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"Yes, I know, I'm sorry, that isn't what I meant. I meant that it's frustrating that none of my people seem to care about anything other than themselves. But who needs them? We've got this covered."
About a month into being here, Treyton helped me set up an astrology shop in the center of the city so I could help the people in a different way. Humans and supernaturals alike come to see me and I offer them a safe haven in my shop. I create celestial charts, do readings, make oracle decks for those seeking guidance, and offer every other magical service I can to help make the city a better place and people's lives a little easier. I've never felt so fulfilled. Unlike in the coven, where I felt like I was always just one cog in a wheel, trying to maintain a precarious balance that never seemed todoanything, here I can help people firsthand with my skills.
Which reminds me of something.
"Hey, remember that woman I told you about in Boston, the psychic that owned the bookstore?"
"Yeah, the one that we never went to see?" He laughs.
"I guess we wound up getting a bit sidetracked and busy, but yes, that's the one. I think there is someone like that here in Manhattan too. We could go see her and find out about your eyes and the effects of my blood if you still want to."
"I don't think it matters anymore," he says as he reaches over to hold my hand in his lap. "I'm happy, and I'm not a threat to anyone here who doesn't deserve it. I think the glowing eyes are kind of growing on me now. Unless, of course, they bother you?"
"Oh no, not at all." I grin as I lean over to kiss him. "I especially like it when they glow ferociously at the exact moment of—"
"Okay, okay." He laughs, stopping me before I can finish my sentence. "You're going to get me all worked up if you're not careful."
Iwantto get him all worked up right now, but a knock on the apartment door that interrupts us.
Treyton gets up to answer it and returns to the couch with a letter in his hands.
"Special delivery," he says as he hands it to me.
I look at the envelope. It's a letter from the coven. I don't want to read it, so I toss it onto the nearby coffee table.
"Aren't you even a little bit curious about how things are going for the other witches?" he asks.
"If anything really important had happened, we would know about it."
"Well how would you know about it if you don't open their letters one?" he asks gently. "I think you're scared to open it because you're afraid that it will be a written scolding, or something that will make you feel guilty about leaving."
"You're not wrong," I say and sigh.
"Have they sent any other messages?"
"No."
It's really the strangest thing. I thought for sure that in the days following my departure that my phone would blow up from the other witches trying to call and message me. But there has been nothing—radio silence. It's like they don't even care at all. Or maybe they are so furious with me that they've disowned me.
"Do you want me to open and read it first?" Treyton asks.
"No. Thank you for offering but I just don't want to think about it, okay?"
He nods. I don't know how he is so patient with me, but I'm grateful for it.
"What about the Boston vampire clan? Any word from them?"
Treyton bursts out laughing. "Are you serious? I'm sure they're glad I am gone. And word on the street here is that Vanessa has taken over leadership and things are going great."
"Vanessa? The pretty girl that you nearly ran off with instead of me?" I ask sarcastically.
Treyton gives me a tiny, playful nip on the side of my neck in return for my sass.
I am in love with what I do now. And I am in love with the new life that I have here with Treyton. I'm free from all the burdens and restrictions that we were both burdened by before, and I'm so madly in love with Treyton that every night we spend together is pure bliss. I wouldn't change anything at all, and that's why I don't want to read the letter. I don't want anything to ruin my happiness or my sense of fulfillment for the work that I am doing in this new city. I don't want to go back to thinking about rules, and factions, and coloring within the lines. I want to keep feeling this unfettered freedom. I also don't want to have to explain to anyone what Treyton and I do. Not everyone would understand. Not everyone gets that stealing isn't really stealing when you are just trying to even the playing field and give people what they rightfully deserve: to live with dignity.
I used to feel like the coven thought I was too loud, too outspoken, and spent too much time with my head in the stars. But now I finally feelperfect. And I like keeping my head in the cosmos and honoring the power that my magic holds. I'm happy to surround myself with star charts and zodiac spells, and not have to help anyone make potions or mediate disagreements. I know it sounds selfish, and maybe it is, but I'm finally happy and in love, like I always wanted to be.
Days later, I've all but forgotten about the letter from the coven. I am smack in the middle of hanging a new string of lights in my astrology shop when the door opens, and a woman walks inside.
