Page 110 of Scars Like Wings

“More or less.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Is that also why you carry magical daggers with you?”

Her eyes flicked to mine. There was something there that I couldn’t read, something she wasn’t telling me. “How do you know they are magical?”

“I mean, they would have to be to kill an energy vampire, right?” I asked innocently. Humans weren’t supposed to be able to see magic. It was something only witches and certain supernatural creatures could do. But as was becoming quickly more unavoidable, especially after today, I was not human.

And I had no idea what I was.

Before I could go down a rabbit hole of anxiety, Quinn tossed the blood-soaked scrap of fabric and pressed another to my neck, tying it off with another piece. “Are you in any pain from the venom? I heard that can hurt like a bitch for ages.”

“Technically, the effects of vampire venom can last for up to seven days after initial contact, if the folklore I read on it is right, but I’m okay. I’ve read that some folks are immune to vampire venom, so maybe I’m lucky?” I shrugged. It was mostly true. The timeframe of the effects was accurate, and some folkswereimmune to the effects. I just didn’t mention that those people were often supernatural in nature, like I very clearly was. I didn’t feel any effects from the venom. So, I wasn’t human. I had no idea what I was. I only knew I was about to go insane.

“I love when you talk nerdy to me.” Quinn pulled me in close and tight against her.

I snorted into her chest. “Oh, that’s nothing. You should ask me about my Masters thesis sometime.”

“I’m happy I will get the chance to now.” Quinn kissed the top of my head. “I was so worried about you, baby girl. You have no idea. I’m so glad you are okay.”

“Ditto.”

Quinn was able to wrap her arms fully around me, and I wrapped my own arms around her waist. I had never felt so together and comfortable before. No one had been able to do that, wrap their arms around me and make me feel small and cherished. She was so warm right down to the scent that filled my nostrils: bonfire and roasting chocolate. In this place, the last few minutes hadn’t happened. There were no energy vampires. No secrets existed here. There were no mysteries about dead parents and old books. It didn’t matter what I was or could be. No, we were just two girls holding each other.

It was nice.

After what felt like forever in the best way, Quinn kissed the top of my head again. “Let’s get out of here,mi tesoro.”

I nodded.

As we made our way to the exit door hand-in-hand, I asked her something that had been nagging at my brain. “Can you answer me something?”

“Of course.”

“What doesmi tesoromean? I noticed you’ve been calling me today.”

Quinn’s smile was slow and sweet, like watching sugar melt into caramel. “It means ‘my treasure.’”

PART FOUR

Amethyst

EVERYONE’S FAVORITE STONE

A purple variety of quartz and a semiprecious stone with a glass luster.

With an ancient lineage, Amethyst has long been synonymous with spirituality, acting like a bridge that connects the concrete with the divine. The Greeks believed the stone could protect against intoxication. Drunken behavior is often associated with a muddy mind, high emotions, and clumsy decisions, but Amethyst serves as an antidote. The stone aids in recovery for those suffering from overwhelming feelings of grief, loss, and all shades of sadness. The crystal reminds us not to fear the unknown, to recognize the darkness and honor it without holding onto it. The stone promotes deep transformation. It encourages us to pursue the things that will serve us with thewisdom within us. Amethyst counteracts the negative energies of the external. It can ward off physical attacks and lends protection against misfortune, including black magic. This healing stone instantly soothes, giving you the ability to stand strong.

In the Eye of a Hurricane

Iknew I was dreaming when I saw my mom standing before me, very much alive and well.

I was in a mall. In fact, it was the same mall me and my mom used to go to when I was a kid. I stood at the mall-side entrance of Mom’s favorite department store that wasn’t even open anymore in real life. But in this reality, it very much was. Around me, there are faceless, black shadow people scrolling through. Everyone was devoid of color, except for her.

Mom looked along the racks in vibrance. Her afro was pulled back into a long ponytail with her curls flowing down her back. Her dark sepia skin glowed with gold and silver dust that I knew was her natural skin. She was dressed just like she would have been back then in her jean capris, shirt, and platform sandals, but I thought she was timelessly beautiful.

Mom used to be on top of every fashion trend. During a time when plus-size was hated and not the standard, Mom always found something ahead of the curve and professional and, well, mom-ish to fit her fat body. She never shied from showing off her large boobs, rolls on her stomach and back, her wide hips, and large thighs. She was the reason I loved my own body and always did. To stay so fashion forward, I remembered we usedto spend hours shopping on Saturdays, much to Pops’ chagrin. He would poke fun at us, but he loved paying for everything and spoiling his girls.

Mom smiled as I approached. “I’ve been waiting for you, baby Byrd. Which color do you think?”

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