As we made our way around the lake, a colossal shadow bathed the area in darkness. I looked up just in time to see the mother of the Manticore cubs stamp down onto the ground.
It was a fiercely majestic creature. Irises the shade of polished gold. Wings — unlike its offspring — in perfect proportion to its muscular body. Instead of dark brown, they were the plumage version of a rainbow — shimmering, swirling patterns of colour that shone in the winter sun. They gave the beast such an essence of regal beauty, any peacock would have hidden in shame. Its oil black tail whipped the air in sharp swipes. It padded over to the cubs and nudged them into a tight group, before looking back up at us.
Gabriella gave the creature a gentle smile and stepped around, giving the pride plenty of space. I copied. The Manticore snorted as we passed. A soft sound that could only be described as a friendly warning.
“So this is where you keep all the Fera that made it through the veil,” I said.
Gabriella nodded. “Most of them are acclimatised to Earth now. If we sent them back through the Veil, they wouldn’t survive. So we keep them here, safely hidden and protected with magic.”
We headed over towards the large stables, which now appeared to have been carved out of frosted glass that glinted different colours in the sunlight. Gabriella pointed towards one of the openings, near a paddock area. “These are my favourite of all of them.” She made a light whistling sound. I gasped as a real life Unicorn emerged from the stable into the paddock.
The grand Equidae stood well over twice the height of a regular horse. Its coat was as pure and white as a snowdrift. A silky mane of hair swirled around its slender neck. Its intelligent turquoise eyes shone out at us like polished glass. But by far the most impressive feature of the beautiful creature was the long ivory horn, which extended from its forehead. A spiralling pattern that reminded me of sea shells coiled around the outside, running all the way up to the sharp tip. The unicorn gave a little whinny and shuffled on its feet, before moving over towards where we stood on the other side of the fence. “This is Isiodore, the stallion of the herd.” “He’s so beautiful,” I said and stretched a hand out to stroke him. “Don’t!” Gabriella screamed.
Isiodore let out a high pitched squeal and thrust his head forward, stabbing the horn directly towards me. I reacted just in time, diving out of the way — but not before the razor sharp horn caught with my jumper sleeve, tearing through the thick material as if it were tissue paper.
“What the hell?” I shouted, checking my arm for damage. The Unicorn was pacing around its stable, stamping its hooves and letting out harsh snorts. His eyes had turned a dark blue and his lips coiled up into a snarl.
Gabriella pushed me further away from the opening. “Dio dannazione!” she swore, “Alex, you have to be more careful! I thought you’d read the handbook!”
“Not all of it! I protested. “Why did he attack me?”
“Unicorns are as fierce as they are intelligent. What do you think the huge spike on its head is for idiot? Before you approach one, you have to gain its approval,” she sighed. “Look, I’ll show you. Stay here and watch.”
Gabriella moved over to a nearby bush and delicately plucked a beautiful white orchid type flower from it. She held it in the centre of her outstretched palms and moved towards the unicorn, which was still thrashing about and snorting as if possessed.
“It’s okay Isiodore, it’s okay boy,” she soothed as she edged closer to the opening. The Unicorn started to slow his movements and eventually came to a stop, although his teeth were still bared and lips coiled into the aggressive grimace.
“It’s okay boy,” Gabriella repeated. I watched as she sank to one knee with her head bowed and pushed her hands through a gap in the fence. The Unicorn regarded her for a second and then its snarl vanished. Like a departing mist, the dark blue seeped away from its eyes and was replaced by bright turquoise once more. He gave a soft whinny. Then I watched as he moved close and gently ate the flower from her hands.
Gabriella stood up, and put a hand over the top of the fence. Isiodore moved forward and pressed the side of his face against her palm. “Now you try,” she said over her shoulder. I emulated Gabriella, plucking a flower from the bush and knelt down, offering it out towards Isiodore. “Keep your head down.” I lowered my head as much as it would go, so much my chin was in danger of penetrating my chest.
Isiodore gave a non-committal snort. I kept my head down. Then I felt a light tickle on my hands. I raised my head and drew in a sharp breath as I saw the Unicorn eating the flower from my palms. His eyes were still turquoise and as they met mine.
I knew he had forgiven me.
I stood up and moved towards the Unicorn. As with Gabriella, he pressed his head into my hand. His coat felt softer than the purest cashmere. I ran my fingers through the fine hairs on his muzzle.
I turned to Gabriella and gave her a smile. “I hope you don’t mind sharing a favourite spot.”
We spent most of the morning in the Sanctuary. I saw countless creatures that a week ago I’d never have dreamed could exist. Some cute and some creepy, but each one incredible and unique in its own right. Those that were small and safe enough to be handled, Gabriella carefully picked up to show me. I watched the way her eyes crinkled at the corners as she looked at them. Noticed how she always held them in exactly the right way and acted in the perfect manner so they didn’t become distressed.
She really cares about them.
I’d read somewhere that you could gauge if a person was good or not, by the way they treated animals. If that was anything to go by, then Gabriella was hot on Mother Teresa’s heels.
One of the last animals she showed me was a Welkin — a small fox/catlike creature with yellow fur and two bushy tails that it could move independently. As she passed it over to me, our fingers touched. Neither of us moved. The charges started up, the noise as loud in my ears as a detuned television. My insides buzzed as if they were alive. My heartbeat trebled. When I dared to look up, Gabriella was staring at me. Our fingers stayed pressed together, mine over hers. Underneath, a confused Welkin wriggled about. I tried to speak, but I couldn’t get hold of my voice. The world shifted on its axis and everything slid away.
All I could see was Gabriella.
She didn’t move her gaze, just like that first day in English. Her irises started to expand. Her lips parted slightly.
Those lips. Perfect red lips that you could lose hours kissing…
“Are you guys re-enacting the Lion King or somethin’?”
I turned to see an amused looking Delagio leaning against the inside wall of the barn, a singular silver marble spinning around his hand like a moon in orbit. Instantly, Gabriella snapped her fingers away from mine. A tsunami of disappointment washed over me. My mind whirred in confusion. Did we just have a moment? My rational brain told me that the idea was ridiculous. But why didn’t she move her hand? And the way she looked at me…
The Welkin gave a sharp bark. I looked down to see it writhing about, little paws waggling like it was in a girl fight. I set the animal down and it scurried over to the safety of its pack, sneaking the occasional wounded glance at us.
“Hi Del, what’s up?” said Gabriella.
“Well, Alex here was s’posed to be with me for speed trainin’ bout an hour ago. Scarlett said I’d find y’all here.”
Gabriella glanced down at her watch. “ Mio Dio! I’m really sorry Del, we lost track of time.”
“Hey, no worries boss, I needed ta get some new toys from the armoury anyways.” He turned to me. “So fella, you ready to come test those stilts of yours?” I tried not to let my shoulders sag. “Sure.” “Good stuff. I’ll try not to get you killed,” he winked. “I’d appreciate that.” “Play nice boys”, Gabriella chuckled. I’ll see you later Alex — good luck.”