Penelope watched as Matthew walked away, curious about who he was. He was neither a vampire nor a werewolf—she could tell—but why did he possess the ability of a vampire?
She picked up her bag and exited through the back door, her favorite way of going in and out of the club.
"Greg, leave your meal. We're going home," she said, walking past a dark corner where a vampire was feasting on a human woman he had lured into the shadows.
"But why, Pen? I'm just getting started on the meal, and she's really tasty," Greg bemoaned, licking the blood off his hands.
When Penelope didn't answer, Greg reluctantly left the half-eaten body and wheezed to her side.
"Shit, Pen, you know I hate leaving a meal unfinished, so your reason better be good."
"Greg, do you think it's possible for a human to possess a vampire's ability?" Pen asked.
"Which one of our abilities? Our super-fast reflexes? Our ability to hypnotize people? Or the fact that we remain ageless and alive for centuries?" Greg asked, sounding proud of his powers.
"Our hypnotizing ability. Do you think a human can do that?" she asked again.
"For a human? I don't think it's the same as our hypnotizing ability. I think the person is just really good at persuading others to do their will," Greg explained.
Penelope sighed and ran ahead of him.
"Ma Ella, he said it's a gift. He clearly hypnotized that guy into leaving me alone. I don't even think he realizes the ability he has," Penelope said, narrating her experience at the club to the eldest member of their vampire coven.
Ma Ella, who even after 200 years looked young and fresh, had been bedridden for years because of a hole in her heart. She stood up, grabbed a cup containing a red liquid (probably blood), and sipped it slowly.
"So, Penelope, what are you assuming? That he's a vampire?"
"If he is, I would have known. I would have recognized a fellow vampire," Penelope said, pausing in frustration. "But for him to possess one of our abilities, it means there's something special about him. I need to keep an eye on him."
"Do it, Pen. Keep an eye on him," Ma Ella said, lying back down on her bed.
Marissa arrived at her uncle's house around 6:30 p.m., and her cousin Lauren couldn't stop screaming when she saw her.
"What's wrong, Lauren? You sound like you've seen a ghost," Marissa said, startled.
"Well, I think I am looking at a ghost! I told you I'm introducing you to someone today, and this is what you're wearing?" Lauren exclaimed, emphasizing the word "this."
"But what's wrong with my gown?" Marissa asked innocently.
"Yeah, what's wrong with her gown?" Simon, Lauren's elder brother, chimed in as he walked over to them.
"Hi, Simon," Marissa greeted.
"How are you, Rissa?" Simon asked with a smile.
"I'm just tired," Marissa replied, yawning.
"Okay, are you two done with the pleasantries? Because I need to explain what's wrong with her gown," Lauren interrupted.
Marissa and Simon exchanged glances, sighed, and nodded in unison for Lauren to continue.
Lauren launched into a rant about how Marissa's gown was inappropriate for the dinner, pointing out that it looked tacky, was too concealing, and made her shapeless. She added that a red gown would have been a much better choice.
"A bright red gown that's elegant, not overly revealing, but still stylish—and definitely not above your knees," Lauren elaborated.
"But my gown isn't above my knees," Marissa protested.
"It's slightly above your knees," Lauren insisted. "Anyway, I think I have the perfect gown for you. Follow me upstairs," she said, walking off.
Marissa looked helplessly at Simon, who shrugged as if to say, I can't help you, Rissa.
"The dinner starts at 7:30, so we don't have much time," Lauren said, rummaging through her wardrobe. "Good thing I already have the perfect dress for you," she added, pulling out a bright red gown. "Now, take off that thing you're wearing and change into this."
"But Lauren, this gown is way too gorgeous for just dinner!" Marissa protested, examining it.
"Exactly, Rissa! This isn't just an ordinary dinner. I told you we have a guest, remember?" Lauren explained, already heading out. "Let me go finish the dinner preparations."
Marissa sighed, mumbling, "It's not as if we're throwing a party—this is just dinner."
Some minutes later, Lauren called for Marissa, announcing that their guest had arrived.
Marissa walked downstairs, not sure what to expect. Knowing Lauren since childhood, one would assume they knew each other inside out, but Lauren had always been full of surprises and twists.
Unlike Marissa, who was as open as a book, Lauren was high-spirited, lively, and unpredictable. Marissa had learned to keep an open mind and brace herself for anything when it came to her cousin.