Climbing back into bed once he’d finally had his drink, he kissed Peri’s hand as she held it out to him, mumbling something about his absence. Only then did Archie remember something Jasper had said. The name. Gold. What was the most infamous Vampire doing here on Venderly? That was, if Jasper had been telling the truth about it. Archie wasn’t convinced either way.
◆◆◆
Darkness surrounded Natalia and she wore the cold like a blanket, her feet crossing concrete to grass.
Her new headphones blasted classical tunes into her ears to get her motivated as she walked. It was before dawn. She knew this would be her only chance of the day, and she hadn’t been outside for days.
With her blood pumping, she heard Peri’s voice. Don’t try and do anything more strenuous than walking.
But Natalia had no time to wait. The world wasn’t going to pause for her to catch up. She’d already given herself a week to heal and recover. She was only walking the neighbourhood, trying to build up her strength again. She was on her second lap of the houses now, about ten minutes in, but her leg was already aching.
She gritted her teeth and tried closing her mind, but it wouldn’t comply.
Creatures and Monsters were real.
The thought should’ve sparked joy, and maybe years ago it would’ve. Now, the whole idea now only made things darker. She’d been harmed by the latter, close to being killed. Monsters wanted nothing more than to destroy, and a Creature’s entire Purpose in life was to stop them. They had to let life prevail. It was complicated. The world was no longer simple.
But has it ever been?
Drenched in sweat – despite the fact she hadn’t done anything strenuous – and with a mind refusing to be set free, Natalia decided she was done.
Tony had gone to work hours ago, leaving her to move through the empty house. She showered in burning water, securing her towel about her body before sitting on the toilet lit to inspect her right leg. Examining it, she frowned.
“Stupid bandage.”
She untied the knot, then used nail scissors to cut through the rest. Why did she even need the bandage anymore? Peri had said she’d heal and that it would take days. Those days were up. It was about a week old now.
With the bandage gone, Natalia inspected the white gauze patch stuck inches below her knee. Due to the extent of bandaging, she hadn’t been sure on the exact site of the injury. She pursed her lips, scratching at the corner where the gauze was already peeling until she could yank the entire thing off.
She wished she hadn’t.
The smell of burnt flesh hit her instantly and she gagged. She had to hold her breath to look down, and found her skin scorched black. A yellow and green bruise formed on the outside of the wound, the centre furiously red.
Again, acid rose in her throat. And again she had to force herself to look on.
The two gashes she’d initially spied in the garden had torn to become one, the affected area now matching the size of her palm.
Natalia’s hand shook as she gingerly touched the ashed skin along the side of the wound. Instantly, she yelped and pulled away, string down at her fingertips. They were red, raw. Were they… burnt? How?
She continued to stare and watched a red-orange substance flicker inside the wound, pulling the skin closer together.
There was still fire in her.
But if that was true, was her leg ever supposed to heal?
There came another lick of fire and the wound sealed a millimetre more. Was the fire that had damaged her now healing from the inside out? Or was it trying to shut itself inside to kill easier?
Regret sank in.
She bent awkwardly, trying not to wretch as she rummaged through the cupboard under the sink until she found a large white patch and a roll of bandage. That would have to do.
She bit her lip as she attempted to sterilise the wound with a wipe, but the wipe ended up burning and she started sweating. Sweating turned to swearing. Frustrated, she slapped the white patch over the wound and covered it with the bandage to hold it in place, then wrapped her entire leg and tied it off in a knot.
Because she now knew what was underneath, she knew not to remove it again. Someone else could have that burden next time. Preferably while she slept.
Natalia and her dad had returned home three days after the initial incident – four more days had passed between then and now. There’d been no talk of Creatures, Monsters, or any of the craziness revolving around them. Natalia had stayed in bed, more under her dad’s instruction than her own, until this morning. She’d phoned in sick at work and had barely said more than a few words to Noah.
She wiped her forehead on the nearby towel and puffed out a breath, heart thumping inside her chest like a drum. She grabbed the sink for support, hauled herself up, and staggered back to her room. She changed into the first clothes she saw and tied her hair into a ponytail before putting her precious star earrings in and shoving on some shoes.
Her leg protested at the staircase. Maybe the walk had been a bad idea. Natalia descended anyway, wincing the entire time but refusing to give in. She left her house as quickly as she could, mostly so she couldn’t turn back.
As crazy as the world seemed now, she carried on through its storm, hoping that it would calm and mould around her.
◆◆◆
Peri snagged some fluffy pancakes, smothered thick peanut butter on top, and licked the knife as she walked to the table.
Archie sat beside her as she took her first, gooey bite. He touched her thigh with his hand, warmth spreading through her at the contact. She smiled to herself as she ate.
Creatures had the same average life-span as Humans – Vampires and Fairies excluded. However, most of the time, the nature of their Purpose cut their lives short. That meant a lot of Creatures sped through life. They tended to fall in love quicker, deeper too – not just because of their fleeting time, but something in their genetic make-up was wired differently. It made their connections stronger, and though that didn’t mean they would only ever fall in love with one person, most seemed too. And so, a lot of Creatures married and started families earlier than Humans too, because they wanted to live while they could.
Peri had fallen long and hard for Archie, and he’d fallen in return. Every time he was near, her heart raced and her smile grew. He was her everlasting love and her home.
Peri and Archie had met back in Home City almost four years ago. She’d been fourteen, Archie seventeen. They’d been paired for a project in City School and by the end of the week, Peri had realised her feelings and had taken a chance. After asking if it was alright, she’d kissed Archie there and then in the empty classroom after their presentation. From there, their relationship had blossomed like it’d always meant to be.
But when Peri had told her parents, they’d been less than pleased. They didn’t agree with their only child wanting to be with someone not of the sea. Peri had argued endlessly, saying that it was her choice, that her heart wanted this. In the end, her parents had finalised the conversation without much resolve.
So when Archie had announced he was moving to Venderly and asked her to join them, she had gladly accepted. Sarah and James were elated when she’d accepted. Her own parents threatened to disown her if she moved out. They had mostly stuck to that promise, barely talking to her now – only ever sending a card and a small letter on her birthday, never anything more.
Archie squeezed her thigh to gain her attention. “What are you thinking about, darling?” he whispered.
She smiled. “How glad I am to have you.”
He pressed his lips to hers. While she knew she tasted of peanut butter, he surprisingly tasted of strawberry jam. They came together like two pieces of a puzzle that wouldn’t normally be interlocked, becoming more beautiful combined than the original picture.
“Do you mind?” They broke apart, Peri meeting Jasper’s scowl opposite them. “We’re at the dinner table. You have a bedroom for that sort of stuff.”
“I meet plenty of people.”
“No. Wait until it’s someone you completely connect with, someone that will hold your heart inside their chest.”
“Maybe,” Jasper agreed, acting like he was considering her words. He flicked his head, displacing his waves. “So, do you two have plans today?”
“Way to change the conversation,” Archie commented.
“I agreed, didn’t I?” Jasper’s eyes flicked to Peri. “I’m not going to wait around for something to bite me on the arse. If it happens, it happens.”
Peri accepted his answer and gracefully changed the subject back again. “I was thinking of going for a swim,” she answered.
For days she’d been thinking about touching her fin to the sea, dreaming of the waves cascading over her skin and scales, of salt coating her tongue and lips, of the seaweed tangling between her fingers and of the fish that would swim beside her. As much as she loved the land, she couldn’t deny the call of water.
“And after?” Archie pressed, continuing to eat.
“Training, maybe?” she said, pushing away her empty plate.
“Is everyone invited?” Jasper asked through a mouthful.
“Sure.”
“That reminds me.” Jasper stood suddenly, his chair screeching against the floor. “I need to head into town.”
Archie’s eyes narrowed on his brother. “Why?”
Jasper tapped a shoulder. “In case you forgot, I ripped a perfectly good t-shirt, and now it needs replacing.”
Peri looked between the brothers. “What did I miss?”
Jasper ignored her. “While Peri’s swimming, you might want to keep an ear in this house.”
“Why?” Archie asked, resigned. “What have you done?”
“Nothing.”
“If it’s nothing, why do I need to keep an ear out?”
“Gold said he’d be popping over.”
Jasper dashed from the room, the front door slamming in his wake.
Peri’s heart pounded. She twisted her whole body towards Archie, a perplexed expression written across his face. What had she missed?
Katherine’s Koffee and Kakes was relatively busy for a Wednesday. Only when Natalia took a break halfway through her shift did she realise it. Her feet ached and her left leg shot constant shocks along her nerves every time she moved. Groaning, she eased onto the bar-stool in the kitchen. A breeze entered the room through the propped open back door, a welcome comfort against the burning sensation along her healing wound.
Being on her feet for two hours made her appreciate what Peri had meant by “taking things slow”. She’d committed now, though was grateful she was halfway towards the end. After, she could climb onto the sofa and not move all night. Her dad had already said he’d cook.
“Are those poppy seed muffins cooled yet?” Katherine asked, stepping down the mini-step into the kitchen. She reached out, touching the hot tray and pulled back quickly. “Maybe not.” She rounded on Natalia, eyes narrowed.
So far, Katherine hadn’t brought up her absence so neither had she.
“What?” Natalia bit into the marshmallow bar her boss had forced into her hand. Katherine’s eyes fell unsubtly to where Natalia had rolled her trouser leg up, the white bandage peeking out from beneath the fabric. Natalia tugged at her jeans. “I—”
“Tried dancing again?” Katherine prompted.
Natalia’s stomach twisted. “Yeah.”
The light shimmered against Katherine’s pink lips. “Must’ve lost some of your elegant touch.”
“I didn’t warm up properly.”
“You’ll get back into it.” The bell out front dinged and Katherine sighed. “I better get out there.” She looked wanted to say more, but didn’t, instead dashing away and taking the still-hot muffins with her.
Natalia ate her bar, remembering her last ballet recital since Katherine had brought the whole thing up.
At the time, there had been a flurry of blue tutus, Natalia’s being the fullest. She’d been the lead. Both her dad and Katherine had come to watch, both being the first to applaud in the crowd, and they were so proud that they’d taken Natalia for ice-cream after, a nine at night.
Her heart ached with loss. There was no stage, no music, no tutus, and certainly no ballet anymore. After that recital, her dad couldn’t afford the class fees, so she had to give it up. Her eyes stung and she blinked to chase away the tears. Those days were long gone now. She would hang onto the memories with fondness but those moments would never be in her future.
Finishing up her snack, she peered into the store. People were milling about, sharing gossip or simply a drink. No one glanced her way. Before she could change her mind, Natalia kicked off her shoes, double checking the main store.
She raised her arms parallel to her body, tilting her nose and chin upwards, and breathed.
Rising onto her tiptoes, she brought her sore leg up, her sole skimming the length of her other thigh, as if in a tree yoga pose. She felt lighter instantly. Then, she swung her left leg back, toes pointed upwards. She tipped her body forward until she faced the floor, her toes reaching for the ceiling in a familiar, comfortable stretch.
Lowering her leg again, she stood with both feet on the ground, shoulder width apart. In dancing, her left leg had always led – she was left handed after all. So when she rose onto her left, forgetting the injury, it gave way.
She collapsed with a thump, hands slamming against the tiles.
So much for dancing again.
Natalia scrambled up in time to notice the backdoor being nudged. Pulse quickening, she snatched the first time within reach and crept towards the door against her better judgement.
Behind the frosted glass, a figure appeared. While she had the upper hand, Natalia swung round the door and latched onto the intruder’s t-shirt, dragging them into the store area tucked into a secluded corner of the kitchen.
The person grunted as their back cracked against the shelves, knocking a few unbreakable things off. A grown followed. “The fuck?”
Natalia blinked in recognition.
She immediately let go, staring at the boy with dark wavy hair and green eyes. The boy who had saved her life. Peri had called him Jasper.
Natalia gave him a once over. His black t-shirt and coat were dusted with flour but otherwise, he seemed fine.
“What the hell are you doing sneaking in here?” Natalia snapped quietly.
“Not trying to get attacked,” Jasper replied, shaking off the flour. She noticed the freckles dotted underneath his eyes when he looked at her directly. “Though, I doubt a wooden spoon would hurt that bad.”
Natalia glanced at her “weapon” and her cheeks heated. In her rush, she’d armed herself with a wooden spoon. She threw it onto the nearby counter.
“I guess we can say we were both pleasantly surprised by this experience,” he said.
“Pleasantly surprised? I nearly attacked you.”
“Nearly, and with a wooden spoon no less.”
“You haven’t seen how well I can hit someone over the head with it.”
“I have a thick skull.” He smiled.
Natalia sighed, resigned. “What are you doing here? And why didn’t you just come through the front door?”
“Why aren’t you wearing shoes?” Natalia glanced down and curled her toes as if to hide them. She looked back up and Jasper’s smile grew. “Seems we both have questions.”
“You can answer mine first.”
“That’s fair since you asked first,” he agreed. “I was in town, buying clothes, and decided to come and find you after. Nice t-shirt by the way. Very appropriate.”
For the second time, she looked down at herself. “I’m a Fairy, bitch” was on full display across her chest. She folded her arms, attempting to obscure the words.
“My t-shirt choice doesn’t matter,” she grumbled. “What matters is why you decided to find me
. How did you even know I was here?”
“Natalia? Everything alright?” Katherine’s voice cut Jasper off before he got a change to reply.
Natalia poked her head round the corner to see Katherine at the far end of the kitchen. “I’m fine,” she said. “Just trying to organise back here since I have time.”
Katherine laughed. “You know it’s a mess. It always has been and always will be.”
“I thought I’d try.”
“You’re on a break. Sit and eat. You’ve earned it and need it.”
“I will. One minute?”
Katherine shook her head, mumbling something, and walked away. Natalia turned back to Jasper as he tried unsuccessfully to flick the flour from his hair. Giving up, he met Natalia’s gaze. Tension hung in the air around them but it faded quickly.
At last, Jasper said, “Your dad told us where you worked a couple of days ago.”
“My dad?”
“Something about us knowing in case of emergency and he couldn’t get to you in time. I think it made him feel better knowing you’d always be safe, that if he couldn’t get there, someone would.”
Her head pounded and her shoulders sagged. Her dad had never failed her and she would swear on anything that he never would. She welled up uncontrollably and sniffed to try and keep herself together.
“And I did want to find you for a reason,” Jasper continued. Either he saw the change in Natalia’s expression and was politely ignoring it, or he saw nothing. Natalia didn’t know why, but she guessed it was the former.
“That would be?” she asked, giving him a measured stare.
“To see if you wanted to train with me and the others.”
Natalia’s tears faded into nothing as if they’d never come. “What?”
“It’s not a difficult concept to understand.”
“Let’s pretend I’ve been hit on the head recently and it is difficult.”
He gave her a sweeping look. “I doubt anyone else has asked you yet, but I’m sure they will. It’s clear how little you know of our world. I wondered if you wanted to learn and train with us. Up at the house.”
Starlight Page 7