I ask Marcellus.
“That’s exactly what he’s saying. Well done.”
“We’ve come to pick up our order, Monroe,” Marcellus says.
“I’ll get it from the back. Is there anything I can get for you, Lady?”
“You’re too kind, Monroe. I’ll take whatever you think will suit me best.”
I feel eyes focus on me.
“Hmm, do you prefer sweet or savory?”
“Sweet. I’m a fan of floral and fruity flavors, as well as savory and sweet, like rich chocolates.”
Monroe nods. “I will add a special sample for you.”
“Tell me I didn’t just screw that up.”
“You did well. Saying no would’ve been an insult. No one is sure how to treat you, so their default will be to treat you as they would a vampire in your position.”
“Noted.”
I feel the urge to tap my feet. I peer around cautiously, resisting the urge to obey the random desire, and tighten my mental barriers.
“Round one, point, Lou.”
Monroe returns with a large paper bag with handles, and we leave to continue on our shopping journey. I see Sangria through new eyes. Those who belong to an insider. I wince as my head throbs in protest.
“You okay?”
“Yeah. Headache.”
“We’re done for the day, girls. Meet us at the car.” Marcellus steers me back the way we came. It’s silent until we reach the car and climb inside.
“You did well for a beginner,” Ada says as she and Ruby settle in the back.
“It didn’t feel that way when I found myself randomly tapping my foot, twirling my hair, or humming. How the hell are we going to get me where I need to be?” I rub my temples as I slouch down in the front seat.
“A lot more practice and headaches,” Marcellus replies.
“Dude. Do you live to give bad news, or does it just come naturally to you?”
Marcellus chuckles. “It’s a specialty of mine.”
Chapter Six
I hitch the gray backpack higher and turn toward the skeptical group of young people gathered around me in various stages of sleep depravity. Aimee, Vit, and Felicite are here upon my request. Our flashlights carve hollows out of the darkness. The sky above us is a shade of blue somewhere between purple and indigo in the pre-dawn light. Trees rise up on either side of us.
“Are you going to explain why we had to meet you here at this ungodly hour in the wilderness?” Vit mutters as he rubs his eyes. I’ll take the irritation in his voice over mistrust. I’ve been working hard to win him and his sister over and bring them back into the fold.
“There’s somewhere we need to be when the sun rises.”
“You know that’s not really an answer, right?” Aimee huffs.
“Fair enough. Dawn is the time for new beginnings and new projects. The location I’m leading us to has been forgotten over the years. It was once a vibrant, active part of our family and their magical practices.”
“Sounds like you’re chasing ghosts, Lou,” Vit says. He has no clue how close he is to being accurate. Unlike us, Vit has never been connected to magic. I want to change that. He deserves to claim his birthright. I sense an ability inside of him. Rusty, untapped, and stifled as it may be, it exists. There’s a flickering flame on the verge of being doused. I plan to breathe new life into all of us.