Reyah opened her eyes after completing her Cultivation of June's True Soul and stood from her seat on the bed. Her body brimmed with power as she clenched her fist several times. Her Essence and Energy Cores also swelled in size, a clear indication that she had grown stronger. Perhaps with a couple more feedings, she'd be able to ascend to the Transcendent Realm.
It suddenly became evident to her that the room was silent as she turned to find Keyvarah no longer sitting beside the window.
Where had the little lady gone to? She wondered before shrugging. Why would she care? It wasn't like Keyvarah was her responsibility.
An image of June's disapproving face appeared in her mind. She grabbed tufts of her hair and wanted nothing more than to pull them out as she growled in frustration.
"By the Matron Mother, damn that woman!"
She grabbed her cloak and threw it on, pulling the cowl low, before making her way out of the inn.
Outside, she took a moment to close her eyes and sought Keyvarah's scent. She took one big inhale and was instead astonished not to find Keyvarah's scent. Another, more powerful, more intoxicating scent smacked her in the face.
She opened her eyes just in time to find June fall to land in front of her. Scowling, she scanned him up and down. What was he still doing here?
"I thought you were at the Shining Arrow Guild house?"
June returned her once-over with his own. "I am."
However, he left his response at that.
She, on the other hand, had already guessed what was likely happening and shook her head. "Am I right to assume that I'm speaking to your clone?"
His lips quirked into the faintest of smiles. "How perceptive. Yes, this is one of my clones."
Her eyebrows shot up upon hearing that. "One of your clones? Just how many clones do you have skulking about?"
"A few. I can't afford to sit idly while there's so much to do."
She rolled her eyes. "Right."
How typical. Divine beings were all the same. Always plotting and scheming.
She released a sigh and ran a hand through her hair. "Is Keyvarah with you?"
"Yes."
"Of course she is. Alright then."
She turned to go back into the inn but stopped when a moderately cool breeze blew past her, ruffling her cloak. The chill air didn't bother her, yet it served as a reminder of what she wore. Pulling her cloak to the side, she looked at herself and grimaced at the chic white dress Hivengel had forced her to wear.
With a harrumph, she turned back around and pushed her way past June.
"Where are you going?"
"To get myself some new, more appropriate garments."
June's footsteps followed her, quickly catching up with her. "Mind if I join you?"
Reyah glared at him. "Why? Still need to keep an eye on me?"
"No. I think it's about time I got a lay of the land for myself."
What in the Matron Mother did he mean by that?
"Suit yourself," she said, continuing down the cobblestone street.
She came to a stop at the end of the small street as a river of people flowed past her at a relentless pace. She waited for the perfect time and stepped into the flow as seamlessly as a Harthinian pike. June remained close behind her like a second shadow.
They followed the flow of people until reaching another small side street, where she exited. It was less crowded as she strode confidently down the street. Taverns and inns lined either side of the street as she ignored the stink of drunkards and vomit.
Yet she hadn't gone unnoticed as one drunk Althori man came stumbling out of a tavern and laid his sleazy eyes on her. His gaze roved over her body, and a grin resembling a Lupis Thavari spread across his face. She rolled her eyes, instantly knowing what was coming.
"Hey there, little lady! Why don't you come over here and have some fun with me?"
She ignored the man. He reeked of liquor and days-old sweat. It was beyond deplorable, and she'd have gagged if not for wanting to avoid giving him any attention.
An Essence Crystal appeared in his hand, and he held it out towards her as she approached. "There's more for you if you can show me a fun time."
She didn't even offer him a retort as she strode past him.
He, however, was not having that and tried to grab her. Unfortunately for him, he was drunk and a weakling stuck in the Awakened Realm.
She deftly avoided his hand not once but twice before throwing a kick that sent him flying. He released a gasp as he crashed into the side of a building before falling into a sprawling heap on the vomit and piss covered ground. Without a word, she spun away from the man and exited the street.
The nauseating odor from the small side street still lingered, but not as prevalently. Reyah turned right and made her way to the market in this district. The near-imperceptible footsteps following her reminded her of her companion.
She stole a glance behind her to find June there and scoffed. "What a gentleman you are, leaving a woman to defend herself from a drunken lecher."
One of his eyebrows raised in question. "I thought I'd stay out of it, seeing as you're a capable woman who can handle herself."
She scowled at him, unsure of whether he was mocking her.
"He was well beneath you in power, so you were never in real danger. Besides, I'm pretty sure that had I intervened, you'd have found it insulting that I didn't think you could handle such a minor issue."
He said all that with such a nonchalant face that she spun away and continued down the street. She was sure her face was a couple of shades darker as it burned with embarrassment. How had he so easily read her without even using any Psionic Essence? Was his perception just so sharp that he'd notice such things?
She bit back a retort as he reminded her of her grandmother, who was also quite perceptive of her feelings. Her grandmother had on many occasions reprimanded her for being too unguarded with her emotions. It provided a weakness for their enemies to exploit.
Despite all her training, she still had yet to master that. It was even harder now that she was a Vampire, which amplified the intensity of her emotions by ten. And she hated it.
They continued in relative silence before coming to her desired destination. The building was well-maintained, yet still had an aged appearance. A signpost hung just above the door, reading: Innes's Seamstress.
Her lips upturned into a small smile as she read the sign. It had been some time since she had last been here.
A bell jangled above her as she pushed the door open and entered. Rows of beautiful dresses lined the wall to her right. Wooden figures stood in dignified poses, displaying even more elegant dresses meant for noblewomen to wear to balls. To her left was a selection of more common clothes that ranged from dresses to shirts and trousers.
A matronly voice called out from the back as she approached the counter. "Just a moment! I'll be right out!"
Reyah's smile grew a little larger. "Take your time, Innes! I can't wait!"
A soft clatter sounded from the backroom, as if Innes had dropped a crate of clothes, before footsteps rapidly approached. The swinging doors that separated the shop from the backroom swung open, and Innes stepped out.
"Reyah De' Altan," Innes said with a radiant smile before walking around the counter and throwing her arms wide. "Come here, you little minx."
Innes's auburn hair was slightly longer than when she last saw her. The streaks of grey provided a sullen reminder that Innes wasn't young anymore.
She moved in as Innes bent down, and they shared an embrace. "Hello, Innes."
Innes pulled her in close and lifted her into an even tighter hug. "I'm so relieved to see you again. Where have you been these past two moons? I was worried that the Vampire of Castle Dumar had killed you."
"I'm sorry. I would have come, but I got held up."
Innes set her down and examined her. "Are you okay? You didn't get injured on your expedition, did you?"
She shook her head. "What injuries I sustained have already healed."
Yet the reminder of what happened to her remained.
Innes nodded with a relieved sigh. "Good."
It was then that Innes finally took notice of June, who stood off to the side just watching their reunion.
"And just who is this dashing young man?" Innes asked with a teasing lilt to her voice.
Reyah's smile withered a little as she turned to June. To her surprise, he had bowed to Innes. Why would he, a Divine being, bow to Innes?
"Hello. My name is June-Tae Mikkelson, but you can just call me June."
"Oh my June, there's no need to be so formal with me," Innes said with a wave of her hand. "And I'm Innes, but I figure you already know."
June only offered a courteous smile in return.
Innes turned to look at her and patted her head. "Now, what can I do for you, my little Reyah?"
She playfully swatted Innes's hand away. "Stop calling me that. I'm a full hundred cycles older than you."
"But you're just so small and precious," Innes said while cupping her cheeks. "My little Ulthari."
Those three words alone only aggravated her more. The next thing she knew, the specter of Hivengel's breath tickled her ear as his rancid voice spewed those three words. The feeling of his oppressive weight fell upon her, and the memories of what he had done to her during those two moons hit her with a vengeance.
She slapped Innes's hands away and bared her fangs as her vision became red, her Vampiric bloodlust taking over her rationale. "Don't call me that!"
Innes stumbled back from her in shock, losing balance. But before she could fall, June was there in a flash and steadied her. Reyah took a menacing step towards them, hissing in fury.
However, she stopped when June's commanding voice broke through the pounding blood that roared in her ears.
"Reyah, stop!"
She glared at him, but then her anger evaporated when her eyes landed on his face. There wasn't any anger, no pity, only concern and understanding. Few, if any, looked at her the way he just had, and it left her for a loop.
Her gaze then landed on Innes, and shame fell over her. "I'm sorry, Innes."
Innes's fear changed to concern as she rushed up to Reyah and hugged her. "Oh, Reyah. What happened?"
Reyah couldn't handle it anymore, as the powder keg of her emotions she had held down for so long finally exploded. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed into Innes's arms, a river of tears flowing freely. "I'm sorry, Innes. I'm sorry."
She cried into Innes's chest as Innes cradled her head and held her tenderly. They remained like that for a few minutes before Reyah cried her eyes dry. She looked up at Innes, eyes bloodshot, and gave her a small smile. "Forgive me, I've gone and ruined your dress."
Innes waved her words off. "Bah, this dress is of no importance. What matters is, are you okay, dear?"
Reyah nodded and moved to stand, only for Innes to rise first to help her. She gladly accepted Innes's hand and stood. Finally, looking around the shop, she found June several paces back, taking quite a particular interest in a dress that hung on the wall.
She chuckled to herself, finding his predilection for when to be present or when to give space charming. Yet a part of her, deep within her mind, itched—craved for him to be more assertive, more domineering. On the other hand, another part of her refused to accept such a thing.
Both sides of herself warred with each other before her reason jumped in, and she turned to Innes. "I'm going to need a moment… in your washroom."
She nodded, then spun, walked around the counter, and went beyond the doors to the back room. From there, she took the stairs immediately to her right up to Innes's accommodations above the shop.
It was a cozy little space, large enough for two people. A long chair sat against the far wall, next to the window, with a bookshelf standing right beside it. Before it was a small round table for drinking tea. A beautifully patterned rug lay on the ground below it all, providing some warmth and cover from the cold wooden floors.
She walked past the arrangement and entered one of the two doors directly across from the stairs. Inside was a counter with a washbowl on it, and beside it was a bucket for her to relieve herself.
With a sigh, she touched the washbowl, channeling some Soul Essence into it. A rune on its side lit up, and water filled the bowl. She cupped a handful of water and splashed it onto her face.
Looking up, she found her reflection in the mirror and recoiled at the sight. Her bloodshot eyes stared back at her gaunt and paler than usual face. It was as if a Vampire had drained her of all her Life Essence, and she was but a walking corpse.
She gritted her teeth and splashed more water onto her face.
Get a grip on yourself! You're a De' Altan! This is unbecoming of you!
Finishing up, she channeled more Soul Essence into the bowl. A different rune lit up this time, and the bowl glowed red as the water evaporated into steam. She dried her face with a towel before making her way downstairs.
Innes and June's voices carried up the stairs, and she paused near the bottom to listen in on their conversation.
"Tell me. What happened to Reyah?"
"That is her story to tell, not mine."
Innes scoffed. "She really isn't one to share."
"From what little time I've spent with her, you're right. Still, that's something for her to choose to share."
Innes chuckled. "Yeah, and I've known her for a long time. That's just something she doesn't do. She drops in when it's convenient for her, has some fun in the sack, and then just leaves when things are about to progress somewhere."
Had she been doing that? Reyah thought to herself, reminiscing about all the times she had come to Innes and realized what Innes said was true. She would always run when things got serious between them.
But why? Why could a part of her never really settle down with someone? With Innes? Just another thing about her she hated.
Innes groaned before sighing. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."
It was June's turn to chuckle. "No worries. Besides, it just shows how good a friend you are."
"What?"
"How worried you are about Reyah."
Innes released a single, mirthless laugh. "Yes. I'm worried about her, alright. Worried that someday she's going to get herself killed. And what's worse is I fear that's what she wants."
"Then it's your job as her friend to help keep her from that path."
"Just me? What about you? What are you to her?"
Reyah leaned in closer, interested in his answer.
"I… don't know."
"You don't know? How?"
"We literally just met yesterday, and it… has been one hell of a day."
It was at that point that Reyah made her presence known, loudly taking the last few steps and pushing past the doors. Innes turned to her with a smile while June looked at her knowingly. Of course, he knew she was there the whole time. There was no hiding from a Divine being.
"Thank you, Innes."
"Anytime."
Innes glanced at June before turning back to her. "What can I do for you?"
She pulled aside her cloak to reveal the dress she wore. "I need some new attire."
Innes released a shocked gasp before just staring, probably savoring her figure in the figure-hugging garment. She cleared her throat, which finally drew Innes from the spell that was her curves.
"Right, sorry."
Innes moved around her and into the back.
"You remember what I like, right?" Reyah called to Innes.
Innes's voice replied from deeper in the backroom. "Always!"
She pulled her cloak closed, but not before catching June's wandering gaze, drinking in her figure just before looking away. A light smile came onto her lips as her heart skipped a beat. She strutted over to him as he went back to staring at the dress he had eyed earlier.
"Are you thinking of buying this?"
June stole a glance at her before looking back at the dress. "Perhaps. Do you like it?"
She arched an eyebrow at his question as she looked at the dress. It was a white dress that was sleek in the body, yet frills and embroidery decorated the skirt, trailing down to the hem. Even though Innes had crafted the dress for an Althori woman, she didn't mind the design if she planned on attending a ball or banquet soon. But that was a highly unlikely chance.
"I don't know. I don't think it'd fit me."
However, June just stared at her dryly.
Before she could offer a response, Innes returned with a bundle of clothes in a wooden crate and set it on the counter. "Here. I've picked out a selection of outfits for you. You can change in the back."
She side-eyed June before moving to the counter and sifting through Innes's selection, nodding in approval. She grabbed the clothes, and they disappeared into her storage device before moving into the back to change.
June continued talking with Innes, and it sounded like he was interested in buying the dress. But then it became clear that he was buying the dress for Keyvarah, not her. She growled slightly as she threw off her cloak before ripping off the dress.
She pulled out a pair of thin black chausses and threw them on before throwing on a high-slit skirt. Next, she put on a white blouse with a black corset attached, then pulled on some black knee-high-heeled boots. Lastly, some black gloves appeared in her hands, and as she was putting them on, June's voice carried clearly back to her.
"That should be it. How much for everything?"
"Think nothing of it, June."
"Nope, we're not doing that. How much?"
Innes hesitated for a moment before answering. "20 Soul Crystals or 100 Essence Crystals."
"Is that including Reyah's clothes?"
"No—"
However, Reyah interrupted Innes's response by bursting through the doors. "What are you doing?"
June looked at her, his question written all over his face. "Paying Innes here for her goods and services."
"Yes, I can see that, but why are you trying to pay for my garments?"
He shrugged. "I thought it'd be easier to just pay for everything all at once."
"Why? So you can hold something over me?"
"Like what? You know better than anyone that there isn't anything that I want from you."
"I saw the way you looked at me. You'd want me for my body and nothing else."
His face went frigid after she said that. "If you truly think that, then I guess we're done here."
He waved his hand over the counter, and 20 Soul Crystals clinked onto it. "Thank you, Innes."
With that, June turned and made for the door. Her hand raised after him, yet her voice caught in her throat, unwilling to call out to him. In the end, she could only watch as June opened the door and left, the ringing bell tolling his departure.
Innes spun to face her, a questioning look on her face.
She swiftly hid her hands behind her as she glared at Innes. "What?"
Innes shrugged. "Oh, my dearest Reyah. It seems like you haven't changed at all."
She scoffed at her as Innes enveloped her in a hug. She didn't know how to react. Just when she had made up her mind to return the hug, Innes released her and locked up her shop before returning to the counter and placing a dress on it. It was a lavender dress that flowed like ocean waves.
She looked at Innes, her confusion clear as day. "What is this?"
"It's a dress."
She continued to stare in confusion.
"A dress that June bought for you."
She didn't know how to respond, her mind going blank.
Innes giggled before leading her upstairs. "Now, you'll have to tell me everything I've missed these past two moons and all there is to know about June."
Her shoulders slumped as she reluctantly let Innes lead her. There was nothing left to say to June. She had permanently made sure that he'd never want to speak with her ever again.