Shadowglass

The early morning train to the city already teemed with commuters clutching briefcases and wheeled document cases and bags stuffed with gym clothing. The hot yellow sun climbed rapidly to bake storm-fresh streets, and as usual, the trains’s air-con was cranked up to the max.

I shivered and tried to find a seat to myself, but I ended up standing at the back, clutching the little plastic handles that hang from the ceiling.

My glamour is okay, but when you’re flush up against some pasty office worker, it’s hard to hide wings. Some fairies—like Ashley, of course, that gifted little shit can do everything, and no, I’m not jealous at all—some fairies can make humans forget what they see, so it doesn’t matter.

Others like Charlotte dazzle with their beauty. I’m not so lucky. People think it’s easy, being fae, living in a shadow world. They should try a revolving door, or buying clothes that fit, or the dodge I have to do when some glamourblind guy slips his arm around me at the Court.

I also stank, and my glamour couldn’t hide that. I was smeared in sweat and my own arousal before I even saw Jinxx. Now I was caked in it. Water, spit, vodka, demon come, you name it, adding up to a curious earthy reek that no one would mistake for the latest fragrance. I really needed a shower, and I almost regretted not giving Jinxx that last blow job.

So I stood and held the plastic handle like I needed it for balance, and tried not to stretch my aching wings too much. In my bag, my new not-mirror rolled and whispered, content. Home, shower, bed. No gypsy scam today. We’d scored big last night, and even though I’d spent most of my share on booze, we still had the loot to sell this afternoon. It wasn’t half what we owed, but it might keep Peter London and his charming Mafia bloodsuckers off our backs for a while.

Happy days....

A human girl bumped into me, tilting on patent leather heels. Damn it. I lurched back, but too late. Her flowery perfume hit my nostrils, and water molecules spread, tingling like a sneeze.

My eyesight dimmed, images flooding like stormwater. Glitzy soirees in glossy top-end apartments, luncheon at the racetrack, expensive dinners in glassy rooftop restaurants.

Days spent gossiping, flipping through magazines, sunbaking with cocktails by the pool, a glittering diamond ring, a warm and lucky boy who worships her.

She murmured an apology and sidled away, and my ears popped, the train hovering back into focus. Envy stung my wings. Humans have everything.

It’s a talent of mine I don’t talk about, this witchy trick with human smells. I’m just thankful it doesn’t work on my friends. I don’t wanna know what they really think of me.

Across from me, a guy in a cheap black suit clutched a worn briefcase, white earphone buds dangling unused around his neck, dark hair artfully spiked. Smudges circled his eyes, his mouth tight and weary in his pale face. Even over my eau-de-slutgirl, I could smell boredom.

He slid a scornful glance over me, his lip twisting, and resentment soured my mouth at his disdain. Just some lousy office worker. Who did he think he was, looking at me like dirt? At least I had ambition, even if the object of my desire was unattainable. If I had any guts, I’d snark this guy raw.

I swallowed bitter indignation and looked away.

A cold metal whisper slithered into my mind.—What an asshole. Why don’t you tell him what you think of him?—
I snorted. Good idea, squidgy. Wish I had the courage. People with jobs they hate make me sick.

He stared, incredulous. “What did you say?”
My cheeks sizzled. Did I say that aloud?
—Might as well make the best of it,—the squidgy whispered.

I shrugged, emboldened. “I said, who are you trying to impress, getting to work at six in the morning?”
“I’m sorry?”
“Didn’t you get laid last night? Don’t you have a better ass to kiss than your boss’s?”

His brow creased, and my guts churned. I couldn’t believe I said that. Guess I was still drunk. But that snarky mirror murmured glassy rebellion in my ear, and the jagged urge to taunt him chewed at me like teeth. I couldn’t stop. “Advice, loser. You ain’t never gonna get rich opening up. You really want to impress your boss, get under the desk and suck him off.”

Another fat suit across from him muffled a laugh. My stomach hollowed. Now I’d done it. Lip like that’d get me punched in the face, or worse.

The loser gripped his case tightly and rose. “Yeah. I can see that approach has worked for you, career girl. Nice come stain, by the way. Very classy.”

I clutched the bag closer, my palms slipping. The not-mirror cooed, comforting.—He deserves it. You’ve taken enough shit from his sort over the years. Time to give some back.—
He stalked off to find another seat, and the fat guy laughed again, greasy glasses twinkling in bright sun. “Baby, I like your style. You can work for me any time.”

“Fuck off, gonzo.” Embarrassment sizzled my fingerpads blue, and I turned to face the window before the squidgy made me say anything else. I squeezed the handle tightly, my insides hot and watery. Everyone was staring at me, I knew it, their disapproval tainting the air, and I squirmed, my glamour shifting in discomfort.

For all I knew, Loser had three kids and a 15 percent mortgage. I still resented his attitude. But what possessed me to attack him like that? First thing in the morning, in front of a train full of strangers? He hadn’t done anything to me, not really.

Gentle metal comfort clucked from the depths of my bag, and I scowled, unconvinced. Still wasted. That had to be it. Either that, or Jinxx really had screwed my brains out.

A giggle splurted up into my throat, and I had to plaster my hand over my mouth to keep it in.
The three stops until my transfer dragged for what felt like hours, and I slunk to the automatic doors with the fat guy’s eyes glued to my grimy ass and my gaze fixed firmly on the floor.

Notes

Heyy guys, here is the promised chapter i have for you. Yay!!!!!
I also might be updating again very very soon because i definitely owe it to you guys for staying with me whilst i was kinda on a little two week break... I know this chapter was kinda just a filler but there will be more to come!!!
Hope you enjoy!!!!! And i will be updating very soon again....yay :p

As well as that, i also apologise for any spelling, grammar or punctuation errors in the chapter as i was just trying to get something updated for you so i didn't look like the worst author in the whole world....(again) haha.

Honestly I have had some issues that i have had to deal with that have really impacted my life at the moment and have pretty much had to stop everything. I couldn't keep doing so many things if it meant making my health worse than it already is...

Im so sorry for not updating these past few weeks but it really hasn't been an easy time for me.
I promise I will try to keep on top of this and update regularly but honestly i have know idea what the actual fuck I'm doing with my life right now.

Anyway....

Plz just remember rate, review and subscribe!!
Stay weird baby bats
-Grimm \m/





P.S - There may also be another update coming tonight.....just coz i feel like a real shitty author at the moment and now definitely owe you guys...(pretty sure i owe you about 6 chapters actually....but anyway, lets see how things pan out:)