'His eyes were. . .honest to God. . .purple.'

Edan led me down a dark alleyway along the side of the theater building. His grip on my hand was soft but determined as he turned us without hesitation through the twisting labyrinth of the back streets, until we were standing in a long alley with only a dim light to shed an eerie glow on our surroundings. You could see the lights of the city in the distance behind me, but other than a rusty old fire escape we were alone.

He released my hand and turned to me, staring at his feet. He looked like he had a weight on his shoulders; like he was dreading something inevitable he’d been trying to escape. His tense and quiet mood was completely opposite to his regular joking manner. He stayed silent.

“Edan, why did you bring me down here?” I asked after a few moments, trying to start conversation.

“Sera…” He kicked at the loose gravel next to his foot then looked up at me “Please Sera, I’m going to show you something. Don’t freak out, okay?”

“Wh-why would I freak out?” I laughed nervously. He was starting to scare me, just a bit. The sudden change of mood at the theater and the need to bring me here to show me something was more than little unsettling.

He was looking at everything but me. He seemed… scared.

“Promise me, ok?” He looked at me anxiously, his blue eyes pleading for me to assure him.

I was slightly unsure of the whole situation, but told myself to breathe. He looked so sad; like a little boy who felt guilty about something he did and knew some punishment was coming. I wanted to hug him then and there, but I had a feeling I shouldn’t.

Whatever he wanted to show me, it was probably just something embarrassing; like a funny looking birthmark, or a scar, or a really bad burn. One of those burns that run across your back and chest that look really nasty. Without realizing it, I blushed slightly at the thought of seeing him with his shirt off.

A tiny voice in the back of my head whispered that scars and birthmarks don’t make people nervous like this. I told it to shut-up.

“Okay, I promise. What do you want to show me?”

 He met my eyes for a moment then looked down at his feet again and nodded, more to himself than me. Then he faced up at the sky, eyes closed. He started whispering something fast and determined, but I couldn’t make it out. His forehead was creased with concentration.

Then with the last word, there was a… I don’t know how to describe it. It was like a ripple …a pulse; a rapid heartbeat felt for only a second before it passed. After a deep breath, he lowered his head. Then he opened his eyes.

This…this isn’t right.

His eyes were…honest to God…purple. His amazing blue eyes had become a deep shade of violet. And they were staring right into mine.

“Is… is this some sort of magic trick?” I said slowly. Then I added rapidly “If it is then it’s really good, if a little weird…”

He cut me off with a shake of his head. “This is no trick, but it is magic.”

I mouthed the word ‘magic’. I tried to talk but my head just whipped soundlessly side to side.

He continued. “Sera, I can do magic.”

“I…I don’t understand…Edan…”

He cut me off quickly “Please don’t call me ‘Edan’. That’s not my real name. It’s Jay.”

“But…if you can do…and your eyes really are…that means you…”

He closed his eyes as if he were in pain and nodded. “Yes,”

“No,” I shook my head “it can’t be…you’re not…”

He opened them again, those sad beautiful eyes.

“Sera, I’m a Shade.”

I stood there, staring open-mouthed at him. There is no way my Edan is a Shade. No possible way…

“But, you can’t be; you’re a good person,” I paused “…right?”

He stepped forward, “Sera…”

I took a step back. He winced like I struck him.

“I didn’t want to lie to you anymore, Sera.” He sounded so sad, his eyes begging me to understand.

A part of me wanted to go to him, despite what he just told me. He looked so upset. I just wanted to hold him and tell him everything would be ok like he would do for me when we were younger.

But you can’t, a warning voice in my mind whispered. He’s the enemy, pure evil. Dark Fey. Murderers…

No, Edan –Jay?– wouldn’t do that, no matter what he is he’s my best friend and I know him.

A small part of me couldn’t help but ask why did he bring me to a dark alley, where no one could see?

 “He wouldn’t hurt me.” I thought to myself out loud.

He winced again.

He shook his head, a hurt expression on his face “No, I’d never hurt you, you know I wouldn’t.”

Of course he wouldn’t, I mentally smacked my forehead for thinking otherwise; he brought me somewhere private so no one could see him.

“But you’re still a Shade.” I wished I would shut up.

He looked to the side bitterly, his mouth twisted in disgust “Ya, I guess I am,” then he looked straight at me, his voice soft and pleading “but I’m not a Cold-Blood. I never killed anyone, and I never will. I don’t do what the others do, I swear. Please, believe me.”

He took another step forward his hand outstretched, waiting to see if I’d take it.

I stood there staring at his hand, half of me wanting to take the warm familiar hand while the other screamed at me to turn around and run in the other direction.

This is my best friend, who I’ve known for almost five years, who listened to me and comforted me, who could make the worst day seem bright with his smile. I slowly reached out my hand.

This is Edan… no, now he’s ‘Jay’. The thought spread like a poison. How much else did I not know about him? What else was he keeping from me? I looked him up and down. Did I ever really know him? He took half a step towards me again.

I ran.

My feet were pounding the ground before I could blink; my mind a blank. I made for the street, for the lights, for other people, for the world where Edan wasn’t a Shade.

Suddenly he came from behind me and clasped one hand over my mouth and the other gripped my arm. Not tightly, but enough so I couldn’t run. I stood there wide-eyed, my mind still blank.

He leaned his mouth next to my ear. I could feel his gentle breath against my cheek, making me feel a rush of heat despite myself.

“Please Sera. If you say you never want to see me again, I will stay out of your life forever. But please…” his voice broke for moment “…please don’t run from me like that.”

My eyes grew misty. His voice sounded so heartbroken, so sad. Immediately, I felt ashamed. Why did I ever think he would hurt me? He’s still my old friend; I can still trust him.

But will he trust me now? What was I doing running from him in his time of need? As his friend he entrusted me with this dark secret and I practically slap him across the face. Some best friend I am.

“I’m going to let you go, please don’t scream.” He released me and backed away a few feet.

 Slowly I turned and met his eyes. His beautiful mysterious eyes. Eyes that were looking at me with such emotion I couldn’t turn away. I didn’t want to.

I closed the distance between us as he watched me the entire time, waiting to see what I’d do. What can I do, what can I say to let him know that he can still trust me?

He looked like he expected me to hit him. I almost laughed at the thought but stopped myself. After how I just acted, I’d expect it too.

 “I’m still your friend.” I said, looking right into his eyes.

I reached out and took his hand in mine. I could hear his quick intake of breath at my touch.

I didn’t wait for him to reply “I know I just ran, but I’m really sorry! I was really stupid; you trusted me, and I— I’m sooo sorry!” I started talking rapid fire, unable to stop the surge of words “I know I’m being terrible, but I did mean it! My mind was being stupid, but I won’t do that ever again! I swear!” tears started to well in my eyes “I trust you, I do! I’ll do whatever you want me to do to get your trust back, I promise!” my voice started to crack.

“Sera…”

I cut though his words, “I hope you’ll still be my friend! What I mean is; I’m really, really, sorry! It was a stupid mistake!! I really am…”

I was cut off when he pulled me into him, encasing my body with his. He rest his head on my shoulder, his face buried in my neck.

“Sera…” he whispered softly like it was the most precious and delicate thing in the world.

I felt a soft pulse of heat starting to course through my body, and a blush spread across my face.

“Jay…”  I started.

He pulled back a little.

For a moment I thought that maybe I shouldn’t have used that name yet.

Then he kissed me.

I felt an explosion of heat ten times as strong as last time burst through my arms and chest. This… this was amazing. He was amazing. All too soon he pulled back and pressed his forehead against mine.

“You have no idea how long I wanted you to say my name.” his voice was slightly shaky; he sounded so happy.

I felt tears in my eyes again.

He opened his eyes, looking at me with the world’s widest smile across his face.

“And about the running away,” he said cheerfully, as if nothing happened “You can make it up to me by meeting me again tomorrow for lunch. I’ll explain everything else then.”

I nodded, unable to say anything. It was amazing how quickly he was back to his regular good humor.

“How about at the café on Holden Street?”

I nodded again.

“Good,” He turned to go. Then he stopped for a moment and looked back at me.

“Remember; this is our secret now.” He pressed a finger against his lips, one of his eyes closed in a wink.

Then he happily spun around and ran down into the alleyway; the shadows seemed to close around him as he made his way home.

I stood there for a moment staring after him. Then I turned around and ran for the street to hail a taxi home as a smile spread across my face.

I had a date with a Shade, and I couldn’t wait.