Minds of Magic

Two Fangs and Things

The little bell dinged overhead. The quaint little diner very sparsely populated at this hour but still managing to keep that mystic homey feel. The little fairy that had been there the last time was here again, picking up a graveyard shift. Yet still, she smiled as spritely as ever and came around the counter to greet them. 

"Oh my look who has returned! And with another handsome male I see! My name is Marigold and y'all can just take a seat anywhere and I'll be right with you." 

Unlike the first time, Valentine led us over to a small round table. Pulling back a chair he gestured for me to sit there. Startling me when he was able to push the chair close to the table in such a fluid motion. He swept into the chair across from me. An alluring smile brightening his face. 

Coincidentally, Other Side by Bruno Mars started playing from the jukebox. Paris leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms," My, how fitting."  I turned my head to listen better.

Truth of the matter is I'm complicated
You're as straight as they come
You go 'bout your day baby
While I hide from the sun

I cover my mouth to giggle into my hands," Yeah, I guess it is, isn't it?"

He sighed," Listen...I wanted to thank you for...for what you did. I wasn't in my right head that morning and I-I-!"

I gripped his pale hand. It had tightened into a fist  on the diner table. He was shaking. His skin so cold but he didn't pull away. I looked him sternly in the eyes," You don't have to explain yourself. Just know that if you ever need...anything. I'm here for you!"

He nodded solemnly and flipped his hand over to hold my hand back. 

We would live forever
Who could ask for more
You could die if you wanted
But baby what for

"Anything I can get you, lovebirds?"

Ms. Marigold fluttered midair over our table, her tiny notebook in her hand, ready for our order.

"Oh, we're not-" I began to correct her.

"May I have B+ warmed and my lady will have the Spellbinding Cheesecake." 

I looked at his bewildered. His lady?

His eyebrow furrowed,"Did you not want cheesecake?"

Mmm Cheesecake,"N-No no, cheesecake sounds awesome! Can I get a chocolate drizzle on mine please?"

"You betcha!" She said floating away with our order.

"Forgive me,"Paris apologized, regaining my attention," I'm a bit old-fashioned and forget some times that its weird to order for the girl now."

I waved my hands," Oh I don't mind. I-I'm just...shocked that they sell blood here." I lied quickly.

He shook his," It's synthetic blood. Doesn't taste the same. It has a weaker affect but it quenches the thirst for a while...You were the first person that I have drank from in over 70 years. Vampires typically abstain from drinking from mortals. "

"Oh..."

"Your blood was like a feast after I had been surviving off of tree bark for years."

"Well, I'm glad I was able to help. Feel free to drink from me whenever you like."

He let out a hiss that sounded more snake-like then human. When I looked his violet eyes were practically glowing," Don't say something like that, Avery."

"Why not? I meant it."

He took brought my hand up to his lips and closed his eyes when he pressed a kiss to the inside of my wrist," Because, knowing a dirty parasite like me, I might just take you up on that offer."

A shiver ran through me.

Then he opened his eyes, a glare that he shot towards me. Putting my hands back on the table," Respect yourself more. Don't just suggest becoming a personal juice box to anyone else."

"Here you are, Sweets." Marigold set my cheesecake on the table. A pretty little slice of yellow with a zig-zag of  tasty chocolate. And for Paris,  a white coffee mug.  The dark red  liquid inside was thick and a faint steam floated from the mug.

I smiled brightly at our waitress," Thanks, Marigold!"

"No problem, darlin'! Now you just let me know if y'all need-... Aw great!" Her gaze drifted over to the door, her smile drooping off into a grimace.  I practically rubbernecked to look over my shoulder at the door where an older man with trench coat and fedora was just shaking off at the door.

"What is it, Marigold?" I whispered.

"It's that old man Maverick, he comes in here ever so often. He's absolutely off his rocker. Let me go get his  usual. Sorry y'all, enjoy your meal!"

The man stomped over his heavy boots making a weighted clunking sound. He seemed as if he were about to walk past us but suddenly stopped right at our table.  He was tall, I had to crane my neck to look at him. He was a graying old man. Pale with  a silver goatee that hung off his wrinkled face. He was gaunt with his dull green eyes sunken deep into his skull.

"Keep walking, sir.  We're not interested." Said Paris
The man was staring down at me," This will only take a second."

Valentine was out of his seat his fangs bared and gleaming low on his jaw. Like a saber tooth tiger, his eyes looking equally ferocious. He let out a snarling hiss," No I don't think it will."

The man didn't even look over at him, he just continued to stare at me," Sit down, Fanger. I just have a question for you two."

I patted Valentine's hand, trying to deescalate the situation," It's fine, Paris! Let's just hear him out."

"Thank you, Baby Witch!" The man smiling a tense tight lipped smile," So you two are attending SageMyth Academy, right?

Paris sat down with a huff. His folding his arms as his fangs slowly retracted," Wow, are you medium? How did you figure that? Was it because that's the only school on the island?"

"Yes! We are from SageMyth. Why...?" I said suspiciously

"Well haven't you ever felt that something was off there?"

"Off like how?"

"Like nothing is as it seems! That's how!" He shouted
"Calm down..." Paris growled

"Why people go missing and nobody says anything. How the school seems to be finding more and more kids to attend there. Why nobody is asking the big questions!"

My eyes widened. People had been going missing? I'm sure something happened to Danny at the school but that was over sixty years ago. What else could have happened after that. What could be going on now?

"Here's your food," Marigold said curtly,  holding up a doggy bag," I packed it to go so you can leave."

The old man's face suddenly became very warm," Ah, my sweet earth angel, thank you! You can go ahead and just put it on my tab. I'll pay it the next time I see you."

Her next words were growled," Sure. Whatever. Just leave."
The old man shook his head," That's my cue, kids. But if you want to continue this conversation, I'll write down my address. You can come visit me tomorrow and I will tell you all I know."

He took a napkin out of the dispenser and a pen from his pocket and began jotting his address down.

"Yes! Please. I would love to hear about this!" I said smiling brightly.

"Avery, you're not serious, right?"

"Why not? I wanna hear what he has to say!"

"Here you go, baby witch. Feel free to bring, Fanger but tell him to keep his chompers to himself."

Valentine hissed at the man as he walked back toward the door.

"And remember, kids, trust nobody. Not even yourselves!"  And with that he left back out from once  he came.

"Are you ready to go back? We can get a to-go box?" Valentine asked

"Yes, please. MY adoptive-ghost mom is probably worried sick!"