“No,” she said simply, then looked to Jabari.
He looked at her for a moment before sighing and looking at me. “What she means is we must see Father. Excuse us.”
“Isn’t that what I said?” M’kena asked him as he held on to her and vanished.
I looked at Melora for an explanation, but she was just laughing as she said, “I love this family.”
I looked at Atarah, and she explained, “Jabari’s ability allows him to teleport or jump to any place he’s already seen before. If he touches you, he can take you or send you wherever you want. It’s very convenient when we don’t want to fly for vacation.”
Vampires needed vacations?
“And M’kena?” I asked her instead.
“She has no gift but is very smart and even more hilarious. I think she says only half of what she thinks she says, and she is a real stickler for etiquette. It took me years to figure it out. I thought she was just cold,” Melora replied. “Don’t take it personally. She’ll come around to you eventually.”
“So weird,” I whispered, shaking my head.
“That’s exactly what Atarah is trying to tell you. I have yet to meet a vampire who is not weird. You are one of the weirdest, Dru, but that doesn’t mean you don’t belong. I think Sigbjørn prefers it, too. The weirder, the more interesting the mind for him. You should hear Rhea’s story.”
“And the rest of you?” I asked. “You do not mind my weirdness?”
“It gives us something to look forward to. I, for one, am looking forward to seeing you dance like you did the first day you came,” Atarah teased me.
“Oh, God.” I groaned then laughed. “Okay. Fine. One weird day or night at a time then.”
But I spoke too soon or maybe right on time, as there, on top of the hedge of the maze, sat a black cat with mismatched eyes, staring directly at me.
“Druella Zirie Omeron,” the cat said.
“Guys, please tell me you see that,” I nearly begged. But both of them looked at me, confused.
“See what?” Atarah asked.
Shit.
I was now only two aunts away from my Sabrina, The Teenage Witch set being complete.
* * *
“Come, she needs your help,” the cat—yes, the small invisible feline—ordered me from atop of the maze hedge.
“Who?” I asked.
“Who what?” Atarah asked. “Is someone here?”
Melora sprang up, excited, looking left to right. “A ghost?”
“No, a cat,” I said and pointed to the hedge, hoping they’d see it this time.
“A ghost cat?” Atarah said though it sounded like she was trying not to laugh at me.
“Come!” the cat demanded again.
“I’m serious,” I replied, getting up off the grass and dusting my dress. “There is a cat up there, trying to order me around.”
“Meow,” Atarah replied and then laughed at herself.
“Really?” I said to her.