Page 81 of Magical Melee

“But you don’t have wrinkles,” I pointed out. “Or creaky joints.”

“Well, true,” Stella admitted with a smirk. “Perks of vampirism. But I’ll never forget what Ifeltlike at seventy—stiff knees, backaches, the works. It’s all mental now, but let me tell you, it’s a cruel trick.”

Nova chuckled softly. “Stella’s been milking that complaint for a century.”

“And I’ll milk it for another century, thank you very much,” Stella shot back. “You’d complain too if you missed your chance to be a young, sultry immortal. It still chops my hide.”

“I think you’re still sultry,” I offered.

Stella’s eyes sparkled. “Oh, Maeve, you’re my favorite already.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, the tension in my chest loosening just a bit. “Okay, but seriously—how did it happen? How does a seventy-year-old end up becoming a vampire?”

“Like I said, a bad hip.” Stella’s expression softened, and she folded her hands in her lap. “It was a different time, Maeve. Back then, life was… well, let’s just say it wasn’t as long or as forgiving as it is now. I was living in a little town not too different from Stonewick, and I was ready to look after my great-grandchildren. “But then, one night, a stranger came into town. He was charming, mysterious, and, as it turned out, not entirely human.”

I leaned forward, completely hooked. “So he just… bit you?”

“No. He started his attacks in town. My family…” She shook her head slowly. “I saw him go after my daughter, and I lunged at him. Hit him with my teapot. It surprised him enough to let my family escape while he turned to stop me from interfering.”

My hands flew to my mouth. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be. I saved my family, but my hip gave out, and he got me. Simple as that.” She let out a deep breath. “I couldn’t be trusted around people, around my family in the beginning.”

I shook my head. “Trusted?”

“I needed to feast.”

A chill skated over me.

“Don’t be scared, Maeve. I’ve learned to control it now.”

I nodded, swallowing down the lump in my throat.

“But I went away for a long time. Found Stonewick. Listened to what the Academy had to teach me.”

“It’s not just for witches?”

“No, but it tends to lean that way. Plus, I’d been a seasoned witch before the turn.” She let out a deep sigh. “I was able to see my children and grandchildren continue their lives from a distance.”

“You couldn’t go home?”

“They thought I died. I couldn’t very well show up with fangs and expect…” Her voice cracked.

“I’m so sorry, Stella.”

“Don’t be. It comes with the territory.”

“It’s just so tragic,” I said softly.

“Rarely will you find a vampire without a tragic story. Leaving those you’ve loved behind, watching them age, experiencing their death, knowing you can never join them…”

Tears pricked my eyes when I thought about Celeste and my mom.

“Stella, you’re incredible.”

“No, I’m just a survivor. So are you.”

I shook my head, still wrapping my mind around the revelation. “I can’t believe I’m sitting here talking to a vampire.”