He sighed and put an arm around my shoulder for one of our traditional awkward hug moments.
‘Vi, I know what you’re saying. She’s made choices that we don’t understand or agree with, but I think we need to give her the chance to get well. Once she is, then … we’ll work out what to do.’
Yeah, right.
I pulled away from him. ‘I’ve gotta have a shower,’ I said, standing up.
‘I was hoping to see you in your dress tonight. You know, have a photo together or something.’
I shrugged. ‘I’m getting ready with Steph,’ I said, omitting the part about us meeting up at Hades.
‘She could’ve come here. There was a time when she was here more than at her own home.’
I took a final sip of water and re-capped it. ‘It’s a bit crowded here already.’
Dad stood and took my hands in his, looking down at the bracelets that were covering my markings. ‘Any news?’
I shook my head. ‘Griffin’s in touch with the Academy daily. They’ve had some sightings but nothing concrete.’
In fact, it was as if Phoenix and Lilith had dropped off the face of the earth. But at the same time, I knew they hadn’t. Something was brewing. I could feel it – and it wasn’t a happy feeling.
‘You’re not “hunting” tonight, are you?’ Dad asked-slash-insisted.
I smiled. ‘Not tonight.’ I’d been given the night off for our school dance.
He kissed me on the top of my head. He smelled like Dad – shaving cream and aftershave.
‘She’s awake you know, if you wanted to say goodbye before you head off.’
He moved towards the dining table, where he had set up a makeshift office.
I laughed. ‘I’ll keep that in mind.’
CHAPTER THREE
‘Can you hear Destiny laugh as she tiptoes toward you? Destiny is heartless.’
Anonymous
The days ahead were full of landmark events, starting with the end of year dance that night, the Fenton art course starting the next day – yes, weekend attendance was expected – and on Monday, my official graduation.
I can’t say I was expecting great things from my graduation. There was no doubt my exam performance had been substandard. But I was at least proud I’d made it through to the end of high school. Plus, Steph’s speech would be a guaranteed highlight. She was valedictorian – and not afraid of saying, well … whatever came to mind.
It was the Fenton course that I was really looking forward to. I hoped those six weeks would be my stepping stone into the arts community and, all dramas aside, a chance for me to be normal.
Steph had bought me an incredible leather portfolio so large it would fit full canvases and all of my supplies. I knew that walking down the street with it would fill me with pride.
As I entered Hades with my dress – in protective carrier – slung over my shoulder, I smiled at the thought of trading it in for my portfolio the next day.
I made my way to Dapper’s apartment through the bar. I knocked on the heavy door and called out so they knew it was me. Dapper had been attacked by Phoenix’s exiles a month ago, when we were trying to set up an exchange. Phoenix had double-crossed us. Dapper, Onyx, and most of all, Steph, had paid the price.
I felt the same twinge of guilt every time I went to his place now and saw the steel reinforced door and listened to the various locks being undone. Dapper had once prided himself on his position of neutrality, but Phoenix hadn’t cared; his exiles came anyway. Dapper almost died that night and it had taken something from him that I wasn’t sure he would ever get back.
‘Remind me again why it is I don’t seem to be able to get rid of you?’ he mumbled in greeting before looking over his shoulder to Steph, adding, ‘Or her.’
The truth? Both of us were currently avoiding our homes like the plague. The last I’d heard, Steph’s mother had been ‘entertaining’ a particularly crude, wealthy and handsy businessman whom Steph could barely tolerate.
‘Because you’d be lost without us and as much as it annoys you, you get satisfaction out of knowing our presence annoys Onyx even more.’
‘I heard that,’ Onyx’s voice rang out from inside. ‘And it is entirely true. It’s some form of twisted punishment.’ His tone held no bite.
Dapper grunted, but I saw the corners of his mouth lift to an almost-smile.
I patted him on the shoulder as I walked in to find Steph right at home; dress hanging on the edge of the stand-up lamp, shoes off, hair wet and dripping on the carpet where she sat cross-legged, snacking on biscuits and flipping through Vogue.
She glanced up at me. ‘If you want food, eat now. Nothing permitted in the two-hour lead-up.’ She patted her stomach. ‘Otherwise it’ll show.’
I rolled my eyes. ‘Are you planning on not eating all night?’
She fixed a serious look on me. ‘Violet,’ was all she said.