Chapter 51
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
Vesper
Well, shit.
Vesper had really hoped that Wisp wouldn’t be moving in, especially after Mazz had seen the animosity between her and Bel.
Unfortunately, Mazz had never been one to refuse to help, and clearly Wisp needed a place to stay or else Vesper wouldn’t be listening to Wisp and Bellamy scream at each other.
Okay fine—Bellamy was screaming at Wisp while Wisp provoked her.
She’d just wanted to see how Cedar and Cypress had got on at ice cream last night.
That was it! Sure, it had felt a little underhanded to have Mazz follow them, hiding herself under a shroud of illusion, but when Mazz had immediately agreed, Vesper knew she’d made the right choice. Mazz didn’t trust Cedar either.
Apparently Mazz hadn’t trusted Cedar since she moved in.
She’d gone as far as forbidding the girls from bringing her in as a client.
Vesper had never noticed it before—not that she’d seen Mazz and Cedar interact much, if ever.
Mazz wouldn’t tell her why though. Maybe she just had a feeling.
Mazz had excellent intuition. Vesper used to joke that was her real magic.
Which brought Vesper back to the question of why the fuck did Mazz let Wisp move in?
Especially now. Bellamy was going to fucking kill her sister.
She hadn’t been paying attention to the argument, instead just raised her eyebrow at Mazz, who rolled her eyes and mouthed “they need to work things out. I’m helping. ”
Sure. That’s definitely what this felt like.
Vesper shook her head and tried to tune back into the fight.
It was becoming more and more clear that Bellamy hadn’t purposely hidden the fact she’d had a sister, she just really, really hated her and wanted to forget she existed.
Apparently she’d cut her out while they were still in training.
“Why don’t you just take my old room. Ro will be thrilled to have you there instead,” Bellamy snapped sarcastically. Vesper had met her brother a few times. She liked him enough, and they got on pretty well.
“True. He’s been wanting to get you out for years. He only let you stay there because he’s too nice and you were so pathetic,” Wisp hissed in response. That only made Bellamy angrier. “Told me about your gambling problem.”
“I don’t have a gambling problem!” Bellamy yelled. Vesper had to work to keep her face neutral.
Wisp laughed. “Sure you don’t.”
Bellamy huffed. “Why here, then?” she asked, as if she thought her sister had planned to stay here for the sole purpose of pissing her off.
Wisp smiled and darted a look at Mazz. “Old friend needed help.”
“Please,” Bellamy scoffed. “Mazz doesn’t need help with anything. Even if she did, she has way better people to ask than you.”
Vesper mirrored the look of surprise on Mazz’s face. Was that… Did Bel just compliment her?
“You don’t even know what she asked from me.” Wisp smirked and glanced behind Bellamy to Vesper, who’d been able to stay out of the line of fire so far. “Maybe she needed another brat. High demand and all.”
Vesper almost groaned out loud. That even caught Mazz’s protective instinct as she barked out a warning. Bellamy’s magic flared, sparks dancing across her palms. Bel wouldn’t kill her sister… right?
“V!” Mazz snapped. Vesper did groan then.
“Bellamy,” she warned, her voice calm and low. It was a tone she hoped would lessen the ire without her actually having to get up and step in between the sisters. She’d had enough sister drama for the week.
“Wisp, why don’t you take your things and get settled. We can finish chatting later,” Mazz suggested gently. Like it wasn’t an order to get Wisp the fuck out of there before Bel did something she’d regret.
“Yeah, Wisp,” Bellamy snapped, putting a mocking emphasis on the name. “Get lost.”
Wisp sucked her teeth and glanced over at Mazz, who gave her a stern look. Then, she let a smug smile slide into place and picked up her bags. “See you later.” She winked at Bellamy, and Vesper had to reach out to tug Bellamy away.
Bellamy fell onto Vesper’s lap, glaring at the door as it slammed behind her sister.
“Why is she here?” Bellamy spat at Mazz the second the door was closed.
Mazz raised an eyebrow at Bellamy, and Vesper wrapped her arms around her, pulling her until she was pressed against her.
“Thank you for letting us stay here, even though I never really apologized for trying to kill you, Mazz,” Vesper muttered into Bel’s ear and she huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. She knew Bel wouldn’t say anything, didn’t think she felt any regret for her actions.
Vesper had made her apologize, after all, way back when it all happened.
Bel’s apology had been half-assed at best.
Vesper sighed and spoke louder to properly address Mazz this time. “I assume all went well last night?”
“Seems like what she’s saying is true.” Mazz shrugged. “You know I don’t like her, but Cypress does, they’ve got shit to unpack. Cedar explained some of it last night. Guess she never saw any of the abuse.”
“Can we trust her?”
“No!” Bellamy snapped immediately. Vesper had a similar sentiment, but Mazz was removed from the situation. Her only concern right now with Cedar was about Cypress’ safety, and if Mazz thought they’d be good then Vesper believed her.
“With her sister, yeah, I think so. With you two,” Mazz shook her head, frowning, “I think she’ll do whatever she can to keep Cypress safe and with her.”
Vesper nodded. That was her impression too. They didn’t have to worry about Cedar taking Cypress out, hurting her, being alone with her—it seemed like she was behaving. Well, good enough. Vesper didn’t trust for a second that Cedar wouldn’t sell them out if it meant keeping Cypress safe.
“So, you think she’ll help us or just Cypress?”
Bellamy snorted. “She won’t help anyone but herself.”
“She’ll help Cypress,” Mazz answered cautiously, ignoring Bellamy again. “If that means helping you two, well, then I think she’ll do it.” There was a brief pause while Vesper nodded, wondering how much of their situation Cedar might help with.
Then, Mazz spoke again, a bit hesitant. “You haven’t really told me the shit you’re in, V. What’s going on?”
Vesper sighed. She’d barely had a chance to talk to Mazz since it all happened. Just a few cursory messages saying they needed a place to lie low. She owed her an explanation at least. They had time before the Downstairs would open, before the girls would start filtering in.