A Long Time Ago, In The Year 2009…
Chapter One:
Ivy:
How did I get here?
I kept asking myself that question over and over again as I walked through the vast halls with about a thousand other kids. A sea of crisp, navy blue jackets with silver embellishments moved down the paneled wood corridor. Large, cast iron chandeliers loomed overhead, cascading the only light. The shadows danced on the floors as the crowd moved. Students chatted excitedly with each other, many stood in wide-eyed shock, mirroring my own expression. I knew what they were thinking, what have I gotten myself into?
I suppose I have been preparing for it my entire life. I grew up in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas. My parents are average people, both psychologists, and therapists in their respected fields. We lived an upper-class life where I wore designer clothes, just like the other kids at my private suburban high school. The student parking lot was always filled with Mercedes, BMWs, and Audis. One kid even had a Tesla. Other than that, my childhood was anything but average. I remember my mother and my grandmother telling me the family secret at nine years old.
The day I realized I was not like everyone else was a crisp autumn afternoon in the middle of November, my ninth birthday. That year was the bouncy castle extravaganza, where my parents rented enough castles to fill up our backyard. One of the Kingston boys had just pushed me out of one of the bouncy houses. I fell onto the grass, my temper flaring. I remember wishing that the castle would just deflate on top of them . . . And then it did. I felt my eyes widen in horror as I watched the castle quickly collapse with them still inside. The adults panicked as my dad and another man jumped in to save them. Then, my mother’s emerald green eyes landed on me.
They told me that night of Mythos, the label for the community of the People of the Universe. Otherwise meaning that all the stories of Earth’s magic, tales like Camelot, Hercules, and witches, are all true. At some point in history, the Mythos community decided to remain anonymous. Now, in the modern world, they lead entirely normal lives, either using their own magic for the betterment of mankind through government agencies or to blend in. That was also the night I learned that I was a witch, well, a sorceress if you want to be technical. My grandmother, through a list of long and traumatic events, is Morgana Le Fay. Yes, the same Morgana who was an evil sorceress in Camelot and tried to use her dark magic to obtain the throne.
The story of her immortality came on a different day. I was twelve years old and entirely transfixed by mirrors. That entire year I remember being captivated with any mirror in the room, unable to take my eyes off of it. I would stare for hours into a hand mirror I kept in my bedroom. My parents saw the odd behavior and quickly flew in my grandmother from her plantation home in Louisiana. I learned that Le Fay Coven magic was sorcery of dimensions. Meaning that through the mirror we could watch the past, see the present, and glance into worlds of potential futures. The mirror was our talisman. My grandmother learned the magic from some ominous dark being, and somehow, she also became immortal.
The details slipped her mind, apparently.
That was also the year she moved in with us to teach me my magic and how to control it. From there, I blossomed. For four years, I learned and honed my magic. Then, the letters started to arrive from the various prep academies that the community of Mythos offers for juniors and seniors. Many of the academies prepared students for Mythos specialized colleges where they would work for the government in some way using their magic. A Mythos person could also choose to take a typical human route, it was entirely up to them.
That was when the weirdness started.
I remember descending the stairs, wearing my red and white cheerleading uniform, running late for the first game of the season. There was a brochure sitting on the top of a stack of mail on the small table near the front door. The cover was mostly blue, with a picture of a man and woman smiling and yellow square letters reading: MBIA: Mythos Bureau of Investigation Prep-Academy. I stared at the pamphlet for a long moment, my hand drawn to it. After the game, I did some research, and it turned out that the MBI is the Mythos version of the FBI. They investigate and handle the intelligence and law enforcement of the Mythos world for the United States Government.
Then, three weeks later, after a written and field test, I was in. I couldn’t believe how fast it all happened. So, I just packed my bags and flew to Virginia. Freaking Virginia! How did I get here? I remember making the decision to go, but I have no idea why. Councilors had talked to me and given me a mound of homework since I started six weeks after everyone else. I wore my crisp new uniform; a white button-down shirt, a blue tie and blazer, and a pleated skirt. I remember willingly signing all the forms, submitting all the applications, telling my parents, but still, I had no answer for why I was there. It was like the last three weeks had been a haze, a weird dream, and now I was in this strange place, with no reason for being here.
I tested the highest in the class, with one other person. Therefore, I earned the right to my own place. At the end of the corridor, the room opened to the tower. The large, castle-like building opened, hollow in the middle, with floors and floors, both below and above, of dorm rooms. I wished I could remember getting there, but for the life of me, I didn’t. I had no idea why my parents didn’t question me more!
I went to my dorm room because I had no other choice at this point. My luggage sat in the middle of the room. It was just a bedroom, with a small space for a mini fridge and a microwave. There was also a desk, bookshelf, dresser, a small closet, and a bathroom. I had the most exhausting day, and I still had the stress of the unknown looming in front of me. I set the bag that held all of the books and homework I needed on the desk. The wood creaked. Rubbing my neck where the strap had been, I stared between the desk and the luggage. I should unpack. I would feel better if I unpacked, more at home, more settled. Then my eyes peered to the desk. I saw how much homework I had to do to catch up, there was no time like the present.
Locking the door, I stripped myself of my clothes. I hated wearing clothing and preferred to walk around naked. It wasn’t a sexual thing, but just more comfortable. Flipping on the T.V., I found one of those trashy shows about women married to wealthy men who argue over two-hundred dollar manicures and cocktail parties. That had been my life. I went to the same school district my entire childhood, and weirdly, I’d never made any friends. I wished I had someone I cared enough about to fight with like those women do in New Jersey. They may piss each other off, but in the end, emotions are just our reactions to the world around us, and no one had ever made me react.
I wasn’t a loner, per-say. Actually, I was popular. I was part of the cheerleading squad and the gymnastics team. I sat at a lunch table with fifty people around it. Everyone knew my name, and I was asked out to all the dances and on dates, but there was no connection. I figured it was because I was part Mythos. I knew I was different my entire life so it would not be out of the realm of possibility that my psyche internalized that. At least, that’s what my parents said.
Maybe the reason I was so desperate for a change. I had never lived with my own kind, so perhaps here, I wouldn’t be so weird. Stretching out on the bed, I made sure my phone alarm was set, and then I entered a deep sleep.
I’ve had my dream world for as long as I could remember. It was a safe, nondescript place, where I went in my dreams every night and could pretty much do anything I liked. I could raise cities, and even fill it with people – though they are more illusions running on loops. Currently, I had landscaped the plain in intricate gardens, with large fountains and waterfalls, and as many exotic plants as I could think of. At the center of my garden was a large bungalow, where I laid on an outdoor bed, sipping on fine champagne and eating chocolate while I drew on a
pad.
When I was a kid, I’d make fantastical lands full of candy and magic, and collect all the fluffy creatures I could find. I’d make goofy monsters and make them my friends. As I’ve gotten older, however, I’ve focused on paradises. I did the whole beach thing for a while, but I hated the sand, so now I’m trying an exotic garden. My Grams explained that this was my special place, and no one could take it from me. Since it was my dream world, no one had ever entered this space of ultimate privacy. The only faces I saw were those that I created.
Which is why it shocked me so much when a person came into view from around the large dragon themed fountain next to my pavilion. Not to mention, I was naked! I never wore clothes in my dream world, why would I? But then again, this person was a figment of my mind, right? This was just a dream?
I lay on my stomach, my chin resting on my forearms, as the most handsome boy I had ever seen came into view. He was wearing a pair of loose black pajama pants. My hands itched to sketch the perfect lines of his muscled torso. I physically felt my jaw drop, as my eyes drew up to a face that I had definitely never seen before. Usually, when my mind decided it was time for me to get dream laid, it takes out one of my favorite celebrities. This guy though, I would have remembered that face, those lips, and eyes. He had a strong jaw, high cheekbones, large, honey golden eyes, and a pair of lips that could make a girl swoon, the bottom one even had a dip in the middle.
I set to sketching him, as I wanted to remember what he looked like. Laying on my front, I grabbed my charcoal pencil and started my piece. He stood before me for a long moment. That’s what they did, my imaginary people. They only do what I tell them to do, and between tasks, they stare off into space. Only, this one wasn’t.
His wide-eyed gaze caught my attention as he was staring at me in both awe and surprise. Our eyes caught, and I felt energy swoosh down my spine. He stared at me for a long moment. Maybe I was wrong, maybe I was projecting the expression on his face.
“Who are you?” He asked me. This was odd, as my imaginary people usually didn’t address me first. I sat up, wrapping a pink silk sheet around me. His eyes immediately stared in any direction other than at me.
“Who are you?” I asked in reply, tying the sheet around me like I would a towel. I stood from the bed and walked towards him. I had complete control of this world, so there wasn’t anything to be afraid of.
“What is this place?” He then asked, his eyes skimming over the plants and statues.
“Who are you?” I asked again. His eyes moved to rest on me once again. We were only a couple of feet apart now, forcing his head to angle slightly to look down at me.
“Is this a dream?” He then asked. I shrugged. His quizzical gaze told me he wanted more.
“Of course, this is a dream.” I nodded, giving him a broad smile. I wasn’t sure what he was, but the unknown made me excited. Were my imaginary people capable of becoming sentient? He stared at me for a long moment, the sun reflecting off of his honey colored eyes. He took a step forward.
“So that means we can do whatever we want, huh?” He asked in a deep and suddenly sultry voice. I had had dream sex many times and found it good enough. I’d never had sex in real life, in fact, I’ve never even kissed a boy. It was odd, but my dream world was a land of no risks, and that was more intriguing than making a fool of myself in the real world. So, as I reached for his hand and led him to the bed, I really thought he was just an imaginary person, maybe a more advanced one, but still not real.
The next morning, I felt odd after my dream. That guy and I, well we did wicked dirty things to each other as good dreams should entail, but it felt . . . Different! More real, more energy, and chemistry, and the way he touched me and kissed me, well . . . He taught me things, which I didn’t think was possible in a dream world.
After dressing, I made sure I had the proper books in my bag and set off for breakfast. I was the new kid, as everyone else had had six weeks to settle in and make friends. I had never been the new kid, so excitement made my heart pump faster as I entered the cafeteria. People who didn’t know me! I caught curious glances as I made my way to the breakfast line. After gathering a yogurt, a spoonful of eggs, and a cup of milk, I waited in line at the register.
“I haven’t seen you around before.” A bright, friendly voice lured me into turning. Behind me stood a beautiful statuesque brunette with wide, chocolate brown eyes, and a rounded face.
“That’s because I’m new, I’m Ivy.” I offered her a bright smile.
“Natalie. You should come to sit with us!” She gestured to a table full of people.
“Thank you, I’ll do that.” I smiled.
I bought my food and then found Natalie at the already crowded table. She smiled up at me and made a few people scoot over so I could sit next to her. Everyone greeted me, and I got a list of names that I would never remember as Natalie pointed at the faces smiling back at me. Natalie wasn’t a queen B, that was apparent with the way she genuinely talked to every person she came in contact with. Plus, there weren’t very many girls at the table, just a bunch of dudes.
“So, Ivy, where are you from?” She asked, turning to me and biting a piece of bacon.
“Texas, Dallas,” I replied. I didn’t want to talk about my past life, though.
“There’s no Mythos schools in Dallas.” She thought out loud.
“I went to a human one,” I replied, already figuring I was going to say that about eight million times before the day was over.
“Oh, really!” She gasped, “That’s so exciting, that means it’s all new to you.” She then wrapped her arm around my shoulders, setting her head close to mine.
“Okay, so let’s get you the lay of the land.” She started. “That table over there,” She pointed to a table filled with petite boys and girls, all with different colored neon hair, and wore black clothes with neon punches of color. They looked almost gothic. “Those are the fairies, they mostly stay to themselves because they’re snobs.” Grams had warned me of something similar. Fairies were rumored to be the oldest creatures of Mythos, and much older than humans, therefore they thought they were superior. “Over there are your legate witches/wizards. Legate being new bloodlines.” Those kids looked normal. “Then you have your legacy table.” She pointed to a group of kids that looked like they were straight out of my high school with their designer bags and accessories, their hair was perfectly cut and styled, and they all looked like they had something important to do. They, of course, looked exactly as I thought they would. As descendants of great people of Mythos, legacy families were wealthy.
“Then there are the trolls.” Natalie went on, pointing at a table that I would have sworn was full of jocks, boy and girl. She pointed out the nymphs, the vampires, and the werewolves, who sat on tables as far away from each other as possible, and then she pointed to the table we sat at. “And here are the knights.” Oh, no wonder why we were at a table full of dudes, the knight gene only carried on to males. Knights were the demi-gods of Mythos, literally. They had super strength and speed, accelerated healing, heightened senses, and some of them, depending on the legacy, could wield magic. They were the leaders of Mythos, the protectors, and the enforcers.
“And what are you?” I asked. She stared at me for a long moment, like I had missed something.
“Um, I’m a knight.” She replied. Her cheeks pinked, and she cast her eyes down as if in embarrassment.
“But I thought only boys could be knights,” I whispered. Natalie rolled her lips in as if to hide a smile.
“I was born with boy parts.” She then whispered back. It took me a moment too long to realize what she was saying.
“Oh!” It finally hit me. “Well, you can’t even tell.” I grinned at her. She smiled back.
“That’s what I was hoping for.” She nodded. She gave me a long look, and a smile that I could tell was full of gratitude that I was not about to be an asshole to her. I thought it sad that people have to worry about such things. Especi
ally over something she couldn’t help.
“Hey Nat, you got any Advil?” A tall guy leaned at the end of the table, his hand rubbing his forehead and temples.
“Owen, you have got to stop partying during the week.” She snapped at him as she rummaged through an adorable Gucci leather backpack. He glanced over at me. He was tall, with broad shoulders and hips. His skin was dark like he was at least partly of African descent. His black hair was cut close to his scalp. He had a full, flat nose; firm but plump lips, and the prettiest blue eyes I had ever seen. They were ethereally blue, lightening to white around his pupils. That similar energy hit me, making my spine shiver.
“Who are you?” He then asked.
“Oh this is Ivy, she’s new,” Natalie answered, handing Owen a bottle of Advil.
“Interesting, what is your Legacy?” He then asked as he sat across from me at the table. My Grams warned me that I would be asked this.
“I am from Legacy Le Fay,” I answered. His eyes widened.
“You’re descendant of Morgana Le Fay?” He demanded. I nodded. “I thought her daughter was human.” He then questioned.
“Her granddaughter is not.” I shrugged, telling the truth.
“Interesting.” Owen leaned closer to me, resting his arms and chest on the table. He was handsome, very much so, but after having that dream the night before, other boys weren’t much on my radar. “Is this your first time in a Mythos school?” He then asked, leaning back and sipping from a cup of coffee that had been sitting there on the table when I arrived.
“It is.” I nodded. “I didn’t catch your legacy.” I then offered. He gave me a broad smile.
“I have a feeling you’ll know that very soon.” He winked. He actually flipping winked at me! Then he stood.
“Thank you for your time, ladies, but I must be off.” He then gave a bow and left.
“That was odd,” I muttered mostly to myself.
“Yeah, well that was Owen. Do you need help getting to your first class?” Natalie then asked me. I nodded, feeling the relief sweep in as I pulled out my campus map and list of classes.
Legacies Page 1
