Evils of the Night-Chapter 9

The Mud Queen

“Sylvia! Hurry up let's go!” Brett was impatiently sitting on his ATV, waiting for Sylvia to accompany him to the tree.

She burst out of the house in disarray. Her shirt was buttoned wrong, her hair was going every which way, and her makeup was a little smeared.

“What happened to you? Get attacked by a bear?” he asked, smoothing her hair while she tried to figure out which button went to what hole in her shirt.

“No. I got up late.” she said. “Sorry.”

“It's alright. I forgive you this once.”

Brett started the quad and they rode off to the cave. The ATV was parked there, and they changed into elves. Upon entering the tree, Sylvia and Brett were intercepted by Isa, Devon, and Fuchsia.

“Guys, everyone's in a tizzy. Have either of you seen Jayden?” Isa asked.

“Not since the party last night.” Brett said.

“Well, it's almost the full moon, and Frederick predicted that the third night elf would be changed. Preparations are already being made. All the night elves are required to be at the tree at least once every day just so we can make sure they're all safe, and Jayden hasn't been here.”

“It's still early.” Sylvia pointed out.

“He wasn't here yesterday either.” Devon argued.

“I'm sure he got tied up.” Brett reasoned. “He'll be here eventually.”

“I hope so.” Isa said. “Go check in with Frederick, Sylvia.”

Sylvia entered Frederick's chambers. Today, the wizard-like elf was walking around his room, looking at the silver stars and moons on the walls.

“I'm here Frederick.” Sylvia called.

Frederick jumped. “Ooh! Buttons and bubbles you gave me a scare!” he exclaimed.

Sylvia laughed. She never got tired of Frederick. “I was told to check in with you.”

“Yes, yes of course. With the full moon coming, we can't afford to lose you. Yes, the Mud Queen is on the prowl.”

“The who?”

“The Mud Queen? Oh, she rules the swamp creatures. And the owls.”

“And I'm assuming she's bad?”

“Very bad, very bad indeed.” Frederick quipped. “She is the Moon Queen's half-sister.”

“Didn't see that coming.” Sylvia muttered, sarcastically.

“She wants to end the reign of the Moon Queen, and by capturing the most powerful of the Moon Queen's subjects, she's pretty much guaranteed success.” Frederick said. “With the full moon coming, and the sixth night creature being changed, her plans are about ready to go into action. I have foreseen the destruction of our realm if she succeeds.”

Sylvia gulped.

“Now, run along so I may finish preparing the moon room for the moon's visit.” Frederick said.

Sylvia went straight to the night elves' level. Damian, Lucia, Cynthia, Alex, and Felix were already there.

“Jayden!?” Damian jumped up when Sylvia came up.

“No, Sylvia. Jayden's still not here?”

“No. We're getting concerned.” Damian said.

“You know what? I'm going to find him.”

“You probably shouldn't.” Felix warned.

“Nonsense.” Sylvia retorted. “I can do this. Besides, none of you guys, other than Lucia and Alex can be humans, and I'm the only one who knows where he lives. I'm going.”

Sylvia left again and changed back into a human. She rushed home and got out her quad. She turned the key and headed for town. Her phone rang just as she got up to the library. She parked the quad and answered it.

“Hello?”

“Sylvia?”

“Yeah, who's this?”

“It's Jayden.”

“Where the heck are you?”

“Look, I don't know how to ask you this, but, could you come over? I need some help.”

Sylvia heard shouting in the background. Jayden must have pulled away from the phone because she heard his voice too. “Jayden?”

The line disconnected, and Sylvia pocketed her phone. She started the quad again and floored the accelerator. It took twenty more minutes for her to get to the house.

She remembered Jayden's house, but this time it looked different. Broken glass was everywhere from windows that had been smashed out. The door was slightly out of alignment too. She decided to keep going and park the quad in the woods, then walk back to the house. When she returned, she crept up to the window.

When she saw no one, she crept in the door. “Jayden? Hello, Jayden?”

“Over here.” his voice was tired and weak.

She found him lying on the floor. She thought he looked fine at first, but when she reached him she found the opposite to be true.

“What happened?” she asked.

“I don't know.” he gasped. “This woman came. She was the weirdest lady I ever saw. Sadie, my sister, answered the door, and she wanted to see me. Sadie called Mom, and I guess Mom didn't like the looks of her, so she told her I was busy and couldn't see her. She demanded to see me, but Mom wouldn't let her in. So then she broke down the door and barged in. When I heard the ruckus I came upstairs, and when she saw me she attacked me. She shattered the window and tried to cut me with the glass.” he paused for breath. “She tried to kill me because I'm a night elf. She ransacked the place, killing anything she could.” he stopped again, tears now running down his face.

“The Mud Queen.” Sylvia said. “Frederick warned me about her today. She's trying to take over everything.”

“She killed my sister right there.” Jayden said, pointing to a little girl Sylvia had originally assumed was unconscious. “I was lying here, too weak to save her, and she slit her throat right in front of me.” he shuddered and tears of regret washed over his face. My Mom she stabbed in the kitchen. I didn't see that.”

“Where's your Dad?” Sylvia asked.

“He died after Sadie was born from cancer.”

“We've got to get you out of here. Come to my place.”

“No. Get your Mom and Dad away from there. Don't go anywhere near it. She's after you now. She thinks I'm dead because I passed out after she killed Sadie.

“We can't stay here.” Sylvia said.

“Yes, we can. You just have to get your Mom and Dad to a safe place. She won't come back here.”

Sylvia almost winced. “But you have to go to a hospital. You've lost so much blood.”

“No. There's no way that's happening. See, we don't have insurance, and there's no way I'm going somewhere I can't get out of.”

“Then let's go to the tree.”

“That's too far.”

“Jayden!”

“Stay here with me.”

“I'm not a doctor.” she said. “And we have to do something about your mother and sister.”

Jayden sighed. “OK. I feel a little better now. Go get your parents out of your house, and fast.”

Sylvia stood. “Can you stand up?”

“Help me.” Jayden said, holding up a hand.

Sylvia took it and pulled him to his feet.

“I think my shoulder is dislocated.” he said, grimacing.

“I'll pop that back in before I go.” Sylvia said. She grabbed a blanket off the couch. “Bite on this.”

“What!?”

“It's gonna hurt like the dickens, so bite on it so you don't scream or bite your tongue.”

Jayden glared at her.

“Fine. Don't say I didn't warn you.” Sylvia put one hand on the back of the offending shoulder and grabbed his bicep with her other hand.

“Ready?”

He nodded, bracing himself.

“One, Two, Three!” and she yanked his shoulder back; hard.

Jayden didn't scream, but he nearly fell over. A look of intense pain contorted his face.

“You alright now?”

He couldn't speak. He just nodded.

“Alright. I'll be back in an hour. Don't leave here or go outside. Just stay put.” and Sylvia ran to where her quad was parked. She pushed the speed to the maximum on her way back. Her Dad was still sleeping when she got back. She put the quad in the garage and ran inside.

“Dad!” she shouted, shaking him.

“What, what? What is it, Sylvia?”

“You've gotta get out of here.”

“What are you talking about? Am I having a nightmare?”

“No, Dad, someone's out to kill us, and you've got to get away from this house.”

“What in the blue blazes are you talking about? Who wants to kill you? Why?”

“There's something I haven't told you.” Sylvia said. “But when I tell you, I want you to leave this house and don't come back until I say it's safe.”

“Um, alright?”

“OK. I'm an elf.”

Her dad laughed. “You're a what!?”

“I'm an elf.”

“When are you going to the north pole? Seriously, Sylv.”

“Dad, I am serious. Watch.” she pulled her dog tags out and rubbed them together. Instantly she shrank down into her elf form.

Her dad jumped onto his bed. “Sylvia? Where'd you go?”

“I'm down here!” she shouted.

He still didn't see her. She sighed and changed back into a human.

“Ah!” her dad jumped when she appeared right in front of him.

“OK, so I'm an elf, and there's an evil queen who wants me dead so she can take over the whole elven world. She'll kill you too if she knows you're related to me. If she comes here, she'll kill us both. She just killed my friend's mom and sister because he was an elf. He only escaped because he blacked out and she thought he was dead. I have to go into hiding, and you've got to get out of here. Now!”

Evils of the Night-Chapter 8

A flash from the past

Sylvia was laughing. So was her Mom. Sylvia had been reading a funny story Brett had written. It was her 11^th birthday, and Mom had taken her out for dinner and a movie. They were on the way home now, snow falling from the sky. It was a beautiful January night. Perfect for hot cocoa and time with Mom. Well, perfect for eleven year old Sylvia.

Derek Grayson wasn't having a perfect night. He'd gone to the Blue Dragon to drown his troubles in whiskey, and hadn't listened to his friends' warnings about driving home. He was going ten under the speed limit, staying in his lane. He was doing fine.

“Mom look out!” Sylvia shouted. But the oncoming headlights were coming too fast. Her mom swerved, but the truck barreled right into their little car, sending it flipping into the snow-filled ditch.

A man that smelled funny came tumbling down the side of the road. He came to the smashed passenger window first.

“Lil gurl? Er you okayy?” his speech was slurred and the last thing Sylvia heard before the sirens. Red and orange lights flashed like Christmas lights, washing the snow in their fiery light.

“Momma?” Sylvia moaned.

“You're gonna be alright. Just keep still and don't talk.” a sweet-faced woman in a black coat said.

Sylvia knew no more. She awoke in a hospital room surrounded by colorful balloons and a few flowers. There was her Dad, head in his hands, kneeling by her bed and crying. She couldn't move her arm to touch him, and her leg was held up in the air and wrapped in a purple cast. Her favorite color. Her arm had a cast in purple as well.

“Daddy?”

He looked up. Tears still ran down his face and he reached up and touched her face.

“Where's Mommy?”

“Mommy's not here anymore, sweet Sylvia. Mommy went to heaven.”

“Mommy died?”

Her father couldn't answer. He only held the hand attached to the broken arm and buried his face in the blanket. His shoulders shook with suppressed sobs.

Sylvia was numb. Her Mom was gone. No more birthday treats with her. No more hugs. No more dancing around the living room in Mom's high heels. It was all gone. It was gone because of the funny man that smelled weird and talked strange. Then the tears flowed.

“Sylvia!” It was Jake. “There you are.”

She'd come to sit alone on the front porch while everyone else was in the back around the pool. “Hi Jake.” she said, quickly wiping away a stray tear.

“You OK?”

“I don't know why, but everything here reminds me of her. The pictures of Jenny and her mom. The smiles. The laughter. Jenny's constant happiness.”

“Do you want to go? I mean, Jenny and Brett are setting up the stereo and we're gonna do some dancing, but if you want to go, I totally understand.”

“No. All I have to go home to is a dark, empty house. I might as well stay here and socialize, huh?”

Jake smiled. “Then come dance with me, Sylv.”

She cleaned up her face a little more, and took Jake's outstretched hand.

“Twist my arm. I hear you're becoming quite the dancer.”

“Ha! No way in heck am I gonna be as good as you, but yeah.”

Sylvia smiled. “C'mon and show me some moves, boy.”

She let Jake bring her to where everyone was already dancing. Jenny had a huge deck, then down some steps was the pool. She saw Jayden look at her when she came in, but Jake had led her to the center of the deck, where everyone was dancing.

“Show me what you got.” Sylvia challenged.

Jake tossed her a flirty grin and did some fancy spin, then held out his hand to her. She accepted it, and he pulled her around then flung her back out, then grabbed her other hand and spun her around.

They danced like crazy for the rest of the song, when Brett grabbed the mic attached to the little soundboard they were using and turned on his DJ voice.

“Allllright everybody! Let's slow it down a bit now. Grab yourself a partner and take it easy.” he turned off the mic and asked Jenny to dance with him. Jake already had Sylvia in his arms. Her arms rested on his shoulders, his hands on her waist. Jayden still sat on the railing, just watching. He watched no one but Sylvia.

“Glad I made you come dance.” Jake said. “You've gotten better.”

“Mmm you're not too shabby yourself.” Sylvia said, smiling a little. She looked over at Brett and Jenny. “I think we have a future couple over there.” she said.

Jake looked at them. Jenny had one arm over his shoulder, the other hand in his. He had one arm around her waist, and his chin rested on the top of her head. She had her head on his chest, and a happy smile played on her lips. “I think you might be right.” he said. “I'd like to see you be that happy.”

Sylvia smiled. “It can never be, Jake.” she said. “Jenny hasn't had half the hardships I have.”

“You deserve happiness more then.” Jake protested.

“Thanks Jake.” she said, laying her head on his shoulder. She felt him rest his head on hers.

Jayden was feeling things he'd never felt before. Who was that guy, and why was Sylvia with him? Didn't she know that she was meant to be with him, Jayden? Never had anything been so clear to him. But now, there she was, in Jake's arms, cuddled up to him, talking in low voices. His Sylvia was falling in love with someone else.

The song ended. Crazy music was cued up again, but Jake and Sylvia didn't dance that one. Instead, Jayden stood up and marched over to her.

“Sylvia.”

“Oh hey Jayden! Isn't this a great party?”

“Sylvia, what's wrong with you?”

“What are you talking about?” she felt his blue eyes probing into hers.

“That mystery? I know what yours is, and I want you to tell me what the solution is.”

“I don't know what you're talking about.” she said.

He grabbed her arm. “I know you do. C'mon Sylvia, we all know it's that wistful, sad look in your eyes whenever you're around anything happy. What's going on?”

“Nothing.” she said, pulling away.

“Sylv—”

“Jayden.” her eyes met his and locked. Then suddenly Jayden heard her voice in his head. “I won't tell you the solution to my mystery. Don't push it.” then she walked away.

It was 11:30 when Jake and Sylvia returned to her house. She invited him in for something to drink before he went home, and he accepted.

“I had fun tonight.” she said, getting two glasses from the cupboard and putting ice in them. “Thanks for taking me.”

“No problem. It was great hanging out. I've always liked you.”

Sylvia smiled and hoped she wasn't blushing. She pulled two cans of Coke from the fridge and poured them out into the glasses. She handed one to Jake.

They went into the living room and sat down on the couch. After a few minutes of silence, Jake spoke. “You know somethin'?”

“What?” Sylvia asked.

“We should go out dancing sometime. The little high school club in town is trying to pull in more business, so they're doing dancing on Friday nights.”

“That'd be fun. I'd love to.” she said.

Jake set his drink down. “Let's dance again.”

“Right now?”

“Right now.”

Sylvia smiled and grabbed her phone. “Can't dance without music.” she said, plugging it into the speaker system. She played the same slow song they'd danced to at the dance. Jake pulled the curtains shut and turned toward her.

This time, the dance was a little more intricate. Since they had more room, they were able to dance freely instead of just holding each other and swaying back and forth. Jake and Sylvia were unofficially voted the best dancers in school, but neither of them would ever admit to it. The song ended, and another one began. Still slow and delicate.

Finally, they got a little tired, and reverted to traditional slow dancing.

“You know, Sylvia?”

“Hmm?”

“I really like you. And not just as a friend. I'm thinking like more than friends and more towards girlfriend.”

She looked up at him. “I like you too, Jake. And as more than friends.” she smiled.

He looked down and smiled a little. Slowly they got closer and closer until their lips met. For the first time since her mom's death, Sylvia felt happy and loved. Jake had been crushing on her for a couple of years, but she and Brett were so close that everyone thought they were only a step away from dating, so he'd stayed quiet.

If Sylvia knew that only a few miles away, Jayden was in his room, in complete helpless fury, she may not have told Jake she'd be his girlfriend. However, she did, and when Jake went home, there were at least two happy people in the world.

Evils of the night-Chapter 7

All's fair in love and war

“Brett!” Sylvia caught up to him one morning in town. “Where've you been?”

“I was busy.” he said, pulling a purple binder out of his backpack. “Here.”

“Elves and Fairies.” she read the cover. “You've been doing research? Like, actual research?”

“Yeah. Most of it is from one of Frederick's books. The purple one you're supposed to read...” he elbowed her.

“Shut up. That book's too thick.”

“I condensed it down in there. There's this too.” he pulled out a blue binder from his bag too. “This one's about the blues. Turns out Frederick had a book for us too. Isa got it for me.”

“Good work, buddy! I'm proud of you!”

“Brett! Sylvia!” a male voice called them from behind. They both turned and saw Jake Carter running up behind them. Jake went to school with them.

“Hey Jake.” Brett said.

“Hey!” he replied, slowing to a walk and joining them. Sylvia tucked the purple binder into her bag, then brushed her hair behind her ear.

“Haven't seen you guys around lately. What's happenin'?”

“Nothing really. I mean, just the usual. We're at Sylvia's a lot, just like always.” Brett replied.

“I'm glad I caught up with you, 'cause Jenny's havin' a party tonight, and she asked me to ask you guys if I saw you. I guess she lost your number, Brett.”

Jenny Price was a sweet rich girl that was new in school. She and Brett had taken a shine to each other.

“Sweet!” Sylvia cheered. “Finally some social life other than Brett!”

“Hey now...” Brett retorted.

“Well, that's great!” Jake said. “I gotta run but I'll see you there. It's casual, but kinda nice casual. You know Jenny.”

“We'll be there!” Brett said.

“See ya later then, man.” he and Brett shook hands and hugged. “Bye Sylv.” Jake winked at her.

Sylvia waved her fingers at him as he walked away. Then she turned around and she and Brett continued walking.

“What was that?” Brett asked.

“What was what?”

“What was that, 'Bye Sylv', and that wink, and that wave, and why is your face all red.”

“My face isn't red. We're friends.”

Brett laughed. “Right. If I winked at you when I said good-bye you'd punch me and tell me to quit being a psycho.”

“That's not your style. It's Jake's.” Sylvia said. “He's kind of a...well...he's more of a punk than you.”

“You mean he's got that swag thing you like so much.”

Sylvia didn't answer.

“Your face is getting redder.” Brett suddenly stopped. “You're crushing on Jake!”

“No I'm not.” Sylvia said, keeping on walking.

“Yes you are! You're in love with Jake! Admit it!”

“If you admit that you're crushing on Jenny Price.”

“What!?” Brett snorted. “No I'm not.”

“You are too.” Sylvia said. “I found this when you left the other day. It must've fallen out of our notebook or something.” she began to read. “Jenny is so beautiful, so smart, so wonderful. She's everything I want, but I can never ask her out. She's so above me.” Sylvia paused.

“Where did you find that?”

“I told you, it must've fallen out of your notebook.”

“OK fine, you win. I like Jenny. Now admit it. You like Jake.”

Sylvia laughed. “Oh, you're funny, Brett.”

“Say it.”

“Make me.”

Brett stepped closer and made a fist. “Say it or I'll throw this at you.”

“You're gonna punch me?”

“Say it.”

“I admit nothing to you.”

“Fine. You leave me no choice.” he pulled back his fist and pitched something at Sylvia. He'd made a water ball in his hand. It soaked her. Brett stood there looking at her. She stood frozen in one place. Then she finally lifted her head.

“You suck!” she said.

Then Brett started laughing. Sylvia threw her hand forward and he fell back.

“What the...?”

“Don't mess with a night elf.” Sylvia said, tossing her wet hair and stalking off.

Brett stood up and ran after her. “Where did you learn to do that?”

“Jayden.”

“Jayden?”

“We have the same powers, you dolt. He teaches me everything.”

They walked together in silence for a while. Then Sylvia's phone rang.

“Hello?” A look of surprise spread across her face. “How did you get my number?” a pause. “Oh. OK. Yeah. Fine. See you then. Bye.” she hung up.

“Who was it?”

“Jake. Tiffany gave him my number.”

“Tiffany?”

“Yeah...Jenny's sister.”

“Oh yeah her.”

“He said the party starts at six. I've got to go home and get dried out. I'll meet you over there, OK?”

“Sure. No hard feelings, right?”

“Nah. I'll pay you back later.” and Sylvia ran off.

She arrived home right as her Dad got up.

“Hey Dad.” she said. “I'm going out tonight, so don't worry about anything fancy for dinner.”

“Where are you going?” he asked, yawning and grabbing the milk out of the fridge.

“Jenny's.”

“Alright. I guess I'll just order pizza or something.”

Sylvia gave him the 'really?' look, and headed for her room.

“Sylv?”

“Yeah Dad?”

“Why are you all wet?”

“Brett.” she said.

Her Dad chuckled. “Kid knows what he's doing.”

“You're hilarious Dad.” Sylvia said, continuing on her intended path.

She walked into her bathroom and turned on her hairdryer. “Darn you Brett.”

About a half hour later she emerged again.

“Don't you look like a million bucks?” her Dad said as she walked into the room.

Sylvia grinned. “Thanks.” she said.

“You're not riding the quad in those jeans are you?” her dad said, nodding toward her dark blue skinny jeans. “Every bit of dust'll show up.”

“No, I'm getting a ride...in a car.” she said.

“Anyone I know?”

“Jake Carter.”

Her Dad nodded. “Alright.”

She grabbed her bag from the table as the doorbell rang. “See ya later Dad.” she said, blowing him a kiss.

“Have fun sweetie. Don't stay out too late.”

“OK.” she waltzed to the door, where Jake was standing.

“Hey gorgeous.” he said when she opened it.

“Shut up Jake.” she said, smacking his arm playfully.

“You know anyone named Jayden?” Jake asked, opening the passenger door of his Mustang.

“Yeah, why?” Sylvia replied, getting in.

Jake shut the door and trotted around to the driver's side. “Because Tiffany told me Jenny invited some new guy in town named Jayden.”

“Jayden's coming to the party? OK.”

“Don't know if he'll be there, but he was invited.”

They pulled out of the driveway and onto the street. Jake is so funny, Sylvia thought. They laughed and talked the whole drive to Jenny and Tiffany's mansion.

When Jake helped Sylvia out of the car, Jayden walked up.

“Sylvia?” he called.

She turned around. “Jayden! Hi! Glad you could make it.”

“So you're Jayden, huh?” Jake asked, stepping forward to shake hands. “Jake Carter. Nice to meet you.”

Jayden shook hands, but Sylvia saw ice in his eyes. “Jayden Walsh. Pleasure's mine.”

Jake stepped back. “Shall we go in?” he offered his arm to Sylvia. “M'lady?”

“You goof.” she laughed.

They preceded Jayden into the house. When they walked in, Jenny came squealing up to Sylvia. “Oh my gosh I'm so glad you're here! When I lost Brett's number I was like 'oh no now I won't be able to contact them', and Tiff wouldn't give me your number, so I was like, hey Jake you know them...so yeah, glad you could make it!”

“It's good someone knew where to find us.” Sylvia said. “Is Brett here yet?”

“No, not yet.” Jenny said. “He will be, though, right?”

“Yeah.” Sylvia said.

Jenny moved on to Jayden, and Jake and Sylvia slipped away.

“She's really hyperactive tonight.” Jake said, handing Sylvia a drink.

“That's Jenny. Always happy.” Sylvia said.

“Hey now. You're happier now.”

Sylvia smiled, but stared at Jenny and Jayden. “She's truly happy though.”

Jake gave Sylvia a hug. “You're better now than you were. It won't take long and you'll be as truly happy as Jenny.”

“Thanks Jake, but you don't just get over what I've been through.”

Evils of the Night-Chapter 6

Enter Moon Queen

Brett and Sylvia danced a lively reel together a little later that night. All of a sudden, in the middle of the song, the music died away. Everyone stopped dancing and parted into two masses. At one end was the door, the other end was Frederick's chair. The door was open, and a beautiful creature walked in. She was an elf, but she had wings. Sylvia elbowed Brett.

“What?” he whispered.

“The water woman.” she hissed back.

“Shh!” hissed Fuchsia.

The water woman walked in solemnly. As she passed, elves and fairies alike bowed. When she passed Sylvia and Brett, they bowed, but she didn't pass. Instead, she put a hand on Sylvia's shoulder and took her with her on the rest of her solemn march. When she passed Jayden, she did the same thing. Then three fairies—two guys, one girl. The five of them followed her to Frederick's throne.

“Frederick.” she said, as he rose. Each bowed to the other, and the old elf climbed from his seat. The seven of them all went into Frederick's moon room.

“We lack an elf.” the woman said.

“She is due to arrive at the next full moon, your majesty.”

The woman, who was obviously a queen, nodded. “Once she arrives, contact me. I must speak with the six of them together.” she turned to her five subjects and smiled. Sylvia thought it was a sad smile. “You know by now that you are the most powerful of all your clans. You have been bestowed the power color of purple. It is a wonderful gift, but a heavy responsibility. I have come to teach you the deepest secrets of the color purple. Frederick? Do you have the purple book?”

“I have it, your majesty.” Jayden said quietly. “Frederick let me read it.”

The queen smiled. “This is good. He was right to do so. However, for the benefit of you who have not read it, I will tell you some of what you must know about purple.” they all sat down on the floor of the moon room. “Purple is the color of royalty. In the human world, it represents magic and mystery. That is what your inner powers are. All of you have a mystery that everyone would like to solve. You all know about your outer powers—the powers given to you as a magical being—but you don't know about your inner powers. These are the powers that I will teach you when the final elf comes next full moon. In the meantime, work with your outer powers. Perfect them. Learn to control them. I will visit you soon.”

As Sylvia lay in her bed that night, listening to the crickets sing, she thought about what the queen had said. Quietly, she got out of bed and walked into the main room. The purple lights were dimmed, but still lit. She slipped out onto the balcony. The moon was no longer full, but it still hung in the sky as clouds drifted lazily past it.

“Trouble sleeping?” Damian was behind her.

“Yeah.”

“The moon queen's coming was rather unexpected. She doesn't typically come to her subjects' gatherings.”

“That was the moon queen?”

“Yes. As night elves, we are her most loyal subjects. Of course, the night fairies are too, but for simplicity...”

“Yeah.”

“There's something special about the night beings.” Damian said. “We're more controlled. Perhaps it's because we're used to the night, when everything is quiet and serene.” he gazed out across the forest.

“I've always loved the night time.” Sylvia said.

“You were destined to be a night elf.” Damian said.

“Damian? The moon queen said I had a mystery.”

“You do.”

“What is it?”

Damian came and stood beside her. “From what I gather,” he said, “it's that sadness in your eyes.”

“What sadness?” Sylvia asked, looking away from him and back toward the forest.

“The sadness that's there whenever you should be the happiest. It was there at the ball tonight.”

“So that's why Jayden was staring at me.”

Damian smiled to himself. “Perhaps.”

“What's Jayden's mystery?”

“That is for you to discover. Jayden is an expert at hiding things. If he reveals something to you, it's because he chose for it to happen. He'll be a tough nut to crack. But Sylvia, don't think about it too hard.”

“Alright.” she said, then gave Damian a hug. “Thanks, Damian.”

It was a long night for Jayden too. He knew Sylvia's mystery, and the moon queen was right. He did want to solve it. He wanted that sadness to leave Sylvia's eyes, but he didn't know why it was there to begin with.

Evils of the Night-Chapter 5

Jayden's Heart

Finally, Jayden went down the stairs. He raced all the way to the bottom and went to Frederick's chambers. The old elf was seated on his throne, mumbling over some papers that sat at his desk.

“Frederick?” Jayden called.

“Bust my buttons and hang it all! What is it!?” the elf jumped and flopped his hands on the desk. “Oh, it's you, Jayden. My apologies. What can I do for you?”

Jayden bounded up the steps to the throne. “Well, I need your wisdom.”

Frederick picked up his pointy hat and peered at Jayden. “Yes. There is a light in your eyes that wasn't there before. What is it?”

Jayden sighed. “Well, you know Sylvia?”

Frederick snorted. “I should have known. You young elves are all alike.”

“No, this is different.”

Frederick stood up and shuffled to a bookshelf. He pulled out a dark purple book and set it on the table.

“Let me predict your problem.” he said, perching his spectacles on his nose. “You are feeling the call of the power color.”

“The what?”

Frederick looked over his glasses at Jayden. “The call of the power color. I suppose it could be a pull too. See, the power color purple is a powerful color. Only the night elves and fairies are able to tap into it. The Moon Queen bestowed purple on her favorites, her most loyal subjects, and she gave the color extra power.”

“But Sylvia...” Jayden tried to interrupt.

“Sylvia and you are the only elves at present who have that power color, otherwise the pull would be less. The two power centers inside of you want to be together. That's what keeps the colors so tight. That's why the blues stick together, that's why the greens stick together. That's why the only way a relationship will last is if the power colors match.” Frederick spoke softly, almost reverently now. “Since your power center is more matured than Sylvia's, you are able to sense this pull. She has not completely tapped into hers yet.”

“So what I'm feeling isn't real? It's just my power center?” Jayden was almost disappointed.

“In a way, yes. Your feelings for Sylvia are mostly the pull of the power centers trying to be together. It's like a magnet. If there were three or four more purples, you probably wouldn't feel this way.”

Jayden's brow furrowed slightly.

“You want to be in love with her, don't you?” Frederick observed.

“I don't know.” Jayden said, resting his forehead on his hand. She's pretty and smart and happy, but it seems like Lucia has a thing for me, and I just don't know.”

Frederick laughed aloud. “Lucia? The black elf? Don't worry your head about her, Jayden. She will never be right for you.”

Jayden looked up. “So Frederick, what's in the book?”

Frederick tipped his head to one side, then looked at the book. “Ah, yes. This book is all about the purple power color.” he handed it to Jayden. “Any more questions, read this.”

Jayden took the book back to the night elves living space and started reading at page 1. The girls remained in their room, the guys were in theirs, so he wasn't bothered. He read halfway through the book before Damian got his attention.

“Jayden. If you're going to the ball tonight, you should come get ready.”

Jayden looked up from the book. It was already dark. He'd been reading all day. “Oh, um, OK.” and he got up.

Jayden sent one look at the girls' room as he entered the guys'. He could hear them laughing, and Frederick's words echoed through his mind. “Your feelings for Sylvia are mostly the pull of the power centers trying to be together.” Jayden shook them away.

Alex, Felix, and Jayden shared a room, and they were already ready.

“So, Felix.” Alex, suddenly in a good mood, began. “Who's your first dance tonight?”

“Cynthia.”

“Oh? Got some chemistry goin' on?” Jayden teased, trying to snap himself out of his mood.

“No.” Felix said, but his face turned red.

“Dude, she's a blue!” Alex poked.

“Yeah, Felix. You'll have to marry a green wood elf, or worse, a green night fairy, or, even worse yet, a green wood fairy.” Jayden's voice dropped to a hiss.

“Oh you'll give him nightmares!” Alex whispered.

“You're spunky tonight, Alex.” Felix said, trying to change the subject.

“I had a couple shots of moon juice.” Alex admitted.

“So, Jayden.” Felix turned on him. “Who's your first dance?”

Jayden only smirked. “No one I'm telling you.”

“Please tell me it isn't Lucia.” Alex groaned, flopping dramatically onto his bed.

“No. It's not.”

“Well, since I'll be dancing with Cynthia, it's obviously Sylvia!” Felix said, in a haughty tone.

“Sylvia?” Alex sat up, suddenly interested. “No way.”

Jayden pulled on his black jacket. “Not telling.”

“You're wearing purple, Jay.” Felix said.

“So? It's my power color.”

“And Sylvia's.” Alex commented.

“It was mine first.” he said, and sent a single streak of blue lightning at Alex.

“Hey!”

Jayden gave him the “don't mess with me” smirk and nod, then ducked out of the room. The girls were still in their room. Jayden headed down the long flight of stairs. Once he passed the wood elves' level, music filled his ears. A small orchestra was already playing, the fairies were entering the tree with wisps of pixie dust floating after them. Some of the elves and fairies were dancing. Even old Frederick had ventured from his cave to watch the merriment.

After a few minutes, Alex and Felix came down the stairs, followed by Brett, Isa, and the rest of the water fairies. Damian followed them, then Cynthia and Lucia. Sylvia was behind Cynthia a ways, but when Jayden saw her, he suddenly knew that what he felt for her wasn't just the pull of the power center.

As promised, Felix asked Cynthia to dance with him. Alex immediately went for another shot of moon juice, and Damian was swept off by a night fairy.

Brett found Sylvia and introduced her to all the water elves. Sylvia instantly clicked with a spunky elf named Fuchsia. She was a blue, and she was full of fun. She and Sylvia could be seen frolicking around on a shot of moon juice, teasing, entertaining, and laughing.

The lively song the elves played ended, and the tree erupted into applause. Finally, a group of fairies took to the platform. The lead fairy instructed the group to play a fairy dance that didn't sound familiar to Sylvia. She watched for a moment as a group of fairies and elves began to dance. It was a sweet, soothing song, and Sylvia found herself swaying back and forth as she listened.

Suddenly Jayden was by her side. “Would you dance with me, Sylvia?” he asked.

She looked up at him and smiled. “Sure, but I don't know it.”

“That's alright. I do.” he took her hand gently in his and pulled her into the group of dancers.

Sylvia watched the other girls, and soon got the hang of the dance. Jayden only watched her. Even Frederick's eyes were turned toward the two purples. Sylvia suddenly felt a pull toward Jayden, and she looked up at him. Soon they were locked in each other's eyes. That's when Jayden saw that glimmer of sadness he'd seen when they first met. Her gray eyes were normally sparkling and happy, but for some reason now they were sad.

Sylvia searched Jayden's stare as well. She saw in his deep blue eyes the depths of some emotion that she couldn't identify. It felt like he was searching her soul for some hidden answer to an unasked question. The song ended too soon for Jayden. When Sylvia left, and ran off with Fuchsia again, he knew he had more than power control feelings for her.

Quick updates on the story

Hello devoted readers.  :)  Evils of the Night now has its very own Google+ page!  :D  If you're enjoying the story, I'd recommend following it on G+.  I'll be posting stuff on there about the story that I might not post on the actual blog.  This blog is also linked to that page, so if you were relying on my personal G+, then you won't be getting notifications about this blog.  Sorry.  :P 

So the link to the page is:  https://plus.google.com/app/basic/102058587475043644488/posts?cbp=p0utji6ylxji&hl=en&sview=5&cid=5&soc-app=115&soc-platform=1&spath=/app/basic/circles/p2e3d6c070ffe6c33&sparm=cbp%3D1spa9fngg40ft%26hl%3Den%26sview%3D9%26cid%3D5%26soc-app%3D115%26soc-platform%3D1%26spath%3D/app/basic/circles%26sparm%3Dcbp%253Deyokiv8gs16j%2526hl%253Den%2526sview%253D47%2526cid%253D5%2526soc-app%253D115%2526soc-platform%253D1

Yeah, I know it's crazy long...sorry about that.  But, it works.  I tried it out just to make sure.  :)  So I'm going to shut up and post another chapter.  I know you're all excited.  :P 

Love you all!
~Alison