13
Alayna
Monday 29th January, Year 825
I didn't enjoy Health class at the best of times, but today it felt like the air was especially heavier; five hours until my date with Marco.
In the back of the greenhouse, a makeshift classroom chattered with uninterested students as yet more rain drizzled down from the grey sky. Each plink it made as it bounced off the roof felt like a bullet to the head. I just wanted the day to be over.
I used to find Health interesting until I realised you are only good at it if you were a familiar. That meant nobody was good at it and nobody could make any of the antidotes and remedies Lilou talked about. Even if we had any familiars hiding amongst the class, they'd no doubt pretend to be crap so their secret wasn't revealed…
Lilou used to tell cool stories about familiars and their powers. She used to tell us about the "cost" of extrinsic magic. No spell, apart from the one intrinsic ability familiars were born with, was free. It could cost water. It could cost muscle capacity. It could cost rain clouds. But it cost. Just like Riley losing a memory for the memory spell he cast.
It was really interesting stuff but after Anthony Hawes threw a hissy fit about it, she went back to teaching the boring stuff. Regardless, I still paid attention even if everyone else looked like they were falling asleep. The whole lot of them had no idea they'd been born coming to this stupid college. Though they didn't need to pay attention; I'm sure they were all just waiting for their parents to die so they could become millionaires.
But today wasn't about putting weeds in a pot and hoping for the best. The fact we were sitting on the stools at the back of the greenhouse meant this was a lecture.
Lilou cleared her throat, getting the attention of the assholes surrounding me. She was Lambentian through and through; long black hair cascaded down her shoulders, framing golden-ringed brown eyes. Her voice wove through the air, clear and articulate, as she lectured among rows of potted blossoms and hanging vines. The earthy aroma of soil and fresh plants reminded me of home.
"The concept of being Fated," Lilou began, enunciating each syllable with deliberate care, "is one that has fascinated our kind for centuries. Imagine an invisible tether between two souls—binding them with an intensity that defies logic."
From where I sat, I could hear the rustle of notes being taken, the tapping of a pen against polished wood. My own notebook was blank; I just couldn't be assed today. Lilou's words filtered through my mind like water through a sieve.
A hand shot up from the second row. Lacy, a girl with hair like silk and the kind of posture you only get from years of etiquette lessons, piped up. "Professor, does this phenomenon observe any particular patterns? Ages or genders?"
"It's Lilou. Not professor." Lilou's lips curled into a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. She never wanted to be known as a professor and always corrected people who called her so. "Fate does not discriminate. It can entangle any two individuals at any stage in life, regardless of gender. The only constant is that it is observed among familiars, though occasionally a familiar can Fate with a mortal."
I shifted in my seat, trying to fend off that gnawing curiosity. Ben always said I was too nosy for my own good. And it took my mind off the shitty day that lay ahead of me. At least I could shout at Tiv about the phone at some point.
"While some familiars are drawn together as lovers—destined to forge offspring of considerable power—there are those who become Fated enemies." She paused to sweep her gaze across us all as if challenging anyone to dispute her words. "It is believed the purpose is to breed the strong or cull the weak from our ranks through love or conflict."
She said 'our' like she was lecturing a room of familiars.
"But how do you know?" The question tumbled out before I could stop it, tinged with scepticism "How can you tell if you're supposed to kiss them or kill them?"
A few heads turned in my direction; they weren't used to a scab speaking up. But Lilou just considered me with a smile.
"It speaks. I thought it only screeched," a guy behind me said. I didn't bother looking up. It was Andy. What Jo saw in him was beyond me.
"Another outburst Mr. Hunt and you'll be cleaning our Rithum pestles for a week," Lilou snapped.
It was enough of a punishment to make Hunt shut his stupid mouth; Rithum was a potion that temporarily stripped familiars of magic; it stank.
"To answer your question, Miss Jameson, one simply knows. The Fated bond may not always be apparent at first, but it will eventually present itself. Usually after the pair draw blood… or consummate the relationship."
A few of the guys behind me laughed like they were seven years olds but Lilou ignored them.
She hadn't actually answered my question, but I wasn't a familiar and would never be Fated so I supposed it didn't really matter anyway.
"Manifestations may include a sensation likened to an unyielding pull—an unseen cord binding two entities together. In most cases," she continued, turning back to address everyone once more, "individuals may share dreams, sense each other's emotions or even perceive impending threats."
As the lesson went on, Lilou got real deep into Fate and how Familiars work. She talked about the tricky balance between love and conflict and it's important to know where you fit in the whole destiny thing.
As class ended, Lilou left us with one last bit of wisdom: "Remember, Familiar or not, we are all bound by threads unseen. It is how we navigate those connections that shape our paths."
I scribbled down 'invisible string' in my notebook—the only words for the entire lesson—and glanced around the room at other faces. Any one of them could be Fated lovers or Fated enemies and they wouldn't have the first clue until Fate decided it was time for them to know. I'd hate to not have the choice.
When the bell signalled the end of the lesson, I left everyone to rush out before I left, giving them time to disperse so they couldn't descend on me.
I realised I was alone with Lilou. Not sure why the words came to my mouth, I asked, "Have you ever been Fated?"
She smiled, "That's a very probing question, Miss Jameson."
I stuttered out a response, "Ah- I- I'm sorry-"
"I have been once, yes. That is how I gained a daughter. She was beautiful, as was her father."
Was. I paled. "I'm so sorry."
Her face was kind, "My daughter lives, she simply does not wish to be my daughter." Without missing a beat she added. "The lesson is over. See you tomorrow."
Without thinking too much about how a teacher had just given me far too much information about their private life, I rushed from the room, ready for a free period. I had left the mobile Tiv gave me in my room at home. I had every intention of returning it to him, but I also didn't want to take something that expensive with me into Central. I'd probably be accused of stealing it.
Arriving in the common room, Jo was already waiting for me. The large, open-plan room was lined with comfortable leather sofas. On one end, TV's played various movies and the other end had a mixture of foosball and pool tables available. Grand, marble fireplaces broke up the sofas, warming the vast room. Jo sat to the right of the entrance and I quickly joined her. She was miserable because of the weather and she pointed out that, unless we wanted to get soaked through, we were confined to the common room until our next lessons started. Days when we were stuck inside were typically the worst for my subjected torture. I usually kept out of the common room altogether, hanging out in the library instead, but today I needed to argue with Tiv. I smiled inwardly but the anxiety crept in at the fact the torment was about to start.
"Maybe, you should go find someone else to sit with today," I smiled sadly.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Her brow furrowed, "No. I'm sure it won't be too bad. You're dating Marco after all."
"Lucky me," I sulked.
"Come on, Aly! It'll be fun!" She beamed, trying again to make the date seem like a good idea.
She dived into talk of how fantastic our date was going to be. We were to meet them at the parking lot after college where Marco was taking us to a fancy restaurant in Central. I had intentionally dressed well, hating myself for it but I figured it was only a matter of time before my face ended up in the magazines and I didn't want to look disgusting. Jo prattled on about how I should give Marco another chance and that she wasn't a fan of Tiv. Apart from that, it was easy to have a conversation with Jo; she didn't stop for breath. A well-placed 'Really? You're kidding?' could keep her happy for half an hour and I could wander off to dreamland where me and Tiv lived happily ever after.
As she talked, I noticed Rob entering the room with a couple of minions. If I was to give Ben a name, it would be his. He was at the top of my list of people who would think burning me to death in my home would be hilarious. He didn't immediately spot me and his laughter boomed.
"You've got less than two days left to nail her then your money is mine, Hawes," he joked loudly.
My stomach fell out the bottom of my body as both Tiv and Marco walked into the room behind Rob. Marco was laughing as he swung his bag to knock Rob into the wall, "I still have this afternoon."
A shiver of dread rippled through Jo beside me; her fingers curled tighter around the couch cushion, nails digging into the leather.
"Do they mean you?" she whispered.
"Of course they mean me," I growled loud enough for them to notice my existence and look down.
Marco, Tiv and Rob stopped in their tracks. The other three guys burst out laughing and went to find a place to sit. Andy, Jo's date, didn't even bother acknowledging her.
Ben had been right: there was a bet. A small part of me wasn't even surprised. Another much larger part of me was trying to stop my heart from thrashing straight out of my chest. Fury coursed through me with so much intensity my insides physically ached as it scorched through my veins. I stood up without thinking. Marco swore as I approached but it was Tiv's shocked face that registered. I resisted the urge to slam my fist into his scared, doe-like eyes.
What I decided to do instead made me wish I had better control of my temper.
My feet didn't stop until I was in front of Marco, where I shoved my hands in his hair and kissed him hard. The idiot was clearly shocked but reciprocated anyway. I ran my hands down his torso, dipping into his pocket and removing a set of car keys. Pocketing them, I immediately pulled away. There were whoops and wolf-whistles echoing around the common room.
"Tiv's the better kisser. Suppose I'll never know now who's the better fuck." I took my time looking him up and down like a pig at a meat market before laughing. "Yeah, definitely not you and your—from what I've heard—tiny, diseased prick."
Outraged, he tried to stutter out a retort but I gave him a wink before shoving him roughly out of the way. As I marched past him, my footsteps echoing off the hardwood floor, catcalls and a few nervous laughs rang out. I didn't give a crap. If they wanted to paint me as a slut, they could.
I jumped out of Tiv's grasp as he tried to stop me leaving the room. I couldn't even look at him. He followed me as I thundered along the hallway, out to the courtyard and into the car park, all the while begging me to stop and asking me to listen. I ignored every request.
Pulling Marco's car keys from my pocket, I started repeatedly pressing the unlock button, scanning the parking lot for activity. Tiv swore loudly behind me and continued begging for my attention. Eventually, Marco's sleek, black car lit up. I smirked. Ben would like this car.
"Are you mad?" Tiv hissed, grabbing me and spinning me around.
I pushed him away from me with as much force as I could and continued until I reached Marco's car.
"Aly, you can't take his car. You know what the Day Guard would do," Tiv begged, trying to grab the keys. "I cannot do anything to help you if you steal that car."
I slapped his hand away and took great satisfaction in dragging the key roughly along the side of the door, the black paint chipping away and leaving a long silver line in its wake.
"I had nothing to do with Marco and Rob's bet," Tiv blurted out quickly.
I ignored him and keyed the car again. It didn't give me the same satisfaction the second time, as my anger quickly ebbed to sadness. Pointing the key downwards, I slammed it into the bonnet, leaving a large dent. I did it once more to the windshield window, fracturing the bottom corner of the glass and snapping the key in the process.
So I wasn't stealing the car apparently.
I dropped what remained of the key by the bonnet and walked towards the main street.
"Alayna, please say something," Tiv pleaded.
There was a beat of silence before I detonated. "You are unbelievable!"
Tiv flinched back as if slapped, eyes wide with shock as he swallowed down my anger.
"You used me!" My voice tore from my throat. "I'm a person, not a toy for you and your brother to fight over then throw away when I'm not fun anymore. And for what? For money you didn't even need. A bet you didn't-"
"I did not make the bet. It has nothing to do with me," he interjected desperately.
"Liar," I hissed.
"Alayna, I didn't make the bet."
"You knew about it though? The whole time?" I seethed.
He stayed silent.
"So it did have something to do with you then, didn't it?"
"I'm so sorry. I should have-"
"How much was I worth then?" I barked with a nasty laugh. "Fifty ven? A hundred?"
He looked to the floor, "A thousand ven."
My jaw dropped. Marco has bet double my Mum's monthly wage that he could screw me. They just had money to burn while we couldn't afford to eat. I screamed a long string of profanities at the thought and continued to rage down the busy street toward the train station. Tiv continued to follow me.
"Please stop for a moment. I can explain-"
"Explain what?" I barked a laugh. "You knew your brother was trying to screw me for money."
"I didn't think you would. Well until you turned up today dolled to the nines ready for your date with him." He could not keep the bitter jealousy from seeping into his tone.
"You're right. I dressed up just for him," I lied in a venom-filled hiss.
He finally stopped chasing me.
"So what the hells was I for then?" he called angrily.
In an instant, I was sobered of anger, knowing a soft tone would hurt more when my words hit their mark, "I couldn't miss an opportunity to screw with the Hawes brothers. Thanks for the phone."
Tiv's face twisted with hurt and the warmth in his dark eyes turned cold. He tensed up as if my venom had physically hit him. It brought the world's largest shit-eating grin to my face. And maybe that's what gave me away.
He regarded me before speaking, "Do you always lie when you're hurt?"
My face fell for a single second before incredulous anger spiked once more, "Leave me alone. I never want to see you again."
I didn't dare say anything else for fear of getting myself arrested. Instead I turned away again, trying to get home. He was instantly behind me once more.
"I'm so sorry," he pleaded again, grabbing my wrist.
I turned and tried to push him away but he caught my free hand too. Before I knew it, there were arms around me, pulling me from Tiv's grasp and whirling me away.
I stood face-to-face with Michael Conway, Ben's childhood friend. He was tall and lean with long black hair tied in a ponytail. He was the only scab to hold a position on the Day Guard. He always helped us when he could. I had never been so happy to see his beautiful blue eyes in my life.
"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Michael hissed at me.
"She's done nothing wrong, just leave her alone," Tiv interjected, pulling his wallet from his inside pocket. "There's no problem here."
As he began to take money from his wallet, Michael moved me behind him and glared at Tiv who did not immediately realise what was happening.
"Put your money away, Mr. Hawes. It's no good here," Michael said disinterestedly.
"Pardon?" Tiv replied.
I grinned maliciously at the fact the dimwit had probably never heard those words used together in a sentence in his life.
"Were you bothering this woman?" Michael asked.
"No," Tiv said, changing his posture. He stood taller, his jaw tight and shoulders squared. He looked like his dad.
"Mr. Hawes, I'm fining you for trying to bribe a member of the Day Guard. And, to my knowledge, shouldn't you also be in college? I think that's a second fine. We'll ignore the fact you were physically assaulting a girl in the streets so we don't need to take her details. But I will need to take yours. If you cannot or refuse to pay the fine, I'll have to incarcerate you," Michael said matter-of-factly.
Tiv looked furious. He had no doubt never been spoken to like that in his entire life.
"I could have your job with one phone call," he seethed.
"Alayna, go home,' Michael said, rolling up his sleeves as he filled out the fine. Tiv's eyes snapped to the scab tattoo at Michael's wrist and he paled.
I didn't stay to listen to the rest of the conversation, obeying Michael and walking quickly to the train station, ignoring the prying eyes as the street blurred around me.
----------------------------------------
Ben met me off the train, face marred with dirt from the pits, apoplectic.
"Really? We're missing out on mine hours so you can be overprotective?" I snapped.
"What did that asshole do? Michael said he had his hands on you and you were trying to get away from him," Ben's words came out so quickly they ran together.
I didn't even bother to enquire as to how Michael had told him so quickly as I spoke. "That's a pretty accurate description of the situation," I shrugged. "But I'm fine. It's all fine. Michael handled it. I think."
"What happened?" he pressed.
I shrugged trying to keep my voice even, "You were right. Marco had a bet. Tiv knew about it."
Ben swore and turned on the spot back in the direction of the station. I pulled on his arm pointlessly trying to restrain him.
"Calm down! I shouted Tiv was a better screw and Marco had a tiny dick to the whole college. That'll be more damaging to him than your fist."
"You're fucking disgusting letting either of them near you," Ben seethed.
I rolled my eyes, "I didn't. Either of them. But even if I'd had the whole damn college you're the biggest hypocrite in the world-"
"Just stop talking," he barked but slowed, allowing me to force him to a stop. "Aly, you're going to be in trouble here. Why did you mess with the damn Hawes family?"
"Michael will sort it. He gave Tiv an official fine. You should have seen his face." I started dragging him away from the station. "And I keyed Marco's car," I grinned trying to calm him down, it did the opposite.
His eyes shot to mine, "Did anyone see you?"
"Tiv."
"Stupid girl," he hissed. "We're going to have to tell Mum and Dad. The Day Guard will come for you."
"We're not telling them anything. Michael can handle it."
"He is one man and you keyed that rich brat's car in front of his brother. Michael isn't going to be useful to us when they report you," Ben replied indignantly.
"Tiv's not going to tell." I did not know what made me so confident in that statement.
I thought of Tiv threatening Michael's job and how much he looked like his dad. He was just like all of the other assholes in Central. But then again he wasn't. He'd shown the capacity to be kind. My stomach sank at the thought.
"Your temper will get you killed if you're not careful," Ben barked.
"Pot calling the kettle black," I laughed.
He didn't find it funny.