I wake up to darkness.

  It takes me a few seconds to hear Rose’s breathing, and Dee’s high pitched snores. I stare into the darkness, until a blue notification in the corner of my vision asks for my attention.

  I’d been ignoring it after the fight with Doss and his men, but now that I’ve had some sleep, I feel more ready to kick the system’s ass.

  What happens when brilliance reaches 100%? Something good, probably.

  Or terrible.

  That seems highly unlikely.

  Eeeew. Don’t call me that, like ever. We ain’t like that, System.

  I eventually manage to turn my glare away from the parentheses, only for my gaze to be caught on the first thing listed in his inventory. I’ve never had that much money.

  And it’s all mine.

  My own.

  My precious.

  No no no. Shut up.

  Just cause I have some sweet monies does not mean that I’m going full gollum.

  The shifting of sheets next to me reminds me that I’m not alone. Rose hadn’t wanted to be left alone, so she’d stayed up here with me and we’d thrown a small pajama party.

  I’d lent her my panda-bear jammies, and I’d worn my old bunny onesie.

  “Are you here?” Rose asks, half asleep.

  I put my hand on her cheek and she snuggles into it. “I’m here.” I glance at the clock. “We should get up, we have class in an hour.”

  Rose seems to fully wake up at that. She pulls away from my hand to look at me from the little light coming through the window. “Elena? Last night wasn’t a dream?”

  “Afraid not.”

  She pauses, then shoves herself up, causing Dee to fall to the ground with a muffled “Eep!”

  “Elena, did you say we only have an hour?” She asks.

  “Yep.” I stretch, and leave the bed, the floppy ears of my onesie bouncing in front of my face. “You should call your dad.”

  Rose is out of the bed in a second as she hurries to the door. She flips on the light, then opens the door. “What are you waiting for?”

  I giggle as I open my dresser. “I thought you might want to change first.”

  She looks down at the panda-bear jammies she’s wearing. She blinks several times, then gives me a silly smile as she closes the door.

  “My clothes should fit you.” I say, throwing a pair of jeans and a purple shirt her way.

  She catches them easily, and looks at them with a tilted head. “I didn’t know you had nice clothes.”

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  “Hey! Just cause I don’t put effort in doesn’t mean- you know what. Shut up. My phone is on the nightstand. Call your dad.” I look back to my dresser and pull out some more clothes.

  She’s quiet for a long moment. I turn around to see her looking at the torn and bloody clothes sitting in a pile in the corner.

  “What?” I ask, drawing her attention back to me.

  “Are you okay? That’s a lot of blood.”

  I look back at the clothes, dyed brown from blood. “Yeah, most of it isn’t mine.” I take off my onesie, stripping down to my underthings.

  Rose looks away, her cheeks reddening.

  “I’ll shower while you call.” I say, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around myself as I walk past her.

  “Mhm.” Is her only response.

  I’m surprisingly quick with my shower, and Rose rushes past me to take my place when I’m done.

  I sit down at my dresser and start combing my hair, humming lightly.

  Dee floats over to me, and sits down on the mouse of my computer. “You two are cute.” She places her head in her hands and sighs. “I wish I had a relationship like that.”

  “It’s a little early to be calling it a relationship.” I say.

  Dee perks up, ignoring my comment. “Hey, are there any cute male Faeries around here?”

  “Not that I know of.” I respond. I stand up to place some books in my backpack. “I hear there are elves in Iceland though.”

  “Elves? Why would I date one of them.” She sticks her tongue out at me. “Maybe I could convince you to buy another Faerie guard… I want him to be handsome, oh oh, he should control the water element.” She flies over to my ear and continues in a hushed tone. “Water and lightning, it’s an electrifying combo.”

  I smile and wink at the little Faerie as I finish packing my bag.

  ***

  “You think so?” I ask, opening my bedroom door for her.

  “Mhm. He definitely likes him. Plus they’re the perfect ship-” Rose stops as voices reach us from downstairs.

  She frowns, then rushes down the stairs. I follow a few steps behind.

  As we come into the kitchen, we find a handsome man with black hair and blue eyes animatedly talking to my father about local politics. They break off conversation as we enter the room.

  My father takes a bite of toast, and smiles as he catches sight of the two of us. “Hey honey. I didn’t realize you had a friend over. Rose’s father,” He motions in the direction of the strange man, “came by to pick her up.” He smiles at me and Rose, clueless to the mob boss he has in his house.

  “Rose! I hurried over here as soon as I could. Give your dad a hug?” The man opens his arms.

  “What are you doing here? I told you I was fine, like you even care.” Oof. Brutal.

  The man flinches, “Sorry darling. I came to get you. I’ve decided it’s time we move somewhere safer-”

  “No.”

  “What do you mean no?” Mr. Demor’s smile disappears, and he looks at his daughter with genuine worry. “Two times. That’s too many.”

  “I’ve just started to make friends here. I’m not moving again.” Rose’s lip quivers, but she hides it as she crosses her arm.

  “It’s only been three days…” Mr. Demor glances at me, then shakes his head. “Come on, we’re leaving.”

  She looks at him, her mouth open as tears gather in her eyes. She looks at me, pleading for help.

  I smile.

  “Dad, could you give us a second?” I ask sweetly.

  “Are you sure honey?” He asks.

  I nod, and the man grabs his cup of coffee. “I’ll be in the other room, call me if you need me.”

  I wait for him to leave, then turn to Mr. Demor.

  “Actually, sir. Our connection is very important.” I step in front of her. “She’s under my protection, and if you try to take her from me, I will take your ‘company’ apart block by block, until you are living with nothing more than rags on the street.”

  The man steps forward, his face hardening. “Do you have any idea-”

  I step forward, not backing down from the man. “I’ve saved her life twice. If you want to know how, you can go to hell and ask Doss. I’m sure he’ll be happy to answer.”

  “Dad.” We both turn to Rose. “I’m happy here. And- and I really like her.”

  Mr. Demor looks between the two of us, and a dawning look of realization passes over him. “Oh. Hmm.” He reaches out and pulls me to the side away from her. His eyes hold mine as he speaks in a whisper. “You know what happens if you break my daughter’s heart? I hope I don’t have to actually make threats.”

  “We’re not at that stage yet, but yes. I understand.”

  He holds my eyes for a long moment, then pulls away. “Good.”

  “On that note, can you give us a ride to school? We’re running late.” I smile.

  “Meet me outside.” He says, turning and heading to the front room. “Three days and already in love. What’s a dad supposed to do…” He mutters as he leaves.

  Hey, look, I’ve been avoiding the L word, alright? It’s still early, and I don’t want to move too fast.

  Rose looks at me with a smile that she quickly tries to hide. “Under your protection, huh? When did that happen?”

  “You needed help, plus, I do really like you.”

  “Like me, huh? Well, I like you too.”

  I pause, those words ringing through my head in a way I hadn’t expected them to. I look at Rose. She bites her lip, then giggles as she turns around and heads for the door.

  I follow, and find my dad whistling innocently in the living room as he reads a newspaper. My eyes narrow at him.

  Sweat beads on his forehead, as he turns the page.

  “The newspaper is upside down.” I tell him.

  “Ah. Funny that.” He says, turning the page rightside up.

  “Were you listening?” I ask.

  He gives me his most charming smile from behind the paper, “Maybe a little?”

  I snort.

  “I’m proud of you. Standing up for her like that.”

  I blink, surprised by the seriousness of his voice.

  “And I’m happy for you. She seems like a nice girl, and her father seems like an upstanding man.”

  I chuckle, “You have no idea.” I walk over to him, and pull the newspaper down to give him a kiss on his forehead. “Please be nice and let me be the one to tell mom.”

  He gives me a devilish smile, “Are you kidding? I haven’t had info this juicy since you turned Blake down at the dance.” He jumps out of the chair and walks towards the kitchen. He continues in a sing-song voice, “How in the world could I keep this from your mother?”

  I pick up a magazine and throw it at the goofball.

  He catches the magazine. “Are you going to make that poor girl and her father wait all day? You are late for school, you know.”

  I shake my head, and walk towards the door. “I love you dad.”

  “Love you too Sunshine.”

  I head outside to find a black sedan waiting for us, a man in a suit and shades holding the back door open for me.

  I step inside, where Rose waits for me with a smile.