AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Oye,” a child’s voice called.
She paused in her drawing, and looked up at Rosetta, who stared up at her with a worried gaze. Smiling, she placed the chalk aside. “I’m fine,” grabbing the doll she placed it in the center of the circle and stood. “All right, everyone, let’s take a step back.”
The kids all rushed away from the circle, most of them crowding around her legs. She inwardly laughed; these children were more frightening than the circle of magic she’d drawn. But they were forced to live in the human world due to their reckless parents abandoning them here.
“Now, watch.” She placed two fingers against her bottom lip, and blew softly. The sound of whistling grew, as the soft melody increased in volume the circle glowed a bright greenlight and the doll in the center phased before it reappeared fixed. Lowering her hand, she winced as Rosetta released a loud screech of joy and ran towards the circle.
“My doll.” She exclaimed, as she rushed forward and grabbed it up, hugging it tightly she said, “Thank you, Oye.”
Oye nodded as she clapped her hands together. “Okay, it’s time to go wash up for dinner.”
The children groaned in protest.
“Nope, we won’t be having any of that. Go get washed up. Hands, feet, webbed fingers or claws. Go, go, go.”
The children all muttered and groaned as they made their way towards the steps.
Watching them go, Oye turned around only to nearly trip over the three who remained behind. The three of them were currently attempting to draw a magic circle like hers.
“You three,” Oye said, her eyes narrowing on the little pointed ears that twitched and the round amber eyes that peeked up at her. “I heard that you built a volcano in the living room.”
The oldest of the three hopped up. “Yes, and it went boom,” he said cheerfully, his white hair a mess on his head.
“You weren’t supposed to admit it,” the second one said, his hair pulled into a braid. He stood, hitting his brother on the back of the head. “Now, she won’t teach us anything,” he complained.
“We cleaned it up though,” the last one said while brushing the chalk off his hands. He tilted his head up, and frowned at Oye. “You can’t be mad at us,” he declared, puffing his cheeks out.
Settling her hands on her hips, Oye squinted down at them. “I can’t? Why not?”
“Because we cleaned up after ourselves. Like Quill said,” the eldest explained running a nervous hand through his wild hair. Which is why it remained messy.
“Is that so, Rhae?” She hummed, and tapping her chin, she nodded. “Okay, I won’t scold you three.” Their expressions brightened. “But I told all three of you that you shouldn’t build itwithouta: someone older around, and b: outside. Right?”
The middle one stepped forward, avoiding her eyes. Oye tried hard not to let her expression soften, Kahlo was the shyest amongst the three elflings. She understood why, reaching down she placed a comforting hand on his head. “I already know, you don’t have to say it.” Removing her hand, she motioned towards the stairs. “Now go and clean up so that you can eat.”
All three gave short nods before they ran off. Watching them go, Oye couldn’t help being lenient with them. The three had been here their entire lives, and unlike the others their arrival wasn’t as pleasant. Not that being abandoned was ever a good thing.
Bending at the waist, she grabbed up the box of chalk and turned to place it on the counter only to stop when she saw Mama D standing in the doorway. She flushed, feeling oddly embarrassed.
“You went easy on them.” Mama D added, “Again.”
“Maybe,” Oye said as she placed the box of chalk down.
“There is no ‘maybe’, it’s a fact,” Mama D said as she entered the room. “Those three were brought here by you, and you four have been as thick as thieves since then. You can’t deny that you have a soft spot for them.”
Oye finally got the confidence to face the wily old woman with a shrug she said, “I have a soft spot for all of them. None of them deserve the cards they’ve been dealt, and I honestly don’t feel like they did anything wrong, especially since they cleaned up after themselves.”
Mama D gave her a long look. “Mhmm, let’s go with that.” Turning around, she made her way toward the dining room. “Come help me set the table before those little titans come.”
Not following her immediately, Oye glanced towards the window trying to get her thoughts together. She didn’t want to admit to having a soft spot for anyone. Especially in an environment that loved using one’s weaknesses against them. The only reason she’d agreed to come and help, was because of the location of the Orphanage, it resided in the human world safely tucked away from all the dangers of Veil City.
No one here would suffer from knowing her. Those who could suffer from knowing her, were more than able to defend themselves. As most of her acquaintances were a part of Nerium, an organization that served the witches. And the witches a part of it were some of the most dangerous Beings in the Veil.
Turning on her heel, she left the living room.
No matter what, Oye wouldn’t allow anything to ruin the little peace she’d found. Nothing.
COFFEE RUN
