Chapter One - Ivy
Mushrooms dotted the rotting undergrowth, willow branches danced into my way, my necklace bobbed in the hollow of my throat, but I didn’t care. I had to keep running. My wings fluttered, faster than a heartbeat, to keep up with my legs, even though one was limp and dragging. Desperation drove me onward, almost like the wind, it kept pushing me. I’d forgotten where I was running to, I just had to get out of there. Other faeries looked on in confusion, and that’s when it hit me. BAM! Like running into a brick wall. Werewolf scent, and by the smell of it, was little over fifteen minutes old. Faeries and werewolves had been cutthroat enemies for centuries. One guard was not going to follow down a werewolf path.
I slowed, not wanting to catch up with the wolf, and in a matter of ten minutes, I realized I was many miles away from the German border. At least I was safe, for a while, anyways. I noticed the slow change of environment when the heavy trees gave forth to an urban city. I folded my wings down, wincing, and shouldered into my black sweatshirt. It was then I realized the werewolf scent was much fresher here, and strong. The hair on the back of my neck rose, and I slowly turned around to see a tall and gangly teen, sitting on the bench behind me.
“Hello, Moth. What are so dangerous these days you had to follow me?” Anger at the insult, and fear made my throat feel dry. But I knew I had to control myself. We were in a busy town; neither of us could break our laws by revealing ourselves in front of all these mortals.
I looked at her warily, taking in her wide amber eyes, and copper colored hair, similar in vibrancy crimson. Her pursed lips were parted in a grimace, and a small, button nose wrinkled at my foreign smell. The girl’s most noticeable feature was her height, towering above my own. While I examined her, she checked a watch on her left hand. Suddenly, the werewolf stood up, flicking her hair behind an ear, and, in the blink of an eye, I shrunk.
Looking up, I glared. A wide grin was slowly making its way across her face. She didn’t look like she could contain it, and started laughing. This girl was cracking up, and I sat there, waiting for my enemy to get over this fit.
“You…you…” she was obviously trying to say something through her maniac laughter, and she finally stood, tears in her eyes, and choked out:
“You…can transform, but in this sudde-, sudden state of ‘danger’, you transform…” She was giggling uncontrollably, “into a mushroom!” This stupid wolf-girl began laughing again, back bent over, clutching her sides. My two large, bright eyes shot daggers at her from my toadstool head, as I waited, rather impatiently for her to regain control. The smell was quite unpleasant, and finally, she sat down on a bench, cheeks pink. “So, how about while no one is looking, you turn back, and explain why something that funny doesn’t happen to me every day.” I didn’t move. “It’s okay, I promise I won’t kill you.” I didn’t trust her, but I was getting sore, and she probably looked like a fool, laughing at what would appear to be nothing, from a mortals eyes. With one last check to make sure no one was looking, I popped back into my normal form, and picked up my fallen purple backpack.
“It’s not an instant thing, trying to think of something inconspicuous.” I growled up at her. She didn’t look like she was convinced, so I continued. “Look,” I snapped. “I have better things to do than be a clown all day.”
“Yeah, like what, run from the law?” My eyes flashed to meet hers.
“I wasn’t running from the law.”
“Then why were you following me, which no sane faerie would do without a good reason?” I kept glaring at her, my wide blue eyes meeting her amber ones.
“None of your business.” My answer was short, but I didn’t see the reason to spill my dilemma to this mutt. I shuddered at the memory of fierce whips, cold daggers, and cruel faces.
“Yeah right. Need a medic, do you? Obviously, you’ve been on the run, and need help.” This time her voice was more of a whisper, though scathing. Again she glanced at her watch, and spoke louder. “I’m late. Come with me. Apparently, you don’t belong here.” The werewolf gestured to the very human-like scene.
I didn’t know what she meant. I had thought only the faeries had been having trouble with my Clan leader. She stood, and took off at a swift run, in the opposite direction. I kept up easily, not really knowing why I trusted her, just knowing this was my only chance.
The werewolf lead me a few miles down to the lesser part of town, and brought me towards an old, decrepit brick building. She explained as we approached the front steps.
“This is the place you need. For a while, anyway.” I immediately stopped in my tracks.
“What is this place? Why are you bringing me here, and why did you let me follow you?” I hissed through clenched teeth. Copper kid kept trying to pull me through the doors, but finally let go of my arm.
“If I answer will you come in?” She looked frightened at being seen in the open to long with me. As she should be, we were mortal enemies, after all. I gave a short nod, and she immediately began reeling off everything in a quick whisper.
“This is a safety haven for beings banished from their packs, Clans, families, and whatnot. Recently there has been a lot of dispute over power, so the ones with power, leaders, heads, whatever you call them, have taken to punishing beings who don’t seem to enjoy following them.” Here she paused for a quick breath. “Some they punish more viciously than others. You were lucky, just being banished. We haven’t found many faeries recently. What did you do?” She gazed inquisitively into my eyes.
“About five years ago, I was caught and sent to prison. You need not know more.” The girl shrugged, as if expecting my short reply, and then spoke,
“I’m Lyss. And congrats on being jailed.”
“Ivy.”
Popping out my wings, one bright and fluorescent, the other graying, dull, and dragging, I allowed Lyss to drag me indoors.
Chapter Two - Lyss
Ivy was a scrappy little thing, her creamy chocolate skin was scratched, and she had large shoulder blades that were noticeable even under her black jacket. Her body bore the marks of a mistreated fugitive, cuts, scrapes, and the most evident, her torn wing. Despite her wounds, her dark skin, bright blue eyes, and iridescent wings contrasted nicely together. Most prominent, however, was her torn wing. I didn’t know a lot about faeries, seeing as we’re mortal enemies and all that jazz, but I knew one thing. Faeries’ wings are their pride and joy. I could feel a pulse in the air around her wings, and they radiated heat like a fever. To me, these remains looked like a cathedrals’ stained glass window, which someone had dared throw a stone at. I had to get this girl help, I wasn’t sure if we could save the wing, but it was of no doubt that it was causing her serious pain. Luckily, I knew someone who could probably fix it. And she was okay, for a faerie, anyway.
“Come on, Ivy. We may have some comfrey poultice left over for you wing.” I began to again lead her into the dilapidated structure. As I opened the door, she asked
“Why did you say, ‘left over?’ I’m not the first faerie you’ve tried to help?” I paused inside the doorway, and answered, “You’re not the first one, the other left soon after he was treated. You were a pretty lucky one, considering these three elves that came in yesterday. One’s legs were both broken, so the others had to carry him, and one of the older two, I think her name’s Gwyn, had a dislocated arm, and the last one luckily was only covered head to toe in bruises.
“Anywho, we used up most of our comfrey for them, and if you’re like every other one of us in here, human remedies won’t work.” Ivy looked slightly confused by now, and she looked like she had many questions reeling through her mind, but she just walked down the hall, warily, a little behind me. Her eyes bored into the doors and pictures on the walls.
We had just come to the end if the long hallway, when, we jumped at the sudden apparition of a vampire.
Ivy
“Damn those reflexes!” Here I was again, down on the ground, this time a crimson mouse with unusually large eyes and two wings, sitting atop a purple shoulder bag. Lyss and her new buddy appeared to be trying not to laugh, all I knew is this seemed to be a trap, and I was getting out of here! I quickly began beating my wings, getting higher and higher, though rather slowly. My tattered wing was shrieking in protest. Lyss quickly grabbed my tail, carefully, so she wouldn’t hurt my wings, and held me in her hand.
“Ivy, chillax. This is Harrison. He founded this place, and he’s the one who takes care of injured and banished beings. He’s the one who can help you.” I looked up at him. As a faerie, I knew I was a little more than half his height.
“Help from a blood sucking, cold hearted thing?” I squeaked. “I didn’t want help in the first place!” I tried to wriggle out of her grip, but generally most werewolves are stronger than mice. I saw her look at Harrison in an apologetic way. He reached for my mousiness, and I tried to pull away, but Lyss dropped me into his big hands. I instantly shuddered. His skin was hard, and his eyes kept staring at my wings like they were magic or something. I felt sort of proud; I had beautiful and useful wings, while he didn’t. I was averse to anything to do with this beast. The leech’s skin was cold, and very pale, almost white. Purple eyes examined me, and he cocked his head to one side, thinking.
While one hand held me fast, the other raised up to gently stroke my wings. Honestly, the cold felt good on my wings, but I wouldn’t admit that.
“What’s your name?”
“Ivy. Don’t push it.” I spat the last words out, and I knew I was being rude, but I had no reason to trust either of them, and I didn’t like relying on someone else. He began walking with me towards one of the closest doors. “Wait! Can I change back before we go to your science lab?” I added the last bit sarcastically, but I hoped he would put me down. Experience told me that touching vampires disables my transformation powers.
“Of course, and don’t worry, it’s just a kitchen. It’s where we all meet at this time of day, every other day, to discuss.” As he said this, Harrison placed me on the floor. With a cry of pain, I shot back up, to my usual three feet eleven.
“Discuss, what?” I was impatient. My wing was just getting worse. He didn’t answer. I just shouldered my bag, and followed, wincing with pain as my tatters dragged on the ground. I trailed Lyss and Harrison warily into the room. Surprises made me take a step back. It looked like a French country kitchen you see on human TV, with little roosters and embroidered tablecloths. There was a small cooking area to the left, and a table to the right with eight chairs around it. Nothing like what it appeared to be outside. Already there were what must be the three injured elves seated around the table, and two others I didn’t recognize. I acknowledged the one with the arm in a cast, and guessed that must be Gwyn. Harrison cleared his throat, and everyone looked at him.
“Hey, everyone. This is a newcomer that Lyss found today. Her name’s Ivy, and be careful of her wing! Excuse me for a moment; I’ll have to prepare another room… Lyss, you can introduce everyone.” Lyss looked happy about this.
“Okay… Ivy, these three are the elves I told you about. This is Gwyn, Kapri, and Willow.” Gwyn grinned imp-like, her cropped blonde hair framing her face. Kapri smiled, shaking brown hair out of his face, though his legs must have been in agony, and Willow nodded. She looked around ten, still young and slightly wary. I smiled reassuringly. They were all exceptionally beautiful, even for elves. “And these,” Lyss went on “are Skye and Felix. They are the other wolves in my pack. I’m the newest, but they have been working with Harrison, for a while to rescue others after they themselves were chased out.” Skye growled, as if she didn’t trust a faerie, and Felix pushed his long hair back, and said,
“Well, hi, stranger. You’re the first faerie in a while. Your regime appears to be pretty harsh. What happened to your wing?” He looked at me, green eyes wide. When he said that, everyone else looked my way for a story.
“If you would like, Ivy, you can share before we start our meeting.” Harrison had returned. “And while you’re sharing, would you like this comfrey poultice?”
“Thanks, Harrison, but I can do it myself.” It was weird addressing a vampire like that, and I still wasn’t comfortable with others touching my wings, with good reason. He nodded, smiling, and handed over the salve.
“I have a long story, most of which I am not prepared to tell. However, I may be able to speak of something…” I mused, not seeing the scene of the kitchen any more, but of a forest, a while ago. “It was about five years back, though I lose track of time quickly, so it may have been a decade…I was part of the Rebellion. It was a small group of faeries, all harmed in some way by the Emperor. Some of us had family members killed or captured; others just didn’t like his rule. Our efforts effect wasn’t immediate, poisoned honey, assassinated guards, but eventually, the Emperor realized they weren’t accidents. Ads went up, rewards posted, but we thought that we would be safe. However, we did not realize there was a traitor in our midst. They set a trap, with the help of advanced elven magic. Twelve of us were murdered.” I spat bitterly. “I knew enough to be kept alive. Barely, but alive. It was only recently I was able to escape.” Pangs hit me with each word.
While I had been talking, I had been preening my wings, and rubbing the comfrey mix onto my torn one, it hurt for a moment, but luckily it stopped the aching. Then, while I waited for them to say something, I pulled some lavender-chamomile oil out of my bag, and massaged the calming oils into my wings. When I had done, I shook myself like a wet dog, and turned to face them.
They didn’t look shocked. However, their expressions showed that I was lucky to be alive. Harrison put his hand on my shoulder, but however nice the gesture, I shrugged it off. Thank the sky Lyss suddenly realized it would be a good time to start this mysterious meeting.
“Umm, Harrison. Meeting?” They all seemed to subconsciously shift toward him, and he began.
“Alright everyone, a day ago we discussed the enemies movements…” he pulled a map of Europe out of his pocket. “Purple is mainly elf territory, blue is almost all-faerie turf, the small spots of red are where packs dwell, and the rest is nomadic. We know the elves, faeries, and werewolves, are definitely getting more territorial, more power hungry, and crueler. We are going to continue patrolling the Faerie and Elf borders.” The werewolves looked angry, so he added defensively, “We would go there, but it’s to far for every other day. Plus, the punishments vary by pack, but the faerie and elf ones are getting worse. Just look at Kapri and Ivy.” Here he paused, glancing again at me. I glared, not liking the sudden attention, and he went on quickly. “So, now we announce patrols. Tomorrow, Lyss, and Willow, southern faerie borders. Skye and I will check the nearest elven border…” He glanced at the map, thinking something over, and when he spoke he sounded distracted. “I think that’s it.”
We all scraped our chairs back, and I headed over to Lyss.
“So, is this all you guys do? Any action involved?” She caught onto my teasing tone, and gave a hesitant smile. Although she seemed nice, I reminded myself that bad things came from caring about people.
The werewolves’ expression turned mischievous, as she replied:
“Well, mostly the patrols go undisturbed, until one of us finds someone like you, or we get into a skirmish.” She chuckled, clearly enjoying memories. “We actually had to fight to get the elves out, which was more enjoyable than it sounds.” Lyss barked a laugh. Fights were clearly something she secretly enjoyed, of which I had to agree.
Her smile spread.
“Come on! I want to show you the rest of the house!” She took off in down the hall, weaving through the milling crowd, I just one step behind her.
Chapter Three - Ivy
Lyss had slowed by now, and I trailed her, noticing every chip in the paint, every crack in the wood. I observed that it was much nicer than it appeared to be outside, more homey feeling, like on the French countryside. I was also puzzled, only half-listening to whatever Lyss was rattling on about. It was weird; so far, I was actually almost enjoying Lyss’s company. It reminded her of how few friends I had back home. Lyss paused, and opened a small room with three wooden beds. They were covered in white linens, and took up most of the small room.
“This is Gwyn, Kapri, and Willows’ room. They just got here, too, so they haven’t added much personality yet, unlike Felix’s room…” she chuckled at the last bit, and I figured I’d see it soon enough. We continued on through the hall, the other three rooms were the same as the Elves, wooden walls, but only one bed. Lyss opened the last door, painted crimson, unlike the other gray ones. Behind it, was a circling wooden staircase.
“Come on, Ivy!” Lyss called, already half-way up. I flew up, not minding the stairs, and perched on the second landing. After the herbs, my wing felt a bit better. Instead of a long hallway like downstairs, there was a large, red, circular, living room. The cushiony purple chairs looked inviting after everything. But Lyss was in no mood for sitting, she ran right over to a black door, and she looked at me. Does this girl ever rest? I thought to myself. Maybe she was filled with perpetual energy, or maybe I was just tired.
Lyss waited. I walked slowly over. However much energy she had, as the sun faded, so did I.
“Wanna be any slower, Ivy? I want to show you the rest of the house before I let you even think of sleeping!”
“Too late for that.” I muttered, except I skipped the rest of the space over. I also noticed she said house, not rooms.
“This is Felix’s and Skye’s room. They’ve had a bit more time to add to their style.” She opened the door, and we went inside. I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw it. Already I could tell that it was so Felix! He had posters of rock and roll bands plastered all over the walls, and the multiple disco balls hanging from the ceiling made the room sparkle.
“Well, I can see the Felix in it, but where is the Skye?” I questioned Lyss. To me she didn’t seem like the heavy metal type. Lyss barked another laugh, as if she could tell what I was thinking.
“She just sleeps in here for convenience. We like to have plenty of extra space.” She gestured to the two beds. One was against the left wall, I guessed trying to make more room of the confined space, while the other was in an alcove on the other side, with a small radio and some books next to the bed. “I think you’ve guessed that there is a pretty restricted space living here. Harrison is the only one with his own room, he’d be happy to share except no one will let him. He deserves his own space, plus all his papers and work take up a good deal of space.” She led me out, and skipped the next door to get to the last one.
“And this is our room. I hope you don’t mind sharing?” Her gaze was questioning, but I shrugged, and smiled.
“As long as you don’t snore!” She lightly punched my shoulder, and I darted away into the room.
“Wow.” It was my favorite room of all, with one side a giant window looking out to the forest. The rest was simple wood, painted soft grey with some darker beanbag chairs next to the opposite wall. There were two white bookcases on each side of the door, and two beds, one looking fresher than the other. In between the beds, there was another door with a fancy sign saying “Ladies Room” in an italic script. The room reminded me of a cloud. Lyss let me take it in silence, until she saw my gaze linger on the bed. She did a mock frown, and sighed,
“Well if you’re that tired, I’ll show you the rest tomorrow, we all need a good nights sleep.” The werewolf looked putout, but it didn’t bother me much. I scrambled over to the bed, threw my pack to the floor, and instantly fell asleep.
