Emotionless: (Prototype: Zero book 1)

by Shaina Anastasi

  Craning neck, I looked up and then down at my boots. About to use the rune, activating it, a shelf ladder wheeled around from the other side and smacked against the wooden panel at the end of the shelves of books. A short stumpy greying beard man with a flopped pointy hat came into focus. Just by looking at him, I knew he was the stereotype ordinary humans believe that we look like.

  He was hanging off the roof. Around his neck was a crystal that was glowing. He wore ragged baggy clothing, and toes drummed along the steps of the curved ladder.

  “What would you like? Or do you want to browse yourself, Highborn?”

  “Myself,” I mumbled.

  “Mongrel, there is a basket of crystals on the left side of yourself, grab one for your Highborn.” Hopper took a grey crystal necklace, and the Bookman said, “If you need me, I will be on the other side setting books.”

  Flicking hair away, Hopper placed it around my neck, and it clunked with the pendant Mika gave me. Once it was secured, my body felt weightless. Boots left the ground, and I floated upwards. If I could describe hovering with a sense of direction, this is what it would feel like. I hovered up the top, in the rune section while Hopper stood off to the side, interested in other books on his level.

  If I had time, I would sit here all day and read them all, but I can’t so I made a list. Glancing at my phone, I looked at the rows until I spotted. ‘Create symbolic runes from scratch.’ Simply touching the book moves it out and grasped in my hand. Once I had the book, the crystal throbbed dully, and I slowly moved down until my boots gently stepped onto familiar ground. I went to open it, but there was a rune lock on it that cannot unlock unless by a special crystal specifically made for it. Precaution from stealing I suppose.

  Looking at the list again, I handed Hopper the book and floated up once more to find some more. Unfortunately, out of the five books, I could only find two more. Puffing cheeks, I let Hopper unclasp the necklace and put it back while I went to the back of the store where the cash register is. Seconds later, the loud rolling sound of small roller wheels barrelled around the corner and the book mage flopped in the spinning seat. Shuffling forward, I pushed the three books to him, and he reached under the table, grabbed a light blue crystal and dragged it along the rune that is between the hardcovers. The locks snapped, he scanned and placed them in a plastic bag that has the mage academy symbol on it. Sorcerer City was built around the Academy. It isn’t much of a surprise going into a store with the same symbol as to what I wear every day on my uniform.

  I punched the numbers in and a medium sized horn popped up, and bubbles as sounds came out with the price I would have to pay. Finding it amusing, I reached up and popped them as they floated down to me. A light way to make me forget that these books in this store are expensive.

  Handing two hundred dollars over, he gave me a few gold coins back, and I left with Isilies who was trying not to look suspicious with two large bags tied around his wrists. His excuse was that he would be taking it to class for a light, fun exercise. It is plausible, but he cannot deny that he wanted the crystals first and the class he teaches was an afterthought in the matter.

  After satisfying Hopper by going into some stores that didn’t have runes in them or crystals, we walked back late. I was too excited about reading my books along the way that I was completely oblivious with the rune tunnel.

  Kicking legs up on the sofa, I placed the books in front of me and felt the warmth of the fire as well as smoky air. Hopper stood from his crouched position and waved out the match. He then went into the kitchenette to prepare for dinner. I fell asleep before the food was done.

  It was a peaceful sleep. That was until the mischievous devil twins came through the door and disrupted me from my slumber.

  The twins are evil as well.

  Chapter 12.

  Eileen – a date?

  In my room, there are two strange beings in the form of high school teenage girls that were rummaging through my clothes late at night. The noise that roused me from the couch in the lounge wasn’t only Donte and Nixon, but Charlie and Lollie as well. Overhearing that I was invited out to lunch with Spenc, they couldn’t contain themselves with a pampered session I didn’t plan nor condone. Pinned at my free will, I sat with cream that removes non-existent blemishes on my face, so that I looked plump and pink for tomorrow.

  Words I never heard before spewed out of their mouths as they flung clothes that were neatly folded in draws outwards. No respect to privacy type creatures that make strange noises that I believe resemble close to high-pitched giggles. Charlie’s attitude shouldn’t be having the girlish laugh imaginable out of the two. It was unnerving.

  How I got into this mess without wiggling out is complicated. These girls are determined for me to be ‘dolled up’ so I look good for Spenc. The thing is, if I looked beautiful covered in grass and mud I doubt that picking a cute dress can do a lot more. Also, the look on their faces are confirming I do not have anything that doesn’t have long sleeves. Charlie disappointedly clucked when she raised the dress I favour most. A moss green long-sleeved dress top. I find it cute, but it would be too cold to wear that. The thin, crisp air. It will snow soon. Ice was already crackling sleek and slippery.

  “It is adorable,” Lollie smiled. “Let’s find cute black tights to go with it.”

  “Black, gross,” Charlie piped in. “Cream colour. Her skin is too pasty for simple black and green. It would look awkward. Spenc would like cream better.”

  “Boys don’t notice these things,” Lollie grimaced.

  “Kent thought those earrings you wore looked pretty,” Charlie said and waddled eyebrows. “Guys see what girls wear. They don’t say it to your face because they’re fucking cowards who don’t have a set of balls, but . . .”

  Lollie snorted a laugh as I looked down. I found their conversation amusing and light-hearted. Who would have known girl talk consisted of dishing on the opposite sex? Ridiculing and demising them and belittling them so much, that it was humorous. As well as contradictory. As much as the girls dished on the male species, after a while, it turned light-hearted and strangely lustful, as Lollie sighed and complained that no one outside of their circle notices her unless it was her assets. A feminine being born into this world with a huge bust and big butt. Charlie believes it would be a compliment. If it were me, I would feel downsized that the only part of the body they notice first is the feminine aspects only girls can achieve. I am grateful for my stiff as a board looks. I was never the type to exercise nor grow the curves in the first place. Not like I wouldn’t be able to change and morph into someone else. But it is illegal and tough to do. It would be excessively convenient if that were allowed in normal mage society.

  “Eileen, who is the better twin. Donte or Nixon?” Charlie asked.

  “Neither,” I answered passively. “They’re both begrudgingly good at being bad. There is no difference.”

  Not unless she wants two demons as friends, I would suggest Charlie shouldn’t bother getting too close to them. She will turn into numerous things, creations, and science projects. I don’t need to warn her, the look in their tactful demonic eyes should be all the clearance she needs to avoid them at all necessary costs.

  “I think Donte is much more aggressive than Nixon,” Lollie said as she held up my cream tights. “His face scrunches with fury when he hears the word droid.”

  It is because it is tough for Donte to hold back how much he hates Lowborn mages. Nixon hides his hate and erupts either if someone threatens the family. Donte dislikes hiding who he is and expresses himself easily and swears more often. They both do, but Donte hates the betrayal and openly admits his hatred to anyone he deems a threat. Nixon bottles it up until it cannot be contained anymore. It doesn’t mean Donte is more aggressive than him. When it comes to a fight, Donte is the weakest. That is why Nixon is the puppet while Donte is the strings. Demons. Tactful demons that unfortunately became my identical siblings.

  How I pity myself, Isilies and
Hopper. I would include Mum and Dad if they were ever around to witness, experience and smell the odours of destruction and all things evil that simmered underneath the crack of their door. However, right now, I would pity everyone who befriends them. Charlies, Lollie and Kent’s lives will never be dull and straightforward again. Thinking about the chaos that they will be involved with was making me nauseated.

  I like my peace and quiet. I like my classroom of silence as well as the Highborn known dragon that sleeps all day. I find it the only space I can consider personal. Everything outside of it is complicated, loud with distrustful mages that spread rumours and lies to make themselves feel better about one another.

  “Spenc would be better company than Dragon,” Charlie said with a grin. “And better looking. I tend to hang out at the soccer field after school.”

  “Stalk you mean. Hanging out means you don’t hide behind trees googling them as they tear their shirts off.”

  “YOU DO IT TOO!” Charlie shouted.

  As a stupid argument about who was the bigger stalker went underway, I couldn’t help but think those soccer players must get hyperthermia taking off their shirts in this weather.

  “Anyway, we should head back to the dorms. It is getting late.”

  “Ok.”

  “Wear this tomorrow,” Charlie waved the doll dress top and pants in the air with determination. “I will hate you forever if you don’t.”

  “Ok.”

  “And light makeup. Make your cheeks flushed with blush and eyelashes fuller,” Lollie piped in as well.

  “No,” I declined.

  Charlie sighed dramatically and patted Lollie’s shoulder.

  “Next time,” she said, the glimmer in her eyes I suspect would mean she wouldn’t let it go next time.

  They left as loud as they came in. They said goodbye to Donte and Nixon who were in their room. There was a lingering stench of faeces dead in the air when their door opened. They’re creating something toxic in their room that should never have been replicated.

  After washing the cream off my face, I went to bed and stared at the clothes. Lifting the top Charlie put on the end of the bed, I looked in the mirror, at my reflection and there was a stirring in my stomach that made me sick.

  Are these what girls are doing to impress boys? Be someone and dress like someone they’re not.

  I will wear it because I told Charlie I would. I like the top, but it is too cold. I never saw those coloured tights before so it must mean Hopper bought it for me ages ago and I stuffed it underneath everything I wear commonly.

  To get rid of the doubt and nauseated feeling, I decided sleep would be inevitable.

  “Where would you like to eat? I have been to all the café’s, and they’re all great. Instead, I will let you pick,” Spenc said with that stupid smile plastered on his face.

  It has only been half an hour since our date, and that half an hour consisted of walking from the school to the clustered large Sorcerer City. There were a lot of students and teenagers from the school who noticed Spenc and then were dumbfounded to see that I was walking beside him awkwardly. I kept on tugging the sleeves of my dress down to hide my tattoos.

  He spoke a lot on the way to the city, and it was mainly about what happened at soccer practice. I didn’t mind because the attention wasn’t on me. I listened with mild curiosity as I looked around with profound boredom. At the consistency of how slow the conversation was going, I could tune out and pretend I was listening while he rambled about a sport I purely do not care for.

  Spenc is a sports mage who believes his looks can overcome his personality. Unfortunately, I find his looks to be as dull as his character. I don’t see what everyone else sees. When I look at Spenc, as rude as it may sound, I find him to look dull, but he is kind, so I haven’t walked away.

  As we stood in the centre of the City, near the large arena, I looked around, in hope for a café that wasn’t crowded. Unfortunately, in the dead centre of things, there wasn’t a quiet spot to sit in utter silence and have a nice cup of sugaur.

  “I want to go somewhere quiet,” the words slipped out, a demand that didn’t mean to be dealt. Nonetheless, I noticed his eyes drop before I looked away and muttered, “Thank you.”

  “I know the place,” he said. The manipulation of my words affected him as it affects everyone around me.

  Separating from the large inner city, we walked until we went to the outer layer. The shops separated more until there was space to walk without bumping into shoulders. The Shapeshifters and masters were less intimidating to be around in this part of the city.

  He led me to a secluded café that had a second-hand magic shop beside it that looks as if it was gathering dust from not being used. We went to the restaurant, and there was the scent of ground coffee beans. The bitter taste slipped down my throat. Small table and chairs, nothing fancy or magic about them.

  This shop. I knew why it was a quiet little place to get away is because it is o-d-h. Everything in here is ordinary. Even the list of drinks and small cakes were average drinks and average cakes I have tasted outside of Sorcerer City.

  Inside the café, it was warm, the heaters were going, and little wall lights at every booth shimmered a dimly lit yellow. At the counter, there was a glass section that divided me from the tiny cakes. They looked delicious, but every time I glanced at one, the image of the sweet bread sandwiches Lawliet makes comes to mind. Blinking slowly, I straightened up and stepped beside Spenc who was already at the counter and looking at the menu in front of him rather than the wall.

  Charlie was talking about this last night. If the guy picks up a menu, even knowing there was the view of one somewhere else, it is because he wants to lean in towards me, so I can be close to him and pick.

  She was correct with her observation and knowledge of the male species with affection. He leant in, and I stiffened slightly and tightened the hold of my sleeves and glanced down at the menu.

  “What one sounds better?” he asked, and his breath is so close to my face. It smelled minty and fresh as if he had scrubbed his teeth to perfection before he came on this date. “I never had o-d-h coffee before. I heard you used to live amongst them, would you know which one tastes better?”

  Smart. Trying to get me to communicate more than a few words. I should never underestimate the conversational type to try to get me to talk. It even bothers me that he knows I was living ‘amongst them’. It sounds like I was living amongst deranged animals that were let out of the zoo for intelligence testing and none of them came back positive. I call them ordinary and everything they do to be mundane as well, so it would make me hypocritical, but I don’t say it as if I am making them out to be incompetent, stupid creatures with no brains.

  “This one is ok,” I pointed to the dark coffee, the strongest one. I always see Isilies drink that one. He seems to enjoy it considering he always ordered it on the lunch breaks at the o-d-h schools. “It is up to you.”

  “This one?” his finger brushed against mine, and I retracted the connection quickly and averted eyes. My face felt like it was burning, and when I looked back up, he was smiling that stupid smile. “Sorry, what would you like to order, my treat.”

  Charlie, step number two means the date is going well and that he is ‘totally into me’ when he says that he will buy whatever I want. She also said that I shouldn’t get anything too expensive or order many things that can turn my ‘potential date that I don’t think is a date’ off. She certainly knows well when it comes to this type of dilemma. It is as if she had gone on this particular date before and perfected it with ease to help other ignorant girls who don’t know what to do.

  Just put it. Stupid, ignorant girls like me.

  “White hot chocolate, please.”

  “White?” he questioned and looked down with confusion. “How can chocolate be white?”

  Oh, I seemed to have forgotten that when it comes to o-d-h sweets, mages don’t understand them. They know chocolate, but chocolate
specifically dark and brown. They don’t get milk chocolate, white chocolate, lollypops for an instant as well as sugar canes. Hearing the word white and chocolate in the same sentence can make a mage go crazy with confusion because the o-d-h has advanced with textures while we create new ones with foreign substances only we can get. Our technology, status and intelligence may vary with the o-d-h, but they sure know how to create new and exciting things that would seem average for them.

  “White chocolate tastes sweeter,” I murmured.

  “Do you like sweet things?” He asked with a smile, and I nodded. “Do you want a cake as well?”

  I do, but Charlie’s demanding words popped in my head and I was stuck with a strange ultimatum of if I want to say yes or no. It seemed like a logical battle. The sweet honey cake does look delicious on the glass counter, and I think Spenc knew because he stabbed a finger at it and asked the cashier if we could have that one to share. That comes to rule number three for Charlie’s smartness. Only agree if he says he will share with me because she knew I was never going to ask to share.

  Is this what you call a friend? Someone who consistently gives you pitiful excuses of daily life that don't fascinate me in the slightest. Right now, I could be in my room creating my very first rune or finding a strategy to get Lawliet to go on the excursion. Not sitting at a café table staring out at the window in utter silence as mages walk past at a leisurely pace.

  “I only came here once before. It is a cute little place. I wonder how I remembered it,” he mused.

  Because I demanded it. Because there is something different about me that makes others do what I want and I have never figured out the reason for it. A strange magic, or spell, the way Head Mage made it sound.

  There is something wrong with me.

  “Ground coffee, no milk,” the woman with a dirty apron placed the small cup beside Spenc and then handed me mine. “White hot chocolate, Highborn.”