The Vampire Fairy•Sky of Eraklyon

5

Aisha had invited Talia to sit with the winx suite girls at lunch, so she sat awkwardly in a chair Aisha had dragged to their four person table, nibbling on the chicken and rice served that day.

"So here's what we should do."

Aisha said, addressing Bloom.

"Maybe we can make a list
of emotional triggers-"

"Aisha, um, I appreciate what you're doing,
but I can figure this out on my own."

Bloom interrupted, pulling her hoodie sleeves over her wrists uncomfortably.

Talia honestly envied Bloom, she'd take erratic fire fairy over vampire any day.

"I'm sure. I just think you might be in your head
about the whole changeling stuff and overthinking."

Talia started.

What?

Bloom looked uncomfortable.

"So everyone knows."

"I didn't!"

Talia hissed, looking at Bloom with wide eyes.

"What- and we're just glossing over this? Like- like it's normal?"

Talia huffed, taking a few calming breaths.

"Is that why you freaked out at the Vessel? That makes more sense. Honestly that's gonna be the easiest assignment we'll have- and I'm making it worse."

Terra snapped her mouth shut, as Musa motioned for her to stop, and Bloom rubbed her temples in stress.

The group jumped, as Stella materialized at their table, Sky in tow.

"So we have a plan to get my ring back."

She announced, a bit too loud for Talia's taste.

Sky unsurely produced a map, spreading it over their table.

"What's this?"

Bloom asked, surveying it.

"It's Alfea."

Terra said delightedly.

"The little dotted line is the Barrier, and that's Crag Creek. Wind Meadow! When I was a kid, I'd spend every-"

"Great story, Ter."

Stella snapped impatiently.

"No, it's a really good story. Listen."

Terra insisted, launching into her childhood tale.

"Um... Stella told me
what happened last night."

Sky said, seemingly at first just to Bloom, but he looked up at Talia, also turning his question to her.

"Are you OK?"

"What do you think?"

Bloom responded sarcastically.

"Talia why didn't you mention this morning- you fought that thing?"

Sky added searchingly, as Terra droned on with her story.

"I wanted to spend my morning without you- or anyone else- knowing I'm a freak."

Talia responded bluntly, nearly jumping from her skin when Sky's hand touched hers.

His skin was tantalizingly warm, but she found it strangely easy to resist his blood.

"Come on Talia, I wouldn't-"

Sky was interrupted but Stella's sudden question.

"Um, Sky? Where do you think they're keeping it again?"