Chapter 11: Together

"I can't believe she'd go there alone," Kal grumbled as she paced the length of her apartment. 

"And how would it help if you'd have gone?" Devin sat watching from the couch. The sun had only just set, and here he was, listening to complaints. He's right, but I'm still worried. That woman can't be trusted.

"Moral support?" Kal shrugged before flopping onto the couch next to him.

"You're already doing that." Devin shifted his gaze from the pacing girl to the window and back. Then, leaning back into the couch, he ran his fingers through his hair, taking a deep breath as he did so. She was probably making him uncomfortable. Slowly, he exhaled. 

"Yeah, I guess, but she should have called by now," Kal said.

"I'm sure she's fine. From what you told me, she can handle herself." 

There was a knock on the door. Devin and Kal looked at each other; neither had been expecting anyone.

"Kal, it's me," Cherry called from the hall. "Are you up?"

"It's only you, right?" Kal called back.

"Yeah," she replied.

Kal ran to the door, opened it, and stepped back to let her friend in. "I wasn't expecting you. I mean, mostly because you don't have my address or anything."

Cherry brushed past Kal into the apartment, seemingly agitated. "Sorry. I wanted to see you in person. So I kinda. You know. Magic." 

"Right. Of course." Kal pouted, "because a text would be too normal." 

"This was faster. Anyway, that woman is—" Cherry began, then paused when she realized they weren't alone. 

Devin hadn't moved from the couch; he was sitting there watching intently as the girls spoke. His dark hair fell away from his eyes as he tilted his head slightly. He shot Kal a knowing look, green eyes sparkling mischievously. She froze. I've never mentioned him to Cherry.

"Boyfriend?" She whispered.

"No." Kal waved her hands in front of her face. She couldn't imagine a more embarrassing position to be in.

He shook his head, a slight smirk on his face, amused by the insinuation. We're not even really friends. Acquaintances, I guess. Although, we do spend a lot of time together.

"So?" Cherry was saying, waiting for an introduction.

"Sorry. This is Devin, he's umm—" Kal wasn't sure how to word it. Sire seemed too archaic. Master had the wrong connotation. Vampire something? Mentor, maybe.

"A friend," Devin interjected. He'd moved from the couch and was now offering to shake Cherry's hand. "I've heard so much about you." 

"Funny," She replied, returning the handshake. "She's never mentioned you."

It's not like I even had time to tell her, considering I've been avoiding her. Until her parents died. The look Cherry shot Kal meant she wanted to know everything. So that's going to be fun.

"No. I imagine not. We haven't known each other long." Devin replied.

Introductions out of the way; I'm dying to know what happened. What did that woman say? What did she know about Cherry's parents? Did she say anything about me? Kal was impatient. "So? What happened?" 

"A huge waste of time, that's what. The woman's crazy. Like, completely." Cherry spun one finger near her temple for emphasis.

"You're better off staying away from her," Devin walked to the sliding glass door that led to the balcony. "You don't want to get burned."

He was gone, leaving the two girls alone in the quiet apartment. He's not wrong. Kal wondered what tactics that woman had used to get him to cooperate with her. 

"Your friend seems nice." Cherry teased, putting all her emphasis on the word friend.

"Sometimes," Kal shrugged. 

"So, how'd you meet?" 

Kal really didn't want to answer that question. What was she supposed to say? She didn't want to talk about the night she'd turned or that night in the alley after she'd fled their home.

"I don't have any drinks, but make yourself at home, and we can talk. You can tell me about your meeting," Kal paused. "And I'll tell you everything you want to know." 

Maybe not everything.

"Actually, there's a coffee shop a few blocks away." Cherry stretched, then, stifling a yawn, continued. "I could use something with caffeine and mocha."

Kal wanted to protest. The thought of being around humans made her nervous. What if I slip? Loose control?

"Don't worry. This time of night, it's deserted. No one gets coffee this late." Cherry reassured. Somehow, she always knew what Kal was thinking.

---

"Decaf, huh?" Cherry wrinkled her nose as she passed the creamer.

"And black." Kal shook her head as she placed the creamer back on the counter.

"Now that I don't get," Cherry added a bit of extra sugar to her drink. 

"It tastes weird. With stuff in it." Kal stuck out her tongue. Just thinking about how wrong everything tasted now made her a little queasy. 

"Weird? You have never in your life had black coffee. That's what's weird."

"That's not true. I tried a sip once."

"One time in second grade doesn't count." 

Kal didn't protest. She knew her friend wouldn't let it go. So she just smiled, following the other girl onto the patio. Cherry had been right; the other five metal tables were vacant. The only other humans around were pedestrians walking briskly to their next shop. They chose a table in the back, sliding into seats opposite each other. 

"So ?" Kal pulled the stir stick through the dark black liquid.

"I know you wanted me to wait for you. I couldn't." Cherry closed her eyes and took a sip of her coffee. "I got there 'round six. The whole lobby was full of sunlight. This man was waiting, really big guy. When he smiled at me, I noticed how pointy his canines were. He's not like you, I mean, the sun?" 

"Jay? Nah." Kal grinned. "Werewolf. He looks fierce, but he's just a big pussycat. Or, you know, whatever."

"Werewolf. Of course." Cherry frowned. 

"All the security guys are." Kal shrugged. "He kinda looked out for me while I was there. Anyway, sorry."

Cherry leaned back in her chair, trying to get comfortable before she continued her story.

***

Cherry was led into this big office, floor-to-ceiling books. Marble floors. And a massive mahogany desk that probably cost a fortune.

"I see you didn't bring my pet," Selene spun around in the leather chair, facing out from behind the desk.

"Kal isn't your pet," Cherry said.

"No. Of course not. That's why you helped her escape, isn't it?" Selene leaned forward, lowering her thick-rimmed glasses. 

"You're damned right I did. You kidnapped her, held her against her will. You—!" Cherry turned to leave. I shouldn't have come here.

"I did what was necessary," Selene said. 

"Killing her was necessary?" Cherry paused, opening and closing her hand. The familiar vibration of magic in her fingertips. It'd be so easy to let loose. And then what, fight my way out of here? Bad idea.

"Please. Sit. We can discuss this like adults." Selene leaned back in her chair. Waiving her hand across the desk, she indicated the two armchairs in front of it.

Slowly, Cherry crossed the room and sat. I've come too far to leave before I hear what Selene has to say. "So you murdered my friend why exactly?" 

"Murder? No. She's been reborn. Stronger. Faster."

"Out of control. She—" Cherry paused, thinking back to the night Kal came home. If I hadn't been there. She shook her head.

"She'll learn control. And be better for it." Selene said.

"Right. Of course. Because it's necessary." Cherry scoffed. This is getting me nowhere, talking in circles.

"There's a battle coming with the ones who killed your parents. She needs to be strong to help you fight. To protect you." Selene raised one hand, her fingers beckoning, pulling. Then, far beyond the ceiling, a book flew to the desk. Its yellow pages fluttered, turning to a specific page, then stopped.

Selene turned the book, sliding it across the desk. A detailed illustration of two figures covered the facing pages—a man and a woman, dressed in beautiful robes, accented in gold. Dark hair framed their pale faces. They could have been monarchs were they not seated atop a mountain of bodies, fire, and ash. 

"Right now, they are weak. But soon, they will regain their strength. And when they do, everything, everyone will wither and die." Selene slammed the book shut.

"And they killed my parents?" Cherry asked. 

"They did."

"Why?"

Selene stood, walking around the large desk. The office was silent as she moved, except for the clicking of her stiletto heels on the hard marble floor. Soft and rhythmic. She took the seat opposite Cherry's, wrapping her hands around those of the younger witch. 

"Because your father was helping me." Selene's voice broke. "Helping us prepare for the battle."

"Did he know? About Kal?" Cherry asked. 

"Of course, he knew." She replied. 

"And he was okay with it?" Cherry felt hot. There's no way. Dad would not be okay with something like that. 

"Honey, he helped me. He understood what was at stake. How important—"

"Liar! Dad would never." Cherry pulled her hands away and shot to her feet. She's wrong. She stormed to the door, her thick soles crashing against the floor. 

"But he did." Selene stood and walked behind her desk. "If you decide you want to talk more, I'll be here."

Cherry didn't look back. 

***

"I was in my driveway before I realized where I was going. And then I just really wanted to see you." Tears were streaming down Cherry's cheeks. She wiped them away with the back of her hand. "Kal. Dad wouldn't. He wouldn't be okay with what she did."

"I know. It's okay, Cher." Kal started to reach out to touch her friend's hand reassuringly, but pulled away. How could her cold touch comfort anyone?

Without hesitation, Cherry wrapped both hands around Kal's fingers and stared straight into her friend's eyes. 

"We'll figure this out together." A smile crossed Cherry's lips.

"Right." Kal nodded as she pulled her fingers away. "Together."