Aurelia walkes closely behind Ola, completely mesmerized by the Fae and her beauty.
"Its quite rude to stare you know" said Ola, not even turning to look at her tiny shadow.
"I know, I'm sorry. I have read about your kind and you are much more beautiful than they ever depicted." Aurelia was brimming with questions, and wanting anything to take her mind off the burning and stinging of the wounds to her back.
"They also say that Fae don't emerge from their homes until twilight, how are you awake and hunting so early?", Aurelia was trying her best not to seem so naive and didn't want to pester away the Fae's unconventional kindness.
"Well, thank you", Ola smiled to herself.
"Fae emerge whatever time they like. We also don't hunt wolves, we just defend our territory. They have their pack lands, there is no need for them to be in our forest. Your books are useless it seems, if they can't even get Fae correct there is no wonder than you have no idea what you are", Ola was quite dismissive but Aurelia took this as a learning experience. Maybe she could write her own book...
"So you don't eat wolves, your scratch is not poisonous and you rise any time of day? Huh...," Aurelia had come to the realisation that her knowlege of Valdera was quite simply useless in her attempt at survival.
"But you are right, I have no idea what I am. Do you think I'm human?", Aurelias curiosity about herself always got the better of her. 20 years of feeling different and 2 years of it being confirmed.
"No, you have a cursed mark thats all I know. I'm not sure what you are. You smell like a wolf, but you don't have one, you have no -what we Fae call- gradient. Its like a vibration we sense from your beast form. And no wolf has blue fur," Olas expression was complicated. She was a young fae, only 70 years old but she was wise before her time. This little creature called Aurelia confused her greatly.
"And you dont smell human. Humans have a... how do you say... bland scent. And they wouldn't dare venture here. They are already stupid enough to fall for the Vampires allure, too many times have we enslaved the humans. They grow wiser as the years pass."
Aurelia could listen to this Fae talk for hours. However, silence soon fell between them and the trees had started thinning around them on the path.
Aurelia was beginning to regret not going back for her bag now. Her hoodie was soaked in blood on her back and she could feel the breeze through the slits. Luckily, with the few hours passed, the wounds had started to scab slightly, but that didn't stop Aurelia feeling the tightness and dull ache behind. She was also getting cold.
"This is where I leave you. I must find food for the night and I must speak to my elders," Ola had finally turned to face Aurelia.
"Can't be being cursed now for attacking you with the damn mark."
Aurelia shivered before her, still utterly mesmerised by Ola. She imagined thats Ola's eventual prey had absolutely no chance if lured by such an obscure beauty.
Aurelia reached back to her birthmark and rubbed it gingerly.
"I know you told me not to return, but I would like to write about your kind one day... the truth about the Fae. Maybe I'll be able to tell you what I am when if I ever find out", Aurelia asked with hope in her eyes.
Ola's four eyes widened at the little creatures proposal. She would never admit it, but the last few hours of having her company was oddly comforting.
"Hey, I quite like that we are mysterious to you. Makes for a stronger advantage", Ola giggled but Aurelia couldn't tell if she was joking or not.
"But if you find out what that mark means, by all means come to this clearing and call my name 3 times. I'll find you. For now, time to go. You have overstayed your welcome."
Aurelia looked past Ola and saw they were at the top if a hill, when the ground leveled out below here was a town a few miles in the distance. The sun had begun to set and flickering lights began to light gradually from tiny widows afar.
Aurelia then did something that neither her nor Ola expected.
She hugged the Fae.
"What the-!", started Ola.
"Thank you! For not killing me and being nice. Not thank you for my scratches though. At least I won't ever forget you. Thank you Ola." And with that, Aurelia let go and started down the hill to the Human realm.