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The Veylors were finally back.
Kael stepped out of the black car first, smiling when he saw Lucien waiting on the steps. Their parents followed, then Valerie, their sister, dragging two big suitcases.
“How have you been, Lucien?” Kael asked.
Lucien grinned and pulled him into a hug. “I’ve missed you, bro. I have something to tell you.”
“Yeah? What is it?” Kael tilted his head.
“Come on, let’s go to my room,” Lucien said, leading him inside.
But before they could take two steps, their mother called out,
“Boys! Help bring in the bags before Valerie hurts herself.”
“I’m fine,” Valerie said, rolling her eyes.
“But yes, Kael, hurry up.”
Kael laughed and went to help her. Lucien followed. Soon, they were busy carrying bags, answering their parents questions, and moving from room to room.
By the time they sat down to eat, the table was full, roasted meat, warm bread, bowls of fruit, and a crystal jug filled with dark red blood.
Once, their family had been feared by everyone,killing when they wanted, fighting anyone who crossed them. But a hundred years ago, everything changed when their sister Vivian died in a fight they could have avoided.
Since then, they made rules to keep out of trouble,
No killing humans for no reason.
No falling in love with humans.
No fighting other vampires or witches unless they had to.
Lucien looked across the table at Kael. He still had that thing to tell him about Emily.
But tonight didn’t feel like the right time.
###
It was the weekend, and Emily decided to spend the afternoon at the park.
The air was warm, the grass smelled fresh, and she had her favourite book tucked under her arm.
She found an empty bench and settled in. While reading, her eyes drifted to a tall guy a few steps away.
Something about him made her pause. He looked so much like someone from her old town.
Her heart gave a small jump but when he came closer, she realised… nope, not him.
Emily shook it off and answered a call from Tiala. She was mid-laugh when another guy walked past. He had messy dark hair, bright eyes, and a smirk that seemed to know too much. He smiled and gave her a small wave. Without thinking, she waved back.
A minute later, he doubled back and stopped in front of her.
“Hello. I’m Kael,” he said with a grin. “You’ve been staring at me.”
Emily lowered her phone, raising a brow. “Me?”
“Yes. You,” Kael said, certain.
Emily laughed in disbelief. “Wow… you must be a really rude kid to think I was looking at you.”
Kael’s smirk faded. “Rude? I was just pointing out what I saw.”
“What you think you saw,” she shot back.
They traded words like that, voices low but sharp. Strangers passing by glanced at them,
Emily turned her face away from Kael, flipping her book open again like he didn’t exist. She wasn’t going to waste another second on some overly confident park boy.
Kael smirked, shoved his hands in his pockets, and walked off. “See you around, Miss Not-Staring-At-Me,” he called over his shoulder.
Emily rolled her eyes so hard she almost saw her brain.
She was just starting to enjoy her book when she heard a sharp bark. A fluffy golden retriever bounded past her, tail wagging like it had just won the lottery,with her bag in its mouth.
Emily shot up. “Hey! That’s mine!”
The dog only ran faster.
Before she could even take a step, Kael appeared out of nowhere, sprinting after it. “Move over, I’ve got this!”
Emily stood frozen as the scene played out like some slow-motion movie. Kael chased the dog across the grass, dodging a toddler, leaping over a picnic blanket, and almost tripping over a frisbee. People turned to watch like it was free entertainment.
Finally, Kael caught up, crouched, and wrestled the bag out of the dog’s mouth. The golden retriever wagged happily as if this was all part of the game.
Kael came back, slightly out of breath but grinning. “For the record,” he said, handing her the bag, “I just risked my life for this. You’re welcome.”
Emily crossed her arms. “Risked your life? You were chasing a dog, not a dragon.”
Kael tapped his chest dramatically. “Still counts. My heart almost gave out.”
She fought a smile. “Thanks… I guess.”
Kael leaned closer with a teasing glint in his eyes. “So… still not staring at me?”
Emily snorted. “I was staring at your terrible running form.”
Kael grinned wider. “Perfect. I guess that means we should sit so you can give me running lessons.”
And just like that, he dropped into the seat beside her without asking.
####
Later that day, Emily went over to Tiala’s house. They sprawled out on her bed, tossing popcorn into their mouths and chatting about everything ,school, music, and, of course, boys.
Emily kicked her feet like an excited kid. “Okay, don’t laugh, but… I think I have a tiny crush on that weirdo I met in the park today.”
Tiala nearly choked on her popcorn. “The one you argued with?”
Emily covered her face with a pillow. “Yes! I don’t know why, but… he’s kinda cute.”
They both burst into laughter, rolling around on the bed.
A knock came at the door before Rowan strolled in, holding a can of soda.
“So, guys,” Tiala said, sitting up suddenly, “I have something to tell you two.”
“What?” Emily asked, still grinning.
“I’m… a witch,” Tiala announced with a straight face.
Rowan blinked. Then he snorted. “Yeah, and I’m a unicorn.”
Emily almost spit out her drink. The two of them laughed so hard their stomachs hurt.
“Stop it!” Tiala shouted over their giggles. “I’m serious! I can make plants grow, move things without touching them, hide stuff with magic… even open a jar without touching it!”
Rowan leaned against the wall, shaking his head. “Ah, Tiala is back with her lies.”
Tiala crossed her arms. “Fine. Watch this.”
She wasn’t fully sure it would work, but she muttered a quick spell under her breath
"Bloom and rise, reach for the skies."
and waved her hand over the small flowerpot on her desk.
The stem shivered… then grew taller right before their eyes, a new bud opening like it was time-lapse footage in real life.
Emily’s mouth dropped. Rowan froze mid-sip, his soda can halfway to his lips.
“Holy....shit” Rowan started.
“Told you,” Tiala said smugly, leaning back like she had just dropped the mic.
- Writer
