“No, I’ve been watching Below Deck all day,” she says.
“Fair enough. I have something to keep you busy, though.”
“What’s that?” she asks, interested. Stevie isn’t one to be left idle. While she might have the general upbeat personality of the other witches, she isn’t completely free spirited. She loves working at Hex and getting her hands dirty.
“Truth truffles. I need about a dozen.”
“Oh, and who are we exacting the truth from?”
“Well, make two dozen, actually. I need a batch for Hex. Someone is stealing. And I might need more if my next plan comes to fruition.”
“What plan is that?”
“Locking up one of those traitors in the basement and getting the answers I need.”
Stevie is usually sweet and kind, but she nods her head in agreement, completely okay with the kidnapping scheme. I feel a little bad that I’m helping bring this side out of her, but it’s necessary. They didn’t just hurt me; they used both of us.
“I have a date with Dax tomorrow,” I say.
She arches her eyebrow as she sifts through the kitchen cabinets, getting the materials she needs for the truffles. “Where are y’all going?”
“Not sure. He’s going to pick me up here.”
“Do you need me to disappear for when you come back?”
“With the way things went today in my office, I would say yes.”
“What happened in your office?”
“A lady never tells,” I say over my shoulder as I walk to my bedroom.
I can hear my cousin say, “You’re not a lady.”
I ignore her and get ready for the night. There’s nothing more to do that I haven’t already done. I’m certainly not going to let those hags turn me into a scared shut-in. I’m going to enjoy my date with Dax tomorrow, and figure out the rest as it comes along.
Maybe I’m being stupid for assuming they need a full moon, but that’s when everyone’s magic is the strongest. They would need that and the entirety of the coven together to attack me again. I have time, and I don’t plan on wasting it, but I also don’t plan on not living my life in the meantime.
The way Dax made me feel is the most alive I can remember feeling. I deserve to feel good,right?
My hands glide down my pleated skirt, straightening the navy plaid material. I’m usually not obedient, but something about Dax makes me want to listen. Him telling me how much he loves me in skirts and how it does it for him makes me want to be agood girl.I pair it with a tight black t-shirt. I keep my makeup pretty simple, a black cat eye, some mascara and nude lipstick.
“I’m going over to Bianca’s house,” Stevie tells me as she leaves the house.
“I thought you two broke up?” Bianca is a vampire, and it was hard for them to make their schedules work with how little night time we get during half the year.
“Doesn’t mean we can’t still hook up sometimes.”
“Fair point. Don’t let her bite you, though.”
“But I kinda like it,” she whines.
“As long as it’s what you want, Stevie.” I take comfort in knowing she’s with Bianca tonight. For the most part, witches stay far away from vampires. So our coven shouldn’t give her any issues.
“I’ll text you when I’m headed home.”
“Okay, be safe,” I say to her as she shuts the screened porch door as she leaves. It isn’t sunset yet, so I imagine she will need to go underground with Bianca for a few hours.
I check my appearance in the mirror one more time. I almost let my insecurities claw at me for a moment, and then I remember how Dax made me feel. We’re going to focus on that, and not the mountain of baggage I’m currently dealing with.
