Page 2 of Blood Caged

I feel a flash of impatience. “Oh, come on, Ro. You just need to practice more. You can’t keep holding back because you’re afraid of a few mistakes.”

Rowan’s face flushes, her voice rising slightly. “Easy for you to say! Your magic always works perfectly. You don’t know what it’s like to constantly worry about spells backfiring!”

Her words trigger a surge of frustration, and I snap back without thinking. “Maybe if you stopped doubting yourself all the time, you’d actually improve. You need to push yourself. And it would help if you’d actually stick to the spells when you use them.”

Kara jumps in, her tone placating. “Hey, let’s take a breath, okay? We’re all just trying to make this special for Mom and Dad.”

An uncomfortable silence falls over our table. I take a sip of my latte, internally wincing at my harsh words. Across from me, Rowan fidgets with her glasses, looking hurt and withdrawn. The cheerful buzz of the café suddenly feels oppressive, highlighting the tension between us.

I watch as Rowan traces the rim of her mug with her finger, pointedly avoiding eye contact. Guilt gnaws at me. I know how sensitive she is about her magical struggles, and I’ve just thrown them in her face. But part of me still believes she needs to push herself more. How else will she improve?

Kara glances between us, clearly uncomfortable. She opens her mouth as if to speak, then seems to think better of it.The silence stretches on, heavy with unspoken words and hurt feelings.

I take a deep breath, guilt gnawing at me.

Great job, Mia. Way to be supportive.

I’ll have to make this up to her later.

Softening my tone, I reach out to touch Rowan’s hand. “Look, Ro, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. How about we work on some simple enchantments together? Nothing too flashy, just enough to add a magical touch?”

Rowan’s shoulders relax slightly, though her expression remains guarded. “Yeah…maybe that could work. As long as you promise to have a backup plan in case I turn the cake into a frog or something.”

I can’t help but smile at that. It’s so typically Rowan – self-deprecating humor to deflect her insecurities.

Kara jumps in, her voice cheerful. “I’ll handle the guest list and logistics. That way, we’ve got all bases covered.”

As the tension eases, I find myself falling into old habits. With a subtle flick of my wrist, I levitate a spoon to stir my tea. The motion is smooth, unnoticed by the non-magical patrons around us. I pluck a sugar cube from the bowl, infusing it with a hint of vanilla before dropping it into Rowan’s cup. Her eyes widen slightly as she takes a sip, savoring the enhanced flavor.

A cool breeze wafts through the open window, carrying with it the crisp scent of autumn. Without thinking, I adjust it to a gentle warmth, making the space more comfortable.

Kara raises an eyebrow. “Show-off,” she mutters, but there’s no malice in her tone.

I lean in, excitement bubbling up as ideas start to flow. “I found an old spell in Gran’s grimoire that could make the garden dance. Imagine roses waltzing to their favorite song.”

Rowan’s eyes light up, a genuine grin spreading across her face. “And maybe this time, I’ll manage to enchant something without it turning into a squirrel.”

Kara snorts into her coffee. “Yeah, Poppy wouldn’t like that much. She’s the most possessive familiar I’ve ever met.”

I roll my eyes dramatically. “And sassy, too. Remember when she called my protection ward ‘about as effective as a paper umbrella in a hurricane’?”

As we delve deeper into party plans, I feel a surge of excitement. It’s been too long since we’ve all come together like this, focused on something joyful rather than the constant threats lurking in the shadows. I can’t remember a time when we weren’t anticipating a vampire attack.

“Oh!” Kara exclaims, her eyes lighting up. “What if we enchant the champagne glasses to refill themselves?”

Rowan snorts. “Great idea. Let’s get the whole family sloshed. I’m sure that won’t end in disaster.”

I’m about to chime in with my own suggestion when a sudden chill races down my spine. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and I have the distinct sensation of being watched. My laughter dies in my throat as I scan the café, trying to pinpoint the source of my unease.

My eyes are drawn to the window, where I catch a glimpse of a dark shape moving swiftly past. It’s there and gone in an instant, leaving me wondering if I imagined it.

“Mia?” Kara’s voice breaks through my thoughts. “You okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

I force a smile, shaking my head to clear it. “Sorry, just thought I saw something outside. It’s nothing.”

Get a grip, Mia. You’re letting your paranoia get the best of you.

I take a deep breath, willing myself to relax. It’s probably just stress from the upcoming party and all our other responsibilities. I’ve been working too hard lately, that’s all.

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