Valene:
A full week had come and gone since the evening that the council member made his stop by Master Wade’s home.
Harlyn had spoken to me since but our conversations were hardly long enough to glance at before she’d go on about her business. It was evident that her acknowledgment of me at this point was something more along the lines of obligation than anything else.
I should have been alright with this but I wasn’t. I never did particularly find favor in discord and confusion, especially where my family was concerned.
Although I do not know from where it stemmed, Harlyn seemed to have an ought against me of late. She didn’t say as much but I could sense it, and I just didn’t know why. It was because of this that I had begun walking on eggshells around my adopted Keeper and sister. Sister…maybe I shouldn’t have even used that word; Harlyn had mentioned a few times that she thought as much of me. But…after that night a week ago, I was sure that her considering me a sister was not something that she really desired. I knew deep down, that this notion was something that was pushed on her. I now realized that maybe her small comments about not considering herself an only child and celebrating our birthday/anniversary together were, more than likely, just mockery plain and simple.
With all of this realization in mind, I was glad when the time came again for me to leave and head to my workplace. A place where I wouldn’t have to be concerned about all this. It was only four and a half-five hours at the most, but it was for that four and a half-maybe five hours…that life just seemed so simple.
Maybe that was the reason that, while I always tried to make it a point not to receive special treatment as a vassal, I was too selfish to let this go. Outside of Shadow Veil’s walls was the only place where I could get peace of mind away from all of the confusion of loving a family whom I wasn’t sure truly loved me.
“Val!” My thoughts were intruded upon by a customer that had been hounding me all night. Boy, it was unfortunate that he learned my name. Even worse, in spite of my minor irritation, I still preferred worrisome patrons over the current confusion at home.
After I finished wiping down a glass, I turned around with an unreaching smile cornering my lips. “How may I help you? Again?” I asked and of course, as he had done all night, he said nothing. At first.
Just looked at me, he did; and it was very frustrating, to say the least. Nevertheless, it was pigs like him that I got my biggest tip from.
“Are you going to answer or keep staring like you’re in love all night?” I teased mechanically.
In the year and a half that I’d been working at Bones Bar & Grille, I had learned that a simple stroke of the male ego would suffice for a big tip most of the time. There were a few special ones who wanted more, however. Those ones I tried to avoid. I only needed men like this to pay my way through school.
Yes, I was in college but only at night and in private. Master Wade knew that I had a passion for the arts at a young age, and wanted me to have something of my own. I had been playing the Cello ever since.
“Well?” I pressed after he refused to answer me. “Speak now or forever hold your peace, hon.”
He chuckled. “I like looking at you. And listening to you, to be honest. That accent.” the patron grinned. "Where are you from?" He asked.
I smiled. "Nowhere you'd want to find," I said. Shadow Veil would eat him alive, literally.
“Don’t be so sure.”
I scoffed. “Oh, I’m quite sure, hon. Now,” I turned around to grab another glass. “What would you like?”
“I already told you…I just like looking at you.” He laughed.
“Obviously.” I countered. “You’re not so bad to look at yourself, hon.” I said impassively. I wasn’t too far from the lad who had been calling my attention. So if he needed anything, it wouldn’t have taken much to get him settled. “Is there something else that you need?” I asked once again.
“Yeah,” He answered, and immediately, I knew that this one would be giving me trouble.
Rolling my eyes, I exhaled and turned around. “Yeah? And what would that be?”
“I’d like to see you after lights out.”
“No thanks.” I chuckled. “I have…obligations that need tending to so-” He grabbed my wrist.
“I promise you I can make you forget about those obligations, sweetheart.”
Snatching away from him, my smile still stained across my lips though not as reaching as before, I retorted calmly. “I highly doubt it.”
“How about you let me prove you wrong?” He pressed.
“No thank you.” I further insisted.
He leaned forward, a snarky smile on his face. “What? You got a man standing around watching you or something?” He asked. “You know?” the patron looked on either side of him and it was only then that I realized he had friends with him. “Me and my boys can take care of him for you.”
“No, I don’t have a man,” I replied and leaned forward only enough to mock him. “I don’t need one to reject you.” I winked and turned my back on him.
“Would money assuage you then?” He said. “A big tip…girls like you do anything for a tip.” Now, he was becoming belligerent and he was pissing me off. If only he knew how fast I could have him on his back screaming my name for mercy. And not in a good way.
“How about I close your tab for tonight.”
“I didn’t say that I was done-”
“No, really it’s fine.” I insisted. “In fact,” I pulled out a wad of cash from my apron. “On me.”
“I’d like to have a lot of drinks on you,” He quipped. “But you’re being a tight a-”
“Goodnight, sir,” I said, slamming the money into the drawer and walking away.
“You know you’re going to regret that, right? Rejecting me.” He clarified as if I needed any more clarification than before.
I stopped. “You’re threatening me?” I asked. “I could have you removed from this establishment, sir.”
“Oh yeah? Then where would you get your tip?” He hissed.
I simply laughed in response. “From anyone else…but you.” I turned around and finished what I was doing when another called after me. I took one last glance at the man sitting there, glaring me down before making off at the end of the bar to another customer.
“How may I help you tonight?” I asked with a smile when I realized that it was Claire sitting there at the booth.
“Looks like I’m the one helping you tonight,” Claire chuckled glancing down the bar line at the man who was still glaring at me. “How are you?” she shifted the subject.
“Oh, it was nothing that I couldn’t handle.” I reassured her. "I'm fine by the way. How are you? You left so abruptly the other night, I couldn't say goodbye." I reminded her of the night that Master Slaughter showed up unexpectedly.
She chuckled. "Whoever that handsome man was that you were talking to, I assumed that you knew him and did not want to intrude on your conversation. It was obvious that he had something important to say. And I'm doing fine, thanks for asking." She added.
“Yeah, he was my uncle.” I lied on the spot. I felt so uncomfortable lying to Claire, I wasted no time in shifting the subject. “Um, I’m surprised to see you here on a Saturday.” I noted. “Not this late anyway.”
Saturdays were usually most busy for Claire at the place where she worked-or at least that was what she had told me. People seemed to find that Sundays were the best days to adopt kids. So Claire would usually have to be up at the break of dawn to get to work. The time was heading somewhere near eleven-thirty in the evening.
“I took the day off.” She said. “And I needed a drink.”
Her expression turned sullen when she said this. Something was wrong. “Is everything alright, Claire?” I asked.
Claire’s mind went somewhere but I could not figure out where. Her silence spoke of whatever was bothering her
“Claire?” I called to her again. Only then did she look up at me, a sad smile on her face.
“Just a lot on my mind is all, little one.” She said to me, her distant dark stare veering away from me again, her hand tightly cupping her drink.
“Well, you know…you can talk to me, right?”
She patted my hand. “Of course, honey, I know.” Claire sighed. “I just…I’m missing someone is all.” When she confessed this her eyes turned distant again. I wanted to delve deeper into whatever it was that she had been feeling or thinking about but I knew that it would only succeed in closing her off. Claire wasn’t a very open person when it came to the extremely personal aspects of her life. Who was?
I found myself staring at the older woman; having decided not to press deeper for whatever was bothering her, I still wanted to know more. So needless, to say my mind began to wander aimlessly about who this person was that she missed so much. Nosey little me.
While my mind was wandering, Claire gazed at me again, amusement on her stressed yet beautiful face. “You remind me of her, you know?”
A hint. So, it was a girl. “Really?”
She nodded and then stopped. “Well, how I would have imagined her to be if ever I was to see her mature.”
I took Claire’s hand. “Did she die?” I asked.
She shook her head and then shrugged. It seemed that she really didn’t know whether this nameless girl lived or died. “I hope not,” She decided to say.
Squeezing her hand, I tried to reassure her the best way I could. “Well, I pray one day you meet her again. I’m sure you will.”
My words seemed to bring a smile to Claire’s lips. I only hoped that she found some solace in what I’d said. She then looked at her watch. “It’s about time for you to be heading home, isn’t it?”
I looked at the clock on the wall. “Right.” I chuckled. “You keep better time than I do.”
“I have to.” She said as her eyes lingered on me.
Something about Claire’s words was eerie to me. “Why is that?” I asked.
She shook her head. “You’d better get home quick. I’m sure your father wouldn’t want you out when they ascend.” Her eyes dropped away from me and I immediately I could tell that her mind was lost in thought. What she said was so odd I had to wonder whether she intended for me to hear it.
When they ascend? What was Claire talking about? Part of me felt like I wasn’t meant to hear the last part of her sentence. By that time, she had turned away from me and was muttering under her breath. Maybe I didn’t even hear her right.
I started to ask what she had said. “Goodnight, little one,” she said to me and then paid her tab, leaving me a tip before heading off.
I didn’t know what to think about what Claire had said. She had been acting a bit strange lately, and to be honest, I didn’t know how to take it.
Shortly after Claire disappeared, I quickly headed to the back of the bar to clock out for the night.
“I really wish you could stay a little longer, Val.” The manager said. “It’s Saturday, and you know the night is going to get a little busier than this.”
“I can’t, Herry.” I expressed as I grabbed my coat. “My dad’ll be calling me soon as it is.” Maybe Master Wade would call me and maybe he wouldn’t. Sure, he’d check on me throughout the night, especially since all of these attacks. However, this time, since the attacks had slowed to a practical stop, Master Wade was more lenient with communication. That, and well, he knew I’d make my way home at a proper time. There was rarely a time that I came home past midnight.
“Can’t you call him? Ask him if you can stay for a little while longer? You’re the best source of entertainment I’ve got on the books tonight, Val!”
“A Cellist? At a bar?” I couldn’t take him seriously. Chuckling, I grabbed my bag and started for the exit.
“I’m serious!” He followed me to the front of the bar. “You know this place has its classy moments. And besides, there’s just…something about the way you play that-that draw even the rowdiest to silence! Not to mention the fact that you’re quite versatile with that little string instrument anyway!”
“Little?” I laughed at his choice of words as the violoncello was anything but little.
I’d only played my instrument one time at Herry Bone’s bar and that was because some rock band couldn’t make their headline that night. It was the first and last time that I had decided to do such a thing.
Not because the audience detested my music but because it was the latest that I had ever gotten home, and boy did I get a terrible talking to that night. I wasn’t going to risk what little freedom I had, even if I did want to.
“No one’s parent is this stubborn, Val!”
I stopped and turned around, “You…don’t know my dad.” there was a cautious expression on my face and I wanted him to see it. Alastair Wade was not one to be trifled with. “Goodnight, Herry.” I turned on my heels and headed for the exit when I felt him grab my arm.
“Just-” I turned around. “Don’t you like playing, kid?” He asked me.
What kind of question was that? Of course, I liked playing-I loved playing. In fact, playing the Cello was like breathing for me. It was a shame that I could not play at home. What Vassal was allowed to play such an expensive instrument-let alone have one? It surely would have been too scandalous. Or at least that was what Harlyn led me to believe.
“You know how much I love playing, Herry, but it-”
“Then if I’m asking you to play this gig for me-why are you so hesitant? I’d pay you for it! And-”
“Herry,” I tried to rebuttal but he halted.
“Just talk to your old man, won’t you?” He asked. “If he knows that you love it as much as you say you do, he’ll listen.” Herry chuckled. “Father can hardly say no to his little girl. Trust me on that.” He smiled. “Have a good night, Val.” He turned away. “And make sure you let me know when you get home.”
Herry was a good guy-no sleaze ball like those managers in movies. He cared about all of his workers and particularly the girls as he had a teenage daughter of his own.
“I will, Herry,” I said and then left work to head home…and maybe talk to my Keeper about staying on the clock for a little longer.
Once I was dropped off at the rear of the Wade estate, I quickly hopped out of the car, tipped the driver, and made my way to the back door. I was more vigilant of my surroundings this time around, not wanting a repeat of last time with the Delta. Fortunately, I arrived at the house unbothered.
Locking the door behind me, I quickly headed into the house. “I’m back-” I started to say as I entered the living room where Master Wade usually sat waiting until my return. He wasn’t there this time, however. “Oh!” I gasped, caught off guard by who was. “Harl-good evening,” I said instead of addressing her so informally. I still wasn’t sure where Harlyn’s mood was and so I thought, to avoid confrontation, it was better to be safe than sorry.
“Expecting daddy, I suppose.” She said, her leg draped over the arm of the chair that she had been sitting in.
“Well, yes, I was.”
“He’s not here.” Harlyn replied without much emotion.
“Oh, well, then I guess, I’ll head to my room, if you don’t need anything-”
“Come, sit, Vali.” Harlyn interrupted me as I made my offer before heading to my room.
Reluctantly, I did as she asked, and sat on the loveseat opposite her. “Is everything alright?” I asked.
She didn’t answer right away. Her response was delayed; there was visibly something on her mind. “Oh! Um, what do you mean?”
Of course, I wanted to know if she and I were okay, but if I were being honest, it wasn’t at the forefront of my mind. My gut was telling me that there was a reason outside of normal perimeter checks why Master Wade wasn’t home.
“Is…everything alright with Master Wade? He’s usually here…on standby so-”
“Right…right, yeah, there was another attack.” She lazily replied.
“What?!” I exclaimed. “What-was it a human? Was-was it a Keeper? Are they alright?”
My bombardment of questions seemed to amuse Harlyn. “Everything’s fine, Val. It was Penelope’s Vassal. I’m sure you’re fine with that since you don’t even like her-”
I stood up in protest. “Whether I hate Penelope or not-”
“I never said hate,” She chuckled. “Whoa-”
“Regardless, Harlyn!” I hissed impatiently, casting formality to the side. If she snapped, I knew that at least for the moment, I could put Harlyn on her back if she got out of hand. I’d deal with the consequences later. “I would never wish such ill will on her human. Harold is a sweet and gentle man. Why on earth would I be alright with someone being attacked without provocation?” She shrugged and took a sip from her favorite tumbler. I knew that there was blood in it, and knowing Harlyn she was buzzed off of it. “Is he alright?” I asked her.
“He’s fine.” She said. “He’s been badly mauled and to be honest he probably won’t be of much use to the family anymore outside of house chores. That’s if they decide to keep him around.” Harlyn confessed. “Sad, really. A lot of muscle to look at. I quite enjoyed the view.” she said smirking.
“Why do you hate humans so much?” I asked before I could stop myself.
It seemed that my question surprised her but she wasn’t offended by it. Harlyn seemed more than happy to answer my question.
“It’s not that I hate humans, Vali,” she leaned back against the chair. “I just understand that my kind is at the top of the food chain. Humans are cattle in retrospect. They serve their purpose and when they are no longer of use then there is no need to keep them around. It’s just a fact of life.” She really thought that there was no wrong with her logic. “Of course, you are the exception.” My adopted sister added with a smile.
I was so disappointed to hear this. “I don’t think that I am, Harly.” I replied to her, making it no secret that I did not agree with her ideals. “My life has no more value than any other vassal. I’d like to think that we’re all important, and Harold being injured-that should not devalue him any more than me.”
Again, Harlyn just watched me as a smile crept upon her lips. She then stood up and faced me. “You may think that Val, but I don’t.” She said. “You are more valuable than Harold to me, no matter how attractive the human is or strong and muscular the human is. And the fact that you belong to the Wade family oversees every reason that I can logically think of as to why. Of course, another reason is that we do love you, Valene. But I’m speaking logically-not emotionally right now. So let us agree to disagree shall we?” She smiled.
I wasn’t going to press the issue because I knew that there was no point in arguing with Harlyn about this. My importance being solely based on the family that I served was a despicable notion that I just could not abide by. No matter how true it was.
The fact of the matter was that Harold did not deserve this, and Harlyn would never care enough to realize this point simply because of the blood that ran through the human servant’s veins.
“As you wish, Mistress.” I replied more formally than before. At this moment, it felt that it wasn’t even appropriate to address her in any other form. “Agree to disagree.” I bowed my head. “So, if there won’t be anything else.” I didn’t look Harlyn in the eye. I looked straight ahead.
“Vali, don’t be so serious. You don’t have to do that,” She was referring to my “playing the vassal role” as she would sometimes put it behind closed doors.
I wasn’t “playing a role” however; this was who I was, and it never became more clearly to me than it was at this moment, talking to Harlyn. My worth to her was wholly dependant upon the name of my Keeper and she was right, but it didn’t make it less painful to hear coming from her. Even when she tried to throw in haphazardly that they did care about me although that did not define my importance to them.
“I know I’ve been a bit cold with you the last few days but I was just in my feelings. Surely you can forgive me.”
“Yes, of course.” I answered. “If that’ll be all.” I said again, waiting for her to dismiss me but she didn’t-not yet. Harlyn obviously had a little more to say.
“Are you afraid now, Vali?” She suddenly asked me.
Certainly, she wasn't asking whether I was afraid of her. Harlyn was admittedly an intimidating inhuman-even more so when her eyes were enlarged in the darkness of bloodlust; as it was at this moment. However, I...I couldn't say that I was afraid of her. Especially now; I was full of too much volatile emotion to be.
Nevertheless, to be clear, I asked, “Afraid of what, Mistress?” I replied.
“Death?”
Death? Where was she going with this? “Isn’t everyone?” I answered.
“Hm,” Harlyn replied. “That may be the one thing that humans and Inhumans have in common.” She said. Then Harlyn approached me. “Look at me, Vali.” Her demand wasn’t demeaning but I knew that if I didn’t, she’d follow more assertively. So, I did and when I did, Harlyn simply wrapped her arms around my neck, embracing me. Was this a surprise? Yes, yes it definitely was. “Don’t worry, Vali, the wildlings won’t get you.” When she released her hug and walked away, she added. “You know what all of those vassals have in common, Vali? The ones who were attacked and or killed?”
“No,” I replied.
“They were all out past curfew and without supervision.” She added. “I know you want to play the role of “the normal human” but you’re not. You’re a vassal and right now…being a vassal is the safest thing you can be. If you just…play that role.” She said before departing up the stairs. “Goodnight, Vali.”
Being a vassal…the safest thing that I could be? “Goodnight, Mistress.”