Our Dark Collision (English edition)

VIII

-I met Jasper- I begin at the table with Ash. When I got to the kitchen I found the islet set for two. He hadn't spoken to me since he had entered the house, except for a few monosyllables here and there. My sudden affirmation had roused him from the silence, making him look up at me.
-Mh- mumbles looking down at his plate.
I just can't understand what's so interesting about meat and a little salad.
I sigh, looking down to skewer a piece of steak, but I don't want to eat. That morning I tried to swallow some cookies but my stomach is twisted on itself, making me repudiate any type of food.
"He's definitely more sociable than mumbling before chewing and reluctantly swallowing a bite."
Ash laughs softly -Yes, everyone has always thought that- he murmurs sincerely amused and for a moment I seem to see a human side, which however is quickly replaced by that mask of impassivity of him.
-What exactly is he? -I ask before he can hold his tongue, I'm terribly curious.
-He already told you, Ava- he says putting on some salad.
I frown, annoyed by his answer, I don't know how to argue. I haven't made much progress with Ash so far, but a conversation where I'm not potentially aggressive may be something.
- Did you like the library? - He asks suddenly, looking at my face, to study the reaction.
The question takes me off guard, for a moment I'm terrified that he has discovered everything, then I remember having to answer to avoid remaining silent.
-Oh yes, very- I say vague.
The room falls silent, then he says something I didn't expect to hear - Do you like the stars? -
I am dumbfounded for a moment.
-Why are you asking me? - I ask with a hint of curiosity.
-I found you staring at them last night and you fell asleep looking at the sky- she explains looking at me, unperturbed.
I observe his eyes, that blue-green that I can't make out, the blond hair that falls over his forehead. If we were in another situation, I would not consider it so wrong to try to get closer to him.
-Yes, well, the night sky always gave me a sense of peace. My parents gave me a telescope for my 18th birthday. Annie hasn't figured out how to use it yet- I freeze for a moment -I mean, she hadn't understood it yet- I say with a note of nostalgia in my voice, just before I realize I'm smiling and rolling out of my mouth a series of useless information, at least for Ash.
I already imagine I see his expression annoyed at him, but as soon as I look into his face I am forced to take back my hypothesis. She looks at me, I don't understand what he is thinking about, but in his gaze I seem to see a cold emotion, fear. Pure fear. He jumps off his stool, composing himself.
-I have to take care of some chores, if you have to go out tell Jasper, without him you could not return to the apartment- she says regaining her balanced and composed tone, and with a snap of her fingers she disappears in a voluptuous black cloud. I make a frustrated sound as I get off the stool. He didn't answer any of my questions, while I, like a fool, went too far. A meow makes me turn around -Oh but hello spy- I say sarcastic.
-You were the one who told him about the library, wasn't it? - now my tone is much harder.
"If you haven't done anything wrong, why does it irritate you so much that I told him?" He sneakily retorts as he stretches.
Although she is angry, the question still has the desired effect. My sympathy for him begins to fade.
-If you don't mind I don't want to be followed or spied on resolutely.
Jasper just makes a soft, bored meow as he walks over to the couch.
-Why should I warn you if I go out? - I ask suddenly, but the question does not seem to surprise him.
-The house is protected by a seal that can only be temporarily dissolved by me, but to let me know when I have to do it, I need to be invoked. If you go out you have to have something that belongs to me, when you have to come back you just need to say my name three times and I will be able to let you in - he explains curled up on the sofa.
-Like a bell, only more complicated and more supernatural- I say crossing my arms and leaning my back against the side of the counter. In fact, I don't know what I expected, but I didn't think the urban legends about repeating a spirit's name three times to call it were real.
Jasper gives an amused chuckle.
-We say yes-
-Why is Ash often away from home? - I ask.
-Mmm are you always so curious? -He complains.
-You know usually normal people don't have to deal with demons, talking cats and invisible buildings- I reply annoyed.
- Most likely he is in the Alliance - she says.
Oh sure it's all clear now
-What is he? Some kind of organization or something like that? - I ask going to sit in the armchair in front of Jasper.
-Yes, you can call it that. All the demons present in London gather to discuss business, if we want to see it from this point of view- he explains.
-Mh I understand- I grumble as an idea begins to make its way in my mind.
-Does he usually stay out for a long time? -I ask, resting my chin on the palm of my hand.
-Why are you asking me? - Jasper asks suspiciously.
-Oh well you know I do not love his company very much, I hope you can understand- I say with pretending afflicted.
I learned this from a girl who came to the same school as me, Beth, she could pretend like no other. If a professor asked her questions that she couldn't answer about her, he would bring tears to her eyes and she would start mumbling some prepackaged excuse in a whining, yet extremely convincing tone. She just had to do the big doe eyes and her grades skyrocketed. Maybe it's not a very decent or fair method, but it worked, after all, the end justifies the means.
-Mh, well I guess it will last as long as it has to last- says Jasper with a sigh, but if she were in human form she would smile slyly.
-I understand, well good rest Jas- I tell him getting up from the chair trying not to let out my disappointment at his answer and giving him a scratch behind the ears.
He gets annoyed and turns with his muzzle the other way.
Even if he finds out, I have nothing more to lose.