Camp Mirror Lake

"Welcome back campers!" Jack tried to rouse his crowed. If he expected even a round of applause, he was sorely disappointed... And it's his own stupid fault too!

Did he never consider the consequences of stealing a life force from kids? Does he want to just walk around ruling zombies? What's the point in that?! Does he think no one but him has something to live for? What a jerk!

And who gave him the right to decide what to do with us? If I really am the lost princess I am gonna dish out on a royal punishment on his backside!

But I guess I have to be patient... You knave no idea how difficult that is for me. I have never been patient a day in my life! My brother calls it "impulsive," but I call it getting things done and not waiting for others to fix your problems!

"Tonight, we will have Tom lead the chant!" he clapped as Tom made his way over to Jack at the front of the bonfire.

Tom didn't look half as evil as Ben. But then again maybe not all the councilors were one of Jack's minions... after all, Nate was not!

Okay, so why would all these guys let Jack rule them anyway? What were they promised, because no one in their right mind would just hand over their soul with no form of payment, not matter what that stupid chant says! And, seriously, am I the nly one who actually listens to the creepy words and has any reservations about saying them? How dumb are kids these days?!?

Tom smiled at his less than enthusiastic crowed. "Mirror Lake, Mirror Lake," he started and the campers followed along. Although this time, there was no inflection. They sounded like they'd been sitting math class for hours with a monotoned teacher.

You think I don't know what I'm talking about? You try sitting through Mr. Baker's class and see how well you can pay attention before deciding drawing on your desk is much more entertaining... Where was I going with this? Oh, right! zombie kids!

"From Night to Day and Wrong to Right,

The Strength of Spirit from us take,

Seize us now, without a fight," they all droned.

See!?! Zombie kids!

"Thank you Tom!" cheered Jack. "Tonight I will delight you with yet another story!"

A couple campers clapped. I just folded my arms over my chest and glared. By this time, Jack must have known I knew what was going on, and I wanted him to know I wasn't happy about all this!

Jack stared right back with devilment in his eyes. "Listen good, Melissa! You will like this one," he cooed.

Yeah, since theses "stories" seem to be more like history lessons, and the lessons normally have to do with me! Do I have a choice not to listen? For some reason it just makes me feel worse!

"Long ago the magical creatures of the earth worked in harmony with Mother Earth. Everyone was happy. Until one day, Mother Earth favored the Shifters over the Fairies..."

I wasn't sure if he knew I could tell when he was lying, but he did know I could read his emotions, which is probably why he was trying to shield them from me tonight. Didn't matter! Every evil word dripping from his mouth was as appetizing as vomit.

"Since Mother Earth was no longer sharing her bounty with the fairies, one of them decided it was time to make his own magic. It wasn't earth magic... But it was the only magic left to the fairies. It required sacrifice. Since the earth was no longer safe for the fairies," he paused and smirked at me. Yeah, that's gonna help me believe this load of crap. Not!

"he decided to create his own world where he could care for all the poor fairies no longer able to use their earth magic, " he continued.

It was NEVER his job to defend the fairies! And since when did we demand the Earth give us her magic? She is the mother! She knows what's best... Unlike my fake parents, Mother Earth does what is best for all her children and I am still not buying the whole "she favored the shifters " thing! I am sure he made that up to get fake sympathy and adoration from his minions!

Rage boiled in my belly. If he didn't watch it, I was gonna explode like a volcano! It's been known to happen.

"Due to his change in magic, he was no longer considered a fairy. He was better, stronger! He rose in his magic and became the ultimate leader!" he roared.

Don't make me vomit! Talk about your narcissist!

"One day soon, he will march back to earth and claim what should have been his!"

What that heck? Seriously, crazy people don't know they are crazy, I guess.

Everyone cheered... But Ethan, Nate and I. For me I just looked at him like he was a few bananas short of a fruit salad. The guy was cracked!

"And you, Melissa, will be the start of a new era! You will be the queen, and I will even let you take Ben as your mate..." he said with a magnanimous gesture. "With the two of you bringing forth new off spring, enough for a new army, we will be all powerful!"

Did he just say what I thought he said? He actually expected me to take Ben as my mate. And not only that... but he wanted us to get busy! He wanted me to produce enough babies for an army!

That's it! I was gonna vomit...

There is no freakin' way that is ever gonna happen! What did he think? I'd just sit around and pop 'em out like rabbits?

Yuck!

I dashed from the campfire and into the woods. I leaned against a tree and heaved my ever-livin' guts out! Once my stomach was emptied of all its contents; I promptly passed out!