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A/N: As promised I have started posting Shattered on Gumroad. It’s PWYW (and £0 is acceptable so there’s no risk) so subscribe today. If you want to sample it first then you can read the first chapter on my facebook page. If you like my stuff you’ll love Shattered.

Or if you prefer superhero stories I’ve started posting 250-300 words a day of a superhero story on my Patreon. These posts are public so don’t have to be a Patron to read it. The first fourteen posts are already up so why not take a look?

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“Are you mad at me?” Kira asked in a small voice after Ophelia dragged her and Sera into a corner out of earshot of anyone else at the start of their morning break.

Ophelia looked at her slumped shoulders and sighed. “I’m not mad. A little irritated maybe, but mostly confused. Why didn’t you just tell me?”

Kira looked down and shuffled her feet. “I was going to, but I was scared. I didn’t want you to think that I was only being friendly because of who you were. I don’t have many friends and I didn’t want to ruin it, so I kept putting it off until Kate pissed me off. Bloody stupid, I know.”

“Not stupid,” Ophelia said. “Surprisingly human but not stupid.”

“Honestly, Kira.” Sera had her hands on her hips. “Couldn’t you tell we considered you a friend? So yeah, a little stupid.” She gave an amused grin. “But Mum’s boss isn’t human, who knew?”

Ophelia snorted at that before turning back to Kira. “One question – how old are you really?”

“Honestly? I don’t know. I’m in transition so in one sense I really am sixteen but in the most real sense? I don’t recall.” Kira must have realised what Ophelia was about to ask because she smiled. “We don’t die easily but enough damage forces to reform our bodies as infants and when that happens, we don’t remember until we hit maturity.”

Ophelia stared at her for a long moment. “That’s weird,” she said finally. “So did you come here to find me?”

“Not exactly. We knew you were in Caredale but we came back because this is home. And we knew the Lost Ones prison had a crack here so they would be emerging. Plus, Dad really does want to know why no one died here. I did see that incident you had with Kate the day I started here so I knew who you were but that was just serendipity.”

“I see,” Ophelia said thoughtfully. “So is Kira your real name?”

“Sort of,” Kira said. “It’s the familiar version of Kirala which is my real name.”

“Yes, that’s what I thought–” Ophelia broke off as the bell rang for the end of break. “Please tell me it’s Physics not Chemistry.”

“It is,” Sera said.

“Thank goodness.” Ophelia said as she headed back inside.

“So are we still friends?” Kira asked as she trailed after them.

Ophelia paused and gave her a level look. “For now, but if you’re hiding anything else, tell us now.”

“I swear that I’m not hiding anything.” She hesitated before adding. “But I think granny is.”

“Yes, I noticed that,” Ophelia said. “Are you coming or not?”

“Yes!” Kira sped up a little bit to walk with them. “By the way, where did you get that battle of wits line you use on Kate?”

“Oh that,” Ophelia grinned. “It’s one of Aunt Sophie’s – she uses if she thinks someone is getting too clever. I think she read it somewhere.”

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