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Lose Me: Asteria

My whole body jolts to the feeling of falling.

By Velessein RosePublished 5 years ago 11 min read
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She swallows hard tucking her body as close to the wall of the well as she can get without being seen. It’s empty and she can hear the heavy breathing of the woman that followed her. If only her hammering heart would silence as well. Thankfully she’s small and barely noticed as the woman screams and rushes by. More importantly, she can’t stay hidden here for too long. Although, she’s grateful that the well is empty. That is until the bottom suddenly drops beneath her.

My whole body jolts to the feeling of falling. Although I’m fully aware that I’m not. Sighing I look around at the cavern. Nothing out of the ordinary, all the roots from the maple oak tree above are still in their rightful place. There’s something odd about the fact that I can tell just how much the nature around me changes. With gentle steps, I climb from my bed and out into the main pathway. All the lanterns are lit. Hushed voices dance in the stifled air. Slowly I make my way through several corridors and towards the center room. Several of the pack are sat around a small fire telling stories and laughing. That is until I’m spotted in the entryway.

“Aster, did we wake you? Are you hungry?”

“No, you didn’t. Honestly, I’m famished. I take it you’re all just getting back from hunting.”

“Went early this time, a storm is coming in and we wanted to have it done before it hit. Come sit. Ellore, isn’t here and what kind of family would we be if we let you starve?”

Laughter leaves some of the others and I’m led to sit among them. Most of the girls are asleep not too far off, but the boys are rambunctious and telling jokes to each other. They are my family. They are why I’ve lived this long. Along, with Ellore. Especially, him. I’d have died that night if he hadn’t unintentionally saved me. It’s a thing I’ll never forget what it was like to find myself suddenly underground. All around me the boys bring life to this darkened underground home. But the one I look for most is mother. She’s getting up there in age, but in her wolf form you would never know that. Charcoal grey fur rises and falls beside the fire. Mother… she’s taken care of me since I showed up. Despite the fact that according to Ellore, I am something called an Elf. I’ve heard the stories and seen various depictions. Still, I cannot fathom how I came to be where I was.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing, just how happy I am to have everyone here.”

“Hahaha! Do you honestly think that lie will fool me? C’mon you can tell me! We’re siblings after all.”

“Toviq, lay off she’s probably exhausted.”

“Karsik, that’s selfish. She should be able to talk to me.”

“That doesn’t mean she wants to.”

“It’s okay, he’s not causing any harm.”

Karsik is the oldest of the boys and as mother once said next to be the alpha of the pack. That is, if father decides to give up the title anytime soon. Which from the looks of it he won’t. Taking a plate that’s handed to me with cooked fish and berries I glance once more at the family I’ve become a part of. A family that didn’t have to take me in. As I do so my gaze falls on Ellore standing in the entryway. He’s unsettled and casts a weary glance around at all of us. Beside him is father, blood runs down his arm. Much like Ellore he’s unsettled. But I’m sure he won’t say anything unless given the go ahead.

“Asteria, a moment, please. Wait for me by the well.”

“Of course.”

I finish up my meal and hugging my concerned siblings start for the well. The air about them changes, but not a single word is said to me. Albeit my nerves I move quietly to the well, where much to my surprise there’s a boy with purple hair sitting on the platform that keeps our underground home hidden from prying human eyes. He’s absorbed into a device in his hands. It’s been a long time since I was on the surface. And that night was the last time I’d been up there. His hair looks soft under the bright moonlight and from the light of the device in his hand I can tell that his eyes are a bright green, almost as bright as mine. Cautiously I step closer to the platform. His head shoots up, a smirk dancing onto his lips.

“Dad sure knows how to pick ‘em. What are you like twelve? Jeeze, no wonder mom found herself a new man. I would too if I knew what he was doing.”

I’m confused and raise an eyebrow while tilting my head. There’s something about his demeanor that’s very familiar to me, but I can’t place it.

“And you’re mute, or something. Perfect. Must really help to keep things low key so he doesn’t go to jail.”

“That’s enough, Veiris. Hasn’t your mother taught you to be polite?”

“Father. She taught me a lot of things, just not that my dad is some creepy ass pedophile living underground with 12-year-old girls.”

“You’ve quite the imagination, since last I saw you. You’ve been in this place several times before, your memory, however, has been well, protected. Your mother wanted you to have a normal life. Until now I’m assuming.”

“Something with a new boyfriend. So who’s your girlfriend?”

“Ellore? What’s he mean.”

“Asteria, I’d like you to meet my son, Veiris. He’ll be staying with us and the pack. Because according to his mother she no longer has a need for a son. Being as you are also not rightfully a part of the pack, I want you to make him feel at home. Veiris, Asteria, is by no means my lover or whatever your imagination may have thought up. There’s going to be a lot of changes with you. Your mother gave you to me and I think it’s about time you know the truth of who you are. For now, I’ll let you settle in quietly. Not everything down here is normal as I once had you believe.”

The boy rises to his feet, eyes rolling, and a scowl on his face.

“You mean like the fact that I suddenly have lizard skin and it’s constantly spreading and peeling. Or that my eyes sometimes don’t look normal.”

“You learn quickly. Asteria, is still learning about who and what she is. Spend some time learning with her. Also, she’s your best bet at getting along with the pack.”

“Pack?”

“The werewolves. They live here too. Didn’t you know that?”

“What the hell is going on down here?”

“Ellore, does he not know?”

“No, but he will learn. He has to. Also, Asteria, it’s best you not go up when the pack goes hunting next. Your mother was released and she’s been prowling around the area. We’ll be lucky if they don’t start digging and looking for your body. Only to discover us. Humans are dangerous beings. You saw what she tried to do to you. More mortals would put, you, myself, and the entire pack in danger. It would also expose them to the possibility that there are others out there.”

“You said I’m the only elf in existence.”

“No, you’re the only elf in existence to the woman who raised you. Thus making her story hard to believe. Which is how it should stay.”

“There are others like me?”

“Yes…”

“Then why haven’t you taken me to see them?”

“Because wherever they are, I’m not allowed to know. Elves, Fae, and vampire’s don’t necessarily partake of my presence. Tomorrow will be a rather long day for the two of you. Get some rest for now.”

“What happened to father?”

“It’s nothing of importance.”

I frown as he walks away leaving me with his son. His son who for some odd reason thinks I have some type of odd relationship with him. Veiris stares at me flustered and angry. I begin to wonder just how little he knows about what he’s been brought into. Instead, I shake my head, leading him down the reddened pathway. Because of how far we are, there are no doors on rooms. But each room is unique in the pant life that grows there. He’s patient as I lead him to a room that puts him near his father and far enough from the pack. It’s also far enough from my room that the pack won’t become overprotective. He looks inside, huffs, spins on his heel, and glowers at me.

“This is a joke, right? Like a literal joke. What kind of idiot sleeps underground?”

“We do. And if you respect the nature of what you are and want to live a long life that isn’t cut short by humans you will as well. You don’t have to like it. It’s nothing fancy, or high-end, or even humanely normal, but it’s something. I suggest you not complain too loudly. The pack doesn’t take too lightly to noise. Especially with mother being sick. I’ll excuse myself to check on my family. Also, if you don’t want me to hear you complaining, don’t do it at all.”

“What?”

“Elves have superb hearing. Along with other traits. And even if these dirt tunnels don’t echo, I will still be able to hear you.”

There’s a pause before I leave him to his own devices to seek the comfort of a few books while the others sleep. Day and night have no real concept down here. That is until someone actually heads up to the surface and lets the others know. This, of course, excludes Ellore. Warlocks have a power that makes them dangerous to most around them. I know very little about them except that Ellore is one of the most respected by his species. Now that there will be two of them around, it seems like a very good idea to start learning about them. I never asked how Ellore got the walls to remain as they are for these tunnels. Mostly because there’s a part of the tunnel work that becomes solid stone and exits out into an open field surrounded by a mountain and a lake.

“You’re hard to keep up with.”

“You’re supposed to be sleeping.”

“So are you.”

“I’m elven, I don’t require nearly as much rest as you presume. Be thankful, I haven’t screamed. My brothers would surely…”

“Have your head, boy. Find something to do with yourself that doesn’t require trampling on the heels of my little sister. If I were you I’d make it quick.”

“Lovyle, it’s okay. Ellore, wanted me to show him around. And apparently, keep all of you from killing him.”

“Stupid if you ask me. Sticking him with you guarantees his death.”

Shrugging I continue on my way. Both males now closely behind me. Lovyle is is younger than Karsik. They’re extremely close and they're often mistaken for each other, despite having completely different appearances. Lovyle’s eyes are such a pastel green it’s almost as if his iris is gone and there’s only pupil. While both have a boyish charm, Lovyle has an undeniable sense of loneliness surrounding him. Karsik spends time with all of us as much as he can. Preferring to observe up close and personal. With Lovyle, if he doesn’t trust you there’s no guarantee he ever will. And it takes a stupendous effort to gain his trust.

“Is he going to follow us the whole way.”

“He’s my brother. And he’s only following because he knows your following me.”

“I’m guessing my dad made an announcement.”

“No, Ellore, doesn’t tell us anything. We can all smell you. And you stink. Do you bathe? Those exist, even down here.”

“Go away already.”

“Stop following my sister.”

“Lovyle, I’m okay. I doubt Ellore would let him in here if he were dangerous.”

“Whatever, just remember to stay underground. If you need anything holler. I should still be up. If not one of the others will be.”

Before stalking off to bother another he glares at Veiris. Again the boy rolls his eyes. With a shake of my head, I step into the library and begin to skim the shelf. I’ll not be witness to a child not listening to warnings. None of the male members of the pack take light being disrespectful. A thing they learned from father. He’ll be lucky he doesn’t lose an eye for being the way he is. Sure enough, an argument splits the tunnels open. There’s a deep growl hidden in Lovyle’s throat. It’s a warning to back off. Praying that the boy is smart I continue to look for the book I need. Their altercation is escalating. Noted by the fact that four more of the boys have come to hold Lovyle back. Or at least they try to, until he manages free, and slams the smaller boy against a wall. Groaning, I step away from the wooden shelves and out to separate them myself.

“Lovyle, drop him. It’s not worth destroying our home. Whatever it is he did or said. And you…learn to have some manners. None here will have remorse about your death. Although I cannot speak for Ellore.”

Lovyle hesitates before setting the boy on the ground roughly. Once more I hug my brethren once more, leaving Lovyle for last. He smells of pine wood, fresh rain, and cinnamon. His auburn hair creates a halo around his face as it brushes against my cheek and top of my shoulder. Sincerity rolls off of his body as he kisses the top of my head. Once out of sight I throw my eyes upon Veiris. He’ll have to learn to be cautious before he can be taught anything else.

fantasy
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