Page 54 of Written In Flesh

“Aunt Lore?”

She sighs into the phone. “Oh thank god. Skully, I’m so glad I finally reached you.”

“You’ve been busy I take it? I tried you again last night, but my call wouldn’t even go through,” I reply, moving to the edge of my bed. Baylee sits with me, her eyes focused on the window.

“No, Skully,” my aunt’s voice sounds clipped, haggard. “I– yes, work’s been busy, but honey, my calls haven’t been going through. Not from the hospital’s line or from my cell phone.”

“How are you calling me now?” I glance at my phone and see her name is flashing on the screen.

She sobs and her voice breaks. “I have no idea, honey. I just tried, I thought you might need me, and I just hit the call button.”

My tears spill and track down my cheeks. “I’ve missed hearing your voice.”

“Same, honey, same. Are you alright?”

I sigh, the warring feelings in my chest feel heavy, conflicted. “I am now.” I make the decision not to tell her about what happened. Someone or something is already trying to interfere, and I refuse to put my aunt in possible danger. I glance at Baylee, feeling her eyes on me. She squeezes my hand in response, showing she respects my decision. Something tells me it’s always been this way.

Aunt Loreli breathes out another shaky exhale and a small laugh follows. “Well, tell me what’s new then. What are you doing today?”

“Getting ready for class now, then I’m helping Baylee set up for the Harvest Ball tonight.”

“Oh, the Harvest Ball always used to be the big event of the year for River Falls. Your mom and I used to dream of going when we were younger. Are you going too?” she asks, the reminiscent longing in her voice.

I tuck my hair behind my ear, thinking of my reluctance to go. I know I’ll see them there. Even though Madden has been keeping his distance since that almost kiss and since he was a possessive asshole, tonight he’ll have to be there. It will be expected of all of them as future council members.

“Yeah, I’m planning to go.”

Aunt Lore hums under her breath. “I’m glad, Skully. I’ll let you get going, it sounds like a busy day. Just remember, Skully, I know you. I know you better than you think I do.”

I swallow down the dryness in my throat. So much for protecting her. She already knows I lied, so she wouldn’t be worried. “Aunt Lore–”

“I will call again. You can call me at anytime. I’m trying to get to River Falls for a vacation very soon.”

I nod my head, hearing her underlying insinuation. She’s worried, and she’s coming to check on me. “Have you heard from Azriel? I tried reaching out, but I can’t get ahold of him.”

There’s a pause on her end and a ruffle against the speaker. “I’ve seen him. He’s been busy. He’s tried calling you.”

My eyes close in relief and swipe away another tear that falls down my cheek. I hadn’t realized until now how much I’ve missed hearing from Aunt Loreli. How much I missed Azriel, one of my best friends. Knowing he’s been trying to reach me makes me feel better.

“You know, if you have a necklace with some purple in it, that might look good with the dress you’re wearing tonight,” Loreli reminds me that I have a way to call Azriel to me. I just hadn’t thought it was an emergency enough yet to use it. Something tells me that time is coming and soon.

The Harvest Ball is everything Baylee has told me and more. The space of the ballroom in the St. James Estate is massive, and magnificently filled with chandeliers that look like lit candles. Tall candelabras line the walls that are draped in black and silver fabric. The floor itself has been specifically decorated tonight to mirror the starry sky. The place looks mythical with the open, glass ceiling, and the fog that rolls across the floor.

Baylee gasps, her smile wide and contagious as she takes it all in. I squeeze her arm. “You did an amazing job, Bay.”

“I can’t believe how perfect the final product looks! Everyone really worked so hard on it,” she gushes and waves at different people she knows.

We move farther into the ballroom and more eyes turn to watch us. The attention makes my cheeks pinken, and I can’t help biting my lip nervously. The dress I wore like armor reveals more than is probably appropriate for the gathering, but it also makes a statement. I am back and I am not going anywhere. The top material is see-through, blending easily with my pale skin. The skirt is slightly flared at the bottom, all black in color with a black, long, tree branch design that reaches up past my torso, and splits across my chest and arms. The skin on my breasts and torso are visible through the branches. The back is completely bare and dips low to the top of my ass. Baylee is draped in a deep, blood red gown that is more mermaid style with a slit up to her thigh. While my best friend’s dress is simple, the real show stopper is her jewelry. Rubies encrusted with diamonds. The stares we are garnering aren’t really that surprising.

Music plays the farther we move into the ballroom and a flash of excitement tears through me. This feels familiar suddenly. My brow furrows and I lean into Baylee. “Did we come to the Harvest Ball together the year I was here?”

Baylee’s eyes widen. “No. We had planned to, but…things were starting to go bad with you and Madden.”

My heart clenches, and there’s a small flicker of pain in my mind. Rolling my shoulders back I make the choice that, tonight, I’m not going to worry about the past. I’ll dance, have fun with Baylee and simply take in the holiday party.

“Oh, don’t freak out, but here comes your dad,” Baylee breathes out behind a nervous smile on her lips.

“Skallan.” My dad’s voice is cool, smooth, and refined when it falls on my ears. My body turns to face the man who gave me half my genetics. I wait for a rush of emotion, family connection, but there’s none. Just a hollow feeling when I stare right through him.