The Darkness

The next few days were filled with Serafina writing her speech carefully and setting up the press conference while Kai took the opportunity to rule in her stead. She did once in a while give advice to Kai during that period but aside from those few times she stayed away.

Then the time came. She was nervous about the knee-jerk reaction that the humans would have after hearing her speech and hoped that she could lessen the damage. No matter what she did, there would be humans who refuse to accept it and even try to force the Fae into submission, maybe even try to make the Fae slaves to the humans.

She looked out at the press that had gathered- coming from every continent and country to stream the announcement. With a nod from Lorenzo, he, Serafina, and Hali walked out into the public.

She looked at the press and smiled, “I, Serafina Knox, have come here today to tell you something many of you might not believe. I am not, nor have ever been, a human.” The press broke out into whispers, “Now to those who are not here please keep watching, I have proof.”

Serafina waved Lorenzo over and gave him room. He looked at her before shifting into his true form- a panther. Screams broke out and Serafina could feel that this would not happen as she planned.

“Please do not be alarmed. He will not hurt you.” She assured, “We are known as Fae a general term for us. What you witnessed was a Palsum, or panther-shifter. As of now the Fae are split between 4 systems, ruled by three different people. I am Queen of Hel- our underworld where those who wished to remain neutral live. The man you saw is King of the Light Fae and this woman is Queen of the Dark Fae.”

Lorenzo shifted back, and the three stood in front of the press and the crowd that had gathered.

“I know that you are scared- Fae and human alike- and it’s okay. But I ask of you, not as a queen, not as Fae or woman, but as someone who means you no harm, look around you. The Fae are your co-workers, your friends, family, drinking buddies, lovers, people you’ve known for who knows how many years- do you really think they would harm you? So, what they have powers, that doesn’t change who they are.” She ended her speech, “If you wish to ask questions, we will answer them to the best of our ability.”

Dozens of hands rose and Serafina randomly pointed at one.

“Miss Knox, you say the Fae will not hurt us but if that wasn’t the reason then why did the Fae come out of the shadows?”

“The Fae wished for our existence to be known to humans. We figured it was time to stop hiding,” She said as best as she could, knowing that it was a complete lie.

Another hand rose and Lorenzo called on them.

“How much of the earth’s population would you say is Fae.”

“Statistically, about 76%,” Lorenzo told them, leaning into the microphone. Once more whispers broke out amongst them.

This time it was Hali’s turn to pick a question, “We know what the... Light Fae King...is but what are you two ladies?”

Lorenzo stepped back and let the queens answer themselves.

“I am hybrid of a Pombero and a Succubus, meaning I can take away the ability to speak and I feed off of people’s chi or sexual energy.” Hali explained and then stepped away to let Seraphina answer.

“Like her, I am also a hybrid. I am a mixture of a Mesmur, Siren, and Fury. My powers are a little darker than the Dark Queen’s but I rarely use them,” She told them vaguely as not to frighten them.

“Please tell us,” They crowed begged.

Serafina fiddled with her hands before taking a deep breath, “A Mesmur can control another’s movements- Fae or human- and a Siren doesn’t just kill with their song like humans have been led to believe. We can also control, heal, and banish someone with our song. And a Fury has the ability to make people go mad and feel pain with eye contact.”

She could feel the fear radiating off of the crowd and said, “Next question, please? Yes, little girl.”

A child, no younger than 6 asked her, “Will we turn into Fae too?”

Serafina looked at the two beside her before turning back to the little girl, “What’s your name?”

“Maria,” She answered, taking her thumb out of her mouth.

“Well, Maria, Fae is a complicated matter, we never know what we are until we turn 8 so maybe someday you will.” She then addressed the rest of the crowd, “This is another reason the Fae wanted to make ourselves known. King Lorenzo if you will explain.”

He nodded her way and took his place at the podium, “Genetically every human descended from a Fae. To begin with Fae were the only species but when a plague hit the Fae, we developed a genetic mutation that created an entirely new species; humans. Because of this, a Fae can be born into a now human family or a human can be born in a completely Fae family. Technically, everyone is Fae but those who have the mutation lack the genetic component that allows them to access their abilities. The only reason our population count is so high is because it is much harder for humans to be born in a Fae line than for a Fae to be born in a human line.”

Serafina stepped in and said, “See, Maria, you are already Fae. You just have yet to unlock your ability.”

The crowed laughed and the press conference came to a close.

“Thank you all for listening to us and I hope you believe we are not here to hurt you. Also, a word to all the Fae around the world? You can stop hiding who you are now, you can come out of the shadows. Thank you and have a nice day,” Hali spoke into the mic and the three walked off of the makeshift stage.

With that press conference those three brought the dawn of a new day. They just had to hope that people would remain open-minded.