Page 148 of The Fae Girl 1

“No. The only people who’ve seen my hair is my parents.” She said smiling. “It’s strange to explain to someone who has not grown up in that culture but to us it’s part of our lives, part of who we are.”

I realised then that I knew so little of this world. So little of the places, the culture. That for this entire time, I’d been locked up in these four walls. No wonder I was getting cabin fever.

“Come on. The drinks won’t wait forever.” Nela said.

* * *

The Courtyard was packed.Though I’d only been here once before it felt like it was unusually busy. It felt like a celebration. Like some sort of victory party but surely this couldn’t all be because of the spectral?

“Drink?” Indi said as soon as we reached the bar.

I nodded. “What do you recommend?”

“A mermaid cocktail is my favourite.” She said smiling.

“Then I’ll go with that too.” I replied.

Indi grinned as she shoved a glass with a vivid blue contents that was slightly steaming in my direction.

“Trust me.” Indi said seeing the look of suspicion on my face.

I took a deep breath before trying mine. It was definitely better than I expected but also incredibly sweet. I half wondered if I’d have any teeth left by the time I’d finished it.

“What about Nela and Mira? Should we get them something?” I asked.

Nela had disappeared the moment we’d arrived, scouting the place, making sure it was safe.

“Nah, Nela can sort herself and look, Mira’s already preoccupied.” Indi nodded to where Mira was already deep in conversation with Ridley.

“She really likes him.” I sighed.

“It’s only going to end in tears.” Indi replied.

“Do you really think that?” I asked.

She nodded and I felt my heart sink.

There was nothing I could do. I couldn’t get involved. It wasn’t any of my business but Mira was all but self-destructing in front of us and I didn’t know how to stop it, how to help.

As if on cue Ridley spotted me. I looked away but I guess it was too late.

“A toast to the hero.” He said loudly as he approached me.

“Sshh I’m trying to be inconspicuous.” I hissed.

He was drunk. Obviously drunk. Though mercifully everyone around us seemed to be because no one was looking or paying any attention. For the first time I felt invisible.

“I don’t know what that means.” He said laughing.

I laughed back. “I don’t want to be noticed. I’m just here for a drink, then I’m sneaking back to my room.”

“You should be the toast of the city.” He said raising his glass again.

I shook my head. “And you should learn to be quieter.”

He shrugged downed his drink then disappeared no doubt to go back to Mira.

I sighed turning to speak to Indi. Only she wasn’t the one stood next to me anymore.

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