Beware the Violet

by Maria Vermisoglou

  After lots of tears and curses, I fell into a silence that only crickets disturbed. Pulling away, I cleaned my face with the back of my hand. “I’m sorry.”

  Pain was mirrored in Kristy’s face, but she brought her lips upwards. “It’s okay, that’s what friends are for, and you don’t need to apologize. It’s not your fault.” Anger flashed in her eyes. Fairy dust spiraled and settled on my frozen fingers, removing the ice. “How long has this been happening?”

  “Yesterday.” I moved my fingers, relieved I could finally feel them. “But whatever I touch, turns to ice and now my family thinks our fridge is broken.” A white line drew my attention and touching it, I realized it was snow. “Great. Now we’ll make the local news as a snow house.”

  Kristy snapped her fingers, and the snow melted. “I don’t see it happening anytime soon.”

  “I thought you couldn’t remove my magic with yours.” I tilted my head, and she nodded.

  “Yes, but I can interfere when feelings are involved.”

  I rose from the grass and I had difficulty standing. Flying over, Kristy helped me on my feet and guided me to the door. “Why don’t you rest? I’ll come and check on you tomorrow.” She held me and flew me to my room without touching an object and we landed outside my bedroom.

  “Thank you,” I whispered, and she clasped my hands.

  “If you need anything, call me. Any time.” She pushed my door open and then flew downstairs. Before entering my room, I heard the back door softly clicking closed.

  ◆◆◆

  “How are you today?” Kristy said when she came to join me for breakfast.

  “Not any better,” I said, “but I’m thinking of going to that Academy.”

  “I thought you would. It will do you some good. How far is it?”

  I sighed. “Two days journey by train.”

  Her mouth dropped. “That is a great distance. Maybe I can do it in one day or a half, depending on where it is. You’ll have to give me the address.” Taking a piece of paper, she handed it to me. “The witch gave this to me this morning. It’s for you.”

  I opened it and stared at the letters that danced in front of my eyes: Always do what you want and never what you think is best. Safe travels!

  “My grandmother used to say that,” I exclaimed.

  “Maybe, but that’s one of the witch’s famous sayings so I believe Hope got it from her,” Kristy said, while eating a bagel. “I didn’t say anything, I swear. She came to find me before I left and told me to give you this.”

  “What do you think?”

  She swallowed her bite before answering. “I think you should go. You’re not going to get better being here and your powers are only going to make matters worse for you. Putting some distance between you and this place will be good and you will have more time to enjoy uni life since you couldn’t do that with school life. At least the last year.” Kristy fell silent, and I considered her words.

  “Okay,” I said and smiled as I thought about the prospect of going away, having adventures of my own and mainly, escape from the awful pain. “Is there anything I need to know?”

  “Be prepared? Supernaturals don’t usually meddle in the human world except for fairies, but you never know.” She jumped and with a wide grin, she yelled, “Now, it’s time to go shopping!” She pulled my arm and despite my complaints, she dragged me to get ready. “You can’t go to the university in regular clothes. We must refresh your wardrobe!”

  ◆◆◆

  “Are you sure you want to do this?” my mother said when I announced my decision.

  “Yes,” I said with a certainty I hadn’t felt before.

  “All right, then.” A glowing smile lit her whole face and rubbing her hands, she said, “Let’s get packing!”

  Chapter 7: Kristy: Run!

  All morning I thought about Violet’s trip and I had hoped I could have joined her so she wouldn’t be alone but she had refused. Her family was going to escort her to the station so she would be fine.

  Planting flowers in my garden, I tried not to think about how broken she was a couple of nights ago. Digging my fingers in the dry soil, I placed the seeds and made the tulips grow, but the result brought a scowl to my face. Not even the flowers I loved so much could cheer me up.

  I heard footsteps nearby, but I didn’t turn. A human would have but I didn’t need to. I knew it was a Eulogimenos, and that was enough for me. I wasn’t in the mood for talking, anyway. What happened to Violet had brought pain in my heart. She was the only friend I ever had and I could not take her suffering away. I instantly saw his attraction toward her from the first moment they met and I had such dreams about them. The episode with the leopard woman made me want to turn her into a cactus forever!

  Taking a sunflower sprout, I shook my head and looked for a good spot to plant it. Planting was my way to vent, but this time it didn’t work so well.

  “Kristy?”

  Scowling, I raised my head to confirm what my ears recognized. Jacques himself was standing outside my garden in plain clothes and my anger flared once again, withering the sunflower on the spot.

  “What?”

  “Are you all right?” he said, concern filling his face, and I gritted my teeth.

  “What do you want? Can’t you see I’m busy?”

  “You woke up on the wrong side of the bed today?” he said with a wry chuckle and then added, “Where’s Violet?”

  Staring at him, I blinked. “What?”

  “Where is Violet?” he repeated, looking at me mystified.

  “Why?” I said in a sharp voice.

  “Because I want to see her. I thought she might be here since that’s usually when she comes to visit.” I might have been moved by the sadness seeping in his voice if he hadn’t committed the horrors he had.

  Dumping the withered sprout, I strode and slapped him hard on the face.

  Backing away, he held his red face. “What is wrong with you?” he yelled.

  “What is wrong with me? What is wrong with you! You ask where is she after what you’ve done? Do you think she’s a toy to be played with?” My hands shook and one by one the flowers I had planted withered in the garden which made me even more upset. “Now, look what you’ve done!”

  “What do you mean what I’ve done? I did nothing. I haven’t seen her in a while so whatever you think I did, it wasn’t me.”

  “Men! You always find excuses! I’ll tell you what you did: you-hurt-my-friend and that is unacceptable,” I shouted. He opened his mouth, but I didn’t let him speak. “I thought you were nice and kind but you’re even worse than the monsters who prey on humans. I regret ever helping you!” When I stopped to take a breath, I noted the garden had grown roots and bushes full of thorns.

  “I don’t understand,” Jacques said and I flipped back around to face him.

  “You never do! Well, how about that? Leopard woman shows up who apparently is your girlfriend, but you never told Violet and you dump her without telling her! How big of a jerk are you?” I heaved and wiped the sweat from my flushed face.

  “What?” Jacques took a step back like I had slapped him again. I took a deep breath, ready for another round of yelling, but he held his hand up. “Hold it! What are you talking about? Hannah is not my girlfriend. We are from the same Realm but I can’t say I like her. She’s creepy and to be honest, I’m scared of her.”

  My mouth dropped open. “What?”

  “Well, she is a big animal and my rabbit form doesn’t agree with hanging out with her for more than two minutes. Plus, she’s always pulling this sexy attitude and I like her even less. I’m sure she’s doing all this only to attract attention and nothing else.”

  I opened and closed my mouth like a goldfish. This couldn’t possibly be real. “What? You mean you…” He shook his head violently, and I stomped my foot. “Why didn’t you act accordingly? We thought you were a couple and Violet was really hurt because of that! Why, oh why are you so stupid?” I demanded as I dragge
d my hands down my face exasperatedly.

  “She would have hurt Violet and predator shapeshifters are dangerous! I wanted to keep her away from Violet. Why did you think of that?” he said, giving me a disbelieving look.

  “Because she hugged you in a not so friendly manner. You really hurt her,” I said, cursing the universe for pulling such a cruel joke.

  “But I immediately pushed her away.”

  “We didn’t see that!”

  “I’ll go and explain. Where is Violet?” he said and then the facts clashed all together in mind, making a loud explosion.

  “Oh no, oh no! Jacques, you’re too late.” I shook my head, clasping my hands.

  “Why? Where is she?”

  “She’s…she’s leaving.”

  Jacques turned ashen and in a voice that betrayed his fear, he said, “Leaving? For where?”

  “She’s boarding the train for the university now.” I slapped my forehead. “She was so hurt and her powers were acting up so it was best for her to get away.”

  “But I can—”

  “You won’t make it in time. The university is ten states away. You can’t possibly…”

  “I’m going to try!” he called and started to run.

  Gathering all my power, I showered him with fairy dust, hoping that was enough. “Run, Jacques! Run!”

  PART III

  Chapter 1: The Oklealia Academy

  People bustling and running to catch their train filled my vision as I advanced slowly to find the train that departed for Oklealia Academy.

  Parents exchanged goodbyes with their children and I smiled bitterly. I had persuaded my parents and Diane not to come with me, as I didn’t want unnecessary tears at the train station. Besides, I was going to write to them and see them on the holidays. No big deal.

  Pulling the ticket that was enclosed in my acceptance letter, I looked at the number: 13 A. As far as I knew, trains had only numbers and not letters. Shrugging, I kept walking, dragging my suitcase behind me.

  When I arrived at number 12, I couldn’t see another station next to it and puzzled, I searched for anyone who could help me. A girl around my age with a suitcase like mine stood nearby, and I walked to ask her, but stopped when I saw a boy approaching her. Hugging her, he gave her a kiss and seeing them; I turned away, blinking my tears away.

  Taking a sharp breath, I took another look at my ticket and noticed that it glowed silver, but the next moment returned to its normal dull white color. More confused than ever, I raised my gaze and my eyes widened. The station with the number 13A inscribed stood across me, but I was fairly certain that some minutes ago only a brick wall could be seen.

  “For Oklealia Academy?” the man at the gate said, and I nodded. He raised the gate, letting me pass.

  This part of the station was more deserted in comparison to the main station. A single dark train silently waited for us to board. While I was dragging my luggage, a strange sense overcame me, but after using my powers, I couldn’t detect anything unusual. Shaking my head, I put the nagging feeling off to anxiousness and traveled to find the coach I was in.

  Taking the ticket out of my pocket again, I noticed a strange thing. I was on coach 13, seat 13 A, and the train was on platform 13 A. “How strange,” I said and pulled the door open. After some efforts, I managed to place my luggage in the compartment. The glass doors opened and a man walked out heading to the bar no doubt.

  Suddenly, my grandmother’s necklace glowed intensely and fear took hold of my insides. I ignored the glow, but it only got more intense and a voice screamed Violet! Panicked, I cast a look around, but relaxed once I realized no one was in proximity to witness my necklace’s misbehavior. I closed my hand around my necklace, but the light didn’t cease. Violet! I heard the voice again and as if my problems weren’t enough, I heard hurried footsteps on the coach I was in. My mind whirled, searching for a logical explanation to use, but when I saw the person staring at me, my eyes widened.

  No, no! It can’t be. This is a trick!

  The person heaved and looked at me with his blue eyes I always admired while sweat ran from his forehead. “Violet!”

  Everything clicked together now. The necklace could detect shapeshifters and since it was his, it went nuts.

  “Violet,” he repeated and reluctantly took a step closer but I backed away.

  Seeing him, my heart started beating hard in my chest and the memories flooded. In vain, I tried to push them away, but the pain came to bite me again as the ice in my hands spread. Unable to hold it together anymore with trembled lips, I said, “Leave!”

  “Please, hear me out for one moment,” he said as the train’s warning whistle for the passengers to get on sounded.

  “The train is leaving soon,” I only said, and he nodded.

  Weaving his hands, he bowed his head. “I wanted to protect you from her, but I failed. Drawing attention from you, I thought she might be less interested and would leave you alone.” I cast him an odd look and he sighed. “You didn’t understand anything I said, did you?” I shook my head and taking a deep breath, he said, “Predator shapeshifters are dangerous since they don’t control their actions when they transform.”

  “Kristy told me that.”

  “She was born in the same Realm as I was but since she can shift into a predator, she lived a rich life and stayed whereas I got to escape. I don’t know why Hannah came to the Blessed Realm but she’s one of the most dangerous predators I know. I thought I could protect you, but apparently, she had plans of her own.” His lip curled and his fists clenched.

  “Hannah?” Her name instantly brought her stunning image of the shapeshifter I was trying hard to forget. I tried to piece the information together as the pieces connected. “Wait, she…you…You’re not…?”

  “For the love of the rabbit, of course not!” Jacques shook his head violently and his eyes widened. I could see clearly his fear mirrored in his eyes.

  “I don’t understand. Why would you be hanging with her, then?” I said, my confusion growing and my hope showing her silver wings reluctantly.

  “For you. I wanted to protect you and I thought she would be less interested in you. I’m afraid of her and my rabbit would never agree with that choice. Why would you ever think that?” His voice ascended with accusation hanging in the air like a fogbank.

  “She’s beautiful and a shapeshifter. I’m just a human with powers that don’t always work. Who wouldn’t want her?” I said, bitterly.

  Closing the distance between us, he took my hand and his touch burned my skin. “Violet Webb, I love you and I would never want to be with anyone else but you. You are the only one who can understand me when I am in both forms. My heart and soul belong to you and even when I die, I will still be yours,” he said with passion in his voice.

  “Jacques…” I whispered as my tears spilled down my face. I never expected the turn the conversation had taken, but maybe an apology of sorts.

  “My Violet,” he whispered as he took my face and kissed me. We slammed into the wall as he showered me with his love. I felt his arms wrapping around me and the ice from my hands melting. With every kiss he placed, he put back another piece of my broken heart.

  Pulling away, he looked at me in wonder. Craving his touch, I pulled him hard and kissed him, resulting in an animal sound that was a song to my ears.

  The deeper his kisses went I felt my feet leaving the ground, I wrapped them around him. His arms traveled on my back, sending pleasant shivers through my body.

  Suddenly, I couldn’t feel his touch anymore and gravity pulled me down as I dropped on the ground. Disoriented, I gazed around and finally placed him on the floor, in his rabbit form with his ears raised, wrinkling his nose.

  “That was not funny,” I chided, crossing my arms. My heart complained and my skin blazed at the thought of him.

  “Your ticket, miss,” I heard a voice next to me and upset, I turned and noticed the conductor. When I held out my ticket, he examined it for
several minutes, and put a stamp on it. “Freshman?” I nodded, and he smiled. “Have fun at the Academy and give the Headmaster my regards.”

  “Of course, sir.”

  “Be careful or you’ll lose your rabbit, miss.” He pointed to Jacques, who was next to my foot, and I placed him on my shoulder. I felt his small body shivering and caressed his raised fur. What’s wrong? I thought, but I didn’t get an answer so I focused on ending the conversation quickly.

  “Thank you.” I took my purse and smiling, I walked to my seat and watched the scene change as the train had commenced its journey to the Academy.

  As soon as I had shut the door, Jacques turned into a human, but his previous mood was gone. He stared out the window and didn’t utter a single word and looked worried, I sat next to him and put a hand on his knee.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “The Oklealia Academy?” he said in a faraway voice.

  “Yes, how—?”

  “Why?”

  “I had three choices, but this was the only one that was miles away.”

  “You wanted to get away from me,” he said, turning to me and I saw pain mirrored on his face.

  “Yes.” Then I added quickly, “I wanted to get away from the fighting and have a normal life for a while.”

  “Normal,” he repeated.

  “But I never applied for the academy. The letter was there among the other two and…” I put my hand under my chin, thinking of the other strange things that had happened. “When I arrived at the station, I couldn’t find the train and suddenly, it appeared when I turned my back and I was getting weird vibes from the train.”

  “I thought you would.” His forehead was creased, and he was biting his lips in worry. “You left a supernatural place for a normal life only to fall into another one,” he muttered.

  “What do you mean?”