“That doesn’t answer my question.”
The Monster withdrew its hand and lowered its face further; Natalia could smell acid on its breath. “I want your pretty,” it spat. “I want to be inside your skin. I want to walk within your body. I want your gifts and your powers and the way you make yourself look like the night’s sky. But, I’m not here for that now.”
Natalia’s heart pounded a hateful rhythm through her ears. “What—”
“You burn brighter than your sisters and brothers. And I came here to find you.”
Why has it come for me? How can I burn brighter than any other Fairy?
The Monster tipped forwards until its nose touched Natalia’s and a whimper escaped her. The Monster lurched forwards then suddenly jerked back. Three golden spikes protruded from Monster’s chest yet it didn’t stop it grinning.
It snapped its blue fingers and vanished.
Peri appeared above Natalia, looking slightly frazzled with her black bob misshapen and a red scratch on her chin. “Need a hand?”
“Is that thing dead?” Natalia asked, searching for any sign of the Monster.
“Bloody hoped so.” Peri pulled Natalia to her feet and then looked at her trident. The spike on the outer left side was bent. “That bastard!”
Natalia couldn’t explain it, but she had a feeling that the Monster wasn’t dead, like a cold shiver that lingered at the base of her spine. It was only an inclination, an instinct, but she trusted it. Something about this entire situation had been wrong, so why would its death be different? Most Monsters came to destroy, yet this one had intelligently talked, claiming it’d come to find her.
Without ash at its disappearance, there was no evidence that it really was dead.
Natalia shivered. If it was still alive, Natalia was certain that it would come again. But what did it want her for?
Peri walked a few paces off and Natalia watched her go, grabbing her hair in her hands as if to protect it.
Small piles of ash were sifting away, sinking into the ground or blowing in the wind. No living Monsters remained.
So much for helping, she thought guiltily.
Jasper came through the rain, tucking away his blade. He had no injuries or even scratches to prove he was in a fight, but there was a weariness to his gaze. “I’ll walk you home,” he offered. “It’s closer that our house at this point.” He pointed to the nearby cut-through.
“Take Alex,” Sarah insisted as the family regrouped. “I don’t want anyone walking anywhere alone for a while.”
Jasper saluted. “Yes ma’am.”
“I will magic you into next week, young man,” she warned. James, grinning, wrapped an arm around his wife.
Natalia’s lips twitched as she searched the others for signs of injury.
Sarah’s hair was plastered to her face and the sleeve to her top had been cut into ribbons. Peri had her scratch and Archie winced as he looped an arm over Peri’s shoulders, though he didn’t have any visible wounds.
Natalia swallowed a grateful sigh of relief.
Sarah pinched the back of Jasper’s neck, and he yelped. Rubbing it, he stuck his tongue out at his mother and walked away, approaching Alex and Natalia and motioning for them to follow. Alex nudged Natalia’s legs, and Natalia’s eyes were drawn to a patch of crimson-stained fur behind the wolf’s right ear.
Gillingham Road didn’t keep its light on, unlike other streets. The pitch blackness was hard to see through. Natalia blinked when the light above her front door pasted them, letting her eyes adjust.
Out of nowhere, a hand touched her shoulder. But when it did nothing vicious, like strangle her, she allowed herself to relax. She turned to see Jasper smiling down at her, like he was preparing to say goodbye.
“Both of you can come in,” she said quickly, making it a decision she’d already made for them. “I’ll get warm blankets and clothes and drinks.”
The door swung inwards and Natalia saw her dad, back-lit by the hall light. It took him a few seconds before he fully opened the door. Alex and Jasper shimmied into the hallway, shaking and shivering.
Her dad looked between them all, offering a weak smile. Natalia gave him an apologetic look before running upstairs. She dived into the bathroom, where she discarded the wet clothes into the bath and wrapped herself in a dry a towel. It was strange to think that only hours ago she’d been wrapped in a different towel, in a different house.
Once she felt comfortable enough, she moved to the landing and opened the cupboard, pulling out what she could, and called for her friends.
Alex bounded up first, still in wolf form, and snatched a towel with her teeth before diving into Natalia’s father’s bedroom. Jasper was slower. He went to say something but Natalia shoved a towel into his arms and pushed him into her bedroom before he could.
When she shut the door, she thought about what a weird idea it was, to put him in her room. Her face sparked. So she opened the door to get him out, so he could change in the bathroom, but it was too late.
Though his back was to her, Jasper was naked. Natalia’s face heated even more. Stretch marks spread along his upper back and close to his hips. Her eyes moved lower, taking in his pale yet firm bottom.
Jasper wrapped the towel around himself, tucking it at the waist, and turned. His eyes widened, surprised. “Is something wrong?” he asked quickly. “Has something happened?”
“No,” Natalia shook her head, “everything’s fine.”
Jasper’s lips quirked. “Admiring the view?” He even did a twirl.
She tried to keep the heat in her cheeks under control. “I just thought how odd it was for you to be in my room,” she admitted. “I was going to put you in the bathroom.”
“Why is it odd?” His gaze swept over the room feigning curiosity. “What are you hiding in here? Some weaponized spoons? I know you love the regular ones but maybe you’re secretly working on an upgrade for battle?”
“I’m not hiding anything.” She noticed her underwear drawer was open and swiftly kicked it shut.
Jasper eyed the drawer with intrigue. “Do you think I’ve never seen underwear before?”
“But this is mine.”
Natalia was close to Jasper, and it was the first time she was realising it. With his bare chest exposed, she could make out faint white stretch-marks over it and the tops of his arms too. There was also a smooth, light pink scar just below his neck on the left side. How had she not seen it before? It was easily the size of her fist. Maybe bigger.
Jasper noticed her staring. “Remember when I told you to avoid the Siltapolia? I told you they’d cool you before burning? That might’ve been your first time seeing them, but it wasn’t mine.”
Natalia reached out tentatively, touching the old burn with the tips of her fingers as if she might hurt him further. “What happened?” she asked lowly, her attention fully invested on the mark.
“I got hit,” he said simply.
“And it leaves a permanent scar?”
“Lots of Monster afflictions do if you don’t treat them immediately.”
She ran her fingers along the raised skin. “Is that what happened to you?”
“Yes.”
“Does it hurt now?”
“Not really. When I’m cold it twinges sometimes, but I don’t notice it much.”
Natalia met his eyes and the irises were as green as summer leaves. “Could I heal it? With my dust?”
He stared back. “I would like to ask you to try.”
“Do you want me too?”
“Not now.” He wrapped a hand around hers. “Years ago, it might’ve worked. It’s been too long now. It’s permanently healed as it is. Otherwise, I would’ve said yes.”
Jasper brought his other hand to her face, cupping her cheek. Her heart thumped; this time, it didn’t want to run to protect itself, but instead wanted to jump out of her chest and into his. His thumb brushed over her skin and he smiled, bringing his head even closer until she could feel his br
eath.
“You know we’re still in your bedroom?” he whispered.
She gave him a look. “I never would’ve noticed.”
He laughed. “Would you mind if I—”
“Natalia!” Her dad called, cutting Jasper off.
Jasper smiled and let her go. Natalia’s heart sighed as she walked away from him. “We’re coming down,” she promised her father, calling out from the landing. “Can you make three hot chocolates, please?”
Her father said, “Of course,” and then disappeared from view.
Alex emerged from the other bedroom, back in human form. Her curly hair was dry and she’d tied it up, but her self-cut fringe remained, split in the middle like before. Natalia’s gaze shifted to the small blood trail that trickled from behind the girl’s right ear.
Alex touched the mark. “Don’t worry about this. I’ll heal,” she said. “I gave that Scorpio what for.” Natalia went to turn but Alex called her back. Alex drew closer as if about to spill a secret. “I will advise you on something though.”
“What on?”
Alex’s grin was wicked. “Next time, keep your voices down or talk where I can’t hear you.”
Natalia’s face blazed and she dashed back into her room. She’d forgotten about Jasper and nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw him on her bed, his arms behind his head, his ankles crossed.
“I need to change,” she announced. She pointed to the towel he wore. “So do you.” His gaze swept over himself as if he’d forgotten. “Go into my dad’s room and pick something. He won’t mind.”
Jasper moved quietly. But as he reached the door, he turned, and Natalia smacked into him since she’d been following. She took a step back, but he stopped her from moving further by putting a hand on either side of her neck, his thumbs against her jaw.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” he asked.
Natalia thought about the Monster and what it had said. “Yes,” she lied, causing her stomach to twist. She was alright. She was safe now; she hadn’t been hurt. But how long would that last?
He dropped his hands, not looking entirely convinced. “It’s getting late,” he observed. “Maybe we should have our drinks and retire? It’s been a busy day.”
“Retire?” she mocked.
He grinned. “The old-age equivalent of saying ‘We should go to sleep.’”
She smiled. “That sounds like a plan.”
In a flash like lightning, Jasper bent and pressed his lips to the corner of Natalia’s mouth. The moment didn’t last long. Before she could say or do anything, he was gone.
She flopped onto the bed.
Once again so many things were circling Natalia, rushing around her as if she were the centre of a hurricane. Her head buzzed. She wanted to do as Jasper had said; to have her drink and then go to sleep. Her eyes were burning and her body ached, and her mind was simply done for the day.
Eventually, she’d have to confront that which circled her. Again.
The clock beside her ticked to one o’clock.
12
Skyless
The next morning, Natalia tip-toed down the stairs. Her fingers slid along the banisters as she attempted to keep her breathing steady, knowing full well that Alex could probably hear her. She made it into the kitchen alone, the door silent as it was pushed shut.
Turning, she inhaled sharply. Jasper stood over the stove. Natalia moved closer, wondering when he woke and trying to decipher what he was doing. Something sizzled and she realised he was cooking.
As if sensing someone behind him, he looked round. He hand a pan to hand, and a near perfectly round pancake inside. But his eyes focused on her. “Fairy,” he sang.
“You’ve said my name before,” she told him.
“Natalia.”
It was like a whisper along her skin. She brushed it aside, ignoring how her heart pulsed dangerously inside her chest, and asked, “Why are you cooking?”
“Your dad wanted to make breakfast, but got a call from work.”
“He’s gone?”
Jasper nodded. “Left a few minutes ago. Someone’s called in sick, apparently, so I took over here and he took over there.”
Natalia switched the kettle on. “Coffee?” she offered, leaning back against the worktop. “Or are you a tea in the morning kind of guy?”
“Coffee,” he said. “If you’re making.”
“I wouldn’t normally.”
“But for me you will?” He tilted his head to study her.
“If that’s what you want, then yes. Just this once.”
Natalia just caught sight of Jasper’s smile as she turned for two mugs. She went about making him a coffee, hoping he didn’t mind how she made it – she realised halfway through she should’ve asked how he wanted it – and then made herself tea.
What about Alex? Will she want a drink?
The second Natalia put the kettle down again, steam rising from the mugs, the doorbell rang. She half jumped out of her skin and then cursed under her breath. Was she going to jump at everything now? Is that what she was becoming, a scared little rabbit near a fox?
Natalia walked to the front door and yanked it, and managed to catch it before it smacked into the wall. She half expected Alex to come thumping down the stairs on all fours to complain about the noise. She didn’t.
There was no guest beyond the door, only silence. This had to be some kind of joke.
No one passed by in the street, not even a bird tweeted from the nearby treetops. But there had definitely been a definitive knock. Was a local kid playing ding-dong-dash? Natalia knew of very few children living in this area though.
As Natalia gave the street another curious glance, something flapped beside her head on the door itself. Her hands tore the note down and she stared at it.
The cream coloured paper was thick and card-like, and the handwriting was unlike any Natalia had seen before. Written in gold and cursive, with a red seal of approval stamped below, were three words. She read them several times and still they didn’t sink in. All they did was make her heart hit the roof and her eyes well until she was sniffing.
The Council accepts.
“Jasper?” she called. He didn’t come, so she raised her voice. “Jasper!”
There was a flurry of noise. Natalia barely looked up before a giant brown wolf was knocking her to the ground; Natalia was careful to protect her head on impact, throwing her hands behind it to soften the blow. Alex spent minutes sniffing the air and searching with beady eyes for signs of trouble, using her body to keep Natalia down. Obviously finding none, she climbed off, gruff-like as if annoyed.
“You alright down there?” Jasper asked, peering over Natalia. “Having an impromptu nap?”
Natalia watched Alex retreat to the bottom step of the stairs and stood up. “I think Alex thought I was calling for help.” She held the note out. “I wanted you to see this.”
He took the note, read it, and then flung it in Alex’s direction. He rushed at Natalia without a single noise. For the second time in a single minute she was hit by another person, but this didn’t send her to the floor. His arms captured her, squeezing her.
Natalia was laughing. The Council wanted her, and now she could be a validated Creature at last. She really was a Fairy now. For the first time, this life had chosen her back.
◆◆◆
The wet March turned into a sunnier April.
Peri was bored. Sarah and James were back in Atlantis and Archie, Jasper, and Alex were out for the day in town. She’d paced the entire house at least five times before calling Natalia. Thankfully, her friend had answered her phone.
She walked the length of the house a few more times, flipping the calling card between her slender fingers. Peri took a deep breath as the door rang.
Natalia held out a white box. “Trick or treat?” Peri yanked her inside with little care or consideration. “Hey!” she complained. “What’s the matter?”
Peri bolted the door and marched int
o the kitchen, giving Natalia no choice but to follow her. “Nothing,” she answered unhelpfully. Something was the matter though.
The house seemed so empty, and normally, Peri wouldn’t be here to see it like this. She’d been asked to accompany the family but she’d elected to stay behind. Today was the perfect day to execute her plan. The rest of the doors and windows were already closed and locked, ready.
Natalia put her box down on the island counter. “You sure you’re fine? You don’t even want the muffins I brought?”
“Remember back in Atlantis, at the parade, when I asked a favour of you?” Natalia nodded. “This is me cashing it in.” Peri held up the card Gold had given her over a month ago. She’d been putting it off, stalling seeing him, but now she was ready. She needed a definite answer, although she was pretty certain already. “We need to see Gold and this is how we’re doing it,” she said, her voice calmer than her heart. “I’ve already rung him to expect us.”
“What’s all this about?”
That’s what I plan on finding out.
Peri licked her painted blue lips and shook the card. Blue sparkles, like glittery rain, fell from it. At first, nothing happened. Peri glared daggers at the glitter. She was about to swear and complain about having pinned all her hopes on this when the card leapt out of her hands and tore itself apart, little pieces vanishing into the air.
Peri barely looked at Natalia before it felt like her heart was being ripped from her chest.
◆◆◆
Natalia’s heart landed first. Her body followed.
She panted and dry heaved. The stress of travelling via magic was like a near death experience. It separated all that she was and then slammed every piece back together again.
Vowing to never do it again made her feel better, though she knew it was probably a false promise. She just hoped next time didn’t come around quickly.
Natalia found Peri watching her curiously. Other than her hair being a little scruffy, she was otherwise unfazed. Natalia tried fixing her own hair. “How are you so ok?” she asked, finding it mildly unfair.
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