Chapter Twenty-Seven

Everything slowly went back to normal. The Drainers’ website carried an announcement that they were on hiatus “indefinitely” due to the sudden death of their beloved friend and drummer Fang.

Vaughn was worried that Jure might retaliate, but as the days went by and there wasn’t any sign of trouble, we all started to relax.

I’d convinced Granny to let me return to work because I needed the money. I’d picked up a shift at Sheridan Catering, and it had been…normal.

Opal Ann and Bobbie Jean were still staying at our bungalow, but the whole gang was all hanging out in the backyard of my house.

Bobbie Jean and I watched as Opal Ann picked daisies from the bushes and made them into flower crowns.

“Are you guys headed back to Texas soon?” I asked her.

“My parents want us to come home,” she said. “But Opal Ann doesn’t want to leave. Says she doesn’t feel safe except when she’s with y’all.”

“I can understand that,” I said. “Give it time.”

But it turned out we didn’t have much time left.

We were having a big family dinner with the Old Crones Book Club and all the girls who were staying at Edna and Evelyn’s, plus Skyler and Vaughn.

I picked out black jeans and a summer top. It was light as air but long-sleeved, which meant it would conceal my so-pale-I-glow skin.

Vaughn and I set up everything under the pergola and may have exchanged a few kisses while we were working. Until Skyler arrived and caught us.

“Don’t you two ever let up?” she said.

I took a step away, but Vaughn pulled me back again. “No. No, we don’t.”

After everyone got there, we sat down to fresh fruit, shrimp salad, and crusty bread, and the conversation flowed around us like waves. It felt like such a relief to be normal for an evening.

When dinner was over, I went into the kitchen to help with the dishes, but Granny was stirring something in a big copper pot.

She turned off the burner. “It needs to cool for a few minutes.” She studied my face, then gave me a stainless-steel flask engraved with the tree of knowledge on it. “Drink it every day. It’ll help with the symptoms. I’ll give some to all the girls. Just in case.”

“Just in case what?” I asked.

She hesitated. “You know with vampires, it’s never that easy. It’s not over. You need to figure out a way to stop them permanently.”

“Whatever it takes?”

She nodded. “Whatever it takes.”

I was shocked my peaceful granny seemed to be advocating violence, even toward soul-sucking vampires. I kissed her cheek. “Thanks, Granny.”

“You know, Tansy, if you’re really serious about stopping them, you’ll have to go into a vampire’s nest. I think you’ll need some added protection.”

She handed me a silver charm that looked a little bit like a chili pepper.

“It’s a horn, a cornicello,” she said. “A protection from evil. It belonged to my grandmother.”

“Thank you, Granny,” I said before adding it to the charms I already wore. Her grandmother’s jewelry was special to her. “I’ll take good care of it.”

We joined our guests, and for the rest of the night, we talked about everything except vampires, witches, and striga vie.

It was a good night.

…

My grandmother had somewhere to be, but she was dragging her feet. She and her coven were supposed to be headed to San Francisco for the weekend for an inter-coven conference.

“Granny, go to the coven meeting,” I said. “Have a good time. I’ll be fine.”

“I hate to leave you alone,” she said.

“I won’t be by myself,” I said. Bobbie Jean and Opal Ann were spending the weekend with the other girls at Evelyn and Edna’s place, and truthfully, I wanted to be left alone. Since we’d returned with Skyler, Granny had been hovering, and she never hovered.

“I just want things to get back to normal,” she said.

“And they will,” I said. “If you go to your coven meeting. Besides, I have a date with Vaughn tonight.” Vaughn and I grinned at each other.

Edna shoved a package wrapped in brown paper into my hands, and a couple of other ladies who I didn’t know as well handed Vaughn and me various poppets, posies, and protections.

“I guess this is it,” I said.

“I wouldn’t go, except my friend Miriam will be there,” Granny said. “She’s bringing some ancient texts from Italy, and they might contain information about the striga vie.”

“We can talk when you get back,” I assured her. “And I’ll call you with updates.”

She caught my arm. “I have to go but remember this. When you need to summon your powers, the important thing is intent into action. You easily resisted a vampire’s compulsion,” she added. “That makes you unique.”

“Until this summer, I didn’t even know there were vampires,” I said.

“If you’re having trouble, close your eyes and hum your favorite song.”

Her advice was sound. Humming and a huge dose of panic had worked to break the window when we were trapped.

She chuckled. “Don’t look so doubtful. It’ll clear your mind. Remember: intent into action. Be careful.”

“I will.” I hugged her tiny frame, reluctant to say goodbye. “You too.”

She hugged me back for a long time and then handed me a gift bag. “Open it later,” she whispered into my ear.

The book club had Vaughn surrounded, so I tugged on Granny’s hand. “Time to go.”

“Have fun, you two, but be safe.” She waggled her eyebrows at me, and then it sank in.

“Grandma!” I said. My face flushed, and I couldn’t look at Vaughn, but I heard his chuckle.

She ignored my tone and grinned at me. I only called her “Grandma” when I was ticked off at her.

She hugged me goodbye, her arms wrapped around me so tight that I could barely breathe. After a bit, I tried to wiggle free, but she only held me tighter.

A horn honked. “Let’s get a move on!” Edna cried.

We waved them off and then headed back to the house hand in hand. This thing between Vaughn and me was so new, which meant I got a secret thrill when I held his hand and his ex didn’t jump out of the bushes screaming.

“Let’s get out of here,” Vaughn said. “Why don’t you put on a swimsuit and plenty of sunscreen? It’s a perfect day for the beach.”

I didn’t know why I was hesitating. I’d been in the sun several times since I’d been bitten.

Vaughn studied my face. “Or would you rather do something else?”

“The beach sounds great,” I said, forcing a smile.

“Tansy, it’s okay if you’re nervous about the sun,” he said. “I was just reaching for something familiar.”

“I know,” I said. “We’re going, and you’re going to buy me a lobster roll at the snack shop.”

“I have something else planned,” he said. “Don’t forget your hat.”

I grabbed my bag, which contained sunscreen, waters, a magazine, and an inflatable beach ball, and Vaughn took it from me.

I stepped outside, realizing it had grown warmer while we were inside. Little beads of sweat formed on my forehead. My eyes hurt from the glare, and my skin felt prickly and hot. My stomach lurched, and I ran back inside.

Vaughn said something, but I couldn’t make it out. My entire focus was reaching the bathroom before I lost it.

I threw up, thankfully making it to my intended destination, and then lay on the cool tile, dizzy and disoriented. I didn’t know how long I lay there, but I heard a tap on the door.

“Tansy, can I come in?”

I dragged myself to a sitting position. “Give me a minute.” I brushed my teeth and rinsed my mouth with mouthwash, then opened the door.

Vaughn pulled a lock of my hair back from my face. “You okay?”

I gave him a wan smile. It was safe to say that I wouldn’t be doing much sunbathing the rest of the summer—not unless I wanted it to be the last thing I ever did.