The Gypsy & The Fae (Helvinski Territory Book 1)

Chapter 1 - 5/25/2015

"Casper, shut it!"

My mouth's been shut. I'm just sharing my mental musings. It isn't my fault you can't communicate like me. I swung my head to the side, narrowing my eyes at the black cat, sitting near my shoulder. Casper, as he liked to call himself after watching Casper the Friendly Ghost, was a gift given to me when I turned sixteen from Grandma Besley. She passed away just a month ago. We had a quiet funeral for her.

A few days ago, Mom received a letter about Grandma's estate and "stuff" needing to be taken care of on land under her name. Thus, we're on this road trip from Florida to West Virginia. It's summer break before senior year. I was pissed that we had to go and might have to take all summer to finish. I felt bad because Grandma Besley didn't mean to do this, and I loved her so I decided to just deal. "Honey, does Casper need water?" Mom yelled over the wind of the open windows of our beat up red SUV. I was in the back seat stretching my legs. "No Mom, he's just chatty," I sighed, raking my long brown hair away from my face. Casper slapped his black tail against my head. I project thoughts.

"Correction Ma, he's just projecting thoughts," I rolled my eyes. Mom laughed. We weren't quite a normal family. We believed in special talents-like what I have with Casper. We also knew that paranormal beings were real. We came from a Gypsy background-magic, spells, and all. Normal people grew out of believing in these things. I didn't because I saw it regularly. A goblin disguised as a mischievous little boy. Tiny pixies living in tulip buds. There were more but mostly I saw these. "Honey...there's something I need to tell you." I looked up from my cell to lean forward to catch my Ma's words. "Wut?"

"The letter...it wasn't exactly just settling Grandma's estate."

"Okay? What else?"

"I'm to take up her old position as the pack's Nature Speaker," she said so fast I thought I imagined it.

"WHAT?!"

"Can you stop what'ing me?!"

"But...Nature Speaker? Grandma's been living with us for the past 5 years!" I exclaimed. A Nature Speaker is someone that helps the unity of a pack-a group of paranormals-and protect their city from prying eyes and stray normal humans that don't have a connection to this type of stuff. "Weelllll, they didn't need her because her spells were still strong. Now that she's passed, the spells have weakened because the connection of the person who casted them now passed on to a different plane. It might take more than a few months..."

"...Are you saying we have to live there?!" I yelled. Mom winced and that was all the answer I needed. "O.M.G! Mom! You hoodwinked me!" I threw my hands up, making Casper meow and leap away.

"Did you just say hoodwinked?"

"Better than you saying bamboozled like Grandpa did. But WHY Mom?! You know how important senior year is for me! Now I have to start all over-my classes! Friends! Liiiiffffffeeeeeee! Senior year is my liiiiiffffffeeeeee! Ice is my LIFE!" I wailed. I sounded like a little girl (using a Disney quote and all). She knew how important it was for me with my classes. I was a straight A student, on the Honor Roll and was investing to go to Duke University or another, pursuing a pharmaceutical career. "Okay okay! But...I've looked into it. The school said they'll transfer your credits and they have similar classes you planned on taking senior year. Everything will work out perfectly!" Mom tried to make me look on the bright side. "Plus, this isn't a shabby school. It's private and has a good rep! You'll like it! You're good at making friends. You've got your cell and Skypeline or whatever. It isn't like you're writing letters anymore." I groaned and collapsed against the seat again. Her points were sound but who would want to make new friends again that you may only see for ten months and also, make new connections with teachers for good college recommendation letters? "The school's Helvinski's Private School. All expenses paid," Mom sing songed. I perked up. "You're kidding...that's like the school that all those rich and pompous people go to," I didn't know whether to be happy because now I may have a better chance at any Ivy League college or feel trepidation because those that went there were so out of my league.