by Claire Marta
Startled, he turned. Jasmine caught sight of patchworks of imperfect skin. The wounds also marred his abs and chest. Only now could she see the nicely, slim, muscular physique hidden beneath all his clothes. Snatching up his fresh, black, long-armed shirt, Twitch pulled it on and covered himself.
“Shit, sorry…I didn’t know you were changing,” she apologised.
With nimble fingers, he made quick work of buttoning it right up to the high necked collar. He wouldn’t meet her gaze. “My magic was unstable when I was younger…it’s left a lot of scars.”
“You don’t have to hide them from me, you know,” she told him gently. “I don’t think they’re as bad as you think they are.” A faint smile curved his lips. She could tell he didn’t completely believe her.
Twitch hummed to himself for a second. “The forest, you don’t want to go in there without a local.” He looked down, checking to make sure all the buttons were fastened.
“Why not?” Jasmine plonked down beside him on the mattress. His bed had an iron wrought frame. Blankets just as frayed as her own were tucked across it. These, though, were all black. He also had several fat pillows resting at the top. Curious, now she examined his room.
Faded blue wall paper was drooping at the corners on the walls. A raggedy overstuffed armchair sat in one corner, and a pile of dusty books sat on a shelf above it. Below that, Twitch’s laptop was sitting on a small rickety wooden table, along with two smart phones and an electronic tablet.
A wind chime swayed above the tiny window. It was made of bits of coloured glass and metal that reflected dancing light against the walls. Beyond, the mist still cloaked the city in a wall of white nothingness.
“There are lots of things that live in there that aren’t so friendly,” he murmured, sounding close. “It can be dangerous.”
Turning her head, Jasmine found him right beside her. Stunned, she froze. She had time to see the bright green of his irises before he inclined towards her. Twitch’s lips met hers. It was a gentle, pleasant kiss. Yet, it did nothing for her. Jasmine felt no excitement or stirring of lust. There was not even a flicker of desire. A little sloppy, it just left her feeling awkward and weird.
It was nothing like the intense fusing of mouths she had experienced with Eric. The way everything had fallen away at their touch. How he had taken control of her senses and her body. The searing lust.
Leaning back, Twitch surveyed her dumbfounded expression. “Fuck, that bad, huh?” He asked, screwing up his face, a tumble of hair falling into his eyes.
Jasmine blinked, owl-like, not quite sure what had just happened. “Twitch...”
“Let’s try best out of three,” Twitch replied quickly, not giving her a chance to finish.
Before she could protest his mouth was pressed more firmly against hers. Pushing her backwards, he lay half over her. With a squeak, Jasmine tried to push him away with her palms flat against his chest.
“Twitch, stop it.” She gasped, jerking her lips from his in disbelief. What the hell was he playing at?
Twitch did not resist, androlled off her to the side. “Jazzy you know we could be good together.” Her friend insisted, eyeing her warily. “For example, I know you hate the colour red, but love yellow. You don’t drink coffee, but you like milky tea. You love wearing fluffy pyjamas that make you look cute-as-hell, especially in the morning when you’re cranky and half awake.” His lips lifted in a grin. “You have the biggest, softest heart, and even though you deny it, you’re a romantic deep down. I know, because you like to read those soppy romance novels you always try to hide when anyone catches you reading one.”
Bracing herself on her elbows, Jasmine stared up at him. “Have you been stalking me?”
“No.” He flickered the end of her nose gently with his index finger. “I just notice things, and I bet you know stuff about me too.”
Biting on her lower lip, Jasmine thought about what she knew about her friend. “I know you like black and you’re addicted to anything sweet. You pretend to be a loner, but you’re lonely sometimes...I’ve seen it in your eyes.”
The grin on his lips faltered. “See...if you just gave us a chance—”
“Please...don’t say anything else.” Jasmine hurriedly interrupted him. She really didn’t want him to say the words she feared he was about to spill. This would be a complication she didn’t need. Not right now.
Maybe it would have been easier if she had been attracted to Twitch. She knew he cared about her. It made her feel bad for not being able to return his more than obvious feelings. Unfortunately, there was only one male her heart wanted, and he had turned out to be an arse hole.
Sighing sadly in understanding, the mage nodded. “I know, just friends.”
“I’m sorry…” Jasmine murmured, feeling uncomfortable. How many times did she have to tell him she didn’t feel that way about him? She didn’t want to hurt her friend. There was nothing in the world she wanted to avoid more.
“I guess our lust filled night of passion where you realise I am the man of your dreams isn’t going to happen then?” With exaggerated movements, he draped his slender form across the bed.
“No,” Jasmine responded, observing him cautiously. He seemed rather playful for someone who had just been rejected. This wasn’t a response she had expected. “Look Twitchy, the right woman will come along one day. It’s just not me.”
A soppy grin spread across his features. “It’s ok, Jazzy. I just want to see you happy….and naked.” His expression turned leering.
Grabbing a pillow, Jasmine slammed it into his face. The mage made a muffled gasp of shock, his arms flaying over-dramatically about. The following pillow fight that ensued left them gasping with laughter. When they finally stopped, it was to find the bedroom covered in white feathers.
Twitch blew one off the end of his nose. “What a fucking mess.” Feathers clung to his long, curly, reddish locks. They made him look like some strange, exotic bird.
Raising her hand, Jasmine brushed some from her own short, coppery hair. Her black jumper was plastered with the little, white, soft plumes which she began picking away.
Rummaging around in his bag, which hung on one of the bed posts, Twitch pulled out a small box. Glancing at it, he pulled a face. “I won’t need these then I guess.” The mage complained dramatically dumping the condoms on the bed.
Mouth gaping, Jasmine felt her face redden. “Fucking hell, Twitchy!”
“I am pretty sure that I read somewhere you can fuck the sadness out of someone. I am just trying to be a good friend.” He persisted with such a look of pure innocence, it made her giggle.
“I think you just made that up,” she replied, with a shake of her head. Feathers dislodged from her hair at the movement and went drifting to the bed.
Twitch grinned at her impishly. “I should probably go catch up with my Mother for a bit. You going to be ok?”
“Of course I am,” Jasmine responded, looking at anywhere but the condoms. “I can clean this mass of feathery destruction up while you spend time with your Mum.”
“I’ll see if she’s got any more pillows while I’m down stairs.” The mage told her, rising to his feet. He didn’t seem in a hurry to remove the feathers from his hair. “And some shoes you can borrow as I doubt you want to put your wet trainers back on.”
“That would be great.” Grabbing a half empty pillow case, she began to dump the plumes back inside. This was going to take a while. Jasmine did not mind the distraction though. It gave her something else to focus on other than her friend’s sloppy attempt at seduction.
“Here.” Twitch pulled a pair of goggles similar to the ones he had been wearing earlier from his bag and tossed them into her lap.
“What are these for?” Jasmine asked, examining them. They had an elastic strap which was adjustable. Made from some kind of lightweight bronze metal and leather. They looked like aviator goggles. The lenses themselves were green. They were strangely old fashioned. Almost like something
from the Victorian era.
“To see in the fog, of course. You’re going to need them. Trust me,” Twitch explained.
Holding them up, Jasmine peered through them but only blackness met her eyes. There was no way these things would let her see through the mist. He had to be teasing. The mage was smirking when she lowered them.
“Not yet, silly. When we get outside.”
Jasmine slipped them onto her head. Adjusting them, she left them perched in a comfortable position. She wasn’t sure whether to believe him or not. But for now she would indulge him.
Glenna’s healing ointment had helped Jasmine’s blisters. Any pain she had experienced had vanished the moment the cool clear gel had touched the trouble areas. This had come as a relief as Jasmine had barely been able to hobble along. Feet now healed, she was sporting a pair of comfortable, yellow, ankle boots borrowed from her friend’s mother which matched her rain jacket.
A small vial was tucked in the front pocket of her jeans. The liquid inside had been an unpleasant mud brown. Jasmine was guessing it probably tasted about as unappealing as it looked. Yet Glenna had assured her, it would stave off her need for the vampire bite craving. All she had to do was wait for the pain. This was not something Jasmine was looking forward to.
The goggles Twitch had given her were firmly over her eyes. They tingled with his magic, lighting everything in her path with a green, luminous glow. A lot like night vision, they helped see through the fog. Everything was clearer. At least now she was confident where she was going. No chance at walking into anything. They were on their way back to Carbrey’s for lunch. Twitch was taking another route back.
Their footsteps echoed around them as they hurried down the cobbled street. The city was busier than before. People were coming and going from shops and most of them had donned the same sort of goggles they were wearing. Jasmine was itching to explore. Wooden painted signs hung over most doors. Each store was teeming with something interesting to view. Devices and gadgets of all manners of description glittered in the windows. Exotic perfumes wafted on the breeze. An abundance of coloured crystals and glass bottles had also caught her eye.
The smell of roasting meat was a tantalising scent. A few places she could only describe as old fashioned taverns, were heaving with patrons, tables packed with people eating and chatting. They were all dressed up in clothes from various eras. Some were even in robes and barefoot. Implants and cybernetic alterations gleamed on bare skin, while laptops and mobile phones were in use as people chattered. Others had bags chock-full of potions and jars. Crystals seemed to make up a lot of jewellery that was displayed.
The whole thing was bizarre. Jasmine felt as if she was on a movie set where the extras from converging films were taking a break. She knew they didn’t have time to stop. Maybe after, if she asked, Twitch would show her around properly.
“So, what do you think of Avalon?” He purred from beside her. Back pack firmly over one shoulder, he was once more wearing his long velvety coat.
“It’s not exactly what I imagined your home to look like,” she admitted softly.
“Oh.” The mage raised an eyebrow. “You actually imagined it?”
Jasmine shrugged. “To be honest I thought more futuristic. You know, huge glass skyscrapers, hover cars, the place crawling with technology, kind of more blade runner-ish.”
Twitch giggled. “And you ended up with Harry Potter?”
“The mixed clothes have me confused. I mean, what century are we supposed to be in here?”
“Everyone has their own style, and yes, I guess some of them are stuck in the past, so to speak. You have to remember it’s not just magic tech here.” He explained, sweeping some curls back off his face. “Our culture is just as diverse as any other city. The houses of Merlin would kick up a stink if we made the place into a shiny technological metropolis. They would rather everyone hug a tree and meditate or some crap like that. Besides, I think Avalon has old world charm like this.”
“How do you power it all? I mean, you have electricity.” Jasmine asked with curiosity. She couldn’t imagine a nuclear power plant in a place like this.
“Wind and water turbines,” Twitch met her gaze with a small smile. “And a ton of solar panels. A lot of our contraptions and vehicles are steam powered.”
“So what happened with you and your sister?” Jasmine was bursting to know. Whatever had happened had affected his whole family.
Twitch’s expression turned moody. “She’s always been a spoilt bitch. Because she’s the first born, her magic is stronger than mine. There have never been twins in our family line before, and Grandfather doted on her. As I told you, my magic had side effects as I learnt how to use it. Melinda made me feel like a freak. She made sure everyone knew how unstable my magic was until most of them viewed me as an outcast.” She noted the way he fingered the strap of his backpack unhappily.
“And that’s why you left?”
“No point staying somewhere you’re not wanted.” The mage muttered with a hint of anger. “Although, if I had known she was going to do the same to Mother, then I would have stayed.”
“Hey Morgan, we heard you were back.” A large, muscle bound male had stepped into their path. He had a mass of white dreadlocks that were intertwined with sleek silver metal cables. They seemed to be inserted into his skull and looked hot wired into his brain. Bone structure fine, he had a stern attractive looking face. Dark eyebrows sloped down into a serious expression and stubble shadowed his firm jaw. His eyes were green, the same shade as the mage’s Grandfather’s.
“Hello, Dane,” Twitch replied with a friendly grin. “I see Benedict and Ella are with you as always.”
Another man and a woman stood just behind him. “You’re Morgan’s girl?” Dane stared at Jasmine broodingly. The guy seemed unable to crack a smile. He had his thumbs hooked into the pockets of his black jeans. White shirt hanging open, it showed off toned muscled flesh and a mass of colourful tattoos.
Jasmine tried not to stare. He was the first person she had seen wearing jeans just like her. “We’re just friends…best friends actually. I’m Jasmine.”
“These are three of my cousins. Ones who actually talk to me and who aren’t complete arse holes.” The mage told her, bumping his shoulder gently against hers. “This is Dane, Ella, and Benedict.”
“How can this fine piece of ass not be yours, Cuz?” Benedict asked in a deep silky voice.
Jasmine thought she heard Twitch mutter, ‘I’m working on it’ but when she glanced his way he was wearing an expression of innocence. Frowning with suspicion, she turned back to Benedict.
He had handsome features. Smooth skin the colour of milk chocolate, the plains of his face were perfectly symmetrical. Hazel eyes, which held a ring of silver round the irises regarded her unwaveringly. Head shaved, a blue dyed mohawk rose up from the top of his head. She could see the slight point to his ears. They were not as pronounced as the elves she had seen on the dock though.
Bare chested, he displayed an expanse of dark firm skin which left muscles rippling across every part of flesh that could be seen. Black combat trousers ripped at the knees revealed muscular thighs. One of his arms appeared to be completely bionic. From his right shoulder socket down it was smoothly metallic. The fingers ended in claw-like tips. The surface of the metal itself rippled like liquid, but remained solid. Reaching out, he touched Jasmine’s short red hair with one hand. Fingers rubbing the strands together, he tugged gently.
“Do I look like something you can pet?” She muttered, jerking her head away.
Benedict grinned. The movement was a sexy curl of his mouth, exposing perfect white teeth. “Yeah, small and fluffy, I’ll stroke your pussy anytime you like, babe.”
Jasmine felt her cheeks heat in a blush. Shocked disbelief on her face, she turned to Twitch. “Do those kinds of pick-up lines usually work around here?”
Her friend smirked. “No. Ben was just born a dumb arse.”
“If you need
a booty call, Red just give me a holler,” Benedict continued, giving her a wink. “I’ll show you my magic if you show me yours. I promise you won’t be disappointed.” His voice dropped to a seductive timbre.
“Knock it off, Ben. She’s a mainlander, you don’t want to dip your wick in one of those,” Ella, the female cousin, cut in.
She was dressed in a white, flowing, gypsy top and swirling orange skirt. Her figure was tall and slim. Bangles dangled from her forearms and coloured beads hung around her neck. She had to be from one of the houses of Merlin.
Honey blonde hair tied back in a messy ponytail, she had a sprinkling of freckles across her pale face. Her eyebrows were fine, delicate. Features elegant, she had a small nose and a pointed chin. Her eyes were an azure blue. They were watching Jasmine with distrust.
“It’s on my bucket list,” Benedict replied, wiggling his eyebrows. “And besides, she’s cute.”
Jasmine gasped at the sharp slap to her behind. Whirling around, she glared at the dark skinned male. It was hard to do the expression justice though, with the goggles over her eyes.
“Hands off Tin man,” she snapped angrily.
“Tin man.” Benedict grinned wolfishly. “I like that. You got any more nicknames for me, babe?”
Jasmine grimaced, rubbing her smarting butt. She was pretty certain he had used his bionic hand for the blow. “I’m sure I can think of something.” It was muttered through her teeth.
“We’re on the way to Grandfather’s for lunch,” Twitch told them. Stepping forward he put himself between her and Benedict. Jasmine noted the protective gesture, and fought not to smile.
“Shit, you don’t want to keep the old man waiting then.” Dane responded with a grimace. “You know how fucking snotty he gets if one of us is late. We can walk with you part way.”