@Blueberrypodoboo
I don't know if you celebrate it or not, but Merry Christmas! I was determined to get this done by today, and I hope it's alright. I tried out a new perspective and decided to get creative with the layout for no reason. I hope you enjoy it! I've never truly done this perspective before so it might seem a bit muddled. If you don't like it, I'll change it and do my usual!
I don't know if you celebrate it or not, but Merry Christmas! I was determined to get this done by today, and I hope it's alright. I tried out a new perspective and decided to get creative with the layout for no reason. I hope you enjoy it! I've never truly done this perspective before so it might seem a bit muddled. If you don't like it, I'll change it and do my usual!
Velummine wrote:
-1-
I remember anxiety racked my nerves that day. For weeks, my abilities as a performer were nothing more than talks over dinner and constant, gruelling tests to discover the lengths of what I could do. Walter, as Shatterskull’s ringleader, assessed me multiple times. I suppose, now that I look back, he was only trying to make sure I was capable.
Still, all I wanted to do was perform with the others. That day was the day I would perform for the first time, and it was meant to be the time of my life.
I stood outside of the Big Top, paralysed. My first performance was an hour away. I was the only new performer at the time. Another newcomer—Broken Mirror—couldn’t perform because of anxiety. I was the naive one, the one who didn’t know her routine yet, while everyone else did. Vladimir, bless his soul, helped me and put blocks in for me to memorise. It would’ve helped, had I gotten to perform.
“How are you, Velummine?” Walter asked. I jumped, my anxiety putting me further on edge. I hadn’t heard him come up behind me.
“I’m okay,” I lied.
“You don’t look like it.”
I sighed. “Is it normal to be this nervous?
“Of course it is! You’re our youngest performer, you’ve never performed and this place is still relatively new to you. Of course, it’s normal.”
“Does anyone else get this nervous?”
“Vladimir does.” I didn’t miss Walter’s little smile, adoration glinting in his wondrous Plague eyes. “The poor thing still isn’t used to the attention.”
“I thought he’d been performing for a while.”
Walter shook his head. “Not really. He’s only been performing for a few months longer than you.”
As I raised my eyebrows at him, adjusting my midnight witch’s hat, he continued with, “He was in a horrible condition when we found him, so he took a year or so healing and getting used to his new life.”
“But he’s okay now,” I said, frowning, “right?”
“Yeah, he’s alright now. He’s a tough cookie is Vladimir, it’ll take more than going through the Shade and back to break him.”
I left it there, eyeing the Big Top with distaste. Within the next hour, it would be full to the brim with parents and kids and groups of friends and wannabe performers. My heart-rate shot up. Blood pounded in my ears and neck. I didn’t want to mess up, but I could barely remember the timetable Vlad made for me.
Walter patted my shoulder, a reassuring smile on his face. “If you want, you can go on a little errand for me. Aries and Mia are off scavenging, so I can’t ask them.”
Shuddering, I nodded. “Sure, what is it?”
“Can you go to Shellshore for me and pick up some little gifts for me? They’re little trinkets that I ordered a few weeks ago.”
“Like Mia’s?” I asked, my anxiety temporarily forgotten. Mia, though blind, was their best scavenger and Shatterskull’s sweetheart, bringing home the best treasures to give to others as gifts and selling others for an extra profit. Her fiancé, Aries, went with her.
“Not as good as Mia’s treasures,” he said with a wink, “but still gorgeous. I got one for every performer.”
My shoulders slumped with a sudden realisation. “I don’t have any money to get them.”
“Where did it all go?” Worry widened his eyes, concern laced his words. I’m always haunted by that face.
“On new materials,” I muttered. Shame overcame me. It didn’t help that my materials often ‘disappeared’ during practice, let alone how much of them went on making items to keep me focused on the day ahead.
Walter sighed, and for a split second, I thought he was to leave me to my own devices. He didn’t. Instead, he pulled a small pouch out of his pocket, took out some treasure, and handed the rest over to me. I’m still shocked, and grateful, for that kindness.
“Take it,” he said, shaking it in front of me. Tons of treasure clinked inside. My jaw almost dropped. “Go find something pretty, and we can get Mia to judge it, yeah?”
Speechless, I took the pouch and weighed it in my paws. Despite how much it clinked, it was still heavier than I expected.
“Go on before I change my mind.”
“Why are you giving me this?” I couldn’t keep the concern from my tone; I had never had this much money in one go before, much less for doing nothing.
“You need a distraction.” He shrugged, smiling warmly. “Plus, those materials of yours should have been paid through the circus’s funds, not your own. Next time, come to me and I’ll pay, okay?”
A smile broke across my face. “Really?”
“I do it for everyone else,” Walter stated. “Of course I’d do it for you, too.”
“I... don’t know what to say.” My grin widened, stretching from ear to ear. “Thank you.”
“Don’t worry about it, my dear. Go have some fun, but make sure you’re back before the performance.”
Without wanting him to change his mind, I raced off through the circus, heading straight for the beach I saw Chip and Nova wander down almost every week. On the way, I passed Shatterskull’s contortionist and twin magician acts, both of which were practising for their acts with a fluency I could only dream of. They didn’t notice I walked by.
Even so, I adored them back then.
Shellshore, Mia’s little market for profiting from her finds, was a ten-minute walk with shortcuts. It was thirty minutes if you took the proper route. My favourite shortcut was through the woodland. I could see the birds dance their daylight dances, sing their favourite songs, and could challenge myself by naming every familiar I came across. Of course, the proper route was safer, but what is life without a little fun?
I took off down my—yes, my—shortcut, only slowing when I could turn around and only see the Big Top in the distance. The sudden cutoff between forest and plot amazed me. There was barely a line of dirt between the two, resulting in the woodland surrounding the circus almost like a mother’s arms would. I still wander there, sometimes, but I don’t venture far.
Turning, I strolled through the woodland, trekking the dirt path I’d trodden into the ground over numerous trips in the past few weeks. I took my time. I always loved the outdoors—still do—and the creatures I would find always made it more mystical.
“Hey. What are you going out here? It’s dangerous.”
I still remember the fear that chilled my blood, froze my muscles. I clutched my staff and coin pouch with every inch of my will and turned. I hadn’t realised back then, but the male I found spelt trouble. His white, Mirror figure stood out against the dark browns and greens of the woodland, hat lopsided, cane in paw. An entourage stood behind him, sneering at me.
I could barely withhold my shudder.
“I was going to Shellshore,” I told him.
“Is that right?”
I nodded, cowering. The birds stopped singing.
“Where are you from, my dear?” he asked me, smiling warmly. His four ruby-red eyes, young and emotionless, peered into my soul.
“Shatterskull.” Even to this day, I wish I would have lied.
“Are you serious?” The excitement in his tone burst like a party popper. It shocked me.
“Yes. Why do you ask?”
“We love Shatterskull,” another one cried, her voice a drawl. “It’s the best circus around!”
I peered at the flock of Mirrors, all of whom giggled with excitement. “You do?”
“Aye,” one of the entourage said. “We love that ‘ere circus!”
Even back then, I was suspicious of their motives, but being a naive little girl, I merely asked for their names. They responded honestly enough.
“Oh, my dear Deities,” their dapper manager cried, “I’m so sorry, my dear. Where are my manners? I’m Sylvester, son of the matriarch to a neighbouring clan, but you—” He caught me off guard with a wink that made my heart flutter. “—can call me Sylver.”
“A-and the rest of you?”
“I’m Yobber, matie,” Sylver’s lackey from earlier yelled. The little group of Mirrors cheered for his announcement. “These are our little... group, called The Rats.”
“Why are you called The Rats?”
Sylver chuckled. The sound brought a blush to my cheeks. “We’re called that because we scurry around unnoticed, my sweetness.”
I bit my lip and bowed my head. Though I’d met many Mirrors in my seventeen years, Sylver was unlike many of them. He was charming, dressed to impress with a waistcoat and half-moon glasses perches at the end of his nose, and he spoke in a tone that sent my heart racing. If he had asked me to drop my performance and run away with him, I may have just considered it.
“What’s your name, my love?” Sylver inquired.
“Velummine.”
“That’s a gorgeous name.”
I blushed. “Thank you.”
“Aye, Velum,” Yobber began, his arm thrown around Sylver, “could ya take us backstage?”
“Why?” I could hardly keep the slight confusion I felt from my tone. Going backstage was unheard of for anyone but performers.
“We’d love ta meet your ringleader. He’s called Walter, in’e?”
“Yes. Why?”
Sylver smiled, taking my paw. “We’d love to meet him and thank him for the joy he’s brought to my mother’s lair. Before, it was boring, and no one wanted to hang around. Now, thanks to his circus, it’s full of life.”
“We gots’ta thank ‘im for it,” one of The Rats drawled. The rest roared their agreements, only Sylver keeping quiet.
At the time, I thought nothing of it. Their excitement was genuine, with their eyes lighting up as soon as I agreed to take them. “Sure, I bet he’d love to see you.”
The Rats all cheered. Sylver gestured for me to lead the way, a coy smile at his lips. I lead them back with pride in my soul. I yearned for them to discuss me and my future performance. I wanted to mean something to them. Only Sylver, however, seemed to notice.
“So,” Sylver started, fumbling with the cuffs of his coat, his cane under his arm, “what do you do at Shatterskull?”
“I’m a performer,” I mumbled. “Or, at least, I’m about to be.”
“What do you plan on doing?”
“Magic, like Vladimir.”
“Ah!” he cried, his Plague eyes alight. “I remember Vlad. He uses runes, doesn’t he?”
“Yeah, he’s good with them. He doesn’t remember how he knows half of them, though.”
“Bless him. Has he got a bad memory?”
I shook my head, my hat shifting slightly. “All he told me was that he has amnesia, so he can’t remember much.”
Sadness befell Sylver’s face. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“I said that to him, once. He didn’t appreciate it, much.”
“Well,” Sylver said, “that’s rude.”
“It’s only because we both know sympathy won’t bring his memories back,” I told him, desperate to eradicate any negative views he conjured about Shatterskull’s second-in-command. “He’s not rude, he’s just... down, I guess.”
“Still, it’s no way to treat a lovely lady such as you.”
I remember, back then, that any compliment would set my cheeks flaring. I’d begin to stutter and immediately fall in love with whoever dished them out, male or female. I was a simple girl at seventeen. I was easily impressed.
Not anymore, I’m afraid.
We all trailed back to Shatterskull, The Rats chatting and laughing about anything they could think of. Sylver stayed by my side, much to my seventeen-year-old swooning, and talked about me. The rest talked about Eclipse, our contortionist who could twist into any shape and break it with ease, his eyes wide and wondering about the world. The twins caught some of their attention, too, with their tricks and misdirection. Only one talked about Ace, our dark magician’s assistant, and she sounded genuinely excited to meet him.
As soon as we entered beneath Shatterskull’s banner, I froze. I forgot to go to Shellshore.
“This is amazing,” Sylver breathed, gaping at his surroundings. “I didn’t know how beautiful this place was.”
“It’s pretty cool, isn’t it?” I said. I forgot all about Shellshore, about the trinkets, yet again.
“Beyond doubt, my dear.”
“I’d love to live ‘ere, me,” Yobber said with a grin, rubbing his paws together with glee. “There’s a lot’a magic.”
Sylver’s wonder quickly fell into confusion. “Where are the performers?”
“There’s a show going on right now.” I gestured towards the Big Top. “We can go backstage and wait for Walter to finish.”
“Well, when will the rest of the performers be out? We’d like to thank them all.”
I hid my wince of disappointment behind a bright smile. “They’ll be out when my performance is about to start.”
“Then is it okay if we wait out here?” Sylver inquired, his voice as soft as silk. “We wouldn’t want to intrude on your lovely talents, after all.”
“Sure.”
I walked away as The Rats laughed behind me. Embarrassment rose in the back of my mind, clawing its way forward. I thought they were laughing at me, at my average... everything. I’ll never know, not even now. I tried not to think about it, but it made me feel worse and worse with every step I took.
Walter and Vladimir stood beside a vanity table, slightly anxious as they peered through a gap in the curtains. I didn’t bother announcing my presence; they were too engrossed in their worries to notice.
“...Nova and Chip? Are they still at Shellshore?”
“I think so. I hope Velummine got—” Walter’s gaze landed on me, and he smiled. “Speak of the devil.”
I mumbled a soft, “Sorry, I forgot to go to Shellshore.”
Vladimir squinted at me. “You forgot to go, or didn’t go?”
“I forgot.”
“It’s no big deal,” Walter reassured, adjusting my hat when he came closer. “We can get the trinkets and our medics after the performance.”
“Okay.” I noticed a lack of presence in the Big Top and looked around, nose scrunched in thought. “Where’s Jack and Dagger?”
Walter snorted. “They’re buying prismatic knives, for whatever reason. They won’t be back until tomorrow; they saw them in the Sunbeam Ruins.”
“They were really excited about getting them,” Vladimir pointed out.
Still smiling, Walter gently took my paw and led me towards the curtains. I couldn’t help but peer through with them, watching with amazement as if I was one of the audience members in the stands. The twins did their usual tricks—my favourite was always the most common magic trick; pulling the rabbit out of the hat—but with a different twist to usual. The theme, to fit their birthday, revolved around sweets and joy rather than illusion.
“Are you going to be okay?” Walter whispered above me.
I nodded, determined to become an official performer. “I’m ready.”
The twins bowed low in the centre of the ring. They had their paws clasped together, waved once to the audience and, in one final act of defying magicians’ tricks, disappeared in a cloud of smoke. They reappeared behind me, giggling maniacally.
I smiled with them.
Walter replaced them in seconds, enticing the audience into silence with charm and smiles. “Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you enjoyed our birthday twins!”
The crowd roared for them, clapping and cheering. My determination only grew.
“Now,” he began again, the stage beginning to darken, “I have one more performance for you. She’s never been seen before, shrouded in darkness and mystery, and she’s hoping to bring a special highlight to your day. Please welcome—” He threw his paw towards the curtain, grinning wildly. “—Velummine!”
The Big Top went completely black, a green mist overcoming the ring like a blanket to a bed. Walter disappeared in a puff of smoke. It was finally my time to shine – to prove to everyone that I was worthy.
Sauntering out into the ring, I swung my staff over the mist, watching it twirl up in cones underneath its touch. I feigned confidence I had yet to feel. Whispers waved over the audience. They fell silent as a rune flashed under my digits, lighting my face up in a harsh golden glow that set my eyes burning bright against the darkness. They gasped, and I grinned.
My performance never went beyond that. Someone screamed outside.
-2-
Vladimir rushed into the ring. He reignited the Big Top’s floating torches in a hurry, sketching a rune to soak up the mist. He looked panicked. His voice cracked as he spoke to get everyone’s attention. “Everyone, I’m going to need you to follow me. The show’s been cancelled.”
“What’s going on?” I asked him, worry clutching my heart in a steely grasp.
The terror in his mismatched eyes only made me worry more. “We’re being attacked.” He turned back to everyone else, gesturing for them to follow. “Please, if you’ll follow me, I’ll lead you to the safest exit. We can’t have you in the line of danger.”
“What a waste of money...” someone muttered.
“...never coming back...” another growled.
“...the poor girl, she looks terr--”
The mutters only continued as Vladimir ushered everyone out of another curtain, eager to get everyone to safety. Some of the most ignorant pierced him with glares fit for slicing steel, while some of the worrying dragons huddled closer to him. He ended up holding a hatchling by the end of it, telling her that they will all be okay.
He left with them, throwing me a glance.
I ran outside, desperate to help. Instead, my knees buckled at the sight. I was to be forever tortured by that memory.
Blood speckled the ground and trickled down the side of the tent. Strips of fabric, from both apparel and tent alike, littered the ground, barely distinguishable from the bloodstains they soaked in. The cause of it all I couldn’t believe with my own eyes. Only my punishment made me aware.
The Rats fought with my family. Yobber fought against Walter, Aries against a taller Mirror male called Jayun. Mercury, blood washing down his side, defended Anise, who lay curled up on the ground, scarcely moving. Red stained the side of her face. It mixed with her purple-green mane, trailed down the gash that slit her neck.
I remember bursting into tears at the sight of Mia. Her familiar, a tiny Radiant Flutterbun, lay on its side beside her, whimpering. Across her neck, torso and face were gashes. They were so deep I could barely believe they were from a Mirror.
I rushed towards her, pulling away whatever I could to stem the bleeding. There was no point.
She was gone, her blind eyes void of the joy she always held.
Shatterskull members weren’t the only ones to fall in this feud. The Rats dropped like flies under Aries’ and Walter’s claws. Broken strangled them with shadows as he stood over Ace. Tears streamed down his face.
One of the entourage, one called Abija, dropped to her knees, a slash across her delicate green neck. Aries stood over her, panting. He left her to choke on her blood.
There was so much of it; blood. Some pooled underneath Ace, underneath Mia, covering Walter’s and Aries’ paws and arms and faces. They didn’t look like the dragons I knew. Gone were the kind words, the talks of Aries’ wedding, the fussing over which ring to buy.
There was just fury.
These aren’t the dragons I know.
Pain sparked in my cheek. I fell beside Mia, gasping against the agony. I stared into four beady red eyes. In those same eyes swam bloodlust. His waistcoat, once crisp white, was speckled with red. They held the evidence of his intentions.
“Thank you, Velummine,” he drawled, adjusting the cuffs of his waistcoat. “You made our dream come true.”
“Why?” I sobbed, clutching my cheek with a shaky paw. “What did we do to you?”
“You’ve plagued our lands for long enough.” A deadly smile stretched across his face, his eyes narrowing. “Circuses are full of undeserving vermin.”
We heard Yobber cry out. Sylver spun, growling like the animal he was. We saw his right paw clutching his side and hissing, Walter towering over him with malicious intent etched into his face. In his eyes was an insane look. For the first time in my life at Shatterskull, I was afraid of my ringleader. I became afraid that he might hurt me.
“Walter!” Sylver yelled, spreading his arms wide. “Your fight’s not with him.”
Slowly, Walter turned towards Sylver. His claws looked like the talons of a vulture. Blood spread up from his paws to his elbows, his waistcoat stained with a permanent reminder of these events. Half of his face covered behind his mask, the other half hidden in muck, I could barely make out the line across his forehead, slicing his brow in two.
“You’re right,” he said, all joy from earlier gone. “It’s not with your useless lackey.”
“He’s more useful than your circus.” Earlier, he would’ve called Shatterskull a circus with pride and excitement. Now, I knew he was only excited for watching it burn. “You’re stealing revenue from my mother’s lair with your useless shows!”
For only a few moments, Walter switched back into his old self. “Then stop this for her sake.”
The laugh that rumbled low in Sylver’s throat frightened me, urging me to keep from running for help. “Who do you think gave me permission to do this?”
All attempts at negotiation fell there. They leapt at each other, hissing and growling like feral cats. Their claws tore everything in their path to maim, to kill. All I did was cower. Terror gripped me, whispering in my ear. I was afraid that, as soon as I moved, they would realise I was still alive.
I saw Yobber fly through the air and hit a tree. Shadows curled around him. They picked him up and slammed him against the ground. Instead of reassuring me, it made me cower more.
Slamming my eyes shut, ducking my head between my paws, I waited for one of them to kill me. The noise echoed in my ears. The cries and screams and pants; all of it.
It all stopped. Fearful that I might be mishearing, I propped myself up on my elbows to see everyone outlined in a silver shimmer. Walter bared his teeth at Sylver. The other had his claws ready to connect with Walter’s neck. Neither of them moved, despite how Sylver hovered in mid-air.
Vladimir stood under the banner. His mismatched eyes glowed. He held a rune, glowing white, in the air. I knew what that meant. Hold. With a few twitches of his digits, he let Walter, Aries and Broken go.
He went straight up to Sylver. Looking him dead in the eye, he said in a voice as smooth as a pebble, “Leave my circus, or I’ll kill you myself.”
Without waiting for a response, he flicked the rune, resulting in both of the remaining Rats flying through the air against their will. The rune shattered into pixie dust. Vladimir, I could tell, couldn’t care less about whether they landed in a spiky bush or flew away. I didn’t feel reassured.
Walter didn’t go to him. He got up and rushed towards Eclipse. Remarkably, the Spiral was still alive, but barely. From where I lay, I could see Vladimir’s face blanching at the sight around him; at how Broken sobbed into Ace’s cloak, trying desperately to wake him up; how Aries screamed into the woodland, punching trees; how Walter shook as he tried to keep Eclipse alive.
I sat up as soon as he rushed for the twins, paws shaking. I couldn’t see their injuries, but I knew they were dead just by Vladimir’s sobs. Nausea stirred in the pit of my stomach. I almost threw up when Walter screamed, backing away from our contortionist.
He fell to one side, a hole in his chest. Eclipse was gone.
Edging towards the mess, I began to cry. I had no right to. I’d inadvertently caused the deaths of five Shatterskull members, five dragons who Walter classed as his family. I didn’t deserve to mourn them.
“Who did this?” Walter panted between sobs. He stared at each one of us in the eyes.
“Walter,” Vladimir began, placing a paw on his arm.
He shook it off and screamed, “Who brought them here? Who did this?”
In my fear, I stayed quiet, crying silently. I wonder, to this day, if my punishment would have been lighter had I just told the truth. Of course, I’ll never know.
Walter’s eyes locked onto mine. I froze. My crying turned into blubbers as soon as he whispered, with reborn insanity to his aura, “You.”
He stepped closer, and closer again. I backed up until my back hit a post. I have a feeling he would have roared in my face if Vladimir didn’t step between us, his back to me. I will always be grateful for that male’s efforts. He never looked the friendliest, given his scars, but what he did that day will stay with me.
Walter growled at him. Vladimir didn’t budge. “Get out of my way.”
“Walter,” he whispered before me, taking his face in his paws, “stop. This isn’t like you.”
As soon as Walter tried to break free, glare at me, roar and curse my name, Vladimir kept him contained. He spread his wings to keep me from view. He used runes to keep Walter at bay. I could tell, just by standing there, that it hurt him to do this.
“This isn’t like you,” he sobbed. “Please stop this, Walter. You’re scaring me.”
“Get her out of my circus,” Walter hissed. “Get her out now.”
“Walter, she’s a child.”
He scoffed, throwing Vladimir’s paws away. Even with the fear in my heart, I felt the warmth of anger flush my cheeks. “And that makes this okay, does it?”
“Calm down, or I’ll use it.”
I had no idea what this ‘it’ was at the time, but it was enough to get Walter to back up, worry dancing in his eyes. I relaxed slightly. Vladimir didn’t move, though he tucked his wings away, fiddling his mage’s hat.
The worry quickly subsided, turning into fury. His eyes locked onto mine. Tears swam in them. “Get out.”
Vladimir stood before me again, but still, he yelled. “Get out of my circus and don’t come back! You don’t get to live here!”
“That’s enough, Walter!” Vladimir snapped. “She’s seventeen!”
“I don’t care.” His voice broke. “She led them here!”
“And how was she supposed to know that they were on a blacklist? We didn’t let her see it! It’s not fair to place all the blame on her.”
When Walter didn’t respond, Vladimir sighed and went to hug him, rocking him. It was only then that I realised my ringleader was crying. The sound was quiet but harsh. It relieved me to watch him return the hug. I’d never seen those two argue before. It was even rarer than finding an un-hatched egg in the lands of any realm.
“I’m sorry,” he blubbered, clutching Vladimir.
“It’s not me you should be apologising to, Walter,” he whispered back.
Walter nodded. He let go of his second-in-command and wiped his eyes. His lip trembled. I felt sorry for him, my fear disappearing. He’d lost half of his family, and here I was, being protected by his best friend, who moved out of the way but stood to one side. He waited for a chance to intervene.
“I’m sorry—” I began.
“I’m sorry too,” he said, biting his lip, “but you can’t be here.”
“Walter—?” Vladimir began, eyes wide.
Walter held his paw up, and he went silent. “I’ll give you money to rent yourself a tavern room for a few weeks, but you can’t be here anymore. You indirectly caused this.”
I had no words for him. I was both shocked and hurt by his kindness. I hadn’t expected him, after all this, to offer to pay for a room in a tavern, but at the same time, I hoped that, once he was calm, I’d be able to stay. It seemed Vladimir thought that, too.
Without another word, he pulled out his pouch—no doubt earnings from the audience who bought tickets earlier—and handed it to me. I didn’t take it at first.
“Please, Velummine,” he choked out. “Just take it. Take it and go. There’s the Rose Wine nearby, you can go stay there.”
I still didn’t move. Walter came up to me, took my paw and shoved the pouch into my grasp, tears spilling down his face. He didn’t say goodbye, didn’t offer a final blessing. He handed it to me and left, sniffing, stopping only once to say, without turning around, “Don’t come back here, please. You won’t be welcome.”
With that, my now ex-ringleader headed towards the three corpses of the twins and Eclipse. He collapsed to his knees and wept, judging by how much he shook. Aries and Broken, both listening from a distance, glared at me. Vladimir was the only one to say goodbye.
“Stay safe, okay?” he said, digging up some extra treasure for me from his pocket.
“You’re not going to let me stay?” I whispered.
My heart broke with his response. “No.”
“But—”
“I know you’re only a child,” he muttered as he handed me some of that extra treasure, “but I won’t be able to convince anyone to let you stay, and the decision has to be unanimous. I’m sorry.”
Vladimir offered me one final, shaky smile before he headed towards Walter, his tail swishing. I watched numbly as he sat beside him and comforted him with hugs and inaudible words. Broken and Aries, Mia limp in his arms, joined them, their irritation towards me reaching me in waves. Their heartbreak was replaced by infinite rage.
I knew then that I’d messed up, that I’d made one fatal mistake that cost me my dream. I knew, watching them mourn, that I was no longer welcome.
I remember anxiety racked my nerves that day. For weeks, my abilities as a performer were nothing more than talks over dinner and constant, gruelling tests to discover the lengths of what I could do. Walter, as Shatterskull’s ringleader, assessed me multiple times. I suppose, now that I look back, he was only trying to make sure I was capable.
Still, all I wanted to do was perform with the others. That day was the day I would perform for the first time, and it was meant to be the time of my life.
I stood outside of the Big Top, paralysed. My first performance was an hour away. I was the only new performer at the time. Another newcomer—Broken Mirror—couldn’t perform because of anxiety. I was the naive one, the one who didn’t know her routine yet, while everyone else did. Vladimir, bless his soul, helped me and put blocks in for me to memorise. It would’ve helped, had I gotten to perform.
“How are you, Velummine?” Walter asked. I jumped, my anxiety putting me further on edge. I hadn’t heard him come up behind me.
“I’m okay,” I lied.
“You don’t look like it.”
I sighed. “Is it normal to be this nervous?
“Of course it is! You’re our youngest performer, you’ve never performed and this place is still relatively new to you. Of course, it’s normal.”
“Does anyone else get this nervous?”
“Vladimir does.” I didn’t miss Walter’s little smile, adoration glinting in his wondrous Plague eyes. “The poor thing still isn’t used to the attention.”
“I thought he’d been performing for a while.”
Walter shook his head. “Not really. He’s only been performing for a few months longer than you.”
As I raised my eyebrows at him, adjusting my midnight witch’s hat, he continued with, “He was in a horrible condition when we found him, so he took a year or so healing and getting used to his new life.”
“But he’s okay now,” I said, frowning, “right?”
“Yeah, he’s alright now. He’s a tough cookie is Vladimir, it’ll take more than going through the Shade and back to break him.”
I left it there, eyeing the Big Top with distaste. Within the next hour, it would be full to the brim with parents and kids and groups of friends and wannabe performers. My heart-rate shot up. Blood pounded in my ears and neck. I didn’t want to mess up, but I could barely remember the timetable Vlad made for me.
Walter patted my shoulder, a reassuring smile on his face. “If you want, you can go on a little errand for me. Aries and Mia are off scavenging, so I can’t ask them.”
Shuddering, I nodded. “Sure, what is it?”
“Can you go to Shellshore for me and pick up some little gifts for me? They’re little trinkets that I ordered a few weeks ago.”
“Like Mia’s?” I asked, my anxiety temporarily forgotten. Mia, though blind, was their best scavenger and Shatterskull’s sweetheart, bringing home the best treasures to give to others as gifts and selling others for an extra profit. Her fiancé, Aries, went with her.
“Not as good as Mia’s treasures,” he said with a wink, “but still gorgeous. I got one for every performer.”
My shoulders slumped with a sudden realisation. “I don’t have any money to get them.”
“Where did it all go?” Worry widened his eyes, concern laced his words. I’m always haunted by that face.
“On new materials,” I muttered. Shame overcame me. It didn’t help that my materials often ‘disappeared’ during practice, let alone how much of them went on making items to keep me focused on the day ahead.
Walter sighed, and for a split second, I thought he was to leave me to my own devices. He didn’t. Instead, he pulled a small pouch out of his pocket, took out some treasure, and handed the rest over to me. I’m still shocked, and grateful, for that kindness.
“Take it,” he said, shaking it in front of me. Tons of treasure clinked inside. My jaw almost dropped. “Go find something pretty, and we can get Mia to judge it, yeah?”
Speechless, I took the pouch and weighed it in my paws. Despite how much it clinked, it was still heavier than I expected.
“Go on before I change my mind.”
“Why are you giving me this?” I couldn’t keep the concern from my tone; I had never had this much money in one go before, much less for doing nothing.
“You need a distraction.” He shrugged, smiling warmly. “Plus, those materials of yours should have been paid through the circus’s funds, not your own. Next time, come to me and I’ll pay, okay?”
A smile broke across my face. “Really?”
“I do it for everyone else,” Walter stated. “Of course I’d do it for you, too.”
“I... don’t know what to say.” My grin widened, stretching from ear to ear. “Thank you.”
“Don’t worry about it, my dear. Go have some fun, but make sure you’re back before the performance.”
Without wanting him to change his mind, I raced off through the circus, heading straight for the beach I saw Chip and Nova wander down almost every week. On the way, I passed Shatterskull’s contortionist and twin magician acts, both of which were practising for their acts with a fluency I could only dream of. They didn’t notice I walked by.
Even so, I adored them back then.
Shellshore, Mia’s little market for profiting from her finds, was a ten-minute walk with shortcuts. It was thirty minutes if you took the proper route. My favourite shortcut was through the woodland. I could see the birds dance their daylight dances, sing their favourite songs, and could challenge myself by naming every familiar I came across. Of course, the proper route was safer, but what is life without a little fun?
I took off down my—yes, my—shortcut, only slowing when I could turn around and only see the Big Top in the distance. The sudden cutoff between forest and plot amazed me. There was barely a line of dirt between the two, resulting in the woodland surrounding the circus almost like a mother’s arms would. I still wander there, sometimes, but I don’t venture far.
Turning, I strolled through the woodland, trekking the dirt path I’d trodden into the ground over numerous trips in the past few weeks. I took my time. I always loved the outdoors—still do—and the creatures I would find always made it more mystical.
“Hey. What are you going out here? It’s dangerous.”
I still remember the fear that chilled my blood, froze my muscles. I clutched my staff and coin pouch with every inch of my will and turned. I hadn’t realised back then, but the male I found spelt trouble. His white, Mirror figure stood out against the dark browns and greens of the woodland, hat lopsided, cane in paw. An entourage stood behind him, sneering at me.
I could barely withhold my shudder.
“I was going to Shellshore,” I told him.
“Is that right?”
I nodded, cowering. The birds stopped singing.
“Where are you from, my dear?” he asked me, smiling warmly. His four ruby-red eyes, young and emotionless, peered into my soul.
“Shatterskull.” Even to this day, I wish I would have lied.
“Are you serious?” The excitement in his tone burst like a party popper. It shocked me.
“Yes. Why do you ask?”
“We love Shatterskull,” another one cried, her voice a drawl. “It’s the best circus around!”
I peered at the flock of Mirrors, all of whom giggled with excitement. “You do?”
“Aye,” one of the entourage said. “We love that ‘ere circus!”
Even back then, I was suspicious of their motives, but being a naive little girl, I merely asked for their names. They responded honestly enough.
“Oh, my dear Deities,” their dapper manager cried, “I’m so sorry, my dear. Where are my manners? I’m Sylvester, son of the matriarch to a neighbouring clan, but you—” He caught me off guard with a wink that made my heart flutter. “—can call me Sylver.”
“A-and the rest of you?”
“I’m Yobber, matie,” Sylver’s lackey from earlier yelled. The little group of Mirrors cheered for his announcement. “These are our little... group, called The Rats.”
“Why are you called The Rats?”
Sylver chuckled. The sound brought a blush to my cheeks. “We’re called that because we scurry around unnoticed, my sweetness.”
I bit my lip and bowed my head. Though I’d met many Mirrors in my seventeen years, Sylver was unlike many of them. He was charming, dressed to impress with a waistcoat and half-moon glasses perches at the end of his nose, and he spoke in a tone that sent my heart racing. If he had asked me to drop my performance and run away with him, I may have just considered it.
“What’s your name, my love?” Sylver inquired.
“Velummine.”
“That’s a gorgeous name.”
I blushed. “Thank you.”
“Aye, Velum,” Yobber began, his arm thrown around Sylver, “could ya take us backstage?”
“Why?” I could hardly keep the slight confusion I felt from my tone. Going backstage was unheard of for anyone but performers.
“We’d love ta meet your ringleader. He’s called Walter, in’e?”
“Yes. Why?”
Sylver smiled, taking my paw. “We’d love to meet him and thank him for the joy he’s brought to my mother’s lair. Before, it was boring, and no one wanted to hang around. Now, thanks to his circus, it’s full of life.”
“We gots’ta thank ‘im for it,” one of The Rats drawled. The rest roared their agreements, only Sylver keeping quiet.
At the time, I thought nothing of it. Their excitement was genuine, with their eyes lighting up as soon as I agreed to take them. “Sure, I bet he’d love to see you.”
The Rats all cheered. Sylver gestured for me to lead the way, a coy smile at his lips. I lead them back with pride in my soul. I yearned for them to discuss me and my future performance. I wanted to mean something to them. Only Sylver, however, seemed to notice.
“So,” Sylver started, fumbling with the cuffs of his coat, his cane under his arm, “what do you do at Shatterskull?”
“I’m a performer,” I mumbled. “Or, at least, I’m about to be.”
“What do you plan on doing?”
“Magic, like Vladimir.”
“Ah!” he cried, his Plague eyes alight. “I remember Vlad. He uses runes, doesn’t he?”
“Yeah, he’s good with them. He doesn’t remember how he knows half of them, though.”
“Bless him. Has he got a bad memory?”
I shook my head, my hat shifting slightly. “All he told me was that he has amnesia, so he can’t remember much.”
Sadness befell Sylver’s face. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“I said that to him, once. He didn’t appreciate it, much.”
“Well,” Sylver said, “that’s rude.”
“It’s only because we both know sympathy won’t bring his memories back,” I told him, desperate to eradicate any negative views he conjured about Shatterskull’s second-in-command. “He’s not rude, he’s just... down, I guess.”
“Still, it’s no way to treat a lovely lady such as you.”
I remember, back then, that any compliment would set my cheeks flaring. I’d begin to stutter and immediately fall in love with whoever dished them out, male or female. I was a simple girl at seventeen. I was easily impressed.
Not anymore, I’m afraid.
We all trailed back to Shatterskull, The Rats chatting and laughing about anything they could think of. Sylver stayed by my side, much to my seventeen-year-old swooning, and talked about me. The rest talked about Eclipse, our contortionist who could twist into any shape and break it with ease, his eyes wide and wondering about the world. The twins caught some of their attention, too, with their tricks and misdirection. Only one talked about Ace, our dark magician’s assistant, and she sounded genuinely excited to meet him.
As soon as we entered beneath Shatterskull’s banner, I froze. I forgot to go to Shellshore.
“This is amazing,” Sylver breathed, gaping at his surroundings. “I didn’t know how beautiful this place was.”
“It’s pretty cool, isn’t it?” I said. I forgot all about Shellshore, about the trinkets, yet again.
“Beyond doubt, my dear.”
“I’d love to live ‘ere, me,” Yobber said with a grin, rubbing his paws together with glee. “There’s a lot’a magic.”
Sylver’s wonder quickly fell into confusion. “Where are the performers?”
“There’s a show going on right now.” I gestured towards the Big Top. “We can go backstage and wait for Walter to finish.”
“Well, when will the rest of the performers be out? We’d like to thank them all.”
I hid my wince of disappointment behind a bright smile. “They’ll be out when my performance is about to start.”
“Then is it okay if we wait out here?” Sylver inquired, his voice as soft as silk. “We wouldn’t want to intrude on your lovely talents, after all.”
“Sure.”
I walked away as The Rats laughed behind me. Embarrassment rose in the back of my mind, clawing its way forward. I thought they were laughing at me, at my average... everything. I’ll never know, not even now. I tried not to think about it, but it made me feel worse and worse with every step I took.
Walter and Vladimir stood beside a vanity table, slightly anxious as they peered through a gap in the curtains. I didn’t bother announcing my presence; they were too engrossed in their worries to notice.
“...Nova and Chip? Are they still at Shellshore?”
“I think so. I hope Velummine got—” Walter’s gaze landed on me, and he smiled. “Speak of the devil.”
I mumbled a soft, “Sorry, I forgot to go to Shellshore.”
Vladimir squinted at me. “You forgot to go, or didn’t go?”
“I forgot.”
“It’s no big deal,” Walter reassured, adjusting my hat when he came closer. “We can get the trinkets and our medics after the performance.”
“Okay.” I noticed a lack of presence in the Big Top and looked around, nose scrunched in thought. “Where’s Jack and Dagger?”
Walter snorted. “They’re buying prismatic knives, for whatever reason. They won’t be back until tomorrow; they saw them in the Sunbeam Ruins.”
“They were really excited about getting them,” Vladimir pointed out.
Still smiling, Walter gently took my paw and led me towards the curtains. I couldn’t help but peer through with them, watching with amazement as if I was one of the audience members in the stands. The twins did their usual tricks—my favourite was always the most common magic trick; pulling the rabbit out of the hat—but with a different twist to usual. The theme, to fit their birthday, revolved around sweets and joy rather than illusion.
“Are you going to be okay?” Walter whispered above me.
I nodded, determined to become an official performer. “I’m ready.”
The twins bowed low in the centre of the ring. They had their paws clasped together, waved once to the audience and, in one final act of defying magicians’ tricks, disappeared in a cloud of smoke. They reappeared behind me, giggling maniacally.
I smiled with them.
Walter replaced them in seconds, enticing the audience into silence with charm and smiles. “Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you enjoyed our birthday twins!”
The crowd roared for them, clapping and cheering. My determination only grew.
“Now,” he began again, the stage beginning to darken, “I have one more performance for you. She’s never been seen before, shrouded in darkness and mystery, and she’s hoping to bring a special highlight to your day. Please welcome—” He threw his paw towards the curtain, grinning wildly. “—Velummine!”
The Big Top went completely black, a green mist overcoming the ring like a blanket to a bed. Walter disappeared in a puff of smoke. It was finally my time to shine – to prove to everyone that I was worthy.
Sauntering out into the ring, I swung my staff over the mist, watching it twirl up in cones underneath its touch. I feigned confidence I had yet to feel. Whispers waved over the audience. They fell silent as a rune flashed under my digits, lighting my face up in a harsh golden glow that set my eyes burning bright against the darkness. They gasped, and I grinned.
My performance never went beyond that. Someone screamed outside.
-2-
Vladimir rushed into the ring. He reignited the Big Top’s floating torches in a hurry, sketching a rune to soak up the mist. He looked panicked. His voice cracked as he spoke to get everyone’s attention. “Everyone, I’m going to need you to follow me. The show’s been cancelled.”
“What’s going on?” I asked him, worry clutching my heart in a steely grasp.
The terror in his mismatched eyes only made me worry more. “We’re being attacked.” He turned back to everyone else, gesturing for them to follow. “Please, if you’ll follow me, I’ll lead you to the safest exit. We can’t have you in the line of danger.”
“What a waste of money...” someone muttered.
“...never coming back...” another growled.
“...the poor girl, she looks terr--”
The mutters only continued as Vladimir ushered everyone out of another curtain, eager to get everyone to safety. Some of the most ignorant pierced him with glares fit for slicing steel, while some of the worrying dragons huddled closer to him. He ended up holding a hatchling by the end of it, telling her that they will all be okay.
He left with them, throwing me a glance.
I ran outside, desperate to help. Instead, my knees buckled at the sight. I was to be forever tortured by that memory.
Blood speckled the ground and trickled down the side of the tent. Strips of fabric, from both apparel and tent alike, littered the ground, barely distinguishable from the bloodstains they soaked in. The cause of it all I couldn’t believe with my own eyes. Only my punishment made me aware.
The Rats fought with my family. Yobber fought against Walter, Aries against a taller Mirror male called Jayun. Mercury, blood washing down his side, defended Anise, who lay curled up on the ground, scarcely moving. Red stained the side of her face. It mixed with her purple-green mane, trailed down the gash that slit her neck.
I remember bursting into tears at the sight of Mia. Her familiar, a tiny Radiant Flutterbun, lay on its side beside her, whimpering. Across her neck, torso and face were gashes. They were so deep I could barely believe they were from a Mirror.
I rushed towards her, pulling away whatever I could to stem the bleeding. There was no point.
She was gone, her blind eyes void of the joy she always held.
Shatterskull members weren’t the only ones to fall in this feud. The Rats dropped like flies under Aries’ and Walter’s claws. Broken strangled them with shadows as he stood over Ace. Tears streamed down his face.
One of the entourage, one called Abija, dropped to her knees, a slash across her delicate green neck. Aries stood over her, panting. He left her to choke on her blood.
There was so much of it; blood. Some pooled underneath Ace, underneath Mia, covering Walter’s and Aries’ paws and arms and faces. They didn’t look like the dragons I knew. Gone were the kind words, the talks of Aries’ wedding, the fussing over which ring to buy.
There was just fury.
These aren’t the dragons I know.
Pain sparked in my cheek. I fell beside Mia, gasping against the agony. I stared into four beady red eyes. In those same eyes swam bloodlust. His waistcoat, once crisp white, was speckled with red. They held the evidence of his intentions.
“Thank you, Velummine,” he drawled, adjusting the cuffs of his waistcoat. “You made our dream come true.”
“Why?” I sobbed, clutching my cheek with a shaky paw. “What did we do to you?”
“You’ve plagued our lands for long enough.” A deadly smile stretched across his face, his eyes narrowing. “Circuses are full of undeserving vermin.”
We heard Yobber cry out. Sylver spun, growling like the animal he was. We saw his right paw clutching his side and hissing, Walter towering over him with malicious intent etched into his face. In his eyes was an insane look. For the first time in my life at Shatterskull, I was afraid of my ringleader. I became afraid that he might hurt me.
“Walter!” Sylver yelled, spreading his arms wide. “Your fight’s not with him.”
Slowly, Walter turned towards Sylver. His claws looked like the talons of a vulture. Blood spread up from his paws to his elbows, his waistcoat stained with a permanent reminder of these events. Half of his face covered behind his mask, the other half hidden in muck, I could barely make out the line across his forehead, slicing his brow in two.
“You’re right,” he said, all joy from earlier gone. “It’s not with your useless lackey.”
“He’s more useful than your circus.” Earlier, he would’ve called Shatterskull a circus with pride and excitement. Now, I knew he was only excited for watching it burn. “You’re stealing revenue from my mother’s lair with your useless shows!”
For only a few moments, Walter switched back into his old self. “Then stop this for her sake.”
The laugh that rumbled low in Sylver’s throat frightened me, urging me to keep from running for help. “Who do you think gave me permission to do this?”
All attempts at negotiation fell there. They leapt at each other, hissing and growling like feral cats. Their claws tore everything in their path to maim, to kill. All I did was cower. Terror gripped me, whispering in my ear. I was afraid that, as soon as I moved, they would realise I was still alive.
I saw Yobber fly through the air and hit a tree. Shadows curled around him. They picked him up and slammed him against the ground. Instead of reassuring me, it made me cower more.
Slamming my eyes shut, ducking my head between my paws, I waited for one of them to kill me. The noise echoed in my ears. The cries and screams and pants; all of it.
It all stopped. Fearful that I might be mishearing, I propped myself up on my elbows to see everyone outlined in a silver shimmer. Walter bared his teeth at Sylver. The other had his claws ready to connect with Walter’s neck. Neither of them moved, despite how Sylver hovered in mid-air.
Vladimir stood under the banner. His mismatched eyes glowed. He held a rune, glowing white, in the air. I knew what that meant. Hold. With a few twitches of his digits, he let Walter, Aries and Broken go.
He went straight up to Sylver. Looking him dead in the eye, he said in a voice as smooth as a pebble, “Leave my circus, or I’ll kill you myself.”
Without waiting for a response, he flicked the rune, resulting in both of the remaining Rats flying through the air against their will. The rune shattered into pixie dust. Vladimir, I could tell, couldn’t care less about whether they landed in a spiky bush or flew away. I didn’t feel reassured.
Walter didn’t go to him. He got up and rushed towards Eclipse. Remarkably, the Spiral was still alive, but barely. From where I lay, I could see Vladimir’s face blanching at the sight around him; at how Broken sobbed into Ace’s cloak, trying desperately to wake him up; how Aries screamed into the woodland, punching trees; how Walter shook as he tried to keep Eclipse alive.
I sat up as soon as he rushed for the twins, paws shaking. I couldn’t see their injuries, but I knew they were dead just by Vladimir’s sobs. Nausea stirred in the pit of my stomach. I almost threw up when Walter screamed, backing away from our contortionist.
He fell to one side, a hole in his chest. Eclipse was gone.
Edging towards the mess, I began to cry. I had no right to. I’d inadvertently caused the deaths of five Shatterskull members, five dragons who Walter classed as his family. I didn’t deserve to mourn them.
“Who did this?” Walter panted between sobs. He stared at each one of us in the eyes.
“Walter,” Vladimir began, placing a paw on his arm.
He shook it off and screamed, “Who brought them here? Who did this?”
In my fear, I stayed quiet, crying silently. I wonder, to this day, if my punishment would have been lighter had I just told the truth. Of course, I’ll never know.
Walter’s eyes locked onto mine. I froze. My crying turned into blubbers as soon as he whispered, with reborn insanity to his aura, “You.”
He stepped closer, and closer again. I backed up until my back hit a post. I have a feeling he would have roared in my face if Vladimir didn’t step between us, his back to me. I will always be grateful for that male’s efforts. He never looked the friendliest, given his scars, but what he did that day will stay with me.
Walter growled at him. Vladimir didn’t budge. “Get out of my way.”
“Walter,” he whispered before me, taking his face in his paws, “stop. This isn’t like you.”
As soon as Walter tried to break free, glare at me, roar and curse my name, Vladimir kept him contained. He spread his wings to keep me from view. He used runes to keep Walter at bay. I could tell, just by standing there, that it hurt him to do this.
“This isn’t like you,” he sobbed. “Please stop this, Walter. You’re scaring me.”
“Get her out of my circus,” Walter hissed. “Get her out now.”
“Walter, she’s a child.”
He scoffed, throwing Vladimir’s paws away. Even with the fear in my heart, I felt the warmth of anger flush my cheeks. “And that makes this okay, does it?”
“Calm down, or I’ll use it.”
I had no idea what this ‘it’ was at the time, but it was enough to get Walter to back up, worry dancing in his eyes. I relaxed slightly. Vladimir didn’t move, though he tucked his wings away, fiddling his mage’s hat.
The worry quickly subsided, turning into fury. His eyes locked onto mine. Tears swam in them. “Get out.”
Vladimir stood before me again, but still, he yelled. “Get out of my circus and don’t come back! You don’t get to live here!”
“That’s enough, Walter!” Vladimir snapped. “She’s seventeen!”
“I don’t care.” His voice broke. “She led them here!”
“And how was she supposed to know that they were on a blacklist? We didn’t let her see it! It’s not fair to place all the blame on her.”
When Walter didn’t respond, Vladimir sighed and went to hug him, rocking him. It was only then that I realised my ringleader was crying. The sound was quiet but harsh. It relieved me to watch him return the hug. I’d never seen those two argue before. It was even rarer than finding an un-hatched egg in the lands of any realm.
“I’m sorry,” he blubbered, clutching Vladimir.
“It’s not me you should be apologising to, Walter,” he whispered back.
Walter nodded. He let go of his second-in-command and wiped his eyes. His lip trembled. I felt sorry for him, my fear disappearing. He’d lost half of his family, and here I was, being protected by his best friend, who moved out of the way but stood to one side. He waited for a chance to intervene.
“I’m sorry—” I began.
“I’m sorry too,” he said, biting his lip, “but you can’t be here.”
“Walter—?” Vladimir began, eyes wide.
Walter held his paw up, and he went silent. “I’ll give you money to rent yourself a tavern room for a few weeks, but you can’t be here anymore. You indirectly caused this.”
I had no words for him. I was both shocked and hurt by his kindness. I hadn’t expected him, after all this, to offer to pay for a room in a tavern, but at the same time, I hoped that, once he was calm, I’d be able to stay. It seemed Vladimir thought that, too.
Without another word, he pulled out his pouch—no doubt earnings from the audience who bought tickets earlier—and handed it to me. I didn’t take it at first.
“Please, Velummine,” he choked out. “Just take it. Take it and go. There’s the Rose Wine nearby, you can go stay there.”
I still didn’t move. Walter came up to me, took my paw and shoved the pouch into my grasp, tears spilling down his face. He didn’t say goodbye, didn’t offer a final blessing. He handed it to me and left, sniffing, stopping only once to say, without turning around, “Don’t come back here, please. You won’t be welcome.”
With that, my now ex-ringleader headed towards the three corpses of the twins and Eclipse. He collapsed to his knees and wept, judging by how much he shook. Aries and Broken, both listening from a distance, glared at me. Vladimir was the only one to say goodbye.
“Stay safe, okay?” he said, digging up some extra treasure for me from his pocket.
“You’re not going to let me stay?” I whispered.
My heart broke with his response. “No.”
“But—”
“I know you’re only a child,” he muttered as he handed me some of that extra treasure, “but I won’t be able to convince anyone to let you stay, and the decision has to be unanimous. I’m sorry.”
Vladimir offered me one final, shaky smile before he headed towards Walter, his tail swishing. I watched numbly as he sat beside him and comforted him with hugs and inaudible words. Broken and Aries, Mia limp in his arms, joined them, their irritation towards me reaching me in waves. Their heartbreak was replaced by infinite rage.
I knew then that I’d messed up, that I’d made one fatal mistake that cost me my dream. I knew, watching them mourn, that I was no longer welcome.
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