RISEN: THE LYCAN PRINCESS

Chpater 9 - Outburst

Asteria D´Angelo

When they rescued those kids, I got a heavy reality check. My parents had brought me up to fulfill the duties of a princess, but I never in a million years would have dreamed of witnessing the evil of humans firsthand.

We are supernatural, and we have different abilities and powers, but we have never used them to harm others. Well, that might not be true because, just like everywhere, there are evil people or evil supernatural beings, but overall, there are fewer of them than humans. Fear led humans to commit heinous actions against the defenseless.

I was very meticulous with my reports, and I hope they will help the investigation. I was surprised when Matty put me in charge, maybe because I was close to some of the victims’ ages, or because I was a princess who looked like them, and he hoped I could offer them some solace.

I have always wondered why he chose me, but I did my best, even when it will haunt me for the rest of my days. After those reports, it became almost impossible to sleep a whole night. Even my best friend, Zoe, has told me I’ve changed. I was sure she would have changed if she had seen what I had.

I’ve thought deeply; somehow, this assignment has changed me profoundly. The more I think about it, the more I feel I have spent my life living it in vain. Trivial things like the latest football game, cheering contest, or fashion runway. All that seems pointless when you meet people like Naia, Lilith, or Zane.

Zoe does not like any of them, even when I introduced them to her. She has some weird biases against them, and I don´t blame her. But deep down, I can see that they have good souls under all the pain and torture.

I was barely fifteen years old when I was exposed to the cruelty of the real world. I sighed and stood up from my bed. “Mom!” I yelled, and she walked out of the kitchen.

“Honey? What’s wrong?” she asked, and I took a deep breath.

“Where are my brothers?” I asked, and she squinted her eyebrows with confusion.

“I would tell you, but I have no idea...” she said, and I sighed.

“Never mind...” I sighed with frustration.

“Well, Grecco must be in his place with Liah...” Mom began, “Stavros is in the castle, you know. As the King, he lives there... and Mattie... he should be in Central City, again.” She paused, and then we said simultaneously, “As the king, he should be there.” She laughed, and I gave her a faint smile.

“Which one are you looking for?” She asked, and I sighed.

“Probably Mat...” I mumbled,

“That doesn´t sound very confident...” Mom pointed out,

“Like I said, never mind.” I sighed, and Mom stopped me before I could leave the kitchen.

“I heard you did a superb job with those kids...” Mom said, and my back straightened with the tension of the cruelty I had witnessed.

“Thanks...” I sighed, and she looked at me with tender eyes.

“It’s never easy,” she sighed. “Witnessing the ugliest side of humanity,” she said, and I gave her a slight nod.

“No, it isn’t,” I said, and she took a few steps toward me.

“You know you can talk to me...” she said, and I nodded.

“I know...” I sighed, “I just need to know why Mat asked me to do it...” She smiled.

“Maybe it was not Mat, maybe it was your destiny to be exposed to such cruelty, for when the time comes, you are not afraid of what people can do.” She said, and somehow it sounded like a bunch of bullshit, but at the same time it sounded like pure wisdom.

“Mat is in his office...” Mom finally said, and I nodded.

I walked towards the portal in our home and opened the door to the room. I requested to be dropped off at Matty´s office, and as soon as I crossed the portal, I was there. Mat was crawling on the floor with Aurie. He was such a devoted father, brother, and king... Goddess, he was perfect in every way, but I believe he missed the mark, allowing me to be close to those victims.

I tapped on his office window, and he looked at me with a special glow. He waved for me to walk into his office unannounced. That was something he always did. He had an open-door policy for his siblings and us.

“Asteria... it is so good to see you,” he said, and I gave him a small smile.

“Matty....” I paused, and he nodded. He looked at Aurie, and soon Iris walked in, taking the girl away. I had no idea where she materialized, but somehow they worked like two parts of a whole... it was amazing. “I need a word with you,” I said, and he nodded. Somehow, I felt he took something away from me by assigning me to those cases. We were two years apart, Angie was 19, Elisa was 17, and I was barely 15... I should be worried about school, my arts or hobbies... not about people being tortured, or trying to heal broken pieces beyond repair...

“Asteria? What is it?” he sighed, and suddenly, rage, anger, and sadness walloped within me.

“How dare you?” I snapped, and he looked at me with tenderness, “How dare you rob me of my innocence? I was living a life under a rock, and then you threw me to the wolves, dealing with things no sane person should deal with!” I said, and he wrapped his arms around me, and I broke down crying.

“Let it all out...” he said patiently, and I banged his chest. Compared to me, I was a mosquito trying to bite a human... I was tiny compared to him.

“You want to know why I asked you to deal with those kids?” He led me to a couch, and I sat beside him while wiping away my tears.

I slowly nodded. I needed to understand.

“Well, for starters, those kids needed someone close to their age to relate to. Part of dealing with victims is knowing what they need to overcome trauma, and you were the perfect person for them.” He said, and I shook my head.

“I haven´t been able to sleep ever since.” I sighed, and he nodded.

“That is because you have a great heart that will always look out for others. Also, I have heard that you would be a powerful priestess, and maybe you are connecting on a deeper level with them.” Matt blurted out stupid theories.

“Also, I know you are the right person for tending to the victims because you made spotless reports and went above and beyond to get them help.” Mat smiled, and I sighed.

“I tried to do my best, but it took a part of me with it...” I sighed, and he nodded.

“Maybe you should ask Iris to heal your soul,” he said, caressing my hair. Immediately after, Iris walked into the room and knelt before me. She took my hand, and a golden glow spread around me.

“That should help you sleep,” she said, and I nodded.

“Thanks...” I smiled, and Mat chuckled.

“Now go, because when she goes, you sleep, you might fall midway,” he winked, and I smiled.

“Mat...” I yawned, and he nodded.

“I know you didn´t mean it...” he said, and I nodded. Somehow, he knew I wanted to apologize for my outburst and all the accusations I threw his way.

Have some rest, and then come and see me... if you’re willing, I need to ask you for another favor,” he said, and I smiled at him.

I knew that Iris would not be able to erase the memories of what I had witnessed, but certainly she could tame the nightmares and help me cope with the pain that gripped my soul.

I made my way home and slumped over my bed. Sleep took over, and my mind drifted to a pleasant place where I dreamed of a brighter future.