The Queen of Kings

Ch 1 Out of the Frying Pan

*EDITED* 

March 23rd 2019 and Sarauniya Williams has felt the weight of the world for as long as she could remember. She was an orphan at an early age, her family apparently dropped her off at the front door of an orphanage, knocked and took off. Cliché I know, but here she is on her 25th birthday running for her life.

Flaassshhhback! Sarauniya Williams was born and raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Raised by the Sisters of the Mary's Grace Orphanage, Sara's young life was heavily rooted in the church and schooling. Top of her class and extracurricular studies, Sara had hopes of getting out, living a decent life like she saw on TV and raising a family of her own that she would never abandon. Some years later one day the children were on a field trip to New York of all places. Everyone is thrilled of course and couldn't wait to experience the excitement of the city and rush of city life. The most exciting thing they had in Scranton were the Greek and Italian Festivals. The food was great and the rush of people was even nicer, but this was WAY different.

Once they got through the day of visiting old churches and had some down time to roam, the older children, including Sara, were allowed to roam the boardwalk and beach while the chaperones and younger kids stayed in one area. Sarah sat in the sand playing with shells and her friend Jackie came over. Jack was 4 years younger than her but Sara viewed Jackie like the little sister she always wanted. The sand was warm, hot even, to the skin on her thighs exposed by her shorts. The water made a lulling sound with the continual crash of the waves and tide washing up and back. The birds pecked around for stray seafood poking out the sand and the pigeons did their thing, being airborne rodents. Sara closed her eyes and lifted her head to the sky taking deep and slow breaths her doctor had shown her in therapy. "Hey you okay?" Jackie asked softly, not sure if she should bother Sara. "Yeah I'm just enjoying the sound of it all. They say when you lose one of your senses the others naturally heighten themselves to make up for the deficit. Makes everything all the more calming..." she replied with a smile on her face. Jackie looked at her confused, her nose scrunched up "Make up for the def...d....the what?!" she asked, fully perplexed. Sara laughed fully and shook her head "Never mind Jackie" she replied wiping a tear from her eye.

Sara looked out over the horizon and smiled to herself taking in the colors. The sun was setting perfectly in view even though it still warmed her skin. The sky was various warm colors, shades of oranges, red, pinks and some purples blending together. There were stars glittering in the sky and little clouds were moved along quickly by the gentle winds coming off the ocean. "The bus is here girls it's time to go!" Sister Inna Called. She was the nun who found Sara and named her. Sarauniya - Godess, in Sister Inna's native language. Sara always wondered why she was named that considering Sister Inna was catholic but she never got the chance. When they returned home Sara was so tired, she did her nightly routine and fell into bed. And then it happened. Darkness faded to day but the sun seemed to be blocked out buy something else, the moon?" The eclipse has begun! Now it our chance!" a strange man yelled. Sara looked up to the sky and sure enough the moon had a red ring around it from the sun it was hiding, but it was different. Sara shouldn't have been able to see the eclipse in such detail and not without going blind. The wind started to pick up and clouds of dirt and debris came in, and then the roars.

Panicking Sara tried to find the sound so she knew which direction to run and there was a wave of dragons overhead breathing red hot flames across the battlefield. Sarah Looked at the man who called the orders earlier and he had deep set gray eyes shaped by unreasonable long lashes for a man and perfect brows. His hair was long and blonde gleaming silver. It was braided in an intricate style she thought to keep it out his face but she got stuck on the pointed long ears that poked out. There were other men and women just like him on horses but others looked like half beast half human, others looked like they were the horses with a human upper body. As they charged she realized they were coming right towards her and she tried to run. Falling backwards, she tried to catch herself, her hands landing onto the body she tripped over and settling in the massive pool of blood that should have been in the person's torso. She looked away in horror only to see the man's face and notice his eyes were Crimson red and he had fangs. She screamed at the top of her lungs and was awoken by Sister Inna. The other children in the room stared at her frightened by her late night screams and she couldn't stop herself from crying.

In an effort to comfort her, Sister Inna took Sara with her to the kitchen area and made her some tea. Sarah finally managed to calm down and told Sister of what she saw. She wasn't sure how the nun would react but she had to tell someone because she wouldn't get to see her therapist for a few days and she had to get it out now. As she finished relaying the details of her nightmare she noticed Sister Inna paled a bit and looked thoroughly scared. "Sister Inna?" Sara called out softly and Sister Inna seemed to snap back to reality. " Sara dear" Sister Inna started "I know that you have been raised a good catholic girl for many years but there is so much more out there than you could hope to understand. I know this sounds strange coming from me but I can promise you, don't believe everything you read, even in the bible." 

Just then a crack of lighting went off randomly making them both jump and rain started to fall from the skies violently. "No!" Sister Inna whisper yelled and started pulling Sara back to her room. She leaned down to get eye level with Sara and said "Listen to me my little Goddess, understand and remember what I said tonight and that you can trust NO one but your betrotheds" she grabbed Sara by the arms and shook her a bit for emphasis. "Don't you mean betrothed?" she asked, confused and starting to panic. "No, betrotheds. I said what I said now, get to bed!" Sister Inna replied, pushing Sarah into the bedroom and closing the door before she could ask further questions. "Sorry guys" Sarah said to the other kids apologizing for waking them and they all went back to sleep.

The next morning Sara wanted to talk more with Sister Inna but she was nowhere to be found. She looked and waited for a few days because she knew sometimes the sister was called for work at other churches but after two weeks Sara began to worry. Walking up to another Sister she asked "Sister Mae have you seen Sister Inna?" hoping to get some calming news. Sister Mae turned from her dusting with a confused look "Sister who?" she asked. Sister Mae had been here for some time and Sara knew she knew Sister Inna. "Sister Inna, her family is originally from Nigeria, dark brown skin brown eyes, Sister Inna" she replied perplexed and wondering why she had to give details like she was going to put out an APB. 

"I'm sorry Sara I don't know ‘Sister Inna’, is she new here? Try asking Sister Kathrine." 'No she's not new here you incompetent oaf.' Sara wanted to yell but she nodded and replied "Okay, thanks anyway" before walking off and Sister Mae returned to her chores. After asking a few other nuns and students Sara realized it was like Sister Inna never existed! Her belongings were gone, no one knew of her and Sara knew she didn't imagine the last 14 years of her life. But Sara did as she was told, she never forgot the Sisters words and that's when she began her research into the Supernatural. END FLASSHHHBACCKK!!  

Many years had passed and Sara was fully convinced with the more she researched, that Sister Inna was right and the paranormal world had an almost perfect vail over themselves and blended seamlessly with the human world. Sara had aged out the system of course because no one could afford to adopt and her first name wasn't exactly résumé worthy. Such is life, she would simply tell herself and keep it moving. She worked many jobs throughout the years trying to find something stable and reliable but if you thought about it, the economic situation of the country, it was bad and even worse where she lived. After the Sister Inna incident and aging out of the system Sara didn't visit the orphanage much because it hurt her so. Her friendships dwindled, though there weren't many but somehow, she kept in touch with Jackie. Sara felt she owed Jackie that much.

A few days ago Jackie reached out to Sara with a possible job opportunity in the Big Apple where Sara's life changed forever. Part of her was scared about the massive change but she knew that New York would provide better resources for her research and maybe some discoveries. Jackie offered her a place to say so they could split the rent and told Sara that the job was as good as hers if she came. Something in her stomach told her to be weary but she trusted Jackie and hopped on a Greyhound Bus bound for New York.

Several hours later Sara arrived in New York with a smile on her face. It was approaching night life hours, the streets and sidewalks were bustling with party goers, workaholics leaving late, and workers that finished their happy hour runs and bar hops. Sara texted Jackie to let her know she made it safely and Jackie replied rather quickly stating she was nearby, what she was wearing and that she'd be there in five.

True to her word Jackie was there about five minutes later and hugged Sara like family that had been apart for too long. It warmed Sara but it felt off like it was too much. Sara offered to pay for an Uber for them but Jackie said it was easier and cheaper to use public transportation. Shrugging and trusting that she knew what she was talking about Sara let Jackie lead the way.

Even with the train moving at crazy speeds, Sara's eyes skimmed over the city lights below her. Smaller things like people and cars blurred by quickly but larger buildings and skyscrapers took a while to disappear from view. The sky was partially cloudy but the stars still made themselves known.

Sara's face was so close to the glass her warm breath steamed up the window and Jackie laughed at her. "Any closer and you'll kiss yourself Sara" Jackie teased. Sara laughed at herself and leaned back from the window but as she did she swore she saw a shooting star. Not that she thought it would work but she closed her eyes and sent up a silent wish 'May my life take a turn for the better' was all Sara wished for and went back to making small talk with Jackie.

Jackie waxed poetic on the way home about how New York food was better than anywhere else and Sara made her promise to get some Cheesecake from Jrs. In downtown Brooklyn. In the meantime they grabed some Chinese food,  a celebratory bottle of wine and blasted Lizzo as loud as they could in the apartment.

Jackie had a nicer apartment than Sara expected. The front door lead to a small foyer area where they could put their shoes and a coat closet. Coming out the foyer there was a kitchen to the right with a large island and some stools instead of a dining table and to the left was the living room. The kitchen had cherry wood finishing and glass panes for the cabinets. You could see that matching dining set Jackie had along with those miscellaneous cups from 7/11. A two basin sink was surrounded by a while marble countertop that matched the island. The room had simple eggshell colored walls but she had cute yet simple art and decorations strategically placed in the space.

"Target must be your fav" Sara said more as a statement "It's not everyone's fav?" Jackie asked with a laugh. There was soft plush carpet that matched the walls but Jackie had well placed brown and maroon area rugs to match the artwork and decorations. The living room had a purple couch and loveseat set with cream colored, maroon and brown throw pillows. Jackie had a reasonably sized TV mounted on the wall and a low height entertainment center that was level with her cherry wood coffee table. There was a cable box, DVD player and Roku, simple but supplied her entertainment needs. Past the kitchen and living room there was a hallway with a long closet and door on the left and two doors on the right.

"Linen closet and my rooms on the left. Bathrooms first door on the right and then your room!" Jackie supplied as she saw Sara glance down. "Ima use the restroom and we can eat" Sara said and went to the bathroom.

Jackie pulled out some wine glasses and poured the Moscato before pulling the food out of the paper bag. Sara came out a few minutes later and sorted out the food, sauces and eating utensils. "You think my ancestors are pissed I can't even bother with these things?" Jackie asked jokingly as she tossed the chopsticks back into the paper bag. "Wait you seriously never learned just in general?" Sarah retorted teasingly. "Nah, never cared too, my regular eating utensils work just fine!" Jackie replied laughing. "Ooo Jackie used a big word" Sarah countered making them laugh even harder.

Jackie was a hard worker when she needed to but book smarts wasn't her thing. Sara never judged her for that, it's not for everyone, but that didn't mean she wouldn't tease her a bit. Sara took one bite of her food and realized Jackie was telling the truth, Scranton spare rib tips had nothing on New York spare rib tips. Sara didn't realize she was that hungry but a 7 hour bus ride would do that to any human. The wine hit the right spot and made her warm so she figured half the bottle was a good stopping point for her.

Sara helped Jackie clean up but she felt off, a little too warm. She was never a lightweight so the wine shouldn't have hit her as hard, especially with all the food she ate. "Ugh I feel off. I'm headed to bed Jackie, good night" Sara announced going back to her room as Jackie called back "Night sis!" Sarah barely had enough energy to slip on night clothes let alone shower before she passed out.

Jackie smiled to herself finishing her glass of wine. She went to the sofa and pulled her cellphone out of her purse and dialed a number. After a few rings a baritone voice answered. "This better be important Jackie" he said in a threatening hiss. Jackie shuddered but not as hard as the first time. Years of working for Diak Bardzaranal would do that.

Walking back into the kitchen she replied "Of course boss I wouldn't of bothered you if -" He cut her off "Get to the point b***h" Diak said annoyed "I have the new girl who can take my place." Diak hummed amused on the other line but she waited for him to speak. "When will I get to meet her and how...compliant is she?" he asked.

Jackie knew he was sick and part of her kind of felt bad but not enough of her cared and she tossed her conscious to the wind a long time ago. Playing with a now empty bottle of unknown liquid in her hands she tossed it into the trash "I gave her a little something to help her sleep after her oh so long travels." She replied with a conniving smile "she's ready whenever you are, she just passed out" she added and leaned against the counter. "The boys and I will be there shortly. Should she suffice, you have a deal and you're out. But mark my word Jackie if that b***h isn't worth the time both of you will face my wrath" he sneered and hung up on Jackie.

Holding back unshed tears Jackie tossed her phone on the counter and went to her freezer for a calming shot of Vodka. Sara had always been unreasonably pretty to Jackie. Tall at five feet 8 inches, dark chocolate skin, plus size but fit and very blessed in front and behind. Her oval face was surrounded by black 4A curls and showed off her green gray eyes, plump lips, stupid long lashes and high cheekbones. Jackie wasn't worried in the least that Diak wouldn't approve and waited for him and his men to arrive.