Univaya

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Chapter 1

Elizabeth listened to the clock. Tick, tick, tick. She violently tapped her pencil on a blank piece of paper, growing impatient; you could see it in her blue-green eyes. She could use magic to change her color pigments however she wanted. Currently, it was a dark brown with a beautiful red tint.

As a zakic blending in to be mortal, she was still beautiful even though she had dulled herself quite a bit. She was athletically shaped, had a nice smile and mortal boys couldn’t keep their eyes off of her. As a zakic, she was the most gorgeous thing you could imagine. She had a beautiful smile, gorgeous bright eyes, and perfect skin. She was clever, stubborn, fought for what she loved, dangerous, and everyone loved her. The people of Hollows were pleased that they had a dependable person to rule their world.

The professor stood over Elizabeth’s chair and placed a hand on her shoulder.

Why haven’t you even started? he frowned.

"Umm, well I tried but frankly, I’m just not good at any type of math," she lied. She shifted uneasily in her chair, looked up at the bearded man, and met his eyes to see disappointment on his face.

You have to try harder; I know you’re better than this. What’s been going on? You’ve had missing homework assignments and you haven’t been studying for tests. I’d like to help but you don’t seem interested anymore. Are you having personal issues keeping you from studying? He looked concerned. Mr. Ryle was a great professor. He loved teaching and he had a way with the students — maybe it was the way he was always going off tangent by cracking jokes or telling funny stories. He was in his mid-thirties with brown mousy hair and beard, dark brown eyes, and warm facial features.

She thought of an excuse. I’ve had a lot of personal concerns going on and honestly, I just haven’t had the time to focus on this. She was almost finished with her second year of college.

I encourage you to get everything done that needs to be done. I want you to succeed and get through this class with a good grade. You have potential, Elizabeth, he paused as she looked down and fidgeted with her hands. Please stay after class to pick up some extra credit work. I would like for you to bring your grade up. Mr. Ryle gently patted her on the back and walked to his desk.

Elizabeth set her pencil down and slouched in her chair, impatient and anxious to leave the classroom. Tick, tick, tick. The clock went on. Then after five more seconds the bell rang. She grasped her pencil, neatly placing it in her binder with her papers, closed her textbook, and picked up her bag to walk over to Mr. Ryle’s desk.

Hey Liz, you comin’? Jason’s waiting outside for you! she chimed.

I told him just to wait by my locker. She glanced out the window and saw him standing there, positioning himself against the railing.

I’ll tell him to leave.

No, don’t! Just tell him I’ll be out in a few minutes.

Will do! said the girl.

Elizabeth turned to Mr. Ryle and suddenly her pale complexion was now red. That was rude, I’m sorry.

Oh, nah. You kids are young I understand, Mr. Ryle said and smiled.

She raised her eyebrow as if to say, If only you knew.

He continued. Okay, so this is your current grade. He turned the computer monitor around so that she could see. "You currently have a D ... minus. But I do have some extra credit papers you should do as well as turning in some make-up work."

She brushed her long hair back behind her. I didn’t realize I’d let it slip that far down, she said quietly, still gazing at the screen.

Well it’s good that you know now so you can immediately get back on track. He handed her some papers with numbers, variables, and shapes on them.

Okay, thanks, Mr. Ryle.

No problem, kiddo. If you need anything just let me know, he smiled.

Elizabeth nodded. She put the papers in her binder and walked out to be greeted by a very attractive young man. A zakic named Jason. His hair was a golden dark brown; he had hazel eyes, and another perfect face. His smell was a subtle, spicy musk — addicting for Elizabeth as well as several others who came close.

He threw an arm over her shoulder and they walked down the hall together. Elizabeth and Jason seemed like perfect couple. Everyone that knew about them wished they had a relationship like them. It seemed they were made for each other. They were together for a while and planned to stay that way.

How was class? he asked, smiling.

Do you want me to lie?

Sure.

Then it was great.

What didn’t you like? He looked at her intently.

Well, I’m almost failing and it’s ‘cause of all these issues with humans and zakics and all that.

They stopped at her locker and she shoved her calculus book inside. Jason neatly stood it upright and closed the door.

Well it’s gonna be okay. Take it easy and focus on school. I can handle the situation too.

She frowned and looked away.

What else is bothering you? Talk to me. He carefully studied her expressions.

She looked down as he reached for her hand to comfort her.

With this guy, Jared, runnin’ around and causing trouble and killing zakics, I can’t focus on school when I have to worry about my people and who’s next to being attacked.

Look, you and I both chose to be a part of the human world and go to school like a normal being. But if we can’t handle it then you can always quit and tend to your people.

"No, she said firmly. I’m not giving up. I’m not just gonna abandon all I’ve sacrificed and just be let off too easy. I want to make something out of this. I like a challenge. She stiffened. And my parents live here. If they can do this why can’t I?"

He expected her response and continued. "Exactly, Liz, I know you. I know that you’re strong enough to do anything you want. I mean, look at you. Even disguised as a mortal you still shine. You have great power and together we can and will make it. And we’ll find this guy and stop him. Look at me. He looked in her eyes and said, You and I are great. We are special and we can use our power together."

She tilted her head and smiled. A blue and yellow bird fluttered quickly over their heads, landing on the locker. The bird released several beautiful notes from her beak before swiftly flying away.

Meet me after school, okay? Meet me right here. He smiled warmly and pulled her close by her waist to hug her. I love you, he whispered in her ear.

Love you, too. She pulled away to look at his face. His expression was soft but deep down he knew something that she didn’t and it pained him.

The bell for their next class rang and they parted ways.

Chapter 2

Elizabeth and two other girls walked down the hall together after class.

Did you see him fall out of his seat? one of the girls asked, laughing.

Oh, yeah! That was really stupid! snorted the other. Elizabeth was tuned out of their conversation, busy looking down at her cell phone. The girl to her left had blonde hair, blue eyes, and was very slim. The other was a brunette with brown eyes and slightly thicker than the blonde.

Did you see that, Liz? the blonde asked, still laughing.

Umm, yeah. She faked a laugh while playing with her phone.

Hilarious, right? Wow, how could you do something so dumb? the brunette smirked. Elizabeth finally looked up when they approached her locker. She casually walked on, seeing Jason waiting there for her.

Hey, I’ll catch up with you later, okay? Elizabeth said, still focused on Jason.

Okay, have fun! See you later, girly! They continued walking and Elizabeth stopped to give Jason a disgusted look.

Humans talk and act weird. She glanced back at the girls.

Jason chuckled and said, We need to go to Hollows and figure out how to get this guy.

Mhm, she responded, clicking the lock shut to her locker.

The zakic universe is beautiful. There’s no pollution or litter because everyone here uses magic to get around from place to place. There are creatures here that you won’t find or maybe just won’t see in the mortal world. We use these animals in battle or war for their strength and different traits they possess. We even use animals from the mortal world. We can communicate with the animals through inner emotions and sometimes through mind thoughts. On Hollows, everything is beautiful and if humans were to come to our side, they would just ruin it all.

The world we sit on is similar to Earth but not quite. We have an ocean just like Earth but some creatures are different as well as the land animals. We bring endangered species from Earth to our world so they can have a chance to repopulate. This place is very peaceful most of the time as if lying on the moist, warm sand, thoroughly enjoying the breeze and having the whole world all to yourself. Or like sitting up in a tree of the rainforest, feeling the rain drip steadily through the leaves above without the worry of being attacked by a jungle animal, for we are all one with the creatures. Hollows is the definition of perfect.

The couple arrived inside of a big, open house decorated on the inside with new-looking furniture, lit candles, ancient paintings hung on walls, and little decorations of some sort sitting on ledges. Everything was tidy and clean and the ceilings were tall with windows up to the top allowing sun rays to shine throughout the house.

Elizabeth walked toward the back of the house to a huge wooden table in a room full of candles, little glass bottles filled with different colors of liquid, and other little trinkets on shelves. This was the ritual room and was the darkest room of the house. She removed a decent sized wooden box off of one of the shelves and set it on the ritual table while Jason grabbed specific colored candles and placed them down accordingly. He stretched his fingers over the candles and the wicks immediately burned of fire. Elizabeth plundered desperately through the objects in the box causing Jason to look at her curiously as if he were searching her thoughts.

It’s not here. she said, panicking. She continued looking then finally dumped stuff on the table and spread it out. Papers, stones, candles and other objects were scattered across the table.

What do you mean it’s not here? It has to be here. What’d it do? Grow legs and walk away? Jason, on the other side of the table, searched with her.

She threw her hands up, huffed and turned her back to lean up against the table. She slowly closed her eyes in disbelief. Jason quit searching and watched her from the other side. In a split second, he was in front of her without even moving his body. He gently placed his hand on her face and moved his thumb along her cheek. She glanced up at him to meet his eyes.

It was there, I know it. It was just there. It had to have been stolen, I mean, I don’t know what else could have happened, she said, her voice shaking. She stared off to focus while Jason stroked her face. She then came to a conclusion. He was here. Jared was here, I can sense it. I just don’t understand how a mortal could get through my protection spell. Her face hardened.

Jason removed his hand from her face and held her tightly.