"What do you mean?" Trixie asked, alarm apparent on her face.

  "Just that Mistmoor does not relish in the idea of being taken over by Mayor Thomas. It's an ancient law and the people of Mistmoor feel that it's no longer valid for today's times. They..."

  "What Lincoln's trying to say," Felicity spoke up, "is that if Mistmoor gets mad or feels threatened, things between our towns might never be the same. They're prepared to fight to keep Mistmoor separate from Sweetland."

  "Fight?" I gulped. "You mean like war."

  Felicity nodded gravely. "That's exactly what I mean."

  * * *

  2 4

  * * *

  "So, what should I do?"

  I sat in the kitchen, looking at Snowball. Snowy scrunched her face up. Her whiskers twitched. She licked one paw and wiped her face with it.

  "Detective man is nice to Snowball. He gives tuna and scratches good under Snowball's chin. Detective man should know his papa is alive."

  I couldn't believe that I was sitting here having this conversation with Snowball. I was desperate. At least I knew that Snowball wouldn't tell anyone. Familiars couldn't do anything to hurt the witch they were attached to, which meant my secrets would always be safe with her.

  Snowball jumped off her chair and rubbed her head on my ankle. I pet her head and she purred loudly. "Thanks, Snowy." I gave her some tuna and she scarfed it down, then ran off in search of Tootsie, who, Snowball informed me, was once again 'it.'

  I sat staring into my coffee cup. Trixie came wandering in. She looked at me and yawned.

  "Everything okay?" she asked. I nodded. "Then why are you drinking coffee at eleven o'clock at night?"

  "I'm not tired," I told her.

  "Not if you keep drinking that stuff, you won't be."

  I shrugged. Trixie took the seat opposite me. "Ava, honey, what's wrong? Does it have anything to do with Melbourne?" She whispered his name, careful not to let anyone overhear her. I hadn't had the heart to tell her that Melbourne was working with Vlaski, not against him. I knew I'd have to sooner or later, but I just wanted to let her have a little peace for as long as she could.

  Still, if anyone could understand what I was going through, it was Trixie.

  "Colt's father is still alive," I blurted. Trixie's eyes widened. "He came to see me. He's been hiding out all these years, tracking Vlaski's movements." I left out the part that included him tracking Melbourne's movements as well.

  Trixie licked her lips and scrunched her face. She reminded me a lot of Snowball. "Are you positive it's him?" she finally asked. I nodded. "Then you need to tell Colt.”

  "I know, but how can I? What am I supposed to say? By the way, your dad's alive, he's also a..."

  "A what?" Trixie prompted.

  I hesitated then figured I might as well tell her the rest. At least about Russell. "He's a vampire."

  Trixie expelled an audible gasp.

  "See?" I said. "It's not that easy to tell the truth."

  She grabbed an apple from the bowl on the table and took a bite, then set it aside. "When I thought Melbourne was dead, my life was... incomplete. It was hard for me. I understand why he hid from me, but I would have rather known. Despite whatever danger it put me in."

  "But what if Melbourne wasn't the same man you once knew? What if he'd changed?"

  "I'd still want to know. I'd want to make up my own mind whether the new Melbourne was still someone I could be friends with or not. I wouldn't want anyone else making up my mind for me."

  I nodded. Trixie was right. I looked at her, wondering if now was the time to tell her the truth about Melbourne. She seemed more composed than I'd ever seen her. I just couldn't bring myself to say the words though. Melbourne is a traitor. It would probably have been better if he'd stayed dead.

  "If you were going to tell Colt about his dad, how would you do it?" I asked her. "He's still not talking to me."

  "I'd ambush him," Trixie said. "Get him alone somewhere when he's not expecting it and just tell him. Don't beat around the bush."

  I considered it.

  "If I were you, Ava, I'd tell him as quickly as possible. You don't want him finding out from someone else."

  "Thanks, Trixie."

  She went up to bed. I stayed downstairs another ten minutes then followed her up. In the morning, I told her that I was going to be late to the bakery. Eleanor asked why but Trixie just winked at me.

  It wasn't even ten yet when I got to Colt's apartment. I knew he wasn't home because his car was gone, so I waited. I kept taking my phone out, thinking I should call or text him, then put it away. If he knew I was here, he might not come back until he was sure I was gone.

  I had to wait two hours for him to show up. He got out of his car and started toward the outside stairs of his building.

  "Colt!" I yelled, coming up behind him. He spun around. His first reaction was to smile. The smile quickly disappeared, though.

  "Ava, what are you doing here?"

  "I need to talk to you."

  He shook his head. "I have nothing to say."

  "Well, I do."

  Trixie's words came back to me. Don't beat around the bush.

  "You're father's alive."

  His face turned white.

  "That's not funny," he said.

  "It's not meant to be." He stared at me hard. His looks alternated between incredulous and irate.

  "Ava, I don't know what you think you're playing at but—"

  "I swear to you I'm not making this up. Let me come inside and explain. Please."

  A thin film of sweat broke out across Colt's brow. "Fine," he said. "You have two minutes." He led me upstairs and opened his door. I almost tripped over a box as I entered. There were boxes everywhere.

  "What's going on?" I asked. "Are you moving?"

  "I have no reason to stay here," he said. "Dean fired me, so I'm not stationed in Sweetland anymore. I have nothing tying me here."

  My mouth automatically clicked open. Tears began to well in the back of my eyes. I fought them off.

  "Where's your mom?"

  "She went back a couple days ago. I'll be joining her in another week or two." He turned and stared at me.

  "You have one minute left. Do you want to spend it discussing my move or did you have something else you wanted to tell me?"

  One tear fell down my cheek, and I quickly brushed it away. "Your father is alive. He's been in hiding the last fifteen years. He was undercover when Vlaski discovered his true identity. He got away and has been tracking him ever since."

  That was probably the most simplified version of events I could give him. He still looked confused.

  "If this is a joke, Ava?"

  "It's not."

  "You're telling me my father's alive?"

  I hesitated. Vampires weren't really alive. Not exactly. Perhaps it was better if I just left that part out for now. Just learning his dad wasn't buried in the ground somewhere was more than enough to take in without him also being a vampire.

  "How am I supposed to believe you?"

  Russell and I had discussed this very thing. He'd supplied me with the answer.

  "I know my word isn't quite enough right now. Not after breaking your trust and talking to Dean Lampton like I did. So, Russell told me to tell you something."

  Colt's ears perked up.

  "He said that the last time he saw you, you had the opportunity to punch him, but you didn't take it. You were angry. You knocked him to the ground. But in the end, you couldn't hurt him."

  Colt's bottom lip trembled. "That's right. I've never told that part of the story to anyone." He took a deep breath. "He's really alive?"

  I nodded. "He really is. And he wants to see you."

  "When?"

  "As soon as you're ready."

  Colt stood there a moment, looking uncertain what to do. "I can't believe it."

  "I know. It's crazy."

  "Can you set up a time for us to meet?"

  "Of course. The next time I see him, I'll tell him you want to meet."

  "Ava, I can't just forget you going behind my back like you did."

  "I'm so sorry. I promise I won't do anything like that again." Tears were dripping down my face, a combination of happy and sad and scared.

  "I wasn't finished." He took a deep breath. "I've been mad at you, but I've also missed you. I'm willing to give things another chance."

  "You... you are?"

  He nodded. Then he grabbed ahold of me and scooped me into his arms. It felt good to be back in them. I didn't want to let him go. I kissed him. He didn't pull away. When we came up for air, Colt stood looking at me with dreamy eyes.

  "Don't keep things from me anymore," he said.

  "I won't," I told him and meant it. But that didn't mean I had to tell Colt his father was a vampire this very second. I wanted this moment to last. The vampire thing could wait until tomorrow.

  * * *

  2 5

  * * *

  Melbourne showed up at my window just after midnight. I'd been sleeping with Snowball curled up next to me. Rocky had just completed his usual patrol of our house before retiring. My father had gotten home from his date with Sadie—it had gone well. She was going to be his date to Eleanor's wedding.

  There was a tap on my window. I looked up, already knowing who it was. I didn't know what to do at first. Russell had told me to stay away from Melbourne. I was scared, but part of me hoped there was still some sort of explanation.

  I unlatched the window and Melbourne came inside. He sat down in a chair at my desk and asked if he could have some water. Snowball was watching us suspiciously.

  "Vampire," she said from her spot on the bed. Melbourne looked at Snowball and smiled.

  "That's right," he told her.

  "Vampires smell funny," Snowball said. My cheeks blushed.

  "Let me go get you that water," I told him. I didn't like leaving him alone in my room but I knew Snowball could handle herself. She'd also report anything he did that he shouldn't have done, like looking through my drawers or planting voice bumpers.

  Trixie was in the kitchen talking to Eleanor.

  "You're awake," they said when I came in.

  "Yes," I said, surprised to see them both up. "So are you."

  "Eleanor's just showing me some pictures. We're discussing the ins and outs of wedding cakes."

  There was a binder open on the table between them. The picture on the left showed a towering chocolate cake with blood orange frosting swirled with cream. White flower petals sat all along it the rims of the cake. It was shaped like a skyscraper. The page opposite showed a cinnamon butterscotch cake with pure white vanilla frosting. Puffs of frosting trailed vertically up the cake from the bottom layer to the top. It reminded me of clouds caught in a tornado, though I wasn't sure that's what its creator was going for.

  "Which do you like?" Eleanor asked, excited. She seemed wide awake for so late at night. Trixie yawned.

  "The one on the left," I told her and got my glass of water. Eleanor's face scrunched.

  "You do?"

  "I like the other one," Trixie said. Eleanor looked undecided.

  "That one's nice, I suppose. If you like the modern look." I bit my bottom lip. "It's your wedding, Aunt Eleanor. It doesn't matter what Trixie and I like."

  Eleanor smiled but Trixie looked affronted. I knew she was still trying to wrap her head around the idea that by this time next month Eleanor would no longer be living here. Trixie was the youngest of the Rose sisters, including my mother. I had the feeling that she always thought she'd marry first, but instead she'd watched as first my mom and now Eleanor married before her.

  "Have you decided who you're taking to the wedding?" Eleanor asked Trixie suddenly.

  She blushed and pretended to be absorbed by the pictures of the cake. "Someone mysterious," she muttered.

  Eleanor laughed lightly, no doubt thinking her sister was trying to be dramatic.

  I knew better, though. Trixie probably already had this elaborate plan in her head—a way to reintroduce Melbourne to the population of Sweetland Cove using Eleanor's wedding as the perfect vehicle. I backed out of the room with my water and when I returned to my bedroom, Snowball was curled up in Melbourne's lap. He was scratching her head tenderly. I almost dropped the glass.

  "Snowy," I said, "come here a minute, will you?"

  Snowball opened one eye and peered at me. I could tell she didn't want to move but she came over to me anyway. "Do me a favor. Go downstairs and keep an eye on Aunt Trixie. I don't want her coming up here just now and finding..." I looked at Melbourne "...company."

  "Okay, Mama. Vampire man is a good scratcher. Not like detective man, but still good." Snowball trotted out the door, and I shut it behind her.

  "Melbourne, what are you doing here?"

  He seemed surprised by the agitation in my voice.

  "What's wrong?" he asked.

  There was no time to beat around the bush and no point. He would either lie or confess. If I was lucky, maybe he could explain.

  "Russell Hudson came to see me. You can imagine my surprise when I found out he was still alive. You know, since you told me he was dead."

  Melbourne's lips tightened. His eyes widened. "You saw Russell?"

  "Yes."

  "What did he tell you?"

  "That you've been threatening him. That you and Vlaski are a team. That you're working with the enemy, not against him. Actually, he pretty much told me that you are the real enemy."

  Melbourne stared at me. He took a step closer and I backed up. The back of my legs bumped against my dresser. I couldn't go any further.

  "Have you seen Vlaski, as well?" His voice was low and throaty.

  "Yes. When he tried to kill me."

  "He tried to kill you?"

  "That's right. Russell saved my life. Luckily, he's the one who's been following me, not you. Why'd you let me think it was you anyway?"

  "I didn't want to scare you."

  "Well, good job with that. I'm completely freaked out."

  "Did you give him the book?"

  "What? No. I haven't even found that stupid book. I'm starting to think The Last Vampire doesn't exist."

  "It exists."

  "Well, gee, that's great. Thanks for showing more concern over a book than my life. I tell you Vlaski tried to kill me and you barely bat an eye."

  "He wouldn't have really done it. Not now."

  "What do you mean? Why not?"

  "He needs you. We both do."

  I gulped. "Does that mean when you don't need me anymore you're going to kill me?"

  "I won't kill you," Melbourne said.

  My heart skipped a beat. "Melbourne... you haven't answered any of my questions. Not really. You're just deflecting them with more questions or half-answers."

  "I'm not sure I heard you ask any questions," he said. Was he toying with me? There was a strange smile on his face and the way he was talking had my hair on end.

  "Are you working with Vlaski? Are you a part of the Cult of V?"

  Melbourne didn't answer me.

  "I saw a picture of you," I said, hoping to rattle him. How could he stand there without any emotion whatsoever? "You had your arm around Vlaski. You were smiling."

  Melbourne looked toward my window. "Then your mind is already made up," he said.

  "If you can't offer me some explanation—"

  "Would you believe anything I say at this point, Ava? If I told you that Vlaski tricked me? Used me? Would you believe it?"

  "Did he?"

  Melbourne's smile was grim.

  I repeated my question for Melbourne. "Are you a part of the Cult of V? Have you ever worked to try and enslave humanity?"

  Melbourne was silent before responding. "Yes," he finally said.

  There was a knock on my door and it started to open. Trixie poked her head in. "Just wanted to stay goodnight."

  I turned around and Melbourne was gone. What if he came back when I wasn't here?

  "Trixie, can you come in for a minute? And shut the door?"

  She looked worried. She closed the door behind her and sat on the edge of my bed. "What's wrong? Is it Melbourne?"

  I nodded. "He's been lying to us."

  There was an audible gasp. "About what?" Her face was growing paler by the second.

  "He's been working with Vlaski Ambrose this whole time. Not against him. He tricked us."

  Aunt Trixie got up from my bed and started pacing the room. "How do you know that?"

  "He told me."

  She rounded on me, her face livid. "Melbourne told you that he used us?!" Her voice was loud enough that Eleanor must have heard it.

  "Not in those exact words, but he admitted to being a part of the Cult of V. He admitted that he was trying to enslave humanity."

  "Don't be ridiculous!" Trixie shouted. I'd never heard her sound so angry.

  "I'm not making this up!"

  "I think I know Melbourne a little better than you do, and I know he couldn't do these things you're accusing him of!"

  There was a loud knock on my door. It opened without waiting for a response. My father and Aunt Eleanor hurried into the room, looking worried.

  "What in the witching world is going on here?" Eleanor asked.

  "You two woke me up," my dad said. "I was just about to capture a leprechaun in my dream. You know how lucky that is?"

  Sorry," Trixie mumbled.

  "Sorry," I said.

  Eleanor and my father exchanged a look. "Are either of you going to tell us what you were arguing about?

  Trixie and I looked at each other. "Eleanor's wedding cake," Trixie said.

  Eleanor blanched. "Well, I know my wedding is a momentous event, but there's no reason to argue over it. If it helps, I'll simply have two wedding cakes.”

  At least we were both on the same page. Keep Melbourne and Vlaski to ourselves for now, no need to involve anyone else. Maybe if I told Trixie about Russell, it would help her to understand. Maybe she could even speak to Russell herself.

  Trixie started to exit my room.