Vivian sat with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders, facing the window and watching the world outside. It snowed overnight and the town's plows were moving through the streets, removing the inches of snow from the roads. Vivian felt numb. These past few days she's been staying at Kit's place, ignoring calls from Ophelia and only sending her a few texts here and there to let her know that yes she was alive and yes she was staying with a friend. Yet, anytime Elias was brought up, Vivian would just skirt around it. We got home and that was the last I saw him, Vivian lied, unsure of what else to say. Even if she had been able to tell Ophelia the truth, she wouldn't even know where to start.

Turning away from the window, she looked at her tablet on the coffee table, a scene from her graphic novel sketched out, ready for coloring. She had snuck over to her home while Ophelia was sure to be away at work and gathered some things for herself. She felt bad just wearing Kit's clothes, even though they were very comfortable.

She still hadn't really processed the events from that night. She hadn't even been able to think about it. Every time her mind tried to go back to that night, she would freeze up and panic would set over her skin like a heavy, suffocating blanket. So she simply just hadn't thought about it. Even still, it gnawed at her, the memory raging in the back of her mind, desperate to be seen. But she couldn't do it. She wouldn't. But she also knew she couldn't stay hidden at Kit's forever.

Looking up from her tablet, hazel eyes roamed to the kitchen, where Kit currently stood with his back to her. He had been doing something, Vivian not really paying much attention. At least, not until he left the kitchen and rounded the counter, heading towards her with a mug in hand.

"What's that?" Vivian asked, eyeing the mug.

"It is for you." He replied, stopping in front of her and handing her the mug. "Hot chocolate. With marshmallows."

"Really?" She set her tablet down on the table and reached for the mug. "Why did you make me hot chocolate?"

The vampire shrugged his shoulders. "You have been very... down these past few days. I wanted to do something for you that might lift your spirits, even if just a little."

"So hot chocolate?"

"With marshmallows." He added, as if it was of utmost importance.

Vivian smiled softly, looking down into the mug. "Where did you get this idea from?"

"Viktor." Kit admits, shoving hands in his pockets. "They said that humans thoroughly enjoy hot chocolate, especially with marshmallows. So, yesterday I went out and bought some of the mix. I do hope it is to your liking."

Vivian wanted to cry. That was so sweet of him, and so considerate. It smelt amazing, and looked even better. "What did you use to make this?"

"Milk." He replied, pointing to the stove back in the kitchen. "I just boiled some milk and added the mix. That is how it is made, right?"

The woman nodded her head. "You could also have made it with water, but it tastes better with milk." Lifting the mug to her lips, she took a small sip. It tasted just as good as it smelt. She was sure he had to have done something to the hot chocolate, because just simple milk and mix shouldn't taste this good.

Kit watched her, a little impatient. "How is it?"

"It's delicious, Kit. Thank you." She said, and meant it. After taking another sip, she set the mug down on the coffee table and picked her tablet back up.

"What is that?" Kit asked, eyeing the tablet.

"This?" She says, gesturing to the tablet in her hands, and the man nods. "It's a drawing tablet. I can make art on it."

"Really? Can I- Uh, is it okay if I see?" He asked, his voice turning a little shy at the end.

Vivian scooted over and patted the seat next to her. "Come take a seat."

Hesitantly, the man moved from where he stood and sat on the couch beside her. Vivian angled her tablet so that Kit could see what she was working on. Crimson eyes seemed to light up as the man took in the image on her tablet. "You drew that?"

"Yup." Vivian said, proudly. Of all the things in her life, the one that she was consistent with was her drawing. Ever since she was a child, she loved to draw and create art. It was only once she met Ophelia in college did she decide to make a graphic novel, switching her major to creative arts and her minor to writing. Although in the last five years, she hasn't finished her graphic novel, she was very close to being done with it.

Kit reached for the tablet but then stopped. "Uh, may I?" He asked, looking at the tablet. Vivian nodded and handed it to him, the vampire taking it gently and raising it to get a better look. He was silent for a moment, looking over the small details. "Amazing."

Vivian felt her cheeks flush. "Thank you." She replied, darting her eyes away as Kit looked at her. "I've been doing it for a long time."

"How did you make this?" He turned the tablet towards her, holding it to show her her own art. It was one of her favorite scenes from the book, where the two main characters are inside a haunted house and one of them falls through the rotting wood. The other main character just barely catches them, the image depicting that moment right as their hand clasped around the other.

Vivian shrugs her shoulders. "Like I said, I've been doing it for a while. I've had a lot of practice."

"Fascinating." The vampire said softly, turning the tablet back to him and continuing to marvel at the drawing. "You will have to show me more of your art eventually." Handing the tablet back to her, their fingers brushed against each other for the faintest of moments.

"It's a date." Vivian replied without thinking, the words instantly bringing a blush to her cheeks. "I-I mean, that's a good idea. I can definitely do that."

A gentle smile grew on the man's face, that fondness returning to his expression. It made her chest flutter. "I like the sound of that." He said, the smile still on his face. "Oh!" He said, as if remembering something. "I almost forgot. Viktor is ready for us."

"For what?" Vivian asked, setting her tablet back down on the coffee table.

"The spell to see if you really are an... an aether reservoir."

Vivians heart sank. "Oh, yeah that." She said, disappointment filling her. Vivian didn't want to find out whether she was one or not, she would rather stay in the dark, keep her necklace on and not think about it. But at the same time, she had to know, had to find out if she really was a part of this insane world that's been holding her captive these past couple of months. "When should we go up?"

"Finish your hot chocolate. We will go then."

Vivian took her time in finishing her drink, and then changed into something that wasn't a shirt and sweatpants. Before she knew it, they were on their way upstairs to Viktor's penthouse. Like usual, the doors opened for them and they walked inside, finding Viktor in their kitchen. The witch was hovering over the stove, vials and bowls scattered around as if they were making some kind of potion. Which they probably were.

"Oh, you're here! Perfect!" Viktor said once they walked into the kitchen, not even turning to look at them. "I was wondering when you two would show up."

"Is the other witch here yet?" Kit asked, looking around the penthouse.

"No, but she'll be here soon." The witch replied, sprinkling something into the mixture before turning around. "But I will begin to get things set up, Kit come. I'll need your strength."

Rolling his eyes, the vampire followed the witch from the kitchen into the living room. Apparently the strength needed from Kit was to move the couches and rug around, creating a large free space in the middle of the living room. Using chalk, the witch drew a large pentagram on the wooden floor, the star and circle looking perfect. Next, they took some salt laced with what looked like lavender and rosemary and lined the outer circle of the pentagram. Vivian watched this all with fascination, standing in the kitchen behind the counter. Viktor then opened up a small box and set a different crystal on each point of the star, adjusting them so they sat perfectly.

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"Oh! The candles!" Viktor called out as they looked at their creation. "I almost forgot the candles!"

Vivian watched as the witch ran off to one of the rooms before returning with a handful of candles. They set them alongside the crystals at each point, little white pillar candles that stood a few inches off the ground. It all looked so simple, but Vivian knew it was the exact opposite. Viktor needed a second witch to perform this spell, which must mean this is an intense spell. Vivian just hoped whoever they chose to use as the second witch was trustworthy.

"There!" Viktor exclaimed as they stood over the pentagram, eyeing it with lilac hues. "I think that does it. You'll be standing in the middle of the star."

"Now?" Vivian asked, nerves sneaking worry into her word.

"No, not yet. But once we begin, you'll be in the center." The witch points towards the center of the pentagram. "You shouldn't feel anything during the spell, well, besides maybe a little bit of tingling."

Vivian nodded, but their words did nothing for her nerves.

Now, it was time to wait. Vivian wanted to ask about the other witch, but she was afraid to. She had grown comfortable with Kit and Viktor, she knew them by now and trusted them both, but having someone else enter this secret felt odd. With how dangerous Viktor made being an aether reservoir sound like, she was surprised they would bring an outsider in.

"Do you have any questions?" Viktor asked Vivian from where they were in the kitchen, back to making whatever they were before they walked in.

Vivian moved from the table she sat at with Kit to the witch. She watched them for a minute, them mixing a pot of shimmering purple liquid. "What is that for?"

"It's for you." Viktor replied, looking over their shoulder at her.

"Me?"

"Yes." The witch took the large wooden spoon from the mixture and tapped it on the edge of the pot. "This will help with the spell." Vivian eyed the mixture warily. It didn't look bad per se, but it didn't look very appetizing either. "It won't taste like anything."

"Oh, really?" Vivian looked back to the witch, eyebrows raised. It was like they read her mind. "Well that's good I suppose."

Taking a ladle, the witch poured a good amount of the shimmering purple liquid into a glass. The contents swirled around, catching the light from the chandelier above them. It looked like it was magical, Vivian never seeing anything like it before. "Drink up, my dear." Viktor said as they handed the glass to Vivian.

The woman took it, fingers careful around the glass as she raised it to her lips. She gave it a quick whiff, eyes darting to where the vampire sat at the table. Meeting her eyes, Kit gave her a slight nod. Releasing a sigh, Vivian drank the mixture, actually tasting like nothing as it went down. She set the glass back down on the counter and looked at Viktor. "What now?"

"For now, that's it." They said, taking the glass and rinsing it out. "We have to wait until my friend arrives."

As if on cue, a knock sounded at the door.

"Ah, that should be her!" Viktor cheered, moving from the kitchen to the front door.

Vivian moved back over to the table and sat down with Kit. Nerves caused her legs to shake, bouncing up and down as she messed with her hands in her lap. Kit reached out for her, placing a hand on hers. "Hey." He said, pulling her attention to him. "It will all be okay."

Nodding, she tried to take in his words, tried to allow them to offer her some solace, but it was no use.

"She has arrived!" Viktor called from the front door, both Vivian and Kit standing from the table to greet the new witch. Viktor rounded the corner, a figure shortly behind him. When Vivian recognized the witch, her heart dropped.

"Ophelia?" Vivian's voice was shrill as she spoke her friend's name.

The other woman's eyes snapped to Vivian, the same shock that Vivian felt displayed on her face. "Vivian?" Ophelia's voice was just as shrill as she froze next to Viktor. "W-What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?" Vivian asked back, then looked at Viktor. "What is she doing here?"

Viktor just blinked, a grin on his face. "She's here to help. I see you two know each other."

"Wait, you're..." Kit began, almost like he was just now recognizing the face in front of him. Granted, he's only met her a couple of times.

"You're that vampire from the cafe! And the fair!" Ophelia moved her attention to Kit as he spoke.

"You knew he was a vampire?" Vivian asked, pulling Ophelia's eyes back to her. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"Me? What was I supposed to say?" Ophelia bit back. "Oh hey, be careful that's a vampire, like you would have believed me."

"I would have!" Vivian yelled, exaggerating herself with her hands.

"How was I supposed to know? When did you even find out about this stuff?" Ophelia looked between Kit and Vivian.

"Just after Penny died." Vivian said, the memory playing over in her head. "I was there when she... when she was killed."

Ophelia is silent for a moment, as if thinking. "What killed her?"

"A rabid." Kit answered for Vivian, the woman finding using her voice difficult. "I was there to keep it from killing Vivian."

"And you didn't take her memories?" Ophelia accused, looking incredulous.

"I did!" Kit defended himself. "It just... it did not work on her. She remembered everything."

"Ophelia." Vivian said then, pulling the woman's heated gaze back to her. "You're a witch?"

Her friend was silent for a few seconds, hesitation clear on her face. But then she looked at Kit and Viktor, releasing a breath. "Yes, I am."

"Holy shit." Vivian muttered, putting a hand to her mouth as it fell open. "Does that mean your mom is...?"

"Yes." Ophelia answered, looking away as if ashamed. "I wanted to tell you, but I knew I couldn't. It's dangerous for humans to be a part of the supernatural world."

"Seems our Vivian here might not be a human, dear Ophelia." Viktor said then as a silence began to fall on the group.

"Wait, she's the one?" Ophelia asked, pointing a finger to Vivian. "No, you can't have that right. I live with her, I would know."

"She has a protection." Viktor replied, tapping theira chest. "A handy little necklace."

Ophelia's eyes went wide with realization. "Your necklace." The woman breathed out, eyes dropping to the pendant on Vivian's chest. "You've always had that necklace."

"This is a new one." Vivian said, picking the pendant up. "I took off my old one and I kind of... exploded with aether."

Again, realization crossed Ophelia's face. "The window and the blood."

"I was attacked that night." Vivian continued.

"That was from you?"

"Yes."

Ophelia reached out then, grabbing Vivian by the shoulders. "Are you okay? Did you get hurt?"

Vivian blinked. "Uh, yeah I'm fine now. I was bit by a rabid but Kit was there to save me." She said, gesturing towards the vampire standing besides her. "He's kind of saved me a bunch."

Ophelia's eyes snapped to Kit, narrowing. "This guy?"

"I can vouch for him myself." Viktor said then, Ophelia looked back to them. "I've known him for as long as I've known your family."

"They know your family?" Vivian asked, catching the words.

"They taught me everything I know about aether." Ophelia released Vivian then, stepping back. "You do know what that is, right?"

Vivian nodded. "Yes, I've been educated."

Ophelia is quiet for a moment, thinking again. "Do you know what happened to Elias?"

Vivian's mouth shut then, her heart lurching in her chest. Oh, no. She couldn't tell Ophelia, not like this.

Kit must have noticed her silence and stepped in. "He was attacked by a rabid and taken to be turned."

"He what?" Ophelia's eyes went wide again, this time with fear. "Tell me he's lying." Her eyes moved back to Vivian. "Please, tell me he's lying."

Vivian shook her head. "I was with him."

Something like despair passed over Ophelia's face. She struggled to say anything, hands going up to her red curls and digging into them. "Oh my gods." Ophelia breathed out, panic apparent. "Elias was attacked?"

Vivian and Kit nodded.

"And you... you saw it all?"

Again, Vivian nodded. "It... it was horrible Ophelia." Tears sprung up in her eyes, threatening to fall. "I-."

Ophelia was too quick for Vivian to process what she was doing, but she was suddenly enveloped into arms, pressed tight against Ophelia. "I'm sorry, Vivian." She whispered against Vivian's head, rocking them back and forth. "I'm so sorry, you should have never seen that." The overwhelming sadness that Vivian has been holding back these past few days slammed into her chest, making a horrible sob sound from her mouth. She clung to her friend and cried into her shoulder, letting the sorrow take her over.

These past few days, Vivian hasn't been letting herself feel anything. She's been distracting herself and keeping her mind from processing what happened that night. Yet now, face to face with Ophelia, she felt she had no choice. She had to face what happened. And it hurt. It felt like someone was ripping her heart out, like knives were stabbing at her chest again and again. Flashes of that night played over in her head, of the rabid above Elias, the way it tore into his neck, and the blood, oh gods the blood. It made her sick.

It took a while for her to calm down, for her to gain some composure over herself. When she did, the two friends separated, Vivian wiped her face with the sleeve of her shirt. "I'm sorry." She said to the three of them, feeling ridiculous. "I shouldn't have broken down like that."

"There's no need to apologize." Viktor said, reaching a hand out and placing it on her shoulder. "You went through something terrible. You're going to have these feelings for a while."

"Oh lovely." Vivian said, sarcasm laced through her words.

"Come on." Viktor moved towards the living room. "We have a spell to cast!"

The four of them moved to the living room, gathering around the pentagram. Viktor led Vivian into the center of the star, moving about and lighting the candles at each point of the star. It all looked like a very intricate process, Viktor muttering something under their breath as they lit each candle.

Viktor then left the living room and went into the kitchen, pouring two more glasses of the purple mixture. They took one for themselves and handed the other one to Ophelia. "Are you ready?" They asked after downing the mixture.

"As ready as I'll ever be." Ophelia replied after also drinking the mixture, setting the glass down and moving towards the pentagram.

Viktor stood on one spot while Ophelia stood exactly opposite of them. At the same time, they knelt to the ground, lying their hands on the salt circle. Both of them began muttering in a language Vivian couldn't understand, the candle's wicks flickering intensely. The chalk on the ground began to glow, filling the space with a faint white light. But it grew stronger and stronger, until the light was almost blinding. Vivian put hands over her face, blocking out the light.

There was this loud boom that sounded, shaking Vivian to the core. Her ears began to ring, and she felt tiny little pin pricks across her body, fingers and toes buzzing. She felt woozy and breathless all at once, swaying side to side where she stood. When the ringing finally began to die down, she uncovered his eyes to look at the room around her. What she saw shocked her.

What looked like snow fell from the ceiling, dusting the furniture and ground all around them. Everyone in the room stood with a shocked expression on their face, all except for Kit, who looked pained more than anything. "W-What does this mean?" Vivian asked, feeling that the spell had been done.

Viktor was the first one to clear their throat, trying to play it cool and brush off their shocked expression. "It seems that you, my dear, are an aether reservoir."