King Of Monsters

chapter 7

Amaras POV 

I was blinded by bright lights as I tried to open my eyes. Groaning I pushed myself up onto my elbow and blocked the light with my hand. Blinking rapidly to adjust my eyes I looked around the room. ‘Why the hell am I in the hospital?’ I am asked myself. I sat up to take a proper look around the room. There were monitors and machines behind and beside her although she wasn’t hooked up to any except an iv drip of what looked like water. The walls were a cream color, and the floors were a polished white. There was a door to the left of her to what she assumed was the bathroom, a big window along the wall to the right covered with blinds and a comfortable enough looking couch underneath. As she was taking it all in, the door in the centre of the wall across the room opened and her mom walked through “Oh Mara sweetheart you’re awake”. She sounded relieved although she still looked a bit concerned. She came over and sat on the edge of my bed before taking her hand and pressing the back to my forehead and cheeks as if checking if I had a fever. Then she placed her hand back in her lap and looked at me “what do you remember?” she asked. 

I watched her closely while I answered. “I remember looking for Ben with Sally, we found him near rogue territory, then I fell off her back and woke up here” “is everything ok?” she took her time replying and as she was opening her mouth to speak, the king and ben and the doctor walked into the room. Seeing Ben after what happened between us last night was awkward to say the least, I tried to turn my head to hide the blush rising in my cheeks, but I know it was obvious to everyone in the room. My mother got up from the bed patting my leg before going and standing beside father. The doctor walked over and checked her with the blood pressure cuff, took her temperature and checked her eyes with the little light pen he had in his pocket before nodding at the king, taking my IV out and leaving the room. All of this was done in a very tense silence. “Is someone going to tell me what’s going on?” The King and Queen looked at each other before looking to Ben to fill me in. I was avoiding looking at Ben, so I was just staring at my hands in front of me. “There was an incident while you were unconscious” “ok” I said slowly, waiting for him to elaborate. “We were chased by rogues” my eyes widened in shock I knew we were close to them, but I didn’t actually think they would attack members of the royal family, how stupid could you be? “And then we were attacked by hunters” “what!?” I shouted springing out of the bed “is everyone ok?” I looked over at Ben, checking him for injuries when I caught his eye and turned away embarrassed. “What the hell happened!?” I asked looking around the room, this time dad answered “it turns out the rogues were merely running from the hunters who had been chasing them for days. They ended up killing 6 of them all together. Then, the hunters saw you, on the back of Sarah unconscious and assumed we had kidnapped you, so they started attacking us.” “Are they ok?” where are they?” I was making my way for the door without even realizing it, dad held his hands up to stop me “they are fine, a couple of rogues have been treated for silver wounds from the bullets, but everyone is fine. But they want to speak to you” “the rogues? Why?” “No sweetheart. The hunters” my mother pipped up. I just looked at her I was so shocked at this point my eyebrows probably disappeared into my hairline. “Why?” I asked cautiously unconsciously taking a step back towards the bed.

 I looked at Ben who had been silent. He looked me in the eyes “Father told them that you were found and adopted as a baby and are safe, but they don’t trust him and want to hear it from you directly” I didn’t reply, I just kept staring into his mesmerizing grey eyes. It wasn’t until someone cleared their throats that I snapped out of it. “Um ok. Wow… Ok” I said looking around the room. “When do I talk to them?” “Now” the king simply replied “NOW!” I stared at him shocked for a moment “Um ok” I said again straightening my hair and clothes to make myself presentable. Now I say presentable, but I had no idea what I looked like. I Hadn’t showered or slept since the day before, I was in sweatpants a tank top and a zip up hoodie that had dirt stains all over them from riding through the woods on Sally’s back and then being thrown off, my hair probably looked like an actual bird’s nest, and I still had my makeup on from the night before. I probably stunk and looked like I was fresh out of some zombie movie. I looked down at myself, suddenly very self-conscious about my appearance. Then by some miracle mom pulled a small bag out of no where and handed it to me. “I had Sally and Sarah bring you some shoes and clothes to change into as well as a hairbrush. And there’s a shower just inside the bathroom here” she added nodding towards the bathroom door. Ah, so it was as bad as I expected I thought to myself. “Ok thank you”, I smiled at them “your father and I will be waiting in the hall. Ben will stay here for added protection” she said giving me a wink so fast I half thought I imagined it, then she grabbed dads hand and left, closing the door behind them leaving Ben and I alone.

 Rocking back and forth on my feet I peeked at him from underneath my eyelashes. He was looking at me, I could see that he wanted to say something. I lifted my head to look at him properly “what is it?” “I was just thinking that we need to talk sometime. When we have some time “. That didn’t sound good “uhm yeah, we should.” “I should start getting ready” I said pointing to the bathroom, backing towards it before turning, opening the door, and closing making sure to lock it. I then placed the bag of stuff on the bathroom counter and turned the shower on. Looking at my reflection while the water heated, I gave a small shiver. I was hideous. I’m glad mom thought to bring me some stuff so I could shower, I thought silently thanking her. Checking the water was ready I started to peel my filthy clothes off my body. I don’t even think these are washable, pretty sure the only thing that can be done for these in to chuck them in a fire I absently commented. Getting under the hot water was such a relief I almost forgot about the hunters waiting for me. I quickly washed my hair, my body and got out. Tipping the bag into the sink I discovered a toothbrush and some mascara and lip balm, quickly applied them, brushed my teeth, and then got dressed they had chosen a plain khaki knit sleeveless dress that hugged my body and ended about mid-calf, and black wedges with small gold hoops and my locket. I wouldn’t have picked this outfit myself but then again, I don’t know what I would have picked to meet a group of human hunters that tried to kill my family just hours ago I thought as I started to blow dry my hair. 15 minutes later after brushing it out, I was happy with my appearance. Now I'm presentable I thought opening the bathroom door. To my surprise Ben wasn’t there anymore. I thought about texting him but I didn’t know where my phone was.

 Walking towards the door I decided to look for them in the hall. Peeking my head out I couldn’t find them. Ok, maybe they meant the waiting room I thought as I stepped out of the room and began walking in the direction of the waiting room, at least I think it was this direction, I hadn’t been there since mom was having Nico. As I got closer to the area, I heard hushed voices. “So, she was right, the box was there to destroy the protection barrier” “yes, If Amara had of picked the box up and brought it into her room, then whoever attacked her would have succeeded in finishing the job.” someone replied. This is about the attack yesterday! I quietly walked closer so I could hear more. “She has good instincts.” Someone commented, I think it was mom. “I’ve been thinking about that. That locket you found with her, have you ever had it tested for magic?” Ah, this must be Lucille, my locket couldn’t be magical I thought touching it. “No, why?” dad replied. I could slowly make out the voices as I got closer. “Well a few things. As you said, she has remarkable instincts for a human that have been displayed many times, not just the attack yesterday. Ben briefly mentioned that when they touched last night, Amara felt the same sparks he did, and it was Amara who found Ben by sensing his location. I’m starting to think that she may not be human, and that the locket may be suppressing or binding whatever she is” I stopped. Not human? What else would I be? I scoffed out loud before remembering I was trying to stealthy, I paused for a moment, listening for any indication that they knew I was here before starting to slowly move forward again I’ve read about binding magic no spell is strong enough to make someone appear to be human for 20 years, its not possible. This chick needs to cut back on her magic mushies I thought to myself. There was silence, maybe mom and dad were mind linking. Peeking around the corner, I saw mom and dad looking at each other with unreadable expressions, I saw a small woman who I assumed was Lucille with her back to me and I saw Ben leaning against the wall deep in thought.

“Hello Amara” Lucille suddenly said spinning around everyone suddenly looking at me. Knowing that my cover was blown I decided to step out into the open. I made eye contact with Lucille. She had almost pure white eyes and skin so pale it looked like snow. Her hair was pure white, short and curly, falling wildly around her face. her eyebrows and eyelashes were also white and against her snowy skin you could barely notice them. She walked over to me “you heard what we were discussing” it wasn’t a question more a statement, but she still waited for me to answer. “Yes” I said looking only at her, I was too nervous to look at mom, dad, and Ben. “What do you think?” she asked c*****g her head watching me closely. “I think no binding spell is powerful enough to bind any supernatural creature or abilities for 20 years.” I replied keeping my face straight and voice level. I didn’t want to give away how sick I felt. “you’ve been extremely tired lately, haven’t you?” she asked out of the blue and catching me off guard, my eyes widened giving me away and I quickly glanced at mom “I suppose” was all I said. The witch turned towards mom and dad “you have no idea when exactly her 20th birthday was do you?” she asked “no” they answered honestly looking at each other than at the floor. “of course they couldn’t know, they found me, they have no way of knowing what day I was born. You have no right to make them feel bad about that” I said crossing my arms and glaring at her. The witch took a step back trying to hide her fear while everyone else gasped looking at me in confusion “what?” I asked them but they didn't answer, just kept staring. I looked at my clothes and looked behind me but saw nothing “what is it? ”I said starting to get impatient. “Your eyes are glowing” was all the witch said but I didn’t believe her. “I'm human, that’s not possible.” I said through gritted teeth. I closed my eyes, pinched the bridge of my nose, and took a deep breath before looking at my mother and father. “don’t we have hunters to deal with?” I simply stated before turning around and heading for the exit. I was so irritated that I didn't care whether they followed. I was done with this witch, and I was done with this conversation. Hearing them scurry hurriedly to catch up to me we all walked towards the border where the hunters were waiting in silence. As we got closer my anger began ebbing away, being replaced by nerves.

The guards parted to allow us through to the hunters, seeing me the hunters that were lounging in the cars scrambled to their feet, wrappers from food the guards went out and brought them falling to the ground around them. “As you can see Markus, she’s perfectly well” my father started but Markus cut him off “Yes, it appears so but I would still like to hear it from her” he walked closer to the border and turned to me. “Are you ok miss..” he watched me carefully waiting for me to tell him my name, his eyes trailing over my face and up and down my body longingly. This guy has a death wish I thought as I heard Ben growl at him in warning and take a step closer to me “Hello Markus, My name is Amara” I greeted him with a smile “And I am perfectly fine” he looked at me disbelievingly his eyes urging me to say something different. “Amara. That's a beautiful name" he smiled creepily at me "But are you sure you’re not being intimidated into saying that you want to be here? I know these things" he said pointedly looking directly at Ben "can be very scary” he continued. I just stared at him, how dare this fucker speak to me and my family like that. I tried my best to compose myself before answering “No Markus, thank you for checking but I’m very happy here with my family. You can go now, have a good day and a safe trip home” I loved the look of disbelief he gave me when I called them family and told him to go. He was obviously not used to being turned away. I began to walk away from him when he reached out and grabbed my arm “I don’t believe you. They’ve brainwashed you into thinking you love them” he snarled as he pulled me across the border and placing a silver knife at my throat to stop the guards and Ben from coming closer.

Despite having a knife at my throat, I spoke calmly. “Ben don’t do anything stupid” I warned him, he looked at me in disbelief. Then I looked to the witch, and I don’t know why, but I nodded at her, and she nodded back. I was only left momentarily confused when I started to hear a sound, like a high-pitched whistle, no one but me seemed to be able to hear it. I closed my eyes and focused on it, again, I don’t know why. It was like this song that was calling to me, so I called back. I started to hear gasps and whispers of shock. I opened my eyes and saw a wall of dirt and air spinning around me, like I was in the eye of a tornado, I was awestruck. Was the witch doing this? I asked myself “No” it was like a whisper on the wind, so faint it was almost like the wind itself was speaking to me. Am I doing this? “Yes”, I took a chance “Am I human?” I asked out loud and it came again “No” that same whisper. My heart sank a little, and with it the wall around me began to falter slightly. “What am I?” I asked looking around but no reply “what am I !?” I shouted at the whisper, but it was gone. 

The wall exploded outwards at my outburst and I fell to the ground. landing hard I groaned, I didn't even realize I had been floating. I got up and brushed myself off and as the dirt and dust began to settle, I saw the devastation of what I’d done. I was so far away from the border that all I could see were specs of moving people in the distance. The tornado must have carried me here i thought, turning around I saw the twisted wrecks of metal that used to be cars and I gasped, I did this? Where are the hunters? I thought looking around for them, did I kill them? Did I kill innocent men? I dropped to my knees and started to hyperventilate clutching at my chest. I struggled to come to terms with what I had done. I started crying, screaming, begging the goddess that this was all some very bad dream and pleaded to wake up. I grabbed my head and started to rock back and forth "no, no no no!" I began to shout. I could feel the wind around me starting to pick up, getting harder, sharper, and colder. I could hear that whistle in the distance again, but I didn’t want to. I pressed my hands to my ears and shouted at it to go away. I didn’t notice that someone was walking through the gale I was creating and coming straight for me until they had placed their hand on my shoulder. I looked up into almost pure white eyes. “Lucille. Help me” I whispered tears streaming down my face. She nodded at me again and placed two fingers on my forehead before everything went black.