Chapter 1
- SERENA -
“Has Saphira called?” Grandma asks Mama as she tickles my silly toddler of a brother in her lap.
I try not to look up too fast. Are the Lupins coming? Something hot rushes through my veins.
“Are all of them coming?” I ask trying to sound casual.
“Yes,” Grandma replies smiling down at the angelic face between her palms.
“Oh, well, that’s definitely too many people now,” Caelina says as she walks into the room fake wrinkling her nose. “We should probably air out the house tomorrow. All those macho alpha hormones make the furniture smell.”
“Saphira said they’ll be here in time for dinner,” Mama answers Grandma’s original question before I interrupted.
I look at the pile of presents Mama is placing in the corner and she looks up, offering me a smile.
I nod before I get up, leaving the room as I walk down the grand halls of the De Luca Mansion. The entire place is decorated and ready. But the large house feels empty. Even when there’s a party and the rooms and halls are full, nothing can take away the hollowness that was left after Dad- after Dad’s – I swallow, unable to say the words.
I refuse to accept it. It’s been two years, and I will not visit an empty tomb. Why should I? There is nothing there but an engraved slab of marble, that is not Dad. I feel my power rising inside and push the thoughts away.
Any control I had is gone. It’s been two years since then and even the Professor of Magic at the Academy couldn’t teach me control, although I’m taking extra lessons. Neither could Mama. And all I do is try to store the extra power when it becomes too much.
I’m useless now.
If Dad could see me, what would he even think?
I got into the Academy based on my written exam alone. If it wasn’t for the fact that they said I was in mourning, I wouldn’t have gotten in.
Pathetic, I’m pathetic.
I see the looks that some of the strongest at Emberveil Academy exchange at my failure. Zane Lupin is one of them, although he doesn’t exchange looks with others. The look of disapproval and contempt on his face when I fail is worse. The knot in my stomach tightens and I fall back, my head hitting the cushions as I stare at the ceiling.
Sighing softly, I roll onto my side and open my eyes, staring at the curtains that drape the full length of the windows and reach the floor, they sway slightly from the door that I always leave open a c***k to let in the cool air. I don’t move, and soon sleep takes me into its fold and I fall into dreams that never bear fruit as I wander in the alleyways of my mind, looking for something - anything to take away the pain that holds me in its grip…
~~~
I’m running again. All I can see is the outline of a man, but I can’t see him properly. The light that blinds me makes it hard for me to focus on his face or any of his features. He pauses, looking over his shoulder at me as if checking if I’m still following.
“Wait!” I shout.
He doesn’t speak but motions for me to follow before he begins walking again –
“Get up.”
The sudden sharp command makes my eyes fly open and I see the girl dressed all in black standing over me, arms crossed as she stares at me unblinking, and I gasp.
“Gods, Ellie!” I place a hand on my chest. “You scared me!”
“Good,” she says before she looks around my room.
I better hurry. Today is going to be a long day.
