Beyond The Veil

Chapter 4: This World I Have Come To

Avery II

Sleep evades me tonight as the sounds of the bar below dies down and soon there is silence. Maddening silence. Not even the sound of a passing car to tell me that there is in fact life outside these tiny four walls. This strange place that I have come to gives me little to no comfort as I toss and turn on the rickety bed that is basically a wooden bed frame some straw to replace a mattress and a couple of ratty blankets. ‘Never again will I complain about the hole in the wall apartment we live in.’ I angrily huff as I turn onto my side for the umpteenth time. ‘That place could be considered a palace compared to this hell hole. There isn’t even a bathroom with a toilet here, just a bucket. What the hell kind of backward place doesn’t have indoor plumbing?’ 

It’s like these people live in an eternal Ren Fair and actually enjoy it! This must be hell or maybe purgatory of some kind. Though I don’t feel like I am dead, but then again I’ve never been dead before so I guess I wouldn’t know what it feels like. Maybe that strange barrier in the woods was a worm hole and this is some sort of alternate universe, like something you would see on Star Trek or something. But like instead of going to an awesome techie future it takes you back to the past where they have barely just invented the wheel. Or maybe they have just discovered fire at this point, who the hell knows.

All I know is that I am cold, hungry, and I can get that god damn bastard out of my head. Typical rich boy, anyone can tell, even if he was dressed like everyone else in the bar. He had that swagger to him that says “I’ve never heard the word ‘no’ in my life”. The way he walks around as is everything belongs to him and we should all just be happy to bask in his mere presence like he is some kind of god. I know just his type unfortunately. The type that likes to slum it with the outcasts of society only to go back to their Richie Rich friends and bag on us like we are nothing.

I’m still not able to figure out what was up with him though near the end of the night and why he got that stupid happy look on his face when he touched my hand. It would be just my luck to attract the attention of a psycho with a hand fetish. I just really hope he doesn’t want to wear my skin. Also what the hell was up with his eyes, cause last I checked normal human eyes don’t go from purple, still a weird colour for humans to have, to all glowy and golden, definitely a weird colour for humans to have, unless you are in an anime or something. But as this is the real world, I think, people shouldn’t have anime eyes like this guy.

A headache begins to form in the center of my forehead as I continue to try to make sense of everything that happened within the last twenty-four hours. Weird thing number one to happen was that freak storm after work. Number two was probably the weird translucently green barrier that even though everything in me told me not to touch, I am in fact an overly curious dumbass and, decided to touch anyway. It seems as though that is what brought me to this place though I can’t think of a single logical explanation even now. And the rest of the weird is this place and it’s people, especially Rich Boy. He is the weirdest of them all. Like if he were to ask the Evil Stepmother’s mirror who the weirdest person in the land is, the magic man in it wouldn’t even respond it would just stick on his face.

The one bring light in my otherwise cloudy day has been Missy. Missy must be a magical fairy godmother sent to me in my time of need as she was the first one to quickly take me under her wing. She offered to let me work for my room once she found out I had no money, well I did just apparently not the correct currency of this weird ass place. Maybe she can help me find out more information about Mr. Weirdo and why he followed me around like a lost puppy last night. Perhaps she could explain the eyes as well. If this is some parallel universe maybe this is normal?

The sound of footsteps coming up the stairs alerted me that Missy or perhaps the bartender/owner Quinny, had finished up for the night and was heading to bed. Getting out of the thing that was called a bed, I peek open the door and see the black curls of Missy just as she is about to pass by my room.

“Psst! Missy!” I yell/whisper as she looks up at me and smiles. Waving her over I open the door a little further and bring her into the room. Closing the door again once she is fully inside I look for a chair and have her sit down while I sit on the bed. “I wanted to thank you again for everything Missy, really I mean it.”

She waves off my thanks like it is no big deal. “Dinna fash yerself lass, tis the least I can do for someone as out of their depths as you seemed to be.” A light blush covers my cheeks as I realize that within this time I had broken one, almost two of my rules. Clearing my throat trying to draw attention away from my burning face, I distraction myself with picking at my clothing. “Either way Missy, thank you. Not many people would help someone just because.”

“Oh aye that’s true. But my ma always taught me to be kind to strangers, for someday a stranger might be kind to you. Think of it as my way of puttin’ a wee bit of good back into this world.” The brightness of who Missy is shines through as I truly take in her words. The fact that this world has good people like her raises my hopes for my own and perhaps I could take her mom’s advice as well. “Was there something botherin’ ya lass, you seemed rather upset toward the end of the evening?”

Here it is, my opening to ask her all my questions and hopefully she won’t look at me as if I am some crazy person. “That man that was in here earlier, the one with the annoying friend at the back booth…”

“Did those rascals harm ye?!” She near shrieks before realizing the time and quietening herself. “If they did I swear by the Goddess herself I was tear them apart meself…” I quickly shake my head as I try to figure out how to respond next. “No they didn’t hurt me. Just something strange happened when the dark haired one touched me. His eyes also looked as if they were gold… and they were kind of glowy. Does any of that make sense?” She seems to stiffen at that as she looks at me a bit closer.

“Define strange? How did it feel when he touched you? As for his eyes doesn’t yer own wolf come out whenever you are under times of high emotion?” she fires off the questions faster than I can answer them. Though the last one catches me off guard. What did she mean by “wolf” maybe I should have rethought all of this.

“Have you ever shocked yourself before? It was like that, but it was happening everywhere he was touching me and it wasn’t just a small zip. It felt like there was electricity under my skin.” A look of understanding falls over her face at this as I continue to look at her in confusion. “Question though Missy; what did you mean by wolf? Is that like some sort of s****l innuendo I am not aware of?” What was a look of understanding changes to confusion as she takes in my words.

“Lass are ye meaning to tell me that you have never felt the presence of a beast stirring inside ye? Or that you have never shifted during the full moon?” The incredulous look on her face shows that she thinks she already knows the answer but doesn’t want to believe it. I though choke on a laugh as I hear her questions.

“What you mean like the wolf man?” I joke as her faces turns even more grave. “You can’t be serious about werewolves. Those are just fictional, everyone knows that. There is no physical way that a man can turn into a wolf no matter the shape of the moon. If anything those stories are allegorical and are meant to show that inside every person is a beast that can either be tamed or it takes over in a metaphorical sense…”

Missy looks at me with a critical eye as she moves out of the chair to lock the door before coming back and sitting on the bed next to me. “Are ye meaning to tell me that ye are in fact human?” The question throws me off so much all I can do is nod my head as she lets out a sigh and puts her face in her hands. “The feeling that ye experienced with the lad, is what is called a mating bond. Though I had no idea a human could experience that bond…”

“Hey Missy, why does it seem like such a bad thing that I am human? Surely there are other humans out there…” The look on her face tells me all I need to know. She lets out a sigh again and pulls her legs up to her chest. “A long time ago, like a long long time ago, an order was given and humans were hunted down and brought to extinction. Any humans found are to be exterminated on sight…” A look of fear crosses my face at that as I move to get up off the bed. “Dinna fash lass, I’m no’ gonna turn ye in. I like ye too much to be doin’ that.”

The tension in the room seems to settle as we both seem to relax into our new truths. For Missy, it’s that there is at least one human still alive here and with there being one there has to be more. And for me, I am now living in a world that is made up of werewolves that hunted humans to extinction and if I am found out it will most likely be my death. This is just my luck. “So wait, you said that dude was like my mate or whatever. Do you think he knows that we are whatever it is?” After everything that has happened this question seems to be the one that sends her over the edge and Missy falls into a laughing fit. “Course he knows! Males always seem to know even before the first touch. Why did ye think he was following ye around like a lap dog?” I blush once again as I look down at the hand that he touched.

“Do you know who he is? I mean I got his name and could tell that he was a Rich Boy but I know nothing else.” Missy gives me a sympathetic look as she places a hand on my shoulder. “I am more than happy to help ye lass. Now what was the name that he gave you?” I take a deep breath before looking back at her and saying just one word. “Greyson.”

“Greyson was it? Hmm by this point in the night appearances almost all blur together, what did he look like?” She closes her eyes as if to visualize the night to the best of her ability. “Well, he was tall. Like really tall over six foot at least. Also he had violet eyes, well at least when they weren’t gold-” Missy cuts me off at that. “Wait violet eyes?!” I nod my head as she lets out a groan and gets off the bed to start pacing the room. For some reason her pacing seems to make the already small room even smaller. “Violet eyes are not common at all and the only family famous for them is the Tabris family out in the Tamore region. The only Tabris’ in the capitol would be the Queen and by extension her son… who is known for his violet eyes and dark hair.” Hearing that is when I break down and start laughing, clutching my sides as I double over.

“No friggin way!” I spit out between each laugh. “I am not Cinderella and this isn’t some fairy tale where the handsome prince is going to save me from my life. That’s not how reality works.” Missy looks at me as if I have lost my mind as the laughter subsides and I wipe the few tears from my eyes. “Look I get that this mate stuff is probably pretty important for you guys but it’s not really for me. I have gotten by without some handsome prince to come in on his white horse to save the day for long enough now that I don’t need it any more.”

Missy nods in what seems to be understanding as she places a hand on my shoulder. “Well ye best let him know that, only polite thing to do at this point. At least that way he can start the selection process for his princess.” A heavy feeling in my gut catches me off guard when I hear that. For some strange reason I don’t want him to choose someone else. Maybe it’s from years of neglect and daddy issues but a small part of me wants someone to choose me. To fight for me. “I know just the place ye can meet up to tell him too!” Missy continues on with a snap of her fingers. “Just need to be gettin’ you a dress. I hope you know how to dance lass.”

I get an ominous feeling from her words as I side eye her. “First off why do I need a dress? Second how the hell am I going to afford a dress?” Missy clucks off my concerns as she goes to the door to unlock it hurrying out. Within moments she is back with a nicely put together box that she sets on the bed. “Ma always said a girl ought to have a nice dress. Never really had a place to wear it so this is the chance for it to shine. Besides we are about the same size I would hazard to guess.” She opens up the lid and pulls out a beautiful blue gown with embroidery along the chest. Handing it to me I hold it up against myself as I admire the wonderful craftsmanship to it.

“This is far too much Missy. I can’t possibly borrow this from you, it’s too important.” I say before handing it back. She gives me a slightly unhappy look as she pushes it back into my arms. “No lass you should wear this! I want you looking like a princess for this party you understand. No you may not have the most finely made clothes or be the most bedecked in jewels but you will wow that prince. Even if you do not want him.” She finishes off as I open my mouth to protest. “Besides perhaps if we have a princess of the common folk perhaps things might change around here. Goddess knows things need to change and soon.” I simply nod as I take in this tidbit of information. Apparently not all is right with the kingdom and the lower class is not exactly happy with the ruling one.

“So wait when is this party that I am going to? How the hell am I getting in? Also what is it for?” I fire off as she has me try on the gown to check on the fit of it. “Party is open to the public by the King’s orders, though many say its on the insistence of the prince since it is his name day party. He’ll be turning four and twenty this year. I have a feeling that the party is a ruse to help the prince find his mate, not that it is actually needed any more.” So the prince is kind to those less fortunate than he is, or at least he has the appearance of it. It will be interesting at least to see what kind of parties these people have.