I wasn't sure what forgiveness meant or if he deserved it. However, I did know Zane didn't do anything. But that was also the problem. As my thoughts rode their roller coaster, I thumbed through the phoenix's guidebook.

I could say I was rereading it. But the first time was more like a skim-through. Most things come naturally, so I didn't think I would need it. My groans were audibly louder with every page turn, but this needed to be done.

Never make a contract with the enemy. 

The words resonated off the page loud and clear. All my mistakes were screaming in my face. I made a deal with a vampire.

I had been living this life completely wrong. The life of a firebird was to spread the light from the sun onto as many others before theirs burned out. I was never supposed to seclude myself or wear a mask of kindness. Phoenixes were warm by nature, so what was wrong with me?

At least vampires were still my natural enemies. However, vampires were almost everyone's enemies. Werewolves, sirens, fairies. The only allies' vampires keep were witches and zombies, but how do you call rogue witches and the dimwitted zombies a helper or friend? I guess they all had narcissistic behaviors that they could resonate with.

The more I read, the more unanswered questions I had. Too bad they don't give us a mentor. Only a book and a purpose. Apparently, I had succeeded many times before because I am still here. So why is this life so hard?

I closed the book in frustration. The only thing I figured out was Kathryn was an ally. She detests the vamps as much as I do.

As the bright sun shined in the blue sky, I could only do one thing. I locked the door behind me as I escaped the wooden entrapment. I ran across the road and into the overgrown field stripping out of my human clothing. I never stopped running until I lit up like a meteor breaking the earth's atmosphere. The explosion alone liberated my thoughts.

The fire surrounding my body consumed the air, and I flew with the freedom I craved. Every time I flew, my thoughts became more precise. Maybe it was because I was in my natural form, or perhaps it was the surrounding environment. Either way, I could not contain my smile.

I soared the treetops effortlessly and saw I was coming upon the small hillside by the lake. I knew most couples meet there to be alone. It was also a vamp's favorite feeding spot. Hours had passed and the sun had now set, so I had to be careful. I could look like a shooting star crossing the dark sky if I was high enough. I just hoped the hillside was empty, and I could make it back to the overgrown field without a problem.

The air whipped around me as I gained speed, flying upward as high as possible. As I passed the clearing at high rates, I looked down at the wrong moment.

Wild black eyes stared up at me as blood dripped from the corner of his mouth. Blood bags rested on the ground around him. Was Zane refusing to hunt humans? No matter, as it was still mortal blood he consumed. But what concerned me most was... did he see me?

I was now just a ball of fire zooming across the night sky as I descended into the open field not far from the house. This was my thinking spot, and no one knew of it but me. This time of year, the luscious green grass was home to thousands of yellow and purple wildflowers. The earthy smell hit my nostrils as I changed back into my human form.

I watched as the wind blew the flowers in colorful waves. If only I could be like this field. I would be lucky enough to witness the death and rebirth of the wildflowers each season. Unfortunately, I was like the wildflowers, bringing others colorful happiness, but was I ever truly happy?

The dirt trails were lit by the moon, and I could make my way back to my clothes. I was not the first immortal to run naked in these woods. The werewolves do it more often than I ever would. At the opening of the woods, I looked both ways making sure there was not another soul in sight, and I took off running to where I had left my pile of clothes. It was still there.

Running and putting on clothes simultaneously was a talent, and it was one of the few that I excelled at. I made it back to the old wooden house just in time to change and get ready for another night shift. I dreaded going to work tonight as I was in no mood to deal with the vamps. But I needed to hurry and finish this purpose.

I could have chosen anyone for Mr. Schwartz, but I wasn't left with much of a choice in this small town. Sybil seemed like the perfect match for him the more I was around her. The only problem was Mr. Schwertz did not drink coffee, so getting them to meet seemed nearly impossible.

I entered the coffee shop not a minute too late and sat my stuff down in the back room. As I came out, I glanced around the shop and noticed no signs of the vamps. This might be an okay night.

"They're not here," Kathryn said. She knew I was looking for them.

"That doesn't mean they won't be coming," I said. "The night just started."

"Are you all talking about those punk teenagers?" Sybil asked. She walked around the corner from the back carrying two heavy boxes.

"Yeah," I replied, lifting one of the boxes out of her arms to make her load lighter.

"Thanks," she said, smiling at me. "And you don't have to worry about them. They're banned for a few days."

"Banned?" I asked, knowing very well that a ban would not stop vampires.

"Yes, darling, they can return here after learning to behave better."

Kathryn and I exchanged smiles as Sybil stated her last sentence. We knew very well a vampire would never behave.

"Thank you, Sybil." 

Was all I could muster up to say. I was gracious to her, but I knew I would see the nasty undead tonight. Sybil found her usual seat at the corner table and started her paperwork for the evening while Kathryn and I got busy with the customers.

"I never knew sirens didn't like vampires," I said, as I started the conversation for once.

"There's a lot about sirens you don't know because you never asked," she said with a shrug.

"I didn't know how to ask."

"You just ask me."

"I'll admit. There's a lot I don't know, and I may never know."

"Are you just now realizing this?" she asked me. I looked at her only to see her still filling the coffee machine, never making eye contact with me.

"Yes." 

I admit it. I thought I knew it all. That's why I skimmed the book. Kathryn didn't say anything, and she just chose to stay silent. I walked over to her, placed my hands on her shoulders, and turned her to face me.

"Please, " I begged her. "Tell me life gets easier, that I will figure all of this out." 

And then the strangest thing happened. A wet droplet fell from my emerald eye. I reached up with my hand, wiping it away. The warm wetness confused me, and I looked down at my fingertips and saw it covered in the bright orange glow of lava.

"Here," Kathryn said, handing me a warm rag. When the lava hardened, the orange trail turned to dark grey clay. I had to remove it before anyone noticed.

"Is it gone?" I asked. Kathryn took the rag and dabbed at one final spot on my cheek.

"All gone," she said, smiling. "And to answer your question, no. Life is not easy, nor will you figure everything out. You're lucky you get to forget about the previous life and start over."

"Yeah, I guess I am." 

I didn't want her to see my sadness. How much it hurts to make a friend only to forget everything about them and start over. She made friends forever. Literally.

The night dragged on, and no sign of the vamps ever appeared. It was slower than usual without them here.

"They didn't come," I said.

"I told you I banned them," Sybil announced, proud of herself. I never knew a human could be so intimidating to a vampire that they would take a ban seriously. Sybil locked the door behind us as we headed back to our shelters for the night.

"Be careful going home, guys," Sybil said.

"We will," Kathryn said. "Do you want a ride?" She turned her head in my direction to ask me.

"I'm okay," I said. 

I always walked at night and the dwelling only thirty minutes from the cafe. Besides, I didn't want anyone to know where I was staying. It was terrible enough, Zane knew.

"Suit yourself," Kathryn said as she slid into the driver's seat of her blue car.

My feet carried my body as I started my walk. The day consisted of thousands of thoughts racing through my mind. I wanted nothing more than to lie down in the dark to finally rest. Though I knew the dreams would never come, only nightmares. Well, just one repeating nightmare. 

The sound of a car pulling over distracted me from my inner thoughts. I thought it might be Kathryn, so I glanced over but noticed a red car. I know that red car. The tinted window rolled down, revealing Zane's pompous face. I kept walking, and his car kept slowly moving beside me.

"What do you want, Zane?" I asked while staring straight ahead. And here I thought I was going to have a vamp-free night.

"You didn't answer your phone." I reached into my bag and pulled out the phone. It was off. The phone had died. Air slipped out of my mouth as I stuffed the stupid thing into my bag. Did I break my part of the deal?

"My phone died," I said.

"You don't have a charger?"

"Zane, when I'm at work, I'm not allowed to charge my phone," I said. "I have to keep it put away in my locker."

"Get in."

"No." 

I'm not crazy. Why would I get in the car with a vampire? But Zane was persistent.

"It's not an option, Ember."

"I always have a choice, and you can't touch me."

"Technically, I can. You broke your part. But I won't lay a hand on you if you get in the car."

"Look, it was on before I went into work," I said, protesting my case. "It's not my fault that it died when it was locked away in my locker while I was working."

"Just humor me."

I froze in my spot on the sidewalk. 

"Fine." I huffed and walked to the passenger side to get in. My eyes shot daggers in his direction as I clicked the seatbelt into place.

"If it was on, you should have texted me before you got to work," he said.

"No, why?"

"If your battery was low and your phone was going to die before you got home, just text me that."

"What if I'm going away for a couple of days and I forgot my charger?" 

I wouldn't. But I can't let him win.

"Just text me beforehand, and I won't bother you."

"This feels like a jail sentence," I mumbled. I was stating facts. Zane was my probation officer, whom I had to check in with. He had to know my whereabouts. My every move.

"You made the deal," he said. He wasn't wrong. It was my idea. Now I knew why. Never make a contract with the enemy. They don't play fair, and I will never win.

"All you have to do is keep the phone charged, and we will never have a problem," Zane said.

I only remained silent and stared out the window. Nothing I could say right now would fix this.

We pulled up in front of the wooden shack. At night, it never looked that bad.

"You're welcome for the ride," Zane said, grinning.

"Thanks," I muttered as I unbuckled my seatbelt. One thing kept bugging me, though. Did he see me earlier this evening?

"Hey, Zane."

"Yeah."

"Were you by the lake earlier tonight?"

"When you flew by like a ball of fire? You should be more careful."

He saw me.

"So, you don't feed off of humans?"

"I don't like dealing with humans and their emotions. They get clingy, and sometimes I go overboard to stop it. Blood bags are easier. They don't talk back."

"Sounds perfect for you," I said sarcastically.

 He must not have taken too kindly to that comment. The next thing I saw was his face inches from mine as he hovered over me, pressing his hands against the glass beside my head and pushing me further into the door panel. His cold mint breath fanned my face as he spoke.

"It is, and I'm training you to behave just like those blood bags."

His freezing wet lips grazed the warm skin of my cheek, leaving a trail of electrifying sparks. I shivered underneath the contrasting temperature of his touch. And then, it was gone. My eyes flew open with fury. He had backed off of me as quickly as he had pounced on me, buckling the seatbelt across his lean athletic body. My hand could not find the door handle as I fumbled in the darkness. Curse this body!

"You said you wouldn't touch me!" I screamed, finally finding the handle and pushing the door open. I jumped out the moment the cool air hit my face. Freedom. I turned only to shut the door, but his answer made me want to break it.

"I said I wouldn't lay a hand on you, and I didn't," he said casually while he kept his eyes forward. "Thank of this as a warning."

I slammed the car door on that grinning face of his. The squeal of his car tires finally drove off, and I was left fuming as I locked the door behind me. That vampire made me so mad that I forgot I am a kind phoenix lighting up everyone else's world. But how was I supposed to spread the sun's warmth when all I felt was explosive solar flares?