Equinox Academy: Dark Prophecy

Chapter 1

Present Day...

    "Kassandra... Kassaaaandra... Earth to Kass... HEY!" A hand slams on the counter that I'm absentmindedly wiping. My brain focuses back in and I find Lee staring at me with her concerned mother look. Her jade color eyes scan my face analyzing my features piercing my normally strong barriers and glimpsing the inner turmoil I am experiencing. I know I need to say something to reassure her I'm okay. She's been worried about my impending birthday and the moment my powers decide to present themselves. 

"Lee I was just thinking about what happened with Caitlyn." 

    She arches her perfect blonde eyebrow knowing I'm not telling the full truth. The events that happened when I took my trip over that bridge that night are hard to remember but what followed turned out to be the best thing that could ever happen to me in my life. As I lay unconscious at the bottom of Cape Fear River I had no idea that someone had witnessed Caitlyn's erratic and murderous plot. It was just my luck that Lee and Nick were coming home from visiting their friends that night. Lee saw Caitlyn smash into my car shoving it over the bridge and without a moments hesitation she jumped into the river to try and save me. She dragged my unconscious body out of the water and called the police. Caitlyn tried to make her getaway but Nick followed her long enough to spot her plates so the authorities were able to apprehend her before she could escape to Virginia where her family lives. I was rushed to the hospital but my injuries were minor. However, my body seemed to slip in a form of stasis in order to recover so I didn't come to for two whole days. Upon waking I found myself cuffed to the bed and I had two strangers plus a social worker sitting in the room. The police interviewed me and told me that I was accused of murdering my foster father. However, after explaining what I had lived through a major investigation was launched into Caitlyn and Brian's nefarious deeds. 

    Upon discovering Brian's body in his "playroom" they began questioning the so-called "pillars of the community." They brought in some Pharmakeia and were able to discover the actual events of that evening despite Caitlyn's claims that I murderer her beloved husband in cold blood because of jealousy. They also were able to uncover the truth of my abuse and the mystery behind the Spencer's missing runaways. Caitlyn was charged with multiple counts of murder and now sits in a comfy padded cell after showing authorities how unstable she truly was when they tried to take her away to prison. Only the goddess knows when she will face the consequences of her action but at least she's not free to walk among society after the crimes she committed. Apparently, the only reason I'm alive today is because I'm supernatural. 

"Come on Lee I know you're both worried and waiting for my magic to pop up like a nuclear explosion but I'm fine."

    Honestly, I was terrified. When the authorities found out that I was supernatural I had to go through the process of registering as a Supe and also I needed to be removed from the human foster care system and was placed in the supernatural one instead. However, I had another stroke of luck when my saviors from the night of my biggest tragedy decided that they weren't going to risk letting me fall into the wrong hands again. Lee and Nick used their connections in the supernatural community and adopted me shortly after being placed. They have been my guiding force helping me recover from my ordeal as well as teaching me the basic of supernatural culture. I knew a little from what the Spencer's had offered but not enough to truly understand how things worked.  

    The only problem was when registering as a supernatural my blood work came back as unknown. This caused an uproar in the Supe community of Fayetteville. The council wasn't too keen on having an unknown threat in the community and many citizens agreed. Luckily Nick had sway and assured the council that I wasn't a threat despite my possible murder charge. I, however, became more concerned as my eighteenth birthday grew closer. Now today was the evening before my birthday and I was trying to prepare myself for what was going to happen next. 

    "Kass everything will be fine, you know you will always have us no matter what happens. I know we've only had you for two years but we love you like you are our very own and we will help you through this process no matter what it takes."

     Lee always knows how to cheer me up even though I can sense her nervousness about the whole situation. She always tries to show me the bright side. I sniffle, blinked the burning sensations in my eyes, and swallowed the lump in my throat. I look at my mother and grace her with a rare smile. She and Nick are the only ones who see it although I'm learning to do it more often. Today has just been a little bit harder than most due to the circumstance. 

    Lee is a Lamia. She has classical features of Victoria's Secret model with the personality of a Tim Burton character. Her hourglass figure and long legs would make any man weak at the knees. She stands at a whopping 6'0 ft. tall and she rocks a six-pack due to her constant physical training. She is a natural blonde but she constantly dyes her hair crazy colors like now she's rocking a beautiful blend of teal, pink, and lavender. Due to her Lamia heritage, she has pale porcelain-like skin that is always smooth. Her face is heart-shaped with cheekbones that could cut diamonds. Her soft pink lips rest in a constant smirk and her jade color eyes are vigilantly observing her surroundings even when there are no threats present. Her style is similar to mine which instantly made us click. She loves her skinny jeans and bad t-shirts plus pairing them with her signature combat boots and you have one badass vampire that loves hard and takes zero s**t from anyone. 

    I begin wiping the bar to hide my sudden flash of emotions and Lee starts taking orders as if she didn't cause my heart to squeeze. Lee and Nick own a popular bar in the middle of the square in downtown Fayetteville called Sphinx's Alley. The city of Fayetteville houses a mix of colleges for both Supernaturals and humans. It's also one of the many cities that promotes the mixing of both supernatural and humans. So in the spirit of the city, Lee and Nick serve to all species and have gained a reputation for not only serving mixed crowds but being a no-nonsense bar that follows a strict set of rules to protect its patrons. 

Sphinx' Rulez

No biting without consent

No means No

Pay your tab

All patrons are created equal

Don't piss off the owners

We have the right to refuse service

As long as everyone follows these rules there are no worries

 The Sphinx looks like your typical hipster bar with the rustic brick walls and local artist work hanging everywhere. The hardwood floors are well-worn and constantly have a stickiness that no matter how many times we mop always seems to stick around (pun intended). The front has a small area that has space for the local talent to perform every Thursday night and Correy Nick's cousin man's the door. The bar faces the entrance with chairs and booth seats lining the walls. Fairy lights hang loosely around the ceiling making the atmosphere magical and romantic. However, with all the frats, sororities, locals, and Supes, no one seems to appreciate the scenery. Mainly most of the patrons are here for the two-dollar beer specials and intermingling. Speaking of frats, my attention is drawn to a potential fight that's breaking out right in the middle of the bar. 

Novices…

    A couple of frat boys from the college close to the bar swing wildly at one another in the hopes of impressing a girl. Just another night at Sphinx’s Alley. I spot Correy wading through the crowd towards the noise but it is no use. Lee is going to have to step in. She spots the boys causing a scene and vaults over the bar in her usual flashy fashion. She lands right next to the rowdy crowd thrusting her hands on her hips while releasing a menacing growl that makes most of the surrounding crowd quiet down. The boys halt almost like someone drop a freeze spell. Both boys stare wide-eyed at Lee as if Zeus himself appeared right in front of them.

“What the f**k do you think you’re doing in my bar?” Lee’s voice feels like ice skittering across your spine, and you can see both boys shiver from its effects.

“N.n..nothing it was just a small argument right guys?” Frat boy number one stammers out. Poor guy, he looks like he’s seconds away from pissing his pants.

“Yeah.. we’re sorry Lee we don’t want any trouble…:”  Frat boy number two all but cowers. The girl that's with them pouts and Lee’s lethal eyes turn to her but she quickly averts her gaze. Adjusting her attention back to the boys and a smile sprouts across her face but if you know Lee there is nothing good about that smile.

“Well here’s the problem boys,” Lee switches her weight to one leg and c***s her hip out. Aw, f**k that’s not good. Lee’s been itching for a fight and if her stance is any indication these boys may just get their ass kicked. “In this bar we have rules and one of those rules is don’t piss me off. And seeing as you are disturbing my customers and making a mess of my property, I think you can probably surmise that I’m pretty pissed off.” Her sentence ending with a growl that makes both boys shift uncomfortably. In the back, I hear a snicker that I know Lee catches because her smile turns into a smirk. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Nick emerge from the kitchen with a playful glint in his eye that tells me he knows the same thing I know at this moment. 

These boys are f****d.

    Turning my attention back to the group I see one guy stiffen his spine and I know he’s about to say something he'll regret. “The f***s your problem old lady we ain't doing nothin' wrong back the f**k off before you get hurt .” I suck in a breath and Nick’s shoulders begin to shake with unrestrained amusement as we both realize this i***t just sign his death warrant and from the tense shift in the room almost everyone knows it but him.

Moron...

    Lee's blur of movement happens so fast I don't think any human catches it and before the dumbass could blink she has him press against the wall with one hand squeezing hard around his throat. “The f**k did you say?” Lee all but hisses. Everyone is deathly quiet. It's so quiet I doubt anyone is actually breathing aside from Nick who is quietly trying to restrain his laughter. The i***t gasp and his face begins to turn purple right before everyone’s eyes. You hear the whimpering of the bimbo the boys were fighting over. Before she can kill the poor bastard Lee slings the big jock across the room and he lands unceremoniously on the floor next to the door. Lee flashes in front of his buddies and this time they both lurch backward and cower as she flashes them another lethal smile. “Get the f**k out of my bar before you end up like your friend over there.” The two douchebags and the girl scramble toward the door almost trampling over each other. They grab their unconscious friend and hall ass without a backward glance.

    When the door closes the bar erupts in raucous laughter so loud it strains my ears. I’m fighting to breathe past the stitch in my side from my howling and giggling. I look up to spot Lee bowing to the applause and whistles that have broken out. Once she’s finished grandstanding for her adoring crowd the music turns back on and the bar resumes its normal liveliness. Lee saunters her way over to the bar as Nick and I pull ourselves together.

She hops over the counter and smacks a wet kiss on Nick's lips, and he growls his approval before slapping her ass and going back to the kitchen to resume making orders. After about an hour of filling drinks and announcing food, Lee huffs, and grumbles which immediately shifts my attention. She is staring in the two-way mirror behind the bar examining her face. 

“What’s wrong?” 

    I ask knowing she won't stop huffing until she gets it out. She turns to me and asks 

“Do I look old?” 

    I nearly keel over when my brain finally registers what she says and I can hear Nick’s roar of laughter from the kitchen. When I look up I spot her frown and slowly pull myself together which takes a monumental effort. Lee is a hard ass but she is honestly a softie on the inside which is the reason why I love her so much. 

“Lee you’re a three-hundred-year-old lamia but you don’t look a day past 25.” 

    And it’s the truth I turn 18 at midnight and Lee and I could pass as sisters instead of mother and daughter. She turns her jade eye to me and studies my face for the truth and I guess what she sees tells her I'm not lying to make her feel better so she smirks and gets back to work. In the background, Sam Smith Fire on Fire begins to play and we both sway our hips as we fill drink orders. I come from behind the bar to start picking up empties and clearing tables when the door swings open and I feel the unusual presence of power push over my skin. In a bar full of supernaturals and humans you become used to the presence of power it usually feels like a tickle against your skin or a slight brush of wind but after a moment it dissipates and you move on. This presence feels different though it radiates and pulses sending wave after wave of energy that sends shivers down my spine and makes my toes curl. I turn but can't spot who came in and for some reason, no one seems to be reacting to the power surge that I feel. I suck in a breath trying to calm my pounding heart but the power continues to push against me in waves and I feel my skin vibrating from the overwhelming pressure. 

    I spin on my heels and make my way towards the bar trying to ignore the sensation and as I approach Lee. She spots my face and immediately goes into defensive mom mode. She snags my wrist and pulls me towards the kitchen despite the crowd around the bar. She signals to Kali to take over the drink orders and drags me to Nick who is wrist-deep in the batter. When he sees us enter he stops breading the chicken he's working on and moves swiftly to my side. Almost in unison, they ask "What's wrong?"

     Slightly rattled I suck in a breath and ask the first question that pops into my head. "Did you guys feel it too?" They both stare at me confused but answer again in tandem "No." Confusion wars in my body because I'm not sure why I felt such an overwhelming power but no one else seemed to notice it. I go to the two-way mirror and stare out in the crowd trying to spot a face that doesn't fit. I turn to Lee and ask "Did you see who just came in the door?" She shakes her head and her face scrunches with concern. "I'll see if Correy saw but you need to tell us what's happening."

    "I'm not sure I just felt a really strong wave of power and it... it... I don't know how to describe it.." She and Nick exchange looks and she exits the kitchen to go talk to Correy. Nick comes close and although I'm not normally the affectionate type he takes hold of my shoulders and drags me into a hug. Nick is Lycan and before you say it yes I know vampires and werewolves don't normally go together but you can't choose your mate so neither could Lee or Nick. Nick stands at about six foot three and is built like a Dwayne Johnson. He has large tree trunk arms, strong legs, a trim waist, and a huge butt that Kim Kardashian and J-Lo would be envious of. His skin is beautiful milk chocolate with a face that reminds me of Tyrese Gibson. His bright hazel eye and his long dreads that hang past his shoulders make him the total package. He brushes a soft kiss to my hair and squeezes me one last time and the tension I was holding eases away. He swears his only power is his wolf but I'm convinced he has empathic abilities. He always seems be able to influence people's emotions and make others calm. 

    Lee stalks back into the room frowning. I know whatever I felt she wasn't able to recognize and that makes her worry because it's getting close to midnight. "Correy didn't spot the person that walked in but said a new crowd of people from out of town came in. I didn't sense anything off them other than their supernatural decent." I gaze out the two-way mirror and spot the newcomers. I can't see them very well but it looks like there is a group of three boys with a couple of girls and a lone patron sitting by himself nursing a glass of something while he works on a tablet. Nothing seems out of the ordinary from afar but I know what I felt. I glance back at Lee and Nick who are both sharing troubling glance and I realize I need to pull it together or I'm going to get the helicopter parent treatment and I need to work so that I can continue saving so Lee and Nick don't have to pay for everything when I decide to go to college in a few months.

    So I put on my big girl panties and fix my face into the cool mask that I learn to wear when people get nervous around me. "Well, I guess it's just a small symptom of the change coming. The feeling has passed so let's get back to work and if something else happens I'll let you guys know." They both recognize I'm simply putting on a brave face and instead of forcing the issue they both hug me and Lee escorts me back out to the bar area so we can get back to work. My eyes burn slightly at their trust in me but I breathe through the sensation and thank the fates for bringing these to people in my life. About an hour later I begin to relax and I'm conversating with Lee about what I want to do tomorrow for my birthday when the inevitable catastrophe strikes.