Page 24 of Vampire so Virtuous (Boston Vampires #1)
“We were talking about trust. He also protected you, didn’t he?”
“Because he ‘claimed’ me!” Cally said, anger at the injustice of it threatening to overwhelm her again. “Because he’s marked me! And I’m not even sure what that means!” Just that I can feel it, constantly tugging, like a god damn leash .
“Yeah, but he’s a vampire,” Eve pointed out, in the sort of tone that suggested it was fine for a lion to chew your head off, because he’s a lion. “I bet he doesn’t see it that way.”
“Good for him.”
Eve shook her head. “Not what I mean. We were talking about trust , right? Well, I think you can trust him—from what you’ve said so far, anyway.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah, sure. I don’t think he’d hurt you.”
Cally hesitated. What Eve was saying… she’d thought the same, back in her kitchen. “I had considered going to see him. You know, tell him to remove the mark?”
The mark had tugged at her for the last half hour, a constant background reminder of Antoine’s existence. Then again, he had been the topic of conversation the entire time. And even when he wasn’t, he was still on her mind. How could he not be?
“It’s not a bad idea,” Eve mused. “I mean, it is, but it’s not, too. I mean, what’s the worst that could happen?”
Cally blinked rapidly. “I came over here because I was thinking of going to see him, expecting you to talk some sense into me. Instead, my best friend of… however many years—”
“—Eighteen—”
“—Whatever—is encouraging me to go and see the vampire? You’re supposed to talk me out of it, not be all ‘what’s the worst that could happen’!”
“I mean, he could’ve killed you, and he didn’t. Twice, right? So it seems unlikely he would now, right?”
Cally frowned. “No. No, I don’t think he will.”
“And we’ve agreed you can trust him?”
“ You’ve agreed we can trust him. I sure as hell haven’t.”
“Well, then.” Eve said. “Something to consider, eh? Rock up with some holy water wearing something with a high and tight collar, and demand he removes your mark.”
Cally’s mouth hung open in shock. “That is the craziest fucking plan I’ve ever heard.”
Eve shrugged. “It was your idea, not mine.”
“Yes, but—”
“Anyway, it sounds like fun. Want me to come?”
“Hell no.” Cally shook her head. “No. Absolutely not. ”
“Knew you’d say that.” Eve pushed herself up. “We should be going if we’re gonna get to Zara’s on time.”
“All right,” Cally said tentatively. Maybe some of Zara’s haughtiness, Lily’s constant search for the perfect vengeance for all who had wronged her, and Priya’s innocence in the world were exactly what she needed.
“There’s no rush,” Eve pointed out. “You can make the decision when you’re ready. And I’ll come with you, and—”
“No,” Cally said firmly. “I absolutely refuse to take you anywhere near him. Please don’t go looking for vampires. Promise me?”
Eve muttered something under her breath. “Fine,” she huffed. “I need five minutes to get changed, then we’ll take off, okay?”
“Sure,” Cally said, half-distracted with her thoughts as Eve rose and walked off into her bedroom. Was Eve serious? Was challenging the vampire a viable choice?
No. No, it wasn’t. It would never end well.
“Stubborn!” Eve blurted out, reappearing around the door. “Stubborn,” she repeated happily. “Knew I forgot one.”
*
“Tonight, we gather not just in this circle, but in the heart of the city that pulses with its own magic. We stand on the edge of the known and unknown, between the shadows and the light.” Zara paused for effect, then continued in the same trembly, dreamy voice she liked to use for special occasions.
“Whatever we seek tonight, whether it’s healing, clarity, or strength, let it be forged by our will, bound by our trust in each other. ”
“So mote it be,” they chorused, and Cally joined in a beat too late.
She cracked one eye open to check it was safe, and the others had all relaxed in their positions, smiling and looking at one another. She quickly opened the other.
“Whose choice is it tonight?” Eve asked.
“Priya’s,” Zara said, her subtle disapproval replacing the mystical tone.
“A love spell,” Priya said firmly.
Lily looked at her with affection. “You always want a love spell. You’re so cute.”
“She has a romantic heart,” Eve said.
“Fine,” Zara gave in ungraciously. “We can do a love spell for Priya.”
“Not for me,” Priya said, her chin lifting. “I want to do one for Cally.”
“Oh, really? That’s not—” Cally began.
“Great idea!” Lily said with enthusiasm .
“I approve,” Zara added self-importantly.
Eve grinned at her. “Seems like that’s settled, babe.”
Cally made a face. “I don’t need a love spell. There’s no one I like anyway.”
But Priya wasn’t to be deterred. “I meant a finding spell. For Cally’s boyfriend, who we all know is out there right now.” She reached for her bag, rummaging within. “I’ve already written it.”
Cally saw the eagerness in Priya’s eyes, the determined set of her jaw, and swallowed a groan.
After her recent experience—and the vision she’d had—Cally wasn’t so sure this was all harmless fun anymore.
But Priya rarely got to shine in the group, and even now, she was using her turn to help someone else.
Zara and Lily wouldn’t have done that. Cally swallowed her objections. “Thank you, Priya.”
Priya’s obvious delight made the effort worthwhile.
“We should use rose quartz for this,” Zara said firmly, taking charge of the situation. There was a flurry as they reached into their bags. Eve handed Cally a spare without being asked. “Priya, your spell?”
The usually reserved Priya seemed full of purpose. She had four sheets of paper in her hands, which she passed out with quiet efficiency. Cally didn’t get one and tried to resist peeking at the others’ as they read in silence. The minutes ticked by as she chewed her lip.
“Are we ready?” Zara asked at last, and there was a murmur of assent.
“What do I do?” Cally whispered to Eve, but she only winked in return.
“Ladies, your pins, please,” Zara called.
Feeling awkward, as usual, Cally pulled a sewing needle from her pocket and carefully unwrapped it. Eve had given it to her before they’d left her apartment.
The coven turned inward, absorbed in their minor act of self-mutilation. Cally pricked her finger, carefully wiping the trace of blood on Eve’s spare rose quartz, trying not to think about the sanitary implications. This blood thing is stupid, and there’s far too much of it in my life lately.
“Crystals, please, girls,” Zara instructed, and they all held them out, arms extended toward the center of the circle, candlelight reflecting off their pale pink facets. “Priya? When you’re ready?”
“Mmm, yes.” She closed her eyes, and the others copied her. Cally glanced around the circle then closed hers, too. It was bad enough joining in when she felt such a fraud, even worse when she was the subject of the coven’s focus. But Priya had started.
“By the energies of earth, air, fire and water ;
In this sacred space, we weave our magical order.
Cally of our Coven, with intentions pure;
Seeks a man of love, our energies to ensure.”
It was tough to roll one’s eyes while they were already closed, but Cally managed anyway.
Lily, to Priya’s right, recited her verse. To her credit, there was no hesitation, despite having just learned the words.
“Spirits of guidance, heed our call;
As we cast this spell, may love enthrall.
By the power of attraction, this spell we cast;
May Cally’s desires come true, and forever last.”
Zara took over, her mystical voice returning. Cally felt she should be grateful for the effort.
“As above, so below, the circle is sealed;
Cally’s wish for love, by magic, revealed.
Through the realms unseen, let the energies align;
A man of interest for Cally, by this spell, divine.”
Eve was last, her line blessedly short. “Cally, feel the energy, and so mote it be!”
“So mote it be,” came the echo.
“Now, we each define an attribute of Cally’s perfect man,” Zara said. “Cally, you can start.”
Oh, great. More humiliation. “Uh, handsome? I guess?”
A chilly silence seemed to greet this unenthusiastic contribution, though with her eyes closed at least she didn’t have to see Zara’s expression. “Thank you, Cally,” Zara said at last, her tone cool. “We will go around the circle. Priya?”
Silence descended again, stretching out before Priya spoke, and Cally wondered if she was going to. But then she did, her words strange, lacking her usual timidity. “He will be of darkness.”
To her right, Lily responded immediately, her tone also different than usual. “He will be strong.”
Zara spoke without hesitation. “He will be a warrior.”
Eve added, “He will be forever youthful.”
Cally was feeling more uncomfortable with each new contribution, not liking the coincidence of the Coven’s choices. “He will be kind,” she said, with determination. And fuck you, Antoine. You’re off the list now, asshole.
She opened her eyes. The spell should’ve been done, but Priya went again.
“He will have enemies.” Cally snapped her eyes shut again, but not before she’d seen the rose quartz they all held, touching in the center of the circle.
Glowing. No, not glowing. Quartz can’t glow.
Just reflecting the candlelight. She didn’t want to look and make sure.
“He will fear the tomb.”
Who doesn’t?
“He will have the thirst.”
Okay, this is freaking me out now.
“He will drink of power,” Eve added, and Cally realized it was her turn again.
“So mote it be.” Time to put a stop to this.
“So mote it be,” they all echoed, and then they were all giggling and exclaiming. Cally opened her eyes, focusing first on her quartz, which was as it always had been, mocking her in its dormancy.
“That was fun!” Lily said.
“Oh, he sounds delicious!” Priya added. “I do so hope you get to meet him one day.”
Cally stared at her in disbelief. Priya had said he’d have enemies, and she thought he was delicious? “Lily, what did you mean by ‘He will fear the tomb’?”
Lily looked at her with confusion. “What? I didn’t say that.”
“Oh, um. Sorry.” Cally chewed her lip. “I guess I misheard.”
“Well, ladies, now we’ve sorted out Cally’s love-life,” Zara said smugly.
No. No you most certainly have not.
Cally forced a smile—or her best imitation of one—as her thoughts raced.
And now I have no choice but to go and see that bastard.