Behind Those Eyes

Bryna had not had a very good day. She had excelled at all of her classes. She’d no trouble with her followers or friends. And every boy she’d considered asking to the upcoming dance had hinted that they would say yes. But a new girl had come to the school. She hated new kids. They always meant something uncertain, a little less control, because until she met them and saw how they acted and how they affected the other students, she wouldn’t know how to react.

This one shouldn’t have been an issue. The Princess of Darkness. Their types were cousins. They should have gotten along fine. And yes, she’d been told to do her usual welcome. But she’d just not thought it was necessary. Dark and Dark Fae got on well. She’d decided to leave the girl alone and let her do her own thing, so long as she’d not messed with her or her group.

But she had. She really had. She’d brought the drama to her for no reason that Bryna could figure out. It had to be the Fairy Princess’ doing. She frowned the more she thought about it until her pretty face was locked in a scowl. And then she caught herself out doing it and promptly stopped. She stepped into the shower and washed the rest of the soda out of her hair. She’d cleaned up and changed in the school bathroom but nothing compared to a nice shower at home.

Once she was out, she put on her black silk robe and started to brush out her hair. Her mind went blank as she styled her hair and redid her make up. But she couldn’t be pleased with her reflection. She just stared at it in the long, full length mirror in her bedroom. Sighing, she let the glamour drop. She hid how she really looked. Because how she really looked was like the Princess of the Dark Fae. She didn’t look like a popular, normal girl in high school.

Her natural look suited her better. She felt more comfortable and at ease with her reflection. But it wasn’t the face she wore at school. It wasn’t the face she was allowed to project as herself. Not yet. Maybe not ever. Not until he decided it was the right time.

Thinking about him made her frown again. She willed that to stop. She knew he was going to be displeased with what had happened at school today. Her authority had been challenged by someone new. He wasn’t going to like that. He wasn’t going to like that she hadn’t headed the girl off nor that she hadn’t retaliated appropriately when she’d been challenged. But she just hadn’t wanted to. Everyone expected it but no one had anything when she had just chosen to walk away and get cleaned up instead. There were going to be consequences though, not just at home, but in school as well.

She could face that challenge. School was temporary. There were bigger plans and goals for outside of it. And those plans, those are the ones that scared her more than anything her fellow students could throw at her.

Speaking of, her adoptive father appeared then. He knocked on the door first, though. "Bryna. Can I come in."

Bryna bristled at the sound of his voice. She put her glamour back up, checked her robe to make sure she was decently covered, and told him to come in. She didn't open the door for him, instead choosing to find a suitable dress to wear to dinner.

"So I heard about today," he said, as he went in. He leaned against the wall. "I'm not pleased with how you handled it. You'd be smart to bring that girl into your fold, with her talents it would tip the scales. People would respect her out of fear and you'd gain control again. You must not let the fairy win. You do understand, don't you? I'd hate for... Another accident to happen."

Bryna had known that some kind of threat was going to be made. That was the way he operated. Everyone thought that she was so blessed and spoiled the have such a powerful man as her father. How wrong they were.

"You don't have to be so dramatic, Daddy," she said, affecting the fake way of speaking she used at school and now mostly at home when it came to him. "I know what I'm doing."

"Then why is she already tipping the scales? From what I've seen, it's trending that she shamed you and didn't back down when you hissed your insults." Her father said crossing his arms. "Besides that, I heard you told her you could get her kicked out. Do tell, daughter dearest, how you are going to manage that?"

"Oh I won't have to," Bryna said with feigned confidence. "I know her weakness. And if she doesn't join me then she'll be leaving if her own accord when I make her life a living hell."

"What's her weakness? Light? It is also yours, be careful playing with fire. She's training with the master of dark as well as the school. Idiot."

"No, not light. The guy from her file," Bryna said. "I found his picture. I can use my illusions to haunt her with him. Please, give me a little bit of credit here." She couldn't help but frown. He was such a jerk. He expected so much of her through his threats but didn't give her any help or faith.

"Again, be careful. If you found hers, she will find yours." He said, but her confidence only inspired him so much.

"Right. Because I want two people taking advantage of my weakness," Bryna snapped before she could stop herself. She was just so angry inside. He was cautioning her against the very thing he was doing to her.

Her father just chuckled. "Exactly. I'll let that go, this one time. But I won't do it twice."

Bryna didn't answer. She didn't even look at him. She just stared at the dresses that she'd placed on the bed. "Is that all?" She asked, her voice quiet.

"Yes, I'll see you at dinner." he said and left, he paused at the door. "your mother says she loves you. Everyday."

Bryna's face crumpled and hot tears escaped before she could stop them. She couldn't answer him. She couldn't look at him and let him see. It didn't matter if he did. He knew what he was doing. But her pride didn't want to admit defeat so easily. Not on the outside.