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“Yeah, it did.”

“Meg.” The witch with the flowers scrunched her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose like she had a headache coming. “Stop being curt and just explain it to them.”

“The potion reverses the effects of the vampire disease.” She looked incredulously at them like this explained everything and they were all being obtuse.

The flower witch planted her face in her hand and sighed. “What Meg is poorly explaining is that, once the virus is removed, the effects it had on the body are removed. Advanced hearing, eyesight, speed. All gone. As well as freezing your age. So, if you’ve been a vampire for two hundred years, once the potion takes effect, you’ll age two hundred years.”

“So, if I’ve been a vampire for twelve years.” Ashley sat up, and this time, no one stopped her. “Are you saying I’m in my thirties now?”

The witch placed her hand sympathetically on Ashley’s knee. “I’m afraid so. You’ll want to watch your alcohol and get a good eye cream.”

“Esther,” Ashley called, even though Esther was sitting right next to her. “Guess who’s the older one in the relationship now.” She shoved a thumb at her chest. “This guy.”

Esther broke out in laughter, and it was music to Ashley’s ears.

Holy shit, she was human.

“Christ almighty, what in the ever-living fuck happened to my house?” another voice said.

Everyone turned to the front door, which was still open. Framed by the twilight was Claribel.

“Well,” said the flower witch, clapping her hands together. “It’s been lovely, but I think that’s our cue to leave. Don’t forget to take it easy for a couple of days—two weeks to be safe. No heavy lifting. Meg?”

She held out her hand to the grumpy witch, who helped her up, before the two of them sidestepped around Claribel and out the door.

Claribel stepped inside and slammed the door behind her. A small chunk of plaster fell loose and plopped to the floor next to her. “Who is responsible for this?”

“Okay,” said August, standing and pulling Uther with him. “That’s a long story, and a lot of people, so I think we’ll leave you to that, Ash.” He had the audacity to shoot her finger guns and wink as he hurried past.

“Et tu, August?” Ashley yelled as they scampered out the door.

Claribel’s steps echoed as she approached, her eyes scanning the debris and the chasm where their home used to be. By the time she reached Ashley, her shoulders had slumped, and her face had fallen. “What happened to you, Ash?”

“Esther, can you tell August to bring his car back while I catch Claribel up?” Ashley said. “We’re staying at his place today. All of us. That witch owes me big time.”

Esther nodded and started texting.

Right, thought Ashley, looking at Esther’s legs. Neither of them would be very mobile for a while.

“Is that the necklace I gave you?” Claribel touched the silver charm around Ashley’s neck. In all the confusion of the evening, she’d forgotten that she’d put it back on. “Did you get her to fill it for you?”

Ashley laughed until her side hurt and she worried she’d split it back open again. And even then, she held it in agony while trying to hold back her giggles.

“Oh boy, did she ever,” Ashley said, wiping her eyes. “Listen, Claribel. There’s something you should know.”

By the time she’d finished explaining the cure, Cynthia leaving, the fight, the deaths—with Esther filling them in on Hannah—the boys had returned with the car. August carried Esther, while Uther acted as a crutch for Ashley, and they all limped their way to the car. Claribel grabbed an umbrella from the surprisingly still intact front closet and claimed the middle seat, ordering August to step on it before she burned to a crisp and set them all on fire in the process.

Back at the house, Ashley set August and Uther to work light-proofing a guest room for Claribel.

“It’s been a long night,” Claribel said, turning down Ashley’s offer to keep her company and help her settle in. “We can talk in the evening. For now, I want to forget everything and just sleep.”

Ashley was exhausted as well and left the boys downstairs to their brunch and snuggle or whatever they got up to on a day without schoolwork. She continued past Claribel’s room and across the hall before knocking and peeking inside.

Esther was propped up on the bed, her legs properly bandaged and tucked under the sheets. “Do you get your knocking etiquette from your mom?”

Ashley smiled and leaned against the doorway, grimacing slightly when she bumped her flowers. “I can go back and try again.”

“Get in here. I want to be with you for this.”