Chapter 1.2

Our parents were so happy when Ben graduated high school. We had moved here last summer because Ben wanted his first college experience to be at Harvard. We found an area of unclaimed land just outside of Boston and built our home. As our family is currently the ruling one for the contiguous United States, we didn’t have to seek permission before moving here or to claim the land.

We did, however, need to discuss it with the council. The council is made up of five people, well currently four. The fifth person has yet to be born. Uncle Donnie represents the vampires on the council. He was chosen for this position five years ago.

Vampires, Wolves, and Witches rule their people for a hundred years. The Fae are born into the position. When a fae child is born, they check for an owl shaped birthmark; this signifies a future leader has been born. When the child is of age, at twenty-five, they take over on the council. The fifth member and Ruler of All is also born into the position. It has been over six hundred years since there was a Ruler of All. The fifth member is the head of all the councils. They are generally born during times of great struggle and can be of any supernatural race. This child is born with a crown shaped mark on the neck. The last one was a shifter, Sari. She could shift into any animal but not people.

It is said that she led the supernatural community out of its darkest times and helped save many races. During Sari’s time, we were hunted by humans, almost to extinction. The rumor is she made a deal with the Catholic Church. No one knows for sure. We just know that between 1357 and 1363, Sari loaded hundreds of ships with supernaturals and sailed west. Once in this new world, we thrived. Within a century or so, humans eventually forgot we existed. The council had created new laws to help keep us safe from humans. We could still interact with them, we just couldn’t let them know what we are. And a multitude of other laws. Sari died in 1387, she had shifted into a deer and a hunter shot her with several arrows. I bet he was surprised when she shifted back into her human form.

Aside from the Fae and the Head of the Council; vampires, lycans, and witches rule for one hundred years. In the event that they die, someone in their family will finish out the term.

Anyway, we were doing so well in this new world and humans had forgotten about us, that we were able to go back to our homes in Europe, Asia, and Africa. And some went back.

I was excited because I’d finally have someone, I could trust, with me at Harvard and I wouldn’t be alone with obsessive Jason, anymore. He can be so annoying and disgusting sometimes. No means never, Jason. Not maybe later or I might change my mind so keep asking me. Maybe the only way to make him listen is to take him down, but I would need Ben’s help for that. Rose agrees with me. She doesn’t like his thoughts any more than I do.

Strix. Ben thought nervously.

Yes, what is it Ben? I thought back with concern. I was a mind-reader, but with both of us being telepaths, it was easy discussing things without the rest of the family knowing. Well, except for Rose.

Do you think Mom and Dad would mind if I just had fun my first time in college?

No. You’ll get to do college over again in a few years anyway. You’ll be fine.

Thanks, Strix.

We drove to campus in Ben’s Mustang followed by Jason in his Jeep.

Boston is beautiful in the fall with the leaves changing colors and the sunrises and sunsets. It’s all just so… fabulous. But why does Jason always have to follow me- I hate that. At least Ben is here this time. Maybe Jason won’t be so damn annoying with the “we should be together” crap. If the others could hear his thoughts… Well, I’m sure Billy or Uncle Donnie would tear him a new one. I know Rose agrees.

We were registering for our classes today, school starts in just two weeks. We got out of the car and I shot Jason a hateful look.

“Hey Strix, in trouble already,” Ben teased.

No. I scowled. I just don’t like the fact Jason is here, doesn’t he have someone else he could annoy.

“Strix, why are you upset?” After thirty-five years I would have thought Jason would stop asking. We went through this every time we went to college and I found him still following me. It was pathetic.

“You know me. Annoyed that you are still here,” I said. Ben laughed.

“So, are we going to discuss classes or what?” Ben asked, still laughing. I was surprised he thought this was funny.

Stop laughing, stupid. I do not discuss classes with Jason, ever. He’ll just stalk me even more.

Calm down, I won’t say anything.

The exchange had only taken a second and Jason hadn’t noticed. He is thinking how great it would be, if we are in some of the same classes. But seeing how I knew what classes he is taking, I can steer clear. I had in fact chosen two majors. One is Pre-Law, same as Jason. But he is in his second year. I didn’t want him to check up on me. The other is Psychology. I thought maybe I can learn something to mess with Jason and get him to leave me alone. Ben is Pre-Med. He wants to save lives, not just protect them. So we will only have general classes together, but we will still have fun, college isn’t going to be all about school. And I know Ben is done with being a brainiac, at least for now. This is his first time in college and he wants to make the most of it, enjoy the experience he had said.

“No, I still haven’t decided what I want to study this time.” I lied.