Twenty-one

Hope and I spent the rest of the evening bonding, talking more about our most cherished childhood memories and what we missed most about the simpler days. It was nice to sit down and relax for a while. The icing on the cake was going for a swim in the spring just as the sun was setting. I'd say it was the perfect best friend date.

It was a little strange hearing her call me Lori, though. I didn't say anything, and I didn't think too much of it. Besides, of course, it was my mother's name. I wouldn't let just anyone call me that, otherwise, they'd get clocked in the face.

Eventually, we had to return to the school before Ric went all hunter mode on us. Having heard of Davina's successful yet dangerous teaching moment, he had to see about it himself. Which meant Davina was in some trouble, and I was likely to be targeted next.

I woke up extremely anxious to step of the room this morning. Now that everyone knows I was also, somehow, a tribrid- kind of- it put a very bright spotlight on me that I never enjoyed. The only thing canceling that feeling was the excitement I felt for my session with Davina today. Now that my magic is unblocked, Davina can teach me how to properly control it.

But before I could even get through the day, of course, I had to survive Jack's billions of questions.

"I just don't get it! Hope's blood is of the oldest family in history, which has all three species involved, so I kind of get her being a tribrid but you? That's where I'm lost. And you never said anything about having a witch parent either so... I mean, what coven are you from? How far back does their history go? Are you somehow related to Hope? Is that why you follow her around like a puppy?"

"Okay, first of all, I don't follow her around like a puppy."

"But you admit you follow her. Is it because of that whole princess thing? I meant to ask about that."

I rolled my eyes as I wrapped my annoyingly curly hair into a loose bun. "I'm from the crescent pack. Her mother's pack, who was the queen of said pack, remember? It's... it's a thing I can't not call her, I guess?"

"But how are you a hybrid that can do magic, though? Are you related to the Mikaelsons? Are you-"

"One question at a time, Jaquelin."

"But there are, like, so many, Mel, I don't even know where to start!"

"Well since you asked if I'm related to them twice, I can definitely say no. That's impossible because the Mikaelsons were either made vampires, or cursed to sleep for a hundred years only to be awake for one day for a thousand years..."

"Which one was that again?"

"Freya. Oldest sibling? Come on, Jack you knew that."

"Sorry. My mind's super fucked right now. And you're surprisingly calm about all this."

I scoffed and shook my head. "On the outside, sure. Inside? I'm freaking out. I just can't let that take over, so..."

"But you're a freaking tribrid!"

"I'm a freaking tribrid-to-be," I said with a smirk. "Hot damn."

Going about the day with Jack- with Remy joining in at some point- nagging in my poor ear every chance they got- you know the usual: what, how, when. That stuff. It was fine at first but by the time lunch came, it was ridiculous. And the eyes that followed me, too?

Please, creepy people, I would like it if you just didn't.

Thankfully, though, it was Friday, and I was free to keep myself in the room all day for the weekend. After I convinced Ric to let me borrow his truck so I could go into town and buy myself a new guitar.

I felt spontaneous enough to go out of my way and rack up some old savings (plus interest) from my short days back in Fort Valley. And all for a new guitar? Worth it. Absolutely, positively worth it.

I knocked on his office door before letting myself in. He wasn't busy with the company of some other person, luckily, but he was nose deep into some research or whatever. If I had to guess by the number of old books and papers, he was looking into those spells we need to destroy demon boy's daddy.

I tapped on the desk to catch his attention, and I'm guessing he had quite a bit to say once he realized it was me that visited him.

"You-"

"Can do magic now, woo! Now that that's out of the way, can I borrow your truck?"

Ric smiled sarcastically, gently placing the little book he had in his hand on the table. "You want to borrow my truck?"

"Yes. Quick in and out of the town. Personal errand, it... may really help with my educational prowess. Perhaps it can inspire me to-"

"Cut the bullshit."

"Okay," I nodded.

"What do you need my truck for?"

"I just want to go buy myself some new instruments. That's all."

"Fine. But we're talking about yesterday as soon as you get back."

"Then I'll just take my time," I shrugged. "Seriously, though, I'm picky about the kind of guitar I want. It could take a while."

Ric opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out the keys. "Be back before sundown."

"Roger that, big man." I caught the keys after he threw them, then left the office and made my way out the front door. Ric's vehicle was pretty much always parked in the roundabout which made it a lot less difficult for me to leave.

As I was getting in the truck, I shot Hope a quick text to let her know I'd be gone for a bit. Honestly, this shouldn't take too much time. I know exactly what I want so I should be able to look around the shop quickly and get out.

The drive was only about ten to fifteen minutes from the boarding school. I was thankful for that. Ric's radio is probably the definition of shitty. The man needs a new car... desperately.

I found an open parking spot directly in front of the music store. I remember seeing this place when I was roaming around town, post-Malivore pit. It was dark, but I could still see this one guitar displayed in the window. It wasn't a top concern for me then because I was lost, confused, and covered in tar while half-naked. But now, I can get it. I will get it.

And luckily for me, that beautiful instrument still sits where it was.

I immediately spotted a man chatting with a customer as I entered. I assumed he was the owner.

He saw me standing at the entrance and told the girl he was talking to that he'd be right back, then walked over to me with the smile of a content businessman. "Need any help?"

I shook my head. "Nah, I know exactly what I want."

"Wait let me guess... you play... trumpet?"

I tilted my head to the side, raising my eyebrows. I was impressed he knew that. "Yeah, I do. Well, I did, some years ago."

"Yeah, but that kind of knowledge just doesn't go away. So what kind are you looking for?"

"Oh, I'm not here for that. At least not this time, maybe. I'm looking to buy a guitar. Specifically, O120CE, acoustic-electric."

"We're actually out of stock."

"Really?" I pointed behind me towards the window. "That one's not for sale?"

"No, sorry. It's just for display until I can find another couple of them."

"How long would that take?"

"Months, probably. Could even be a year, I don't know."

I threw my head back and whined. There was no way I could wait that long for such a gorgeous piece like that. "Is there any way I can take her off your hands?"

"Nope."

"Come on, I'll give you... five hundred bucks." The man shook his head, too stubborn to give in. "Dude, that's a hundred more than what it'd be worth."

"Sorry."

"Six?"

"No."

"Eight."

"Still no, love."

I pulled out the envelope from my back pocket and held it up. "I have eighteen hundred I can give right now if you let me buy her. I can even come back tomorrow with a couple hundreds more, if that's what it takes. And I keep up my ends of bargains, I promise."

Someone called his name to get his attention and wave him over. He held his hand up for a second before turning back to me. "You won't let this one slide, will you?"

"Absolutely not. Only an idiot would let that beauty slip through their fingers."

Sighing, he finally caved. "Alright. Twenty-three hundred sound fair, considering?"

"Yes. I will have the rest tomorrow, I swear."

Scotty went over to the window and picked up the white acoustic-electric guitar, careful not to drop it. I could tell by how gently he handled her that he genuinely was passionate about his job. His shop, even, and music.

True musicians value their instruments.

"You're lucky I needed some extra cash to pay off my bills," Scotty chuckled. "Otherwise, I'd never part with her."

"Wise. But I promise you're leaving her in good hands."

"I can tell by the way you're calling her... well, her. Let me go get a case for you."

"No need, really," I said, waving him off. He shrugged lightly before we finalized the exchange. He opened the envelope enough to quickly count the bills.

He nodded briefly before shoving the money in his pocket. "Thanks for your business."

"Thank you for Gwenivere." Laughing, Scotty turned to walk back to the other customer at the counter. I tucked Gwen under my arm and held the neck as I exited the building.

I opened the back door and gently laid her across seats, then slammed the door shut. I got back in the driver's, started up the car, and took off down the empty road. I was pleased with myself, now having possibly the sexiest guitar I've ever laid my eyes on. I mean, I'm paying almost two thousand more than what it's worth, but... a girl has to do what she's gotta do.

Especially when she can't compel the guy to just sell it at its regular price...

It's fine. It was worth it.

My phone buzzed from the passenger seat where I left it. I glanced at it to see who had messaged me, but my phone was faced down, so I reached over to grab it. When I looked back up at the road, my heart nearly jumped up to my throat as I slammed down on the brakes. The car skidded to a stop, and I was able to get a good look at what was there.

A kid was lying in the middle of the road, lifeless. I quickly exited the truck and ran towards him.

I dropped down to my knees when I reached him, ignoring the slight pain I felt from that as I leaned over him. I grabbed his shoulder and shook him a little. "Hey, kid, you okay? Hey." I turned him onto his back. When I did, his eyes shot open and looked directly into mine. I saw that they were dilated and there was little to no emotion in them. And as his lips curled into a devious smirk, I felt something was very, very wrong here.

Before I could respond or react, he jammed a needle in the base of my neck. It burned so bad as my vision blurred, and I slowly fell to the ground and started to lose consciousness. But through the distortion, I could see him stand to his feet and straighten his jacket. And before I completely lost it, I heard him say something that got to me.

"Hello, sister."

my friend dwindled my confidence in me being famous. I am in my eyes but she said I'm not because "there aren't enough votes" 🙄

yeah right, midget.

as per her "helpful" suggestion...care to, oh I dunno, vote? maybe... perhaps?

it's whatever honestly I feel awesome with what's there already. she's just being a dingus isn't she?

("midget" here. give this book all your upvotes or I will have your soul 😈)

that was legitimately her btw^ I sincerely apologize.

enjoy your day x

ps: help, she's gone and done this ~

pps: , she said you're safe and you get big smooch for being super supportive from the VERY beginning