Ch 1

It was summer, a time for hanging with friends and partying, but here I am studying, learning when I should be numbing my brain with fun. Sophia my, Night Guide and a light vampire, was busy lecturing me on the customs of the faery race.

I was supposed to be taking notes, but I couldn’t concentrate, it was getting late and my mind was already shutting down for the night. Pretty soon all I would be able to is veg and watch TV.

She continued to lecture walking around the room as she did. She always gets so wrapped up in her lectures, waving her hands around and adding extra little facts when possible. She once told me that she just loved to lecture and inform. I think she just likes to hear her own voice.

I stared down at my notebook, which should have been covered with notes but instead had I drawn an anime version of Sophia boring dark vamps to death with her lectures. I draw well, but only because I practiced a lot. I’d work on a sketch, erasing it and redrawing until it looked perfect, and now all my practice is paying off. I finished drawing the last frill on Sophia’s gown before setting down my pencil.

“Raven Sorrow are you even paying attention?”

I snapped back to attention and answered as quickly as I could. “Yes.”

“Really? Then tell me Raven what is the distinguishing feature of the faery?”

“Their wings?” I guessed.

Sophia sighed. “They don’t have wings. Did you even right that down? Let me see your notes.” Before I could hide my comical drawing she snatched my notebook off my desk. Oh I’m vamp food now. From the look on her face I could tell that she was not amused.

“Is this what you do Raven? Draw when I am trying to imbue you with some knowledge of the magical world? Do you always make a mockery of me during my lectures?” She gave me the notebook back and crossed her arms over her chest.

“No,” I said. “Sometimes I draw you being nice.”

I took the notebook and flipped back to the notes from a couple nights ago where I had drawn a picture of her smelling a rose.

“Well at least you took notes on this page.”

“And the drawing is pretty sweet,” I added.

“You’re still in trouble Raven,” she practically growled.

“Why do I even have to learn all of this? And don’t just say it’s my duty as a slayer.”

“Well fine I won’t say that. It’s because of the prophecy. You’re practically famous in the magical community. Every Light creature will want to meet you when we arrive at the headquarters of the Council of Night Guides. Wouldn’t be rude if you couldn’t even tell what sort of creature they were.”

“Yea I guess,” I said reluctantly. “But the prophecy never said I was going to have to work this hard.”

“Yea, well the prophecy never said you were going to be a little brat,” she shot back. “It’s looks like I’m going to have to start over again. It’s important that you pay attention Raven-“

“I know!” I shouted getting up from my desk. “I know I have to learn all of this. I know I have to train extra hard. I know the fate of the world lies in my hands. I know that that sometime this month I could very well die. I know! I know! I know!”

I finished yelling, took a deep breath, and turned away ashamed of my little outburst. Sophia had been very patient with me these last two months. She had explained the prophecy to me in great detail. She told me that I would get powers and even when I would get them. Though what powers I would get were still a mystery to everyone. She told me every detail of The Council’s plan for me.

Sometime in this month, July, before my birthday I would have to go to The Council of Night Guides’ Headquarters and train even more for that day when I have to defeat an army of darkness. Sophia never told me when I would actually leave. She said something about it being for my own protection. At the headquarters besides training, I would meet with the leaders of every light creature race. I would have to be all polite and formal and wear pretty clothes. The horror.

The whole thing just seems scary, but Sophia, despite what she said about me being a brat, has been really nice to me. I sighed and turned back to her.

“I’m sorry for not paying attention Sophia. I’ll try harder.”

Her eyes softened. “Raven you’re not going to-” She began.

A knock at my bedroom door interrupted her. Sophia tensed. For both our sakes I hoped it wasn’t my parents. I think they would freak if they knew I had a vampire in the house even if she was good.

“Raven it’s me. Kristen.” I heard Sophia let out a breath of air. I was relieved too that it was just my best friend and not the ‘rents.

“Come in,” I told her.

She opened the door but stayed in the doorway when she spotted Sophia. Yes, she knew about Sophia being a light vamp, but she was still nervous. In her defense Sophia makes everyone nervous.

“I’m sorry I didn’t know you had a slayer thing tonight. I’ll just go.”

“Wait,” said Sophia surprising me. “I was just leaving so you may stay and do whatever you children were planning to do.” She smiled at Kristen and then turned to the window to leave.

“Thanks Sophia,” I said quietly.

She smiled back at me mischievously. “Children need their play,” she said knowing that I hated to be referred to as child.

She dashed out the window before I could say anything and was gone. Kristen not accustomed to Sophia’s usual exit raced to the window and of course saw nothing. She turned back to me.

“That Sophia is just a sweet heart,” she said warmly.

I laughed. ‘You have no idea.”