Page 47 of Burn of Obsidian
Thea stopped drawing with the chalk to narrow her eyes at her sister. “Where are you going with this?”
“I’m saying why you can’t just buy the charm?”
“Because charms cost money. Money needed for other things.” Like dad’s treatment, she wanted to add, but didn’t. “Anyway, this is easy peasy.”
“I think you’re doing it wrong,” Ruhne muttered. “The circle’s more of an oval, and the star isn’t pointed enough.”
“Is it?” Thea tried to correct the circle, the chalk screeching as she scratched it onto the wooden plank. With a click the chalk snapped, ruining the work she’d already done.
“Just let your hair go natural. I love the colour,” Molly said.
Thea dropped the plank with a sigh. “It’s white.”
“No, it’s a pale silver.”
Thea shook her head. “I don’t like the colour,” she lied, pulling a few strands of hair over her shoulder to check the shade. It was still pink, but it was fading fast. In a day or two, the glittery strands would be seen through the glamour, and that was something she couldn’t let happen. It had been drilled into her since she was old enough to understand that her hair was something she needed to hide – that it could make her a target.
Ruhne’s wings whistled. “Silver hair, huh?”
“I don’t like it.” Thea climbed to her feet, her legs shaking slightly as her aura recovered from the drift. “Makes me look old.”
Molly snorted. “You are old.”
“I’m only eight years older than you!” She crossed her arms. “Also, why are you even here? Aren’t you supposed to be in school?”
“Half day, and I was studying before you turned up.” Molly rolled her eyes, and Thea couldn’t help but smirk. They may not be blood, but they were definitely sisters. “You going to tell me why you’re here? I have to pick Rosey up soon, and mum’s taken dad to his appointment so won’t be back until late.”
“Can’t I just come and see my sister?”
“You thought I was at school,” Molly said, eyes narrowing behind her glasses. “If you don’t tell me, I’ll call mum.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Try me.”
Ruhne’s laughter tinkled around them. “This is why I’m glad I have no siblings.”
Thea smiled, even as Molly scrunched up her face. “It’s sad that I’m like your only friend.”
“I have friends.” Thea shrugged. “I have Roach.”
“She’s not your friend.” Molly snorted. “You don’t even know her real name.”
Thea wrinkled her nose. “And I have Harper. Plus, Ruhne’s my friend.”
“You met me today,” he said, legs swinging. “And I can’t be friends with someone with chlamydia.”
“I don’t have chlamydia,” Thea growled through clenched teeth.
“That you know of.” Ruhne nodded, the smugness giving him little dimples.
“I have friends,” she repeated, ignoring how her stomach dipped. She did have friends, but no one close. Not since her father’s most recent diagnosis. She found out pretty quickly that her friends didn’t understand why she couldn’t come out anymore – that her priorities had changed. “I just… I needed space from my place.”
“Space from what? Your cat?” Molly’s lips pursed. “You’re worrying me, Thea. You’re being reckless, and you keep getting hurt.”
“I’m not – ”
“No, let me finish,” Molly growled, and Thea’s mouth snapped closed. “I know you see me as a kid, but I’m the one that’s been suturing your cuts so mum doesn’t find out. And don’t get me started on you being shot.”