“Don't mess with Thomas!” Mrs. O'Sullivan dropped some bacon on Lars' plate. “And eat more than those pastries.”

“Here, Thomas, this is for you.” Mr. O'Sullivan passed Thomas the leather-bound book. Thomas had to take it with two hands to make sure he didn't drop it. Moving the tray, he opened it up. It was an album with more moving photographs, but these looked familiar and very strange.

“Is this my father?” Thomas stammered his question. He touched the edge of the first page's large picture, his hands trembling as he did so. A man, a tall man. His shirt, vest, and even the shiny tops of his shoes were all black. 

His short, black hair revealed pale, pointed ears. Watching the man wink on the page. Thomas instinctively reached up to his own ears. Before looking at a face that mirrored his own but looked more mature. Thomas could tell at a glance what he would like in the future. It was eerie, and it made Thomas shiver.

“Eric Blood.” Mr. O'Sullivan said, wiping his mouth with a napkin. “Master and revolutionary leader.”

“Master?” Thomas couldn't even begin to guess at the second word's meaning.

“He was strong enough to make his own heart beat and to lead others.” Mrs. O'Sullivan added, and Thomas frowned. Didn't everyone make their own heart beat?

“Some vampires can't control themselves.” Lars scooted his chair closer to Thomas. “Master vampires can help others. They attract people who are weaker because they know they'll be safe under him.”

“There is more to it than that, but let's keep it simple.” Thomas watched Mr. O'Sullivan give Thomas a look. It was a look he had seen before. The old man had it when he could tell Thomas more but wouldn't share. After that glance, Thomas decided it would be best to avoid further investigation. It only made adults want to hide the answers deeper. 

“I don't want to overwhelm you.” Mr. O'Sullivan gave Thomas a smile. “You can ask more later. There is no rush.”

“He wanted vampires to live in harmony with witches.” Mrs. O'Sullivan said, waving her hand in the air. “He fought to keep vampires out of the dark corner of the magical world and bring them into the light.”

“Is that why he's gone?” Thomas turned his eyes to Mrs. O'Sullivan. Her hands dropped to the table, and her smile turned sad, but Thomas wanted to know and ignored the pain he felt for asking.

“Yes.” Lars rubbed Thomas' leg under the table.

“Not everyone agreed with your father. Vampires and witches alike.” Mr. O'Sullivan leaned over and turned the page for Thomas to see two smiling women with their hands entwined.

“Eric, your father—he loved not only a witch but a siren.” The short, curly-haired woman giggled and whispered into the tall, slender boy's ears. Her eyes were a brilliant green that shimmered like blue, and purple scales trailed up the sides of her face.

“He wanted a world for them — and you.” Mrs. O'Sullivan said, brushing off some crumbs on the table. “She, Terra, wanted that too.”

“One day they disappeared.” Mr. O'Sullivan said Thomas's hands shook so hard. He hid them under the table. Afraid of breaking something resting on top. Lars grasped his hand, letting Thomas cling to his fingers.

“Are they still alive?” Thomas swallowed his breath. He had always assumed they were dead, but maybe...

“Eric and Terra are still alive.” Mrs. O'Sullivan spoke with a firm tone. Tapping his knuckles on the table. “We know that because your necklace is still in one piece.”

“My locket.” Thomas grabbed it through the shirt with his free hand. “How do you know she made it?”

“I helped her pick it out.” Mrs. O'Sullivan smiled, but it was weak, and her eyes were watery. “It was custom-made, and I can feel her magic on it. I felt it the moment I entered the orphanage.” She sniffled as she spoke, but Thomas understood that once again, magic was the answer.

“And a witch's magic dies with her. She helped make your locket, Thomas. That's how my parents know they're still alive.” Lars took over, giving his mother a moment to collect herself. Squeezing their interlocked hands, Lars gave him a genuine smile. Thomas looked into Lars' eyes and saw not sadness but peace. The truth was bearing down on him, but somehow looking into those blue-grey eyes gave him strength. Taking a deep breath, Thomas asked his next question.

“What happened to them?” Thomas asked, turning away from Lars toward his parents.

“We only know that Veronica is Veronica.” Mrs. O'Sullivan stumbled with her words, her lips trembling. Thomas picked up where she left off.

“She's dead.” Thomas said he knew when they only mentioned two of them that the third had to have died. She nodded, bringing a napkin to her eyes.

“She returned to the seas, but not before using her magic to let them escape.” Mr. O'Sullivan said as he stood up that he went over to his wife and moved the chair so he could embrace her.

“That's when they hid you, and that's why my parents couldn't find you until now.” Lars claimed that he embraced Thomas, imitating his father. “You'll meet them one day.” Lars whispered into his ear. “I promise.” Thomas leaned his head into Lars' shoulder. He was aware that he ought to be more upset, but it seemed so far away. He was sad that the women in the picture had died. When someone left, it was sad, but it wasn't like the old man. These people weren't people he personally knew, but...

“One day.” Thomas whispered into Lars' shoulder. One day he would meet them, but until then, he would stick to dealing with it one day at a time. There was no need to move quickly; Thomas felt much better after coming to that conclusion. Good enough to let Lars' hand go.

“I'm okay,” Thomas said, pulling out of the hug. 

“Are you sure?” Lars said, still holding him by the shoulders. Thomas nodded.

“One day is one day, but for now...” Thomas looked to Lars's parents. Mrs. O'Sullivan had started using her husband's lap as a seat. “I have you guys, right?” Thomas's look at the O'Sullivans was hoping he was right and not making a big fool of himself.

“Of course!” Mrs. O'Sullivan perked up, and her husband gave a nod.

“Not only now, Thomas, but always.” Lars hugged him again, and Thomas returned it; he was getting used to all these hugs. Soon, he felt he wouldn't be able to do without them.

“After breakfast. I thought we would go to Diagon Alley.” Mr. O'Sullivan snatched a pastry from his wife. She looked like she had no intentions of moving from her spot and took a piece for herself.

“Diagon Alley?” Thomas asked, taking a drink of the juice Lars poured for him. Which was not only calming but also the best orange juice he ever had.

“It's the place where all wizards shop.” Lars said, topping off Thomas' juice before digging into his own meal.

"You need more, even though Lars's old clothes are cute on you." Mrs. O'Sullivan spoke as she bit into her toast.

“We confirmed your entrance, and we need to get your school supplies.” Mr. O'Sullivan added jam falling out of his pastry.

“Are we going to poof there?” Thomas asked, finishing off his last berry. Everyone around the table burst out laughing. “What?” Thomas looked around, wondering what was so funny. Using the palm of his hand, he cleaned his mouth. Nothing was removed, as far as he could tell.

“Yes.” While grinning, Mr. O'Sullivan rapped his knuckles on the desk. “We'll be poofing.”

“Only after breakfast.” Mrs. O'Sullivan shook her head and exhaled a contented sigh. No one said anything else. Even Berry was quiet when she placed another tray of fruits on the table. Everyone seemed lost in their thoughts. 

Thomas looked at the open book and closed it with one hand. One day he would look through it again, but for now, he enjoyed the world he had only discovered yesterday. One of magic, where people cared about you, and the last thing. Meant more to Thomas than all the magic in the world.