The Price of Blood [ONC 2024] {SHORTLISTED}

Chapter One

I stare down at the weapon in my hands. It's nowhere near perfection, but they never are. I rest it on my workstation and double-check the blueprint. I still have a long way to go, but it's an improvement. 

The door cracks open, and light streams in. 

Is it already morning? 

I squint through the crack. "Aunt Adella?" I call, and she hurries inside, stretching her wings out. 

"What are you still doing here, kiddo?" She asks, a hint of worry creeping into her voice. "You know it's Tuesday, right? You have work!" 

I freeze, staring at her sharp blue eyes. "What? No, no that can't be right." I frown, glancing down at the weapon. All that time spent designing and redesigning - I should've been sleeping. "It can't be Tuesday," I murmur, mostly to myself. 

"Vaughn, you wanted that job," Adella snaps, grabbing my shoulder, and I wince as I pry her talons off. She gives me a look. "You're already late, so if you want to keep it, I suggest you get moving." 

I nod, casting one last look at the weapon. 

"You're not taking it," Adella says sharply. "Your father can cover for your lateness today, but you cannot bring a weapon to work." 

"Why not?" I mutter. "The warehouse is right there." 

She shoots me a glare as she begins pushing me toward the door. "Your coworkers aren't involved with this," she hisses. "You'd honestly risk the entire operation to get more work done? We're not expecting that," she gestures at the weapon, "until next week at the earliest." 

I sigh, reaching for my work uniform. "I don't suppose you've got caffeine for me?" 

"You work at a cafe," she replies. "You can grab something on your break. Now get moving, before I personally escort you." 

I chuckle, grabbing my stuff and bolting for the door before she can make good on her threat. For once I'm glad the cafe isn't far from the workshop. I turn to check my watch and curse. 

Adella failed to mention that my shift started over an hour ago. 

I'm so screwed. 

I speed up, booking it around the corner and almost crashing into a scaled woman. 

I ignore the curses she shouts after me as I head across the street to the cafe. I duck into the alley next to it and enter through the staff door, changing into my uniform as quickly as possible. I'm about to head out front when the air in the room begins to buzz. 

I take a breath before turning around, not even having it in me to fake a smile at this point. 

"Look who decided to show up," a stern voice calls out from the office. 

I try to hide my wince as I spot my supervisor, Caelen. His golden eyes spark a sense of fear I'd rather not show. The air seems more alive around him, but that's not surprising - you can feel the heat of his abilities radiating off of him. The air is only responding in turn - and warning me when he's near. 

"Against my desire," I snap, throwing on my uniform as quickly as I can. "Cut me some slack, it was a rough night." It's not even a lie this time - staying up late to work on equipment always takes its toll. 

"You're on thin ice," Caelen responds, equally as harsh. "You're lucky the owner seems to like you, or I'd have fired you ages ago." 

I know Adella is right - I asked for this job. I bite my tongue, trying to stop the remark from shooting out, but it's pointless.