The Card's Legacy

"I can't believe I got away," Hope said, her voice tinged with relief as she walked briskly beside Lucius. She had just come from her 'interrogation' session with Professor Emma, whose beacon to detect dark magic at the school had caused more trouble than she anticipated.

Lucius, munching on a stolen cookie, raised a brow. "What was that, babe?"

Hope's eyes widened as she jabbed him with her elbow—only to wince and rub it after meeting the unyielding resistance of his 'packs of steel.' Grumbling under her breath, she glared at his ever-punchable smile. "Tell me, did you have a hand in turning off the school's alarms and magical protections in the museum?"

"Mi Amor!" Lucius gasped dramatically, placing his hand over his lips, scattering cookie crumbs. "How could you accuse such a respected and humble individual like me of such hurtful and frankly insulting things?"

Hope swatted his hand away, not even bothering to respond. "Too early for your crap," she muttered.

"Oh, look! Mr. Saltman. Let's say hi." Without giving her a chance to correct him, Lucius dragged her toward what appeared to be unfolding family drama. "Heyyya!"

"Lucius!" Lizzie squealed, spinning to throw herself at him for a hug. Josie followed with a quieter, "Good morning."

Lucius squinted theatrically at Alaric. "What's the matter here, sir? What's got these sweet angels looking so glum?"

Lizzie pouted dramatically. "That bi...witch-who-must-not-be-named just fat-shamed me." She huffed, remembering Penelope's stinging remarks.

"Penelope?" Lucius echoed, his face darkening. "Don't worry, Lizzie. I'll make sure she's stuck with diarrhea all weekend."

Lizzie giggled while Josie rolled her eyes, muttering, "Subtle."

"Or," Lucius added with a wicked grin, "I could send her to the afterlife for a few seconds. Therapeutic, I've heard."

"Alright, Hope, please drag him away," Alaric sighed, rubbing his temples. He turned to his daughters. "Girls, I'm sorry. I won't make it to the game today."

Lizzie whipped around, betrayal etched into her features. "But, Dad, you promised! And I'm QB1 this year!"

Josie's quiet voice chimed in. "You're the coach."

Alaric's voice softened, though his stance remained firm. "I hate it just as much as you do. But Landon Kirby is still out there. The longer he's outside, the greater the risk of exposure."

"It's fine," Josie said, attempting nonchalance, though her voice cracked faintly—something Lucius caught. "We can't use our powers, so we're useless anyway."

Alaric nodded. "Exactly. Normal school, normal problems."

Lizzie's face wrinkled in frustration. Her fists curled at her sides, but before she could unleash her feelings, Lucius placed a comforting hand on her head, his smile gentle. "Wow there. Pause. Even without powers, you have werewolves and vampires on your team. Physically strong without even trying. Forget losing powers—you've never won a game? Surprising, considering your coach hunts supernatural beings for a living."

Turning to Hope, he continued, "He's telling you to lose on purpose?"

Alaric's sharp voice cut in. "No need to answer that, Hope." He adjusted the strap of his duffel bag and shot Lucius a stern look. "You're new here. Don't act like you know everything because you don't. Sacrifices are necessary to keep my students safe. That's why we're still here, with a roof over our heads, and you get to enjoy the facilities we provide."

Lucius, undeterred, stepped closer. "You preach about safety, health, and sacrifice, but in focusing on the outside, you're neglecting the people around you. People who depend on you."

Alaric's jaw tightened, but Lucius continued, his tone softening. "History, something I'm sure you're familiar with, shows what happens when leaders prioritize outsiders over their own. Sir, you've kept this school safe for so long, and I deeply respect that. But whose life are we living for—our sake or the sake of others?"

The bustling hallway had fallen silent. Students gathered, listening intently as Lucius's words echoed.

Taking a deep breath, Lucius stepped back. "I'm sorry for stepping out of bounds. But as long as I'm here, you won't have to sacrifice your happiness for others. Or others for fear."

***

What felt like an excruciatingly painful ride, Lucius stretched his back while taking the breath of fresh air. 

 "I never thought Alaric would let us go by ourselves." Hope with a glassy look in her eyes stared at Lucius who was walking in front. "And I never thought you cared about the school that much."

Take a pause and turn around with a smile on his face. "Then I guess you don't know me as much as you know you."

"That's not true." Hope scoffed at his words. They have only known each other for a month yet, the amount of time she had spent with him was far greater than anyone she knew throughout her life. "I know you more than you know me."

Hope's breath hitched as Lucius leaned in, the teasing smirk on his face softening just enough to leave her uncertain whether he was joking or being serious.

"I know you like to draw," Lucius murmured, his voice low, his crimson eyes glinting mischievously. "But not just anything. It's always personal with you. Symbols, memories, the stuff you'd rather not say aloud."

Hope stiffened, the vulnerability in his words striking a nerve. "And you think you know me well enough to say that?" she retorted, her voice sharper than she intended.

Lucius tilted his head, his gaze unflinching. "Better than you'd like me to, I think. You're guarded, Hope. Every word, every action... it's calculated. You let people see what you want them to see, nothing more. But inside?" He paused, his voice softening. "Inside, you're terrified."

Hope's jaw tightened, her fists clenching at her sides. "Terrified of what?" she demanded, though her voice wavered slightly.

Lucius stepped closer, his eyes never leaving hers. "Of not living up to the legacy. Of failing the people you love. Of proving every voice in your head right... that you're not enough."

The words hit her like a punch to the gut. Hope's breath came faster, her vision narrowing as anger bubbled to the surface. "And what would you know about that?" she snapped, stepping forward until they were toe-to-toe. "You talk like you have me all figured out, but you don't know a damn thing about what I've been through."

Lucius's expression didn't waver. If anything, her outburst seemed to confirm something for him. "Maybe I don't know everything," he admitted. "But I know enough. I know you carry guilt like it's a second skin. I know you push people away because it's easier than letting them see the cracks. And I know..." 

He hesitated, his voice dropping. "I know you're so afraid of becoming your father that you're willing to destroy yourself trying to be his opposite."

Hope's hand shot out before she realized what she was doing, shoving him back with all the strength she could muster. Lucius stumbled slightly, his gaze though calm, there was a genuine surprise in his eyes.

"Don't," she said, her voice trembling with rage. "Don't you dare bring my father into this. You don't get to psychoanalyze me like I'm some kind of experiment."

Lucius held up his hands, his expression a mixture of surprise and something almost like regret. "Hope—"

"No," she cut him off, her voice breaking. "You don't know what it's like to grow up with everyone expecting you to either save the world or destroy it. To be told you're special, but only because of what you can do, not who you are."

The silence that followed was deafening. Hope turned away, her shoulders shaking as she tried to rein in her emotions. Lucius stayed where he was, his usual cocky demeanor replaced by something far more subdued.

"You're right," he said finally, his voice quiet. "I don't know what that's like. But I wasn't trying to hurt you, Hope. I just... I see you carrying all of this, and I hate that you won't let anyone lighten the load."

She didn't respond immediately. When she finally turned back to face him, her eyes were red but determined. "You don't get to decide what I can handle," she said firmly. "I've made it this far on my own, and I don't need you or anyone else trying to fix me."

Lucius nodded slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Fair enough," he said. "But for the record, I'm not trying to fix you. I just... care. More than I probably should."

The confession caught her off guard, and for a moment, she didn't know how to respond. Finally, she sighed, the anger in her chest giving way to exhaustion.

"Let's just do what we came to do and go back," she said, her voice softer now.

Lucius gave her a faint smile, stepping aside to let her pass. "Whatever you say, Mi Amor."

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!

-favorite author.