Magic at Midnight

by Lyssa Chiavari

  At first, the guests hesitated. But then Mother spoke.

  “Ah, what fine cuts. Simply delectable. Only the best for the friends of my children, of course.”

  In a blink, they were convinced. Even Henry began to cut into his steak with vigor. A couple of the guests moaned in delight. Grace smiled as a drop of blood dripped down her chin.

  Jamie let out a snicker as he chewed on his bite of steak, the red juices gathering at his bottom gum. “How are you enjoying your snake, Henry?”

  Henry froze, staring at his plate. “What?”

  Brows drawn down, I glared at Jamie. Cut it out! I said to him telepathically.

  I could feel the panic oozing out of Henry at what Jamie was making him see. He was paralyzed, as if an actual snake sat curled up on his plate.

  Jamie smirked at me, enjoying his moment of glamour a bit longer.

  I mean it! I told Jamie.

  Now, now, Mother said to us telepathically. There’s no need to fight.

  Jamie rolled his eyes, still smirking. “I said, how are you enjoying your steak, Henry?”

  Henry looked up at him and blinked, his knife and fork held up as the spell wore off. “Oh, um.” He wrinkled his brow, and then he suddenly smiled at Jamie. “Great. Yeah, it’s delicious.”

  You know what else I bet is delicious, Jamie said, handing Grace her glass of wine.

  I sent him a scolding glare.

  Children, as entertaining as I find it when you play with your food, Mother said, do not forget your duties for the night. Lord Kyran is expected to arrive just before midnight, and we need to get these morsels prepared.

  I cringed, turning my face away from Mother. My eyes went to Henry. It was a blood moon: Lord Kyran expected us to deliver souls to him tonight. We’d been gathering these victims in preparation for this traditional sacrifice, and my initial intention had been to bring Henry as my offering. His idea of inviting Grace was a bonus. But now, the thought of losing Henry caused a knot in my stomach. I felt things for him with a heart I hadn’t thought could feel things anymore. Henry actually listened to me—something nobody else seemed to bother doing. And when he looked at me, I felt as if I still had a soul. Studying the curves of his lips, the strong line of his jaw, I let out a small sigh and contemplated what I needed to do.

  Henry

  I barely remembered dinner. It seemed as if it was over in the blink of an eye. But I knew I must have eaten something. Steak? And did I drink wine? I was a little shocked that Vivienne’s mom would serve wine to teenagers, but I guessed there were different customs where she came from.

  “It’s just this way,” Vivienne said, her fingers intertwined in mine as she led me to her room.

  My body felt warm, and I squeezed her hand. The world around us seemed out of focus, with only Vivienne in my vision. Everything and everyone else seemed to disappear.

  She stopped in front of a large white door, but instead of opening it right away, she turned and leaned her back against it, her hands hidden behind her as she looked up at me with a coy smile and fluttering lashes.

  “What?” I asked, unable to wipe the smile from my face.

  “I’m a little nervous about showing you my sketches.”

  I moved a strand of hair off her shoulder. “Don’t be. I’m sure they’re great.”

  She captured my hand and held it to her cheek. “I also have some special candy for you to try. It’s something new that hasn’t hit the market yet. You have to try it. I swear, after you’ve tasted it, you’ll never feel the same.”

  I let out a small laugh, finding everything about Vivienne adorable.

  Voices from down the hall made me turn my head. I suddenly remembered we were not alone in the house. In fact, it suddenly occurred to me that my sister was somewhere in the mansion and I didn’t know if she was all right.

  “Wait. What about Grace?”

  “Don’t worry; Delancey and Jamie are keeping her company.”

  My brow wrinkled. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

  Her eyes dropped for a second. When she looked back up at me, a sudden sense of calm came over me. “Of course. Don’t worry.”

  I immediately forgot what I’d been worried about. Something about abandoning Grace? But then my mind was filled with the vision of her smiling and having fun. She was fine. I quickly forgot about Grace and concentrated on Vivienne as she opened the door to her room.

  Her room was lavishly furnished, with gorgeous velvet curtains hanging in the windows. Her vanity was a pristine white and covered with perfumes, hair accessories, and trinkets. And her bed was a huge queen-sized canopy.

  As I gazed around her room, Vivienne skipped over to a desk and pulled out a large sketchbook. Batting her lashes, she smiled up at me and held out the book. “Be kind,” she said.

  I let out a small laugh and took the book. “Always,” I said.

  As I flipped the first page open, I was filled with surprise. When Vivienne had said she liked to sketch, I’d expected her drawings to be good, but in the pages before me were detailing and shadows and contrast that I could only describe as professional.

  “Vivienne. Wow.” I shook my head in wonder. “These are amazing.”

  “You really like them?”

  “Yes, you’re extremely talented.”

  Pink tinged her cheeks. It was the first time I’d ever seen this confident, no-fear young woman blush, and it excited me that I could bring about such a reaction.

  I reached out and stroked her cheek, wanting to feel the warmth. First she put her hand upon mine, and then she took the sketchbook away and returned it to her desk.

  “Do you want to major in art?” I asked, watching as she grabbed a box of matches from her vanity table and proceeded to light some candles. Upon seeing her do this, I was suddenly aware of the abundance of candles in her room. Had there been this many when I’d entered the room? I must have been so transfixed by Vivienne that I hadn’t noticed.

  “Maybe,” she replied. “But… I mean—not to sound arrogant—but what could they actually teach me that I don’t already know?” She lit a dozen more candles, then went over to switch off her bedroom lights. “There,” she said. “That’s cozier, don’t you think?”

  Her eyes were practically glowing in the candlelight.

  “Yeah, it’s nice,” I said, watching her move toward me.

  It was as if she were walking in slow motion. Even the way her hair bounced made me feel like someone had slowed down time. As she came nearer, I noticed something shiny in her hand.

  “Come here.” She reached for me with her free hand and tugged me toward her bed.

  We sat beside each other, and I couldn’t break my gaze. It felt as if I would die if I looked away.

  “This is very secret,” she said, placing the shiny object in my hand.

  When I was finally able to tear my eyes away from her, I looked down to see a shiny candy wrapper in my hand.

  “Don’t tell anyone I let you have a taste,” she whispered, her words soft and slow. She snuggled closer, her shoulder touching my chest as she unwrapped the candy and left the treat in my hand. “I could get into all sorts of trouble. But something about you makes me want to be daring. And reckless.”

  Again, I couldn’t tear my eyes away. I titled my head closer to hers, the soft curve of her lips inviting me. My head buzzed pleasantly, and her words echoed in my mind. Have a taste. Have a taste.

  Our lips were only inches apart, and then suddenly a shock of something sweet hit my tongue. I hadn’t even realized Vivienne had lifted the candy to my mouth, and though I’d longed for a kiss, I was suddenly overcome with a sense of delicious satisfaction. It was as if nothing else could have gratified me more than having this taste in my mouth.

  “It’s good, right?” she asked, her voice still seductive.

  Before I could respond, she tipped her head up and kissed me.

  I felt as if I had entered a dream state, my mind floating and my body numb. The
room spun, but instead of making me queasy, it somehow relaxed me. I was only slightly aware of Vivienne gently pushing me back until I was lying on my back, and then I felt her mouth on my neck. I closed my eyes, unable to resist the wave of relaxation pulling me in.

  Vivienne

  I felt the moment he blacked out. His blood was sweet and flowed like warm syrup over my tongue. I only took enough to quench my thirst, making sure not to drain him too much. After all, I wanted him to wake soon. I wanted to spend more time with him, to have him talk to me, to feel his arms around me.

  Wiping my mouth, I sat up and gazed upon his still form. The wound at his neck was a bit swollen, but it was barely bleeding anymore. His breaths were slow, his strong chest rising and falling in an easy rhythm. He looked adorable with sugar on his lips. I had to smile.

  Did I really have to give him up? Couldn’t I spend a few more months with him? What would it hurt to keep him for myself for just a little bit longer?

  A knock came at my door. I held back a grunt of frustration.

  “I hope I didn’t interrupt,” Delancey said, shooting a glance over my shoulder at Henry sprawled out on my bed.

  “I’m sure,” I said, brow cocked. “What do you want?”

  “It seems tonight’s group was quick to fall under the spell. It must be a record. We’re bringing them down to the pit shortly.”

  “Has Edgar already finished digging?”

  “He’s nearly done, yes. He’ll be starting the fire soon.” Her eyes went once more to Henry. “What are your plans for him?”

  I flinched. The plan had been to bring him to the pit to sacrifice with the others, and although I was having qualms about going through with it, I was taken aback that Delancey could sense my reservations. “What do you mean?”

  She scoffed. “I’m not blind, Viv. I see the doe eyes you give him. Are you handing him over to Lord Kyran or not?”

  I sucked in a shuddering breath. “I… I want to keep him.”

  She let out a breathy laugh, shaking her head. “It doesn’t surprise me. But, Vivienne, you need to be sure. Remember what happened last time.”

  “That was different. I was just bored then.”

  “You kept that boy for a year. He went crazy and almost killed Jamie.”

  “Henry would never do that.”

  “You don’t know that. You don’t know how he’ll react when he’s turned. The males are always so unstable. So unpredictable. And the end result? We had to kill that boy. So you lost him anyway.”

  “Henry is different. We… we have real feelings for each other. That’s got to make a difference.”

  Delancey shrugged. “Sometimes it makes it worse.”

  A soft moan emanated from behind me.

  “He’s waking up,” I said. “I have to go.”

  She placed a hand on my door, stopping me from closing it right away. “You need to make a decision, then. And soon.”

  Henry

  I rubbed at my neck, wondering what had happened. The skin there felt sore and tingly. I sat up to find Vivienne sitting on the bed beside me with her legs tucked under her, smiling.

  “You dozed off,” she said sweetly.

  I blinked, trying to remember how I could have possibly fallen asleep. Here I was in my gorgeous girlfriend’s room, candles setting a cozy mood, a huge, comfy bed beneath us, and no parents around. What was I, crazy?

  “I’m sorry,” I said, feeling the need to stretch out my shoulders. When I did, the skin on my neck pulled, and I remembered the sore spot. Oh my God! I’d fallen asleep in the middle of making out. Vivienne had been kissing my neck, and I’d completely passed out, lying there like a lump while she’d given me a hickey. My face burned with the thought. How pathetic of me!

  “Henry, I really like you a lot.” Her gaze dropped for a second, her expression serious.

  Oh, God, now she was breaking up with me. I swallowed hard. “I like you too.”

  She scooted closer and took my hand. “You make me feel special. You make me feel like… like I don’t want to be around anyone else. No one’s ever made me feel the way you do, and I was beginning to think I was incapable of feeling anything anymore.”

  I felt blindsided. Was she not breaking up with me?

  “I want you to stay with me, Henry. Forever.”

  Confusion muddled my mind. “I… What? What do you mean?”

  “I mean”—she squeezed my hand—“I could offer you a fabulous life. A life that would never, ever have to end.”

  I rubbed at my neck again. “I don’t understand.”

  A cracking noise pulled my attention away. It was as if a large branch had snapped outside. A yellowish light glowed outside her window.

  “What was that?” I jumped from the bed.

  “Henry, wait.”

  I reached the window before she could stop me. Outside, a fire blazed. It looked like a bonfire, only bigger. And then, from the direction of the house, a line of people walked. They wavered as they walked toward the flames, almost zombie-like. Narrowing my eyes, I realized they were the guests from the party, gathering in a circle around the fire. And Grace was with them.

  “What’s going on? What’s Grace doing with those people?”

  “Nothing.” Vivienne’s voice had a tinge of panic in it. She raced toward me. “Here, have some more candy.”

  I eyed the candy, wondering why she’d offered it to me. Yet something weird pulled at me, as if I almost couldn’t control myself and needed to have that piece of candy. But then the fire crackled outside. “No. No, something’s not right here.”

  “Henry, it’s me.” She stroked my cheek.

  I started to feel relaxed. But no. There was something wrong about this. I closed my eyes and turned my head. I focused on Grace’s face. She stared into the fire as if she were sleepwalking. I pounded on the glass and called her name, but she couldn’t hear me.

  “Henry, stop. It’s fine. Grace is fine. You’re here with me. Don’t you want to be here with me?”

  I felt so confused. But my mind snapped back to Grace. “I… I do, but… but something’s wrong with Grace. I have to go to her.”

  Her hand reached out to me, but I brushed past it, dashing for the door.

  “Henry, wait!”

  I ignored her call, throwing the door open.

  And came face-to-face with Vivienne’s mother.

  Vivienne

  My voice stuck in my throat when Mother placed her hand upon Henry’s shoulder. She had him. It was too late.

  Mother hadn’t needed to say anything. Where my glamour had failed, Mother’s worked instantly. Henry grew still, standing there and waiting patiently as if he’d forgotten his panic over his sister.

  Mother’s gaze found me. I walked toward her cautiously, aware of the disappointment in her piercing eyes.

  “Delancey told me your plans, Vivienne. I hate to derail your efforts, but I don’t think it’s going to work.”

  “Why not? I can make it work. Henry—he likes me. It’s not like last time.”

  “No, Vivienne. I forbid it.”

  “But—”

  “End of story. Do you dare go against my wishes?”

  I sucked in a breath, my hands clasped in front of me. I wanted to fight for him. But I couldn’t get past her glare. I dropped my gaze and slowly shook my head.

  “You are to bring him to the pit immediately.”

  I looked up at her, mustering up the courage to give it one last try.

  “Vivienne,” she said sternly. “Lord Kyran will be arriving shortly. Delancey and I are going to meet his car. Bring Henry to the pit now, or I will kill him myself. And perhaps you will join him.”

  Biting my lip, I nodded and took Henry’s arm. “Yes, Mother.”

  I pulled Henry along with me, feeling Mother’s eyes at our backs. I felt like crying. I felt like ripping out my hair. How could I let her do this?

  My body shook as I made it outside. My muscles clenched along my jawline, and
my eyes darted around the bonfire pit.

  The pit was dug about two feet deep, filled with timber that spat up dancing flames, embers floating into the starry sky. The guests stood around it, some of them mumbling absently, some of them slack-jawed. Jamie stood beside Grace, and he smirked when he saw us approach.

  “Aw, Vivienne. Why so upset?” he asked.

  I could have punched him in the face. He knew exactly what I was upset about. “Did Mother ask you to make sure I brought him?”

  He shrugged. “You can’t be so naïve to think you can keep any boy you come across for your own, Vivienne. Lord Kyran is expecting these souls, and it would be foolish to deny him.”

  “There are plenty of souls here for him. Why does Henry have to be one of them?”

  “So you’re perfectly fine with sacrificing his sister?”

  I flinched. I knew Henry would not be okay with losing Grace. It occurred to me that if I were to try to save Henry, I would have to save them both.

  He turned to Grace and ran a finger down her cheek. “I understand, though. Such a shame to give up such a delicious morsel. In fact, I was thinking about keeping her for myself. This last hour has been… enlightening. She’s got all the makings of a blood-hungry vampire.”

  My blood ran hot. “Leave her alone.”

  Jamie narrowed his eyes and took a step toward me. “Or what?”

  I pushed him back. He let out a low laugh.

  I reached for Grace’s arm, but Jamie blocked my way. He pushed himself forward until he was directly in front of me, but instead of assaulting me, he grabbed Henry’s arm and pulled. Instinctively, I wrapped my hand around Henry’s wrist and pulled him back, but Jamie wouldn’t let go.

  “Forget it, Vivienne. Stop being stupid.”

  With two hands, I yanked on Henry’s arm, desperate to get him out of Jamie’s grasp.

  The victims were oblivious to our struggle, swaying like zombies before the fire. Jamie suddenly let go of Henry’s arm. It was so unexpected that I stumbled backward. Seizing the moment, Jamie charged forward and pushed me. Hard.