Page 4 of Monster Girl

“But, what about the um… the magic lessons?” My shoulders hunch slightly and I bite my lip. The magical aspects of the academy have been poking at the back of my mind more and more as I get closer to attending in person. I have no idea how I’m going to be able to pass my classes when I have basically no access to my magic. Anxiety practically strangles me at the thought of my first day because I have no idea what I’m going to be walking into.

A small smile spreads over my friend's face. “You’re going to be okay, Nessa. They’ll understand about your magic and if they don’t then I’ll kick their asses, okay?”

That has a laugh tumbling from me. Goddess, I’m so lucky to have Lexi in my life.

I take a deep breath as we settle back in and she unpauses the movie.It’s pointless to ruin my last night worrying over the unknown, and knowing Lexi will always have my back has confidence rolling over me. Whatever happens I’m going to be okay. I bump my shoulder against hers and blow her an air kiss before turning to focus back on the movie.

Chapter Two — Nessa

We’reupatsparafart—AKAtoo fucking early—and I stumble down the steps, only just managing to stop myself from going ass up multiple times. I mutter a litany of colourful curses and Lexi laughs at me because she’s an early riser. That bish is already looking fresh faced and smiling. If I had powers that were worth anything right now, I would zap her. My soul focus is on keeping my hands steady as I pour myself some liquid gold.Ohmygod, yes, coffee, so good. I let out an obnoxious moan, sculling half of it in one go. I’m a total coffee fiend. I make an irritated sound when Lexi hip bumps me out of the way, which almost has me spilling my drink as she reaches over to grab her own cup full.

I grunt a low greeting to my dad Azure who, like my bestie is one of those horrid supernatural’s that like to torture their bodies by getting up before dawn. If it was up to me I’d still be cuddled up under my doona.No, bad Nessa, don’t think about your bed. I peek out the window and grumble again, the sun isn’t even fucking up yet. Still muttering, I slip into the window seat and curl myself into a little ball, covering my knees with my oversized hoodie. I’m dressed for the day in my giant comfy hoodie and stretchy leggings, with combat boots and thick socks to keep my toes warm. We have a short carriage trip to the portals, then I have the morning to get settled before diving into my afternoon classes.Gulp. Thank the Goddess I was able to set up all my classes so they were in the afternoons. Hopefully there will be no drama over the fact that I’ve finished all my theory classes already, or hate from my classmates.

Sipping my coffee, I absently run my mind through everything I’ve learned. I should be an expert if my magic finally comes in, I could do the theory side of everything in my sleep if I wanted to. Hopefully that translates to my magic wielding skills. Oh and combat. Thank fuck my dad’s have been training me since I was little. They want their little girl to be able to protect herself—their words not mine—and I’m quite good with weapons as well. Specifically the double short swords.

It’s practically a rite of passage to know at least the basics of fighting in the supernatural realm. Or, that’s what I’ve heard. Supernatural’s that fall under the monster category are also more heavily criticised and attacked, this being because most of us look different. The more common supernaturals being shifters, vampires, witches and fae who, though powerful, don’t display as many diverse physical features from their magic. But monsters can have four arms, claws, bright blue skin and horns, and are left with no option other than to cloak themselves with their magic so they appear more ‘normal’ by human standards.

Supernaturals under the monster category come in all different shapes and sizes despite being under the same species umbrella, we just have lots of different subspecies. Whereas most other supes within their species have similar characteristics. It’s as though the supernatural council decided that all the species that make up the minority of the Supernatural Realm are under the monster category. Hybrids are also under the monster category, but they can be a bit of a grey area. Then the power classes and levels divide us even further. When you’re a monster, the majority of the world is against you.

I tip my head back, finishing the last of my coffee.I then make up a huge travel mugs worth before washing up my smaller cup and mentally re-run through my checklist. I don’t want to forget anything. Reaching for my phone, I facepalm when I realise I don’t have it on me to check the list. I quickly grab both it and my charger from my room before moving to the front door and shoving it in a suitcase. I always forget the damn thing. My dad’s and Lexi are the only people who contact me on it. Most can’t afford to have their tech spelled, especially in this area and without having it done, human technology is practically useless in our realm. Something to do with the different frequencies, not to mention lots of places don’t have normal electricity, so having a unique converter spell is needed for things like that. The technicalities for all that sort of Wi-Fi and tech coverage in our realm is mind boggling, so for now I shove the thoughts away.

Lexi says a warm goodbye to my family before slipping out the front door to give me a moment of privacy with them. The moment I have been dreading for years has come, and I abruptly turn to face my dads, launching myself into Azure’s arms. My eyes burn as I squeeze him in a bone crushing hug that Morrigan and Driarmuid join. “I love you guys so much,” I whisper as a few tears fall down my cheeks, but I brush them away, not wanting to make this any harder on them.

I’m probably overreacting, but this is the first time I’m going to be further than a few houses away from my parents. An ocean will literally be between us. Despite myself, another single tear falls down my cheek. “We love you too, Sweetheart. It’s alright, you’re going to kick ass and FaceTime us this weekend to tell us all about the new friends you’ve made,” Diarmuid says confidently.

“And call us once you’re settled,” Morrigan adds with a pointed look.

A smile breaks out on my face and I place a kiss on his cheek, backing away from them before I grab my last suitcase. Lexi must have taken the others while I was distracted. “Bye.” I send them a small wave, trying to push away the tightness in my chest.

When I get out front I find my backpack and one suitcase floating. The other moves to join when Lexi waggles her fingers. “Come on or we’ll miss the carriage.”

I don’t protest, speed walking to her side. We walk along the main road of Téras Forest in silence for a few minutes as I try to wrangle my emotions. Anxiety is a strong mistress, but at the moment sadness is at the forefront and I take deep centering breaths as we walk. The quiet is interrupted by the sudden sound of pounding hooves.A horse, here? How strange, monsters usually walk because everything is so close in the forest and outsiders rarely venture through. The entire place usually holds a deserted feel to it.I’m slow to react as the massive animal comes screaming around the corner. Fortunately Lexi leaps to the side and has a magic shield—albeit a wobbly one—placed protectively in front of me in moments, but thankfully the horse skids to a stop before actually hitting me.

I wince, wiping grains of dust from my eyes. The close call reminds me once again of how strange I am. My heart should probably be pounding right now, and my adrenaline should be racing through me, but it isn’t. I’ve always been like that, things that should scare me don’t. I shrug the stray thought off, and when my vision finally clears I find a sight I’m not expecting. Sitting atop this ginormous horse is a female Pixie, cradling her young daughter to her chest. The little one is clinging to her mother like a monkey and I scan my eyes over them, anxiety hitting my chest when I don’t find them wearing a safe passage rune. Without it they have no protection against the supernaturals who live here in the forest or the creatures we share it with. Those under the monster category are used to being shunned and hurt by outsiders, which unsurprisingly turns lots of them into sour old men and women. It’s dangerous to outsiders if they don’t have a safe passage rune from a resident here to vouch for them, because they are seen as a threat.Shit.

I look to Lexi who is watching them with concern as well. “Hi, my name is Nessa. Are you lost?” I honestly don’t mean for it to sound rude, but it sort of does and I cringe a little. The woman is sporting a fresh bruise and gash on her cheek, and her eyes are wide and panicky as they dart all over the place. Despite her rough appearance, I’m not getting any bad vibes from her. Just fear, lot’s and lot’s of fear. My chest tingles for a moment in response, before the sensation fades.Huh. Refocusing on the woman I catch her reply.

“No, we’re fine, thanks.” It comes out as a whisper.

She directs the horse to skitter around us, but I stop her quickly, “You’re not wearing a rune and are risking the safety of your daughter. If you wait a moment my friend here can place the rite of safe passage rune on your wrist.”

When she pauses, Lexi who is on the same page as me steps forward holding her hands out, slowly so as to not spook the woman. The Pixie holds her hand out hesitantly and Lexi quickly does the spell before releasing her. After a few moments a black bracelet-like tattoo appears on her arm and I recite the rules of the spell in case she doesn’t know them. “You need to stay on the path and only use the safe passage we granted to leave. If you have any negative intent to any of us that live here then you will no longer have temporary amnesty. The protection my friend placed on you will be null and void, understand?”

Her shoulders relax and she nods. I step back so they can move past and she says softly, “Thank you…?”

“Nessa,” I repeat. I have a feeling she wasn’t listening in her panic at being stopped earlier. Lexi pipes in with her name as well and the Pixie gives us a minuscule smile.

“Thank you Nessa and Lexi, I am forever grateful to you both. My name is Aria.”

My cheeks flush slightly at the praise and I respond somewhat awkwardly, “Safe travels, Aria.” She nods and urges her horse on again.

When she’s out of sight Lexi clutches my shoulder. “Holy hell, that was crazy. Do you think they’ll be okay?”

A pang of worry pokes at me but I reassure her softly, “It’ll be alright Lex. Now come on or we’re really going to miss the carriage.”

We both hightail it to the edge of the forest, and thankfully they’re still there. The horses snort and dance on the spot when we approach. It’s a normal response, most supes are instinctively nervous or wary around us. It’s even worse for humans. The coach helps me with my bags and we settle in the back before we’re off, towards the mikró mageia town. It translates to ‘small magic town’ which I’ve always found humorous because it’s a Pixie town. I can’t wait, this is the most I’ve seen other than the small towns we’ve visited in the realm. We don’t travel much and I’ve never been to the human realm before. Though I know a lot about it and have a lot of human stuff. Big cities are more dangerous for us Monsters and we tend to garner so much hate and attention that most who aren't able to glamour yet avoid crowded places. I practically have my face glued to the window as we roll through the town. Thankfully there is little traffic between the village and where we live, so we make it in about an hour. The town is made up of multi story buildings, which is something we don’t see a lot where we’re from, and there must be hundreds of Pixies and other supernatural’s going about their day. It’s a little daunting. After a few minutes of driving through town, we pull up in front of an inconspicuous building that must be where the portal is.

I’m out of my seat the second the carriage comes to a stop, my tiredness completely forgotten. Lexi chuckles at my excitement. We split the carriage fee before lugging my bags between us because Lexi can’t use magic out in the open here. We’re not legally allowed to practise magic in public or go to the human realm until we’ve graduated from one of the magic academy’s and have our ID given to us. Which we need to show at the portal. Inside, the portal is set in a spelled wall and guarded by six huge men. They’re all around seven and a half feet tall and their faces are set in permanent scowls. I stop at the guy who needs to see my temporary ID and give him a charming smile, barely giving his horns a glance before focusing on his eyes.

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