The Vampire Fairy•Sky of Eraklyon

6

Talia did her best to ignore the whispers as she passed students, or the nervous looks even the staff gave her at times.

There had been a rumor spreading, that she'd been the one to kill the shepherd outside the barrier, that she'd drained him of blood.

She didn't mind their fear, as much as she worried about the aggression it could bring.

It was a well known fact, that people hate what they don't understand.

Riven and Beatrix, thankfully, didn't seemed bothered by her affliction.

The two seemed to have paired off, constantly flirting and spending a decent deal of time together.

She found herself in Rivens dorm with the two, the trio skimming through their phones, occasionally hitting Rivens vape.

Riven chuckled, showing the two girls a line of texts between him and Dane, the boy he'd been coaxing into drinking days prior.

"Homophobic gay-bashing by GIF."

Talia summarized with an eyeroll.

"Truly, you've reached your peak clever."

Beatrix added, adjusting one of the many pins in her hair.

"Look, one, I don't think he's full-gay. Probably mostly, but, two, I don't care. Just 'cause he's gay,
it doesn't mean he has to be lame."

Riven insisted flopping back onto his bed.

"Full gay?"

Talia chuckled.

"So you think he's what, eighty-six percent?"

"So you're gonna help him by making him feel bad about himself. A well-intentioned bully."

Beatrix continued.

"That's the plan. Why? Is that a confusing archetype for you?"

Beatrix and Riven shared a laugh, Talia presumed it was an inside joke.

The door opened and her gaze snapped up, but she relaxed when she saw it was only Sky.

"Hello."

He greeted, eyeing Beatrix with annoyance.

Beatrix read his body language wrong.

"Oh, shit, sorry."

She said, offering him the vape in her hand.

"No, thank you."

Sky scoffed, placing his backpack on the chair by his bed, and opening his desk for something.

"Daytime? Not smart, Riv. If Silva catches them up here-"

"Beatrix."

Beatrix interrupted.

"Not "them" Beatrix. And this is Talia."

"We've met."

Sky responded, giving Talia a much friendlier face.

"And, uh, Silva left."

Riven added, taking the vape back from Beatrix.

"I kinda snooped to make sure."

"You snooped?"

Talia questioned.

"Talia snooped. Something about meeting up with a military detachment from Solaria. Ask your girlfriend."

Riven corrected.

"You're dating the princess?"

Beatrix asked interestedly, a teasing smile overtaking her face as she sat forward.

Annoyance flashed through Talia.

"Shit! Is it weird having sex with someone
who looks just like you, or is that kind of the point?"

Talia gagged, and thankfully Sky ignored her.

"If the Solarians are coming-"

"-then the rumors must be true."

Riven finished for Sky.

"They've captured a Burned One. The Solarian prison is no joke. I guess they're gonna transfer it."

The present dark fairy shot Sky a serious look, the two knowing Stella and her suite mates were running out of time.

"You see, the upshot is... we've got nowhere to be."

Riven flirted with Beatrix, pulling her hair from her neck.

"Speak for yourself."

Beatrix corrected.

"I'm gonna head to the library."

She said, standing and exiting the room.

Sky turned to Riven as he rolled onto his back, hitting his vape once more.

"I don't have time to tell you all the reasons why that is a bad idea."

Sky told him, pointing to the door where Beatrix had just been.

"Yeah, yeah."

Riven chuckled.

Talia snatched the vape away, exhaling the fruity flavor once more, before looking to Sky seriously and nodding to the door.

Sky followed her into the hallway, where she turned to him.

"You'd better tell Stell she's almost out of time."

She advised crossing her arms over herself worriedly.

Sky nodded, dialing Stella's number, and stepping away to speak to her.

"You think they'll be alright?"

Sky asked once he hung up, his shoulders visibly tense.

"I... don't know."

She admitted.

"I mean, it's tied up right? Surely five fairies can handle one restrained burned one."

Sky nodded unsurely.

"Five untrained fairies."

He corrected.

"Stella's a second year."

She reasoned, placing a comforting hand on his bicep.

Sky's brow creased, he crossed his arms uncomfortably, clearly holding something back.

Talia cocked her head questioningly.

He sighed, tipping his head to the ceiling tiredly.

"I thought you'd known, you're her cousin after all. Stella... she doesn't have the best control of her magic, what she did to Ricki last year... I don't know that it was on purpose."

Her eyes widened as Sky explained.

"Ricki and I were talking, I guess we'd been talking more than Stell was comfortable with, and she just... lost it. I know she's not always... agreeable. But Talia you've grown up with her, you really think she'd do that to her best friend?"

Talia stared.

The oh so perfect princess, might have less control than Talia herself.

The untrustworthy dark fairy.

"I don't know if I should laugh, or feel sorry for her."

She wondered aloud.

Sky grimaced.

"If she finds out you know, I think you'll end up feeling more sorry for yourself."

Talia winced.

"Honestly though, I've talked to her about it. She's adamant she meant to blind Ricki. It just... doesn't feel right."

Talia pressed her lips into a thin line, unsure what to say.

"So what do we do? Just wait around for them?"

Short chapter today, hope you guys like it.

Feedback is appreciated!