JESSIE
There are Nytheris everywhere; they're all over the world doing the Goddess's work by protecting humans and fighting evil. Humans don't know that there are creatures who protect them from the supernatural world. And then some dumb humans go about killing the same creatures who protect them.
Sometimes I'm happy I'm no longer human.
Being human is boring anyway. No super speed, no quick reflexes, you can't shape shift. Just so fucking boring.
I'm grateful for being a Nytheri. I no longer feel weird about it. I'm getting used to the fact that I have sharp claws and emerald green eyes.
I'm in my room, restless, bringing out my claws and putting them back in over and over. I should be studying demons, but I don't, and besides, I'm still scared that I might have a sex dream about Sebby.
Holy hell, am I going to be scared sleeping forever? This is ridiculous. But I also don't feel like sleeping right now; the outside is calling me. I don't know why. It's weird, actually. The only time I actually wanted to go outside was because Sebby wanted to hang out. But Sebby doesn't want to hang out. I want to go out on my own.
Well, it probably has something to do with the fact that New Orleans is alive, it's alive and rich in magic and history. And unlike most cities, it draws nytheris and other supernatural creatures.
New Orleans is alive, a living and breathing person.
I walk over to the window and look down from it. I can easily get down from this building. Now I know how Sebby was able to climb the window with ease. It's because he has the supernatural flexibility to do so. And so do I.
Mom is downstairs watching reality shows, but I'm sure she's asleep by now. I'm not sneaking out, I'm an adult, and I can easily walk out of the house without being asked questions. Also, my mom isn't my dad.
I just want to feel the thrill of throwing myself out of the window and landing on my feet.
So I climb the window, I put one leg on the window, and I brace myself. A cat always lands on their feet right.
I jump and I do, in fact, land on my feet. Legs touching the ground without a scratch.
I smile, feeling all high and mighty. I feel proud.
"I could get used to this," I say, and then I move forward, heading straight to the heart of the city. I don't take the truck, I want to just walk around the city on foot. Like I used to do. But back then, I would go with Sebby, but I'm going on my own. I could grab my phone and call him, but I left my phone at home.
Besides, he can just read my mind to see where I am.
I'm at Frenchman Street dancing to the music while I eat a hot dog. I don't know what's more soothing, what I'm eating or the music that's playing. Or could it be both? It has to be both because I feel so good right now.
I have missed this, I have missed this city, I have missed…Sebby.
No, I'm not thinking about him right now.
I came here to enjoy the night, be free.
I am free. All nytheris are free.
I open my eyes, and I eat from my hot dog, and then I catch a glimpse of something so magical. There's a man all dressed up surrounded by magic and glamour. There's what seems to be a magical fairy dust dancing around him.
That person is a supernatural creature, a skinweaver. What are skinweavers, well shifters like Nytheris and Veyraths? This person isn't a Nytheri or Veyrath?
Could he be a Nerai (A werefish) or an Aviros (A werebird)? I learned this from the books Pilar gave me.
How do I know they could be a supernatural creature? Nytheris have the sight they can sense these things.
I can sense these things.
Just like how we can see auras and evil spirits, we can also tell who is a supernatural creature.
And that person is a supernatural creature. He looks around him, and he walks away. I follow him.
Why am I following him?
I ask myself this, but I'm not stopping. This is where I stop and turn the fuck around. But I don't, I'm still following him. There's just something so alluring about him. If I receive a punch on the face for accidentally following him to his house, then I deserve it.
But he's not at his house, he's walking into what seems like a club, and the big bald bouncer is also magic. I move forward with so much confidence. I walk up to the bouncer.
"Hi, do I have to show you my ID?" I reach for my pockets.
"What? No, you're a Nytheri. Go in."
"You know I'm a nytheri?" I ask him, and he raises his brow.
"Yes, all Aviros can sense a nytheri from a mile away, and you don't need an ID to get in, so…" he moves out of the way for me to get into the building.
Huh.
"Thank you," I say to him, and then I walk in. I didn't know Nytheris got special treatment in certain places.
The more I get in, the louder the music gets. I find myself standing in the midst of other Supernatural creatures, and they're not hiding their true selves. The aviros have their wings out, Nytheris and Nerais are taking over the dancefloor.
Oh my God, there is a club for only supernatural creatures. This is so sweet.
I move forward to explore. As soon as I step into the room, a tall man grabs my hand and spins me around. I laugh excitedly, and I continue my walk. I love this place already. It's so accepting, everyone's just having fun.
This place isn't just where magic comes to be free; it's also where magic lives.
I have got to try the drinks here, maybe they're different from all the drinks I've been drinking. So I head straight for the bar, and there is an aviro with its wings out, the wings look like those of a hawk, it's so beautiful.
"Hey."
"Hello," he says in a French accent. He's also muscular. Damn, hot as fuck. "What can I get you?"
"Uh, I'm kinda new here, what do you recommend?"
"Hmm, you're a nytheri, aren't you?" he asks, and I make sure to let him know that I am indeed a nytheri by flashing my eyes at him.
"Ah, I see good, good. I have just the thing for you. It'll be a surprise."
I giggle. "Okay," and then he walks away.
I turn around to watch these magical creatures have the time of their lives. They look so free, it's so harsh to know that there are humans who are going about killing them. Look at these guys, they're so harmless.
While I look at every creature trying to guess their names, I spot this extremely handsome guy with sparkly eyes, looking straight at me with a smile on his face. He's smiling at me.
What, is he flirting? I smile back, but not in a flirtatious way. Then he winks at me. Oh, okay, wow.
"I wouldn't trust him if I were you." I hear someone say, and I turn my head at the owner of the voice, and my eyes widen in surprise.
"YOU!"
"Yep, me," she chuckles. It's the Veyrath who loves Taylor Swift.
"Oh my God, I wasn't-I didn't-I didn't mean to, I wasn't flirt-"
"I know you weren't. Nerais are very seductive creatures; they're sirens. Trust me, you do not want to be enticed by them."
"Oh."
"I'm Raina," she brings out her hand for a handshake.
"Jessie. Nice to see you again."
"You too, Jessie." We shake hands.
"Wow, a nytheri and a veyrath shaking hands. Now there's something you don't see every day," the bartender says and then hands me a white drink. I take it from him.
"What is it?"
"Try it first," he says, and then I put the drink close to my nose, sniff it before I drink it. And holy fucking shit sticks!!!
I've been transformed, revived, mystified. What the fucking hell??
"This is perfect. What is it?"
"Gilk."
"Gilk?"
"Milk mixed with gin," he shrugs.
"Oh." I look at the drink. "Okay then, gilk. I nod my head, impressed. To gilk, I raise my glass in the air"
Raina laughs, and she raises her glass. "To gilk," she says.
I drink my gilk.