Kingdom of Embers Volume 1

His shoulders had broadened, and his muscles had filled in since four. Of course, he’d also grown taller. But the guy at the table had to be Chase. Humans might remember little from preschool years, but vampires forgot nothing. Every incident got recorded in our minds, tucked away by our animal brains in case a threat reappeared. I would know his face anywhere. The navy-blue t-shirt he wore read: Santa Monica Basketball. I knew the high school, and it wasn’t far. Sophie had said they were our rival team.

As I passed his table, I longed to swipe a notebook, anything of his, so I could find him later. If there’d been a pen or pencil within reach, I would have. As it was, being a thief didn’t feel like a good way to introduce myself to an old preschool, and supposedly imaginary, friend. Besides if Mother knew to find him here, it must be his regular hangout. He had to be a witch or half witch. Perhaps he didn’t even know he was. My thoughts switched to Ivy and her fate. Why had she disappeared? The same knot grew in my stomach as I remembered the day Chase and I had searched my whole house, then his for her. We’d stayed at the entrance to her room for hours, but it never opened.