The Plan

Celeste came to my room that night.

She knocked softly, then entered without waiting for permission.

In her hand was a small pink box tied with ribbon.

“I brought you something,” she said.

I sat on my bed and watched her.

She placed the box in front of me.

Inside was a silver rabbit keychain.

For a moment, I could not breathe.

I had wanted that keychain for months. The old witch at Midnight Carnival made only a few every winter. I once stood in front of her stall for ten minutes, counting the money in my pocket, then walked away because I could not afford it.

Damon had laughed and said, “When I earn my own money, I’ll buy you one.”

Now it sat in a pink box from Celeste.

“How thoughtful,” I said.

Celeste lowered her lashes.

“Damon bought it. I thought you might like it.”

I picked up the box and threw it back at her.

Her sweet expression faded.

Good.

There was no one here to watch us. No parents. No audience. No reason to perform.

“Stop pretending,” I said.

Celeste caught the box against her chest.

For a moment, she only looked at me.

Then she shrugged.

“If you already know, then make this easier for yourself.”

I stood.

“You think you won?”

She tilted her head.

“Didn’t I?”

Something hot and ugly rose in my chest.

Maybe it was hatred.

Maybe it was grief.

Maybe they were the same thing.

“Damon once made a vow in front of all his friends,” I said. “He said if he ever betrayed me, he would rather die than hurt me.”

Celeste frowned.

I saw her fingers tighten around the ribbon.

“So?” she asked.

“So prove he loves you more.”

Her eyes sharpened.

“How?”

I stepped closer.

“The black-market charm shop sells Sleeping Hex Seals. Temporary soul suspension. You activate one, pretend you are in danger, and see who Damon chooses.”

Celeste stared at me.

I smiled.

“If he truly loves you, he will come running. He will cry. He will beg you to wake up. Then I will let him go.”

Her breathing changed.

She was tempted.

Of course she was.

Girls like Celeste did not just want to win.

They wanted proof that winning meant something.

“What if something goes wrong?” she whispered.

“Then don’t do it.”

That made her lift her chin.

“I’m not scared.”

I almost laughed.

She was scared.

Her hands were trembling.

But she wanted Damon.

She wanted my surrender.

And I wanted her to pay.

“Good,” I said. “Then buy the seal yourself. Register it under your own name. Hide it well. Activate it only when someone is about to come home.”

She nodded quickly.

Too quickly.

Like a child obeying instructions.

I did not tell her that Father and Marina would not be home that night.

They were going to Aunt Lydia’s dinner.

They would be gone for hours.

Celeste left with the pink box clutched to her chest.

I sat alone in the dark, listening to her footsteps fade down the hall.

For the first time in years, I felt close to winning.

I did not know then that Celeste had already written her goodbye letters.

I did not know she had her own reasons for agreeing.

I did not know that by morning, my hatred would have a grave.