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Eyes wide, I run and watch as my lemon tart smashes into the ground, pieces scattering everywhere. Ruined.
I glance at Mother, who turns up her chin and marches upstairs, shutting her door with a loud bang. I turn and stare at my lemon tart. A tear slides down my cheek, and I angrily swipe it away. I usually hold in my tears easily, but lately, it seems as if I cannot stop them.
Movement in the trees catches my attention, and I search until I find a pair of eyes, one red, one white. I wave, then shut the window and lock it.
Night slithers into the sky and I wait for darkness to eclipse the sun while I work on my mending by the window. Usually, I prefer working by the fire, but I want to keep an eye out for Raúl. I have no doubt Mother would incinerate him in seconds if she caught him prowling around our tower. I didn’t wish to see that happen, even to a vampire.
I pat a particular spot on my dress, feeling the paper crinkle inside a secret pocket. I had sewn it into my dress when I made it, blending it in with the patches. Earlier, I wrote a letter to Raúl.
Raúl,
My lemon tart for you lies dead in the garden. I’ll make you a new one. Beware my mother.
Sorry,
Penny
Finally, I catch a pair of mismatched eyes shining through the trees. A quick glance at the stairs confirms Mother is still in her room. My heart beats faster than rain patters during a storm. I open the window, wave, then drop the letter.
It drifts to the ground, and I watch as it flutters gently into the weeds. Raúl darts from the trees, but before I can see if he gets it, a voice comes from the stairs. My shoulders freeze.
“Why is that window open?”
Quickly, I shut it, slowing my breathing down. “I was taking in the fresh fall air.” I turn around and smile genuinely at Mother.
She harrumphs, then continues all the way down the stairs. “When is dinner?”
“Soon,” I say, walking to my chair and cleaning up my mending project. “I’m starting it now.”
She looks at the cold box, then nods once at me before heading back upstairs.
Ignoring her, I move to the kitchen and begin making dinner. Mother brought home a fish and requested it along with vegetables. Since it can all be cooked in the oven at once, I have nothing to do while I wait. I glance at the window, wanting nothing more than to open it again.
Although the window remains open during the day, especially during the warmer months, it’s always shut and locked at night. Opening it once is acceptable. Twice? Or leaving it open? That would be highly questionable.
Judging from the fish smell wafting from the oven, our food is almost ready. I open the oven door and use a knife to peel back part of the fish, checking to see if it’s cooked.
When I am satisfied, I take it out of the oven to cool while I set the table, the entire time trying to come up with a way to see if Raúl got the letter. Compulsively, I rub my thumb across a soft coil of hair. The only way is to wait, since any movement on my part will raise suspicion.
I walk to the stairs leading up to Mother’s quarters. “Mother, food is done.”
I don’t hear a response, and for the next minute I debate whether to call again. I’m just about to open my mouth when the door opens. Scurrying away to the oven, I carefully pick up the dish with hot towels. I place it in the middle of the table, then find two cups. After I fill them with water, I add them to the table.
Mother sits down and I dish up food for the both of us. She eats a few bites, and I wait until she is chewing to ask her questions. “How was the trip?”
She lifts and drops her shoulders. “I got the job done. More fires in the capitol. The fire was raging when I arrived. Already three houses were ash.” She sighs. “They didn’t even thank me. I don’t know what they would do without me, but no one bothers to appreciate my hard work.”
I frown sympathetically. “I’m sorry, they really should.” Pausing, I take a sip of water. “And your next trip is the desert?”
She frowns. “Not quite. I’m called to a town near the sea. They’ve been having trouble with land-walking sharks.”
I drop my fork. “I’m sorry, with what?”
“You need to listen better. Land-walking sharks.”
“Oh, my,” I say. “When do you have to leave?”
“Tomorrow morning. I’m only here for a day.” She sighs again. “I do so much for the realm.”
