I told my mom about the pouch and the astral plane that morning. I purposely omitted specific details… We were both now staring at the necklace, sitting innocently on the kitchen table.

"Hmm, looks like this necklace is causing problems,” she said, “Let me see.”

Holding her hand out, I opened the pouch and emptied it into her hand.

My eyebrows knitted together, "It looks different," I stated.

Emitting from the pendant was grey smoke. It rolled outwards erratically… I pointed this out.

"Seem’s it's cursed. It needs locking up and blessing... Preferably by goddess Earth, you won't be able to have this back for a while. But there will be signs when it's purified. Keeping it in this pouch isn't helping, only aiding," she said, her voice full of wisdom.

I gave her a questioning look.

"Come, we will do it now."

We fled to the garden and kneeled in front of the herb garden.

"As it is almost the spring equinox. It's better to place it near growing herbs; their roots should help remove the dark energy. But the plants must be bathed in light and water daily. Or it will affect them more horribly."

I nodded at her instruction. She made a hole for the necklace and laid it bare against the earth. She covered it with dirt and traced symbols I had yet to learn of on top of each inch of soil.

"What are those?" I asked.

"Wards, to help the process and keep the energy at bay. We are still determining what it's for. So, to be safe, if someone practising Dark magic stumbles upon it, they cannot reach it while these are here."

With the final layer, she concealed it with a glamour that should make sure it was covered.

----------------------------------------

Washing away the dirt, Mum asked me, “So, what are you wearing on Sunday?”

“What do you mean?” I had not yet told her about my date.

She giggled, “Nothing gets past me, you know.”

“Seri told you, didn’t she?”

Mum laughed. Sometimes, they were as bad as each other.

“Oh, come on! I hope you are going to wear something nice! I don't think Leo will appreciate all doom and gloom,” she teased.

"Mom, I'm not all 'doom and gloom'... I'm badass," I whined out.

I heard laughter from the living room, Alex.

"HAHA! In your dreams, sis! She's a nerd with her nose stuck in a book!" he joked, walking into the kitchen clutching his stomach.

I gave him a deathly look and said, "Come here, dear brother." With a sinister grin.

He bolted around the kitchen. I chased him around, only to catch him within minutes.

My mother shook her head, "Kids! Behave," she reprimanded, just as I was giving him a nuggie.

"I'm going to get ready for work,” I said.

I let my brother out of his hold and left the kitchen.

"Have a good day, honey!" my mother shouted as I gathered my things.

Taking a deep breath, I wondered what today had in store.

----------------------------------------

It was nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Our typical Saturday rush was non-existent. I was bored out of my mind, and Seri looked the same. We had already caught up on gossip and bitched about everything. The coffee shop was empty and spotless.

“Oh! I got a text!” Seri exclaimed.

“This isn't Love Island,” I replied, peeking in her direction.

“…It’s Quinn.” She hesitated as she opened the message.

The jingle from the door made me look to the front counter, and it was Devan… No Quinn, no Lathen.

“Oh my gods,” Seri whispered, “They’ve broken up.” The words slowly came out of her mouth, and she looked up, seeing the same person I did.

He looked like a mess, and it was clear he had been crying.

I swallowed as he greeted, “Hey girls.”

His voice was rough. He didn’t look at either of us as he leaned on the counter. Opening the server's door, I approached him and held out my arms. Bending down, he took the offer and hugged me, new tears forming in his eyes.

“Hi, Devan.”

“Do you know?”

“Seri just got a text.”

“Pfft, wow.”

I coaxed him to a booth, and Seri joined us after flipping the ‘Be Right Back!’ sign. This was unlike them. Quinn usually comes to Seri and me during arguments, whereas Devan confides in Lathen.

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Seri started, “Devan, please tell me this is an argument. Is Quinn being dramatic?”

He shook his head, “It started as an argument. She was–is being ridiculous about you, Lexi,” he looked over at me, and with honesty in his voice, “She wants to remove you from her life completely.”

I felt my heart sink. I knew Quinn would be the hardest to break through, but to want nothing to do with me? My heart gave a familiar ache. Grief… My eyes started watering.

Devan grabbed my hand to reassure me.

He continued, “I don’t know what her deal is. You’ve been our friend for years, and we know you would never hurt us or bring anything terrible, but she’s throwing all of that out the window.”

“She’s convinced you and Leo will bring nothing but Darkness to everyone. I tried to make her listen…” he trailed off, gazing off into his world.

“Just know, I don’t think that. I’m on your side.”

I gently tapped his hand with my free one and disputed, “There are no sides here, Devan.”

He sighed, “Sorry, Quinn has made it seem like a war.”

I hummed, thinking about my following words carefully.

“Nixon… may not be playing fair either.”

“He decided to change your memories, keep my lock on, and make it stronger. If I had let him last week, he would’ve done the same to Leo.”

“I couldn’t let that happen to someone else. He’s very… persuasive and justifies his decisions well. Quinn is his daughter. He’ll want to keep her safe,” I finished.

Devan nodded, contemplating my words, “Seems like he has a vendetta against you.”

“Vendetta is a strong word…”

Seri piped in, “But it’s a word that fits.”

“Any idea’s why?” Deven questioned.

I shrugged, “Not that I know of…”

Buzz, Buzz. Seri’s phone lit up with caller ID: Quinn. She looked at Devan, and he nodded to her. She walked away from us to take the call.

“So, you and Leo?”

I sighed, “Yeah?”

Everyone wants to know about Leo and I.

“He tells me you’re going on a date?”

“Oh, he told you this, did he?”

“Well, he asked me where to go for a dinner date. I put two and two together.”

I smiled, “Hm, what if it wasn’t with me?”

“Then I would kick his head in for stringing you along.”

I laughed at Devan’s words as he smiled, “Is he treating you right?”

“I think he is,” I said honestly.

“Good.”

Devan leaned back into the booth as Seri rejoined us, Seri sighed heavily before she spoke.

“She’s angry. I didn’t tell her you were here, but she wants to go out tonight… to the club.”

“Shit,” I whispered.

Alcohol + Angry Quinn = Something to regret later.

While we were only a year away from being able to purchase drinks legally, a glamoured fake ID card could get you anywhere.

“I know… If I don’t go, she’ll go anyways without me…”

“Hm, at least you could keep an eye on her,” I said, “I think she needs someone to keep the alcohol at a minimum.”

“You’re assuming she’s not started already.”

I grimaced and told her, “Give me a ring if things go pear-shaped. We…”–I gestured to Devan and I– “are probably the last two people she would want to see. But we’re the only ones with cars, and a taxi will take forever.”

Buzz. Devan’s phone this time, he laughed at the text before reading it aloud, “Leo: Why is the coffee shop closed?”

I turned around and peered to the front door. Sure enough, Leo was there looking puzzled. I laughed, removed the sign, and unlocked the front door.

“Howdy, stranger, you’ve missed all the drama,” I said, inviting him in.

----------------------------------------

Buuuuzzzzz

My phone rang to life. It was not that late in the night.

‘Here we go.’

I picked up the phone without looking.

“Hello?”

“Sniff– Lexi?”

I immediately stood up and grabbed my keys.

“Quinn? Where are you?”

“At Jack’s, please hurry,” she cried down the phone.

“Stay on the phone. I will be there in five minutes. Tell me what’s happened.”

I stayed calm while getting in the car and linked the phone to Bluetooth. A crying drunk Quinn was not good – where was Seri?

“I-I’m not sure. We only had a few drinks,” she stumbled over her words, “I think we both blacked out. I just woke up in the toilets, and Seri is covered in…”

I waited for her to finish, “Quinn? Are you alright?”

“Y-yes. Seri won’t wake up.”

“Stay where you are.”

“She’s against the door… I don’t think I can get out!”

“Stay calm. I’m on my way. You’re okay where you are.” I could still hear Quinn crying.

“She’s covered in blood!” Quinn shrieked.

I took a breath, “Are you sure it's not just a red drink?”

“I-I don’t know.”

“Stay there. I’m coming; let me know if she wakes up.”

“O-okay.”

Her crying subsided, and all I could hear was loud music and every so often sniffles.

----------------------------------------

I pulled up to the hideout and practically ran to the door. Usually, this never happens in Jack’s; he’ll be furious when he finds out.

I heard wolf whistles as I walked down the alley. I ignored the two men at the end of the alley smoking and knocked on the metal door.

“Okay, Quinn, I’ll hang up and come and get you both. Is Seri awake?”

“Okay. No, she isn’t.”

The slit in the metal door opened, “ID?”

“Bellatrix,” I said to the bouncer.

The door opened, and I was allowed in. I immediately went to the bar.

“What can I get you?”

“I need an angel.”

“Where?”

“Ladies Toilets. I think it's Yellow Jello.”

The bartender nodded and went to the back. I went to the toilet and saw the code words on the wall. These words are lifesavers. Asking for an angel is asking for help and ‘Yellow Jello’ means spiked.

I called out, “Quinn?”

“Here,” I heard her cry out, “Thank the Gods!”

I tried to peek under the door, and my hand touched something wet and red. Quinn was right. Blood.

A male staff member came into the toilets, “Yellow Jello?”

“Here. She’s against the door, unconscious and red.”

He placed his hand on the door, pulled out a key card. He shimmied it upwards and unlocked the door. He cautiously moved back as Seri was resting against the door. I managed to lay her down carefully, and Quinn hugged me, crying. She was pale but warm, and I could feel the pulse on her neck going strong. I inspected her, looking for the injury.

The staff member pulled out a test strip, opened Seri’s mouth, and tested her saliva.

Puncture marks were on her neck and wrist. The sign of a Vampire.

“Confirmed, Yellow Jello. She’s been given Rohypnol – Roofies.”

I held up her wrist to show the puncture marks, “Someone had too much fun,” I pointed out dryly.

“I’ll call an ambulance,” he said, leaving for the bar.

Quinn ventured, “I’m so sorry, Lexi, I didn’t know who else to call,”–she looked down to Seri– “Seri and Devan were right. I’m such an idiot,” she cried, putting her hands to her face.

“I understand if you hate me forever.”

She still sounded drunk. Quinn must have been spiked also.

“No, Quinn. I would never hate you,” I said, holding her to my side and letting her cry.

A few minutes passed, and the staff member returned, “Jack’s been informed. He’ll investigate it and apologises for the lack of manners. I’ll move her to the alley; the ambulance is nearly here.”

To keep this place hidden, it was protocol. I nodded, and he carefully lifted Seri and ventured outside.

Placing her down, he advised the other customers to scram. I huddled near Seri with Quinn and placed my jacket over her. She still looked so pale.

“It’ll be alright,” I reassured us as the sirens approached.

“This one will need to be checked out too,” I pointed my thumb to Quinn, “She was the one that called me when she woke up. I think she was also drugged,” I told the A&E Doctor.

The doctor was not shocked at the puncture marks on Seri’s neck and wrists.

She asked, “Does she have any marks too?”

“Not that I know of.”

The doctor nodded and approached Quinn, coaxing her into a bed. It was going to be a long night.

After confirming that the two were indeed drugged by Rohypnol, they were moved to a different ward, and I was allowed to stay with them. After testing her iron level, Seri was hooked up for a blood transfusion; she was dangerously low on blood and iron. While vampires usually take only what they need, witches' blood is highly addictive and potent to creatures of the night.

Quinn was indeed drugged also but did not have any marks on her. Squeaky clean is what the nurse said.

‘Perhaps they were interrupted?’ I pondered, my eyes drooping. I leaned my upper body onto Quinn’s bed and fell to sleep.