“And nobody crys, there’s only butterflies, take me away, take me away, a secret place, a secret place, a sweet escape, a sweet escape, take me away,” Pocketful of Sunshine, Natasha Bedingfield, Pocketful of Sunshine.

Jamie’s POV

“Prove it.” Holly replied.

“Alright,” I told her, grabbing my cocodina from where it was twined around my wrist. “Contini,” At the command it lengthened, releasing my magic I danced a few steps, the magic leaving blue and silver traces in the air. “In the days when the first Vampires and the first members of the Enchantment lived unable to hide their differences from humans, they lived together peacefully. The cocodina was first created for use in ritual dances, but was later used as a weapon.”

There was stunned silence after I finished. “What do you mean by unable to hide their differences?” Artemis asked, looking like he was starting to accept it.

“Our magic, and the affects it has had on our appearance. Now we can appear completely human . . . well actually not all of a vampire’s appearance can be concealed, they can conceal their fangs, but not their eyes or pale skin.” I answered then paused. “Be careful Artemis, the vampire I mentioned was sent by Tamie, the leader of the coven of teenage vampires in New York City; and knowing Jessica she’ll finish the job no matter what. I can try to stop her but I’m most likely not powerful enough.”

“Jessica, you mean Jessica Noland?” Artemis frowned.

“Yes, that’s the name she goes by these days, I don’t know why, but maybe it’s better that she does because it wouldn’t do you any good to know her real last name.”

“So you knew her?”

“Yes, we were very close, almost like sisters . . . ever since she was a little girl she was fascinated by vampires. She used to say that when she grew up she wanted to be a vampire, she even used to wear a short black cape, and she still does.” I smiled tiredly, and started to leave.

“How did you meet?” asked Holly.

“We met when we were really little. Actually, if it hadn’t been for her I would never have met my boyfriend Trevor; and if it hadn’t been for me, she probably would never have gotten the courage to ask her boyfriend out.”

~~~~~~*~~~~~~

Jessica’s POV

“These contacts should mask the color of your eyes and should look like the original color of your eyes. And this should reduce the palor in your skin tone.” the salesperson said, “Does your sister know whats happening?”

“Hopefully not, but I haven’t been in contact with her in the last few weeks, so I can’t say for sure.” I replied, “How did you know anyway?”

“I have my ways, now about my payment . . .”

“Here,” I said throwing the package on the counter, “Oh, and, just to let you know, you should be careful with those, they were designed to kill vampires, so you shouldn’t try using them.”

“I’ll be fine, I’ve been dealing with the cocodina of the Enchantment for quite sometime.”

“Suit yourself, Mr. Lilith, tell Violet I said hi.”

“Will do, Jessica, will do.”

Some other stories by Lydia Tall:

• Updates!
• D Is For Dead
• 9/11/01
• C Is For Conviction
• B Is For Betrayal