THE KEEPERS

The discovery

Even though it was midnight, it was hot outside. I was not sure that California was the best choice for me to hide. I always liked winter; it was my favorite time of the year. The chilling sensation of the wind touching my face, the snow falling, and all the white were enchanting. I was walking, thinking of the snowflakes and playing with my tree-shaped pendant. It was a family heritage; it was my mother's and now it is mine. A few minutes later, someone grabbed me.

"Stop it!" I shouted, thinking that it was a thief.

"Only if you stop fighting it," he said and looked me directly in the eyes. "You do not stand a chance today! Look around!" he said while he held my hands.

I looked around and realized that these were the guards and they had surrounded me. I did not know if I should feel relieved that he was not a thief or be more worried. I should have felt good that they sent so many people to find me. I knew I had to go back, and this guard was right. I had no chance of escaping. I was trying not to look defeated, but I felt horrible. Now, I had to return to the place I hated the most. I accepted to go to the car quietly. He was sitting by my side, probably thinking that I would try to escape. Surely, he recently transferred, as I did not know him and I left only half a year ago. He did not talk; he was just staring out the window and we had a very long ride ahead of us.

I am Ava Lancaster and I am next in line for the throne, a throne that I do not want. I have no wish to look over anyone and give orders; I want to fight, and I want to be in the middle of the action, using the powers and the magic that I have. I trained to do that, and I was not supposed to be a Queen; after my parents died during an attack, my brother, Alaric, was supposed to be king, and then he died too. The guards should have protected him, but someone betrayed him. We are not an ordinary family, and our people are not ordinary. We are the warlocks, witches, guards, and Keepers that protect humans from evil. You do not even know we exist; we are your shadows, and we are the protectors of humanity.

"Princess, are you alright? Do you need anything?" he finally asked me.

"I need to be free, that's what I need, and I suppose you cannot help me with that, right?" He just looked at me. "Yes, that's what I thought."

When we arrived, my uncle was waiting for me. He told the guard to leave us alone, and I was waiting for the sermon. My uncle, Jason Lancaster, my father's brother, is tall, with black eyes, and grey hair and he is kind. He raised me as his own since my parents died and was always worried about me. I know he wants the best for me and he wanted to protect me from everything bad. I knew he would be heartbroken when I left, but I had to do it.

"Ava, we were so worried. Never do that again!" and he hugged me.

"Uncle, I am fine. I just want to go to my room and forget I am here."

"I do not understand why you are so reluctant to be Queen. It is an honor."

"It's not for me. You know that, uncle. I never wanted this. My destiny is to fight, to use my powers to protect the humans."

"Ava, this way you can protect your people. Think about it. Meanwhile, we have assigned Adrian to be your guard."

"What? I do not need a guard! I can protect myself very well."

"Well, it's not so much for your protection; it's more for monitoring you so you wouldn't escape again."

"I can't believe this!" I shouted and ran to my room just to stop hearing him. I heard him say, "Teenagers!" "Who the heck is Adrian?" I just took a shower and went to sleep.