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“Well, we’re all here for you. Know that much. But honestly, Margo, they sound hella scary. Is it true one of them tried to run over your friends to get to you?”
“We don’t have proof it was them, but I think they were trying to scare me. I get the sense they want me isolated and scared. At first, it was working. I mean, I fell for it, thought I should hole up in my room, but now I see that would give them exactly what they want. I’m not going to make it easy for them.”
“Good for you. Everybody is talking about it. I mean, you are the talk of the town, so don’t worry, they aren’t going to get away with anything. Neighbourhood watch and everything are on the lookout.”
For some reason, that made a lump form in my throat.
Tammie reached for my hand and squeezed my fingers. “It’ll be okay.”
I nodded. “I know,” I managed to say.
“The reason I brought up you taking a step back was because I was thinking that having you on-stage for everyone to see would be like a bat signal to those people. I’m not so comfortable with you being on display in case it gives them any ideas.”
“I get it.” I took a deep breath. “But I don’t want to give up everything I enjoy because of them. That’s what they want. They have this whole cult thing going on. Seems like women are a lesser species there. They would prefer if I sat in a corner keeping my mouth shut. I’m not changing for them, and I’m not going with them either. If they come at me, that gives the police a chance to take them down.”
“That’s my girl,” she said with a broad smile. “Stay fierce. Don’t let anyone get you down. Your parents, the people who raised you, they’re good to you, right?”
“They’re the best. I hate that they have to go through this. I’m a bit embarrassed, to be honest.”
“You’ve done nothing to be embarrassed by. Your parents have spent all of this time proving that they care about you, and they’re the people everyone associates you with. These cult clowns have no bearing on what anyone thinks of you. So keep that chin up, all right?”
“Definitely.”
“Great. Let’s give them a good show then because I am regretting every single choice I’ve made because of this stupid charity event.”
“It’ll be fine. We’re not so bad.”
She let loose a nervous laugh. “Sure. Not so bad.”
Being bad didn’t matter as much to me anymore. Showing up and performing was my way of telling the harbingers that they couldn’t turn me into a living zombie like Vira. A pang of guilt chimed in my head every time I thought of her. She was already living the life I would do anything to escape, and for all of her warnings, I was still doing fine with the pack.
The rest of the rehearsal went well. I was pleased to find Dorian waiting outside for me when it ended.
“What are you doing here?” I asked after hugging him.
“Your mam is running late. She asked me to wait for her with you.”
“Oh, sorry.”
“It’s no big deal.” He looked me over. “How are you feeling? We haven’t had much chance to talk face-to-face, alone anyway.”
“I’m doing a lot better,” I said. “It felt kind of badass to stand in front of the harbingers, surrounded by werewolves. Like I was untouchable.”
“That’s the plan,” he said. “You’ll tell me if you feel overwhelmed? You don’t even have to talk. I can sit with you.”
“I won’t hide it,” I promised. “The more this goes on, the better everyone is making me feel. It’s so nice how many people are sticking up for me. I never had that before we moved here.”
“I’m glad you have it now.”
He leaned in to kiss me, only to flinch away when a shrill voice shouted, “Get a room!”
Laughing, I turned to greet Emma and Chloe.
“Why are we hanging out right outside the community centre, lovebirds?” Emma asked, linking arms with me.
“Waiting for my mam to collect me.”
Chloe zipped her jacket up to her chin. “We’ll wait with you, too, then.”
