaking.

“My dear child…” it didn’t sound the slightest bit comforting, but I was too engrossed in the woman’s beauty to care. This is also why I probably didn’t anticipate what came next.

“Shift.”

My eyes widened as her command took control of my body.