If I fell asleep thinking about something, it usually took a couple of minutes in the morning to remember it. But when I woke up, everything that happened last night was etched firmly in my mind. I actually wasn't entirely sure that I had been able to fall asleep. I maybe dozed for a couple of hours at best. Dani sat on the edge of his bed, and Mariana was in the chair, looking equally serious. The silence was awkward, almost oppressive. Charlie, thank goodness, was up. He looked a bit paler than usual, but other than that looked fine. He was sitting behind Dani, massaging his shoulders. Judging from the grim look on Charlie's face, Dani told him what happened last night. Charlie noticed me and smiled.

"Morning, Jen."

"Good morning," I said as I sat up. "How are you feeling?"

"Rather great considering I took a dip in the ocean."

"How'd you sleep?" Dani asked.

"Not very well." I didn't have to ask how he slept. He looked so tired that he probably hadn't exaggerated when he said he wasn't going to sleep. But, to my relief, there wasn't even a scar where his head hit the desk. "How are you?"

"Fine." Dani got up, grabbed some clothes, and headed for the bathroom. "I'm going to change."

Charlie got up, too, but came over and sat next to me. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into a hug.

"Thank you," he whispered in a choked voice. "I can't even..." He hugged me tighter. "Thank you, Jen." I wasn't sure how to respond, so I just hugged him back. After a moment he released me and patted my knee. "So how are you? Really?"

I sighed. "I'm... sort of scared."

Charlie put an arm around my shoulders. "Me, too. But, you don't have to worry. We're going to take care of this."

I nodded. "I know. But... I'm still scared." It felt a bit good to say it out loud.

Dani stepped out of the bathroom in time to hear me. "There's nothing wrong with that." He sat down on my other side and leaned against me. "Last night was... Well, you'd be insane if you weren't scared. Hell, I've been through worse nights than that, but that doesn't mean that I wasn't afraid, too."

He had? Maybe I was right about the magical world always being this dangerous. "Is it always like this? Being magic? Is there always going to be a hungry vampire or something out there?"

No," Charlie said firmly. "I won't lie. Sooner or later, everyone runs into trouble. But is that any different from non-magics? I mean, sooner or later everyone gets in a car accident or something, right?"

"I guess."

"I'm sorry that this is your first real experience being a witch," Dani said. "It really isn't always like this, I promise. Well..." He laughed. "That is, unless you tend to go looking for trouble, like me."

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Someone knocked on the door, and we all turned to look.

"Do you want me to get it?" Mariana asked.

Dani stood. "No. I got it."

When Dani opened the door, I leaned over until I could see past him into the hall. Thomas and TS were there; both looked nervous. For a long, tense moment nobody spoke. Then, Dani and Thomas broke the silence at the same time.

"I'm sorry."

Dani heaved a sigh and stepped aside. "Please come in, Tom," he said softly.

I swallowed nervously. He'd invited Thomas in. Was it because he had to? Was I really right about Thomas being a vampire? Or was Dani just being polite? Thomas mumbled a thanks and came in. He slumped down onto the bed by Mariana's chair, and Dani sat down next to him. TS crouched down in a rather dog-like position that would have been comical if he hadn't looked so serious. There was another long, almost awkward silence.

"How are you, Char?" Thomas finally said.

"Better."

"I'm sorry."

Charlie shrugged. "Don't be. I don't blame you."

I studied Thomas carefully, trying to find some proof that I was right. He looked perfectly normal. Human. Then again, the vampires last night had looked human, too. I couldn't see any fangs when he spoke, but that didn't mean anything if he could retract them. His teeth did look sort of pointy, but not unusually sharp. But he was pale and extremely thin; that sounded like a vampire to me. Then, I noticed his arm. It wasn't broken, anymore! It was still a little bruised, and there was a scar over where the bone had broken the skin, but that was it. He wasn't even acting like it was sore.

"Thomas?" Dani said nervously. He looked almost ashamed.

Thomas turned to him. "Yeah?"

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it. You know I would never have said that if I was in control."

"I know." Thomas sighed. "But... things would've ended up a lot different if I hadn't been, I don't know, stubborn. I had a dozen chances to stake him, and I couldn't do it. I put everyone in danger. I think..." He trailed off and looked at Dani in concern. "When were you bleeding?"

My heart skipped a beat. He knew Dani had been bleeding? He must have been able to smell it! He was a vampire. He had to be.

Dani stood and walked into the alcove by the door and beckoned Thomas over. Dani started whispering to Thomas, probably telling him what happened. Not long after Dani and Thomas started talking, a worried frown crossed TS’s face, and he joined them. A moment later, Thomas cursed and put a hand on Dani's shoulder, then hugged him. Afterwards Thomas slumped against a wall with a heavy sigh.

"I need to go make a phone call," he said. "I'm going to apply for a—"

"Tom!" Dani cried. "Not because of me! What happened last night isn't happening again."

"I've been thinking about it, anyway," Thomas said firmly. "I'm not going to use it right away. I just want it... in case. Mariana, is your offer still good?"

Mariana looked shocked, but nodded. "Of course."

"Thank you." Thomas looked less than happy about whatever Mariana had offered. "I'll get food while I'm gone. I'm sure you girls are hungry."

"I am, too," TS said.

Thomas smiled weakly at him. "You're always hungry, mutt. I'll be right back."

This was the perfect opportunity to confront him! We'd be able to talk on the way to the dining hall. "I'll come with you," I said as I stood.

"No need. I won't be long."

"I want to talk."

"It can wait five minutes."

"No, it can't. If I come with you, we can talk in private," I insisted.

"This isn't a good time to be wandering the ship. It isn't safe. We'll talk when I get back."

I wasn't sure if I believed him. He'd probably come up with another excuse and keep putting it off. "I'll be safe with you."

"No, you won't." Now he was just lying! "Five minutes." With that, Thomas turned and grabbed the doorknob.

"Well, who better to protect me from a vampire than another vampire?" I snapped.

Thomas’ shoulders jerked as if he'd been shocked. There was an audible gasp as everyone stared at me. Thomas turned slowly and looked at me in disbelief.

"W-what?"