The Memory Thief Read online

  Elle let out a shaky breath. It had been months since she’d come so close to being caught. Salvia allowed her to go out at night sometimes with Sienna, but the rule was that she had to be back home and in the attic by midnight. That was why the confinement charm barred the door and window so late. Salvia liked to remind Elle that this made her one of the luckiest slaves in the city. “Other slaves don’t get to stay out until midnight, do they?” she would say. “In fact, other slaves don’t get to go out at all.”

  Other slaves probably aren’t family members, Elle always wanted to snap back. But there would be consequences for saying something like that. Just like there would be consequences if Salvia ever discovered that Elle left the house two or three nights every week without permission.

  She lay motionless beneath the blanket for another few minutes until no other sound reached her from downstairs. Then she tiptoed to her basin and washed her makeup off as quietly as possible before undressing. Back in bed, she stared through the dusty window as her eyelids grew heavier. But even after they slid closed, it took her some time to fall asleep, her thoughts oscillating between the vampire who may have discovered her unique power and the faerie who knew exactly what she was.

  Those piercing silver-blue eyes filled her mind. Had Dex told anyone? Had he yelled out “Human!” as she ran away? She would never know, but just to be safe, she could never meet another client at Club Onyx.

  “This one,” Salvia said the following evening, laying a green silk blouse on Elle’s bed beside a pair of designer jeans. The items were part of a small collection of clothing Salvia kept aside for Elle to wear on nights like tonight. Nights when Elle was allowed to eat dinner with her stepmother and stepsisters and pretend she was part of the family instead of hiding in the kitchen to clean up and eat on her own. “You can get dressed now. Martin and Meredith should be back here in about half an hour.”

  “Yes, Salvia,” Elle answered quietly without looking up. She expected her stepmother to leave then, but a moment later, Salvia’s hand gripped Elle’s chin and forced her gaze upward.

  “What’s wrong with you? You’re looking particularly washed out this evening. Don’t you dare tell me you’re sick. That won’t get you out of this.”

  Elle blinked at her stepmother’s steel gray eyes and glossy red hair. She suspected her ‘washed out’ appearance was from several late nights over the past week. Getting up early every morning so she could begin her household chores the moment the confinement charm lifted didn’t help either. But all she said was, “I’m not sick.”

  Salvia’s eyes narrowed as they scanned Elle’s face. Her nails bit into Elle’s skin. Finally, she let go. “I’ll send Sienna up in a minute with her makeup.” Then she leaned closer, her cheek almost brushing Elle’s. “And remember to smile tonight,” she whispered into Elle’s ear. “I dislike it when you don’t smile.”

  Salvia marched out of the room, leaving the door open. Elle relaxed her shoulders and dropped onto the edge of her bed. “I dislike it when you don’t smile,” she mimicked in a whisper. “If only you knew all the things I dislike about you,” she added softly. She longed to tell Salvia exactly what she thought of her. She came close on a daily basis, but Salvia’s particularly wicked form of punishment meant it wasn’t worth fighting back. Elle had learned instead to bite her tongue and shove her anger down. Probably not healthy having to do that every day, she reflected, but far better than the alternative.

  Elle removed her threadbare jeans and T-shirt—purple with an unraveling hem and a logo for the band Gunmetal Moon on the back—and changed quickly into the blouse and ridiculously tight designer jeans. She wiggled her hips and tried to pull them a little higher, wondering who decided it was fashionable to wear pants so tight they left no room for anyone to have a decent meal. Not that Elle was planning to eat much tonight. She was already feeling ill at the thought of what was to come.

  As light footsteps hurried up the staircase, she gave up on the jeans and swiveled her left wrist in slow circles. It still hurt from the night before, and household chores today hadn’t helped. “Hey!” Sienna said breathlessly as she reached the doorway, her makeup bag clutched in one hand. She crossed the room and hugged Elle tightly. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” Her hand pressed against the scratches from the vampire’s nails, and Elle winced. Sienna stepped back hurriedly. “What’s wrong? Did Mom—”

  “No, it’s nothing. Just a scratch on my back.”

  “Were you out last night?” Sienna whispered. “Was that the sound Meredith heard?”

  Elle nodded. “I got more Essence.”

  Sienna scooped her flyaway hair behind one ear. While Meredith had inherited her mother’s lustrous red locks, Sienna’s hair was a wispy orange that could only be smoothed with a combination of charms and hair products. “It’s so dangerous, Elle,” she said as she gripped Elle’s hand. “I panicked when I heard Meredith complaining she’d heard something up here. I told Mom it was something outside my window and not up here. A pixie sneaking around and playing in the ivy. But you know she doesn’t listen to me. She insisted on coming up here anyway.”

  “It’s risky, I know,” Elle said, “but one of my clients sent a message saying he wanted to meet last night. You know I can’t turn down any opportunity to get more Essence.”

  “I know, I know, it’s just …” Sienna set her makeup bag down on Elle’s bed and unzipped it. “I’m always scared for you. And with the human abductions going on for over a month now, it’s even—”

  “It’s fine, Sienna. No one knows I’m human when I’m out there at night. I have my pretty pointed ears on, and vampires aren’t interested in abducting a faerie girl. It’s not like they can drink fae blood.” Elle’s tone was light, but unease whispered at the back of her mind as she thought of the vampire from last night. What was he doing at Club Onyx? Had he somehow heard about the service she offered? Or had he mistaken her for someone else? Either way, it had nothing to do with the fact that she was human. She looked like every other faerie girl in that club.

  “You know they’re saying those abductions aren’t about blood, right?” Sienna said quietly. She perched on the edge of the bed and began removing makeup items, lining them up neatly on the bedspread.

  Elle nodded. “I know.” It had been going on for months now, the disappearance of humans. Of course, there were always cases of missing humans, but usually a body would turn up somewhere—in an alley, or floating down a river, or behind an abandoned building—most likely with puncture marks. A victim of a vampire who had grown bored of blood bags and blood slaves.

  But what Sienna was referring to now was different. Dozens of humans vanishing every week. Only a few bodies recovered here and there. And nobody knew why.

  “What’s wrong with your hand?” Sienna asked, and Elle realized she’d been slowly rotating it again.

  “Oh, uh … I tripped last night and landed a little hard on it. Probably nothing serious.”

  “I can get you some of that healing balm, if you want?” Sienna offered. “The one that works on humans too. It’s in Mom’s bathroom, but if I can sneak in while she’s busy, I’ll just squeeze a little out of the tube.”

  Elle hesitated before answering. “Okay, but only if you’re sure she won’t catch you.”

  “Definitely. Getting caught isn’t an option. I wouldn’t do that to you.” She tossed a hairband at Elle and added, “Okay, tie your hair up. Let’s get this makeup thing done.”

  Elle twisted her hair into a quick bun and sat on the bed beside Sienna. She was perfectly capable of doing her own makeup, but Salvia didn’t know that, and this gave Sienna an excuse to be up here. Besides, Elle’s makeup always looked better when Sienna did it, seeing as she could blend and color with magic, not just sponges and products.

  “Oh, I got you something when I was out with Nikki yesterday,” Sienna said as she began applying foundation with a brush. “A cute little mini skirt on sale. Super bling, so it’ll fit right in with
the rest of your nighttime wardrobe. I’ll bring it up here next time Mom’s out.”

  “Thanks.” Elle closed her eyes as the delicate bristles of the brush moved over her skin.

  “I don’t know how you keep doing it. I’d be terrified walking into clubs and bars and things, all on my own, knowing I’m not old enough. I’d probably freeze up completely and not have any clue what to say.”

  “It’s not exactly my comfort zone either,” Elle reminded her, “but you do what you have to do when you’re desperate.”

  “I know. I’m sorry you ended up so desperate though. I’m sorry my mother’s such a—”

  “Hey, you don’t have to apologize for her.” Elle opened her eyes and focused on Sienna’s face. Freckles sprinkled her nose, and her eyes were a softer shade of green than Meredith’s. “And remember that this won’t last forever. We’ll both get away from her one day.”

  “I just wish I could help more.”

  “You do help. You bring me new clothes and makeup, and you beg Salvia to let me go out with you sometimes so I can do more jobs while you’re hanging out with friends or … what’s his name? That exchange student in your class who likes you so much?”

  “Elon,” Sienna said, her cheeks flushing faintly. She dropped the foundation brush back into the makeup bag.

  “Yeah, him.” Elle closed her eyes again as Sienna raised her hand, gold dust glittering at her fingertips. “And you’re always giving me little bits of your own Essence,” she added as Sienna’s magic rubbed gently over her face. “So don’t tell me you’re not helping.”

  “But it’s hardly anything. If it didn’t make me so tired, I could give you—”

  “It’s fine, Sienna. Seriously. You need your energy. If you start falling asleep in class and your teachers tell Salvia, you’ll be in huge trouble.” Sienna was two years younger than Elle, and still at school. Elle would have graduated last year, but she’d stopped going to school after Salvia put the slave charm on her. When she wasn’t cleaning the house or cooking, she read Meredith’s old textbooks or listened as Sienna explained whatever homework she was doing.

  “Okay, that’s done,” Sienna said after using a few more makeup products and a bit of magic here and there. “I’ll just do a quick charm on your hair.” Elle remained still as gold dust drifted around her, and her hair twisted itself into voluminous glossy waves. “There,” Sienna said a minute or two later. “Not too fancy, not too casual.” She zipped up her makeup bag. “Now I just need to tame my own hair—again—so I can look as glamorous as my two sisters, and then we can get this thing done.”

  Elle let out a grim sigh. “Is Salvia sure it’s happening tonight?”

  “Yes. Martin spoke to her about it last week. He asked for her blessing, and obviously she said yes.”

  “Obviously,” Elle murmured. “That was the aim of the game with this one.”

  Sienna nodded, her hands fidgeting with the zip of the makeup bag as she looked away. “Anyway, there’s nothing we can do to change it. Not without … you know …”

  “Consequences,” Elle filled in, a shiver running down her spine. She hated that word.

  “Yes.” Sienna swallowed, her lips turning downward. She reached out and delicately traced one of the star patterns on the quilted bedspread. Her fingers moved to the tiny words embroidered alongside one edge: It’s written in the stars. Words from an old song Elle’s mother had loved. A few stars to the left were the words Look to the stars. Elsewhere on the quilt, alongside a big purple and yellow patchwork star, were the words Starry night. Though the quilt was worn with age and the fabric colors had faded, it was Elle’s most treasured possession, along with the pocket watch necklace. Her mother had made it years ago, before Elle was even born. It used to cover her parents’ bed. Until Salvia came along.

  “Anyway.” Sienna withdrew her hand and stood. “I’ll see you down—”

  “Sienna,” Elle said, unable to stand the misery on the younger girl’s face. She stood and took Sienna’s hand. “It won’t be for much longer. I think I’ll be able to get us out of here soon.”

  Sienna’s eyes rose. “Really? You’ve saved that much? For a third-tier wish?”

  Elle nodded. She hadn’t planned on saying anything until she was sure, but Sienna needed hope as much as Elle did. “I think I have almost enough.”

  Sienna gripped Elle’s hand, her eyes brightening as she smiled. “That’s amazing. We’ll have to start planning our escape soon.”

  “Yes. Once I’m sure I have enough.”

  Sienna skipped away and disappeared down the stairs, leaving Elle to wait until Salvia summoned her. She pulled her wardrobe door open and checked her appearance in the mirror. Glamorous, but not overdone. It was exactly the look Salvia always told them to aim for. Elle would fit right in with the modern elegance of the rest of the house. The thought made her ill.

  She banged the door shut and turned swiftly away. Cool evening light filtered in through the window, and with a sigh, Elle wandered across the room and peered out. If she squinted hard into the distance, she could just make out Belmont Palace sitting atop Sovereign Hill at the edge of the city. Mountains rose beyond it, while on the left, the land sloped down toward the beach. Not that Elle could see the ocean from here. There were far too many buildings between this house and the coastline, and she wasn’t nearly high enough to see over them.

  She returned her gaze to the hill that had belonged to the royal family for centuries, ever since the Blood War between fae, vampires and shifters. They’d torn the world apart, fighting over every piece of land, until it became clear the fae would wipe out the other High Races if the war didn’t end. The fae claimed most countries—including this one—while vampires and shifters ended up with smaller territories around the world. Humans, of course, ruled nothing. Over time, border restrictions were relaxed, and different races were allowed to travel between territories. Then they were allowed to settle in areas originally claimed by a different race. Eventually, most parts of the world were once again mixed. But the fae never let anyone forget they were truly the ones in power, and Vale City, like many other cities around the word, would always be unofficial fae territory.

  “Elle!” Salvia’s shout startled Elle from her thoughts. She sucked in a breath and straightened her blouse. Then she turned away from the window and headed downstairs.

  “Are you both ready?” Salvia asked when Elle and Sienna had assembled in the lounge. Salvia reclined in a modern wingback chair upholstered in white linen. The top curved elegantly around her like a pair of sleek angel wings. Elle almost laughed at the ludicrous thought. “Meredith texted to say they’re on their way back,” Salvia continued, “so I expect they’ll be here in a few minutes.”

  “Yes, we’re ready,” Sienna said, her tone resigned. Elle didn’t need to answer, so she merely nodded.

  “You don’t look ready,” Salvia said to Sienna. She uncrossed her legs, stood, and walked toward her daughter. She raised her hand, causing Sienna to flinch, but all Salvia did was run her fingers from the top of Sienna’s head down to the tips of her hair. Magic glittered for a moment as Salvia applied a quick charm to smooth out the remaining frizzy strands Sienna had missed. “There,” Salvia said, lowering her hand. “Perfect. Remember, Martin hasn’t just chosen Meredith, he’s chosen this family. We all need to look the part.”

  Martin has chosen a lie, Elle almost said out loud. He’d fallen for a story that didn’t exist. He believed he’d soon be visiting Meredith’s family’s real home on a large estate in the foothills of the mountains, not too far from Belmont Palace. This townhouse, while placed in one of the nicer neighborhoods of Vale City, was only their home for a few nights a month, when they needed the convenience of something within the city. This story Meredith had woven for Martin was based on a nugget of truth. Once upon a time, Salvia had owned a sprawling estate near the royals, and a holiday villa in the wine lands, and a yacht named Serenity. But not anymore. She’d lost all those as
sets after Elle’s father died.

  But the truth wasn’t something Martin would want to hear. He came from a family that had been wealthy for generations, and Elle knew that people like that only married into other wealthy families. Fortunately for Meredith and Salvia, Martin wasn’t from around here. He didn’t know Meredith’s real story. He might have discovered it by asking around, digging a little deeper. But it seemed he believed every word she’d told him.

  Muffled laughter reached Elle’s ears, and she turned to look over her shoulder at the front door. “Ah, it seems they’ve returned even quicker than I expected,” Salvia said. She spun on her heel and returned to her chair. “Sit down and look natural, and I hope the two of you are ready to smile. If you’re not convincing, there will be consequences.”

  Elle and Sienna hurried to the couch, Sienna meeting Elle’s gaze for a moment as they sat. Fear flashed through her eyes before she pulled a neutral expression into place. Then she lifted her phone from a side table, while Elle grabbed a magazine from the designer wood and leather rack on her side of the couch. She opened it to a random page and stared unseeingly at the words.

  A key turned in the lock of the front door, and Meredith’s voice grew louder as the door opened. “I know, right?” she said with a laugh. “It’ll be awesome.” Elle lowered the magazine—only noticing now that it was upside down—and looked up as footsteps crossed the entrance hall. “Ohmygosh, guess what!” Meredith squealed, stopping just inside the lounge with Martin beside her. She thrust her left hand forward, flashing the largest diamond Elle had ever seen. “We’re engaged!” She flung her arms around Martin, and he lifted her from the ground as he swung her around. “I can’t believe it. We’re getting married. We’re getting married!”