Evmor: The Calling

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

I sat in front of the framed mirror, watching in wonder as Adalia and Harriet wove intricate braids with my hair. I couldn’t remember the last time I wore my hair in such an elaborate fashion. I usually kept it down or up in a ponytail, putting it in a single braid on some occasions. As I tried to puzzle out just how in the world they were doing this with my hair, I felt as if my eyes were going to cross.

My stomach was a nervous knot just at the idea of going to the masquerade ball tonight, which was coming up real soon. Just enough time for me to get dressed and ready. While Adalia continued to work on my hair, Harriet came over and started to spread out all kinds of make up on the dress table. My head spun just from trying to identify what all these could be. There were the obvious ones that I was familiar with such as eyeliner, eye shadow, and lipstick, although they all looked a little different from what I’ve seen before. But there were little pouches that held pleasant smelling powder or a box of something that I could never identify even if I tried.

“Close your eyes.” Harriet ordered, and I obediently followed her instruction. I didn’t want to risk any of that stuff getting in my eyes. Her hands were steady and sure as she brushed something on my eyelid. I could hear the items being placed back on the table with a clatter as she picked up another one to use. I lost myself in the darkness behind my eyelids, letting my mind wander as my two friends got me ready for the ball.

I thought about what happened last night. This morning, I had woken up to the lingering presence of Erebus, as if the room held his visit in its memory. I had stayed lying on my bed, my mind racing at why he had been here. I was also bewildered at my lack of alarm when I knew it had been an Atramento that had slipped into my room. There was definitely something wrong with me. Or it could have been the fact that I was almost unconscious from sleep.

Either way, one thing was sure. I never wanted to see him again.

Or do you? Whispered an annoying voice in the back of my mind.

No! I argued, I don’t want to see him again and that is final.

“You can open your eyes now.” Harriet said, breaking me out of my reverie. I opened my eyes cautiously, unsure of what to expect. Then stared. I quirked my mouth experimentally and my reflection did the same. I arched one eyebrow just to check it was an actual mirror image of me.

“What did you do?” I asked in awe. My eyes were outlined in a thin stroke of black, and around it were shaded a dark gray, making my eyes look bluer than ever. My cheeks looked slightly flushed from the powder of pink. My lips that had parted slightly in wonder were a soft shade of red and it made them look plumper and—I had to admit—tempting.

Giggling at my reaction, Harriet pulled out another brush. She dipped it in a bottle that at a first glance seemed to be holding black ink. I realized upon closer inspection that it was a deep blue.

Curious, and excited now that I knew how good she was at this, I asked, “What’s that for?”

“This is going to be your mask.” Harriet said simply and placed the tip of the brush at the edge of my eye.

I watched in amazement as dark blue ink started to spread out in all directions from the point. It swirled and drew curlicues on my face, fanning out to cover the skin around my eyes and just above my cheekbones. As I looked closely, I thought I could identify shapes like wings and leaves settling in blue around my eyes.

“Isn’t this amazing?” Adalia exclaimed excitedly, her fingers still moving deftly through my thick locks. I made a sound of agreement, hesitant to make any movement in case it would cause the mask to become destroyed.