Fae 5.16

~Charity~
As soon as we arrived here, I used the phone Martin had given me to phone my aunt Berlin, the sole number in the phone. After a long story, she informed me that she had money set aside for me in the event I ever came back. We used those funds to purchase a home in Lucky Palms. Sebastian being the only human among us, took a job at city hall as a janitor. And while Cazien could pass in public Thomas nor I could, thus we never left the house. It wasn't an easy adjustment, but it was necessary.

~Sebastian~
Mom never blamed be for ripping our family apart, but I did. Dad was somewhere, Rochelle stayed behind with her husband, and neither mom nor Thomas ever left the house. I took the only available job, Janitor at city hall to provide for my family. Cazien fortunately was too young to be affected.

*SEVERAL YEARS LATER*

In the last few years I had gone from being a Janitor to having just been elected to the City council. As I arrived home, I saw a blinding flash, followed by the loudest boom I had ever heard. Racing in the house I called for mom. " Did you see that?!" I asked. "Yes I did, what was that?" mom answered.
"I have no idea, but I suppose maybe we'll find out" The rest of the night was uneventful, thomas worked on a project for school. since he couldn't leave, mom taught him at home, though that was probably a tougher education than he would get anywhere else. The next day the boom was all anyone could talk about. that and several people had mentioned seeing something strange. When pressed they admitted they had seen what looked like humans with wings. With that I excused myself from work and headed home. "Mom! you'll never believe what people are saying they saw!" I told mom the rumors, and we were both equally wary. what was going on?






We got our answers a few days later, late one night came a knock on the door. "I'll get it" I told mom, who still had a habit of being up all night. upon opening the door I got the biggest surprise, "Dad?"
His hair had a bit of grey, he was much thinner than I remembered, and he looked off, but sure enough, It was my dad. As soon as I opened the door, mom had come running, "Kai!" she said throwing her arms around him, yet he just stood there staring. " Sebastian, help me get him in the house." We got him as far as the couch where he collapsed into exhaustion. "what's going on mom?" I asked. "I don't know, but as soon as he wakes up, we'll see what he has to say."


Dad was still asleep when I left for work the next morning. Work was more eventful then it had been in a while. Everyone was talking about these "beings" that had appeared, the phones had been ringing off the hook with calls from concerned townspeople.    

~Malakai~

"I did exactly what I'd promised to do. I made a potion that stopped the war, just not in the way they expected. First I bought time, sending the alchemists after ingredients that I knew were nearly impossible to find, and some that had to be handled just so or else they were useless. Once all the ingredients were gathered, I made the potion, telling the council they had to take me to the veil to use it.  They were under the impression that it would be dispersed on the vampire side of the veil, spreading and killing them. Well, not exactly. Once we got there I smashed the bottle at the foot of the veil, with a blinding light and deafening noise,  it was destroyed.  No longer were we separated from the humans. We mystic creatures were no longer invisible. Magic, for lack of a better term, had been returned to the world. The council was livid, I used their surprise as a chance to escape. I really didn't know if it would stop their petty war, I just knew it was my only option. I wasn't killing anyone, and it was time for us to stop hiding. 

I've spent the last few months trying to find you, eventually I found your aunt who told me where to find you."

~Charity~ 
We spent the rest of the day catching up. I told Kai all about our lives here, raising Thomas and Cazien, Sebastian working in politics, everything.  When Sebastian got home we filled him in on everything. Things were changing.

~Rochelle~
I had wanted nothing more when I was younger than to be accepted.  I went to the right school,  married into a good family,  yet due to MY family's choices I still wasn't good enough.  Well, once the veil came down and humans realized what we were they flocked to our land, gawking at us. Rumors flew around over what had happened, the one thing everyone agreed upon was it was my family's fault. In one instant I went from having the respect of the whole town to being basically an outcast. Everywhere we went there were whispers, stares. It finally got to the point where I couldn't take it anymore and told my husband it was time for us to go. "Where? Where will we go?" He asked. "Home" I replied.

~Sebastian ~. 

stories of fae had sprung up all over the world. At first people embraced the idea that they weren't alone, but soon they turned. Reports of fae being captured by scientists and military alike had become common. In one such incident a fae who was being captured used his magic to escape, though fae magic itself wasn't dangerous, something happened and the human died. After that people were afraid of fae, signs went up everywhere "faries not welcome" if they tried to live amongst humans they risked their lives. Here in my town the people were calling for the city council to do something about the fae, so far I had just kinda ignored the situation,  but I no longer could.  I had recently been elected mayor and it was up to me to fix the fae problem. The council had drafted an ordinance stating the fae weren't allowed within city limits,  the vote was unanimous, myself included. 

~Sebastian~

My family wasn't happy with the way I voted, but I knew it was a good move politically.  My popularity continued to increase,  and before too long I was being asked to run for governor. I jumped at the opportunity. Cazien was getting older, he showed a natural talent for art so I set up a sculpting area in his room. Thomas was almost a teenager and resented the fact he never got to go out, he and Jasmine became pretty good friends since they were about the same age. Though not the normal we wanted it was what we got.

~Rochelle~ 
Fae were banned from the city partly due to Sebastian, he just couldn't seem to think of anyone but himself.  Not even his own son Cazien, sure he bought him things and helped provide for us, but he wasn't really there. Mom, dad, and I took up the slack with him, thomas, and my daughter. Thomas was resentful of Cazien getting to come and go as he wanted, but Cazien more or less wanted to keep to himself,  he was a bit of a loner and very quiet. Even though he was a vampire we tried not to treat him any differently than the other kids. He did his sculpting when not in school and that was pretty much it.

~thomas~ 
I hated Sebastian.  He may be my brother but as far as I was concerned he was a traitor. He never once mention he was once Fae and that his family still was. I guess we don't matter. I want to be free, to belong like everyone else. I want out of here.

~ Cazien~ 
Dad worked a lot and people might say he did it for me, but I think it's more he did it because of me. I looked like my mom, I was different from everyone else in my family.  Though they never came right out and said anything I knew from listening to their conversations what my existence had caused and sometimes I wished I didn't. I took a sculpting class in school and really enjoyed it, so I asked dad for some supplies. I really only needed a few things but as usual dad went overboard and bought me everything, I think that was his was of making up for not being around.

Several years later....

~Sebastian~
I did it! Word came in that I had won the election,  I was president. Thomas had become very resentful of me, he kept saying I should use my influence to help the Fae but instead I was hiding who I really was. He didn't understand,  how could I stand up in front of the whole country and tell them who I really was. It was just better this way. I had two weeks before I was to be sworn in. 

~Thomas~
Eighteen at last! I was outta here. Out of this house, but not out of this town. If my own brother refused to make a stand, then I would.  As soon as I could I was moving out, and everyone could just deal with having a Fae in their town. It would never get better for us if no one would do anything. Cazien had it easy, he could blend in, but Jasmine and I had to keep hiding.

~Cazien~
Well dad got what he wanted at last. Hopefully he could finally be happy. He offered for me to move into the mansion too, but I was much more comfortable with grama and gramps. I had pretty much mastered sculpting so I moved on to painting, there was just something about taking a blank canvas and turning it into something beautiful. Since I needed less sleep I spent hours after school painting. My diet had changed as I got older too, used to I could eat what ever grama cooked, but these last few months it just wasn't satisfying anymore, so grama made me juice out of the plasma fruit she grew, it was so delicious.  

~Sebastian~

President...as my first act, and in an attempt to make amends with my family, I passed a law that no one could be discriminated against based on their occult status, at the press conference I was asked why now? I had always been a staunch opponent of Fae being equal. They were my people, but they never accepted me or my family, they didn't deserve my help, yet for my brother's sake I finally gave it. I held a press conference and told the truth, I was Fae, made human, but born as one of the ones I claimed to hate. As soon as the words left my mouth the room erupted in a cacophony of voices, all asking questions, and above the din BANG!. People ran screaming for the exits, I stood at the podium watching three crimson spots blossom out over my chest, I had been shot....

~Charity~

We watched on the tv as Sebastian made his speech, we heard the shots and saw him fall, moments later the phone rang, it was Sebastian's security telling us the news, he was gone. 

The next few weeks went in a blur, the funeral, becoming public for the first time, Sebastian's law had been passed, we no longer had to hide, It still wasn't entirely safe but it was safer than before.  We decided as a family to move across the country, start fresh. Thomas found his own place and got started with helping Fae get settled in the mortal world, Rochelle and her family settled near us as well. Cazien went off to college, his mind set on an art degree. 

Fae 5.14

~Charity~ 

The next few hours were a blur. Sebastian brought Megahan inside and Kai having experience with vampires tended to her. She was pregnant, that was obvious. She was also dying. Though the cause was less obvious. Kai gave her a potion to induce birth, knowing that time was of the essence if we wanted to save the baby. 

 In the midst of all if it her mother showed up at the house, knowing they were somehow back. 

"Where's my daughter?" She demanded. "She's being taken care of." I snapped, not wanting this woman near me. "This is all your fault. You and that son of yours. I hold you responsible for what happened to my daughter." Being a vampire, she could not set foot in the house unless I invited her. Knowing this I turned and went back inside, leaving her in the rain. 

I made my way up the stairs where Kai was just leaving Sebastian's room. With a small shake of his head as he passed me, I knew Meghan had passed. I peeked inside and saw Sebastian holding her hand, and my heart was breaking for my son. "Sebastian?" I said in a quiet whisper. "Go away. This is all your fault." His words stung. "Why do you say that?" I inquired. "Go ask your husband" he spat at me. I was shocked at his tone. I tuned and left as he began sobbing, and I wanted nothing more than to comfort my son. "Kai?"  "In here" came his answer from the nursery. He was putting Sebastian's son in the crib. "Do you know what happened?" I asked. Kai nodded as he closed the door. "Poison." I was shocked, "poison?!" With a sigh, Kai took my hands and said words I'd never forget "it was our poison." "How do you mean?" "The potion we used to kill James, well it worked by poisoning your blood. I thought it was only temporary, but apparently the effects were permanent. You passed it on the kids, and thus Sebastian's son. Basically he acted as a slow poison to Meghan. By the time Sebastian got her here it was too late." I could feel the tears filling my eyes, Sebastian was right, it was my fault. 

Over the next few weeks, Rochelle and her new husband decided to stay given the situation. The tension in the house was awful. Sebastian rarely left his room. Meghan had been given to her family, despite Sebastian's protests. Tensions were high all over, the Vampires were out for blood, and more of them had come to town to show their support for Meghan's family.  When Martin showed up I knew things were bad. Though he was a friend, I could tell by his grim expression he wasn't here on a social call. 

"Martin" I said as I opened the door. "Charity, it's good to see you. Though I wish it was under different circumstances." He said as I showed him into the living room where Kai and Sebastian were already waiting. " As you are aware, what Sebastian has done, it has broken the very fragile peace we had with the Vampires, in addition to breaking several of our strictest laws. Not only are the Vampires calling for his punishment, now our people are as well. Because of his actions several Fae have been injured in Vampire attacks over the past few days. Fortunately no one has been killed yet, but the council has issued their response. I am here to take Sebastian into custody." 

"NO!" I shouted as I jumped up. "I refuse to let you take my son!" "Charity, I have no choice, my hands are tied. I have to take him." Martin said as he rose. "Sebastian?" He motioned towards my son. Sebastian said not a word as he rose and followed Martin out of the house. 

It took me two months to find out where they had taken Sebastian. During that time Kai and Rochelle had been caring for the boys. I still hadn't held my grandson, Caizen. I couldn't.  So I left his care up to others, and focused on finding my son. I had asked everywhere, sent Petition after petition to the council to be allowed to see him. Finally they granted my petition, with one catch, only one of us could visit for 15 minutes. Kai and I discussed it and decided I was the one who should go. 

The morning of the visit arrived and I went to the address I was given. When I stepped inside the first thing I did noticed was Martin seated at a desk. "Where's Sebastian?" I demanded. "Come" Martin said as he led me into the adjoining room. What I saw broke my heart, and I couldn't hold back my tears. There was Sebastian. In a small, dark cell. 

Fae 5.15

~Charity~

"Mom?" Sebastian said as he looked up. "I'm here" I said. "I'm so sorry mom." He said, his voice cracking. "They said I'm scheduled for something called clipping in a few days. I'm scared, mom."  "It's going to be okay" I said trying to convince myself just as much as Sebastian. Before I knew it I heard Martin behind me. "Charity, it's time" he led me back towards the entrance. "Martin, what's going to happen to him?" I asked as we neared the desk. "He mentioned something called clipping?" " With a sigh Martin sat down before he said "it's the most severe punishment the Fae have. There have only been three Fae that have endured clipping, Sebastian will be number four. He will be forced to ingest a potion that if he survives will render him mortal. He will be stripped of his wings, he will be human." 

I was in a daze as I traveled back home. "He will be human" Martin's words echoed in my mind. How could they do this to their own kind? Not only would he be human, but he would also likely be banished. I doubted that they would let him stay. As I got home I broke down, all the tears I had been holding back came rushing out.

Three days later Sebastian was returned to us. He survived. He was human. Kai helped me get him to his room, he was so weak. "Mom?"  "I'm here Sebastian." I said as he drifted off to sleep. Sebastian slept for hours, but even when awake he was so weak he stayed in bed. I knew what he was going through. When I became a Fae, I remember how much lighter I felt. His was the opposite, mortality was heavy. 

A few days after Sebastian came home, Martin was at my doorstep once more, though this time I wasn't pleased to see him. " You already took is wings, what more do want?" I snapped at him. He hung his shoulders and said, "I'm not here for Sebastian"

He was here for my husband. Sebastian's sentence wasn't enough to appease the Vampires, war had been declared. 

"Malakai" Martin started, "you are hereby conscripted into the Fae army" Kai was the only one who had first hand knowledge of the potion that would kill vampires. He was the only one who had used it in hundreds of years. "What if I refuse?" Kai asked. "I have my orders to bring you in by what ever means necessary." Martin said with a pointed stare at me. 

"Understood" Kai said. "Can I say goodbye first?"  "Very well" Martin said as he moved towards the edge of our yard, giving us a small bit of privacy. "Charity, I love you. With all that I am, I love you. This isn't goodbye, I will see you again" I couldn't speak, all I could do was kiss my husband as if I may never see him again, Then he was gone. Once they were out of my sight, I broke down in tears. 

Several hours later Martin returned. I was still on the porch where he has left me. "What now? What more will you take?"  "Charity, I apologise, I am only doing my duty, but this I won't do." He ran inside, up the stairs and into the nursery. I was right behind him. "Charity, the council feels the child is an abomination. They sent me for him, this I refuse to do. He is innocent." Martin said handing him to me. And picking up my son. "I'm getting you away from here."  Rousing Sebastian Martin made his way out of the house and to a portal where Rochelle and her husband were waiting. "Charity" Martin said as he opened the portal. "You must go"  I sent Sebastian through with the boys first and turned around for Rochelle, but she hadn't moved. "Come on." I said reaching out to her. "Mom, I can't go. I have to stay here." I hugged her tight and told her I'd always love her and one day we'd be together again. Then I stepped through the portal and joined what was left of my family on the other side. 

Fae 5.13

~charity~

Telling Sebastian to leave was the hardest thing I'd ever done. It had to be done, for all our sakes.

Time went on, Rochelle came home for a visit and I filled her in on everything that had happened. She filled me in on her new boyfriend, he was also her dance partner. She showed me photos of the two of them, and they looked perfect together.

The time soon came for me to give birth. I had a beautiful baby boy. I just wished his brother and sister were there.

Seventeen. My babies were all but grown up.

Eighteen. My babies were eighteen today. Rochelle had graduated a few weeks ago, and was coming home with a surprise, in the next few days. Sebastian, I hadn't heard from since he left. And my baby was almost a year old, now.

Rochelle came home, and her surprise was better than I could have imagined. "Mom, dad, I've got something to tell you" Rochelle said looking at each of us. "We're engaged, and I'd like to have our wedding here" she said holding on to her boyfriend's hand. I was so happy, I'm sure I was smiling like a crazy person. "Oh honey, I'm so happy for you! I'm honored you want to have the wedding here!". Her boyfriend was a mainlander, a true fae. He came from a very old, very prestigious family, so it was surprising that he agreed to getting married here amongst the outcasts.

We soon set to work on wedding plans. "Have you thought about a dress?" I asked Rochelle. "I've actually already picked one out, it's more modern than most fae use, but I've honored his family by using their family color in the dress." She went on to explain that mainlander families all had a specific color, now only used for special occasions, but it used to be a way of identifying individual families. With the dress settled, Kai and boyfriend set to work making an arch for he an Rochelle to get married under.

Several weeks later we were finally ready for the wedding, it was set to take place on Saturday. Following the wedding, Rochelle had decided they would stay with us for a few days, then they'd be off to start their new life on the mainland. Saturday morning I spent helping Rochelle into her dress, makeup and hair. She looked beautiful. "Ready?" I asked as we made our way towards the back yard. "I've never been readier" she answered as we took our places.

I stood on one side with Kai on the other, as Rochelle and boyfriend stood under the arch and exchanged vows. As long as their was at least one witness, fae law considered the marriage valid. They exchanged vows both in the common tongue and ancient fae. As they kissed for the first time as newly weds, we all heard a voice behind us. "Mom, help me"

Fae 5.12

Fall. School was starting again, and that meant I wouldn't get to see Meghan as often. Though they tried, she wasn't allowed at our school, so her parents taught her at home. We saw each other as often as we could, which wasn't often.

Mom was getting close to having the baby, a boy, and she and dad had been spending as much time together as they could. The way he explained it, it was like having a baby for the first time, since it'd been so long since Rochelle and I were babies, but it wasn't unusual for fae to have kids with large age gaps, so that left me with plenty of time alone. Well not entirely alone.

The fall wore on, and just a few days before I turned seventeen, Meghan and I were fooling around on the couch. "What in the hell?!?" Mom's voice boomed from the doorway. We both scrambled to get ourselves together "GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!" mom bellowed at Meghan. Meghan took off as fast as she could, as mom turned her fury on me.

What were you thinking? You let one of them in our house?! How could you!" Dad came in right about that time, "what's going on?" I caught your son with that, that girl. That vampire." 

" Meghan. Her name is Meghan." I said my voice shaking. "I don't care what her name is." Mom said. "You WILL stop seeing her". At that moment all the resentment I had toward my parents came out. "And what if I don't? I love her. I'll never stop seeing her." "Love? They're not capable of love, they're nothing but monsters." "Dad, a little help here?" I pleaded. 

" I agree with your mom on this. It's a bad idea, tensions between our people are high, and you go and pull something like this. What do you think would happen if her parents found out. It's not just about you, Sebastian" I'd had it. I was done. "Screw your people, screw you. If you and Mom hadn't murdered Meghan's people, maybe things wouldn't be so bad between us, did you ever think of that? Huh, dad?" Mom just sat there, dad was speechless, but I wasn't done. "I've had it, I don't have to stand here and take this" I said as I headed for the door. Neither of them made any attempt to stop me, till my hand was on the handle. "If you walk out that door, don't come back" mom's words made me hesitate for just a brief moment, but I continued out the door and was gone.

I found Meghan in her front yard, tears streaming down her face. "I'm sorry" I said pulling her into a hug. "Let's get outta here" "Where to?" "Anywhere but here." And with that we left the little island I had always known. Off to start our own adventure, if only I'd known.

Fae. 5.11

I tried to ask mom about what I had been told, but she refused to talk about it. "Leave the past be" that alone told me there was more to the story than they let on.

As I arrived at the lake, I was surprised to see she was already waiting for me. "You came!" I said. "You sound surprised" she answered with a chuckle. "I suppose I am" I said awkwardly.  We sat under the trees and talked the whole afternoon. She told me of all she had seen in her travels to the mortal world, her life, her culture. The more we talked the more I wanted. I felt like I could never get enough of her voice. Before I knew it, I leaned over and gave her a kiss. " What was that for?" She asked shocked. " I'm sorry, should I not have? " " Sebastian, you know we can't do this." She said getting up. "Why not? Give me one good reason." "Our people are mortal enemies, is that good enough?" She said exasperated. "No, not for me. Yes we're different, maybe it won't work, but you are the most exciting and beautiful person I've ever met, please give this a chance." She stood there not saying anything for a long time, before sighing and saying "Okay, we'll give this a shot.

Summer. So far it had been the best summer of my life. I spent every day with Meghan, we kissed every chance we got. A few times we almost got caught when she surprised me at my house. All the sneaking around just added to the excitement. She also showed me the secret passage that her and her family used to get to the mortal world. I was in awe of that world from the moment I saw it, though my vision may have been clouded by fae sight. I had to stay small when we went out, since I couldn't allow myself to be seen. It was beautiful, so many sights, so many people, I'd never dreamed that the mortal world was this big.

As summer came to an end, I knew I wanted more with Meghan. Rochelle was due to come home soon, and since I couldn't talk to my parents about that, I decided I'd talk to her, but as my luck would have it, she was offered a permanent position with the dance company and wouldn't be home anytime soon. "I hate being fae" "you don't mean that, Sebastian" Meghan said trying to calm me down. "Yes I do. If I was human I could live in their world, if I was vampire like you we wouldn't have to hide, but I'm not. I'm not anything more than a stupid fae! I hate it here!" I said a bit loudly. Meghan just sat there on my couch and let me rant. "Are you done? You are what you are, to me you are perfect in every way. Do I wish we didn't have to hide? Of course, but hopefully in time our people we come around and we won't have to, but don't ever wish you were anything other than what you are." With a sigh and a smile, I leaned in and kissed her. "Come on" I said pulling her up by the hand and leading her upstairs. Once we were in my room, I leaned in and kissed her, things got going and one thing lead to another.

"I love you, Sebastian" Meghan said as we lay together. "I love you too" I said pulling her closer and kissing her once more. "I better go, before we get caught" Meghan said as she got up. "Yeah" I said in agreement as I pulled my clothes on. We made sure the coast was clear before leaving the house, and once we were far enough away we kissed goodbye, and headed back to our respective homes. By the time I got back mom and dad were home. "Hey" I called. " Did you have a nice evening?" Mom asked. "Yea, not too bad" I said as I went inside and back up to my room. As I fell asleep, I knew I had the biggest smile on my face.

Fae 5.10

I got up bright and early the next morning and headed for the lake. Several hours later I was just about to leave when she showed up. 

I waved as she walked over. "I didn't think you were coming."  "I didn't think I was either, but here I am." She said with a shrug. "So now can you tell me why you aren't allowed to talk to me?" I asked. "It's a long story."  "I've got time."  With a sigh she she said "Alright, lets sit over there." Once we were seated she started. "Amongst my people, the greatest crime we could commit is to turn on our own. My father told me when we moved here of your family and how I was to stay far away. He told me how your father had been taken in by my people, and raised as one of them, then one day with your mother's help he slaughtered an entire coven, one of whom was one of our most powerful in the last century. The Covens had high hopes for him, till your parents killed him, that is. So in our world your father is one of the most hated among the fae. When he realized you lived here he forbade me from ever speaking to you." I was stunned. There was no way that my parents did something like that. "Why did you decide to meet me here today, I mean if your father would be angry?"  "I guess I thought you're different than everyone else, you're nice."  "well if it makes you feel better, my mom would freak out if she knew I was talking to you, again."  "I remember that day at the park, you were the first one to speak to me since we'd moved here."  "If everyone hates you so much, why did you decide to move here in the first place?" I asked. "Well, we're different from the rest of our kind, while we survive on the blood of the living, my father found a fruit that we could substitute for blood. Mom says it's not as good, but it's all I've known. They petitioned the Fae Council to allow them to live here, and here we are."  "Yea, too bad you're here forever." I said not even thinking. "No, we come and go all the time. The fruit we live on won't grow here, only in the mortal world."  "You've seen the mortal world? What's it like?"  With a chuckle she said "Have you not seen it before?"  "No, I've never been anywhere but here. How do you get there? the Portal is sealed?"  She looked right at me and said with a sparkle in her eye "We have our ways." I was just about to say something else when she said "I have to go" getting up to leave I said "Wait, and you meet me here after school tomorrow? Around three?" Pulling away she nodded and said "I'll try." Then she was gone. I stayed there for a while longer thinking over what she had said. Had dad been raised by vampires? Were they killers?