Liar Liar Pants on Fire
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An Irish Coven Imagine
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It burned. The icy wind burned her skin. A sensation she only thought was possible through fire, she should know. It was her favorite kind of pain. Her already weak muscles aches to lift her hands up to her face. Her warm breathe offering no comfort to her stiff fingers. She could barely lift her legs as she trudged through the harsh winter snow.
The only fire the fueled any movement was spite. The young girl would live, no matter how little her family may have cared otherwise. But as her eyes welled with tears from the harsh wind, she realized even that fire was dimming. She knew she could never lie to herself, as delusional as she wished she could be. How could she help anyone, her grandparents could barely tolerate her, and she could barely help herself let alone take care of two elderly people. Hate filled every cell in her body. Hatred for her siblings, that received endless love, hatred for her parents that could just abandon her without a second thought, hatred for herself for not being able to keep silent when sensing even the smallest fib. Hate, and despair. She did not choose this curse. The more the young girl thought about it she wondered if it was not hate but despair that covered her, despair for a family that would never accept, never love her. Not really.
The tears that stung her face were no longer due to the chill around her but from the acceptance that she would never know the hope her siblings shined with as they left for America. Siblings that were glad to be rid of her. That encouraged her to “stay behind.” They couldn’t even leave a crumb for her to take for the journey she would take to make it to her grandparents home. She couldn’t handle it anymore, it was too much. She cried as her legs gave out. Her knees scraped were all but unnoticeable to her. Her arms tried to crawl forward but as she looked ahead of her with no shelter in sight, she knew once again she couldn’t fool herself. She wouldn’t make it. Her arms were even weaker than her legs had been, and were staring to even support half her weight. She shuffled to the side of the road and brought her legs into her chest, desperate to maintain whatever warmth her body could offer. Her eyes began fluttering shut as she welcomed a sleep where she would no longer have to worry, not about her family, or the cold, or the gnawing of her stomach. A woman approached her, voices fainting in and out of earshot.
Wake up child.
We should go.
We can’t leave her like this.
We would be prolonging her suffering, it would be cruel…
So would leaving her here, look at her she’s starving. She looks as if she hasn’t had a decent meal in weeks!
You’re not suggesting…?
Well I certainly wasn’t asking
The small child hadn’t heard this much concern from anyone. Their voices were not quite right… ”What are you?”
She struggled to see what they looked like, certainly the famine had not affected them. But her vision was beginning to blur. The woman came closer, Maggie was stunned by her beauty. Her face was filled with genuine concern, “What do you mean, child?”
“I just know. No need need to lie.” She sighed, no point in explaining now. She didn’t need another rejection. Not at deaths door.
The woman shared a look with the man besides her, he sighed knowing nothing would change her mind at this point. And also knowing when to pick his battles. “Sweetie would you like to join me and my husband on our…trip? I promise you won’t go hungry again.”
They meant no harm to her, that much was certain. The young girl numbly nodded. She wasn’t sure they could do much more now, her body was failing her. Her system shutting down. And the cold was beginning to feel warmer and warmer. She wasn’t exactly sure what that meant but it couldn’t be good.
The tall woman picked her up with ease, “When was the last time you ate my dear?”
Maggie was in and out of consciousness, “The—four days? Bread…They took the last…”
“Shhh, it’s alright. Try and breathe. What’s your name little one?”
The world seemed to be spinning, before blacking out she managed to choke out her name,
“Maggie.”
“This is wrong, Siobhan.”
“Did you honestly expect me to just leave her there?” She whispered angrily.
“Of course not but—”
“—Oh, out with it Liam. What’s your actual problem?”
Liam ran his hand through his hair. The young girl whimpered as she cling to his mate. He couldn’t deny the ache in his heart at the sight. She’d seen too much, been through too much for someone so young. They were robbing her of a life, forcing her to remain in a state of anxiety and fear, surely. All he could manage, all that would come out in a grunt, “she’s too young.”
Perhaps he was right. Siobhan grasped at straws, looking for any reason worth turning her. Something to ease her guilt, she tried to change the conversation, “Did you hear how she knew?”
“We don’t know that’s what she was talking about.”
Siobhan sighed, “I guess not. But it sure seemed like it.” She glanced up at her husband, lines of worry etched on his face, “I could stop it.”
Liam let out a halfhearted chuckle, “We both know you won’t. We will let her decide what she wants to do after she feeds.”
Siobhan willed herself to wish that the child would choose what was best for her. She had gone through years of her friend Carlisle, half teasing half asking her to accept she had a gift. Liam would never agree with him, for he knew how much it truly worried her but deep down she knew he believed it too. So, she was careful. She did not want to manipulate anyone into something simply because she willed it. Her hands has begun stroking the girls hair, still finding knots and leaves in her tight ringlets. Her ached for the tiny human doubled over besides her.
“Liam. Would you get me a brush?”
He didn’t move. His face focused entirely on the young girl who was quickly and effectively breaking down any reservations he had. He could hardly imagine the abuse she had suffered at the hands of others where, even in death, she tried to make herself seem invisible. She had seemingly barely registered their warning when Siobhan initiated the transformation. Only a sharp intake of air as her eyes shot open before promptly closing again as she doubled over, curling herself into a ball. Siobhan’s old home had enough distance from the rest of her village where any screams could be drowned out. There was nothing. They both noticed her muscles clenching in her jaw as she stifled any scream the venom would usually elicit. After what seemed like an eternity she allowed herself to release a groan as she took another deep breath. Siobhan was at her side in a fraction of a millisecond. Shushing her, had they not had supernatural hearing they may have missed the whispered apologies that escaped her lips.
“Liam?”
“Hm? Sorry what?”
Siobhan chuckled, “and you’re worried about me?” Siobhan repeated her request, Liam listened still finding himself wracked with worry.
“You don’t find it strange she’s barely made a peep?”
“It is strange.” Siobhan held out her hand until she the brush was in it. Siobhan had been at the girls side for six hours. After she had initially apologized for briefly crying. Siobhan tried to get her as comfortable as she could get her in her old bed. The young girl had gripped onto her arm barely managing to utter the word, ‘please.’ It had broken her heart. Siobhan had been entirely alone during her own transformation process, only to wake up when in a strange place, with strange clothes and nothing but a couple humans for her to feed on. She refused to let Maggie feel like such a monster. She silently thanked whoever was out there that it had been her and Liam and not someone like Sancar. The very thought sent shivers down her body.
Now that several hours had passed, Siobhan was able reposition the child and took to caring for her her hair. Her throat went dry, and she struggled to swallow anything at all as she brushed and combed through knots formed from years of neglect. When she finished she wiped any remaining dirt off of her face. She shifted her attention to her legs, the venom coursing through Maggie’s veins already healing the scars that had initially caught Siobhan’s attention. She would let the girl pick her own change of clothes herself. Siobhan gently removed the girls hand, covered her in a blanket, she quickly yanked her hand back when she found herself stroking her head as she stood. A gesture she thought she had long since forgotten since her father died.
“Liam?”
“Yeah?”
“Sit with her for a bit please. I’m feeling like this house needs a touch up.”
“I thought you wanted to let her choose.”
“I am. But if I want to present my home as an option, then it should at least be a suitable place for her. She can have my old bedroom… if she wants that of course.”
“Mhm, of course.” Liam kissed her cheek as he sat down next to Maggie. Siobhan smiled at him before flitting away. It wasn’t until later that evening she returned. And even then she moved soundlessly as she went in and out of her old room. She paused only once to see how she was holding up.
“She’s still folded over?” She asked while push a strand of hair from her face
Liam hesitated to answer. He couldn’t even look at the young child. He forced himself to look at the hat Siobhan was so concerned over. Her eyebrows were scrunched, muscles still completely locked up. Traces of silent crying and whimpering still evident. It was a sound he would never get out of his mind, “Is-is she she supposed to be like this? After all this time?”
“I don’t know. She’s the only one I’ve turned. And Carlisle is all the way in America right now. I can’t exactly invite him over for a chat.”
Deny it, as much as he could but Maggie was endearing. He wanted to know all about her life, wanted to take away the pain of the conversion she was facing. Like his wife, his body moved on its own. His hand rubbing her back. Perhaps it was in his imagination but he swore her body relaxed ever so slightly. He turned to ask his mate if she had seen that but he had been so focused he had not seen his mate squares her hand before running off again to tidy up an already immaculate house. Liam stopped and asked himself why he cared, more importantly why he felt such elation at taking care of a girl he had been so hesitant to invite into Siobhan’s home.
The days passed on. Neither one leaving her side. It was the end of the second day before she woke up. Her body had straightened out, uncurling as the venom no longer caused her any harm. Liam wondered if they should have taken her out beforehand but Siobhan was confident she could handle Maggie, she was small and her newborn strength would only get her so far.
Maggie blinked in her new surroundings. She turned her head sensing the others in the room. She knew they had no ill intent. Her ability made that clear. She tried not to let the disappointment on her face show. Who were these people that had helped her, and why? Why would they feel sorry enough to take her in, when her own family couldn’t be bothered to take her with them? She sat up, her movements quick compared to how her weak muscles normally felt.
“Easy. We know it’s a lot to take in. However slow you think you need to move, move slower. It will help you adjust better.” The man said
“Liam. Please, she’s just waking up.” The woman scolded
“Where—“ Maggie hands flew to her face. One grabbing her throat in hopes to quench the dryness, and the other covering her mouth shocked at the sound that escaped her.
“It’s a lot, isn’t it?” The woman rubbed her arm. Maggie stared, she vaguely remembered her scent, which was impossible considering she had never met these people before last…night? She glanced to the window, dark. It felt like she had slept for months. It wasn’t possible it had only been a few hours. She stared back at the woman, trying not to hyperventilate, wondering if she could even do that. “Shhh, it’s alright. We can explain everything. But first, we should get you something to…drink. I’m Siobhan, and that’s my husband, Liam. Could you follow us?”
Maggie nodded. Holding Siobhan’s outstretched hand. Risky for Siobhan, but something she was willing to overlook until the child was comfortable. Liam stopped the two women, putting a hand on his mates shoulder. A warning.
“What are you not telling me?” Her voice rang in her ears though she was sure she had whispered.
The pair continued to stare at eachother before Siobhan sighed, “Fine. Maggie, is it?”
“Did I do something?”
“No!” Liam interjected quickly, he cleared his throat before beginning again, “Maggie. I’m sure you can tell you aren’t…human anymore.”
Maggie nodded, she looked the woman beside her who gently squeezed her hand.
Liam continued, ”Most know us as vampires. Are you aware what vampires drink?”
Maggies eyes widened, a new reality setting in. She slowly nodded again.
“We’re going to take you to find some sustenance, do you understand?”
“Liam? You’re scaring me, what do you think you’re doing to the poor girl?”
“I just—“
“I understand.” Maggie squeaked out, the couple turned to look at her. Siobhan shot Liam a glare and he backed away from the door.
“Maggie. You are now stronger and faster than anything you can think of. You’ll have to learn to control it all, it isn’t too difficult, I promise and we will help you with anything. Just ask, okay?”
Ask? Help? Why would they help? Why would they want to help her when her own family couldn’t be bothered to care? Would they help when they knew about her curse? She simply nodded. The shift in her body was obvious. Liam decided to say nothing else. He was only trying to prepare the girl and he feared he may have pushed too quick.
“Maggie?”
“Yes ma’am?”
Siobhan would have laughed had Maggie not appeared as if she was ready to receive a lashing of some kind, she squeezed her hand once more, “I promise we aren’t going anywhere.”
And she meant it. Maggie knew that. She continued to nod, her voice failing her. Threatening to break if she spoke again. Liam opened the door and told them to follow. He was gone too quickly but Siobhan never released her, Maggie could hardly believe that she was able to keep up. Even more amazingly all she was seeing. The snow that covered the ground no longer covered her with a sense of dread, instead she found her self amazed but intricacy of the snowflakes, the way the snow rested on the trees, seemingly decorating them with their frost. They ran for an hour, but Maggie would have ran forever. She loved it, she no longer felt weak or constrained by her human life.
“We’re here.” Liam pointed towards a town, everyone sleeping. The pulse of the blood running through their body, the heartbeats pumping so erratically from every building blinded her. Her throat burned and she felt herself becoming crazed, craving the relief the warm liquid would inevitably bring. Her arms were suddenly locked by the pair that had brought her here. She snarled no longer being able to control her body.
“Maggie. Focus. You have to pick one house. We cannot make a scene or we will be implicated, do you understand.”
“Ungh. Yes! Now let me go!” Siobhan nodded at Liam before releasing her. They stayed close behind in case the humans woke up. As they released her a house lit a lantern and Maggie knew exactly where to go. A man carefully stepped outside, careful to not alert his family. Too dressed for this time of night. Too dressed to not be meeting someone. Liam chose a village balancing between comfortable and arrogant, the people desperate to stay ahead of the famine. Well fed, and cruel to the rest of the people suffering miles from their doorsteps. Maggie began to make quick work of her meal, the man was unconscious almost immediately but that was no surprise. The scariest part of the evening was Maggie, half starved in her human life, starving as a newborn and she stopped mid meal and glanced up.
“I’m sorry. I should have waited. Do you want…some?”
Liam and Siobhan stared at eachother, their control had barely been contained in the last century. Even experienced vampires struggled to stop mid meal. It should have been impossible for a newborn. Liam was able to speak first, “Maggie, eat. We’ve both fed recently.”
Maggie didn’t need to be told twice. The man was sucked dry. She needed more. Her body demanded more. She looked at the older pair of vampires, worry evident on their faces. On their auras. “Did I do something?”
“No darling, don’t wo—“
“You’re lying.”
Siobhan stared at her. She had been right earlier, there was no doubt in Maggie’s mind. There was no point in hiding it, she took a dee breath and got closer, she put her hand on her shoulder, trying to ignore the flinch from the hungry child. “Most vampires cannot separate their meal and emotions, especially not so young. We are both impressed is all.”
Maggie accepted her words and Siobhan continued, “Do you need more?” Maggie nodded. Siobhan looked around pointing to a house closer to the center of the town. “That’s the one you scoped out, right Liam?”
“Yeah, old man. Pretty healthy. Kind of a prick.”
“Works for me.” Maggie muttered under her breath before disappearing.
Siobhan went to follow but Liam held her back, “How did she do that?”
“I don’t know. She still seems frightened. Let’s just let her finish and then we can ask her more questions. You saw how she reacted when I tried to calm her down.”
Liam nodded and the two went off to find the young vampire. Maggie was in sitting next to the old corpse. Lips stained red from her meals, blood spattering her blouse. Scared. As if she had only just registered how her life would be from here on out. She had her knees pulled to her chest. Waiting. For what? Siobhan sat down next to Maggie.
“What happens now?” She squeaked out
“Whatever you’d like. You should stay out of the sun if you can, it makes what you are obvious. You can even stay here if you want. Just get rid of the body—“
“Liam!”
“—I wasn’t finished.” He quelled the fire Siobhan held in her eyes by grabbing her hand, “or you can come back home with us.”
“You’d have your own room.” Siobhan interjected, Liam was being too blunt. She felt that the poor girl would take that as disdain. She was right, her eyes lit up when Siobhan made it clear they were expecting her to stay. “I already grabbed some clothes for you as well. Whether you stay with us or not, don’t feel pressured.”
“I—I can stay?”
“Of course.”
“But…” Maggie hesitated, these people had taken her in when she had lost any remaining hope, “you should know something about me.”
“Is it about your gift?” Siobhan asked gently. Maggie almost burst out laughing
“Gift? Ha. It’s a curse. Do you know why I was on that road in middle of this winter?” The raise in her voice silenced the mates vampires, even visibly angry her voice barely would have registered to anyone.
“They left me. My family left me, told me to go and take care of my grandparents while they took the rest of my siblings to America. They’ve hated me since I was born. I can tell when someone lies, when they’re about to lie, when they are hiding something. And I have to say something. Every … every time.”
She choked back a sob wiping her eyes before tears they fell. It was a human gesture. Her venom would coat her eyes but prevent anything from falling. Depending on how intense the heartache venom could stain her cheeks but it was rare. To Siobhan that was the curse of her existence, she wanted to feel the rage inside her, which included the warm angry tears. It seemed so trivial now. It had only been her and her father almost her whole life, but she never worried about love or the lack thereof. She wanted nothing more than to embrace the curly headed child who seemed to shrink as she continued to get everything off her chest
“…even now. It’s gotten worse. I can feel it. When you lied earlier, it was physically uncomfortable. You’ll get tired of it. I know you will. You’ll tire of me!” She covered her ears with her arms, gripping her hair dangerously tight.
Siobhan was at her side in an instant, pulling Maggie’s hands from her head as gentle as possible. Maggie was sobbing, withdrawing into her shell again. This was the exact amount of emotions Siobhan doubted would produce venom and yet it was clear. Years of silent suffering poured out of young Maggie’s soul. “You shouldn’t have had to deal with that. I’m so sorry, child. Please, try and calm down. Stay with us.”
She cupped Maggie’s cheeks wiping away any streak of venom. “I’m not wanted, am I?” She stared at Liam.
“I never said that.” He grunted
“You hesitated when you said I could stay with you. You’re unsure about me.”
Siobhan couldn’t look at him, she hoped he chose his words carefully. The child did not need any more heart break. “I’m worried. Your abilities, they may get you noticed by some…more important vampires. They’re the ones who make and enforce our secrecy. Is this really what you want? To stay with us forever, you won’t grow up, won’t get married…”
“I wouldn’t have grown up regardless.” She mumbled.
Lima grunted in confirmation, “we should head back. You’re a mess. We’ll run a bath when we get back.”
Liam headed out without looking back. He wasn’t a liar but he didn’t necessarily speak up about how he felt. And he felt sick. His memories of his human life were hazy, but warm. She had nothing. No good that came from her life. And still was terrified to be alone. Accepting, perhaps but terrified. Liam felt like he could rip his tongue out for being so abrasive on another experience he was sure she was barely handling.
“I’m sorry.” Maggie whispered back at the house
“What do you have to be sorry for?”
“I don’t think he likes me…I understand if it’s too much of a hassle. I wasn’t trying to make you feel responsible for me.”
“Hm.” Siobhan nodded and chuckled, “Liam is no liar. He is just not very good at expressing his feelings. At the end of the day he’s still man. Come on, let’s walk. If I know my husband he will start warming up the water for when we get home.”
“Yo-you still… are you sure?” Maggie began to feel the tiniest spark of hope once more, she tried to quell it. Not daring to hope for too much.
“Of course. It will be nice to have another pass in the house. Come, I want to show you the clothes I managed to snag. I will probably need to make some alterations.”
“Oh you don’t need to…”
“Oh hush.” Siobhan went to nudge Maggie but her flinch made her squeeze her hand instead, “shall we go?”
Maggie nodded. The two moved slow enough to be able to talk.
“Maggie?”
“Yes?”
“How often did they hit you?”
On a daily basis? Or overall? Either way it must be a high number, Maggie thought.
She was silent for only a moment, “I don’t know. It happened a lot more when I was younger. They thought I was embarrassing them on purpose when I would say something about someone lying. My mum and grandmum got worse when they thought I was possessed with something. My siblings like to tell them things were my fault when they weren’t. They knew they were lying because I would say so but then I wasnt supposed to talk back. And it hurt less when I just didn’t say anything.”
As hard as it was to refrain an apology Siobhan knew she had to resist, the girl wanted a lot of things but pity… pity was not one of them. “That sounds exhausting. Were you the oldest?”
‘You can’t leave it?’ An unheard attempt. The only thing left in their broken down house was a stale loaf of bread. She knew because she had been hoping she would have finally been able to eat after they left. It had been days surviving on broth.
‘Back off, freak.’
‘Come on!’ She tried to grab but was met with a stiff arm that landed her on the ground
Laughter filled her head. Ears burned red as her mothers voice cut out, “Margaret. For Gods sake, can’t you behave just once??’
She hated that name. Hated it. The only one who called her by Maggie was her youngest sister. And she would immediately get told not to associate with Maggie.
Her eyes never looked up when her mother was in the room. She was cruel. And if she ever spoke in her presence it would almost guarantee a slap across the cheek. Her lip just healed from the last time. It was better to keep silent. Still. Not so much of a goodbye left her lips. Why? She would, just once, like some answers.
“No. My parents had five kids, I’m the second youngest. the youngest is five years younger than me, but they wanted to another one. Try and break the curse. I’ll miss her the most. She was never cruel to me anyway.”
“Was she sad when they left?”
Yes. Maggie thought. Her sister who never quite understood what happened to warrant so much hatred would have stayed with Maggie in a heartbeat. She would often sneak over to her bed at night and ask to lay with her, or play with her doll when she didn’t have to chores to take care of. Maggie had been kept at arms distance from her youngest sister but it was her that youngest cried for. She went back to that day, the only person in her family that never shied away from her touch, her smaller hands clawing into her coat. Kicking as her father picker up. Maggie would never forget that hug. Maggie hoped she would be happy wherever they ended up. Her father never looked back. Good riddance.
“My parents don’t like me to hang around them too much. My curse might rub off on them. But she will miss me. I’ll miss her more.”
Her story was factual. As if she was reading from a book and not experiencing life through her own eyes. “Would you want to go to them? If you had the choice?”
“No. I stopped trying to be part of that family years ago. I hope they allow my sister to write. Nothing more. Can I still do that?”
“So long as you don’t tell her what you are.”
Maggie nodded, grateful to have been found by Siobhan. “How long have you been a vampire?”
“Oh I would say about three centuries give or take. Liam’s been around for two.”
“Wow, have you enjoyed it?”
“Not at first.” Siobhan realized Maggie was not the type to push, which she was grateful for, “my turning was against my protests. I was taken from my home in hopes I would be a wife of sorts. I was not interested and it made the first year hard escaping.”
“You’re strong.”
“So are you.” Maggie smiled at the compliment and the two ran the rest of the way home. Liam was waiting for them, the water was almost full. Siobhan laid out a blouse and skirt much nicer than anything she had ever worn.
“Oh I can’t…”
“I won’t hear it. This is yours. Just let me help you put it on when youre done soaking, you’ll break right through it as a younger vampire. just call for me. Me and Liam will be right outside.” Maggie felt her chest tightening, she wasn’t lying so why did she feel so anxious. Siobhan looked at the girl with loneliness lining every inch of her skin, she had half a mind to find her ‘family’ and give them a piece of her mind. Maggie pulled at the ends of her hair. “Maggie? I promise. We just want to give you some privacy. Okay?”
Maggie nodded and waited for the couple to step out. She could hear their footsteps crunch ever so lightly on the snow. The water should have burned her skin but she simply felt the heat on her skin balancing her otherwise frozen body. She enjoyed every second of scrubbing and feeling herself be clean of years of built up grime and dirt. She was splashing like a child. She let her ears go under the water when she heard Siobhan describing their conversation from earlier. It sounded like it was for her to get everything out, and she couldn’t let herself continue to worry about every single thing she said. Even if they decided they couldn’t handle her, Maggie decided she would be okay. She didn’t have to worry about punishment from her parents any longer. She felt like a new person as the scent of a floral soap filled her nose. When she got out of this she would be a new person. She would make sure of it.
She barely stood out of the water and began to say Siobhan’s name before the kind woman appeared holding a towel for her to cover up. Maggie followed instructions as Siobhan carefully guided the clothes on so they wouldn’t rip.
“Maggie?” Maggie debated telling her her real name. But she wasn’t ready, in her experience most people assumed what her name was regardless but both Siobhan and Liam had never pushed her to answer any more than what she offered.
“Yes.”
“Would you like me to do your hair?”
“…yes please.” Siobhan’s hands moved silently, brushing out all of the girls wet curls. Little droplets of water pattering on the warm floor around them. Maggie stayed still, closing her eyes as she realized she was becoming attached. Too attached. Too quickly. The sense of comfort building up in her tiny frame was turning into tears once more, grateful tears. threatening to spill at the kindness these strangers had shown her.
“What’s the matter, child?”
“Why would something be the matter?”
“Hm,” Siobhan chuckled, “I may not have your gift, but I know there’s more weighing on you. You don’t have to talk yet. Take your time. After all that’s all we have from now on.”
She rubbed Maggie’s shoulders a sign to show she was all finished. Maggie followed her out to the main living area where Liam had come back and was reading a book.
Maggie sat next to the fireplace, she looked at Liam with envy. As she turned to face the fire she thought back to another common argument she had with her parents. Her eldest siblings had gone to school for a moment but they began to try and find work early on. The middle child was taught basics but they cared little for school. Maggie was hidden. She wasn’t allowed to embarrass her family any further so school was not an option for her. She hoped her youngest sister would get the chance to actually learn in her new home. As it was the only reason Maggie could even slightly read at all was thanks to her and her excitement in telling her all about her day.
Siobhan nudged Liam. They both knew Maggie would stay silent, never daring to step over any boundaries whether they were actually there or not. The last thing Liam wanted was for her to also feel shame in being curious about her new life, especially after the episode earlier that evening.
“Ahem. Maggie?”
“Yes?” She silently answered. Eyes trained on the fire. It hurt Liam to see Maggie not trust him as wholly as he trusted his wife, in her eyes if she was going to be back out in the streets it would be because Liam was done with her.
“What do you want to learn first?”
Maggie’s face snapped towards Liam, “Learn?”
“You’re going to find yourself bored if you don’t find something you want to pick up.”
“He’s right, we can’t sleep and stay stagnant gets boring pretty quickly. I still do blacksmithing but I’ve been working on new things to do with my hands. I tried sewing but I wasn’t the best…”
“That’s putting it nicely, she tried to put together a shirt with different length sleeves.” The laughter from the two lightened the room. Maggie’s lips twitched at pleasant aura of the loving couple, the friendly squabble was not something she was used to. Her own parents had maybe a few moments somewhat similar to this and certainly they were never like that around her. They continued their banter as always, in part because Maggie was silent it was almost as if she had never shown up and it was like any other night. The other part of them knew they wanted to show Maggie it was alright to simply coexist together.
“Well Maggie? Anything you’ve ever wanted to learn?” Liam asked
“There’s lots of things I would like to learn.”
“Like what sweetie?” Siobhan hoped she wouldn’t find her words to be over bearing. They weren’t, the more these kind vampires showed their affections the more Maggie began to relax, the more the lingering feeling of rejection that used to cling so tightly began to ease up.
“Would you be able to teach me to write?”
“What level would you like to start at?” Liam asked genuinely, it was a simple request. One he was eager to take charge of. He had had a happy home but an education was not anything his family cared about. Siobhan had guided him into a world where he was able to enjoy reading comfortably, he could do this.
“If it’s not too much trouble, I need to start with sounds. My sister taught me the letters but…I don’t think I know to use them right.”
“You’d be surprised.” Siobhan nodded and left them to begin growing their bond. She began digging through her mothers old jewelry box. She need some inspiration.
And so the days went on. Liam taught and Maggie listened to everything intensely. When she wasn’t learning with Liam she tried to learn with Siobhan, amazed with all the things she saw her make. Maggie remained quiet, still worried the other shoe would drop. Still waiting for them to tire of her. Hunting day was really the only time they would all spend apart. It never seemed to get easier. Maggie jade quick with her meals, tidying an already impeccable home until Siobhan and Liam would return. While they didn’t mind mind Maggie’s company in the least, they wanted her to grow more comfortable, and be confident they would return. Siobhan like to find small trinkets that would remind her of Maggie. She never thought anything of it, Liam would take part in this as well. Neither knowing Maggie treasured every item and would often look at them to calm herself and remind herself that they would eventually return.
Maggie’s newborn stage was uneventful. She strained to control her strength and speed, but managed enough. Siobhan and Liam waited a year before deciding to celebrate a birthday of sorts. A celebration for her life. One she had never been offered. Siobhan wished nothing more than to be able to be human once more. Just to offer her a meal worthy of the girl before her. Liam had been running around for the last few months to find the perfect t gifts for Maggie. They decided the best time would be to beat her home after they went hunting. Liam decided to go with her while Siobhan set up the house.
“Is everything okay?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?”
Very well. Not a lie. “You’re acting strange. And we never go hunting together.”
“Are you happy with us Maggie?”
“I’m sorry?”
“Just wanted to know.”
“Yes. I don’t think I’ve ever been happier. I miss my sister at times. And…”
“And?”
“I don’t know. It’s hard sometimes to allow myself to relax. Like things are too good for me. I never knew that was possible.”
“I can’t imagine it’s been easy, kid.”
“It’s getting easier. Have you guys been happy? I know I changed a lot when you saved me.”
Liam seemed to ponder something for a minute, “It was a good change. Come on, Siobhan has something she wants to show you.”
The house felt different upon entering. Siobhan had a stack of letters and boxes surrounding her. Maggie barely stepped through the door before Siobhan grabbed her and had her sit on their couch.
“Maggie, we know we can’t really celebrate a birthday anymore but as you’ve been with us a whole year we wanted to surprise you with some gifts.”
“All of this is for me?”
Siobhan nodded proudly, “yes. You’ve controlled yourself magnificently for a new born and while we hope you want to stay with us, we want you to know you can go out on your own now if you’d like.”
Maggie’s breath hitched, “Why are you both so kind to me? You’d allow to me to stay? Even though I’m practically a stranger?”
“Stranger?” Siobhan grabbed Maggie’s hand and glad kneeled on the floor in front of her, “Maggie you’re our family? We know lots of things about you. We know that even if you don’t say anything it makes you feel ill when people lie. We know that even though you, yourself, don’t lie you often omit how you’re feeling because you worry about our reactions.We know you like music, enough that when you hear it you stop and listen even if for a second just to take it in. We know you clean when you’re nervous—“
“And you’ll mess with your hair if you can’t clean”
Siobhan laughed at Liam’s addition, she pushed a strand of hair from her face, “we know that you’ve gone through more than any child should. And even then, you still think about whether your family is doing well. Especially your sister. We know your good with your hands. We know you that even though we can’t eat you enjoy looking at the cakes in the bakery.—“
“Your laugh—“ Liam chuckled and Siobhan echoed with a giggle of her own
“Yes your laugh is so rare but it’s the most beautiful sound in the world. I— we both know everything has been difficult. But you should know how proud we are of you. You’ve learned so much, the only thing we want is for you to be happy.”
“You don’t think I’m happy?”
Liam sat next to her and grabbed her other hand, “you try not to be. We know you’re worried about when the other shoe will drop and we won’t be here for some reason or the other. Maggie I am telling you. We aren’t going nowhere. We want you in our fa—coven.”
Maggue had been largely silent. Siobhan left and came back quickly to get a small box and stack of letters.
“The letters are from your sister. We think maybe you want to write one last letter maybe tell her you’re feeling sick but get anything out that you need. And I made this for you. So you’ll know that you always have a place with us.”
Siobhan opened a small music box with a necklace, an adorned petal like sword. She mentioned nothing about the colored gen in the hilt reminding her of Maggie’s beautiful red curls. The design was meant to show her strength growing regardless of the condition she was left in. Swords were always Siobhan’s favorite thing to work on as a human, and it symbolized strength. To Siobhan there was no one stronger than the young girl before her.
Maggie held the precious items for a moment before sitting them next to her. The pair stayed silent waiting to see what she would say, she surprised even herself when she jumped into Siobhan’s arms.
“Thank you for saving me.” She said through broken sobs. “I-I want to stay, please.”
Siobhan swallowed back a sob of her own, the two stayed together for a while, Siobhan shushing the young girl and running her hands through her hair. When she was able to peel away she grabbed Liam’s hand asked him if he was truly okay with her staying. Liam struggled to get any words out and just nodded, causing Maggie to rush him next. Liam was frozen not aware Maggie craved his approval as well. When she finally pulled away Siobhan let her know the rest of her surprise.
“Maggie? We are going to need to take a trip for a week or so.”
“A whole week?” Panic began to set in. What if the changed their mind.
“Relax kiddo,” Liam said, “you’re coming with us. We have friends in Italy that we want to meet you.”
“Italy?”
“Aye, they’re interested in meeting you and knowing about your gift.”
Maggie smiled. She would never tire of her about her abilities as something other than negative. She felt her hand clutch the her necklace as Liam placed it around her neck.
“I think when we get back I’ll make us all a matching charm.” Siobhan nodded
Maggie let out an airy laugh, “Thabk you all again. For everything.”
“There are some more gifts to open so let’s hold back the tears for now alright?” Liam nudged Maggie, and lifted Siobhan’s chin up.
Maggie smiled. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had gotten her something just for her. A weight seemed to lift itself off of the young vampire, she no longer felt the impending doom she ended every day with. No, she felt at peace. She was home.
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A/N: after this Siobhan and Liam take Maggie to Volterra and they introduce her as their daughter and they all cry some more
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End
