Page 57 of Hunger & Harmony

“We want you to be safe,” she continues. “Going off to some unknown city . . . and even touring? That’s very exhausting and dangerous, Cadence.”

“Not really,” I say, not stopping even when the waiter returns with plates. “I’ve been doing pretty well.”

Before the waiter can tell us to enjoy and leave again, my mom reaches across the table. Her elbow nearly smashes into my plate when she snatches my arm, and I gasp when her fingers find my inner wrist.

“Mom . . .!”

“Still beating.”

She glances at my dad as she says that. His shoulders visibly relax.

The initial stun wears off, and I rip my arm away from hers.

“What the fuck?”

My eyes find the waiter. He awkwardly shuffles his weight, like he’s wondering if he should do something.

“You know what?” I start scooting out of the booth. “I’m done.”

“No,” my mom says. “Stay there. We’re not done.”

“I am.”

I’m already standing when my dad raises his voice.

“Cadence, don’t cause a scene. Let’s just enjoy dinner and continue our talk.”

Walking away is the best option.

Fury roots me to the spot, and has me turning to glare at them both.

“Don’t lie to yourselves and say I’m the one causing a scene.”

His nostrils flare, and my mom lets her frown free.

“Why are you so angry?” she asks, my heart slamming against my ribcage harder. “We just want you to be safe. Those leeches⁠—”

I can barely breathe. My hands shake as I point a finger at her, a low hiss forming my words.

“Don’t speak about them like that.”

That shuts them up. I can’t tell if it’s hurt, confusion, or a healthy dose of both written on their faces.

“You don’t know them. You don’t know anything!” I press my hand to my wildly pumping heart. “You don’t even know me.”

“We—”

“You have nothing to say to that,” I say as I cut him off. “You don’t know me. You don’t even care to! All you want is to elbow your way back into my life and tell me what to do. Can you guess what I don’t have to put up with anymore? Exactly that.”

I let that marinate for a beautiful moment. Tears pool in my eyes, but a smile tugs at my lips.

“No one is endangering me. I love my job. And you know what? Yes, I do. I love music. I love touring, and traveling, and freedom. It’s not vampires that deny me that. They . . .They’re normal. Way more than the two of you combined.”

My dad is so red in the face, I wonder if he’ll blow steam. My mom, on the other hand, has never looked at me like this. Like I’m more than a compliant kid. Like I’m someone worth calling a threat.

I turn to the waiter, who is stunned and clearly trying to disappear into the floor.

“Sorry,” I say to him. “I’ll come back and pay. Just please make sure they leave.”