This morning, Natalia had got out of bed and made it downstairs for breakfast by herself. Katherine had all but jumped out of her skin. Her dad had rushed Natalia to the Darby’s so she could be checked out – he said to make sure she was healing.
She was. She ached and had the bruises, but they’d go. The same couldn’t be said for her left forearm. It had to be kept covered in thick bandage for the next few weeks. Though she’d not seen it, she knew there was stitching sealing the “T” shape shut. Apparently no magic could erase all of this. She’s tried using her dust, too, and failed, meaning she’d be left with a scar.
My first scar.
She edged towards the basement, the room she’d spent the most time in other than the kitchen. The door was ajar and smoke wafted up from below.
On shaky legs, Natalia descended, mostly out of curiosity, staring when she reached the bottom.
Lit candles gave off a resonating glow around the room. They were resting on the floor, floating in the air, and there were even some stuck upside-down on the ceiling. A very thin veil of pink smoke rested in the air. The floor was sand, the walls white, and there were mirrors on the opposite side, all which thrived in this ethereal light.
In the centre of it all was Jasper, on his back, arms and legs spread wide. Getting closer, she could see that his eyes were shut. His chest bounced with fast breaths and his forehead was drenched in sweat; his shirt stuck to him, giving him a slim outline, and his hair was plastered to his forehead. Every few seconds, he groaned softly as if to let pain out while trying not to be too loud for others to know he was hurting.
“Archie? Alex?” Jasper called, seeming to sense someone nearby. “Peri?” He sounded unsure.
Natalia swallowed her nerves and backhanded a floating candle out of the way to move to him. “No,” she said, “The Fairy? Natalia?”
The smallest of smiles appeared on his lips. “You say that like I don’t know who you are.” He poked an eye open and in the dull glow Natalia could see the skin around it was bruised. “But I know exactly who you are.”
“I didn’t know your mental state.”
“Perfectly fine, thank you. Better than most, I’d say. And that’s on a bad day.”
“You’re here alone, using magic to do who-knows-what, and surrounded by hundreds of candles. Is that what you call perfectly fine?” Natalia wasn’t convinced.
“Even if I was suffering from brain damage or memory loss, you’re unforgettable.”
She stopped. “Are you in pain?”
He closed his eyes and tapped the spot beside him, sending nearby candles scattering. Natalia sat to his right, facing him. “A little,” he admitted. He turned his forearm up to her, a red welt visible on his flesh. “Remember when I said that Monster attacks and injuries have to be treated right away? That’s what I’m doing.”
“By lying in the middle of an ocean of candles?”
“For an hour, each day, for a week. There’s a spell involved too, hence the pink ambience.”
She remembered the skin below his neck. It was proof that Monsters could leave their mark. Just like the scar she was soon to wear forever.
Without thinking, she took his wrist in her hand. He gasped; whether from being shocked at her touch or because she’d caused pain, she wasn’t sure. She breathed slowly. What was she doing? She didn’t know, but also, she did. She raised his arm to her mouth, having to lower herself slightly, and then blew out wisps of air. Bronze dust danced along his skin until it settled onto the burn.
She replaced his arm and looked at him shyly, only to find herself now gasping at how close they were. She hadn’t seen or heard him sit up and now their faces were inches apart. She couldn’t see the green in his eyes, nor could she smell the sweetness she knew he wore. Control was lost and she reached out. Using a finger, she pushed away damp strands of hair from above his eyes.
They’d been this close before but each time they’d been torn apart, like two storms that were never meant to become one hurricane.
“Jasper?” she whispered. She could feel his breath on her face. “How’s your arm?”
“You’re like starlight itself, Natalia. You burn with all the power and shine of a star. To the Seven Hells with my arm.”
He cupped her face with his hands, lifted himself, and kissed her.
Their lips met with finality – not that the moment was to be their last, but with a passion that at last ignited them. They were held captive in an everlasting blaze and Natalia wanted to burn within it forever.
Jasper touched his forehead against hers and Natalia snaked a hand to his chest, finding his heart beating equally as furiously as hers. She looked at him, and the nervous smile on his face that she knew mirrored her own.
“I’m sorry,” he breathed. “I couldn’t control myself. I should’ve asked. But I didn’t want to let this chance pass. Not again.”
“But you did ask, a hundred times you’ve asked. Maybe not with words…” She traced lines into his freckles, hoping to create her own sparks and stars along his skin.
He brought his face close again, eyes fluttering shut, brushing his lips against hers teasingly.
This time, she kissed him. He seemed surprised at first, almost as if he hadn’t believed she’d want him back, but she wanted him more than anything. He wrapped an arm around her waist, the thumb on his other hand stroking along her jaw. Her arms snaked around his neck, her hands knotting into his hair.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to doing that,” Jasper said, his voice a little scratchy. “It’s a shame,” he smirked, “it just means I’ll have to keep doing it to try and get used to it.”
She laughed. “Oh, what a shame indeed. Means I’ll have to keep doing it to you, too.”
“Of course.” A smile worked onto his face, one that showed him – kind and heart-warming, secure and fighting, sometimes cheeky and sarcastic, but all real. “You’re special, Natalia,” he whispered, like he was sharing a secret. “You are special to me. And I think you have been right from the beginning. You grew on me without me being aware of it. Like a fungus or infection.”
Natalia snorted. “Charming, as ever.”
He let go of her waist and played with a strand of her hair. “Lemonspark had nothing to do with what happened when we danced. That was all me and what I felt for you.”
“Jasper—”
He fake gasped. “Here comes the rejection. I can feel it.”
“Jasp—”
“I won’t accept it. I will cry and pout and bury my head in ice-cream until I eat my weight in it. I will weep and write horribly sad songs and shout from the nearby cliff-top.”
“I would love to see you pout and eat your weight in ice-cream.”
“So you’ll reject me to see if I follow through? That’s fucking cold.”
She rolled her eyes but didn’t stop grinning. “No. I won’t do that.”
His smirk returned. “No?”
Despite her injuries and having a lot of things to think about still, Natalia had never felt better and her heart thumped as a part of it was set free.
15
Ties and Knots
Over the following weeks, Natalia was caught in a cycle of healing, working, and training.
The first Sunday in May was the first chance in a month that she was free. So when Peri texted her, wanting to go shopping, Natalia jumped at the chance of doing something different.
Peri, Natalia, and Alex, walked through the busy market place. They’d met early, when the sun had barely woken, coating everything in a pink haze. It had been Peri’s idea; she’d said she needed a full day since she was beginning to slow up and Natalia hadn’t believed it until she saw it. Peri now had a reasonable bump, even while wearing a floaty summer dress, and got out of breath just by walking.
After checking out a few stalls, and even searching a few shops, they decided to take an early lunch. Well, Peri did.
They took an outside, umbrella covered, table at the
local Italian restaurant – Gordito’s. Peri all but collapsed into a chair. Natalia groaned as she sat – all the training, no matter how much or how often she did it, always left her with some kind of pain. Alex sat without issue, giving the others judgemental looks.
Peri passed out the menus. “I’m fancying something meaty,” she said, fondling the pages. “Nothing too creamy.” Her face went pale despite the brilliant golden sunshine that cast a halo around her body.
Natalia grimaced. “Is there anything we should avoid for you?”
“Anything with mayonnaise. The texture and look…” She stopped, closing her eyes to breathe deeply. When she opened them again, she continued. “Everything else is fine. I think.”
“Pasta it is,” Alex decided, folding her menu again.
Peri folded hers and reached the best she could to take Natalia’ hand. “I’m glad you came out today.”
Natalia smiled at her. “So am I.”
Being cooped up at work and just training was starting to drive her insane with its repetitive motions. There had been a moment where she’d considered resting at home with Noah and a movie. Though, Noah had been coming round some evenings to do exactly that. So she’d picked differently, for a change of pace.
“I couldn’t miss out on buying all the fun baby things,” Natalia added, and looked to Peri to find her with the biggest grin.
It was hard to believe that she’d only known these girls for a couple of months, and yet their lives were woven together. Soon, there would be a new life among them. Natalia turned back to Alex who was undoing her ponytail; Alex’s curly hair fell into her face, and Natalia noticed how her fringe was slowly growing out. Like this, even though they weren’t biologically brother and sister, it was possible to see how much Alex was like Jasper, their hair constantly dangling millimetres above their eyes, their smirks and smiles similar, the way they held themselves too, as if they would be the first line of attack or defensive if necessary, protecting what they loved and cared for most at all costs.
“How’s the training?” Peri asked. It was hard for her, Natalia knew, since she’d been mostly self-benched. Archie had mentioned that she took longer swims, more-often. She’d even taken to cutting sandwiches with her trident a few times apparently.
Natalia groaned, her body and mind remembering all her aches and sores. “Great. It’s just great.”
“It can’t be that bad,” Peri argued. She let go of Natalia’s hand and sat back, her hand rubbing circles on top of her stomach. “You train with Archie and Alex, but mostly get to spend sessions with Jasper.” She winked.
Natalia’s face heated as a young waiter came to take their order, returning within minutes to bring their drinks before they were left alone again.
“It’s not like that,” Natalia mumbled.
Peri sipped her iced lemon tea. “It’s not like what, Natalia?”
“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but we train.”
“In between all the make-out sessions, I get it.” Peri’s smile was deadly.
Alex cringed. “That’s my brother you’re talking about.”
“Sure,” Natalia nodded, “If you count beating each other with sticks making-out. Whatever works for you. Though, I think you have a strange thing going on.” She sipped her cloudy lemonade.
Peri looked like she’d just silently choked. “What?”
“I told you. We train.”
“With sticks?” Alex eyed her suspiciously. Though they had few training sessions together, they tended to use weapons or test agility and endurance by running or sprinting and sometimes by clambering through obstacle courses.
“Bamboo,” Natalia confirmed. “Some kind of very basic weapons training, he called it. Since I’m new, I’m learning how to use and do everything. Plus Jasper said I can’t always rely on my blade.” She patted her hip; her Fairy blade tapped against her skin under her t-shirt where it was strapped around her waist.
Peri’s look was unbelieving. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure I would’ve noticed. Especially if it was Jasper.”
Natalia had told the girls about the kiss a few days after, allowing herself time to let it sink in. They’d been so excited. Peri had nearly jumped up and down, and would’ve if Natalia hadn’t told her to stop before she’d started. Alex had been a little revolted at first, but overall she was happy for her friend and brother.
However, since that first time, it hadn’t happened again. There had been a few comforting kisses on the cheek or forehead, but nothing more. Natalia had been focusing on work and training, and Jasper had narrowed in to focus on helping her. He seemed to understand that she was serious about all of it, and though he never asked, he helped and they worked together like before, but somehow stronger.
She didn’t want another situation like the one on the beach. She never wanted to be at the mercy of any Monster again unless she was dead.
Her hand clutched her arm, the calloused, ruined skin beneath her fingers. The lightning bolt scar was newly uncovered and deathly white. It was unmissable and Natalia hated it, but it was also a reminder of what she was fighting against.
It also reminded her that she had a secret; there was something deeper happening around her.
“I know you’re trying to catch up on all the years you’ve missed,” Peri said, sipping more tea, “but there has to be a balance. Don’t sacrifice everything for this purpose, because, believe me, it’s not worth your entire being.”
It did feel like Natalia was trying to catch up on all the years she’d missed out on, so would it hurt, for once, if she let herself be a little free? She’d been hurt badly at the last fight, and it wasn’t the first time nor would it probably be the last. Peri was right. Their purpose was a job from the Heavens above, a life-long war they had to fight, but their entire purpose revolved around souls living against beasts who wanted nothing more than to destroy without reason. Natalia would be a hypocrite if she didn’t live a little herself.
Food came quickly and they were silenced. It was a beautiful meal and thankfully Peri tolerated the tomato and herby sauces. When they were done, they paid and left, heading to the general store.
Alex pushed the cart one handed, even riding it a few times, but Natalia was too busy mulling over her situation to look at anything on the shelves. It wasn’t until she bumped into a stack of ladders she snapped awake.
A familiar chuckle came from above. She glanced up gingerly. Her dad was smiling down, his arms full of soup cans. He smiled, put the tins on the shelf, and climbed down. “You need to watch where you’re going,” he advised, easily slipping into his ‘dad voice’. “Next time, it might not be anything so solid.”
“Ragazze!” Peri appeared, holding a cute little teddy bear onesie, complete with ears on the hood. “What about this?” She blinked, noticing Natalia’s father. “Oh, hey!” She gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
He chuckled and pointed at her item. “For the little one?”
“It gets better.” She went over to the end of the aisle and returned with two larger versions of the onesie. “Imagine. All three of us, matching.”
“Christmas card worthy,” Alex laughed. Peri dumped the onesies into the cart as if Alex’s words had convinced her to get them.
“Do you know what you’re having yet?” He asked next.
Peri shook her head. “Not yet. We have an appointment soon.”
“I thought you didn’t want to know?” Natalia questioned curiously.
Peri smiled. “We didn’t, but we’re allowed to change our minds.” Natalia smiled too.
“Well,” Natalia’s father interrupted, “there’s a sale on in the baby section. Nappies. Bottles. Toys.”
Peri rubbed her stomach; the small bump appeared bigger under the store’s fake lighting. “Four months to go,” she reminded them. “Can never be too prepared.” She touched her stump, something Natalia had noticed she did when nervous.
Alex wheeled away with Peri
in tow seconds later.
Natalia’s dad sighed. “Seeing her like that, it reminds me of your mother.”
Natalia looked up at him, eyes stinging. “Mum was like that with me?”
“She was proud to show you off, and always excited to buy baby clothes or toys.”
Natalia hadn’t thought about how her own mother had been when pregnant, but hearing about it made her smile.
“Make sure Peri doesn’t go too wild,” he advised, half laughing. “It might seem like time ticks, but there’s always time. Plus, they’ll get lots of toys as gifts when the baby’s born. I can guess, anyway. It was like that for us.” He dug into his back pocket and pulled out a note, slamming it into Natalia’s hand. “Speaking of gifts, get yourself something. My treat.” He kissed Natalia’s head and scaled the ladders again before she could argue.
Natalia walked away smiling and shaking her head. Eventually she found her friends in the baby and toddler section. It was full of bright colours and the girls were pouring over the selections of nappies. All Natalia could think about was the money now stashed in her jeans.
After her attack, she’d received her first Council payment, as well as injury money. Katherine had explained it, once Natalia had stayed awake for longer than ten minutes. Apparently every Creature was paid every three months – Natalia’s had been backdated to her eighteenth when it technically all began – since most Creatures didn’t have “normal” jobs. Injury payments, however, were different. They were only given when the Council considered that specific Creature to be “out of action” for the foreseeable future. Thankfully, Natalia’s hadn’t been, and the Council didn’t want money back so it was mostly a win all round this time – no serious injury, or worse, and a fair bit of income.
Now she had both her café wage and the Creature wage. She wanted to give the money her dad had gifted her back, but she knew he’d refuse it. So she consulted the girls on what she should buy, as her dad had put it, as a treat for herself.
“New clothes?” Peri suggested.
“A weapon?” Alex added, smiling.
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