Page 17 of Monster's Past
“How disappointing.”
“It died three days later.”
“It did?” He gives me a curious look.
I nod. “I tried the necromancy again, but it didn’t work. Presumably, because I’m not a necromancer. I did worry for a bit that I’d caused the hamster to diebecauseI tried necromancy on it.”
He chuckles. “I don’t think that’s how it works.”
“I know that now, but it was a real worry at the time.” I take another sip of tea.
“Have you ever sensed anyone else’s death?” he asks.
I frown. “I don’t think so, but I’ve never thought about it very much, why?”
“I didn’t know if that was a clue to what you were.” He drains his tea.
“It’s okay that I don’t know,” I assure him. “I’ll figure it out eventually. And if I don’t then it’s not like I haven’t already survived twenty-one years of not knowing. What’s twenty-one more?”
“That’s an interesting way of looking at it, I don’t think I’d be able to go so long without knowing.”
“Probably because you’re aware of what you are,” I point out. The warmth from the tea spreads through me, and I find myself relaxing despite the dream. This is certainly a better way to shake the effects than splashing cold water on my face in a communal bathroom. Maybe I should see if I’m allowed to have a portable kettle in the room. Though it’s probably against the rules now I think about it.
“Yeah, true.” He sighs and leans back in his chair. “I like the hair, by the way.”
I frown and reach up to touch it. “Weird time to tell me, but thanks.”
“Why is it weird? I’ve never seen it that colour before.”
I open my mouth to tell him that it’s been purple the entire time we’ve known each other before thinking better of it and grabbing a few strands of hair so I can see them. I let out a small groan. “Not again.” The silver-white strands catch the moonlight drifting in through the window.Definitelynot the purple I thought it was.
He raises an eyebrow. “Is it not purposeful?”
“It’s my natural colour,” I admit.
“It’s nice, I like it.”
Warmth fills me that has nothing to do with the tea and everything to do with the compliment. “Thanks.”
“So should it still be purple?”
I nod. “I took the potion that dyes it yesterday.” And that was earlier than I was supposed to because I felt like my hair was already being washed out. I don’t understand why it’s wearing off so quickly compared to normal. And I’m fresh out of potion until Mum sends me more, and I doubt she’s going to be happy with me going through them at the rate I am.
“Do you particularly like having purple hair?” he asks.
“I prefer it to this.” I sigh, letting my hair drop out of my hand. “I know it’s probably nothing compared to what a lot of the students here went through, but kids used to be cruel about it, asking me if I was a crone in disguise, or why I’d gotten so old. It made me hate my hair. Now I’m saying it out loud, it sounds ridiculous.”
“It sounds normal,” he assures me. “I used to feel the same about my ears.”
“I like your ears,” I blurt out, meaning the words. “They’re cute.”
He lets out a small laugh. “I can safely say I’ve never heard that one before.”
“Well, they are.” I look down, trying to hide the blush rising on my cheeks. Thankfully, the dim light of the room should be helping with that at least a small amount.
“I can wiggle them,” he says.
“What?” I look up.