Intro
We live in a world where being a good person gets you punished. It blows my mind how the same people who begged the “creatures” they swore didn’t exist to save them, are now the ones writing laws demonizing the very abilities that kept them alive. Some of those laws I get — they keep the playing field level. But others? Not so much.
Like right now, my parents are torn between congratulating me and whooping my ass, because I did something good that might take me away from them. My mom, a born vampire — pure-breed, fell in love with my pure-breed witch father. Which is rare in itself. I mean it happens but not as often. Together they made me, the strange mix in the middle.
I’m about ninety percent human, oddly enough. I can use a little magic, but only if I work at it like I’m cramming for the biggest test of my life. Other’s pick it up easy, like breathing. That’s the main reason my parents chose to live as citizens in the common world, instead of moving to one of the kingdoms where people like them can live free.
Which makes what happened even weirder. I was walking home from my shift at the hotel when I saw a woman and her kid get hit by a car. To be honest, I didn’t even know I was helping at first. I just reacted — like anyone would.
When I got there, I couldn’t find a pulse. I started freaking out. Somewhere in the middle of that, people said they saw my hands glowing, heard me saying things I don’t even remember. But in the end, both of them were completely healed. That included the obvious injuries people recall seeing: like a partial arm amputation and a massive head wound.
Both were checked out by doctors and left the same day. Considering I’m a housekeeper and not a nurse or doctor— healing magic is against the law. For that reason, I’ve never been taught to use it. Hell, I didn’t even know I could.
Still it didn’t matter. It’s against the law—no trail just a sentencing. My parent’s wanted to come to but I begged them not to. They don’t need any heat from the fire I caused. It was quick, the walk there was longer than the actual hearing.
Twenty minutes to get there and it only took ten minutes to decided my fate.
Needing air after that, I decided to take the long walk home instead. When I get in front of the house I see someone peaking out of the blinds.
I’m almost certain it was my mom. I put my key in the door and it swings open before I could twist it. I step inside closing the door behind me and they’re both inches away from my face, all in my personal space.
“What did they say?” They ask in unison, both fear and curiosity smeared all over their faces.
“I was given two options. Forty years-“.
They cut me off, eyes wide and mouth half open. “Forty fucking years? For helping?”
I cover my mouth to stop me from laughing. They talk so much about my selective hearing as if I didn’t inherit it from them. “I was given TWO options. Forty years in the common land jail. Or do three years in the Diamond Kingdom Army. I choose option two.”
“NO!” My dad yells. ”You will die there. I didn’t like the sound of forty but at least we would know you are safe and be able to visit. Every creature there has all rights to their primal state.”
“Can you switch? Will they allow?” My mom questions with tears in her eyes.
“The old prison with vacancy is Darrow Penitentiary.” I pause for their reaction and as expected they gasped holding on to pearls they do not have. This is the same prison that was just in the news because two security guards were skinned alive. Just weeks after another inmate managed to get out of his cell and into sixteen others—killing everyone on his floor for peace and quiet.
That’s why they have vacancy’s. Everybody is killing everybody in there.
“Yes I’m scared……but I think I’m smart enough to last three years in the army. The two kingdoms aren’t feuding—so this feels like the safer option.” I sigh.
“You don’t look scared. I’m scared.” My mom wraps her arms around me. Burying her head into my neck.
“Surviving is a state of mind. The moment you feel defeated you will be. Ain’t that right daddy.” I look to him over my mom’s shoulder. I want to break down but I can’t.
“Yes, princess.” He walks over wrapping his arms around the both of us. Kissing me on the forehead. “That is what I always say.”
We stand like this long enough for me to save this in my memory bank.
“Ok, I have to pack. Pick up is in seven hours” I pout sticking out my bottom lip. “Oh. And I can’t bring my phone.”
“That soon?” My mom eyes widen, and her bottom lip drops. But then she quickly closes her mouth, holding up her hand, “You know what. You go back and your dad and I will be up to help in a second.”
I know that tone. That’s her-I’m about to break some shit voice. I head upstairs pulling out the approved and unapproved packing list I was given. Mostly personal items like undergarments, toiletries and clothing.
Their concerns are valid, I’m not immortal. Mixed genetics amongst creatures are historically unpredictable. Especially those mixed with Vampire DNA. Had everything gone along to the plan they had set for themselves I wouldn’t be here.
Transformed creatures like -bitten vampires, scarred wolves, and cursed shapeshifters can’t breed. The transformation sterilizes them. To them turning him would be a win—win. They get eternity with each other and they don’t have to worry about conceiving.
It’s not that they disliked kids but the death rate was extremely high. As loving and caring as they are I can see why they didn’t want to take that chance. But I was already cooking unbeknownst to them. I joke all the time about their poor planning and irresponsible behavior.
“Can you bring snacks?” my mom asks as she walks in, eyes red and swollen—holding a bag of cookies. She glances down at me sitting on the floor, matching socks, and lets out a soft laugh. “See? I told you to match them before you put them away.”
“I said that when I poured them out,” I say, laughing as I toss a few socks into the air, defeated.
She walks over to my bed, slides the bag of cookies into the front pocket of my overstuffed backpack, then comes back to sit beside me.
“After some much-needed reflection, your dad and I agree this is the better fit of the two. Your father’s convinced himself it’s an honor, not a punishment. And I’m trying to see it that way too.” She fights back tears, sifting through the pile of socks until she finds a match.
“Have you been drinking his happy tea?” I raise a brow, and she laughs. “An honor would be letting me stay where I am. It’s not like I did it on purpose. It was a beautiful accident that just happened to save two lives.”
“Hey, hey now,” my dad says as he walks in, carrying a ton of books. “I just talked her off the edge—don’t send her back there. It’s an honor because, from what I know, most people don’t get a choice. They’re told where they’re going—and it’s never the army.”
I just look at him. No point in arguing with him when he has his books out. “Ok, daddy.”
My mom laughs, standing to her feet. “A few things we must go over first. Never argue or have sex with a superior.”
My dad looks at me, I look at him and then we shift our eyes back to her.
“I’m serious.” She smiles. “That’s like sleeping with a teacher or boss no real good will come of it. Not say that you will but…if given the opportunity—don’t.”
“When I said we have to prepare her I mean to the Kingdom life. Not love life.” My dad says face scrunched with disgust. “I meant things like the honor bow.”
He places his books on my bed, faces my mother, resting both arms down to his side, bending at about a fifty-sixty degrees angle.
“It’s a sign of respect.” He says coming back up and my mom returns the bow.
“Why the army though? Do they think you can heal people on command.” My mom blurts. “Why not an assistant for a shop owner or something? Did you ask?”
“It was the only open position for the Diamond kingdom. I know you both despise the Gold kingdom, so I didn’t consider looking at their list.” I flop down on the bed. Looking around the room, trying to memorize it all.
“As a solider you can get vacation passes for family members.” My dad says trying to keep the mood light. “Which means we can come see you and take care of you should something happen. Behind the walls of the kingdom I am free to use magic.”
“What about me? Can I turn her on their grounds?” She asks quickly.
“No because we are still citizen of the common land that is still against the law. Plus the pills they have us take prevent you from being able to do that remember.” He looks to her, then back to the book.
“So only you can help, but I can’t.” She stares at him until he swallows hard with fear, confirming he feels her vibe.
I’m going to miss this so damn much.
We spend the rest of the time I had left, enjoying each other’s company—practicing the bow and other etiquettes. Playing games and even having my first shot of alcohol. Since I won’t be here in two months for my birthday and block training is nine weeks. I’ll already be twenty-three by the time they are allowed to visit me.
My dad filled one of my bags with his books, journals, homemade medicine creams and just about anything else he could think of. While my mom cooked dinner for the last time—she only learned because of me.
Every once in a while they would eat with me just because and they did the same tonight. I took over a million pictures in my mind and steal a shirt from the both of them after spraying it with their favorite scent . All of my bags sitting by the door depressingly awaiting our departure.
The doorbell rings and my heart skips a beat.
