Page 5 of Glass Hearts

I am so grateful for my animal friends. I used to feel guilty about using them, like my stepmother uses me for cleaning.

Though if I don’t, they will do it anyway since they say my burden is their burden.

Especially since I always ensure they are safe and fed.

Like a family, we take care of each other both ways.

“I will be okay, just make sure she doesn’t see you two.”

Several hours later, I hear the tell-tale sign of a knock on the front door and the rushed pounding and bumbling down the stairs from the Quadias making haste.

Drying my eyes, I head up the stairs after hearing the deadbolts being unlocked. As I open the door, I spot Petra carrying a fabric-slung Bert with her beak.

“Thank you for releasing me from my prison.” I scoop Bert up from his little hammock, adding him to my pockets as Petra flies away.

Lo barges in from the front door as I dust myself off from my time in the basement. “What the heck happened to you! Why does it look like you decided taking a tumble in dirt would be a good pre-ball pamper sesh!?”

“Bernice, of course. I may need your help with covering some bruises,” I say with a grimace.

“What a wicked wench. I am so sorry. I am a shit sorceress. Can’t even help my friend in severing ties to that hag.”

That makes me feel awful. She isn’t a shit sorceress. Blowing a loose strand of hair from her eyes, she drops the bags she is carrying onto the entryway chair. Lo seems to be sweating; she must have run here to make it in time. Knowing her, she has been perfecting my dress the whole day.

I grab her face between my hands to make my message clear.

“Lo. You are not a shit sorceress; you are talented, and you create such beauty in the world. Your strength is not in breaking impossible curses, and I am sorry to have ever made you feel like you had to break this for me. Creating magical fashion pieces is where you shine, my friend. Stop fretting. This ball will be a fundamental change. I can feel it. I will make enough money to find a mage to break this spell. They probably break curses all the time. Guaranteed those fuckers couldn’t even make a dress if they tried. ”

Her teary eyes look at me, and she fashions me that lovely full teethed Lo smile, making her freckles dance.

“Speaking of dresses! I can’t wait to show you this dress.

It’s daring, but if you can get the attention of some rich men or ladies, it may be easier to snatch those coins and jewels.

” She winks at me. “But first, you must go bathe. You look gorgeous in dust, but I don’t think the rich pricks will be too keen. ”

My animal familiars storm in on a mission as Lo and I head for my shed. I don’t even have time to delegate, yet they seem to head straight to their prospective jobs. Kip please enjoy, friend!” I say as I start to bathe.

“Already on it, Ella!” she says with a mouthful. My sister in pastry praise.

Lo turns to me as I finish my makeshift sink bath.

There is no time for a full bath this evening.

“So, since Kip and Bert are going with you, I made them these cute little garments to help them be a bit more stealthy.” She shows me adorable little black leather garments, fit for a mouse, that match my Shadow attire.

“Along with this clutch, they can hide in. This dress I made for you, you will not be able to hide them like you usually do. Definitely no pockets in this garment.” Her devious grin is a bit alarming.

I stop my toweling and turn to Lo. “What do you mean? What did you make, Lo?”

She unzips the black garment bag, revealing the most stunning black gown. The fashion in the city is normally modest, large ball gowns with corsets and poofy skirts. What I had expected Lo to make. But this, this is just magnificent and daring. Something The Shadow would totally wear.

“It is tight fighting, so it will show off all your curves. The plunging neckline perhaps is a little risque… but if you want to attract the rich pricks that like to collect pretty things, it doesn’t hurt to stand out.

” And I definitely will with the slight shimmer in the butter-soft fabric.

Like an angel, she also ensured the dress’s back had coverage.

“The mask matches too,” Lo goes on, taking out the mask from her spellcase. It will perfectly distract from my facial features with its gorgeous mix of black lace that complements my dress.

“Now, one more gift to you.”

“Lo, this is already so much.”

“Shush and be grateful.” She makes a goofy, fake stern face but gets serious as she takes out a gorgeous silver bracelet.

It’s so fragile that I’m scared to remove it from its packaging because I don’t want to break it.

Before I can say anything, she is already adding it to my wrist. I can feel the magic coming from it.

“Ella, I know you sent Ramen to watch over me.” She puts up a hand before I can even try to deny it.

“I am not mad; he has actually brought me so much joy. And knowing you use him to check on me warms my heart. It made me realize you take care of and watch over me so much, perhaps it’s my turn with you.

I enchanted this bracelet using a piece of my hair.

It will be our connection. I will always know where you are and if you are okay…

Well, that sounds kinda creepy and stalkery…

But your position as The Shadow always has me worried.

And as you go into the belly of the beast tonight, I am terrified. I can’t lose you, Ella.”

“Thank you so much, Lo.” I start to tear up, touching the delicate bracelet, noticing there is no clamp to remove it. Sneaky little devil, but I don’t mind.

“Okay, let’s stop blubbering and get you all dolled up to steal hearts. First step, jewels!” She looks through my drawer for a few of my stolen jewelry pieces. “You can’t pretend to be a rich duchess without jewels after all.”

Lo is not only a magical sorceress but a fast one at dolling me up. The ball has already started, so our time available for us to get ready is short. Yet she is able to make me look and feel like the woman I want to be, feeling more and more like The Shadow.

Grabbing my remaining lemon tarts for my familiars, I head to the main house with Lo in tow, leaving the unconfident Arabella behind.

All the animals stop as they take me in once we enter the townhouse.

One raccoon even pauses her sweeping to rest her head upon the tiny raccoon-sized broomstick with a sigh.

“My, you look so lovely, Arabelly! Like a princess!”

“So, so pretty, Arabelly!” another familiar coos. “Ella, you look so stunning.”

I look to Lo, who obviously can not hear the animals.

“It’s a big hit, Lo!” I look back on my little family.

“I cannot thank you all enough. These tarts don’t do justice to how appreciative I am of all of you.

I hope to one day gain my freedom and buy a big cottage for all of us to live in.

I have a feeling it starts today with this ball. ”

“Speaking of,” Lo interjects, “I was able to pull a favour with our ol’ buddy Valak. He and Carliegh agreed to play carriage drivers for the evening.”

“How?! Valak never wants to leave his bar?!”

“Let’s just say he was VERY appreciative of the stunning dresses I made for his wife. Though he did also curse me, that he foresaw even more littles in his future… regardless, he should be here any minute.”

And as if on cue, he pulls up in a large pumpkin-looking horse-drawn carriage.

The orange carriage has gilded vines intertwining along its side, and the large wheels gleam in the moonlight.

Valak and his wife are patiently waiting on the outside in the driver’s seat, waving excitedly. Well, his wife is waving excitedly.

“I tried to make it one of those fancy carriages that all those noble people ride in, but of course I couldn’t get it quite right. It still functions, though it may have a slight pumpkin smell… sorry.”

I can’t help but laugh in delight at my friend’s quirky magic. “I love it, Lo, thank you so much.”

Lo gives me a quick hug as I feel Kip and Bert find their place in the clutch. I also triple-check that the stolen invitation is in the clutch. Taking a quick look back at everyone, I nod my gratitude and leave to tackle my biggest job yet.

Valak hops off to open the carriage door.

“Hello, dear!” Carliegh sing-songs before I get in. “Thought we would make it a date night while we wait for you to be finished with the ball. Finally, he takes me out on the town away from the pub!”

I chuckle as I catch Valak rolling his eyes.

“Thank you, Carliegh. I hope to get quite a haul from this mission. I will be sure to share the wealth!”

“Nonsense, keep that to escape the clutches of step-bitch dearest. Your last mission still provides for us. Enough to hire a babysitter and get a reservation at La Crud tonight! We are good, dear.”

I chuckle as I get into the carriage, which does have a slight pumpkin odour to it. The inside has lush orange velvet seats and a fabric interior lining.

We leave the suburbs, heading through Harsekeep to get to the capital city, Eldor.

I smile as I look out the pumpkin shaped window.

Harsekeep may look grimy and dingy to the average eye.

But they don’t see the beauty Lo and I see.

Love, not just poverty, fills the old stone houses where families live on top of each other.

The old cobbled streets make the carriage bump slightly as I continue watching the smiling faces of the locals.

Yes, this evening is a step toward my freedom. But with that freedom comes the potential to do better by these people. More time to write the wrongs of our selfish society.

Further into the city, the old worn streets begin to flatten. The houses go from unkempt to immaculate. They have pristine lawns without a blade out of place.

As we get closer to the castle, my anxiety reaches its peak. The castle sits atop a hill overlooking the whole city of Eldor. Tying the mask around my face, I take a deep breath.

I am The Shadow, and she never gets nervous.

“Ready, boys?” I whisper.

“Born ready, Arabelly!” Bert and Kip squeak back in excitement.

Valak expertly reins in the horses; the carriage sighs to a stop at the main entrance, and with a knowing glance, he strides around to open my door, fulfilling the expectations of a lady of high society.

I nod to my friend and turn toward the front doors, where the guards stand, imposing in their presence.

I take another deep breath and make my way up the grand stairs, ready to hit the rich folk where it hurts the most. Their pride.