Thea

Chapter 3. Lilith.

Thea opened her eyes to the gypsy woman's tent. The woman took the black veil off her face. She looked at Thea in horror.

"What are you?" She stammered.

Tears started to build up in Thea's eyes.

"Thank you for your time." She said as she wiped the pigs blood from her forehead. She felt a sick feeling in her stomach. She wanted to vomit, but she held it back in her stomach. As she ran out of the tent, everything looked blurry and dizzy. Her breathing became more shallower as if she was running out of air. She found it hard to walk, she had never felt so weak before. She knew Horace wouldn't be able to get her for another hour. So she decided to walk to the bookstore and see if she could gather herself. As she walked in a young girl with firey red hair and a pink dress greeted her.

Thea had never been so captivated by someone her entire life. She was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen.

"Ma'am. Are you alright? You look pale."

"Could I trouble you for a drink of water?"

"Not at all. Wait in the chair, I'll fetch you a glass."

Thea sat on the green chair, she admired the tall bookshelves. She could spend years in this store and never get bored. The girl retuned with a glass of clear water and placed it in her hands.

"There, feel free to stay as long as you need to. If I could help in any way don't hesitate to call. My name is Lilith."

"Thank you very much. You are too kind. My name is Thea-well Theodora, but you can call me Thea."

"As you wish." She replied with a nod. She was so kind, she smelt of wild berries.

"Do you enjoy reading?" Lilith asked.

"I do it almost every day. It is one of my greatest loves."

"Me too. I love Shakespeare, his stories are so captivating and interesting."

Thea could not believe it. She was perfect. She was everything she was. But so much more.

"Do you own this shop? You seem very young to be running a store like this."

"It's my grandfathers, today is my first day running the store. He's off to America on some business pursuit. So it's my shop until then."

"Would you like to go on a picnic with me tomorrow? By the harpoon lake? Maybe we can bring our books."

"I'd be delighted to. I have nothing better to do than sit around in this old store." She said with a giggle. Thea smiled. Her cheeks turned bright red.

"Here, I'll give you my address." She stumbled clumsily as she hurriedly looked for a pen and parchment. Lilith passed her a small notebook and pen.

"I take this wherever I go. I like to write important things down so I don't miss anything."

She was brilliant.

"I'll come here with my carriage at around 9 o'clock." Said Thea.

It seemed like they had been talking forever. She had so many amazing stories to tell. Thea wanted to listen to every one of them. She made Thea's heart beat faster than it had ever beat before. She was so infatuated with her. It seemed as if she was a beautiful siren that she read about in pirate stories. She was in love with her. She had never been so sure in her life. She saw Horace and the carriage pull up outside the store window.

"I-uh-I have to go." Said Thea.

"I'll see you at 9 o'clock. Sharp." Said Lilith with a nod.

Thea smiled and walked out of the store into the carriage. Thea squealed and stomped her feet in excitement. But then she realised. The creature would visit her again. Another "lesson" to be learned.