Page 78 of Poison Sun

“Yes.” She gives me a pained smile. “The law states that vampires can’t turn supernaturals into humans. But technically, at the time we were turned, Xavier and I were human. So, no laws were broken.”

We sit in silence for a moment, the weight of her story settling around us.

“Thank you for telling me,” I finally say. “Your past doesn’t change how I see you. What you did took strength and bravery. You did it for love. So, if anything, it only adds to my respect for you.”

Abigail smiles—a genuine smile that reaches her eyes. “Thank you. That means a lot.”

“I meant it.” I take a deep breath, since there’s one other big thing on my mind. “Did you get any of your shifter magic back after you turned into a vampire? Your earth magic?”

“No,” she says softly. “Any supernatural turned into a vampire loses their natural magic. There are no exceptions. At least, not that I’m aware of.”

“I know.” I frown, disappointment swirling inside me.

“You’re wondering if you’ll lose your sun magic if you ever choose to become a vampire,” she speaks the words I’ve yet to say. “And maybe your fire magic, assuming you have any.”

“I don’t know.” I shrug. “Yes. I guess so.”

“Would you do it?” she asks. “For him?”

Him.

She doesn’t have to say his name for me to know who she’s talking about.

Damien.

And I don’t know how to answer. Because I don’t want to lose my magic. Having it eaten away by the potion already feels like I’m losing a part of myself—even though I didn’t know that part existed until a few weeks ago.

But, let’s say things do work out with Damien. Hypothetically, of course.

How would it feel to grow old while he stays the same age? To become queen, knowing my reign would be so short compared to the immortal lives of those I’ll rule? To be a temporary leader instead of a permanent one?

They’re questions I’ve tried to avoid. But they’re always there, looming in the shadows of my mind, begging to be addressed.

Abigail places a comforting hand on my shoulder, bringing me back into focus. “It’s a lot to think about,” she says, and I’m grateful to her for not pushing me to answer. “And there’s no rush to decide. Magic or no magic, you’re strong. You’ll find a way through this, no matter what path you choose.”

“Thank you,” I tell her again. “For your support, and your trust, and for looking out for me since I got here. It’s been a hard transition, to put it lightly, and it would have been so much harder without you.”

“It’s the least I can do,” she says. “I hope someone would do the same for Ruby. Despite your differences, I see a lot of her in you. I suppose it’s why the goddesses chose to star touch you both.”

“Maybe,” I agree, and not for the first time, I wish I was able to meet Ruby. Hopefully, someday soon, I will. “But still—thank you.”

We stand, and as we walk out of the gym together, there’s a sense of camaraderie between us that wasn’t there before. A bond forged in the fires of confession and mutual respect.

With people like Abigail by my side—people who have faced darkness and emerged stronger—I know I’m not alone in this fight.

When it comes to Damien, and the potential of becoming a vampire myself, I push those thoughts to the back of my mind. There’ll be time later to face those questions. To explore what I’m willing to sacrifice and what I’m determined to keep.

For now, I’ll focus on the present, and on the support I have around me.

No matter what the future holds, I’m ready to face it head-on. Because I’m strong, I’m powerful, and I’m loved.

And no matter what’s thrown at me, I will not lose my light to the darkness.

Morgan

The tension between me and Blaze is impossible to ignore as we follow the compass through the mountains.

I can tell he didn’t believe my earlier story about going to the bathroom in the woods. Luckily, he isn’t pushing it, but I have a sinking feeling it’ll come up again sooner or later.

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