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July 30 - July 30, 2025
Alongside the other three Heirs who were the eldest in their families, Caleb, Seth and Max, I was about to embrace my birthright and feel the kiss of the Elements beneath my skin.
Perhaps if I learned to wield it well enough, I’d feel a little like I was in control of my own life more too.
My father’s eyes had shone with more pride than I think I’d ever realised he was capable of as he’d looked upon my transformed state.
His family were all Vampires and to replenish their magic, they had to feed on the blood and power of other Fae.
Max joined us last, his dark skin covered with navy blue scales which marked him as a Siren.
“Congratulations, Max and Darius,” Professor Zenith said encouragingly. “You both hold the power of water.”
“Congratulations Seth and Max, you have both harnessed the gift of air,”
“Congratulations, Caleb and Seth, you both hold the power of earth.”
This was it. I’d finally claimed my own power. And I longed to find out what it would be like to set it free.
“Embrace who you are, Lance. It feels better than you can ever imagine.”
My powers had been Awakened and I wanted to choose the kind of man I was going to become and not just blindly follow the path laid out by my father.
But the question remained. What the hell did he want her for so desperately that he’d go against everything he stood for and offer her his blood in return? It just didn’t make sense. But if the look in Lance’s eye was anything to go by, I was pretty sure we weren’t going to stop digging until we figured it out.
I feared she’d become an addict and he was now offering her one of the most tantalising sources of magic in Solaria. But for what in return?
The world was not black and white. It wasn't even a patchwork of greys. It was rainbows layered upon rainbows. The nicest Fae in the world could turn around and stab you in the back. The cruellest would occasionally offer a helping hand to a stranger.
To me, chaos was more beautiful than calm. The magnificent power of the sea was something no one could harness. Fae or otherwise.
“Did you see it?” I demanded. He nodded, his jaw tight. “And I heard a voice...death is coming.” “This is bigger than my sister,” I said, clutching his shoulder as he locked eyes with me. “Our families are planning something, Darius. Something terrible.”
This was a meal to celebrate the Awakening of the four Heirs to the Celestial Council. Seth, Max, Caleb and I were the future rulers of our kingdom, so why the hell was this troll-faced girl even here?
For years I’d endured the misery of being a part of this family and I wouldn’t bind myself to some woman I could never even look upon with desire let alone love.
“You were snivelling in your cot,” he growled. “That is how long ago the choice was made for you. And you will do better in life if you never question me again.”
“Lance Orion, you will guard my son at the detriment of your own life. Nothing will ever be more important to you than that,”
“Lance is your Guardian from here on out until one of you takes your final breath. Get used to each other. Because your lives are now intertwined.” He looked to me and my upper lip peeled back. “Your life is pledged to his. Where he goes, you go. End of story.”
“I have to help you, Darius,” he said forcefully. “It’s not a choice. Seeing you like that is making my brain hurt, it’s like your pain is mine and
The sight of his distress filled me with sadness way beyond the normal amount of care I’d usually have for someone in his position.
“Yeah. Your blood is like my own goddamn brand of heroin,”
Celestial events like this held huge power and I could feel it right down to my bones. Whatever my father was planning, this wasn’t a coincidence.
“This is beyond dark magic, this kind of ritual was forbidden long ago. It’s meddling with powers we can’t control. If anyone here sinks too far into it they’ll be lost, their soul consumed by the shadows.”
“Tonight we'll be the first Fae to ever enter the Shadow Realm,” Lionel announced and the breath stalled in my lungs.
The Shadow Realm was the darkest mirror world in existence. Nothing good came from there. But there was one rumour that had yet to be confirmed. That the Shadow Realm was home to the elusive Fifth Element: the Element of shadows.
My heart was unravelling at the seams and all I could think was, she's gone. She's gone, she's gone, she's gone.
Clara is dead. My sister is gone.
She and Lionel had done this, and I would never forgive it.
It had been two months since my sister's death. Two months which had felt like a nightmare I'd been stuck in on repeat.
“I can do something to get back at him, Darius. And so can you. I want to see you rise. To be the most powerful Heir of them all and crush your father beneath your heel.”
“Do you really think I can?” “Yes,” I said firmly. “I'll help you. And nothing will ever stand in our way.”
