The end.
But it’s not the end, and I can’t quiet the little voice in the back of my mind that’s saying, “it didn’t work with me, but there’s nothing stopping them from trying with another kid”. What would I even do to stop this? There’s no way I can take down the entire Order.
“It really sucks what happened,” I make myself say. My tone is flat and I don’t sound convincing at all.
“You could seek vengeance.”
“It wouldn’t bring them back,” I reply with a shrug.
“No, it wouldn’t.”
I twist, hand landing on Xavier’s thigh. “I do want to know something, though.”
“What is it?”
“Vivian and Marco were following orders. I want to know who gave that order. Who sought out my family and decided I was the witch they wanted to use for their science experiments.”
“And then get revenge?” he asks, obviously hopeful he can help me tear Order members limb from limb.
“Yes, but I want to do it my way. They messed with a witch, they should suffer by witchcraft. I want to curse them.”
“I’m soglad you’re home,” Mabel says, running a brush through my hair. “And everything is back to normal.”
“Yeah,” I say, not wanting to burst her bubble. Xavier and I got back only an hour ago, and Mabel is filming aget ready with mevideo for her TikTok account. She got invited to a new bar in Huntersville that serves bottled blood. She and Zeke are going, and she wants me to tag along since the owner of the bar offered free drinks and food for a human companion. For someone who technically died a century ago, she was born to be an influencer.
“Tonight is going to be so fun!” She moves her phone to record another angle and styles my hair before shooting another angle for the transition. “Perfect. I’ll edit this one tomorrow.”
“Hey, I look good,” I compliment her work as I look myself over in the mirror. “Good job.”
“It’s easy to make you look good. You’re pretty and you have really nice skin.”
“Does acne go away if you’re turned?” I ask, reaching up and touching my face.
“I actually don’t know. I hope so.”
“Right?” I laugh. “I haven’t seen too many teenage vampires. Though a lot of the older vamps probably were younger than they looked when they were turned.”
“Right. The life expectancy has increased by years even since I was turned.” She fixes her hair and then turns, big smile on her face. “I’m going to go find my Zekey, and then I’ll meet you downstairs.”
“Perfect!” I smile back and get up from the vanity chair. Mabel and Zeke share this room and sleep together every night,but the decor is one-hundred percent Mabel. It’s a mix of 1920s style and over-the-top girlish charm.
I go into the kitchen to get a drink before we leave and see Theo sitting at the counter. He’s dressed in belted dark slacks with a light blue polo shirt tucked in, making him look like someone’s sexy grandpa from the 1960s.
“We’re not staying out long,” he tells me and I stop, looking at him curiously.
“Okay, good for you.”
“And you.”
I shake my head. “Why do you care how long I’m out?”
“Because I’m babysitting you.”
“No.”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
I go to the counter and get a glass down. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
