Page 2 of Glass Hearts
I turn to assess the room. All is in order, except for the cup of wine left over on the nightstand. Rolling my eyes at whoever’s room this is, I note the golden foil invitation under the cup. A ring of wine mars the beautiful hand-calligraphied invitation.
“You are invited to the True Loves’ Masquerade Ball. Four Bachelor Princes ready to find their happily ever after—will you be the one to win their hearts?!” Bert & Kip, my two chubby mouse friends, scurry up my arm to peer over my shoulder at the invite as I read it out loud with sarcasm and disdain. “Don your best attire, but be sure to wear a mask! Only those we select will stay at the Eldor Castle for the chance to become a princess and future queen of one of the elemental isles. Will it be you!?”
Most people in Velora live in the capital city, Eldor. In its center is the castle where the Royals and the magical council lord over their people, ensuring no villains pop up and everyone is living in peace. The mainland of Velora is surrounded by the remaining four adjacent elemental sub-isles, Terra, Wind,Water, and Fire. Which, of course, each territory has its own spoiled rich prince set to take the throne of their respective isles. We live in one of the more affluent suburbs of Eldor, right outside of Harsekeep, the poorer side of town. Where my chosen people reside.
“A ball with many rich folk. Wearing their best jewels and with money most likely,” I whisper to myself.
Though Bert replies through our mind link: “I reckon you could get quite the haul at a ball like that. Just think of all the peanut butter you could get us! Marcus is having another 12 kiddos, lots of snoots to feed these days. Heck—Maybe you can even find a husband so we can live away from Bernice and her awful daughters. A room for us, meeses!? Yes. Yes, you must go!”
“I don’t need a husband; I will get out of this situation without resorting to that. There is a mage that said he could do it; for a price… And, heck, maybe Elora will eventually learn a spell to remove this curse. I am confident she will come through.”
I am not confident.
Elora, my best friend and sorceress, has been trying for the last ten years to remove my curse, with no success. Elora’s talent is in making stunning clothing items, not so much her magic. That or she uses her spell magic to create things, as she would say; it’s much safer. She lacks confidence in her soul magic, a magic that requires no ingredients. She has almost inadvertently blown me up a dozen times, knocked me out for hours, and even accidentally dyed my hair pink for five days. Bernice was not happy when that happened.
I hold up my bandana for Bert and Kip to help tie over my blonde braids. The bandana covers most of my face, keeping my identity hidden. My large, dark hood helps hide the rest of my face and most of my hair. Bert remains on my shoulder as Kipdrops to the nightstand. He reaches out with his two little paws , as I look into his beady little eyes.
“Arabelly, I know you want to stay positive and believe in Elora. But perhaps it’s time to come up with a plan B, yes? You are so beautiful, you can settle for an average, decent man who will love you and provide for you. We will always be there for you as well. But I can’t keep watching the abuse they inflict on you. And I don’t trust that Victor fellow…”
Yes, I get advice from mice.
“Thank you, Kip. But my calling is beingThe Shadow. Not a wife. I love helping our community, and I don’t think some average guy is going to appreciate his wife slinking off into the darkness to harass rich folks for their coins and jewels. Love…Loveisn’t for me. There will be another way.”
Tears well up in my eyes as I push down my worries. The Shadow doesn’t have time for emotions. She is too smart to worry and feel anxious. Lifting Kip, I set him back on my other shoulder, while pocketing the invitation as a wicked, wonderful idea brews in my head. I whistle for Petra, my messenger crow, and draft my note to Elora regarding my wickedly wonderful idea. I will need her help, and as my co-conspirator toThe Shadow, I know she will be down.
Meet at The Eternal Fountain, 10 pm. I have a few ‘wishes’ to trade in for a future favor. Bring your spellcase! Be safe. Love you.
-A
Petra lands on the window frame. “Good evening, Mistress Arabelly!”
I tie the note around her neck, ensuring it fastens safely before I reply.
“Hey, beautiful friend, please ensure this gets to Elora, and maybe monitor her once you deliver the note so she makes it safely to the fountain. Thank you!”
Elora, or Lo as most people call her, finds herself in trouble regularly. She can usually get out of it, but on the odd occasion, her klutzy and unlucky ways can spell a colossal disaster. That’s where I come in. Well, my animals, anyhow. I have a little army trained to watch her around the clock and inform me when I need to step in.
Lo is my whole life, more like a sister to me than my stepsisters could ever be. She is the yin to my yang. Lo helps me find my marks, and together we work to bring about a future where someone finally takes care of the poor and mistreated citizens. Because the crown and the council will definitely not assist.
Once I leave the townhouse, I am no longer chattel to my stepfamily, nor the plain and boring Arabella. I amThe Shadow, and it is time to go make some rich pricks cry.
* * *
It’s only 8 pm and my marks are already shitfaced.Well, this will be easy.
My stepmother got her wish after all. I am at The Lucky Barn, a tavern that also has a sketchy inn, right on the outskirts of Harsekeep. The Lucky Barn is a hole in the wall, where rich folk like to drink and make shady deals away from high society and all its propriety. But not too far into the poor district of Harsekeep, of course. The type of men who frequent this establishment is not the sort a gal would like to marry. Hence, the jab my dearest stepmother was trying to make. My leather boots stick to the floor as I head towards the bar, sitting next to my mark, face still covered.
The Morgan brothers, Carcel and Jones, own six luxury inns in Eldor. They treat their male staff excellent, but the misogynistic leering fuckers harass and nickle and dime their female workers. They are big men in their late forties, groomed and dressed in their best finery, even in a dive pub.
“I think you missed the turn for the brothel there, dear. This bar is formen. Unless you want to sit on my lap and keep me company. Actually, take off that bandana so I can see if you’re even pretty enough for us,” Jones barks my way. I internally roll my eyes, especially since these pricks are definitely married.
Pfft. Men.
“You are right; I am a little lost. I am new in town and just wanted to grab a lemonade. Please forgive me, your excellency. I feel more comfortable with my bandana; you are all strangers after all.” I make innocent eyes at the two men and then at the bartender, Valak. Valak is the owner of The Lucky Barn. He is a large ogre, and a longtime friend and co-conspirator ofThe Shadow. He just huffs, shaking his head, and pours me my requested lemonade. For putting up with my antics, he usually gets a cut of the proceeds when I take out a mark in his establishment.
While I pretend to feign innocence for a distraction, Kip & Bert make haste to the Morgan brothers’ pockets for some loose change and their inn keys. Even though they own six inns, they regularly come here Friday nights for cheap alcohol and other nefarious deeds, since we are quite close to the Pleasure district in Harsekeep. There is a reason he knows where the brothel is.
“Well, brother, it looks like this lost little pussycat may need some help, and we aren’t strangers, dear. We could be of help… for a price.”
