by Avery Kloss
“I’m not going to kill you, you little twerp,” she said angrily, her nostrils flaring. “I just want to remind you of what you did to my sister.”
“I didn’t do it. Thorn did. If you want to be pissed off at someone, it’s him, not me.”
She grabbed my arm, thrusting me before her with surprising strength. I nearly fell down the stairs before grasping the railing at the last second.
“Just get down there.”
Slightly worried over my own safety, despite my immortality status, I glared at her over my shoulder. I did not appreciate being manhandled. “Don’t touch me!” At the bottom of the steps, an unpleasant smell wrinkled my nose, along with the sound of someone hissing behind the door across the room.
Reese flung it open, which revealed the small space, where Maven sat tethered to the wall, with metal affixed to her wrists and ankles. “You’ve a guest, sister, dear.”
Maven, smelling human blood, sprang to her feet, and snarled at me, baring sharp, lethal-looking teeth.
“Poor Maven,” I muttered, feeling horrible about her predicament. I did not wish to come any further.
“In you go!” Reese grabbed my arm, thrusting me inside, where I stumbled and fell to the smelly floor, where I felt something sticky.
Stunned, I struggled to get to my feet, although Maven grabbed me then, her pointy teeth merely inches away. Sharp, claw-like fingernails dug into my arms to the point of pain. I screamed, suddenly fearful of being made into a meal, although I knew drinking from me would make her ill. Before she could sink her teeth into my throat, I panicked, feeling a surge of energy. A burning sensation flared from the pit of my belly and fanned out all over.
“No!”
A ball of energy burst free in one colossal wave, which impacted Maven, the girl growing deathly still, her glassy eyes wide with shock. A movement over my head caught my notice, something with long, dark wings taking flight, the animal swooping out of the room through the open doorway.
Reese had to step out of the way to let it pass. “Wow, that was an owl!”
Maven crumpled to the floor, lying in a heap upon the filthy surface. I fell back, and landed on my butt, wincing from the impact. Worried I might yet be attacked, I scooted away, although Maven did not move in the least. Jumping to my feet, I darted for the doorway, angry with Reese for what she had done.
“You’re a jerk!” I screamed, although she ignored me, her attention on her sister. “Did you hear me?”
“What did you do to her?”
“I didn’t do anything! I was trying not to die!”
Reese went to Maven, and turned her over, moving damp hair from her face. “Maven?” She shook her gently. “Maven?”
She groaned.
Confused about the situation, I approached cautiously, glancing over Reese’s shoulder. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t know.” She shook her sister again. “Maven?”
“What?” she said, sounding groggy. “Reese?”
She gasped. “Oh, my God! You’re back!” She held her close, hugging her. “You’re back!”
“Is she … a full-blown vampire now?” I had no idea what was going on. “What happened?”
“She’s not a vampire.”
“You’re crushing me to death. God, what’s that smell?” Maven glanced at her arms and legs. “Oh, gross! Oh, my God! I’m so dirty! What did you do to me?”
“You’re back,” said Reese. “If I were human, I’d be crying right now.”
“I’m back from what? I … how’d I get here? What happened? Why do I smell like something died?”
“You don’t remember anything?” I asked, suddenly overwhelmed by the fact that my friend wasn’t a vampire any longer. What had happened? What had I done?
As if reading my mind, Reese glanced at me. “You turned her human. How’d you do that? Can you do that to me?”
My mouth fell open. “I … what?”
I paced Gabe’s office, feeling like a child who had just done something naughty and been caught, although I didn’t even know what I had done. While Maven showered off several weeks’ worth of dirt, I chewed a nail down to nothing, and waited for Gabe, who suddenly appeared before the door with Miller.
“Brie.”
“Oh, thank God! I’ve stuff to tell you.”
He appeared incredulous, eyeing me cautiously. “You’ve been busy.”
“I … don’t know what happened with Maven. She grabbed me. She was about to … eat me!” I shivered at the memory, still smelling a hint of something rancid on my clothing. “I didn’t mean to do what happened. I swear.”
“She turned her back to human,” remarked Miller. “That’s pretty extraordinary. I’ve never heard of that before.”
“It’s a game-changer, that’s for sure.”
I went to Gabe, and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Where have you been?”
“Taking care of business, but I’m back now.” He sniffed me. “You … smell.”
“Of stinky Maven, I know. She’s in the shower.”
Reese joined us, standing in the doorway. “Whatever you did to her, I want you to do that to me.”
“What exactly happened?” asked Gabe. He leaned against the desk, with his arms around me. “What happened, honey?”
“I don’t know. I just … I just … did something, and Maven’s okay now.” I shrugged. “I have to tell you other stuff too. Earlier today, I found Thorn’s hiding place.” He blinked, stunned. “Yes, I did. He was sleeping in our carriage house! He’s probably been there all along. Mom and I finally went in there, and that’s where I found him. To make a long story short, I asked Anna and her mom to help me kill him.”
“No,” he intoned, his stunned expression broadening.
“That was the plan. It didn’t work, though. That bastard ran away, like the coward he is.” Then I remembered something. “Oh, and he killed me first.”
“What?”
“He sliced open my throat. I didn’t die, though, as you can see. I came back.” I smiled, feeling pretty darn good about that fact.
Understanding shone in his eyes. “Because you’re immortal. Thorn doesn’t know that, though. He thought he’d kill you to hurt me, just like he did with Suzie. It’s a fine joke on him it didn’t work.” He grinned. “Lucky for me too.”
“The witches did a meditation sort of spell thing to figure out what I am.” I giggled, because what I just said sounded so ridiculous. Everything about today had been utterly surreal. “So, guess what I am?”
“I’m breathless with anticipation,” he said dryly, although humor shone in his eyes.
“I’m Suzie reincarnated!”
Gabe stilled. If a vampire could hold his breath, that’s what he appeared to do.
“She’s me, or I’m her. I don’t know which way anything is anymore. Isn’t that wild?”
“I’m gonna need time to wrap my head around that one.”
“That’s all fine and dandy,” said Reese, unimpressed with the conversation, because it did not apply to her. “I’d really love to not be a bloodsucker any longer. I hate this. I’d like to be like my sister, please.”
“I don’t know what I did to Maven. I might not be able to repeat it.”
She shook her head. “Try me. I don’t care. You do whatever you have to do.”
47
I sat at the desk before a lighted mirror, and drew in my eyebrows with a shade of brown. Music filled the room, a record spinning around on the player. Despite everything and Thorn still on the loose, I felt immensely happy, eager to attend prom with Gabe, although he had to wait until dark to meet me there.
A rap sounded on the door. “Yes?”
Mom appeared, grinning. “You’re not dressed yet.”
I wore yoga pants and a t-shirt, not wanting to spill anything on the white gown. “Nope, not yet.”
“I don’t know why Gabe can’t be here early for pictures.”
“I’m sorry, Mom. He has to … t
o … work. We’ll take photos later.”
She pouted, and shrugged. “What are you going to do with your hair?”
“Probably curl it and put some of it up. I haven’t decided yet.”
“You look so beautiful, Brieanna.” She smiled prettily, her expression laced with pride. “I wondered if I’d ever see the day you attended a school dance. These last few years … have been challenging.”
I turned to look at her, feeling a measure of guilt for the stress I had put her and dad through. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. You had issues. Then we lost your father. It’s been tough. I feel like we’ve turned a corner, though, especially these last few weeks. The change in you seems to be sticking.”
I had to wonder if it was all due to Suzie’s interference, which gave me whatever power I possessed. If that ever went away, would I go back to the old, unhappy and depressed Brie? That would be awful. I pushed the thought aside, not wanting anything to ruin tonight.
“I’m tired of feeling rotten, Mom. I want to move on. I want … to be with Gabe.”
“You really feel that strongly about him?”
“I do.”
“I’m happy for you then. He seems like a nice young man.”
“He is.” The doorbell rang, startling me. “That can’t be Gabe. Are we expecting anyone?” I got up from the chair and stared out the window, although I did not see a car in the driveway. The overhang hid the front door.
“I’ll get it. You keep getting ready. You don’t want to be late. When Maven comes, I need to take pictures of you guys.”
“I promised to help her with her hair. That might be her, but I don’t see a car.” Being daylight, I did not have to worry about Thorn’s sudden appearance. I hated that the threat of him lingered, the issue not resolved yet. Would it ever be?
“Let me get the door.”
“Okay.” I resumed the makeup, curling my eyelashes and applying mascara, but I saw someone reflected in the mirror then, Anna standing in my room. I turned around. “Hey, hi.” Mom had let her in.
“Hello, Brie.”
“I wasn’t expecting you. What’s up?”
“Getting ready for prom?”
“I am.” I grinned in the mirror, seeing a smudge, which I wiped away.
“I can do your hair, if you want.”
“Really?”
“Sure.”
I wondered why she stopped by. I hadn’t seen her for days, not since she and her mother performed that spell on me, or was it a meditation exercise?
“What’s going on?”
“I’ve some information you might want to know. My mom’s been researching things.”
“About me?” I turned to look at her, suddenly curious about what they had discovered. “Lay it on me. What is it?”
“Can I sit?” She indicated the bed.
“Sure, make yourself comfortable.”
Wearing a long purple skirt and a black sweater, she sat on the edge of the mattress. “Okay.” She cleared her throat. “This is what we think is going on. We’ve already established you’re Suzie reincarnated. We got that one. This … other thing is a little different.”
I waited for her to elaborate, while I bit my lip and ate away all the lipstick I had just put on.
“My mother saw some things during the meditation that didn’t make sense to her. She’s since done a few more to try to figure it out. What she thinks is going on is … that you’re somehow connected to Rhiannon, the horse goddess.”
I laughed, snorting, “What?”
“It sounds nuts, I know, but listen to me, will you?”
With effort, I flattened my smile, and tried to remain serious. “Okay. Go on.”
“It’s an old Celtic tale about a goddess who was cursed for rejecting the man she was supposed to marry. She was in love with someone else. She ended up marrying her love, but she suffered for years. Her life became a living hell, basically. She was barren, but she eventually had a son. Someone stole the baby from her, and everyone blamed her, saying she ate him. They found him years later in the stables, but they still blamed her. Anyhow, to make a long story short, she’s the horse goddess. Her singing birds can wake the dead and send the living to sleep.”
“Oh, I read about her! There are a bunch of books on mythology in the library downstairs. They’re the only books that came with the house. I know this story. Rhiannon carried a great burden most of her life, which is why they call her the horse goddess. Her husband wasn’t all that nice to her either, from what I recall. The poor thing. She did suffer big time, for a long time.” This made me think of my own life. I had never truly been happy either, carrying the burden of depression as long as I could remember, the feeling finally gone.
“Anyhow, this explains how you’re able to make vampires human again.”
“Gabe refuses to be human until Thorn’s gone. He needs to be his equal to fight him.”
“And now you know what you are.”
“But I don’t think this is permanent. There’s a reason Suzie did this to me, but … it's not gonna last.” I had that feeling—the feeling of time running out.
“Well, you’re empowered now.” She got up, and reached into a pocket. “I have a present for you. I made this.” She held a small silver bracelet with several tiny bells attached to it. “You should wear it.”
“Really?”
She affixed the jewelry to my wrist, nodding. “Ring it in the night, if you need help.”
I held up my hand, shaking it. “That’s so sweet. People will know exactly where I am now,” I giggled.
“It’s a unique piece. It might come in handy.”
“Thank you. It’s very pretty.”
“Now, shall I help you with your hair?”
“Maven’s coming over soon. She’s needs help too.”
“I love doing hair, especially long, gorgeous hair. Do you have hot rollers and a curling iron?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Then let’s get this show on the road. Tonight should be special. You only do prom once, and, since you’re a goddess, you need to look like one.”
Maven arrived a short while later, Anna fixing her hair, my room smelling of perfume and hair spray. I got dressed, and mom helped me with my gown. The white fabric hung at a slant past my knees. Gazing in the full-length mirror, the overall effect surprised me. I had never looked this good in my life.
“Wow,” murmured mom. “That’s quite a change.”
I had been practicing walking in the high heels, although I hadn’t put them on yet. “You think?” The front of my hair sat piled high on my head, with curls falling down my back.
“You look beautiful, honey.” She stood behind me, and smiled with admiration. “It’s perfect.”
I glanced at Maven, who wore a dark purple dress, the garment cinched at the waist. “What do ya think?”
“Queen of the ball.”
Anna grinned. “Well, my work’s finished here.”
“You did a great job with their hair. I couldn’t have done it better.”
“It’s no problem, Mrs. Thompson. I love hair. I had a good time.”
“You can call me Hila. We’re neighbors after all.”
“Speaking of that, my mom wants to have a get together some time.”
“That’d be nice. Maybe next weekend everyone can come over.” She played with one of my curls. “You can bring Gabe, if you want.”
“Absolutely.” I bent to get the shoes. “So, is it picture time yet?”
“It sure is.” Mom pulled out her phone. “I want you guys on the stairs. It’s the perfect backdrop for photos. Then we need to go.”
The decorating committee had been busy all day preparing. Maven and I had helped earlier, transforming the cafeteria into an enchanted garden, with fake trees, glittering chandeliers, and strands of lights. A rush of excitement drifted through me, because the prospect of seeing Gabe produced happy bubbles in my belly.
Le
aving the room, Maven and I walked to the stairs, my friend beautiful with her hair in a loose bun. She looked healthy and happy, the makeup on her eyes sparkling.
“I have to thank you for this,” she whispered.
“Why?”
“Because you’re responsible. If … you hadn’t helped me, I’d be outta my mind still.” She remembered almost nothing about being turned into a vampire, which was probably for the best. “So, thanks. Thank you for Reese too. My mom’s quit drinking.”
“She has?”
“Yeah, she’s doing AA now or something. After everything’s that’s happened, she wants a fresh start.”
“That’s terrific. I’m glad to hear it.”
“Thank you for being my date. You and Gabe.”
I laughed, “You won’t have a problem attracting attention tonight. Girls better watch out. You might steal somebody’s date.”
“I doubt it. I don’t really care. I just want to support you and Gabe.”
That sat ill with me, a feeling of guilt emerging. “We’re the reason you and your sister got into that … mess.”
“Gabe, yes, but not you. You got caught up too against your will. It doesn’t matter anyway. I’m not one to hold a grudge.” We stood at the top of the stairs, and mom waited with her phone below. “You’re a good friend, Brie. You’re my only friend. When nobody at school would talk to me, you would. You’re just as … weird as I am, and I like that.” She grinned. “I like Anna too. If anybody can rock a goth vibe, it’s us. We own it.”
I laughed, “For sure!”
“Pictures, please. Come on, girls.” Mom waited, eyeing us impatiently.
“We can talk about this later. It’s time to get our glitter on. I’m ready to dance.”
48
Since Gabe would be late, I was glad I had Maven by my side, suddenly feeling nervous and a little insecure about being seen in public dressed this way, the white dress clinging to me. Mom dropped us off at the front door, as others arrived for the event, some people having hired limos.
“I’m questioning the sanity of this decision,” Maven murmured under her breath. “This is crazy. I’m lucky if I don’t trip and break my neck.” A black shawl protected her from the cold.