Masked Definitions

by A. E. Murphy

“It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

  “Not to me.” His heated eyes rest on me and I understand his meaning immediately.

  “Why did your sister want it?”

  “She knew it had been inscribed. She was trying to rat me out.” He shrugs and takes the box from my hand. “Please come to America with me.”

  “How’d she know?”

  “Really? That’s what you got from that?”

  I smile, blushing slightly.

  He places the box into his pocket, drops the gift bag onto the porch and wraps his arms around my waist. “Come to America with me. Be with me. Let me love you and your quirky, ridiculous brooch loving ways.”

  “What if we end back up here? Where we are now? Untrusting and…”

  “Then we’re weaker people than I thought and we don’t deserve each other, or America.”

  “You’re an idiot,” I say to his goofy smile. “I’m scared.”

  “You’ll trust me again, fully. You have my word.”

  When I nod, swallow and say a quick, “Fine,” his lips hit mine and I suddenly remember all of those good feelings I was trying to repress. How I fit in his arms so perfectly. The way he tastes so sweet, always. How he always smells so spicy and manly, of expensive aftershaves and him. The way his hair always feels so soft and silky.

  How when I’m with him, I feel safe, secure, loved and horny.

  “So you’ll come to America with me?”

  I nod and press my lips to his for a moment. “Yes.”

  A squeal escapes me when I’m swung around in a circle like a child. “Stop, I’ll hurl.”

  “I don’t care.” He hits my lips once more. “I fucking love you.”

  I grin, happy to feel my feet back on the ground. “I fucking love you too.”

  Her violet eyes vanish behind her thick lashes when she blinks slowly. “So… you’re telling me that you’ve been here for a month now and you haven’t called?”

  “I did not realise I was supposed to.” Elijah responds, shifting uncomfortably as the slim, long black haired beauty stares at him angrily, her hands on her hips. “You were simply to procure the venue in my stead.”

  “Fuck.” She looks at her husband and points at Elijah. “He’s so British. It’s so God damn sexy.”

  “Maya…” James, her husband, chastises though he only seems amused. His brown eyes come to mine. “I’m sorry about her. She’s mental but she’s completely in love with me so don’t worry.”

  “Yup.” In a flash she’s beside me and has her arm looped through mine. “Let’s leave the men to talk business.”

  “But we only just arrived.” Elijah grips my other arm and holds me in place.

  “And she’s already bored out of her mind.” I’m tugged towards the loud, aggressive female.

  “Maybe you should ask her first?” James suggests but when Maya growls he holds up his hands defensively.

  “I have a new girl; let me play.”

  “I umm…” I literally don’t know what to say.

  “See? She wants to come and I need Loryn and Summer to hear her accent. It’s so fucking posh.” When she grins at me, I find myself almost mesmerised by her beauty. “Can you make it as posh as his?”

  “I… umm…” My wide eyes meet Elijah’s who finally releases my arm.

  “She’ll be fine with Maya and trust me when I say this will go a lot easier if you trust me to handle it,” James assures Elijah. “My wife might seem… friendly but she’s a business bitch.”

  “He’s much easier to haggle with,” Maya calls as she drags me towards the door.

  Elijah snatches me back, pushes his lips against mine and holds me tight to his body for at least five seconds before releasing me, though only enough to stare into my eyes. “Remember, it’s nine one one if you feel as though…”

  “Doesn’t he sound so posh?” Maya cackles. “Nine one one…” She mimics in a British accent and then salutes the British salute. “She’s got it, governor.”

  “I don’t sound like that,” Elijah gripes and kisses me again before I’m tugged away. “And nobody says Governor!” She ignores him and continues pulling as I stare at my man with a no doubt frantic look in my eyes. “Look after her.”

  “Got it, governor.” I’m pulled out of the office and past a desk with a handsome Italian man sitting behind it. I don’t recall seeing him on my way in. “I hired him because he makes my husband jealous. He’s also an unbelievable PA.”

  “Oh.” I’m so fucking confused right now. “So… where are we going?”

  “I’m introducing you to my peeps. You are going to absolutely love them.” Then she leans in. “Is it true you used to be a pole dancer?” What the fuck? “Reckon you can teach me some moves? I can get my ankle behind my head if that helps? Don’t worry, though. I won’t say a word. Not about my ankle trick, I tell that to everybody.” She laughs loudly and presses the first floor button inside the elevator. “But about the fact you used to pole dance. Not unless you want me to.” She takes one look at my face and states, “Definitely not then.” Her fingers zip her lips closed.

  I just… “Has anybody ever told you that you are random as fuck?”

  “Fuck,” she mimics in a terrible supposedly British accent. “I LOVE it, it’s so cute.”

  Maybe moving to America wasn’t the best idea. Then my mind casts back to Elijah and I quickly retract that mental statement. I’ve never been happier.

  The Distraction Trilogy

  Distraction

  Destruction

  Distinction

  The Little Bits Series

  A Little Bit of Crazy

  A Little Bit of Us

  A Little Bit of Trouble

  A Little Bit of Truth

  The Broken Series

  Broken #1

  Connected #2

  Forever #3 COMING SOON

  I'm now 25 and I’ve been writing since I could hold a pen in my hand! I love to write, it’s my passion, and I never stop. In fact, I love to write so much I have started over one hundred and fifty different books before finally completing my first ever novel 'A Little Bit of Crazy' which I published in May 2013 on Amazon for Kindle. I was grateful when I received feedback as it helps me be a better writer.

  When I'm not writing, I love spending time with my family and when I get some spare time (not easy with young children!) it’s either reading or listening to music. You won’t find me without a book or my Kindle in my hand. I read whilst I’m cooking, cleaning, talking, walking… you could say reading is my other passion!

  Thank you for taking the time to read my book. I appreciate any kind of feedback be it good or bad. This has been a huge learning curve for me and I'm happy to receive any advice/criticism...praise? That you wish to provide. Don’t be shy. Thank you,

  Check out new author Sloane Murphy’s debut release!

  Descent, The Immortal Chronicles #1

  I walk with everyone else around me holding Livvy’s hand, with my backpack on my shoulders. We just got off of the shuttle to the Academy. It's so big, but I know I'm going to love it here. It's so green, not like the Nursery. All I've ever known is the Nursery, and I'm excited to finally leave. I hope I still get to share a room with Livvy though. She's my best friend. I don't have many people in my life, but she's always been my best friend and she always will be.

  "Addie! Isn't this place so pretty? It looks like a Princess’s castle! We can have your eighth birthday party in the forest! It'll be like that book Mr Montgomery read us last year, The Secret Garden!" Livvy squeaks.

  "It really is! I remember Miss Evie telling us about places like this from the old world, I never thought we'd get to live in one!" I exclaim. Miss Evie taught us all about the old world, and how the humans used to be in charge, before the Outbreak. After that, only the immunes were still alive, and the old world was dying. That's when the Dark War happened, the Fairies won, and that's why they're in charge now. The Demon King lost and was exiled t
o the ends of the earth, his Demon army destroyed by the Fae and the Vampyrs. Other History is one of my favourites. I think I'll miss Miss Evie, she made it fun.

  We're all taken into a hall and given a bag. Mine and Livvy's are black, but there's red, blue and white too. I see people from my Nursery, but we aren't the only ones who came here on the shuttle. I heard Mistress Ella talking before our shuttle left about how human children like me, from five different nurseries were going to the Academy. Something about us overtaking the species again. I don't know what that means, but she didn't sound happy about it that's for sure!

  The Head Keeper walks onto the stage at the front of the hall. She's one of the Fae. The Heads always are. Even if I hadn't learned that before, I'd know she was one of the Fae. Her long black hair sparkled in the light, and her purple eyes were so bright! It was as if they glowed like fireflies. Definitely Fae.

  Behind her, sat on a long table are The Eight; the Heads of the eight Vampyr houses that make up the security of our world. I'm shocked to see them all here. Only two houses look after our part of the world. The others must have travelled a long way to be here for this. I start to worry about them being here, I didn't think today was that important. The eight houses each look after the four royal Fae families. The Valoire family rules here, House Bane and House DeLauter look after us.

  "Welcome boys and girls to your new home. This is where you will learn, where you will study, and where you will be evaluated for the next ten years. This will not be like your last home. It will not be all fun and games. Here you will be prepared for the real world. You will learn about the history of our world, and of the old world. You will learn the history, not only of your kind, but that of the history of the Fae and the Vampyrs, and yes, you will also learn about the Demons, and the war that gave way to the new world. You will be taught everything you need to know about the real world, and that includes defending yourselves and those around you. Slacking will not be tolerated. Anyone who is not keeping up, will be punished. You will notice you're each in different colours. These are your house colours. Do not fail your house. Now follow your house leaders, who will lead you to your new bunks. Take today to unpack and get acquainted. Your schedules will be on your pillows. Tomorrow, the rest of your life begins."

  Excited chatter starts over the hall as Livvy pulls my hand in excitement. People start to move, until one of The Eight steps forward. I can't help but stare at him; he looks so different to the Vampyrs I'm used to seeing. He has kind of long black hair that falls into his eyes, but not so long it touches his shoulders. They’re the brightest blue eyes I've ever seen. He looks so cold and scary. I seriously hope I never have to speak to him. I think I'd pee my pants!

  "Children. My name is Xander Bane; I am the Head of House Bane. These next ten years could be the most important ones of your lives, so do not waste them," he addresses us, and he sounds funny. His words sound different to the way everyone else says them. "Take the time to better yourself; to learn about our histories, and how not to repeat the mistakes of those that came before us. The actions you make here will reflect you for the rest of your life. Your evaluations will deem what you do for your time here on earth. As humans, that time is much shorter than most. It's limited, which makes it that bit more special. Try as hard as you can to make a difference." His voice booms across the hall, it's so quiet in here now, that you could hear a pin drop. "Remember this day. It could be what makes the difference. You're excused."

  Once he’s finished speaking and steps back, the hall erupts into movement as we're taken to our houses. I'm in house black with Livvy, thank goodness! I don't know what I'd do without Livvy. She's my Livvy!

  Once we're in the common room, we're split into four groups and taken off down different corridors by the head of House Black, Keeper Kaylee, she seems nice enough. Livvy clings to my arm. I think she's as scared as I am that they'll separate us. I don't even think I could sleep if she wasn't in the room. It would just be... weird.

  "These will be your dorm rooms for your time here at the Academy. These rooms and the common room will be your home. Respect them. Other than that, decorate them how you like. You will be sharing rooms, two to a room. Your names are on the boards on the doors. I'll leave you all to unpack and get to know each other. You might not be paired up with someone you already know, so use this opportunity to get to know each other. Tomorrow is when the hard work begins," Keeper Kaylee says to us, then leaves us to find our rooms.

  Livvy is holding my hand so tight as we wander down the corridor, looking for our names. We come to the last three rooms, one is the communal bathroom, and two are dorm rooms. We squeal at the same time, we're together! Yes! We throw the door open and walk into the room. It's so big! There's a window directly opposite the door, with a window seat that looks over a green and out onto the forest behind the Academy. On each side of the room is a big bed, much bigger than the ones we had at the Nursery. At the end of each bed is a desk, and a chair. To the left of the room are two double wardrobes, and to the right is a small sofa, table and TV. We have our own TV! We had to share at the Nursery! I love the Academy. Livvy walks over to the window seat which is covered in cushions, and sinks onto the nook.

  "Can I have the left Addie? Just like before?" she asks, her big green eyes looking up at me. I've always felt like I had to look after Livvy, she's so small. I mean I'm small, but she's tiny.

  "Of course you can Livvy. You can have whatever you want."

  "Not everything." Her eyes start to water and I walk over and hug her, I know she's thinking about her parents. They died last year, leaving her all on her own. Well, except for me of course. I was sad when they died too; they were like parents to me. They made me feel loved, and since my own parents had not loved me enough to keep me, and abandoned me, it was nice, but I already knew that people always leave. The day her parents died, I vowed I'd never let Livvy down, that I'd always protect her from the bad people in the world.

  "At least we'll always have each other. You're my sister and my best friend."

  "You promise Addie?

  "I swear it Livvy. I'll always look after you."

  There's a knock at the door, and two boys are standing in the doorway. One is taller with dirty blonde hair, he looks like he's up to no good, and the smaller one has brown hair with dark green eyes.

  "Hi," the taller one says. "I'm Tyler, and this is Logan. We're in the room across the hall from you, and we decided that we should all be friends. After all, girls need looking after," he says, looking proud of himself, though Logan looks like he wants to be anywhere but here.

  "Oh really? Because I think girls can look after themselves just fine, thank you very much. Maybe we don't want to be your friends," I say back to him as I cross my arms, then stick my tongue out.

  "Addie! Don't be so rude! I'm sorry, Tyler, Logan." Livvy looks at me like I just stole the last cookie from her. Stupid boys.

  "Ugh, fine. Come in. I guess we can be friends. I'm Adelaide, and this is Olivia, but you can call me Addie, and this is Livvy. If you hurt her though, I'll bite you." I cross my arms and stare at them, so they know I'm serious. I'm not scared of them.

  "You have really bright eyes! I've never seen anyone with eyes like yours," Logan blurts out, then blushes.

  "And?" I say, I don't know if he's trying to be mean.

  "Nothing, I just, sorry I just blurted it out," he stammers.

  Tyler laughs at me and comes in and sits on our sofa. Logan is still standing in the doorway looking awkward, so Livvy goes and brings him in and sits with them on the sofa too. I sit on the floor on my pillow because the sofa is full, and they tell us all about their Nursery. Tyler tells us all about how he wants to be part of the Red Guard when he grows up, just like his dad, and how he wants to protect us from the Demons and the Shades. I think I might like to be part of the Red Guard too. That way I could keep my promise to Livvy, and always keep her safe. The idea of Demons and the bad Vampyrs scares me, but that's what the Acad
emy is for; to teach me how to fight them.

  "I want to be in the Red Guard when I grow up too!" I announce to them all. Livvy looks horrified, and so does Tyler.

  "But you're a girl!" Tyler says.

  "Addie, that sounds really dangerous. Maybe you should be a teacher, that's what I want to be, like my mommy was," Livvy says to me.

  "Nope, I've decided. I want to be in the Red Guard too. Just you watch, all of you. I'll show you I can do it!" I almost shout at them. I hate being told I can't do something. It makes me want it more. I'll prove them wrong. Stupid Tyler. Just because I'm a girl, doesn't mean I can't be in the guard. I mean, yeah sure, there's no girls in the guard now, but that doesn't mean I can't change the rules!

  Ten Years Later

  I literally cannot wait for this year to be done. I have a month of my Evals coming up, and then, I hope to any sort of power that’s listening, that I make it into the Red Guard. I have worked my ass off for the past ten years to be the top of my Defence, Strategy and History classes. I’m fully aware that this makes me an outcast, but screw everybody else. Just because they want to colour in the lines, why the hell should I? The only people that haven’t abandoned me are my three closest friends. Livvy, Tyler and Logan have been my best friends for longer than I can remember, and they don’t care if I want to break the rules, they love me anyway. Hell, Tyler has even trained with me every single day pretty much since we first met, so that we could be the best we could possibly be. I’m sure he regrets it now that I’m top of the class, but a girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do! This in mind though, just the thought of my Home Economic Eval gives me shivers. A cook, cleaner or seamstress I am not. I have to pass it still though. Holy cheesits, that’s going to be a sucky day.

  “Cheer up buttercup, it can’t be all bad.” Livvy floats into the room and drops onto the bed beside me. She’s always so happy and cheery, that it’s normally infectious. But before six thirty in the morning and with no coffee in sight, I’m about as cheery as I’m going to get. I groan as she opens the curtains, and drifts around the room, getting her things together. She has her standard black Defence uniform on, but somehow she makes it seem so girly. It’s a black bodysuit with grey highlights for crying out loud. I’m just thankful we’re the black house. Wearing red, blue or white every day for Defence would seriously get to me. I like black, it’s stealthy. Plus, underneath it all, I’m a girl, and black hides stuff!