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Adriel nodded. “There’s no reason for you to do this alone.”
“I haven’t been doing much of anything. A few random jobs here and there so I can eat, but nothing lasting.”
“Well, we have plenty of food, but we must return before Juniper’s energy runs out. Come along. We have a motor vehicle.”
“You’re driving a car?”
“No, Juniper is. Thankfully it has safety belts and handles to hold onto. She drives like a blind woman in a rush to fulfill a death wish.”
Over the next few hours, while driving backto upstate New York, they brought Dane up to speed. Though he looked and smelled like something dredged out of a sewer, his spirits were high.
“You actually found me with magic? That’s pretty badass, Juniper.”
“I know.” She smiled, glancing back through the rearview mirror as she drove. “We found a decent book of spells online that’s been super helpful. I think the creator was a mage. It’s like I’ve opened up a portal inside of me. The more knowledge I consume, the more manageable my power becomes. It’s a total high. Soon I’ll be limitless!”
“We’re all just grateful it hasn’t gone to Juniper’s head,” Adriel teased.
Dane leaned forward, wedging his body between the front seats. “I barely recognize you, Adriel. In street clothes, you look so…young.”
Juniper smothered a laugh. If he wasn’t careful, he would find himself hitchhiking the rest of the way.
Adriel drew back and covered her nose. “Sweet heavens, Dane. When’s the last time you bathed?”
He sat back. “It’s been a little rough.”
Beneath the shag of his overgrown hair, his eyes creased with lines of worry. Dirty, gaunt cheeks gave away his hunger. Reaching into the center console, Juniper pulled out a granola bar. “Here. You look hungry.”
“Thanks.” He took the bar but didn’t open it.
Adriel looked back at him with concern. “When’s the last time you fed?”
Juniper’s head jerked, her stare snapping to Adriel’s. Sometimes she spoke about things too casually.
“It’s been a few weeks.”
Juniper frowned.
“You should feed,” Adriel said. “You both should.”
At that, Dane’s stare bolted to Juniper. “Wait, what?”
“Thanks, Adriel.”
“Why is it a secret? If we’re going to be living together, we need complete transparency. Dane, you need to feed. I can offer my vein, but you must block your thoughts at all times. Cerberus is still out there.”
Dane frowned and looked back to Juniper. “You’re a hybrid?”
She grimaced. “I’m something. Apparently, when you’re also a witch your blood mutates into a whole new sub-species. I could wake up as a mogwai tomorrow. Don’t get me wet or feed me after midnight.”
Adriel frowned. “I don’t understand that reference.”
“Gremlins.” Dane chuckled. “I remember that movie.”
“God, remember movies?” Juniper recalled nostalgically.
Unclipping her seat belt, Adriel twisted toface Dane. “Enough talking.” She rolled up her sleeve. “You must feed.”
“Wait, now? In the car?”
