Selene sat in her bedroom, practicing her alchemy. Most Witches never got past the basics, but then again, she never had been like most, not then and certainly not now. What made her even better than most was that she had over a  thousand years of perfecting the art. She grabbed a ruby and turned it into a sapphire. It was perfect in color and shape and would certainly get her a vast amount of Fairy Dust in the Under City, also known as the Darkling District. Selene would be dealing with all those Dark Witches, which she detested, but she did enjoy the company of Witchlings.

Selene picked up a diamond and crushed it into a bowl with her hands before she added Lavender oil. She lit the bowl easily with the use of her Fire Rune. She muttered words under her mouth and watched the diamond dust solidify and turn into a round ball of pure platinum.

Blowing out the fire, she took out the cooling piece of metal. She flipped it over her fingers, watching her knuckles redden, but she felt no pain. Sometimes, she wished she could still feel what burns felt like, but her immortality denied her that. No pleasure, no pain, nothing that could remind of her humanity was left to her.

So lost in her thoughts, Selene forgot about the metal ball rotating in her hand that she let it drop, barely catching it as it bounced on the floor. Selene shook away all her dismal thoughts and shoved the metal and jewels in her bag before she shoved the bag under her bowl in a hollowed-out piece of the rock she had created so long ago. This was her personal stash of jewels and steel and Fairy Dust.

She sat there staring at the bag before replacing the thin sheet of rock she used as a cover and wondered why she had it. She knew exactly why.

Eris. Jason.

A part of her wanted to escape from them both and find Ranita, Urit, Uriel, and Naavah. They would comfort and care for her, even hide her from Eris. Hide? That was a funny thought. Eris was her brother, he understood her…didn’t he? No, not wholly; that was why she kept Jason’s existence secret. Eris cared a little too much and always had. Selene was his little sister. He failed to realize that she was more than capable of protecting herself.

The door swung open, and Selene’s body jerked in that direction. Jeanette smiled at her and kicked the door shut, using magic to silence the room.

“Are you finally going to kill me?”

“No, but I should. Would save you a lot of heartache.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Why do you get a second chance at love, hmm?”

Selene’s heart quickened. “What are you talking about?”

“Oh, Selene, do not be so coy. Your pet, Jason.”

“Do not call him a pet,” she said heatedly, quickly regretting it.

Jeanette laughed. “How cute.”

“You know, bitterness kills your beauty, Jeanette.” Jeanette barred her teeth and growled like a feral dog.

“I wouldn’t be so cruel to me.”

“How did you find him?”

“Funny thing about that, he actually came for me. He’s lucky I was out in town with no one else. Everyone else would have begun to buzz about the teal-eyed, Touched Born looking for Selene.”

“So why not tell anyone?”

“Because I know Eris, as should you. You realize you’re putting his life in danger, don’t you?”

“His appearance does that, and besides, I haven’t seen him in weeks anyway. I do not want to put his life in further danger.”

“A bit late for that, isn’t it? He said he needed to speak to you urgently.”

Selene thought it over, lifting herself from the hard ground and perching herself on the edge of her bed. Jason…you are not Pietro…why do I ache to see you?

“I can’t see him.”

“Ugh, yes, you will! You have a second chance, Selene!” Jeanette all but screamed, grabbing her arm firmly. “You have a second chance to be with the one you love and to do what you should have done the first time. Do not forgo it out of fear. That is not the way to live, Selene.”

“Eris will kill him.”

“If he finds out. I will not let that happen—that I promise you.”

Selene laughed. “Whatever happened to you despising me?”

“I despise your brother father far more.”

“Thank the Goddess for that.” She looked at her old friend and hugged her. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Selene.” They hugged each other for a moment longer before Jeanette pulled away. In the briefest moment, Selene saw a bit of her old childhood friend return as she fixed her hair and posture.

“Jeanette, how do you suppose I see him? The night is too big of a risk.”

“Then go during the daylight. I know you have Fairy Dust; you might as well use it.” Jeanette’s hair flew behind her as she headed out of the room. Selene stared at the closing door and looked at her watch.

***

It was hard for Selene to find something to wear. Everything she owned was “retro” and black, mainly because black hid blood stains. So Selene stole into a small boutique, snatching the thoughts and memories of a shopkeeper, enabling her to steal a white spring dress with butterfly depictions all over it and a pair of high-heeled strappy sandals. She felt uncomfortable, naked.

Selene stashed a bag with the clothes into the hollow of a tree. In the bag were also all her supplies for the day’s venture. No rest for the wicked.

Selene sought refuge in her room, getting some sleep despite needing none. It was there, in her room, that she waited for the dawn to wake before she snuck out.

Selene hastily changed, ensuring her marble was secure in her bra, nestled in the center, the last keepsake of her life. She chose that place because it was close to her heart, where it should always be, where it would never get lost.

Selene buckled up her leather garter, hooking it up high so that her dagger would not show beneath the dress. Standing in the woods, almost naked, Selene traced a binding rune into the ground. Her runes glowed as she blew out the Fairy Dust, using her air rune to whip it around her, binding it to her skin.

She grabbed a little mirror and examined herself. Every inch of her skin shimmered in the dim rays of the moonlight. She almost looked human again. Her eyes reminded her of the illusion, rimming the purple irises red. It was good that she remembered snatching a pair of sunglasses.

Selene dressed, slipped on her shoes, and shoved the rest of her stuff back into the tree. Her nerves rattled, and she just stood alone in the sunlight that should have been burning her skin. Selene took a deep breath and then another before running off to the city’s edge, her shoes pounding lightly against the ground.

Selene made her way down the cobblestone streets. The  University was in the middle of the city, and considering the time of day, she paced her way, knowing that he would be there when the city bells rang and echoes through the air. Selene looked up at the sun as it rose high into the sky. She had until Twilight, and then her brother would find out she was mingling and grow suspicious. Selene walked as quickly as she could, keeping in mind the pace so as not to draw suspicious glances from those out and about.

As Selene neared the University, she saw the clock tower glow in the sun. My, what a wonder, she thought as she made her way through the throng of students searching for Jason. It took her only minutes to catch sight of him, and as quickly as she could, she made her way to his side and grabbed his arm tightly, resisting the urge to break it.

“Do you have any idea how reckless that was,” she said, shoving him into the side of a building. She watched him scrunch up his eyes in confusion and stare at her blankly.

“Selene?”

“Yes, you dolt.”

“You—you look human.”

“Fairy Dust, available on the Black Market in the Darkling District. Vampyres use it to live their old lives.”

“You—you look beautiful.”

Selene almost blushed. “Yes, well, do you know how lucky you are? Jeanette thinks about killing me in my sleep. You’re lucky she detests my brother more.” She released her hand on his arm and smoothed out the material. “You said this was  urgent.”

“It is.” Jason’s eyes turned cold as he reached into his bag to pull out a portrait. Selene’s heart contrasted, and willpower alone kept her standing. “I thought you might like to have this.” He held it out to her, and she took it gently into her hands. Her fingers graved upon the preserved art, and the memories of that day returned to her. She and Pietro had stood there for hours,  although it hadn’t seemed like it. Holding the smile and being in his arms was a moment she had cherished even then. Pietro, though, had made joke after joke. They got scolded for laughing time after time.

“Where did you get this?”

“I asked my father to send me my entire genealogy and to involve photographs if possible. I thought you would appreciate this.”

“I do. Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet. You killed his wife’s whole family. Why didn’t you tell me?”

Selene stiffened. “They didn’t matter.”

“They didn’t matter? Do you hear yourself?”

“They were all murders!” she hissed. “Abusers and degenerates. They did not matter and deserved their deaths.” She looked back at the portrait. “Thank you for this, but I think I should go now.” Selene was about to leave when Jason pulled her back. His teal eyes looked down at her pleadingly.

“Don’t leave. Please. I—I enjoy your company.”

“I should leave. I’ve put—”

“Jason!” interrupted a shrill voice that sent a familiar tendril of hatred through her veins. Selene’s eyes widened behind her thick round sunglasses as she stared at the face of the girl who wrapped herself around Jason.

Katherine.