Christian Jayce Aleksander

The next afternoon rolled around all too quickly. Alexandra, Cayden, Annett and I met the four at the airport, where we could tell they’d fed just to spite Cayden and me.

I tried to put myself at a human’s perspective, remembering how frighteningly beautiful I recalled the faces of true vampires. Especially when we feed the way we were intended, and met with the darkness, we become extremely attractive in all that we are. I’d become far too used to these faces, they neither attracted nor repulsed me. For me, they were the norm.

Smartly dressed, they approached our group. Together, we were a glowing group of deceptively cherubic and unnaturally beautiful beings. I hated it very much.

“Come on, say it. We look dashing.” Erebus insisted, dramatically fashioning his hands toward himself and his coven. I said nothing, and continued to remain stone faced and emotionless.

“She’ll never sleep with you. You look scary, remember?” Cayden answered Kettil’s thoughts before he was able to verbally produce them. I smiled. Kettil spoke curses in his mind that caused Cayden to laugh.

This was going to be an interesting journey.

It took two connecting flights to arrive from Northern California to Glorenza, Switzerland, a land inhabited by about 800 people and about 62 vampires. Well, half breeds anyway.

We stepped foot onto the automatic touristy sites: the preserved walls and gift shops. I almost forgot how to reach the old castle until I caught a scent of the forest. I soon assumed the leader of these vampires, while in search for the castle. As ironic as it was to say that it felt foreign, it felt ironic enough that I would soon be an image very much like this- a leader.

I shoved all related subjects around this out of my mind, and continued to run at lightning speed. Cayden and Alexandra close at my heels; I knew soon we would have to transition to underground. Abruptly I stopped, causing Erebus and his comrades to fly ahead of us. Annett, Alexandra and I laughed in unison at their lack of control.

Seconds later, the group ambled over to our smiling faces by the large tree.

Cayden’s face read somber, and I could tell he was having a difficult time tuning out the four’s voices. I interrupted the angry silence,

“Here, we incorporate team work. Erebus, you need to run to the other side of the forest, about 800 feet from here. Kettil, you’ll run to exactly where he is except 500 feet horizontal to the site. Atropos you go exactly 600 feet from here. There you’ll dig approximately 5 feet underground, where you’ll find a lever. Pull the lever and we should meet in the middle, where our stairwell will be awaiting.” Cayden and Mannesah looked angrily at each other, engaging in a seemingly wordless battle.

Moments later we reached the center of the forest where already a large dip in the soil beneath us had begun to form. All of us stood quietly waiting while Atropos, seemingly fascinated by the scenery, broke the silence.

“Hey, Jayce- remember the first time I came here? You were seven and I was eight and we saw a rabbit in the distance and you said, ‘hey, let’s go catch it and eat it’ and I said-,” I stopped him, my hand secured around the base of his throat.

“This-,” I stopped to motion to the stairwell, implying the immanent entryway into the castle, “this isn’t a reunion. Do not expect the same courtesy’s you would have received decades ago.” He hissed and walked off to Kettil like a kicked puppy.

“Pussycat.” Alexandra muttered under her breath, flipping her long black hair indignantly in Erebus’ direction.

“That’s enough.” One shot from Annett’s staggering stare sent everyone into obedient silence. The entrance to the stairwell opened and soon we found ourselves walking down fourteen dark flights of stairs.

“Atropos has something to say.” Cayden continued, his head only looking down to the stairs below.

“Yes, yes I do. One- your days are number you annoying piece of-,” Atropos started.

“Seriously!” Alexandra exasperated.

“That wasn’t where I was going. If we get in trouble, were placing the blame on you.”

“Good luck, then you imbeciles. In case you forgot who you were messing with, he’s-,”

“Don’t. Please. Everybody that is enough. We will enter, and we will listen to what they have to say. Then we will be home in a matter of hours. Clear? Actually I don’t care if it’s clear.” I stated, answering myself.

Straight ahead we saw the massive entry door painted in crimson, with the deafening words carved into the door in gold lettering:

“Dove l'anima mortale entrerà, l'anima straordinaria uscirà. Il Re onorario presiede- un è entrambi l'uomo ed il vampiro. Riposare SI fanno non, per nella fine, Il Sangue di Guaritori Regnerà.”

Almost comically, the three started hissing at the door, prompting smiles from almost everybody but Cayden, who seemed to be in an unchanging disposition.

“You don’t read Italian, Erebus? But I though you knew everything…,” Cayden prodded at Erebus.

“Why would the door be in Italian if were in Switzerland-,” Kettil yelled.

“When were you going to tell me about this Jayce?” Alexandra questioned.

“Somebody tell me what the damn door says!” Erebus erupted.

“The door says, ‘Where the mortal soul will enter, the extraordinary soul will exit. The honorary King presides- a being both man and vampire. Rest they shall not, for in the end, The Healers Blood Will Reign.’” Annett said with clear pride. At least someone had pride about this.

Silence struck Erebus.

“Surely you must have something to say. This wasn’t a rumor you know.”

“Stop talking about this please. We will deal with it when the timing renders appropriate.” I begged. Embarrassment was the last thing on my mind, though it didn’t seem so.

“Coward.” Kettil shot at me. I took this with no response. I was a coward, indeed.

I kicked the door once, where the door half opened. The face of a pale, dark haired younger male met us. I said nothing for a few moments, while his face registered shock.

“Hello, were here to see King Carlo. Is he in?” Alexandra politely asked. The boy had nothing to say.

“Is he in?” I scoffed. Where else would he be? Playing bingo at the local bakery?

“Guten Tag mein ernster König.” The boy finally spoke. I nodded my head in acknowledgement, and he opened the door for us.

“I am not your king.” I routinely answered.

“It means Good day, my solemn king Erebus. Really, how long have you been alive? Eighty? Ninety years old? You should be getting this down…,”Cayden said aloud.

“Read my mind again. Do it, I dare you.” Erebus looked Cayden in the eye.

I looked back at the entire group.

“Table for nine.” I muttered. More people meant more introductions and more time wasted here.

“I hate this place.” Annett responded to the sudden observational silence. The room was dark and stained with crimson paint on either side- splashing of writing were everywhere. The room was bare though, almost devastatingly so- vampires don’t really need sofa’s…

“MY CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT! What a PLEASANT surprise! I didn’t realize the entire gang would come!” Carlo suddenly appeared from the darkness. He wore a dark robe with, none other than, crimson lining. His hair was slicked back, only further enhancing his eyes. Our eyes, actually, the ones I’d inherited from him. He was also unnaturally cream for complexion of our kind which could only mean-

He’d been feeding.

“Hello Carlo, it’s nice to see you.” Alexandra came near him and offered her hand to him. He took it and kissed it, as was tradition for the half-breeds to do to the women. Alexandra then bowed down graciously, initiating the others to do so as well.

“My Annett, your beauty never ceases to catch me off guard. Dear Cayden, how much older you look since I last saw you!” His face, plastered with a silly smile soon disappeared when he saw the four. Mannesah spoke for the first time on our journey:

“King Carlo, it is happiness to see you.” Mannesah then bowed down. Mannesah had always been the polite and logical therefore tolerable one. Unfortunately, I didn’t need Cayden’s power to foresee the disaster that would follow soon after this.

“Yes, thank you Carlo. Thank you for summoning us all the way from California to come and see you so you could lecture us, as if we didn’t get enough of that with your heir.” He spat out, signaling towards me as if my father would forget I was the heir.

“Such disrespect Kettil, you’ve always been a naughty one. Please, let us migrate to the other room. I have fresh drinks.”

“This isn’t a bar Carlo!” I shouted. He wasn’t supposed to be encouraging them, but reprimanding them! But at least he didn’t question the false summoning.

“Gentle ladies, I’m positive you’d like to view our new tapestries, George will take you there.” The younger boy from before surfaced and signaled Alexandra and Annett to the further rooms. Carlo turned back toward me.

“My son. You look so…so consistent.” He smiled and stood there, waiting for me to bow to him.

“Not a cold day in hell.” I forced a smile and walked to the main room without permission.

“Such rebellion! I thought you would have grown out of this decades ago!” He signaled to the doorman to bring us drinks. Inside the room was gold, filled with rich tapestries the wives had woven and ancient paintings of all the elders.

Soon six females in fitting black dresses came out with red shot glasses. The women were all very similar looking- long brown hair, cat-like eyes and dark skin.

“Well, I did miss this place…,” Kettil said while retrieving a drink from the tray, inviting a female to come and sit next to him.

“Are you the one that can read thoughts?” one of the females stopped to look at Cayden, who only provided them with a glance before he purposefully looked at the black stone floor.

“Yes.” He said, almost wincingly.

“Well, can you listen to what I’m thinking right now...,” she bent down to make eye contact with him. Cayden looked at me and mouthed the words ‘help.’

“Gloria, that’s quite enough, thank you.” Abruptly all six females who’d found their way on or by the four stood up and came by Carlo.

“Oh, Healer, I am sorry- we were not aware of your presence…,” All six females bent down to bow to me, much to my disgust.

“I’ve never been one for theatrics; you do not need to bow to me.” I said.

“But we must…,” One said.

“Ladies he is only joking! You’re dismissed. Gloria, please meet me on the balcony on the fourth floor with what I asked you.” Gloria immediately excused herself and hurried out of the door.

“Now, I didn’t expect these four to come as well. Kettil, Manasseh, Erebus and Atropos- to what do I owe this pleasure?”

“Excuse me?” Atropos angrily responded.

“You mean to say that we weren’t-,”Erebus started.

“Actually, we’d like to speak to you about that Carlo-,” Cayden, trying to save a fight.

“We weren’t summoned?” Manasseh asked blankly.

“Not to my knowledge. But I trust the future thrown king’s judgments; he would not have provided the troubles of traveling here if not necessary. Cayden, please continue.”

“Please Cayden, continue.” Erebus said in Cayden’s direction with his hands on his face.

“These four have been nothing but a detriment to society. Clearly, the lines that have been drawn to where proper feeding-,”

“Real feeding!” Atropos interjected.

“Clearly those lines were drawn. Lands where they hunted weren’t meant to be inhabited by humans so often. They are killing more clearly and too often, not feeding on humans only when necessary but all the time!”

“This is what we were designed for you idiot! To kill and reign! We aren’t mistakes! You are! We are the real, true full vampires-,”

“Show me your king, Atropos. Show me your Italian king, and then you may have a voice in this argument. However, for the last five hundred years, I’ve not seen a king, or even a prince to hold your family name up. You are the third breed, not even the second. Now that you realize just how unworthy you are-whether you were fully bred of only half- you may now exercise complete and total silence.” Atropos sat on the couch, stunned at Carlo. He probably felt like bowing to him right about now. Even I felt like giving Carlo a pat on the back.

“Now Jayce- I’d like you to continue please.” He motioned for Cayden to sit down. I slowly stood up, and took position in the front of the room, six pairs of eyes staring back at me.

“This isn’t a matter of my discernment on the situation. They’ve killed far too many. We came here to ask you officiate that they take their murdering elsewhere.”

“You stupid vegetarian-,” Kettil began.

“What does Garrett have to say about this?” Carlo asked.

“Garrett? He’s recovering from those demons, who nearly KILLED him!” I shouted. Angry started creeping up in my tone.

“Excuse me?” Carlo asked, shock registering in my face.

“We couldn’t tell it was him…,”

“Please, lie with the mind reader here. Please do it.” I asked Kettil sarcastically.

“What the hell. Yeah, we almost killed him. So? He was in the way. We’d had our pattern marked for days. We hadn’t properly fed in a week- chickens just don’t do the trick Carlo! You should know, look how healthy you are!” Noise left the room at that moment. It was one thing to accuse the king of something and another to accuse the king of something and be right.

“You will listen to these orders- not because I’m the first dynasty and not because I have direct power over you- you will listen to these orders because I’ve no patience left for you and you should be fearing for your pitiful lives right now.” I said, my tone dripping with austerity.

“Leave my castle, send word when you find a new home. Stay out of California, do you hear me?” Carlo commanded.

“This is bull!” Erebus shouted.

“I don’t care if it’s bull, sheep or oxen to you young man- you will listen to your king and you will pay respect towards him!” Carlo shouted.

“Thank you for your- your immediate sentencing. I wouldn’t want to wait around here while you thought of another way to ruin our lives. Cayden, Jayce. We’ll see you soon.”

“I’ll give Jayce a heads up.” Cayden said, getting one last jab in.

“You’ll have nothing left but your thoughts after I’m through with you-,” Erebus threatened Cayden.

“LEAVE!” Carlo shouted. The four shuffled out, Erebus looking back at Cayden and I the entire way through.

“Now that you’ve wasted my time, let us proceed to the balcony. I’m sorry Cayden; I’m going to need to speak to him alone.” Carlo and Cayden exchanged a long glance at one another; Carlo’s face remaining stone cold while Cayden’s became doubtful. His features twisted.

“You aren’t meant to know th-,” Carlo began, placing a hand on my back, ushering me to the other room.

“Monster. That is ancient tradition!” Cayden shouted. I had a very bad feeling about this, Cayden never shouted.

“Tradition none the less! It’s the only way! We’ve explored all other possibilities!” Carlo was almost pleading in his expression.

“Why do I doubt that?” Cayden questioned angrily.

“You will have no say in this! You will support what the king tells you to support!”

“I answer to the heir! I answer to The Healer-Jayce Carlo, not you!”

“What? Cayden, what the hell?”I asked, not expecting an answer. What sort of law was he trying to pass now?

“How old is she? Seventeen?” Cayden asked. She? Did I have another long lost sister?

“Leave this room or leave this castle. This is a matter between Jayce and I, Cayden. Now go!” Carlo shouted at the top of his lungs.

Cayden looked back at me, trying to tell me something. I thought to myself knowing he’d hear, ‘what’s wrong?’ Cayden said nothing and stormed off to the tapestries where Annett and Alexandra were.

“Now, let us go to the balcony.” Carlo took a deep breath and led the way.

“Whatever you have to say, you can say it here.” I stopped, unsure of the circumstances I were in.

“No, son. I can’t. Please, let us walk.” His face was too serious to ignore. He wouldn’t bother me like this if it weren’t important.

We walked up several flights of stairs after reaching the roof of the castle, to a place Carlo called, ‘the balcony.’ It was very much an understatement, as the balcony was an immaculate view of Switzerland and the lakes surrounding Glorenza. The baby blue that painted the skies only enhanced the greens below, where no humans dwelled. This place was almost a secret.

We stopped. The wind was slowly picking up, and I could tell it would soon rain. Carlo walked to the edge of the railing on the balcony. He took off his dark robe and let it fall to his feet. I saw Gloria in the corner, with a thick folder in her hands.

“Thank you, Gloria.” He turned only to take the folder and continued to look out into the distance. Finally, after I provided him with a few moments, I spoke:

“This is why you summoned me? To come to the balcony with you and enjoy the view? I grew up here you know.” I knew it was better for him to think me impatient so he would hurry up. But he refused to turn around.

“How are you living right now?” he asked quietly.

“Excuse me?”

“What are you…doing with your time? Besides not feeding. Clearly I can see that.” He answered his tone still very quiet. Why did he care anyway?

“I paint. Then I give my paintings to Annett, who sells them at work.” I stated. It’s not like he didn’t know this.

“You are quite talented. You get that from your mother. But you wouldn’t know that now, would you?” He said solemnly.

“I can’t miss something I never had. Today isn’t the anniversary of her death, so why are you bothering me? Get to the point, please.”

“Yes, Jayce I’m aware it isn’t your birthday.” Finally he turned, his face almost horrified.

“Do you know why your mother died, Jayce?”

“What a stupid question.” I said. She died giving birth to me. She was a talented painter, and we looked nothing alike.

“Your mother died because of me.” Carlo said.

“Obviously she needed you to have me, so yes. But she died because of me, Carlo. She wasn’t giving birth to you, was she?” I asked, clearly irritated. What was this, sob fest?

“Jayce, I haven’t been honest with you. Not at all, actually.” Perhaps I wasn’t the heir. That was okay with me.

“What is it? The...enigma is killing me.” I said sarcastically.

“What do you know about your mother Jayce?”

“I know she was a painter. I know you two met one summer when you were about 102 in Bangladesh, where she was selling her art. I know she was Indian, and that we look nothing alike. I know she was a half-breed, and had three brothers- my uncles- who are nowhere to be found. I know she died giving birth to me when she was 127 years old, and I know she was your queen. Now you really are testing my patience.” I raised my voice, prompting Carlo to turn his head to the side. He closed his eyes and raised his hands to his mouth for a few seconds. Then he spoke.

“Jayce, your mother was human.” Carlo said gravely.

I froze. I froze because it was impossible. A human cannot breed with a vampire- even a half breed…

“Impossible. You would never commit such an act.” I said.

“I had to. So did the eight kings before me.” Carlo stood there, frozen in his steps.

“That makes no sense. It is physically impossible for a half-breed child to dwell in the womb of a human. It simply cannot be done!”

“What you were taught Jayce…it isn’t entirely true. There are five dynasties, not three.”

“Okay, the more the merrier but I don’t understand your point in bringing this up...,”

“How do you think dynasties were chosen, Jayce?” Carlo asked. The question stumped me. I didn’t know how to answer it.

“They weren’t chosen, they just are.” I said, knowing I sounded stupid.

“Son, everything has an origin. Everything has a purpose.”

“So tell me. Why are we one of the five dynasties?” Carlo took a deep, frustrated breath. I was reeling, everything I’d known, and everything they taught me seemed so off now. He had to be lying…

“Almost fifteen hundred years ago, there was a battle, here in Switzerland. Vampires had seemingly reached their peak- they had become ruthless and existed only to kill humans. Thrown kings- the real kings- had not yet existed. There were only temporary kings, like me. One day, a vampire, prince to the dynasty, had fallen in love with a human girl. He hadn’t bitten her once, and she seemed to love him, despite what he was, and what he had done. In later months, the prince’s father died- beheaded by his own brother. The castle was caught in an uproar; everyone was expecting this prince to take his father’s place. The next day, the prince went to claim his thrown in the court, with several hundred bystanders-human and vampire- watching. While receiving his crown, the brother of the king- his uncle, beheaded him in front of the crowd. He said the thrown was rightfully his and now, since the prince had no other brothers, he couldn’t be defeated.

For the next week, this man- a man so evil that even the lowliest of vampires would shake in his presence- would rule the thrown. Until the princes lover came.

She was discovered pregnant. But this was old news; it didn’t matter because many women turned up pregnant by vampires- all died within the second trimester.

Months went by, and nobody felt hope in this pregnancy; nobody believed that the child- who wasn’t even guaranteed to be a boy-would make it. But indeed, we were proved wrong. The woman, later identified to be Indian, gave birth to a baby boy, nine months later. The woman died in the process, though her family didn’t mind the sacrifice: for the little boy had saved the thrown. Until the boy was ten, there were no rulers. The boy then, at age ten, became the first half-breed thrown king.

These half-breeds, you and me, were unlike other vampires. They only look like their fathers- the genes of a vampire are dominant. They were able to discern right from wrong- blood didn’t dominate who they were. They could survive like humans and still live like vampires. They looked and could even act like humans, when feeding on human blood. The half-breeds became the dominant beings, and the only ones fit to rule the thrown. Vampires started lost control and in an effort to get back at the half-breed kingdom that used to be theirs, and started breeding with humans to kill them. However, four other women from all over Europe were able to produce a successful half-breed.” He paused, looking to the ground. I started to put the pieces together, and started to feel sick.

“They produced successful half-breeds, but they didn’t survive child birth.” I stated, emotionless in my voice.

“Precisely.” Carlo said.

“Continue.” I asked. This was overwhelming. Cayden couldn’t possibly have known this and not told me…

“These five women- two Indian women, one Swedish, one Irish and one Italian, all became members known as ‘The Dynasty.’” These half-breeds were all to rule side by side. 5 kings to restore peace and secrecy to the vampire world. Though this was fine with the people, this was not fine with the vampires from the first dynasty, who wanted the first thrown kings uncle back in ruling.

“Those old vampires succeeded in killing two dynasties completely. The Irish and the other Indian women- including the half-breed thrown kings- were all killed. Three dynasties- the Indian, the Swedish, and the Italian survived. This is what you know. Soon, the Swedish king grew tired of a secret ruling and became power-hungry, and wanted to go public- to not only rule vampires but to also rule humans. The Italian king, notorious for being a push-over, agreed. The Indian king did not. Though the three were half-breeds, they were the only ones. The other vampires would become ravaging and kill anyone that got in their way of hunting on humans and the race of vampires would cease to exist.

“Soon, the Swedish and Italian king came up with a plan to publicly kill the Indian king and rule the way they wanted. But, the Indian king was notified by a servant that the other two thrown kings were conspiring to kill him. The Italian king backed out, and ran away- he or his dynasty of capable women never to be heard of again. The Swedish king went through with his plan and publicly attempted to kill the Indian king. He did not succeed.

“This is what that day defined: the race of good vampires and the race of bad ones. Though I know you don’t view me or my castle this way- we are the good breed, Jayce. You already know the other.”

It all became so clear now.

“Gustav.” I said quietly. The Swedish heir- the second dynasty. I’d only met him once as a child, and that was because my father made me. I knew about him- the other dynasty who I’d be competing against. I knew I was to be king, and I knew he was to be my competition, but that I would win. Though I didn’t understand by what means.

“Yes. Gustav. Eventually, the Indian prince, the first of us, convinced his followers that he would be the better ruler. He was elected the one and only king, and the one and only that would ever be.”

“I still don’t understand. Why are you telling me this?”

“You know what you are Jayce. Put the pieces together.”

“I realize that my ‘coming’ is a big deal, but why…,”

Just then I realized. I realized who I was: I was Christian Jayce Aleksander, to be the tenth king and last thrown king.

I never incorporated the fact that I didn’t have a queen.

“This is the way that it has always been. I’m sorry, but you have to. Son, do you know how many years it has been since we’ve had a king to the thrown? 1,499 years.”

“…and 1500 is the beginning, once more. Tell me. Tell me to my face what you’re asking me to do. I’ve already agreed to be your ‘true’ king to the throne. Why didn’t you provide me with this information before I agreed to be your king!

“Because I knew you would never do it! Son, you have the heart of the Indian king! For God’s sake you don’t even kill humans! Do you want Gustav to rule vampires? Do you want more humans being killed!

“Oh your one to talk, Carlo. Look at you! You look like the only thing you ever eat are humans!” Carlo silenced. I was besides myself. I yelled with all my might.

“I can change the rules.” I spoke out loud.

“No, you can’t. There’s no other way. You must have an heir to be king, these are the requirements. If retract your promise to be king, then Gustav will rule this ‘empire’ in darkness. You have an advantage; Gustav has not been successful in tracking down his woman from his lineage. If he cannot find her, then he cannot go on and threaten your place as king. You will be the only ruler, and goodness will only rule from here on out. We have a luxury that we can’t afford to-,”

“So you’re saying I find this woman- no, this girl, I persuade her follow me to Switzerland where she will be my supposed queen until they put a crown on my head, where I will then proceed to IMPREGNATE her, where she will die giving birth to this child 9 months later. I am a murderer.”

“NO, YOU ARE A SAVIOUR JAYCE! One sacrifice in light of thousands to come should Gustav resume the thrown is nothing!”

“Nothing? Cayden was right. You are a monster. You and the other 8 kings before you.” I spit at his feet, hatred was radiating from every pore of my body. I was absolutely disgusted.

“By not doing this, you are not only dividing the kingdom, you are also turning your back on the human race. You are letting this murderer reign and exercise his lack of mercy!”

I was silent in thought. This wasn’t a place I wanted to be. I can’t do this. I can’t be the very thing I truly am- I cannot be a murderer.

“Why me? Why did I have to be the tenth King? Why do I need to be the throne king? Why can’t I be like you, a temporary king?”

“You must fulfill this, Il Sangue di Guaritori Regnerà. You must fulfill your prophecy or cede to evil.”

I let out a series of angry huffs, realizing that truly, there was no way out of this.

“Her name is Pierce Haley Harper- she has no idea. She was adopted as a newborn- her mother abandoned her in hopes of avoiding this, she thought we couldn’t find her this way.”

“What the hell do you suggest I do then? Hmmm? Hello, my name is Christian Jayce Aleksander, tenth and final thrown king to the first dynasty- and you’re supposed to die giving birth to my child- oh, I’m sorry, did I mention I WAS A VAMPIRE?!”

“Actually, your name is officially Christian Hartman. You start school at Roosevelt public high school in three weeks. You’re seventeen years old, and have been homeschooled the last couple of years because your mother- Annett Hartman is a budding artist whose paintings are constantly on demand which requires you to constantly move. Your schedule consists of no honors or advanced placement classes, though you will be in advanced art. You will fly under the radar, is that clear?”

“You don’t tell me what to-,”

“Good. Here’s the girls file- everything you need to know about her is in here. I wish you good luck, my son. I expect you to send word if anything monumental happens. If not, I expect to see you here in six months for your inauguration. Questions?”

“Yes, it says we go to different high schools here. Isn’t that a problem?”

“Oh trust me; she won’t be going there much longer when a concerned parent calls in about her inadequate behavior. Now goodbye and good luck.”

“Dad wait!” I called him, I knew he had nothing and everything left to say. “How did- how did you persuade…,” I didn’t have to finish.

“I didn’t love her. I didn’t let myself. We both knew this was bigger than us. We fulfilled our destiny simply because we knew it was the right thing to do.” With these words, he picked up his robe, fastening it while holding eye contact with me, and briskly walked off.

I stood there in silence, because truly, silence was the only thing I could comprehend at this moment.

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