Val took her opportunity and rushed up to Lucas once he was far enough from Claire.

"Hey you" she said when he'd finally noticed her. Lucas didn't say anything just raised an eyebrow at her.

"What do you want Valeria" Val's jaw ticked at the sound of her full first name.

"Now what have I ever done to you to make you treat me like this?" She asked feigning ignorance.

"You know Claire told me everything. I get why you're pissed at her. But you don't seem to be hating your immortality so to punish her for a life you clearly enjoy is a bit of an asshole move. Especially since you guys are all you have. Claire told me vampires live pretty solitary lives but you don't have to. You force her hand" Val sneered at him rushing up to stand two inches from his face.

"You don't know anything about me. You're a pet you know. And the sooner you realize it the better off you'll be. What'd she tell you that you'll be happy and ride off into the eternal sunset? It's a lie. Claire is a bunny eater for a reason. She can't control herself when she feeds. She's like a drug addict and if you give her even a little she'll spiral. The moment she goes to make you immortal will be the last day you live" Val said a satisfied smirk creeping on her face as she read the fear in Lucas' eyes.

"I think that'd be better than pining after a manipulator. Someone who clearly had no fun unless he controlled it" Lucas said making Val snarl. Now he'd pushed her buttons. She tossed him into a wall then pulled him against a tree.

"That may be. But you know what's best? Leaving you here with a hole in your neck for Claire to find and this town to memorialize. She'll never be able to come back here without thinking of you" Val said veins darkening around her eyes as she pulled him in closer "Don't move" she whispered looking him dead in the eye. Lucas knew what she was trying to do and pushed her back. Val barely moved an inch and sneered as she grabbed his face so hard it'd bruise and tried again.

"DO NOT MOVE" Lucas didn't have many ideas of what to do now. He couldn't physically move her and he definitely couldn't outrun her. So what could he do? Just as Val sunk her teeth into his neck and Lucas screamed in pain Claire came and pulled her off him.

"Lucas! Lucas look at me are you ok" he nodded and Claire turned her deadly glare to the girl on the sidewalk. Val wheezed as she held her throat and looked up at her sister "Burns doesn't it?" Claire whispered as her jaw ticked a bit.

"What's happening to her" Lucas asked holding his neck.

"It's the herb. Vervain. I put it in your drinks when I can. To protect you when I'm not here. I knew she'd try this eventually. And even if she didn't I liked having the piece of mind that you'd be safe. Even from me" she said as she turned to him. Lucas paused as he took in what she said. This entire time... he thought he was in danger but she was in his corner. Protecting him even when he couldn't tell. Lucas would've never thought that Claire would go that far for him. If Claire had even for a moment lost her cool she'd be where Val was now. Claire threw his thoughts out the window as she bit into her hand and placed it near his lips.

"Drink. You'll need this for the bite and your face" Lucas frowned and shook his head.

"No way in hell" Claire rolled her eyes and growled.

"Then explain to your family your bruises and neck" Lucas sighed but obliged taking two quick pulls of the bitter liquid.

"Thank you. Now leave and stay shut up in your room tonight. I'll take care of this" Lucas nodded. He had her blood in him now. If he died he'd be a vampire, at least part one. So Lucas left and shut himself up in his room per Claire's instructions. Hard to believe that his life had completely 360'd in a day but it did. Maybe he was hoping it would be simpler. Just a prank that they could laugh off. But it was all real. He saw Val's face. Vampires were real. And Val and Claire were both one. Being around Val did make Lucas realize one thing. He could trust Claire. Having a vampire actually try to kill him he knew Claire only ever wanted what she said. To know him. He couldn't even imagine the face he knew of Claire trying to attack him. Lucas didn't know how but he wanted to apologize. Thinking about it now he knew he'd made a mistake and that he should apologize for even doubting her. Lucas didn't regret his decision to keep his distance but he could at least let her know that he knew what they had was sincere.

•••

In Claire's home, Claire had dragged her sister to the cellar. Vervain that Alba grew was hidden in the corner. This would keep her weak enough until Claire could figure out something to do with her. What could she do? Val was her sister. Claire didn't want to go as far as Val would. Claire still loved her. Val would always be her baby sister. Val looked over and sighed "Come to gloat" she said hoarsely.

"No" Claire replied.

"Then why sit and watch me" Val asked.

"Because I'm trying to figure out what to do with you" Claire said looking down.

"That's simple. Kill me. I've crossed the line. I tried to kill your pet that makes me a problem you have to deal with" Claire laughed humorlessly.

"Ahhh. He's not my pet. He doesn't even want anything to do with me. Lucas is a person and a good one" she said leaning back against the wall.

"Come on Clarie. Let's be real. We're vampires all humans are ever supposed to be is food to us" Claire shook her head and dug her nails in her arm.

"They're people Val. Like we used to be" Claire would never be able to look at them as cattle. Humans had too much character. Humans reminded her too much of what was.

"Those days don't matter anymore. They were 100 years ago" a hundred years or two they still meant everything to Claire. And she knew they still meant something to Val.

"They matter. You wouldn't be trying to bring him back if they didn't" Val didn't respond now. Claire wouldn't be getting anything from her on what the plans were.

"Are you going to keep me in suspense all night? What's the plan from here?" Claire shrugged.

"The plan? You sit here. Maybe in a couple decades I'll let you out and we can talk" she said earnestly.

"Why don't you... JUST FUCKING KILL ME" Val screamed. She didn't get it. How fucked up did Val have to be in order for Claire to finally do it?

"Because you're my sister" Claire said quietly before she left, the cellar door ending the conversation. Maddening bitch! Val would likely die never understanding her.

Claire didn't really know what to do now. Where to go. She didn't have any other reasons to stay. Alba was gone. Val was locked up. No real reason to stay anymore. So she did what anyone would at this point. Started to pack. Where'd she go next? She wasn't sure. But Claire hoped for the best.

•••

Terrance walked up to the McBride house buzzing. He didn't know who else to go to. At least, who wouldn't call him crazy. Lucas didn't answer instead it was Nadine who's hair looked like she'd just woke up. As soon as she realized it was him she leaned on the door and sighed "What Terrance" she asked.

"Looking for Lucas duh. What's up with you" Nadine rolled her eyes and let him in.

"My brother's pretty much been upstairs all day. If you could get him to his chores before Uncle Nick gets back from his date that'd be great" Terrance frowned and looked back at her from the stairs.

"Since when does Nick do dates" Nadine shrugged.

"Since the new history teacher thinks he's worth a damn" Nadine said jokingly. Terrance would ask more about it later for now he went upstairs and knocked on Lucas' door.

"Na- oh. Hey Terrance" Lucas said stepping aside so his best friend could come in.

"What's up man? Your sister looks like she hasn't left bed for a week" Lucas shrugged.

"Ever since she fell out with Paul she just comes home after school. Guess all the trouble she was getting in was to get closer to him. Now she just seems uninterested in any of it" Terrance hummed as he thought about it. That sounded like an opening for him. He would take that in later.

"Hmm. Well what about you? It's not like you to spend all day inside unless someone doesn't want to face a certain brunette beauty" Terrance asked making Lucas look away. He had to stay away from Claire regardless of what he felt for her.

"Doesn't matter. What'd you come to tell me?" Terrance would circle back to his lady love but for now allowed him to change the subject.

"So you know how my Grams is all voodoo crazy, talking to spirits, saying she's a witch and all that crazy shit" Lucas knew where it was going before he'd even said anything else.

"Right?" even if Lucas already guessed he would pretend he didn't. So Terrance could have his moment. Clearly he wanted to be dramatic.

"That's stuff is for real. You know how I've been AWOL lately. Which you know my bad bro. But anyways it's because a lot of weird shits been happening. I can do things" Lucas kinda started to want him to just show him the magic already. He could connect the dots.

"Let's see it then" he said trying to sound as cynical as he could.

"Alright fine" Terrance was going to prove it. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath "Pick a book in the house" he said making Lucas sit up in his chair.

"Ok I'll bite... the Wizard of Oz it's in mom's old collection in the attic" Terrance nodded and focused in on what Lucas asked for. Terrance could see the book, feel it, and just like every time before he just called for it in his mind. Lucas sat and watched him almost wanting to laugh as nothing happened then through the open window the book fell into Terrance's open hands. For a moment the room was quiet while Terrance sat satisfied.

"So... I uh guess that makes you a wizard huh Harry?" Terrance's smirk dropped and he threw the book at Lucas.

"Hey I'm sorry! I had to." Lucas said throwing his hands up "Really I'm just shocked. How'd you find out?" Lucas asked. Terrance then ran down the story. The premonitions, the signs, the way he felt strange things when he touched certain people. Claire namely. Lucas knew why but it wasn't his secret to tell. So he just nodded in response.

"You have any idea why I'd feel that?" Terrance asked trying to get a read on Lucas' reaction.

"The most I can say is that she's different" Lucas didn't want to lie to his best friend. He couldn't, Terrance knew his tells. So his best option was a half truth.

"Come on. I spilled my secret. Grams told me if I shrieked she'd put a hex on me. I think you should tell me" Terrance said leaning back in his chair.

"Yea nice try but not my secret bro. If you wanna know you gotta ask her" Lucas figured that was fair. Right? Terrance narrowed his eyes but he'd accept that. For now. Whatever it was Lucas knew so at least he wasn't completely oblivious. Terrance didn't say but it felt like death.

"Fine. Anyways, I'm meeting up with Quentin in a sec. Come with?" Lucas thought about it and didn't see what he'd have to lose. It's just Quentin.

"Alright. Let me put on my shoes" Lucas said getting up to do so.

•••

Meanwhile, Nadine was out at her newest past time since being done with Paulie. Going to the library. It was her happy place. There no one would bother her or barge in with questions about Lucas. Here she could be her and nothing else.

"Hey, Quiet Girl" Nadine smiled and put her book down coming face to face with her newest friend Harry.

"Hey Harry" she said with a small smile.

"Miss me? I'm sure you did. You couldn't wait to come back here to see me" Harry said.

"Maybe I did. But most likely and I don't know this is just me spit balling here... it was probably the books" Harry chuckled and rolled his eyes at her sarcasm.

"Fine, fine. Be that way. I like when you play hard to get" Nadine hid her blush and nudged his shoulder.

"Stop flirting with me. You don't even know me. What if I'm a serial killer" Nadine whispered.

"Tell me something about you" Harry said making Nadine chew on her bottom lip.

"What is there to know outside of me being a small town girl? In school trying to graduate, make something of myself. Annoying older brother and a super uneventful love life. Other than that there's nothing more to say" Nadine said flipping through a couple more pages of the book she had.

"Hmm. Uneventful huh? Interesting" Harry said making Nadine nudge him again.

"You're flirting again" she said.

"You're blushing again." He retorted.

"What about you? What's the story behind Harry?" Nadine asked closing her book and leaning forward.

"I'm just Harry. A guy who came here to find his brother. It's been a long time and I've been looking forward to seeing him. As for my love life it's... pending" he said looking her in the eye when he said the last part. After another warning to stop flirting with her the two started talking about other things. Living inside books and whatnot. A piece of Nadine wondering if she should indulge in Harry a bit more. And Harry was finding more to like about this town than he ever expected to.

•••

When Lucas and Terrance finally got to Quentin he was in the school's football field tossing the ball in the air. When Quentin saw the two he put on a smile that didn't really reach his eyes.

"What up boys?" Lucas frowned. He sounded like Quentin but something was off. And Lucas wasn't the only one to notice.

Terrance ran a nice distance away and put up his hands for Quentin to throw him the ball. "What's up with you man? You look like someone hit you with a bus" Terrance asked.

"It's Val. I'm not usually the type to care but she hasn't talked to me in days. I went by the house to talk and she flat out won't see me. It's just weird because Val wouldn't leave without saying something" Lucas raised an eyebrow at him but said nothing. From what he knew about Val, Quentin was overestimating how much Val cared. He did feel bad though, Lucas was sure he had an idea of where Val went. And if Claire was anything to go by they wouldn't be seeing much of Val for a while.

"Maybe it's for the best. She always gave me bad vibes" Lucas said making Quentin roll his eyes.

"I don't think so. Val's just misunderstood. There's a lot to her once you get to know her" he said making Lucas want to laugh a bit.

"Alright tell us about her" Terrance asked, Terrance was genuinely curious this girl Val was the only one he hadn't met yet.

"Umm well-" Lucas listened as Quentin basically described nothing. Just a half assed summary at best.

"Do you know her favorite color" Lucas asked as he started to really examine his friend. Quentin looked confused. Like he wanted to say something but couldn't. Is this... compulsion? What it looks like to feel like you know something but you don't. Lucas got a bit closer to the man to see the marks on his neck. Lucas wondered what Quentin's obsession was with the scarf he'd been wearing lately. Now he knew. Val was eating him. Lucas felt a deep disgust pull at his insides. Quentin eventually changed the subject and moved on to other topics. Like when Terrance would make a move on Nadine. Lucas wanted to interject but his mind was reeling. All this time. Quentin could've died. Lucas felt like he failed his friend, and even now Quentin wondered where she was. It made Lucas wonder how much, if any, of it was genuine.

The thoughts proved to be too much and Lucas said bye to his two friends. He needed to see Claire.