Daughter of a Monarch by Sara Daniell

soothingly as he can.
    I can feel their power weakening. Not because they are allowing it to, but because my abilities are naturally fighting against it. I want to calm down, but I can’t. I just hope they can keep their hold on me so no one gets hurt.
    I close my eyes and take deep breaths as I try to focus on retaining my magic. I feel like I’m suffocating. Attempting to keep my magic from spinning out of control hurts. My blood feels like it’s boiling, and my skin feels like it’s being pricked by a million tiny needles. I scream out in pain.
    Breathe, A. Just breathe, I hear Dad say quietly in my mind.
    I feel a hand grab mine and know it’s Mom’s. She grips my hand tightly and strokes my hair. I feel every one’s magic subside and open my eyes. Everyone is staring at me, anticipating the worst. I feel like a caged zoo animal.
    “Why now?” I ask, my throat dry and voice scratchy.
    “Why now what?” Mom asks.
    “Why am I so powerful now? I never had this much power, and I’ve never been so out of control. I’ve been angry before, but it’s never produced a massive storm.”
    “As cliché as it sounds, it’s your age, Sweetheart. And you going to Gaia, it awoke your Fae abilities.”
    I look at Jett. “That’s what you meant when you said I could ruin everything.”
    He nods and looks at Dad when he starts talking.
    “We never wanted this side of you awoken. We thought for years that maybe your mother’s Fae blood didn’t make it to you. We also hoped that some of her mortal blood would have balanced things out. We were wrong. We wanted to keep you hidden. Now, it won’t be easy. Damn near impossible, actually.”
    I feel anger building again, and my body begins to convulse and burn from trying to hold in my magic.
    “If they would have just told you, then you would have avoided Gaia!” Cohen snaps. “What is it with you people and sweeping things under a rug? You did it with Holly and her truth, and now you did it with your own daughter!” Cohen yells, throwing his harsh words at Dad like a sharp blow to the chest.
    The muscles in Dad’s jaw tense. “I suggest you leave this room, Cohen.”
    Cohen laughs coldly. “Gladly. It’s nauseating being in the same room as you.” He leaves, slamming the door behind him.
    I sit up and start rocking back and forth, trying my hardest to block out their bickering. It’s only making things worse for me. I start humming loudly and cover my ears.
    I can do this.
    I can control my emotions.
    I won’t let my anger rule my abilities.
    “Stop! All of you!” I hear grandmother yell.
    The room falls silent, and I slowly peel my hands from my ears. Hot tears coat my cheeks.
    “Mom?” I say weakly. “Sedate me. Now. Please!” I could only keep my magic at bay for so long. I could feel it ripping at my insides to get out.
    No time is wasted. They all know what I’m capable of. I gasp from the pain when someone, Mom I think, stabs a syringe into my thigh.
    I feel her fingers run through my hair as she lays me back onto something soft. The room is hazy, and my body tingles with a strange warmth. I try to move my fingers to feel if I’m in bed, but they don’t move. I blink a few times at the ceiling.
    “Rest, A.”
    Mom’s voice sounds like the teacher off Charlie Brown. That cartoon was one of the first things my grandfather on Earth introduced me to when I was five. I want to smile at the memory, but I can’t.
    A door closes, I think.
    I wish I could sleep. But although the sedation has disabled me for the time being, it’s not enough to make me sleep. I’m just numb.
    I can’t live like this. I can’t let those I love keep living like this either. It will only get worse. I am a monster, and it’s out of my control.
    I could leave. Maybe if I leave, the focus will be on finding me, and they’ll leave my parents and those involved with me alone. I could eventually let them find me, but hopefully I’d find a way to fix my issues and live