Jessica had received a deadline from Felix. Felix would have to do it for Jessica if she didn't let go of James. Jessica would admit defeat and comply with Felix' request out of concern for James' safety. Jessica forced what little remaining composure she had and walked out of the classroom while squeezing air into her lungs.
Even though Jessica raised a few eyebrows, the congested hallway was a pleasant reprieve. Jessica noticed what people were looking at when she caught a glimpse of herself in a window. Her lips were puffy, her hair was a mess, and her attire was unkempt. Jessica muttered an expletive as she dove inside the ladies' restroom to tidy herself up.
Ophelia was standing over the sink with a lip gloss wand when Jessica opened the lady's door and almost passed out. Ophelia's eyes widened in shock as she turned her head.
Oh no—Ophelia was the absolute last person Jessica expected to meet, and she made that clear by glaring at her foolishly. A small voice in Jessica's head was mentally yelling, "Speak you idiot," but she was at a loss for words. Felix had reminded her last night that Ophelia was the Queen and that Jessica needed to keep this in mind when speaking to her.
Shit. Should I be polite? What should I say, exactly? Jessica, thought.
Jessica finally said, "Oh, erm... hi?"
Jessica immediately inwardly scolded herself. Well done, Jess. That went very smoothly. You just sounded like you were asking Jessica a question with your greeting. Ophelia will now consider you to be a complete fool. Jessica tried again after taking a breath. "I'm sorry, you caught me off guard," Jessica said with a charming smile. "Jess is my name."
Ophelia was originally a little perplexed by Jessica's strange mannerisms, but she quickly broke the ice with a brilliant smile "Jess! I'm so glad we've finally met! Felix has been quite mischievous and has kept me waiting. Yesterday, I had hoped to meet you. But he doesn't have to officially introduce us! Ophelia is my name, your sister-in-law." As she said, she pulled Jessica toward the bathroom mirrors by wrapping her arm around her. "How quickly this weather can damage our hair is remarkable. My hair is impossible because of the moisture." Ophelia replied while using her expertly manicured fingers to smooth Jessica's hair.
Jessica senses that Ophelia was too polite to admit that she knew Felix was really to blame for her awful hair day. Jessica thanked her sincerely and made an effort not to think about the minor fact that the woman was a vampire queen.
"Felix is being so cruel by separating us. I've been itching to meet my new sister and support her during her transformation from a human to a vampire. I'm really sorry Felix made that false claim about you. I pleaded with him and Louis not to. The practice is so archaic and out of date for the twenty-first century. Being faced by the Bishop of the Dead and his horrific congregation must have been terrible, "said Ophelia.
In response, Jessica recalled her zombie marriage to Felix and said, "It was definitely unforgettable."
"It was really bizarre," Ophelia exclaimed, " I can't see how Jonathan could have permitted it. In that creepy little cemetery, you shouldn't have gotten married. If it had been up to me, Felix would have courted you like a proper Princess and brought you into the fold of the court. You would have then been married in front of the entire court in the splendid chapel on the palace grounds, which dates back to the eighteenth century:"
"Are you telling me that you reside in a palace?" Jessica said while lifting her hands.
Ophelia puzzledly regarded Jessica "Why, of course. Have you heard from Felix about any of this?
Jessica gave a headshake.
Ophelia glared angrily and said, "Oh, wait till I see Felix; I'll give him awful ear pain!"
"I don't understand; I truly have no idea about anything, "Contused, stated Jessica.
"Of course not, Felix hasn't given you any explanations! But don't worry; as your vampire sister and a member of the royal family, it is my responsibility to assist you. I'll fill you in on all the details of both being a vampire and a princess, "Ophelia gave Jessica a loving smile.
Jessica answered hesitantly, "Well, I do have a lot of questions."
"Good, as this is a perfect opportunity to inquire. We won't be watched when in the women's restroom, "said Ophelia.
"Watched?" Jessica enquired.
"Oh certainly, there is a lot of watching," Ophelia said with a nod. "Felix has Hugo and Pierre keep an eye on you because he can't be with you all the time. Be careful what you say to them since Felix will hear everything you do or say in front of them."
"What?" Jessica suddenly had severe nausea.
"Janathan acts in a similar manner." Ophelia casually explained, "I have at least 10 guards waiting for me outside of that door.
Oh my God, Felix was watching me... Jessica pondered.
"Unfortunately, that is all a part and parcel of being a royal- our lives are not our own," Ophelia replied with a compassionate smile." We can sit and cry about it, but crying won't make the cards fate has dealt us any different."
Jessica murmured numbly, "Hate him."
After pausing, Henrietta responded, "Felix is known for being very intense. He resembles Queen Agatha, his mother. She too contained the darkness. "What exactly is the darkness?" Jessica enquired.
"A specific kind of vampire gift is the darkness. All vampires, as you can see, have special abilities. For instance, some vampires can run exceedingly quickly, while others can heal instantly. There are some gifts that are very prevalent among vampires and others that are very uncommon. The darkness is one of the extraordinary and exceptionally potent powers shared by most royal bloodline vampires "Ophelia disclosed. "What precisely can Felix accomplish, then?" Jessic enquired.
"Felix is essentially a conduit for the all-pervasive power of complete annihilation. He has access to forces that have the power to submerge entire lands beneath the water, demolish entire cities, and wipe out entire civilizations," Ophelia stated.
Jessica was overcome with nausea as Felix's threats against James filled her thoughts. Jessica was frightened by the power Felix wielded because she was unaware of it.
"Felix's ability is inextricably related to his emotions, so he can only fully use it if he is extremely angry," Ophelia chirped. "But don't let that terrify you," she advised.
Jessica found absolutely no solace in this. By 10 in the morning, Jessica had already surpassed Super Mad Felix. Jessica stared blankly in the mirror before comprehending the risk she had put James in by attempting to punish Felix.
Ophelia checked her phone while adjusting her flawless hair in the mirror. "My bodyguards are growing worried—I need to split," she said before telling Jess, "But listen to me—if you need someone to talk to, here is my number."
Ophelia wrote down her phone number on a paper towel and gave it to Jessica. "Janathan watches my phone calls and reads my text messages. We can only safely communicate here. Make sure you don't do anything that might put you in jeopardy, "said Henrietta.
"I'll try," Jessica responded.
"It was a pleasure speaking with you," Ophelia replied with a smile. Despite feeling lifeless inside, Jessica returned the smile. Ophelia put on her high-end designer heels and snuck out of the restroom, leaving Jessica there with the unsettling realization that her husband was a psychopath. Jessica emerged from the restroom unsure of what was ahead. Strangely, chaos occasionally entered their lives in unexpected tiny ways thanks to fate. It was practically expected that everyone would run into difficulties at some point in their lives. Jessica only contracted the flu last exam season, forcing her to sit through three exams while under the influence of drugs. Jessica was certain that her senior year would bring terrible luck, but she never anticipated that it would involve vampires.
Jessica's husband Felix, a psychotic vampire prince, was having a temper tantrum about her relationship with James. Jessica did flirt with James to annoy Felix, but she had no idea that James' life would be in grave risk as a result of her actions.
The complexity and danger of Felix's personality were shown during Jessica's talk with Ophelia. He was a vampire with a horrible gift that, when unleashed, could cause enormous harm. In essence, Felix represented a sizable metaphorical hornet's nest that was ready to swarm, and Jessica represented the foolish, gullible girl who had poked the hornet's nest with a big stick.
Miserably Jessica was aware of her obligations. Jessica would have to track down James and inform him that she couldn't be his date to the party and that she could never see or speak to him again. How Jessica would manage to do this without coming across as a total and utter bitch is anyone's guess. Jessica believes that her knowledge of James' location was the only little blessing in this whole ordeal. He would be in the college gym lifting weights and chugging protein shakes, just like every other college male with a fitness complex.
As a result, Jessica made her way slowly towards the school gym in an effort to postpone the inevitable. Jessica was not like Sarah Turner in terms of how casual she could be with other people's feelings. Jessica was going to injure James in order to save him, which made her sick to her stomach because Jessica could never hurt someone as much as she could. Jessica quietly cursed Felix and subsequently all vampires for bringing her into this circus while muttering obscenities beneath her breath. She had to be able to escape somehow.
When Jessica noticed James and his buddies loitering outside the entrance of the gym as it came into view, her heart dropped in her chest. One of James' buddies must have told him something about her since Jessica was quickly pointed out to him by a gentle elbow to the side.
When James first saw Jessica, his face became radiant. He dispersed from his friends and jogged in her direction. His face broke into a wide grin, and as he drew nearer to her, his arms lifted up, signaling that he was about to give her a hug.
A chilly shudder runs down Jessica's spine as ominous words are repeated in her thoughts by a demonic voice. "Don't allow that boy to touch you. I won't allow anyone to touch anything that is rightfully mine."
Felix's threats should have made Jessica fearful, but the moment he asserted Ownership over her, something inside of her broke. Jessica responded in a waspish manner, "Ugh, Felix, quit being so Victorian, and go away."
Jessica returned to looking at James. He was approaching her in what seemed like slow time, his arms outstretched. Jessica closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and prepared herself mentally for the next action. Then, with her eyes wide open, Jessica extended her hand and pleaded with James not to touch her.
James stopped in front of her abruptly and watched in dismay as Jessica took a few steps away from him. "Jess, what the heck is the matter?" he said as he shook his head in shock.
Jessica was devastated by the bewildered expression on his face and found it difficult to maintain her composure. Jessica, who was focused, turned to James and stated, "I'm sorry, James, but I cannot see you anymore."
James's companions had caught wind of the drama developing behind them. They struggled to overhear their chat as a few other kids who were loitering about the gym went silent.
James gave Jessica a strange look as if she were crazy. "Madison, what the heck is wrong with you?" he muttered as he approached her.
After first remaining silent, Jessica finally said, "I'm sorry Jack, I wish I could explain, but please believe me, this is for the best." James grabbed Jessica's shoulder and forced her to turn and face him despite her attempts to flee.
He screamed angrily, "What are you withholding from me?" James had quickly turned his attention to something or someone else as Jessica opened her mouth to respond.
Behind her, "Miss Madison," she heard Felix say, "Once you have finished with this gentleman, I would like to see you in the library."
Felix was a few steps behind Jessica when she glanced over her shoulder. Jessica said carelessly, "Um... okay:" Felix nodded before pausing and looking between James and her.
'Do you need my assistance?' She was requested by Felix to examine James's hold on her shoulder. For someone who had just felt like an emotional volcano on the verge of bursting seconds earlier, his voice sounded unnervingly quiet.
Jessica calmly said, 'Thank You, but I've got things under control.'
Felix spared James one more gloomy glance and said, "I shall meet you in the library then Miss Madison." Felix then walked away and into the library. Jessica was taken aback when she observed him heading in the direction of the library. Felix was cool and definitely not the a$$hole Jessica imagined him to be when he noticed James' hand on her shoulder, which surprised her.
James said, "It's him, isn't it? Jessica said, "What," barely paying attention.
James abruptly said, "You little whore, you have been playing me while having fun with the sub professor."
What-no, you've got it all wrong, Jessica gasped in horror. Without irony, James chuckled, "I realized you were too lovely to be true."
His hand slid off Jessica's shoulder and washed theatrically on his jeans as if he had touched something repulsive and revolting. She received