My parent's house was quiet.
Rose had been asleep for a while, but it wasn't something that bothered me.
I didn't know how all of this vampire stuff worked, but he didn't really hit her, so it wasn't something of concern.
My father had gone to bed early, and, while I would have liked to leave, my sister was insistent that I stay.
My childhood bedroom was gloomy and dark, and it reminded me of a time I'd rather forget. So I came downstairs to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee and kill time.
My mother was standing there, eating some gumbo left over from dinner. I groaned internally, but with my exhaustion and inability to sleep, I really needed caffeine.
"Blair, can we talk?" She fished for a reaction as I approached the coffee pot.
"Yeah, sure, Mom. What's up?" I said monotonously. I tried my best to show disinterest in my voice.
I already knew she was going to bring up something I wasn't prepared to talk about.
"I just, I want you know that I love you. Both of you."
I said nothing, taking a pod from under the counter and placing it in the one-cup capsule. I placed a mug underneath and closed the top, pressing the "small cup" button.
"I know things have been...distant since... But you know you can ask for help, right? With the cafe being repaired, if you need money for rent-"
"I don't need anything. Thanks."
I poured in some cream and sugar, stirring quietly to avoid clinking the ceramic. I stared into the hot, swirling cup, wishing I could disappear from this conversation.
"Bear bear, look,"
Please don't call me that.
"I'm doing what's best for you."
I pulled back from a sip and resisted slamming the cup back onto the counter.
Don't tell me what's best for me.
Don't bring this up if you know what my reaction will be.
I have much bigger things on my mind right now.
"Dad may have forgiven you, let you sweep it all under the rug, and honestly, I'm glad. I'm glad it all worked out for you. But I have not, and I'm not sure I will.
I don't want to talk about it unless you have something else you want to tell me."
I waited, studying the pain on her face. I felt a pang in my heart momentarily, but tried to push it away.
It's her own fault.
What am I feeling sorry for?
"I can't, Blair. I love you."
"I love you, too, Mom." I grumbled, rolling my eyes.
The pulling in my chest felt like strings tightening me, like a wind up doll. The tips of my fingers felt a familiar, buzzing sensation and I felt a sense of panic.
Magic?
I pretended to angrily rush back to my old bedroom, but the fury in me had all been put out with the electric feeling accumulating in my palm.
I quickly shut the door behind me, studying my hand.
A violet glow poured from my finger tips, pulling up into my palm like waves. I took deep breaths, trying to calm my anxiety and anger regarding the sight in front of me.
I closed my eyes, and when I opened them again, I saw the last of the waving energy pull back into my hand.
Did it happen out of my anger?
Like my fear before?
If I get worked up, is it going to happen again?
I shook my head. Guessing wasn't going to work. I needed to do research, as Jesse was obviously unwilling to help.
But what did he expect me to do?
Did he really think I could just forget the events of the past few days, cleanse my mind and never think about it again?
Maybe some people could, maybe they did. But the fact that he said I used magic...
If it's going to keep happening, I can't pretend it's not. What if I hurt someone on accident?
What if I see a vampire again?
I took a sip of my quickly cooling coffee, opening my phone to start my research journey.
After all, there had to be a group of witches on the internet. A forum or something.
What did he call it?
Lucid magic?
I spent most of the night looking for some evidence that I wasn't in an alternate universe, people with similar experiences. The vampires, the magic, if Jesse knew, there was a good chance there were others.
It didn't do much to make me feel less crazy. The majority of the vampire forums were BDSM pages, cosplayers, and conspiracy theorists who swore they saw someone without a reflection.
And the witches were mostly people growing herbs, collecting crystals, none of the lucid magic that I'd seen and done.
The time was now close to three in the morning, and yet another sleepless night was passing me by. But how could I possibly rest?
I wearily pushed myself to my feet, grabbing the empty mug and walking to the door.
Just one more cup.
I had barely pushed the door open when I heard the front door creak open. I didn't know why, but I halted.
Mumbling voices became distinct. My father was talking to someone.
What is he doing at three AM?
"...her out of it. She doesn't need to be involved in this."
I pulled the door to without shutting it all the way, keeping my ear pressed while staying out of sight.
"I don't know if I can, Jack. She went out of her way to find me, box me in, and make me give her answers.
She saw him feed.
I don't know how she'll step back now."
Is that Jesse?
I gently pushed the door open again, peeking to see exactly who I thought I would. My father was standing at the door, Jesse in the doorway.
"I don't care. I got away from all this to start a family. I don't want her in danger.
Shut her down, whatever it takes. Have Misty put a protection spell on her, and make her forget."
I felt my eyes widen as I took in the situation. My father not only knew, he was part of this.
"I can't do that. She's a lucid witch, and neither of us can change it.
Even if she somehow does forget about the redbloods, she has to learn to control her magic or someone will get hurt."
I shut the door completely now, resting against it as I took a deep breath. I wasn't sure how to react, how to feel, my emotions were running high. But I did know my next course of action.
My father's study.