‘What’s on your mind?’ Sophie bumps my shoulder as we lean on the railing.
‘Varin.’
‘And the fact that he’s the hottest thing on this boat?’
‘No.’ I laugh. There were a few curious glances from the human crew as we came on deck, but I guess the fact we didn’t burst into flames was enough to make them lose interest. ‘Although, yes, you’re probably right about that. No, he just said it might be good for me to come up here today.’
‘You’ve been struggling, huh? I’ve seen it, but didn’t want to?—’
‘It’s just…’ I wave my hand, unable to express what I want to say. ‘All of this. It’s such bullshit. I just want to get on with the work, you know?’
‘This is part of it, though. Being human, around all of them. Having them bow to you. It’ll change how they see us.’
‘Yeah. That’s part of it. But this is… it’s my job. And I need to figure out how to do it. To be good at it. Like you are.’
Earlier, I’d watched in awe as Sophie manoeuvred the huge coach into the gaping maw of the waiting vessel, moonlit waves visible through a small porthole as the gangway clanged shut behind us.
‘You will be. I had a lot to learn, when I started. Although nothing like what you have to do.’
‘I yelled at him.’ My voice is small.
‘At Varin?’
‘Yeah. He was kind about it. But he also reminded me that I need to believe in myself.’ I breathe in the sea air, trying not to think about being on the beach with Michael in the early morning, when anything felt possible. A shadowy coastline rises in the distance, like the humps of a sea-monster. We’re getting close to the islands. Then I notice a group of small dark shapes on the horizon. ‘Are those boats?’ I point.
Sophie shades her eyes. ‘Maybe? I imagine there’s a few loose boats floating around out here.’
‘I don’t think they’re floating. They look like they’re going somewhere.’ A plume of smoke comes up from the boat at the front of the small convoy. ‘And they’re really small.’
‘Maybe they’re vampire boats?’
‘During the day?’
Sophie shrugs. ‘Humans aren’t allowed to sail around, though, are they? So it must be vamps, somehow.’ She sounds uncertain, though.
And, as I watch the small convoy disappear into the distance, so am I.
We dock a short while later, Sophie and I in the cockpit, my parents and Varin sealed in darkness below. I decided to have a daytime arrival, to make a statement. Let the news footage show humans living in the light, not the darkness. We roll onto a paved quayside, a long low building ahead of us with a sign reading ‘Ferry Terminal’. I should be excited; I’ve worked hard to ensure the island is ready. But I’m not. Instead, I’m uneasy.
A small group of people emerge from the terminal: Jane and Andrew, accompanied by a human film crew. Sea birds call, wheeling in the bright air as I exit the coach with Sophie. I asked her to come, because I wanted her to see what was possible. And also, because I needed a friend.
‘Lady Raven!’ Jane hurries over, dropping into a curtsey. ‘We’re so glad you’re here.’
‘Thank you for having us,’ I reply. ‘This is Sophie. She’ll be joining us on the tour today. Tonight, my parents will tour the community as well.’
‘Of course.’ Jane smiles. ‘I hope you’ll be happy with what we’ve done.’
‘I’m sure I will be. How’s it all going?’
The island didn’t have a lot of residents when I cleared it, and those vampires who did live here were handsomely compensated, offered alternative homes on the mainland, all expenses paid. We had to start basically from scratch, making sure there was a school and a library, that shops were stocked with goods, that regular deliveries would be made for food and essentials, as well as seedlings and everything the community might need to become as self-sufficient as possible. I discovered that the attics at the Raven estate were filled with furniture, so had it cleaned up and sent over, as well as making sure every home had linens and appliances, power and water connected.
‘Food deliveries are going well.’ Jane ushers us towards a small vehicle with open sides, Andrew in the driver’s seat. Sophie and I sit in the back, Jane in the passenger seat. ‘We’ve also been planting our own, ready for growing season. Give us a year or so and I think you’ll really see results here.’ We leave the port, another vehicle with the film crew following as we head into town. ‘This is our new playground,’ Jane continues, as we pass an open space where parents chase shrieking toddlers across grass, push them on swings, the trees bright with spring green. A man sells drinks from a van, people sitting on benches, admiring the view of the ocean. It’s beautiful.
We continue along residential streets, past homes with freshly painted trim and new front doors, some still with piles of building waste in the small front gardens. ‘We’re still working on these houses,’ Jane says. ‘They were in a bad way when we got here. But the community is really pulling together.’
More streets, more houses, some with window boxes and colourful gardens. Yet there are no people around. I get it, I guess. I remind myself that despite Jane’s friendliness, these people were trying to kill my family mere months ago. Andrew is quiet, the scar on his hand pulling white as he grips the steering wheel. He smiles, though, when I catch his eye.
Sophie nudges me. ‘This is wonderful,’ she whispers, her blue eyes wide.
