Chapter 4: 03: BULLY

Your dead meat. Watch your back.

–G

☼ ☼ ☼

Unbelievable.

Well, no, Talitha believed it. The words were typical, too, considering the source.

Gracie Finnegan scrawled that threat on a ragged slip of paper and handed it to Fatima Chalmers, who dumped the message on Talitha’s desk in Old-World History. The exchange happened behind Professor Blitman’s back, forcing Talitha to stare at it for an entire hour.

Today, she examined that note at least once during each school period and mouthed the words to herself, assessing the blonde’s risk level. Gracie was taller, sure, and meaner, but Talitha, well—she could run fast. She’d done that enough on Cloverland’s athletic track. Running was something of a solution.

No one in their class commented on the exchange since no one wanted to become Gracie’s target. However, Talitha’s classmates still whispered that they wanted to see the pair fight. Brawls, with real hits and blood, were rare after the Time, and a battle between two girls created another spectacle.

Talitha stared at the note as she sat across from Unifaith priestess Kalum Khelot in Cloverland’s rest hall. Kalum observed her gloom while Ipir’s sun beamed through the trees, casting textured patterns over them. A grimace formed on Kalum’s face as Talitha’s lips formed Gracie’s threat another countless time—watch your back. Kalum snatched the note from her hands.

“Trash.” Kalum flipped a lock of pitch-black hair over her shoulder. Tawny-skinned and dark-eyed, Kalum carried herself with the poise of a talented performer even when angered. She jabbed her finger against the note with a manicured nail, striking a tableau in her red Cloverland red uniform. “Spilled ink everywhere like a toddler. What a stupid bitch.” She smoothed the note on the table. “YOU’RE is a contraction of YOU-ARE, not ‘YOUR,’ like she’s presenting you with rotting meat. Her writing’s worse than her art.”

“Oh, fuck the spelling, K. Fuck the art. Fuck Gracie. She’s going to murder me.” Talitha’s fingertips whitened as she pressed them against the table with strained force. “Fatima followed me when I was talking to Adam earlier. That was to let me know Gracie’s here, on campus, to intimidate me. She’s insane.”

Kalum’s face screwed. “She’s obsessed.”

“Yes.”

“Not just about Adam, either. She’s livid you defended me in front of the dean. That sent her over the edge.” Kalum’s piercing gaze locked with Talitha’s. “You put yourself at risk—for me.”

Talitha stared at the note. The stained off-white shade glared more than all the foliage of Cloverland’s gardens. “What was I supposed to do? You cried. The picture hurt you.”

“It shocked me more than anything. So much red. Looked like blood.” Kalum sipped her tea. “Horrible this happened in Altir when we’re supposed to be better. Trendster’s flashing the slogan for the new millennium: Y-One-K—It’s A New Day.”

“Well, to Gracie, we’re the same as any cultist. Doesn’t matter if we were born into Ipir’s chaos without choice.” Talitha fought the urge to seize the note from Kalum. “Somehow we’re carrying an alien world’s problems in our veins.”

“Forget her. That attitude’s a relic, and obsolete. We’re here to evolve with this planet, and unity’s the only way. No more war.” Kalum held up two fingers, cheeks flushed. “Two moons—twins Sin-Dar and Sin-Mut. Two sects, Sisem and Sinum. Sun and moon. Two sides to Ipir, human and native. It’s obvious. We understand that in Unifaith.” She sniffed. “Gracie’s part of an ugly, stunted past.”

Talitha sunk in her seat. “Gracie’s stunted. Fine. Doesn’t stop her havoc. She painted you being fucked by a goa—oh, I won’t say it.” Her lids narrowed as Gracie’s crude cartoon, an illustration of a crowned desert beast mounting Kalum, flitted through her mind. Above the awful piece Gracie had smeared HAPPY HARVEST.

Kalum’s face turned downcast, like she were remembering too. “Look at the bright side—we’re graduating in half a year. Gracie will go wherever future criminals and silly bitches go.”

“I still see her smug face laughing when I close my eyes.” Talitha clenched her teeth, fingers curling into a fist like Gracie was there. She’d do it if she had the chance, though only in her fantasies would Gracie not hit back. “Makes no difference. Being angry won’t stop Gracie from tearing me apart.”

“You’re right. Let it go.” Kalum took another sip of her tea. “I thought about asking Daddy to escalate this to a criminal level, so Gracie would get reprimanded by CDPD. She'd have to answer to the cops that work for her father.” A mischievous smile tugged at Kalum’s lips. “They’ll make her shovel pony shit. If Daddy says she threatened the future Queen of Bhet—oh, that’d go global.” Kalum snickered. “Trouble from here to the wildlands. Idi ipussu bit mati—go build a house in the river!”

“No.” Talitha’s focus darted toward Kalum. “Don’t talk to Daddy. Don’t make Gracie shovel horse shit. I can handle this.”

“Let me help.”

“Kala, I don’t want your father involved. Influence can’t fix everything.” Talitha laid her cheek on her palm. The scent of blossoms from the garden smelled much cheerier than she felt. “Your family does sneaky things to get their way, and so does Commissioner Finnegan. It’s what everyone does for everyone in Altir, and what makes things unfair.”

Kalum frowned. “Don’t be rude. I didn’t ask for benefits to be piled in my favor. I share with you because I know we’re not the same.”

“More charity.”

“Enough.” Kalum folded her arms. “I’m being generous. Ever consider that?”

Talitha curled into her seat. “You won’t get it because you never lived what I lived. I’m not being fair, anyway. You never make me feel bad about our differences.”

“That’s right. I don’t. I’ll never understand your life in solitary, or your time in RedSect, but I listen.” Her voice lowered. “I don’t think about your past. Only you.”

“I know.”

“Then don’t beat yourself up. What happened to your mother isn’t your fault.”

Unwanted memories clouded Talitha with Kalum’s mention of a dead woman she’d never known. She saw her mother in her imagination like she’d done so often, sharp-fanged and gnashing for blood before Union terminated the woman. Coldness overtook her as she thought of her mother crumbling to ash the way immortal natives expired.

“Her problems aren’t mine. I wasn’t born with her sickness.” Talitha’s lids narrowed to slits. “Don’t bring her up.”

Kalum held up a hand. “Yes, it’s not your burden. I hate how people link you with what happened.”

“You’re doing it now.”

“Oh.” Kalum winced. “Sorry.”

“Drop it.” Talitha touched her forehead, and Kalum’s lips pursed.

“Okay. Dropped.”

The pair fell to silence.

Talitha listened to chatter from the other students at the tables surrounding theirs. From every corner, the crowd discussed one topic—Harvest. She scanned the wash of seniors gathered in white shirts and loose ties, with uniform jackets discarded on the backs of their chairs. “Sounds like everyone’s got plans for the holiday. Wonder if something’s brewing.”

Kalum heightened in her seat, smoothing her mane as she examined the bustle. “I’ll find out. We can also have something to do. I bet Julieta or Cass or Florence know what’s-what.”

“Ah.” Talitha’s attention returned to Gracie’s note. “I’m in no rush to party.”

Kalum planted the tumbler over the note, blocking Talitha’s view. “I won’t let you hide from life. Don’t invite problems, but don’t die before your time either.”

“No. Harvest’s ruined.”

“It’s not. Forget Gracie and Spencer. We’ll have fun.” Kalum’s hand enveloped Talitha’s with a squeeze. “If you’re worried about Gracie and won’t let me escalate, talk to Adam.”

“Oh.” Talitha smiled. “Him.”

“What’s wrong with Adam?”

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“He’s sore with me. I asked to meet his brother, and I’m sorry for bringing up the topic. I won’t bother him with something else.” She rubbed her eyelids. “I’ve leaned on our friendship too much. I’m embarrassed. Even Spencer said we’re too close a few times.”

“Whatever. Spencer wanted to see issues because of that silly gossip about you two. You showed Adam how to hold a baby that belonged to a former ward. You two were promoting the orphanage, like always. That’s all that happened.” Kalum sighed. “Spencer wanted you to wallow with him in RedSect.”

“I’m not asking Adam.”

“He’s not angry. Trust me.”

“No.”

“Fine. One possible solution.” Kalum’s thumb traced over the back of Talitha’s hand, dark focus piercing through Talitha. “By the way, are you still quartering with me after the fundraiser? You never said yes or no.”

“Aye.” Talitha nodded, glancing at Kalum’s touch. “You told your parents we’re holding kispu, right? Some deep meditation.”

A small smile flashed on Kalum’s face. “Yes. I booked the main room, so we’ll have plenty of space and time until early service. I nicked Mama’s Eriluan extracts. You’ll love it. So mellow.”

“Ace.”

“Yeah.” Kalum interlaced their fingers together. “Ace.”

Their connection broke when a figure greeted the other students with loud laughs. Talitha squinted, making out the identity of a crimson-clad senior, and Kalum looked aside too.

“What’s going on?”

“Hm.” Talitha peered closer. “Ivan. He made eye contact with me.”

“Oh.” Kalum withdrew her hands. “Perfect.”

“Wonder what he wants.”

“To be awful.”

Ivan Rodinsky, one of Adam Pendergast’s two best mates, reached their table with cunning grin beaming. He slid into the bench beside Kalum and winked, running a hand over his buzzed hair. His steel-gray gaze scanned her.

“Hey, babe,” he rumbled. “Looking good.”

Kalum’s palm streaked up to block Ivan’s advance. Her face puckered as she coiled away. “Rodinsky, please. Not now. Actually, not ever.”

“Feisty,” Ivan nudged his jaw at her. “Do that with your mouth again, like you’re sucking on a lemon.”

“Quit it, Ivan.” Talitha bristled at the start of another barbed exchange. “She’s taken.”

“Taken. Sure.” Ivan snorted, sprawling on the bench seat. “Taken by King Goatfucker Al-Trashbag. Taken by a fucking beast.”

“Crown Prince Malek Al-Bheti,” Kalum corrected. “You wouldn’t dare say that to his face.”

“Sure I would. Fuck him. He can suck my cock—royally.” Ivan sneered. “Face it, starlight. You want out of that arranged marriage garbage, and being queen isn’t that great. You’re 100% Union, part of our high as a kite society. Get off that loser family plan and tell your parents to kiss your ass.”

“Hey, wonder why your last two girlfriends dumped you publicly? Remember this moment.” Kalum’s face colored as she scooted farther from Ivan. “Don’t worry about my family plan. Worry about your career path. Do you have one? No!”

Ivan stroked his jaw. “That’s all you care about. Ranks and money. I did say you were society.”

“Stop it.” Talitha scowled. “Stay away if you hate each other.”

Ivan shrugged. “Never said I hated the crazy witch.”

“Ivan, if you’re here to insult, get lost. You’re not welcome.”

“No, no.” Ivan raised his arms in surrender. “I came to give you good news. I’m inviting you lovely ladies to the biggest party of the year. Hope you haven’t locked in plans for Eve. This one’ll be a real killer.”

“Party on Eve?” Kalum’s irritation melted into vivid interest. “That’s why everyone’s stirred.”

Ivan flashed his wide grin. “Another word you like. Party.”

Kalum stroked her hair as she studied Ivan. “I haven’t heard of a major happening. This is short notice. A girl needs time to get ready for a party.”

“Hold on, your majesty. I’ll show you.” Ivan reached into his rucksack to pull out two translucent polymer cards, handing one to both Talitha and Kalum. “Scan that with your COM. Password’s BLOODFEAST, current date and hour in all caps, no spaces. Fuck up twice and it’ll wipe. You’re on your own after that.”

Talitha held the card over her COM’s sensors, entering the password when prompted. Foreign symbols hovered above the device’s faceplate and glowed red as animated blood trickled over the digits. Her eyes widened as she manipulated the projection to read the text.

“Blood Fang. Wow. That native group. They’re huge right now for their single and album, _Taste For Blood_. I’ve seen the band’s leader Jackal wearing fanged getup in promos. He’s Vangrali, like me—that always caught my eye.” Talitha glanced at Ivan before returning to read the flyer. “Party’s called _Zero Hour Blast,_ and they’re playing…in Central Sector? How?” She frowned. “Union banned them from performing for all their blood theatrics.”

“They were banned last year, not this year.” Ivan gestured at the projection. “Keep scrolling.”

Talitha continued and reached a map highlighting the path to the venue. The route cut through the mountains of Kidish Pass near East Central, where the mountains separated RedSect from Altir as a natural border. Native-born people lived in RedSect without residency, and Blood Fang’s chosen location was near the zone where Talitha completed solitary quarantine. That town was also the exact place Union rescued her infected mother from Sinum cultists during the Time.

“This can’t be right.” She paused her inspection, nausea stirring at the event’s closeness to her past. “They’re playing in Temple Westmont, but Westmont’s gone. Awful things happened there. The zone’s class isn’t shifting from red to green until Central demolishes what’s left. There are security shields everywhere protecting the equipment.”

Ivan shook his head. “Westmont’s still with us—for now—and we found a way past security. Won’t be an issue.”

Talitha’s expression tightened. “Blood Fang’s catchy but this is mad.”

“I don’t know.” Kalum chimed in, peering at the invitation. “Jackal blends Sisem and Sinum chants together in his songs. Creates a united view. We do that too in Unifaith, for both Isten Dar and the Earth faiths.” She tucked her hair behind her ear and shrugged. “My parents worked with him years ago on wildland issues before Blood Fang. Mama liked him. Suggested we use his music to bring in a younger crowd. He must be paying tribute.”

“Exactly right, sweet thing.” Ivan lowered his voice as he leaned closer. “He’s holding a giant tribute and cares about RedSect’s future. Wants progress for the natives living in Union. This’ll be a special night.”

“He’ll get banned for good.” Kalum closed the projection. “He shouldn’t risk his freedom for a party.”

“He’s fine with another penalty. He’ll do what’s necessary to communicate.”

“Wow.”

Talitha turned to Kalum. “I can’t go there.”

“Why not?” Ivan’s nostrils flared in derision. “They cut you out of your mom’s belly after they evacuated her, so you weren’t even around when people were dying. You can’t have painful memories.”

Kalum snorted. “Real sensitive, shithead.”

“I’m not sensitive, but I’m right.”

“Hm.” Talitha hummed to herself, reviewing Ivan’s offer. “A crooked method to enter a condemned zone with contraband flying everywhere. Partying with a host who keeps getting booted out of Union.” She grimaced, turning to Kalum. “What do you think?”

Kalum tapped her fingers against the table, her dark attention circling Talitha. “You like dancing to night-electro, and I’ve seen you listen to Fang. The Vangrali connection matters to you.”

“Aye.” Talitha assented with a nod. “It’s only because I don’t really know anything about that part of myself. I’d love to ask him what my ancestral home’s like.”

“Great, so this is something to do. A night of fun.”

“Sounds dangerous.”

“A little.”

“Come on.” Ivan prodded the pair when a lull formed. “Nobody will care about Westmont until after New Year. If we’re quiet, we won’t get busted. Bet there’s gold in those tunnels.” He gestured at Kalum with a flick of his finger. “You like gold, right princess?”

Kalum sniffed like she were bracing a great pain. “Subsolar seashells have veins of gold in them. You can pick one right up on the beach. Gold’s pretty, but I prefer Ipirian diamonds. They flicker when the ether’s high.”

“Ipirian diamonds.” Ivan’s mouth formed an ‘O’ of mock surprise. “Fancy. You’ll squeeze a man dry. with that diamond pressure.”

“Only a loser thinks a dirty mine impresses a girl because it sparkles.”

Ivan surveyed Kalum from the bench. “You wear plenty of gold for being above it all. Ears, nose, hair—everywhere. Wonder where else.” His attention skirted over her uniform. “It’s like, your culture. Right?”

Kalum’s glare narrowed. “Shut up.”

“Looks good.”

“Whatever.”

Ivan turned his head, still smirking. “Whatever.” He heightened in his seat and looked in the distance, craning his head. “Oh, here comes Spence. He’ll get worked up if you mention the party. You’ll see.”

Talitha looked in the same direction. A sharp pang struck her. Tall and wiry and bronzed from the everlasting sun, a young man from RedSect walked toward them. He ran long fingers through his ragged mess of hair and flashed the table a crooked grin. Talitha uttered his name in a breath; her heart stopped for a long few seconds.

Spencer.

He wore a crimson Cloverland senior uniform though he didn’t attend their school—he’d traded drugs with someone to get the disguise. Talitha tensed as he sat beside her, and old feelings resurfaced until she looked away. An uncomfortable silence passed, and Ivan sighed.

“This is fun.”

“Li’s nervous.” Kalum broke the tension. Spencer’s attention moved to her.

“Why?”

“Gracie threatened to beat her up.”

“Kala!” Talitha surged up from her seat. “Don’t say that!”

Kalum’s stare fixed on Talitha with a blank expression. “Everyone needs to know.”

Spencer forced himself between them, a harsh edge in his tone. “Tell me what’s going on.”

“Gracie vandalized my quarter. Li stood up for me.” Kalum avoided Talitha’s glare. “Gracie’s angry.”

Spencer’s face furrowed as he listened. “Finnegan? She’s fine for what she comes from—those CDPD jerks. Pays fast, treats me fair.”

“Because you give her what she wants.”

“Does she have a problem with me?”

Kalum nodded. “With RedSect, natives, the planet in general—though she’s got a trace of native in her, too. Everyone does these days. Must kill her to know.”

Spencer turned to Talitha. “Wish you’d told me you two had issues. I’d have one, too.”

Talitha averted her attention. “I was trying to avoid that.”

Ivan leaned back in the bench seat. “Gracie’s fine until things don’t go her way. She’s coming out for Blood Fang, though, so I doubt she’ll fight before then.”

Spencer jolted from his seat, and Talitha reared in surprise beside him. “Listen, fuckhead—I told you not to mention that party!”

“Moron.” Ivan snorted at Spencer. “Look at the size of this—every senior’s talking about it. Li was bound to find out. I didn’t take you seriously when you said not to invite her.”

Talitha pushed herself in front of Spencer to draw his glare to her. “You told him not to invite me?” Her voice rose. “Are you that angry over our split you’re interfering with my life?”

“This isn’t about us.” Spencer’s tone steeled. “You shouldn’t go.”

“Why not?”

“It’s not your scene.”

Talitha rattled a laugh. “Please.”

“Don’t tell her what to do, Spencer.” Kalum examined her nails as she interrupted. “Leave her alone.”

“Stay out of this, Priestess,” Spencer grunted. “None of your damn business.”

Ivan smiled. “I agree, mate. Li wants to party—with us.”

“Fuck off, shithead. You’re trying to impress that one but stay away from mine.”

“Yours? I’m not yours anymore.” Talitha swatted her palm on the table. “That’s it. I decided. I’m going.”

“Really?” Spencer’s hollow stare circled Talitha’s.

“Yes.”

“I don’t want to argue. We’re over, I get it.” He rustled his fingers through his hair. “This is different, in a serious way. We need to talk—alone.”

Talitha gazed at Spencer’s earnest face, which reflected a desperation she’d seen before, one that rang true and pleading. She snatched her jacket from the back of her seat and smoothed her skirt.

“Fine. Let’s talk.”

“Great. Thank you.”

“This’ll be constructive,” Ivan called as Spencer steered Talitha away. “Atta boy. Good luck.”

Spencer glared at Ivan a final time before turning away. Kalum’s piercing attention followed as Talitha left with Spencer.