DUCHAS (The Drive Within, Book 2 in Baile series)

Chapter 22 Young and Beautiful Pt II

April

"I can't believe you stole your mother's credit card." Isla looked at me as if I had committed a serious crime.

"It's not stealing, it's borrowing." I clarified. "Besides, it serves her right for cancelling my own." It was grandmother's persuasion that had got to my mother, claiming that I would do anything to get out of or ruin my coming of age ceremony. She even suspected that I would leave the country. I was smarter then that and could hide well enough in plain sight.

"Whatever you say." Resignation tinged Isla's tone as we walked.

I led the way into a dress shop. Heaven forbid I would wear the relic of a dress my grandmother had gifted me. It smelt like the Victorian era, like smoke and horse shit.

I wandered, my eyes locking on a dress worn by a mannequin in the middle of the store. The red dress dazzled under the LED lights overhead, the tight yet flexible looking fabric hugging the curves of the mannequin, the plunging neckline and slit up the side giving it pure sex appeal. It was calling my name.

"Are you going to try it on?" Isla appeared at my side, a smile on her once reluctant face.

"Only if you try something on." I planned on trying the dress on anyway, but I still needed the star of our choir to stand out tomorrow night.

Isla turned, her dark eyes roaming the racks. "I don't want to pick anything too expensive." She ran a hand along a rack, touching each dress as she walked. Her way of dress selection was certainly different to my own.

I sighed at how long she was taking, turning away to beat her to the finishing line. I headed straight to the Dior section, taking out a few dresses. I draped them over my arms before returning to Isla.

"Try these on." I handed them to her. I found my size in the stunning ruby dress before we both locked ourselves in the changing rooms. I slipped out my clothes, stepping into the floor length dress, zipping up the back as far as I could without dislocating my arm. The dress fit perfectly, accentuating my curvy figure. It was a million times better then the dress my grandmother gifted me.

I stepped out to face Isla, wearing an ethereal shear dress adorned with sewn leaf work, roses and even Adam and Eve on the skirts of the dress. It suited her to no end.

"You look amazing." Isla complimented me.

"And you look like a Faerie." I couldn't help but touch the sheer sleeves and admire the designer's skill and creativity.

Isla sighed. "I just hope Riley will be able to see it."

"He'll be here, trust me. He wouldn't miss it for the world." I reassured her.

Eliza

I couldn't recall how I had found my way into the grand ballroom as I stopped to gaze out a huge window over the cityscape. My mind had become easily distracted in such a bustling place, my body drawn to certain places. I left the window to admire the various instruments gathered at one end of the room. A harp pulled at my fingers, my body moving towards it. I plucked the strings, using my knowledge of such an elegant instrument to play with ease and delicacy. Through my Banshee eyes I watched as if in fast motion people fill the room, time going backwards as I witnessed generations occupy the ballroom, dancing and celebrating. Eras passed as I watched Victorians dance primly in laced corsets and balloon skirts. The longer I played the city was further rewinded, the building I was standing in destructing itself, revealing a city overshadowed by smog and plague. I continued, unperturbed by the past. I witnessed great battles, knights and royalty, Roman invasion and Celtic wars. Amongst the humans I saw the death of magic, Dragons slayed, Waterhorse's wallowing in dried lakes, Werewolves shot with silver tipped arrows, Vampires buried with stakes lodged in their chests and Witches burnt on funeral pyres. Tears pricked my eyes, my fingers faltering and the scene vanishing before my eyes. Sorrow ached in my chest for the victims of humanity, changing me. Changing my soul.