June 2nd, shortly after midnight - Mary musing

Mary relaxed on her back terrace, watching the shadows move across her garden, listening to the night birds. It was a warm summer night, the air was thick with the smell of flowers, and the sounds of life. She sipped lazily from the goblet in her hand. The blood was cold, but she wasn't overly fussy tonight. It had been freely given, by one of the groupies wanting access too the Underground opening. That was soon!

A squawk and flutter of wings told her Balthazar was hunting again. It made her smile. School was over. Finally. It had been a long year, and after what happens with Dristan, she'd honestly been counting down the nights until term ended.

Jasmine had been an unexpected bonus. When Mary had gone to The Ministry, and Potter, looking for some resolution to a Dristan's curse, she hadn't expected to be travelling in time. After Dristan's divorce, she'd actually gone searching for Jasmine, thinking the vindictive little witch might make good cannon fodder, but had never been able to find her. Now Mary knew why. It's because the witch had been stolen through time, and embraced. Now, Jasmine rested in the utility room not far away, learning the Code.

Soon, Mary would be teaching David and his pack the same lessons. Or, perhaps she could have Jasmine teach the first few classes as a test of her own growing knowledge. That would free up her time for Liliana, Dmitry, Aisha ... and Exo. Ahh, Exo. How had she done without him for so many years? He'd been Ductus to her Priest, Priest to her Ductus. The two had been the core of Last Rites for ... centuries. When she chose to play in the wizard world, he'd taken on her role of Bishop. And he'd done well. He'd grown in it.

Exo and Erskine answering her call had been the biggest boost to her sanity, and the greatest gift of the year. The blood fuelled … closeness … she and Exo had shared the morning they shovelled the new converts had reinvigorated her soul. The vaulderie the three had shared had healed the holes in her heart and mind, and made her whole again.

Mary sighed happily. She hoped Exo would approve of her plans for Liliana. Mary couldn't ghoul the girl. Doing so would deprive her of her witch powers. But Conditioning ...might be possible. She would be a useful tool. And, if later, the girl chose a Cainite existence over a witching one, well then Mary would either embrace her, or find her a suitable sire.

The same with Aisha, actually.

Balthazar came bounding over ... if shadow can be said to bound. He was enjoying the freedom of the neighbourhood, reeking havoc among the local wildlife. She allowed him. He'd been trapped with her most of the year in Hogwarts. She reached down to pet him. There was no real fur, no muscular body beneath the blackness; just cold. It reminded her of home.

Her tie to the Abyss had been growing. Stepping through the shadow, into that cold dark realm, was becoming easier. Finding her way in the chaos was becoming more innate. She worried a little where this familiarity might take her, but shook it off, and settled back to enjoy the night.

All too soon dawn would come - the downfall of short summer nights - then dusk would follow and Liliana would be here. And the Underground opening the following night. Then … who knew, but Mary knew it would never be beyond her.