Page 82 of Magical Melee
“Vampire, yes,” Stella said, raising her teacup in a mock toast. “But also your mentor, protector, and occasional partner in crime.”
“Has it changed you? Who you were?”
“Oh, yes. Becoming a vampire has given me compassion,” Stella’s gaze softened. “Life isn’t easy for immortals.”
“Stella is the kindest woman I’ve ever met,” Keegan told me. “The quickest to lend a hand.”
“I feel that.” I nodded when a thought occurred to me.
“Don’t you drink…” I cleared my throat. “Blood?”
Her lips curled slightly. “I do.”
My fingers instinctively touched my throat. “So, you could bite me?”
Stella’s lips pursed, and she shook her head. “Magic folk taste bitter. It’s the only deterrent nature could think of, I suppose.” She chuckled. “I mean, I’ll do it in a pinch, but it’s not my preferred type of…”
Nova shot her a warning look, and I laughed.
“I’m going to need so much therapy after this,” I muttered, but I couldn’t help smiling.
“Who said you didn’t need it before?” Stella asked with raised brows.
I chuckled.
“You’ll be fine,” Nova said, her tone light but reassuring. “You’re handling it better than most.”
Keegan, who had been quietly observing the exchange, finally spoke up. “This is why we can protect you, Maeve. Stonewick’s strength isn’t just in its magic—it’s in its people. We’ve got a vampire who’s been around longer than most of us can comprehend, a seer who knows what’s coming, and a whole community that’s ready to stand by you. This town is filled with people like us…like you.”
I looked over at Ember. “And you?”
She looked at Keegan, who nodded.
Ember smiled faintly and cocked her head. “I’m a ghost.”
“But Skye saw you…”
She nodded with a smile. “True. Many of us can surface if we deem it safe.” Ember shrugged. “Some call it haunting, but that just sounds over the top.”
I leaned back in my chair, letting their words sink in. Despite the absurdity of the situation, I felt a strange sense of comfort. They weren’t just relying on me. I could rely on them, too.
“Alright,” I said finally. “I think I’m ready to let go and truly believe.”
Stella beamed, her fangs glinting in the light. “That’s the spirit, Maeve. Now, who’s ready for more tea?”
Chapter Twenty-One
I turned to Nova. “Okay, we’ve got Stella the sultry vampire and Ember the ghost,” I said, shooting Stella a playful grin, which she returned with a wink. “But what about you, Nova? You dodged the question back at your shop.”
Nova, who had been quietly sipping her tea, paused mid-sip and sighed.
She deliberately set her cup down as her green eyes met mine. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”
“Not a chance,” I said, leaning forward. “Spill it.”
Stella smirked.
Nova rolled her eyes but looked resigned rather than annoyed. She brushed her dark hair over one shoulder, revealing pointed ears that peeked through like little secrets.
