Page 34 of A Dream of Stars and Curses

Anton’s light blond hair seems to have trapped some of the sunlight. His blue eyes should be cold but actually make me feel welcome. The sparkle in them puts me at ease. It could be vampire magic, but I don’t think that’s it. I think it’s the combination of his sparkling eyes and the bright blue velvet suit he’s wearing. On the off chance that I get separated from Leverett, I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to find Anton. The man would stand out anywhere.

‘It’s nice to meet you,’ I say. ‘Leverett has told me a lot about you.’

‘Not as interesting as what he has told me about you, I’m sure. Come in. Make yourselves at home. I have more guests to greet but will find you both when I can get away.’

And with that, Anton hurries away to greet the next guest.

‘He’s usually a little more reserved,’ Leverett says, ‘but he comes alive during his social gatherings. No one adores a catch-up with old friends quite like Anton.’

‘He seems nice,’ I say. ‘I don’t see myself getting lost while he’s here.’

Anton has walked almost all the way back to the gate—it hasn’t been enough time, so I imagine he’s flown some of the way—but I can still clearly see him. His guests fade into the background around him. His energy and his suit are like a beacon everyone else gravitates towards.

Leverett laughs. ‘He has that effect on people. He’s a gifted storyteller, too. I’m sure you’ll find that out before long.’ Leverett nods towards the house. ‘Shall we?’

Reluctantly, I extract myself from his arm. I need to keep some distance between us or I’ll never learn how to be just his friend.

There’s a coldness where his arm rested against mine.

‘Show me around the gardens?’ I ask.

Leverett’s soft smile sends a tremor through me. ‘With pleasure.’

The front doors are wide open. I figure we’ll walk through the house, but Leverett leads me around the lefthand side. I’d call this a wrap-around porch, except those are made of wood, aren’t they? This is made of concrete, or... some other hard, stony material. Architecture is also not my thing. I can appreciate it just fine, I just don’t know any of the terms. I can point to the roof on any house, but I’ve no idea what the difference is between a gable roof and a mansard roof or what they look like. I just remember the terms from something, but not even the source stuck with me. This house has three stories, brick walls, and, as far as I can tell, a regular-ass roof in that terracotta shade every other house in my neighbourhood has. I noticed three chimneys poking out, so there are at least as many fireplaces inside. All the windows are tall and provide a good view at the pompo— lavish furnishings inside. Anton and Saif don’t do anything by halves, that’s for sure. Anyway, details aside, it’s a very impressive house.

The gardens opening up before us are breathtaking—I don’t need to know technical terms to see that. Paths snake through them, surrounded by flowers, trees, shrubs—all that pretty stuff I don’t know the names for. There’s a gazebo in the far-right corner and a fountain in the centre. To the left is a small maze with another gazebo in the middle. I picture myself reading there.

‘Just how rich is Anton?’ I ask.

‘He’s had a long time to amass his fortune,’ Leverett says. ‘Saif has also done rather well for himself. I expect you’ll meet him when I show you the library.’

We walk down some steps at the back of the house and into the gardens. I’ve been so distracted by this ridiculous splendour that I didn’t even look at the Veiled. Despite what Leverett told me, this feels more like a regular social gathering, at least at first glance. Small groups of people stand together, chatting and laughing like the old friends I expect they all are. I occasionally smell the roses and other sweet fragrances, which I’m not convinced come solely from the flowers around us—it seems stronger around some of the fairies. Are they enhancing the natural scents just by being here? Some of them give me curious looks in passing, but no one looks maliciously towards me. Most of them smile and nod in greeting.

But everything changes when I look closer. Some of these guests look... tired. Their eyes glazed, their bodies slightly slumped. I spot bite marks on wrists and necks. There aren’t many of them, but enough that they make my skin crawl. I want to ask why Anton is okay with this, but I don’t know his own preferences, and saying it in front of all these Veiled seems dumb.

‘Where are we going?’ I ask.

Leverett hasn’t approached anyone, and we’re still walking down the path.

‘I saw you looking at the gazebo at the back of the garden. I thought you might like to see it.’

I beam at him. ‘I’d love to!’

We turn a corner, and my eyes widen. I know the two fairies in front of me. One of them turns to look at me as if she felt my eyes on her—probably did; I was staring for a second there—and we just kinda stare at each other in surprise for a moment. Then she smiles and interrupts her partner, who is talking to someone. She nods to me, and I have the same moment with the second fairy.

The couple from the park. The ones who want to get their kids a dog next year.

And here I wondered if I’d ever be able to tell them. I guess they know now. They don’t look annoyed with me, though—I think we’re all mutually surprised. They excuse themselves and walk over to us.

Leverett gives me a curious look. ‘Friends of yours?’

I smile at him, slightly nervous. I hope they won’t be angry that I didn’t tell them. ‘More like casual acquaintances. I’ve seen them around the park outside my house.’

Leverett straightens as if he senses danger. ‘Do you think they’re watching you?’

I place my hand on his arm to show him it’s okay.

‘No, not at all. They—’ They reach us. ‘Hey!’ I almost say I didn’t expect to see you here, which is true but feels too movie-cliché. ‘Erm, I’m Esta. From the park.’

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