Jinxed

By M.M. Gavillet

Sixteen-year-old Eliza Thorn was never supposed to see the people with the white eyes like marbles, hear whispers in the dark and have knowledge of a hidden world. And she wouldn’t, if Eliza wasn’t good at stealing.
When Eliza fails to return the jeweled pin from the obviously too-rich-for-her-own-good lady accidently drops, everything changes. Now she sees white-haired, white-eyed people walking among oblivious humans. Realizing she’s the only one who can see them, Eliza thinks she’s hallucinating and on the verge of insanity when one of the white-eyed people saves her from a demon. This is her first encounter with the glass people—who’ve lived here undetected for hundreds of years.
What Eliza didn’t know was that the pin was an initiation coin never meant for her. Now, she’s bound to serve not only the guardians who made the coin, but also to a demon, gorgon, and the glass people who’d put their mark on it. The only way out is to kill those she’s bound to, but they also hold the key to Eliza’s past—a past involving things she never knew.
With worlds colliding, Eliza is a pawn in their game, and she may have the power to decide the outcome.

• Language: English
• Publisher: M.M. Gavillet
• Release date: Nov 30, 2013
• ISBN: 9781310516283

M.M. Gavillet

My name is M.M. Gavillet and I'm an independent author of young adult urban fantasy novels. I'm a lover of antiques because of the stories they could tell,avid collector of old gaudy jewelry and consumer of frozen yogurt. I'm a child at heart and still find enchantment even in the most mundane things. Writing is my outlet and sometimes I wish I could escape to the worlds I build. I can watch movies over and over just as much a reading a good novel over and over.

Book preview

Jinxed

Book 1

Jinxed

Copyright © 2013 by M.M. Gavillet

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of the book may be used or reproduced in any manner without the written permission from the author. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidences are the product of the author’s imagination, any resemblance to real events, locations, persons living or dead, are purely a coincidence.

Front and back cover designed by M.M. Gavillet

Smashwords Edition

Watch for new releases and excerpts of M.M. Gavillet’s novels on her blog!

mmgavillet.blogspot.com

For my family.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

As always, I have to thank my village people and my family—I adore you all! And a really big thanks to Kathy—for trying to save me in a sea of words and thanks to the lovely Keri! I wouldn’t be able to do this without any of you!

Chapter One

The rain that fell from the grey sky, suddenly shifted to ice as the temperature drastically dropped. And now, snow fell taking its place in large puffy flakes. It covered the crusty coating of ice that clung to the light posts and cars parked beside them. The sidewalk that I walked down hasn’t been cleared yet as the rain-ice-snow combination came suddenly to Pleasantville Illinois.

There weren’t too many people out in the frigid air. Light from the apartment windows hovering over me, showered the street below in a yellowish glow. The ice crunched under my shoes, one had a hole in it that conveniently formed just as it started to rain. As a result, my wet sock was now turning to ice as I headed into the Salvation Army’s soup kitchen.

The warm air greeted me like a mother’s hug. Everything was bright and clean and more importantly—warm.

Eliza, glad you’re here! Rosie’s brown eyes surrounded in too much make-up, lit up like the overly decorated Christmas tree that sat in the corner of the large dining room. You can help me do the dishes. She smiled showing all of her white teeth.

But first, can I get a new pair of shoes and socks? I asked trying to give Rosie my sad eyes.

Sure, come on. She motioned for me to come behind the counter as she took off her hairnet.

The dining room was empty and still smelled of bleach from Rosie cleaning off the tables that had festive plastic covers on them for Christmas. Just the lights from the tree illuminated the large room as I took off my worn out shoes and threw them in the trash.

You’re a lucky girl, Rosie said pulling out a box with various shoes piled inside. This just came in today, and you get first pick. She smiled pushing the box towards me.

I quickly sat the box down and emptied it. There were shiny patent leather flats, slightly used sneakers with vents on the sides, and a pair of leather boot. I pulled them out and slipped on the knee-high black boots with straps that went around the ankle. I stood in them and wiggled my toes—perfect.

Hey, look at these. Rosie pulled a pair of hot pink platform shoes. Maybe I can wear these to church on Sunday. She dangled the pointed heeled shoes in the air. Might give me a little height. She chuckled.

I laughed at Rosie as she put the shoes back and looked down at them with her hands on her large hips. Really, I mean look at them, she said pointing to the box. Most of these shoes aren’t even sensible for the folks here. She pulled out another pair of glittering high heeled shoes. Maybe the prostitutes would like them, but most that patronize this place, need practical shoes like the ones you have on. She pointed to the leather boots.

I looked at the party shoes Rosie dropped to the floor wishing for a split second that I could wear those shoes one day—just like Cinderella.

That’s why I picked them, I replied with my eyes still on the high heels.

Sensible girl…you just need a new direction to go in, and that direction right now is that way. She pointed back towards the kitchen. Come on Cinderella, Rosie put the heels back into the box with a smile, let’s go…I’ve got a surprise for you.

What is it? I asked excitedly.

Now you’re going to have to wait until dishes are done…don’t want you to forget about them.

I didn’t mind helping Rosie with any work that needed done. I’ve known her for about a year now, and she has secretly let me eat, get new clothes, sleep and shower here undetected by anyone else—I just come when she’s working. Rosie’s different than most people. She doesn’t ask me about where I came from, where I’ve been or anything about my life. It’s perfect for me because I’ve run away from home. My father I never knew and my mother preferred drugs instead of raising me. I haven’t talked to her in five years.

I’ve lived on the street for a year now, and so far, no regrets—with help from Rosie. I keep low and out of sight. I don’t go out at night and I will never do tricks for money. I made a promise to myself when I made the openness of Pleasantville my home—after a year had gone by, I would have to find something because I can’t make the slick streets my permanent home.

With soap suds up to my elbows, I looked at Rosie as she hummed and wiped down the large stainless steel cooler.

Baby oil has so many uses, she said as she stepped back and gazed at the shiny metal doors like it was a priceless painting. There aren’t many things that can be used on a baby and used to shine these old cooler doors.

She put the bottle of baby oil in the cabinet and glanced over at me. About done? She glanced in the sink with raised eyebrows.

Only one more left. It had lasagna in it and I think it was burned. Rosie rolled her eyes and shook her head.

New cook—thinks they know everything and I guess they do if it involves burning dinner. She scooted me out of the way and started scrubbing the large pan like she was battling with it.

Soap and water splashed to the floor as she rinsed the gleaming pan. There all done— like nothing ever burned in it like it was cooked in Hell.

Rosie smiled turning off the light. Staying tonight? she asked.

I’ve stayed here about every night since I met Rosie and she still asks me each time.

Yeah, I said thinking a warm bed sounded like a slice of Heaven.

Oh, I almost forgot about the surprise. Rosie raised her eyebrows. There’s a position in the kitchen open and I was wondering if you’d be interested.

You mean a job? I asked.

Well, yeah, that’s what I would call it, Rosie said as we walked down the hallway to the room I always took. But…I’d have to know a little information, you know, social security number, your full name…

I drew in a deep breath as I felt my insides turn to pins and needles. Rosie, I knew could easily read what I was thinking.

Well, I’ll let you think about it and you can let me know in the morning, she said with a smile.

I knew this was the end of my stay at the Salvation Army. There’s no way I can give her any information, and I had no idea what my social security number was, or if I even had one.

Thanks Rosie…thanks for everything. She nodded her head and I closed the door pressing my back to it and wondering where my bed was going to be tomorrow night.

I left just as the sun was nothing but a sliver of orange in the horizon. I did leave a two page note expressing how much I appreciated everything Rosie had done for me. I’m going to miss her.

I made my way to the mall, where it was warm and also, full of opportunities. Not only was I good at shoplifting, I was also good at picking pockets and unsupervised purses. I carried with me a large tote bag.

None of the stores were open yet, so I sat on one of the benches and watched all of the walkers make their laps like competing race cars. I pulled out one of the six bagels that I took from the Salvation Army kitchen. I ate it as I glanced at some of the stores and window shopped for the next two hours.

Designer jeans are a hot item along with purses right now, and with my large tote bag, I think jeans would be easier to pack. I knew it was morally wrong, but I was desperate, and knew I should’ve stayed with Rosie. It was simple—I wanted to live unnoticed, undetected and invisible at least until I was eighteen.

We’ve got a sale going on right now, a pleasant voice said behind me.

I swung around to see a blonde girl smiling back at me with perfect make-up and what looked like the whole jewelry section the store had around her neck. She unlocked the front gate pushing back the folding mesh covers.

I’ve got to go back in and unlock the glass slider and I’ll be right with you. She stepped around the corner and quickly appeared to unlock the glass door.

Sorry about the door, but the gate doesn’t open from the inside, and now we have to use the other lock to get it open. She pushed the doors open with a whooshing sound as the lights popped on.

Come on in. She smiled. Is there anything I can help you with?

No…thanks though, I’m just looking. I felt uncomfortable knowing what I was about to do was wrong, but I had to survive.

Well, let me know if you do, and my name is Ivy. Her sparkling green eyes glistened back at me.

I nodded my head and thought out my battle plan. I did have enough money to buy one pair of jeans. And enough room in my tote for at least three or maybe four pairs if I rolled them up enough. My only problem was removing the anti-stealing plastic tag that would set off a buzzer, and make shoplifting impossible for me. Fortunate for me, I knew how to remove them.

I tried to look believable, and took only a couple pairs of jeans then had Ivy go and get me a different size. After several trips to the racks, and then back to the dressing room, I hoped to confuse the perky store clerk and manage to slip in a few pairs after I pried apart the plastic anti-stealing tags, careful not to disturb the ink in it, and then, they were mine.

To my surprise, I fit six tightly rolled pairs of jeans in the tote, and hung one pair that I planned on purchasing over my arm. Also to my benefit, the store became busy due to the sale and to put the cherry on top, Ivy informed me that the other store clerk called in sick and she’d be the only clerk available.

I walked up to the counter with my legitimate purchase and unfolded the money I had in my pocket.

Oh, I love this style, said flipping the jeans over and folding them up as she told another customer she’d be with them.

Yeah, they fit really great. I smiled back at her trying to appear normal and I didn’t have about two hundred dollars of merchandise in my tote bag.

I paid her and she gave me my change with a smile and a have a good day. I left with sweat trickling down my back. Nothing was a done deal until I was out of the store and safely away.

It was nearly noon, and the store was getting busier with people on their lunch breaks. I weaved my way through the racks wanting to leave as quickly as possible without looking like I was running away.

The store seemed longer leaving than it did when I first came in and just for good measure, I peeked over my shoulder. No one was looking at me, no pointing fingers and everything looked like a normal clothing store.

Suddenly, I bumped into something. Immediately, I latched onto my precious tote and looked up to see two dark eyes glaring at me surrounded in a fur hat.

Excuse me, I said pushing past the tall woman.

Watch where you’re going, she said in a huffy voice. She rolled her eyes at me, bent down and reached for her cell phone she dropped and continued talking on it. Yes, sorry about that, ran into some idiot not watching where they were going. You were saying… She brushed past me as I couldn’t help but to notice all of her colorful rings on each of her fingers. They were large stones and looked like they could double as weapons.

I watched her maneuver through the racks of clothes with her puffy fur coat that some animal had to give up so she could drape herself in it. I felt my stomach churn.

I observed her as she made her way to the back of the store, her phone glued to her ear. I shook off the enchantment, or whatever it was, and took a step towards the entrance when I realized I had stepped on something. I discreetly removed my foot to see what it was, and staring back at me was a large pin with sparkling stones embedded in it. It looked old, like an antique. I glanced back at the lady I had just run in to. It was more likely hers. There was no tag noting a piece of merchandise belonging to the store, and I had bumped in to her—more likely she dropped it.

I quickly glanced around to see if anyone had noticed it as well, no one did. I bent down, picked it up, put it in my tote, and exited the store without any alarms going off. The right thing to do would return it to her or at least to the store so whoever lost it might find it again. But I didn’t, and it was wrong, but I felt compelled to do it. And it wasn’t like I pulled it from her disgusting fur coat, and it might not even be hers. I talked myself easily into keeping it—might