Page 78 of You’re So Vein

“I… I don’t… maybe…” my voice cracks. I still taste moss on my lips.

“—but this is bigger than him. He’s a good man and a good politician, but you are a visionary. He will keep Argleton the same, but you will change it for the better. Watching you stand up there, accept that sash and make sure no one in this village ever has to feel alone again, that’d be the greatest gift anyone has given me.” He reaches up and presses his sawdust-rough hand to my cheek. He’s shaking a little. “You make me so proud, Beta. More than you know.”

My throat burns. The workshop walls loom inward, groaning beneath the weight of his hope. The finality of it settles over me like an oversized jumper I hadn’t asked to wear. Heavy, binding.

I glance over at the desk. It’s beautiful, carved with all of Papa’s care and love. Made for me, for the one who can fix things when he can’t.

“I’ll win,” I hear myself say. “I’ll win for you, Papa.”

Papa beams, and I force myself to smile back. I can do this. Augustin will understand. I will make sure he’s still able to negotiate with the Conclave delegates. Somehow, I will make it work for both of us.

But I have to win, for Papa.

Komal’s Uncurse November Village Festival Ideas

The Festival of Romantic Misadventures

A worst-date re-enactment competition, speed-dating bingo, and the mayor reads out dramatic breakup letters from the local archive.

I can’t do this. I’m going to bed.

30Komal

BACK IN MY TINY HOUSE with the sun rising through the windows, I give up on trying to figure out a festival idea, drag my sleepy body up the stairs to the loft, throw off my dress and collapse on my bed. I flick off a quick text to Augustin, so he’s not caught off guard when he sees me at the debate.

Komal: I’m still running for mayor. I couldn’t disappoint Papa. But when I win I’ll keep late night village shopping and anything else Hannah wants. I hope you understand.

I know I should take off my makeup, but now that I’m down, that all seems like too much effort. When I close my eyes, I can still feel Augustin’s lips against mine, the sharp point of his fang sliding against my tongue—

“Komal, wake up!”

Rough hands shake me. My hand flies to my neck, covering the wound where Hannah bit me, certain she’s coming back for seconds. But instead of Augustin’s cosy cottage, I’m in my bed, and Beth and Celeste stand over me – Celeste’s brow creased with worry, Beth’s cheeks flushed with fury.

“You were calling Augustin’s name.” Beth folds her arms. “Care to explain?”

“Can I put on trousers first?” I stare down at the sheets tangled around my bare legs.

“Komal, what are you doing!” Beth’s shaking me. “This is not the time for joking around. I don’t care how good a vampy shag you had. You’re due at the village hall for the debate in twenty minutes.”

I groan as I look at the clock next to my bed. 6.39 pm. I slept all day. I completely forgot the debate was tonight. I hadn’t even set my alarm.

In twenty minutes, I have to be on stage, answering questions.

I’m supposed to crush Augustin.

But how can I do that, knowing everything he has to lose?

How can I stand up there in front of all the vampires and say he doesn’t have the village’s best interests at heart? How can I claim that he doesn’t care about the children of Argleton when I’ve seen just how deeply he does care? How can I accuse him of being too tough on crime when he looked at me with those eyes of flame and asked if I felt safe with him?

I’m in no state to debate anyone.

But I’m doing this for Papa.

“Argh, why haven’t you done any laundry!” Beth yells as she digs through the pile of clothes in the corner that serves as my closet.

“Because I’m becoming a nudist,” I shoot back as I drag my weary body down the ladder to the bathroom. “That’s why people become nudists, right? No more laundry.”

“Why are you like this?” Beth tosses an only-slightly rumpled dress on my head.