by Lee Monroe
‘Come on!’ I said. ‘You can’t expect me to fall for that phoney rubbish.’ I glared at him, sounding way more furious than I felt. It was something about his eyes. The ice had melted, so that they were limpid blue pools. They seemed to cast a spell. It was ridiculous. Completely ridiculous that I could fall for this.
‘I don’t expect anything of you, Jane,’ he replied quietly. ‘I know better than to assume anything with a girl like you. It’s clear you are not conventional.’ He turned to look out of the window where Ashley and Luca stood waiting. ‘You and Ashley, you are different species.’ He picked up his jacket, his demeanour humble.
‘Just don’t hurt Ashley,’ I warned him. ‘Leave her alone. Don’t toy with her when you’re not even interested in her.’
Ade buttoned his jacket, before his gaze met mine again.
‘And what of your beau?’ he asked me. ‘Is it serious?’
‘As serious as it gets,’ I told him firmly, taking a step closer. ‘See, you and Luca – well, it’s kind of like a pond weed next to a magnificent oak tree.’
Grabbing my bag from where I’d been sitting, I cast him one last withering look and went to join my boyfriend and Ashley outside.
CHAPTER TEN
Luca’s hand gripped the steering wheel as we pulled away from the kerb outside Ashley’s house.
‘I’m sorry,’ I said to his taut cheekbones as he stared straight ahead. ‘That was a truly bad idea. The worst.’
He relaxed his grip a little. ‘Not your fault. The guy’s an idiot.’
I nodded. ‘I warned him off Ashley. If he even tries to go near her he’ll have me to answer to.’
Luca’s face relaxed and I saw the twitch of a smile. ‘That should do it,’ he said dryly. ‘He looks like the kind of psycho who’d be scared off by a girl.’
I whacked him.
‘Steady,’ he said, though he was half laughing now.
‘I have to report back to Polly, I guess,’ I said, sighing. ‘How exactly am I going to tell her that I think her brother is an immature game-player and he’ll date Ashley over my dead body?’ I shook my head. ‘She obviously thinks the sun shines out of his arse.’
Luca’s expression darkened again. ‘I have a feeling she’ll find out who he is,’ he said, glancing in the rearview mirror.
‘Really?’ I stared at his profile. ‘What do you mean?’
Luca drew in such a deep breath it silenced me.
‘Luca?’ I peered at him. ‘What do you know?’
He continued staring ahead for a few seconds before finally turning to meet my eyes. ‘He’s … I …’ He frowned, obviously regretting saying anything.
‘What? He’s what, Luca?’
‘I don’t know. I may be wrong. But I sensed something about him. Something wrong. Bad.’ He closed his eyes. ‘It is probably nothing. But I felt as though I recognized him.’
‘You’ve seen him before? You mean on Nissilum?’
‘Not exactly. No. I mean, I just felt he was bad news.’ Luca spoke quickly, as though anxious to shut down the conversation. ‘That’s all.’
‘Well, yeah. I’d say he’s bad news. The way he acted … But let’s just forget about him for now. I have to face Polly on Monday. Until then I kind of want to pretend Ade doesn’t exist.’
‘If only he didn’t,’ Luca muttered.
By the time we had pulled into my front yard the atmosphere in the car had turned weird. I was tired and I didn’t want to talk about Ade any more. But Luca’s instincts – well, they weren’t usually wrong. He’d been right about Evan – or Raphael as he turned out to be; he’d known he was dangerous. And if he thought Ade was bad in some way, then Ade probably was bad.
‘Let’s reconvene at a later date,’ I said solemnly, taking Luca’s hand and squeezing it. ‘I just want to go to sleep now.’
He responded, snaking his fingers through mine. ‘Of course,’ he said, holding my hand tight. ‘It’s just me and my ridiculous heightened sensitivity. It’s a drag, I know.’
I laughed, not wanting to let go of him. ‘As drags go, it’s not so bad,’ I said. ‘It’s an endearing drag, really.’
‘It’s just – well, I’m not sure you should hang out with his sister, either,’ Luca said, not biting into the lighter atmosphere I was trying to create. ‘They could both be bad news.’
‘Luca,’ I sighed, letting go of him and leaning back in my seat. ‘Ade might be a touch … troubled, but I doubt that he and Polly are dangerous or anything. They’ve got this messed-up stuff going on at home. They hate their adoptive parents. Not exactly the perfect conditions for a secure state of being.’ I looked at him staring intently at the floor between his legs. ‘They’re just … mortals, you know. Fallible human beings.’
‘I know that.’ Luca’s tone was serious and he didn’t look up. ‘And if they really were just fallible human beings then you’d be right. There would be nothing to worry about. But I don’t think—’
‘Jane?’ My mother stood in the back doorway, silhouetted against the light from inside. ‘What are you two doing sitting out here in the dark?’
I glanced at Luca. ‘To be continued,’ I murmured, reaching for the door handle.
Luca put on a not very convincing smile. ‘Let’s just forget it.’
‘Sure.’ I managed a small smile. ‘We’d better get in, or Mum will think we’ve had a row. I’m not sure I can pretend that everything’s OK.’
‘But it is OK,’ Luca said, rubbing at his temple. ‘This is not about us. It’s about that … creep.’
I waved at my mother to signal that everything was fine and we’d be just there, then turned back to Luca.
‘Why are you so caught up in Ade?’ I studied his face. ‘So he was a jerk. We’ll never have to see him again.’
Luca opened his mouth, about to speak, but then closed it again and closed his eyes.
‘Luca?’ I took hold of his hand. ‘What is it? What’s the matter?’
‘It’s just … there’s something about Ade that I recognize.’
‘Don’t tell me, he’s an evil force from Nissilum in the body of a mortal?’ I was joking, but a shiver ran through me as a memory of Evan resurfaced.
Luca intuited my thoughts, because he squeezed my hand back tightly and suddenly there was reassurance in his expression.
‘Don’t be silly,’ he said softly. ‘Nothing like that.’
‘Well, what do you mean, then?’
‘I just have a funny feeling about him. A familiar feeling.’
‘Well, that’s probably because he’s a total messed-up creep. You’ve met a few of those over the years.’ I stopped short of citing Luca’s brother Lowe as an example. ‘You’re kind of on the lookout for trouble, don’t you think?’
‘Maybe.’ He nodded. ‘You’re probably right.’
‘Jane.’ My mother was rapping on the car window. ‘Are you two going to stay in here all night?’ She peered in at us. ‘What’s going on?’
I pulled at the door handle. ‘We’re coming. Now.’
Mum stepped back as I opened the door and got out of the car.
‘So how was the date?’ She looked warily at me. ‘You two had fun?’
‘Great,’ I said brightly. ‘Just great.’
‘Right. Well, I’m making some hot chocolate, if you want some.’
‘Just what I feel like.’ Luca tossed the keys over the bonnet of the car and I caught them, handing them over to Mum.
As she and I walked back into the house, I looked back over my shoulder at Luca, who hadn’t moved. He wasn’t looking at us; his gaze was directed back down the track, over the tall trees at the three-quarter moon that hung there, so peacefully in the sky. I frowned, remembering that the time of the full moon was nearly here. It was difficult for Luca, I knew that. Always having to think ahead to that time. Wary of the effect it had on him. Here on Mortal Earth it was more difficult to find a place to turn. A place where nobody would see. I felt a surge of love for him,
for the sacrifices he had made to be with me. Not seeing his family, living with strangers, in a world that would never accept him as he truly was.
As for me, I didn’t know what I would do without him now. It frightened me sometimes how easily I had adapted to having him here, day in day out. And it frightened me even more to think that he might be taken away from me.
Could there be something out there that would take him away from me?
CHAPTER ELEVEN
‘What do you mean, you need to go back?’ Jane dropped her bag on the floor and sat down at the table.
Luca swallowed. ‘It’s Dalya’s birthday.’ He sighed. ‘Her twelfth. That’s a special anniversary on Nissilum. It is officially the transition from cub to—’
Jane’s eyes widened. ‘Oh. Well, of course. I didn’t realize. Of course you must go.’
Luca felt terrible. It was true enough that the twelfth year had significance back home. But not quite as much as he was suggesting. His own twelfth year had been spent helping Ulfred clear the hay bales for harvest on the nearest farm. They had both been so exhausted by the end of the day that Luca’s birthday slipped both of their minds. When they had arrived back home, Henora had left the remains of a nut cake for him, with a solitary candle burning in the centre. Luca had gone to bed without celebrating and without much caring about it either. It was an old tradition and not many families held to it any longer. Dalya would have a couple of her friends to lunch, and Henora would present her with a piece of jewellery, and that would be that. He missed Dalya, that was for sure. But it wasn’t Dalya he was going back for.
‘Maybe I could come too?’ Jane said hopefully. Her eyes, flickering nervously, made his guilt worse.
‘It’s just family, really,’ he said, looking down at his hands.
‘OK.’ Jane’s tone was stiff, wounded. She scraped her chair back. ‘How long for?’
‘Not long.’ He looked up, smiling. ‘You’ll hardly know I’m gone.’
It was dark outside his house. The dawn was attempting to break as Luca walked quietly through the gate and up to the back door. A couple of wild cats stood like sentries either side of it, their ears gleaming and curious. Luca nodded at them. Some unspoken greeting between animals. The wild cats had never evolved to anything more than wild cats, but like all cats they had that knowing, sharp intelligence, that extra sense.
Opening the door seemed to create a cacophony to Luca’s ears, though in fact it hardly made a sound. He was feeling extra sensitive. Nervous of seeing his family for the first time since he’d left.
He saw straight ahead of him that the light was on in the kitchen. Someone was already up.
‘Who is it?’ A young female voice, slightly shrill and wary. ‘Lowe, are you up already?’
Luca peered around the kitchen door to see Dalya bent over a book at the table. She looked up, at first blinking in confusion, before her brain caught up with her eyes.
‘Luca!’ she gasped. ‘You came!’
‘Ssh.’ Luca moved towards her, putting his arms around her and pressing his head to hers. ‘You’ll wake them.’
Dalya wriggled in his embrace. When she looked at him, her eyes were bright, glad to see him.
‘You remembered!’ She was pleased, two pink spots of pleasure on her cheeks. ‘I didn’t think you would …’
‘Of course.’ Luca let go of her and sat down next to her on the bench. ‘But I also need to see Ulfred.’
‘What’s wrong? Is it Jane? Has something happened to her?’ she said anxiously.
‘Nothing’s wrong. And Jane is fine. Really.’ He ruffled her hair. ‘I just need to ask Ulfred about something.’
‘Oh.’ Dalya closed her book. ‘We miss you. Henora doesn’t say it, but she is sad. I didn’t think you were going to come back.’
‘In truth, neither did I.’ Luca shrugged. ‘I realize I have disgraced this family.’
‘Henora has softened towards you. At first she was furious, and would not have your name spoken, but now … well, she has begun to talk about you. Memories of when you were young. I think she regrets her harshness.’
‘And Ulfred?’
‘Ulfred has always understood. You know him. He is more forgiving than her. Henora says that you and he are like peas in a pod.’ She shuddered a little. ‘Which means that she and I are alike, no doubt.’
‘Identical,’ said Luca teasingly.
‘I wouldn’t mind her strength,’ Dalya said sombrely, all of a sudden.
‘Me neither.’ Luca sighed.
‘But you are strong. Strong enough to follow your heart.’ Dalya yawned. ‘They’ll all be up soon. Are you going to sit here waiting for them?’
‘No.’ Luca looked alarmed. ‘I … well, could you tell Ulfred that I will wait for him outside. I don’t want to cause a fuss.’
‘OK.’ Dalya nodded. ‘Will I see you again?’
‘I hope so.’ He took hold of her hand. ‘Thank you, Dalya.’
The necklace was still there in its bag in his pocket. Such a tiny delicate chain, yet it might have been a lead weight the way he was so aware of it. Luca walked out into the middle of the field opposite the house and sat down in the long grass. It was hot and he lay back, waiting for his father – if his father were to come.
Eventually he heard the rustle of the grass and he sat up, seeing Ulfred advancing towards him. His face betrayed no emotion whatsoever. Luca began to think this might have been a bad idea.
‘Luca.’ Ulfred nodded at him. ‘How are you, boy?’
‘Good.’ Luca got to his feet, unsure whether to shake his father’s hand or embrace him. There was a formality between them that had never existed before.
Ulfred glanced back at the house. ‘Henora is asleep,’ he said. ‘She has been having trouble … since you left.’
‘I’m sorry.’ Luca felt anxious. ‘I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve caused.’
‘Oh.’ Ulfred waved a hand dismissively. ‘She’s highly strung – always has been, as you know.’
‘I’m happy – with Jane.’ Luca said, by way of justification. ‘Her family are good people.’
‘I’m glad.’ Ulfred’s shoulders seemed to droop then. ‘And you are making yourself useful?’
He meant, was Luca earning his keep. The stigma of his son doing nothing but be waited on by Anna Jonas would be too shameful to Ulfred, Luca knew that. He was quick to explain.
‘I have a job, Ulfred. I pay for myself. And one day I will support Jane, too.’
‘Good.’ His father hesitated briefly, before asking, ‘And how are you coping – when the full moon comes? Are you safe?’
Luca sighed. ‘It isn’t easy. But I have found a place. High up on the mountain, where nobody ventures. So far, Jane’s family are oblivious to my need to turn. Except for Jane herself, that is. She doesn’t find it easy either, but she knows I have no choice.’ He smiled. ‘It is worth the sacrifice, Father. Even though I wish things were straightforward. Where Jane lives, it is thankfully remote. If it were anywhere else …’ He trailed off, meeting Ulfred’s eyes.
‘So …’ The older man eyed him. ‘Why have you returned?’
Luca felt again the necklace in his pocket. He hesitated before drawing it out. Saw Ulfred’s gaze flicker over it.
‘You’ve brought a gift?’
‘Not a gift.’ Luca looked down at the chain. ‘I found it at this place where I have been working. A horrible, dank place with a bad aura to it.’ He held it up in its plastic shroud, the blood visible on it. ‘In itself it may be nothing, but I just have this bad feeling. And there was something Jane’s sister talked of at the meal the evening I found it. Something that triggered a memory.’ He paused. ‘Something I heard you talk of years ago, when I was just a child. The creatures that were never allowed on Nissilum?’
‘Oh.’ Ulfred’s expression was wry. ‘Well, there were plenty that never came here …’
‘A rare species,’ Luca went on. ‘Foxes of some kind.’
‘Ah. The Vulpecula.’ Ulfred shook his head. ‘Deadly beyond redemption.’
‘The Vulpecula. Yes, that’s right.’ Luca nodded. ‘They take on human form?’
‘Indeed.’ Ulfred stroked his beard. ‘They are not unlike the werewolves … Not unlike us in that, biologically speaking, they are essentially animal – in their case fox – but have human genes too. Unlike us, they are primarily in their animal form, but they can, and will, turn into human beings when the need suits them. They shapeshift. They do not turn by force of the moon. And they can stay human for as long as it suits them to do so. But as humans they have all the wile and cunning of foxes themselves. That, and a quite mesmerizing presence.’ He hesitated. ‘But they are rare. In fact, I thought they were extinct. The Vulpecula have not been sighted or heard of for a long time – decades. The assumption has been that they had all but died out.’
‘All but,’ Luca said, swallowing. ‘I am not so sure about that.’
‘Luca?’ Ulfred frowned. ‘Son? You have seen the Vulpecula? On Mortal Earth?’
‘I don’t know.’ Luca felt like backtracking. ‘I hope I’m wrong …’
CHAPTER TWELVE
‘How’s it going with Polly?’ Mrs Connelly took off her glasses and studied me over her desk. ‘She’s settling in OK?’
I shrugged. ‘I suppose so. I haven’t seen too much of her.’
‘Oh?’ She frowned. ‘I thought you were—’
‘Well, I’ve been checking in on her,’ I said, needlessly studying a fingernail. ‘She seems to be fine on her own.’
Understatement. Every time I’d seen Polly she’d been surrounded by a throng of boys, coolly absorbing their desperate attempts to chat her up. Poised, perfectly in control. I had no idea how she was doing in her subjects. I didn’t have the time, or the inclination, to nursemaid Polly.