‘And she made it to fourteen ladies and gentlemen.’

He liked joking with her; he waited by the door, holding it open.

‘If I could hex you right now, I would,’ she said, grabbing her winter coat. He laughed and followed her out.

***

Circe had arrived at Betty’s a few moments after them. Circe slid into the booth next to Bethan, and Kellan noticed the frown on her face and the lack of greeting.

Back at it again with her questions, Bethan asked, ‘What’s with the long face?’

Circe leant back, pressing into the diner chair’s red cushion.

She let out a long sigh before answering Bethan’s likely loaded question.

‘A group of vampires were arrested last night because they were having an illegal protest.’ Halfway through, the waitress approached, and they put their orders in. ‘This is a democracy; there is no such thing as an illegal protest.’

‘What were they protesting?’ Kellan asked her.

‘To stop the stupid curfew that they have. Ursula has been trying to get rid of it. And, of course, Julius is making it difficult.’ She downed her glass of water. ‘He is so adamant about preventing another Blood Plague, which happened over a hundred years ago. All the vampires involved are killed, and I’m ranting again.’

She rubbed her temple and had dark circles underneath her eyes.

‘This election is just making everything worse; if Julius gets in, my job is jeopardised,’ she told them.

Their food arrived, and Kellan was surprised that Circe could rival him at how quick they could scarf it down.

‘Like you said before, Circe. It’s a democracy the people have to vote you out; he won’t be able to touch you.’

‘Except he can because he can choose who gets put up for voting; he could pick new candidates to go up against me.’ Her voice broke at the last word.

‘You should probably start making as many friends as you can, even your enemies,’ he said, wondering if Circe would even take him up on his unsolicited advice.

Her plate getting emptier and emptier, Circe shook her head, shovelling the last mouthful.

The waitress collected the dishes and seemed to roll her eyes at the fact Bethan was still eating.

‘I refuse to compromise my politics. I’m not going to go against everything I stand for,’ Circe said, finally swallowing.

‘Times like these, you’re going to need to play the long game.’

‘You’re right; it’s just no one except Ursula and Edington take me seriously. I come up with the ideas, and I let Ursula take the credit for them because I’m too young and don’t know a thing about the real world,’ she said sarcastically.

‘Maybe you should make friends with Tharin again; you said you worked well together,’ Bethan suggested.

Kellan grimaced, staring at the table. He looked up to Circe, who was smirking at him.