Chapter Five; Demons 

There were thousands of carriages, bikes, small carts, and tiny automobiles lining the castle. I wasn’t expecting this large of a crowd. Maybe like a hundred jammers, but not the entire world. I wasn’t even a big deal. For all I knew, an invasion was about to happen because the Phantom King is angry that I turned against him. Maybe if he wasn’t such a jerk I wouldn’t have been so rude to him. 

I stared out beyond the balcony, looking as a large carriage pulled into the front of the castle doors. I was almost ready. I had the dress on, but the cape-trail thingy wasn’t attached yet. The servants were waiting to make it easier to walk down into the ceremonial room. Plus, I wanted to stand outside until I had to go. Xavier said as long as I was dressed accordingly before it was time, he didn’t mind. 

A king from the carriage emerged from the carriage with the help of a few servants he had brought along. A young boy-probably about my age came out of the carriage as well. They were both dressed in the royal attire Xavier would wear. The boy looked up to the balcony with blue eyes. He made contact with me for a few seconds before I backed inside of the room, shutting the doors. That wasn’t embarrassing at all. 

“Princess, it’s time to make your way to the back doors of the ceremonial room. Xavier is waiting for you while he and the rest of the royal family welcome the guests.” One of the servants beamed, grabbing the long, purple trail that was yet to be attached. Another servant fixed my hair, which was put into a very fancy bun. A small, white, diamond tiara was placed on my head. 

“It’s tradition to wear a small tiara, and Liza will exchange it for a larger one. It symbolizes your royal entrance into the family.” The servants explained, putting the finishing touches of makeup on (which I tried to refuse). At least I was allowed to wear flats since nobody could see my feet anyways. I still couldn’t believe the bitter irony of Liza crowning me as Princess. Who would’ve thought? 

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“You clean up nice.” Olivia said quietly, fixing her tiara. 

“Thanks.” I replied. That was probably the nicest thing she said since I got here. While I stood with Xavier and his family, I was granted another siren call from the phantom king. I covered my ears, shutting my eyes really tightly. 

“Mariah?” Xavier asked, getting by my side in an instant. The calling was quieter this time, but still very painful to my ears. Lucy put a hand on my shoulder, looking into my eyes. 

“Are you alright, honey?” She asked, wiping a tear I didn’t even notice away from my face. 

“It was another siren call.” I whispered, looking at them. Olivia snorted while Liam looked confused. 

“What’s a siren call?” Liam asked loudly, but Lucy and Xavier shushed him. 

“It means we’re going to be attacked by a phantom army very soon.” I explained quietly. 

“Awesome.” Liam exclaimed. I groaned. He didn’t have to sneak away to fight them off if they really did come. I was not going to make the Alphas save me from my evil grandfather. I was not weak. 

“I don’t think so, Mariah. Phantom invasions hadn’t happened for years since you decided to start the chain again.” Olivia hissed, fanning herself with a pink fan she had around her wrist. 

“Yeah yeah blame me all you want, Olivia.” I shot back. 

“Girls, not the time.” Xavier snapped. I muttered a quick apology but shrugged. 

“Just be ready for it is all I can say.” I explained. Xavier nodded, looking up when he saw someone familiar. 

“King Jarious! What a pleasure.” Xavier bowed. The king bowed back. 

“The pleasure is all mine, your Majesty.” A boy about my age came out from behind his-I’m guessing-father. They both had blonde hair and blue eyes. It’s that kid from the balcony!

“This is my son, Prince Andrew. You two probably know him from Majestia Prep.” King Jarious introduced his son. 

“What’s up, Andrew!” Liam exclaimed, giving him a high-five. Andrew laughed. Olivia waved slightly. She probably stuck with a ‘popular girl’ group. 

“And you must be Princess Mariah.” Andrew turned to me, our eyes locking once again. I cleared my throat. 

“It’s-uh- nice to meet you.” I recited. The number of times Xavier said this would happen, I was trying to get it down. He smiled slightly, walking away with his father. 

“Prince Andrew is one of my best friends. He’s one of our star soccer players.” Liam boasted. 

“Soccer?” I asked, turning to him.

“It’s the biggest sport in Jamaa. It’s played all-year inside or outside.” Liam explained, waving to more of his friends.

“Interesting.” I noted, looking forward again outside. How long was this going to take?

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I spoke way too soon. Five minutes later, Xavier, Lucy, Liam, and Olivia went to stand in the front of the room by the Alphas and a woman I had never met before. The servants had clipped the trail onto my dress and left into the background. Suddenly, I forgot everything I was ever told about this. What if I failed? Or worse! What if the Phantom King decided to make his entrance? I had to be ready. This was my fight!

The music cued, which was also my cue to start making my way down to the front of the room. Not tripping would be the interesting part. I tripped the first five times earlier. There were many gasps and cheers throughout the room, which made me want to scream. Why was this such an important thing for these jammers? Even jammers throughout Jamaa came to watch-not just royalty. I didn’t understand what made me important to these people. 

Liza was already there, a beautiful dress on. It was blue with sequins. What happened to her being armed? I suppose this is a traditional thing anyways, so she probably had it hidden somewhere. 

I reached the stairs of the stage Liza stood on. The chattering quieted as Liza held up her Alpha Staff. 

“It is my great honor this day to welcome a beautiful young woman into our castle walls-into our family.” Liza began, smiling proudly at me. My heart raced as I thought about the attack happening at any moment. The other Alphas were in the front, armed in their armor, which eased my mind a bit. Liza continued to speak, but her words were muffled by my brain trailing on. 

“Mariah, do you accept the duties and responsibilities of Princess of Jamaa?” Liza asked. Thank Mira I remembered what to do. 

“I do.” I said quietly and confidently. 

“And do you promise to stay loyal to your kingdom and accept all responsibility of the Princess of Jamaa?” 

“I do.” Liza smiled, raising her staff. Liza took off the small tiara on my head. I noticed how beautiful the tiara on the altar was. It was purple and white. Xavier really did take notice. 

She touched my shoulders and my head as she spoke, 

“Then it is my honor and my joy to crown you officially Princess of Jamaa!” Cheers erupted into the crowd as Liza turned me to face the screaming audience. 

“See, nothing. Everything is fine.” Liza whispered very quietly into my ear. I thanked her and began walking back. Xavier, Lucy, Olivia, and Liam followed after. The servants came back to take the trail off the dress. Many jammers came up to congratulate me, which I awkwardly thanked them for. I was just excited it was over. Xavier came over to me and squeezed my paw. 

“You did great. And see? No invasion.” Xavier smiled. I sighed. 

“I guess. It’s just so weird. I hear the call-” 

“Just forget about it, okay? This is your special day.” 

“But I-”

“Butts are for sitting.” I groaned. 

“This is her?” A woman’s voice asked. The same older woman that stood in the front of the ceremonial room appeared in front of us. Xavier cleared his throat, ushering us to another, empty hallway. Lucy nodded, putting her paws on Olivia and Liam’s shoulders. 

“Who are you?” I asked, looking into her eyes. They were green-like Xavier’s. Was this-

“Mariah, this is my mother, Lucinda.” The woman narrowed her eyes at me. 

“You ruined an entire legacy, you little freak.” She growled. I threw my hands up. 

“Mother!” Xavier yelled. 

“Now I know where Olivia gets the sourness from.” I shot back. The older wolf growled harshly. 

“You don’t belong here.” 

“Trust me I know that.” 

“Your freak of a mother was awful.” 

“I know that one too.” 

“She snuck behind my back and tried to hurt my family.” 

“Not my fault you’re clueless and I didn’t exist!” 

“Enough! I told you that you could introduce yourself to your granddaughter, not insult her!” Xavier snapped. Lucinda went silent, still glaring at me. 

“That thing is no granddaughter of mine.” Lucinda finished, walking away from her son to meet her other grandkids. 

“I’m so sorry-” Xavier sighed, trying to comfort me. 

“It’s cool.” I muttered, Xavier looked at me. 

“Really. She’s better than my other grandparent.” I shrugged. Xavier chuckled, putting his paw on my shoulder. 

“You’re special, Mariah. In a very good way.” 

“I try.” 

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After the castle was free of guests, it was night already. That’s when reality hit me: 

I start school tomorrow.

I was so exhausted that it didn’t bother me that much. Between worrying, the number of people, and my ‘sweet’ grandmother, I was wiped. Suddenly, loud, annoying laughter filled my room. It was familiar. It was vicious. 

“Phantom King!” I exclaimed. I snapped my fingers, instantly changing into my sweats and t-shirt. 

“Surprise!” He roared. A blast of power flew through the air and flew me backward. He appeared in full glory. 

“I knew it!” I exclaimed, shooting an energy blast at him. He easily deflected it, sending it right back at me. 

“It’s so easy. You’re weak. What a disgrace to the phantom title. You could’ve been great!” The Phantom King roared, sending a final, large, black blast toward me before disappearing. I flew into the wall, while Xavier and some guards ran in to see the Phantom King disappearing. I shot a blast right as he faded away, hitting a bookshelf. 

“Mariah!” Xavier exclaimed, rushing over to help me. I just had a few scratches and possibly a cut lip, but it wasn’t bad. 

“I’m good.” I replied, wiping my mouth. 

“I’ll send the doctor right away. What happened?” A guard asked. 

“The Phantom King happened. And I think we’ll be seeing a lot more of him in the future.” I explained, watching as a doctor came in. 

This evil that follows me will always surround me. I try to hide the fear and the emotion inside to protect you, but there’s so much that you need to know-that Jamaa needs to know. 

I can’t escape this now unless you show me how.

My FAVORITE sub-character was introduced in this chapter- Andrew! I was so excited since day one of publishing this series for his entrance! You’ll be seeing A LOT more of him and his story!