Present day...

  A light breeze blows through the open window, as the windchimes play a pretty melody. I stretch, feeling a deep ache in my body, and the heaviness of sleep seeping out of me, down my back, then my legs, and out through my toes. Sitting up, I reflexively glance towards Sebastian’s cage. It looks empty. I rub my eyes, believing I’m still too weary to see clearly, and maybe his shape has blended into the blurriness of my vision, but it is still empty. Why is it empty when he’s not lying next to me? Did he leave in the night? I don’t remember. Even if he had, he’d be back by now. Leaning over the side of the bed, I can see that the gap between the mattress and the wall is also empty, so he hasn’t fallen in the night. I pull on my robes, and make my way towards the washroom. It is also empty. He’s not in there either. The whole room feels too still, in fact. It’s unusual.

  “Sebastian,” I murmur. “This isn’t funny. Where are you?”

  I fully expect him to pop out from his hiding place, but he doesn’t. Fear creeps over me, sending a shiver through my body, making my knees shake, pushing out any weariness that lingers. Something is wrong. Something feels wrong. I am afraid, and this is not just my own feeling, this is one I am sharing with Sebastian.

  “Sebastian?”

  “Clara! Are you awake?” calls Maria at my door.

  Hearing her voice is almost a relief, except I can hear the panic in her voice. Maria doesn’t wait for a response before she pushes my door open, causing it to hit the wall behind it. At the top of the stairs, she looks frantic, her eyes wide and her hands shaking.

  “Maria, did something happen?”

  Sebastian walks in after her, his eyes red and teary. “I’m sorry, Clara. He captured me, and I couldn’t get away”

  He’s safe. Thank the gods! “Sebas-...?”

  My father steps in behind him. I blink several times. Surely, this is just a nightmare, and I’m going to wake up at any moment… But his image just becomes clearer. My chest tightens, my heart pounds in my ears, and my fingertips tingle when he steps towards me. His hair is whiter and thinner than I remember, and the wrinkles on his forehead and around his mouth are deeper and more plentiful.

  “Clara-”

  I gasp, stepping back, stumbling into my bed. “Papí, how did you-? What are you doing here?”

  “What do you mean, what am I doing here?” He frowns, the wrinkles on his forehead being put to use. “I’m here to see you. I missed you, Clara. You’ve been gone for years. I just wanted to see that you’re doing okay.”

  “You saw her,” grumbles Sebastian. “Now go.”

  “Clara, if Sebastian has done anything to keep you from our family-”

  “It was you!” Sebastian shouts, fresh tears spilling down his cheeks. “You kept her away from the family. You disowned her! She’s afraid to go back because of you!”

  My father holds up a hand to quiet Sebastian, and I can see Sebastian straining to speak as a spell holds his mouth closed. My father walks up the stairs, taking each step slowly and carefully, his weight making the steps creask. He holds both hands up defensively, but a chill still runs down my spine.

  “Se?or Reyes, please!” whispers Maria. “Clara has to get to work. Master William will not appreciate all this ruckus.”

  “Clara,” my father says, gently. “This is really what you want to do with your life? To live in some man’s house as a servant? ?Y después? You are to inherit the family legacy-”

  “No! No, I don’t want to inherit anything. You can let Elena have it all! She was-”

  “Clara!”

  “Papí, I don’t want to be a part of your family! Your family legacy is a lie! Our family has killed-” I have to swallow the final word, because the very thought of our victims still forms a knot in my chest.

  “We didn’t kill anybody.”

  “We didn’t stop it from happening! All the brutality and abuse! You watched all of those people-”

  “They aren’t people!” He shouts, the vein on his neck protruding slightly.

  “How can you say that, when-”

  “Clara, what is all this?” Master William steps through the door, immediately climbing up the stairs to stand between me and my father. “Sir, I don’t know what business you have with my maid, but you cannot just walk into my home, and-”

  “This is my hija. I have not seen her for five years. I’m sure you understand,” Father says curtly, trying to get past him.

  Master William blocks his path, then looks back at me, his eyes scanning my face several times. I swallow hard, holding back a sob, shaking my head subtly, pleading silently for him to kick my father out, because I do not possess the strength to do it myself.

  “Mister Reyes,” says Master William calmly, turning back towards my father. “I’ll have to ask you to leave.”

  My father blinks, and he shifts into, what I now believe is, his true nature, with an anger that cannot be repressed. It’s instant and terrifying; his hands ball into fists, his chest puffs up, and he flares his nostrils. The energy emanating from him is all consuming, and dark. It always scared me how quickly he was able to transform into this monster at the drop of a hat. I didn’t know he could become so horrifying until that day when he chased me out of my own home.

  “She is my daughter! I demand to see her.”

  Master Williams places a hand on my father’s chest, Maria rushes to my side, running her hand up and down my back in a comforting gesture as she takes several deep breaths. Sebastian just stands there, repressing his own anger, still unable to speak as he fights against my father’s spell.

  “You have seen her, Mister Reyes. Now, I demand you leave before I call La Guardia. Miss Reyes has work to tend to.”

  “Do you know who I am?” My father approaches Master William, poking his chest roughly several times, sizing him up, standing so close Master William is forced to take a step back. “I am a Reyes! This is my daughter, and I am going to take her home.”

  My stomach drops, and I’m suddenly nauseous. With shaky legs, I stand between them, holding my arms out to protect Master William, as my father glares at me.

  “Please, papí, don’t do this.” I’m crying now, and I’m embarrassed to be appearing so weak, when everyone else is so strong. “I cannot afford to lose this job.”

  “Who is this man, Clara?” My father asks, pointing at Master William.

  “He’s my boss, and you’re going to get me fired.”

  “If you came home, you wouldn’t have to work. I would provide for you. You’re my daughter, and I will give you anything you ask for. You know that. Your house is still there, still empty, waiting for you.”

  “You won’t provide,” says Sebastian, standing next to me, taking my hand in his. “You never give her anything that matters!”

  My father looks back and forth between us, then sighs. “You’re still on about this. On este cabrón, who still thinks he can marry you. He’s not even human, Clara! He’s a pet, like un perro de la calle,” he spits. “I will find you someone to marry, Clarita. Someone who is worthy of the Reyes name.” Father reaches for my face, but Sebastian pushes him back at arms length, restraining his anger, but prepared to attack on my command.

  Master William pushes Sebastian and I aside, grabbing my father by the collar of his shirt, shoving him against the railing. It groans from the weight, with Father leaning dangerously over the edge towards the lower level, and I’m afraid the wood is going to snap under him. My father holds on to Master William’s hand, now panicked, afraid of toppling over, as Master William glares at him, so angry he can barely speak, pushing him further against it. Father transforms back into an old, frail, and pathetic man.

  “Get the fuck out of my house, you bastard!” Master William raises a fist. “Or so help me, you’d wish I’d-”

  Maria gasps in horror. “Se?or William!” she cries out. “You must be careful with your hands!”

  Master William drops my father’s collar, and my father slips away, running like a scolded mutt with its tail between its legs. Master William straightens out his suit and tie, and huffs, just before leaving my room. Maria gives me a panicked look, and chases after him. I grip Sebastian’s arm as I slide down to the ground, falling to my knees because they are shaking too much to bear my weight. Pressing my forehead to the ground, my body shakes as my chest threatens to burst open, the tightness keeping me from catching my breath.

  “Clara?” Sebastian says, panicked, placing a hand on my back. “Clara? Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

  “He found me.” I choke back a sob. “He found me, and now we have to leave.”

  “Clara, I don’t think-”

  A sob forces its way out of me. My chest aches, my stomach feels hollow, and my head is throbbing from the pressure of my wailing. I hear a small poof, and then there are feathers pressing themselves to my cheek, and a soft cooing to accompany it. I tut when I see Sebastian’s feathers have gotten damp, but I hold him to my chest. He remains still as I continue to cry until all my tears have run dry. A sound from downstairs draws me away from my dark thoughts; thoughts I was certain I was past thinking; thoughts of death, and hopelessness. It’s Se?ora Beatrice. I’m afraid she’s shouting at Maria or Miguel. I quickly dress myself, ignoring my frazzled appearance, stomping down the stairs, fully prepared to finally defend somebody, if not myself.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  “Clara!” greets Madam Beatrice with a discomforting smile when she spots me at the staircase landing.

  I spot Master William in the corner looking horrified, shaking his head frantically.

  “Se?ora Beatrice, I’m sorry about the noise this morning. It won’t happen again.”

  “Nonsense, child,” she says, waving a hand in front of her face. “Willie, here, told me all about it. I just want you to know that you are safe with the Evans family.”

  My mouth falls open, as I try to find the right words to speak, so shocked by her sudden change of heart, but Master William now looks pained and embarrassed. I should be grateful, but his expression is not comforting in the least bit.

  “Clara!” Miguel greets me, holding his arms up towards me. I lift him, supporting his weight against my hip. “Abuela said you’re going to be my new mother!”

  I glance at Madam Beatrice’s smiling face, then at Master William. He looks away, hiding from me. He clears his throat, bringing his fist to his mouth, then places a hand on his mother’s shoulder, and shakes his head.

  “I’ll leave the two of you alone to discuss,” she says, brightly. “Come along now, Miguel.”

  Miguel excitedly hugs me, placing a sloppy kiss on my cheek, then releases me, and chases after his grandmother. When the door to the sitting room clicks shut after him, Master William waves me over, leading me down the hallway towards his office. I follow after him, now embarrassed that I haven’t bothered to do my hair. Maria peeks out from the kitchen door, looking as if she’s aged a hundred years since I last saw her a little over an hour ago. It’s probably due to all the screaming and yelling in the, otherwise, quiet estate.

  When the door to Master William’s study shuts behind me, Master William beelines to the bar cart, and pours two drinks, pushing one of the crystal glasses into my hands without even offering. I take a small sip, the liquid burning the back of my throat.

  “Sit.” The word comes out as more of a command than a suggestion, and I obey.

  He runs a hand through his hair, then scratches his head, letting out a frustrated sigh.

  “I’m sorry about my father,” I say, quickly.

  “Clara!”

  I flinch away, making the ice in my drink clink against the sides of my glass.

  “I’m sorry,” he says more gently, pressing a trembling hand to his temple. “I… I know what happened wasn’t your fault.”

  He falls silent, and I wait, shifting in my seat several times before finding the courage to speak. “What was Miguel talking about? And why was your mother suddenly being nice to me? Are you firing me? I swear it won’t happen again!”

  “No,” he huffs, placing his drink on his desk. “That doesn’t even make any sense.”

  I quickly lean over to put a coaster beneath the glass.

  He watches me then shakes his head in mild amusement. “My mother had a brief chat with your father on his way out,” he informs me.

  “I’m being fired.”

  “No,” he says, frustratedly. “Apparently, my mother has heard of your family’s reputation, and your father has convinced my mother that you would make an excellent bride for me.”

  He chuckles at my silence as I try to think of all the ways that conversation might have gone. None of them would have painted me in a good light. ‘My daughter has ridiculous notions about how relationships between familiars and mystics should work.’ ‘My daughter behaves like a grown child, not the woman her mother and I trained her to be.’ ‘My daughter is a burden I must bear for the rest of my life, would you mind taking her out of my hands?’

  “My mother,” he continues. “Cares about two things above all else; land and money. Your father told her about all the land you have inherited, along with all the businesses, and ports. I didn’t know you came from such a prominent family.”

  “I don’t,” I hiss. “They are not my family.”

  “And when she heard that you also attended a prestigious mystic academy-”

  “That’s an exaggeration. It’s the only mystic academy on this island.”

  “I will not tell you what to do, Clara, but I don’t think it would be a bad idea.”

  “You’re kidding!” I say, getting to my feet so suddenly, I knock over his glass.

  Master William catches it, pulling away papers that lie in the path of the amber liquid that’s splashed out. I pull out a rag from my apron, but he snatches it from my hand to clean the mess up himself.

  “Sit.”

  I sit, and watch him calmly wipe his desk, missing some spots. I make a mental note to clean it up it up later.

  “I will not tell you what to do,” he states again. “But if you marry me, I promise I will not stand between you and Sebastian.”

  “You clearly do not understand the implications of this arrangement, Master William.”

  Master William looks up at me, appearing confused.

  “William-” I cover my mouth, blushing. “I’m sorry. Master William, why do you think families like mine marry into other families like yours? To carry on the legacy. To produce heirs to carry on the family name. Do you think that if we get married, all of our troubles are over? That we can exist in peace? Your mother is already willing to make Miguel miserable, to carry him off to Castín, away from everything he knows and loves, for the sake of carrying on your family name! Do you really think she’s going to care about Islas de Ibis once your family owns it? Does she even know anything about familiares?” Did he even understand how much all of this would break Sebastian’s heart?

  “She doesn’t need to know.”

  “And what about Sebastián? Where will he go? If your mother sees him around all the time, she’ll start asking questions.”

  “Just tell her he’s your cousin, or a footman? A brother, even. I don’t really care.”

  “A footman!” I screech, pinching the bridge of my nose. “No. No, no, no, no, no. I’m sorry, Master William, consider this my resignation. I promise to be out of the attic room by tomorrow morning. If it’s not too much trouble, I would like the final payment for my services tonight, and-”

  “No. Clara, no! You cannot do this. You cannot leave m-... You cannot leave.”

  I get up, and stomp towards the door. Master William slams it shut just as I open it.

  “Can we please talk about this?” He begs. “More calmly. He doesn’t have to be your footman. He can be your… concubinus?”

  “I could never subject Sebastián to such humiliation.”

  “Then what will you do? You cannot marry him!”

  “I cannot live my life being controlled by someone else, William! I thought that you, of all people, would understand that. I love Sebastian, and I will continue to love him until the day I die, and my soul has left this world. I know you felt the same for Micaela once upon a time-”

  “Clara-”

  “And she would have never been happy about this! You, at least, got to marry her! She was never declared your familiar!”

  “Clara, please-”

  “Even though we both knew what she was! I refuse!”

  “I understand there will be no changing your mind,” he says quietly. “I’ll have a talk with Miguel, and my mother. I’ll have your payment ready tonight, but please, please, I beg you, write to me. Don’t-” He chokes, then clears his throat. “Don’t disappear.”

  “Leave me with the address for your home in Castín, if that’s where you’re going. I’ll do what I can.”

  He runs a hand over his face, then takes a deep breath as he stares up at the ceiling. “I hate our legacies. I hate this life. Sometimes I feel as if it isn’t even worth living anymore-”

  “Don’t say that, William.” I take his face between my hands, so that he’s forced to look at me. “Despite this life’s hardships, you still have Miguel. He’s a good boy, and he loves you.”

  His smile is sad. “You’re right.” He sniffles, pushing me away gently, wiping his face with the back of his sleeve. “You’re right. Miguel deserves better.”

  “Find someone to love, William. For both of you to love. You both deserve it.”

  His lip curls slightly. “You don’t love me, Clara?”

  “You know I do.”

  “But?”

  “Just as I could never replace Micaela, you can never replace Sebastián. I’m sorry, it sounds so cruel to say-”

  “No, I understand perfectly, Clara.” He sighs, then opens the door for me, taking the glass out of my hand. Maria is outside, suspiciously dusting an empty spot on the wall, then scurries away when she spots me.

  That night, I pack my belongings, and as I glance at the room one final time before I go to bed, there’s a heaviness in my chest. I open the window for Sebastian one final time. He doesn’t move. He just watches me, tilting his head from side to side, and I know he’s worried. I can feel it. Where will we go now? There aren’t many places left for us to hide. How are we to survive on our own again? The questions are endless, but one stands out above the rest; ‘Why can’t you go home. You don’t have to do as they tell you to, do you? You can change things. I’m here for you.’

  “I’m so sorry, Sebastián.” I stroke his head, and he leans against my hand, his sorrowful eyes looking up at me. “This is all my fault. You could have lived a much happier life if I wasn’t your Mystic.”

  He’s human again, and he holds me tightly as I sob quietly against his chest, unable to move, because I’m afraid I might fall, and never find the strength to get up again. People always talk about how difficult life is, how joyful and sad, adventurous and boring, but no one ever mentioned how, above all else, it is exhausting to exist. That you get tired of picking yourself up time and time again. No one talks about how you’re alone through the worst of it, and that no one will ever help you get through it. That even if someone is there, you cannot help but feel so utterly alone, because it’s your own life you’re living, and no one else can live it for you.

  A soft knock comes at my door, and if Sebastian had not quickly returned to his owl form, I might have never heard it. I crack the door open a bit, and peer through the gap. It’s Miguel. He peers around the hall behind him, knowing he should be in bed, fast asleep at this hour. I open the door, and he tiptoes inside, stopping at the top of the stairs to wait for me. His eyes are red, and puffy.

  “Do you need a bedtime story?”

  He rushes to me, burying his face into my stomach, squeezing me as tightly as his little arms allow. “Papí told me you were leaving tomorrow.”

  “I’m sorry, cari?o.” I kneel before him, holding him against my chest, running my hand through his dark curls. He weeps softly. I squeeze my eyes shut to engrain this moment into my memory, this embrace, this love so pure and innocent. “I have to leave.”

  “Were you fired? Abuela looked mad today, and she’s been so mean to you since she got here.”

  “No. No. I quit. I think I need to find somewhere else to be. Sebastián and I are wanderers, you know, and I think we’ve been here for too long.”

  “Who is going to tell me bedtime stories?”

  “I’m sure Maria wouldn’t mind it if you asked her.”

  “She never does the voices.”

  “You can teach her how. You’re very good at them.”

  “Why didn’t you want to marry papí? Is he a bad man? I thought you loved him.”

  “No, no,” I tut, peering down at his little face, now covered in tears. “Your papa is a good man. Very respectable, kind, and admirable.”

  “Do you not love him?”

  “I love your father, Miguelito, pero I don’t think I love him enough to marry him. You and your father deserve someone who’s going to love you both with their whoooole heart, and I’m afraid I can only give you both a small part of it.”

  “Why?”

  I sigh, getting to my feet, and lifting him onto my hip. I walk with him to the window where we can overlook the city, placing his feet on the window sill, holding him around the waist so that he doesn’t fall. “My heart belongs to someone else, I’m afraid.”

  “?Sebastián?”

  “You’re so smart. How did you figure that out?” I ask, tickling his side, causing him to giggle. “Who told you?”

  “Sebastián isn’t just an owl.”

  I’m surprised, speechless, trying to trace back any moment where the two of them might have met when Sebastian wasn’t in his owl form. I glance over towards Sebastian’s cage, realizing he seems equally stunned, his head tilted to one side as he totters dangerously over his perch.

  “Ah, you caught me,” I try to play it off. “How did you find out?”

  “I don’t know. He just doesn’t seem like a normal bird. I look at other birds, and they’re just normal. They don’t respond to me, pero Sebastián always understands me.”

  “Sebastián is very smart. He is an owl, afterall.”

  “Mamí told me once about familiares; people who could be animals and people at the same time. Is that what Sebastián is? Your familiar?”

  “Sí.”

  “Are you the bruja of the Islas de Ibis?”

  “Maybe,” I grin.

  “Do you still have to leave, Clara?”

  “I’m sorry, Miguel. I wish I could take you with me, but I don’t know where I’m going, or if it’ll be safe. I promise to write to you, and maybe one day we’ll see each other again.”

  “?Lo prometes?”

  “Lo prometo.” I kiss his cheek. “You should go to bed now. Do you want a bedtime story?”

  He nods, holding onto my shoulders as I help him off the windowsill. “Can I say goodbye to Sebastián, too?”

  I glance over to Sebastian’s cage, and he nods. “Sebastian says you can.”