“Ma’am! Your fabrics!”
I was relieved when the seamstress spoke, holding up a few silks for Phoebe to pick from. The tension slowly dissipated as she settled back into her fashionable state of mind.
A string of jealousy wrapped around my heart and pulled me into a knot.
Was he only fixated on me to get back at Phoebe for some long-lost fling? He had been following me, studying my life. I would not be surprised if he knew of my association with the Astons. She had never mentioned him, though I was gone a long time and might have missed some things. I would have thought she would mention a man in her life, since she spared no other details regarding her endeavors. Though I suspected she was unaware of his...truenature. If she was, everyone would have heard about it by now. That made me feel that my acquaintance with the Creature was somewhat special.
If I found that even a hair had been plucked from her head, I would be removing his heart and keeping it in a jar on my desk. It would make for a perfect paperweight.
Phoebe boughtme a few new dresses. She convinced me to get a deep red and a navy evening gown. She said she would deliver them so I didn’t have to carry them while on my errands.
The market bustled today, as it was a pleasant afternoon, the sun’s rays peeking through the overcast. It was a little warm in my black attire, but it was not like I had a choice to wear anything else. My neck had turned all kinds of colors from the abrasions of the night before. The markings worsened as the day passed, so I purchased some ingredients for a bruising oil.
With my covered basket, I skimmed over the crumpled list pinched between my fingers.Oranges, lilies, violets, cherries, castor oil, vinegar,andearthworms—though I had already gathered worms at the park earlier.
A body pressing against my back nearly caused me to drop my basket. A certain Creature leaned down by my ear. “You smell like cherries today. Did you wear that for me?”
“Maybe you smell cherries because you’re about to have a seizure. Perhaps the venom did affect you after all,” I scoffed, refusing to pull my eyes from my list.
“You know, that cut you left healed quite smooth. Have you thought of working in cosmetics?” he bantered, reaching around to pluck the list from my fingers. He held it above my head as he inspected the handwriting.
“You bug!” I looked straight up, and the back of my head hit his chest.
“This is... quite the list. Has anyone informed you that you’re an extremely odd woman, or do they assume that you already know?” He tilted his head down at me.
Reaching up on the tips of my toes, I snatched it back and walked away.
“You always look so disappointed when you see me.” He sighed. “Is it because you’re hoping one of your little potions willwork? I hate to break it to you, but if a knife in me didn’t work, neither will fancy tinctures.”
“Why did you keep that shirt? It’s ruined. You could buy a million shirts.” I was still reeling from this morning’s encounter.
“Because it’s a masterpiece made by my dear shadow. I can’t bring myself to throw art away!” he teased. “Besides, then I would have to admit to stalking you. I would much rather make all the excuses in the world to see you,” he said sweetly as he walked beside me.
We went down to Caldwell’s together, or rather, he followed me.
“Alina!Oh!Mr. Forbes!” Mrs. Caldwell said, flustered, brushing off some stray foliage from the counter and smiling nervously. “What brings you two in today?”
The Creature opened his mouth to speak.
“Just the import and a few more items,” I spoke quickly, sliding her my list.
How embarrassing that so many people were seeing us together. I knew that Phoebe would chew off my ear on the telephone the following day. Rumors spread faster than steam engines nowadays. The more he was seen with me, the more suspicious I would become when I threw his soon-to-be-lifeless body in the same harbor where he left those girls.
Mrs. Caldwell lifted a thin wooden crate from behind the counter, placing it in front of me. Her eyes shifted between us. “So I take it she liked them?” Her eyes landed on the Creature.
“You could say that.” He flashed a deceptively sweet smile her way.
“Mrs. Caldwell, I actually have another request. Could you check the back to see if I had any leftover blackberry stems?” I asked, trying to hide my displeasure with him as I spoke.
“Oh! Yes, of course, let me check on that for you.” She nodded, turning and slipping into the depths of her shop.
I turned quickly to the Creature. “What do you think you’re doing?” I bit out through clenched teeth, shoving a finger at his chest.
“Is it really such a terrible crime to buy you flowers?” A slight twitch of a smirk appeared as he attempted to play the fool. I was sure there were many bad thoughts stewing in that rotten brain of his that I would rather not know.
Mrs. Caldwell returned with my things, and I put the loose flowers inside the covered basket, keeping the lid ajar to let the buds breathe. When I went to grab the box, he snatched it.
“No need to burden yourself with such a heavy box! You should be resting instead of doing heavy work,” he taunted. How patronizing.
