I curl my lips back and lean against the counter. With my nose just inches away from the glass, I inspect my teeth. Before I showered, I gave them a much-needed brushing, so now, my lack of fangs is even more evident. I run my tongue where they should be, not feeling the familiar protruding points.
Angry, I shriek, screaming at the mortal in the mirror. I ball my hand into a fist and slam it against the glass. An acute bite works its way through my wrist and radiates up my arm. Sucking in a sharp breath between my teeth, I cradle my wound and curse at the girl unfamiliar to me.
From the corner of my eye, I swear my reflection is smirking, but when I glance up, meeting her gaze, the smile is gone. It is just me and an unshattered mirror, where I can spend the next fifty years of my life looking at a girl I hate.
A hard knock startles me, and I jostle through a mound of dirty towels and clothes to reach the bathroom door.
“Malik?” I say when I see the vampire standing in my room.
“Please tell me you are not going to do anything stupid,” he says, crossing his arms.
His gaze drops to the arm I am holding, and I freeze. He was in my bedroom when I had my outburst, so I know he heard me. But this is not why he is here. He was already visiting me when I had my momentary breakdown.
“What do you mean?” I ask, even though I am fully aware of his intentions. I do not even wait for him to respond.
Not bothering to dry my hair, the sopping wet mane is dripping down my back, soaking my T-shirt and dripping onto my bedroom floor. I push past the vampire blocking me in and walk toward my bed. As I pull back the covers, intent on getting a good night’s rest, my wrist stings. I gnaw on my lower lip, hoping Malik cannot tell how much it aches and how nervous I am about his midnight visit.
“Have you been able to access your magic since the spell?” Malik asks.
I shake my head and sit on my bed.
“Then this would be an excellent time to remind you of that,” he says.
“Malik,” I say and run a hand through my tangled hair. “I’m tired, and I do not have time for cryptic chats. Just tell me what is on your mind.”
He arches a brow. “I thought I was being clear. Let me be more pointed. You have a history, Ava, and it is not a good one. You ignore orders, disobey authority, and have the nasty habit of getting yourself into troubling predicaments.”
“Yeah, so…” I say, crossing my arms. I hiss when I twist my wrist too far.
“Are you even sure you are capable of practicing magic again?” Malik asks.
I shrug.
“To be blatant, you are by no means in the position to rescue Will on your own,” he says. “I hope you realize that.”
“I am also not going to let him die because my coven is full of hateful witches,” I say pointedly.
Malik exhales sharply, grumbling something inaudibly under his breath. He is annoyed with my persistence and inability to conform. He is right—I do push boundaries, but only when things should change.
“I had a feeling you would do something drastic,” Malik admits.
“So you thought you would try to talk me out of it?”
Surprisingly, Malik shakes his head and, as if it physically pains him to speak these particular words, he winces as he mumbles, “I…am considering helping.”
I inhale sharply, not bothering to hide my shock or my excitement. With Malik on my side, I just might be able to save Will and not die in the process.
“What did you have in mind?” I ask, giddy and ready to rush to Will’s side.
“I just need time,” Malik says.
I narrow my eyes. “I don’t think so.”
“Ava—”
“Malik, Will does not have much time!” I shout.
Malik frowns. “Why do you care so much about this boy? You are asking me to risk everything to save someone I do not even know.”
“I don’t expect you to understand,” I admit.
“Is it because he is…was a hybrid as well?” Malik asks.
I shrug and wince at his use of past tense. The wound is still too fresh in my mind and in my heart. “Yes and no. I will not deny that part of me wants to save him for selfish reasons. If I do get my powers back, I might need his guidance.”
“And the other reason?” Malik asks.
I sigh. “Because he does not deserve to die, Malik. Not for this. Not for us. And certainly not at the hands of them.”
Malik exhales slowly, and I watch his chest rise and fall with each breath he takes. The seconds tick by, and I wonder if I haven’t given him enough of a reason to help me. If stealing a victory from the witches isn’t enough motivation, then I don’t know what else to say.
“One day. That is all I am asking,” Malik says.
“For what? What will you have tomorrow that you do not have tonight?”
“A plan.”
I am silent as I consider my options. Can I risk going alone? Already, I am exhausted, and Malik’s right—I am far too weak to save Will without the help of at least one vampire. If I plan to successfully execute this mission, I will need backup. Malik might be my only option.
“Just…promise me you will not be reckless in the meantime,” Malik says.
I roll my eyes at him and yank the covers over my body. I burrow beneath them, bringing them up to my chin in order to keep out the chill. I sink into my pillows and stare at the ceiling.
This time tomorrow, we will rescue Will. The thought settles into my heart, and I nearly explode from it.
“You must be smart about this, Ava. You cannot withstand a coven of witches in this state. I promise I will help you, but I have no intention of dying either. We need a plan.”
I nod. Glancing at him, I say, “Okay. One day.”
When Malik finally leaves, the room is enveloped by the night, and I quickly fall asleep.
But in the darkness, I do not visit the astral plane.
And when I dream, I do not see Will.
Chapter Five
When I wake, the sun is still a few hours from setting. I stare at the glow through my window, basking in its rays. I have not seen a sunset in months, and I plan to relish it today. It might be a struggle, but I woke with a renewed feeling on life. I will find the beauty in this hell.
I pull back my curtains and lean against the windowsill. From this height, I see nothing but snow and forest. The trees entomb us, encasing the manor in steady streams of thick trunks. It looks suspiciously like a wall, and when I gaze for too long, it begins to close in on me.
I squeeze my eyes shut, take several deep breaths, and open them again. This time, the trees are not quite as threatening. I cannot remember the last time I felt so…weak. Everything I see looks menacing and hazardous. Sometimes, I worry my fear will get the best of me, and I will never again leave the manor. I shudder at the thought of staying indoors for life.
I glance up at the sky and sigh. Like most winter days, it is overcast, with only hints of sunlight shining through when the clouds move. I wait for the moments when the rays penetrate those fluffy puffs. I pray I return to my former self. It is unfair that I am cursed to withstand daylight during the one season the sun refuses to shine.
When I face my room again, the light pouring through the almost never open window reflects off the tiny specks of dust in the air. I scrunch my nose at the sight, waving away the pollutants with my hands. I am unsuccessful because it is everywhere. Suddenly, I went from superhero to victim, strong to vulnerable. Now I have to worry about mundane things like allergies.