by Cherron Riser, Ashley Nicole Davis, Tara Ann Moore, & Taylor Lexus Brown
I certainly was getting my exercise in walking to the shop every day, but with each passing day, I became more and more happy. Sparrow was every bit the joy she was in her previous life. Her power was unmatched as well. For all the sceptics there were of the magical world, there was no way to deny the amount of power Sparrow held in her. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much, but tonight was the night everything would take a turn. I had finally asked Sparrow out on a date, something I hadn’t done since we had lived our last lifetime. Sure, I had random encounters, but that was for physical release, not bonding of souls.
No, this was about much more than a hunger of flesh. I wanted to feel her in my soul again, not the broken fragments of pain that had been left when she had been slaughtered. Of course, she had no idea who I was, and part of me never wanted her to know. Sometimes, fate had a way of pushing its way into our lives if we allowed it. No need in self-fulfilling tragedies.
Cleaning myself up and putting on my best black jeans and fire skull T-shirt, I ran a brush through my long hair and tied it back with a black band. In my pocket, I placed the tartan cloth from my handfasting, hoping it would bring me good luck. Tonight was going to be the best night I had in hundreds of years, and I was going to make the most of it.
Sparrow met up with me at a small bar just down the road from the shop. It was Friday, which meant it was packed, especially with the number of college students who lived in the area. Music played from a band on one end of the bar, and people danced, laughed, and drank all around. The energy in the room was lively, but all I could focus on was the girl waiting for me at the bar. Her hair had been pulled into some sort of intricate braid, and a cute, short spring dress danced around her knees as she swayed to the music. From the side, I could see the curve of her lips as she laughed with the bartender serving her drink. Her lips made my mouth water for a taste.
Slowly I pushed through the crowd, never letting my eyes leave her, and when I reached her, I slid onto the stool next to her. Part of me wanted to kiss her right then and there, but I knew it would freak her out. Instead, I reached out and brushed her hand, giving her a devilish smile as greeting.
“It is awful loud in here. I hope you have plans for us to do something a bit quieter later.” She returned my smile with one of her own, her voice calling out above the noise of the crowd.
“Well, I thought we would start with a drink then go to dinner if you like. I know a place not far from here,” I answered, ordering a drink for myself. My nervousness was causing my body to shake with nerves, but I fought to ensure it wouldn’t show. The last thing I needed was for her to think I was some sort of pussy.
“Sounds perfect! I have to say, I was surprised you asked me out. I would think a guy like you would have been caught by now.” She turned toward me, her legs crossing in my direction. Another good sign.
“I guess I have just been waiting for the right one to come along. So how long have you lived here in Knoxville?” I asked, starting a stream of small talk. She told me about growing up in Tennessee and how she had always felt different because of her magic. I gave her details of Scotland and my former life without giving too much detail about who and what I really was. It was nice, and after a couple of drinks, the two of us left for dinner.
