I looked back, seeing Souxie waving her hand as I frowned at Himora. Her wings were still wide open, holding its position in the air against her spine, colorful and filled with intricate veins that looked like streaks of lightning. She went mute and focused back on her daughter as if I didn’t just pour my heart out to her. So I thanked her again, deciding not to press my luck any further for conversation. She seemed to be in her own space with her daughter and I didn’t want to disrupt it. So just as I turned and started to walk off, I heard her speak without looking back.
“Be around those who accept you as you are, so you have a healthy environment to naturally grow into who you’re meant to become.”
I stared back at her as she looked lovingly at her daughter with the deepest set of blood red eyes. She gently tucked at her onesie, pulling it down as Himora’s fangs suddenly appeared, hanging from her mouth like she was going to bite down at any given moment. Instead, she simply went back to humming as the little girl slept in her mother’s arms. I quickly went back in the house, passing up her husband who was the total opposite of her rigid personality. Loud, cocky and almost flirty with everyone and everybody, he carried a small pet carrier box in one hand towards her. Himora's wings immediately fell limp against her back like the threat was no longer around. She didn’t even have to turn around nor did he have to say a word for her body to recognize it was him. Her guard was down the moment he stepped in her boundary, and although I didn’t know her, I understood it and wanted to be just like that with the girls. I just had a lot of inner shit to work through.
…
The car ride with Souxie and Harvey was interesting enough to keep my attention since the two bickered like an old married couple that pretended to hate each other. I want to say she met her match in him but then again, I’m sure she knew that already and that’s probably why she kept him around as long as she did.
“Ground Media One is here live at Lake Lanier here in Georgia…”
I sat up between the two seats as I watched Souxie turn the volume up on her phone. It was none other than Clementine herself who was standing like a damn reporter near a lake. You could see siren lights, yellow tape, and people in the distance as they ran boats across the water. Clementine had on her white polo shirt and khaki shorts. Her hair was pulled back and she looked refreshed as she tapped the corner of her chest where a Drew Collins school crest appeared.
“Since when the hell did she start this?! When the hell does she have the time for this?” I let out but Souxie shushed me.
“The situation here is a bit difficult to explain but I want you all to know the truth. I want you to always know Ground Media One will give you facts before myths. The Underground has always been secured and protected by the strongest of magic and charms. Magic so far beyond our wildest imagination, even for us that it’s something we don’t understand, but the ones who built this place do. There are those who seek to open the Underground, believing segregation is no longer a livable option and there are those who choose to protect what we have. This is our history, our magic, our people… Our families and all who live in the safety of the Underground, this is what it’s turned into…”
She turned to the side, letting the camera pan towards the misty lake where they showed a body being pulled out.
“Every officer you see here is working together with the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, placing charms, and spells as we collect those who have lost their lives and those who are at threat of being exposed. The political climate is no longer witches and vampires going against each other. It’s no more Gaia isn’t real, or The First Family is dangerous–––”
“She’s livestreaming this,” Souxie whispered, showing the number on the corner shooting up.
“Gaia is real and those of us who were fortunate enough to witness her power and hear her warning message on what was about to happen, know the truth now. Maggie Grey of the First Family is Gaia reincarnated, but The First Family are no longer the only vampires in the Underground.”
“What?” I let out as Souxie waved me to keep quiet.
“Yes, you heard me. The First Family is the least of our concerns. We’ve been so busy fighting amongst ourselves that we ignored who the real enemy is.”
My mouth dropped when I saw a shot of light wrap around the entire area like a blue dome or air bubble. Even Clementine stepped to the side as you see the spells working in real time by our officers here. They were trying their hardest to clean and cover this up.
“Every major mythical agency is here at the scene doing their best to keep this quiet,” Clementine said. Souxie began scrolling through the comments that all mentioned Maggie with the emoji of the moon beside her name. The rest were people claiming they knew of other vampires in different parts of the country when the video suddenly went offline.
“It’s about to get crazy,” Harvey said as he continued down the back roads. “Everything is about to be on lockdown.”
“What do you mean?” I asked. He turned to look back at me.
“The order is about to be given out. Those who are in the Underground have to remain inside. Those who are out can no longer come back in. They’re shutting everything down and all moving doors will no longer be working. All major stations in the Underground will be suspended. You won’t be able to leave.”
“I have to tell Maggie. She’s back home in Atlanta–––”
“She knows. Namir knows. Her brother knows. We’re all in communication with one another.”
“Like a group chat?” Souxie asked. “With just the men?” Harvey nodded. “Were you flirting with any of them?”
Harvey looked at her as his eyes blackened out and just remained like dark endless holes in his face.
“You know me better than that.”
“I thought you found Namir attractive,” Souxie let out. “No? I bet it’s Quan…”
“I’d let him feed on me,” Harvey said as I shook my head.What…the…fuck?
“Hold on, wait a minute,” I said, trying to stop them before they get freaky in the front seat. “So what about the school? Does that mean they’re locking the schools down, and what are you talking about letting Quan feed on you? What type of freak shit is that? A CAT? You letting a CAT FEED on you?”
“You haven’t told her,” Harvey said.
“So youuuuu like Quan…” Souxie teased in her dainty southern voice. “Harvey and Quan…sitting in a tree… That’s why you’re so antsy around him. He’s not bisexual you know. Not even remotely curious. He would never fuck you, Harvey. He wouldn’t even look your way. I’m sorry to say.”
