“I do.”
“I’ve seen some of your articles and speeches in the media… You’re trying to make a name for yourself.”
“I want a seat at the table,” I stated. “I want my family…I want those who have been oppressed and silenced by the First Family to finally rise up and take what belongs to us…What belongs to all of us. I never intended on hurting Ms. Grey…nor attacking her. Truthfully, I don’t even think she’s the main issue. She was just born unlucky.”
Dr. Vaughn laughed with a jump of her shoulders.
“Unlucky and unfortunate, yes. My mother would say that same saying too…”
She raised her hand and with a flick of her wrist, motioned for her coffee maker to start. I watched, impressed by her ability as her side table began to fix her a fresh cup.
“We’ve always admired the southern five families,” she said as she looked at me with a certain sparkle in her eyes. “You have my backing, but I need to warn you…be careful.”
“The First Family is all but gone except for her–––”
“That is not entirely true…Do you know what happened after that scene where they discovered torn bodies of wolves and people in the church that night? The day everything changed, and our world was almost exposed? Do you know why the church is closed off?”
I shook my head.
“Wilhelmina Holmes turned to dust and bones…. She offed herself before police could hold her. Her nieces and nephews disappeared completely. The only bodies that remained were the science experiments she created. Apparently they are not exempt from a bullet the way the Holmes are. The thing with the Holmes, they are sick humans with sick bodies that have endured hundreds of years’ worth of disease, and abuse. When they want to go into hiding, believe me…they can for the next several hundred years without anyone knowing and then one day…just pop up and kill everything in sight just for the fun of it. That is what makes them dangerous. The pack that turned on itself in the church was done on purpose and the ones who allowed it were the sirens that stood guard. All of this was planned by Dr. Holmes himself along with Solomon King, the triton of–––”
“I know who he is,” I said with a tight fist. I should have known he was involved the way he carries himself like he owns this place.
“He has been keeping a close relationship with Dr. Holmes as of late and its confirmed they’re in communication with one another.”
I felt my chest tightened.
“That means the First Family is still in control,” I said.
“Correct. Until Marvin is dead or the fear the First Family has over the Underground is gone, things will never change. That is why I applaud you for standing up to her and showing everyone she is the real monster who comes from a murderous family.”
“Why are you telling me this as the dean?” I asked, becoming suspicious. She smiled as she clasped her hands together.
“I simply believe in a new order of control.”
Silence filled the air as she stood up just as I stood up, towering over her petite height.
“Can I ask you a question about a student?”
She walked over to get her coffee, bare feet in the nude brown tights padded the carpeted floor as she hummed in response.
“Danielle Jackson…she…”
“Ahh yes…my rare gem…Dr. Holmes signed for her to remain here for sanctuary after her mother passed believing she was in danger of being killed. She comes from the Kingdom,” she said as she took a small sip of the dark liquid. “She is Solhari…the oldest magic there is… Did you know Dr. Holmes was inspired by the Kingdom to create the Underground?”My eyes widened.“Yes, they were the first and only civilization to hide themselves from invaders and colonizers…their train station they have is more of a formality, but yes… She is the daughter of a king and high priestess according to the letters.”
I felt my hands ball into a fist as my mouth twisted. Danielle came from fucking royalty, and I had no idea.
“That isn’t her,” I muttered through my teeth. “It’s her sister standing in her place, not Danielle. They are apparently twins.”
Dr. Joy Vaughn paused for a moment before continuing to sip the dark liquid.
“So we have the real princess of Khamar in our school? Even better. I’m sure her mother is aware by now,” she said with a small laugh before taking a sip of her copy. She sat back down with a sigh before looking at me with several blinks.“I advise you to be careful when approaching Maggie Grey again…unless you’re ready to kill, do not touch the trigger. Figuratively speaking of course,” she added with a small laugh.
I put the other air pod piece in my ear as I bent down to touch my toes, gripping the front end of the sneakers before standing up right to twist my spine. Looking back at the school in the distance, I began to take off with a light jog as I started my timer on my watch.
Unless you’re ready to kill, do not touch the trigger.
That statement alone was loaded with possibilities. I turned the volume up on my phone attached to my arm, listening to pure white noise as I picked up the pace. My fiancé came from old magic…ancient magic at that. The Solhari people from what I remembered believed they were descendants of dragons and the sun. It made sense! Her mother had the strange accent I couldn’t place the few times I’ve met her, and Danielle claimed she found articles about witches and vampires in her mother’s things.
