just to make the family look good and get donations for political campaigns. There were people in the house a lot around the holidays, and when people were around, William put on the act that he cared about me. Even when I was sold to that research lab, he’d come get me for a week around Christmas just to hold up the front we were a loving family. I had to be included on the Christmas card.”
“That is fucked up,” Ruby says slowly. “I’m…I’m sorry.”
I wave my hand in the air. “Don’t be. You’re not the one who sold me. And really, it worked out, didn’t it? It’s how Tabatha found me and how I came to attend the Academy.”
“Yeah, I guess.” She shakes her head. “You don’t resent Christmas?”
“No, and I know there’s something seriously weird about that, but I still associate Christmas with feeling safe. I love decorating and go a little overboard. I have an ugly sweater party every year and we eat our weight in Christmas cookies and play drinking games. I won’t be drinking this year, but you better come and have some wine for me.”
Ruby smiles. “I’d like that. And…and I like this. I’ve, um, I’ve never had a close girlfriend before.” She makes a big deal looking at the ground in front of her.
“Well, you have one now. Four, actually. Kristy, Nicole, and Naomi are kind of a package deal when you’re friends with me. I’m going to work on including Eliza in that, but it might take some time. She’s warming up to me.”
“She and Lucas never…”
“Nope. I think she went through a period of wanting him romantically, but he never felt that way about her.”
“Interesting,” Ruby notes.
“Yeah, it was kind of an adjustment. Lucas was the first vampire I really interacted with,” I remind her. “I always avoided them before, like a good little witch.”
“It’s probably for the best, since we harbor grudges on both sides.”
“Right. It’s time to just let that shit go. We have enough working against us, and the more we hate on the vamps, the more likely they are to call us out publicly.”
“Do you ever wish we could come out the way they did?” Ruby asks apprehensively.
“Sometimes. Mostly so I could then out William Martin for being the crusty piece of shit that he is. Why? You do?”
“Sometimes as well.” She pushes her long braids over her shoulder, and the little beads at the ends clank together. “I dated this non last year and I really liked him, but I couldn’t tell him at the beginning. All he knew was that I was a professor at a private school. I tried to gauge his emotions to see if things did get serious how he’d react.”
“I’m guessing it didn’t go well?”
“Not at all.”
I bunch up my cloak and step over a fallen log. “You told him?”
“No, we didn’t even get to that point. I tried alluding to it, you know, saying how I thought witchcraft was cool, and he pretty much said anyone who believes in 'that shit' is crazy.” She lets out a sigh.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. And I could have just shown him, you know? Done a spell or astral projected.” Her pace slows a bit. “It was the look in his eye…that’s what got me. Like even if I proved magic wasn’t some crazy bullshit, he’d never look at me the same.” She lets out a heavy sigh. “It was a year ago, though. I’m over it.”
“It’s hard, having to hide who you are.”
“You grew up being told who you are is wrong.” Ruby’s brows furrow. “I never really realized how hard that had to be until recently. Both my parents have magic. We’ve belonged to the Grim Gate Coven for generations.”
“Water under the bridge,” I say, waving my hand in the air. “Though, if you’re looking for someone who accepts you for who you are and isn’t afraid of your powers, I do recommend a vampire.”
Ruby lets out a snort of laughter. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
We walk in silence for a while, and I’m starting to feel kind of run down by the time we close in on the door. I’m going slow, and all three of my familiars have slowed to stay in pace with me.
“You all right?” Ruby asks, noticing I’m lagging.
“Yeah, just feeling a little tired. It’s late and it’s been a trying last few days,” I rush out, needing to come up with an excuse. My right hand lands