"A la folie", Juliette Armanet

"Considering this - whatever it is - slammed Absodede against the wall, I will need the three of you," I had said to my two vampires and my immortal best friend. They gathered in the studio at the mansion to help me try to explore my new powers. It was early in the afternoon but the light was quite dim on this winter day.

"A.?" James called, while I was welcoming Amaury with a hug.

As his best friend did not react, James said louder: "A.!"

Aidan turned his head towards the other vampire: "It's me you're talking to?"

"Yes," James said as if it were obvious.

"How am I supposed to know that? You've never called me A. before. Never."

"I know. I just want to keep our relationship fresh," James smirked.

"Okay, J.," Aidan said, rolling his eyes. "Also, you realize that your future husband's name is Amaury? You see my point?"

"What about the BFF bond? I shouldn't even have to call you."

Amaury and I looked at each other, trying not to laugh at the men of our lives. They kept on with this absurd conversation when Abosede arrived. I welcomed her.

"Alright, thank you so much for being here. As you know, Abosede has felt some kind of new power in me, but I unconsciously blocked it and I do not know how to control it yet. So I would like to try to access it, with your help," I said.

"Should something happen, I can reach Elise's mind and use all of our powers to create some sort of mental shield to contain her energy," Abosede said, before turning towards me with a reassuring look. "We are ready."

I nodded and stood in the middle of the room, my friends all around me.

Abosede put her hand on my head. This time she was prepared and cautious, and she just helped me figuring out where I had to look.

I concentrated and tried to reach the space I had been avoiding since my return. But instead, I had flashes of memories from the time when I had turned into an immortal. I shuddered.

Aidan took a step towards me. "Are you okay, my love?"

Abosede intervened. "I can see what you fear, Elise. But you were not a monster then, contrary to your belief at the time, and you are not a monster now either."

"I do not want to hurt anyone," I said.

"I can assure you that what I felt was not evil," Abosede said. "It was strong, but it was still you."

Aidan came closer and Abosede took a step back. "You won't hurt anyone. I trust you." He put his arms around me and I rested my head on his shoulder. Wrapped in the warmth of Aidan's embrace, I breathed his scent and relaxed into his chest.

Then I let him go and he stepped back to the wall. I was ready to dig into my mind again. "I know where to look now, Abosede. Thank you. Stay away and be prepared to act if I lose control."

I took a deep breath. "It is as if I were in a hallway. There is a door, a locked one."

I could hear Aidan's voice, as from afar. "Try and open it, my love."

I reached for the doorknob hesitantly. But as soon as I touched it, my fear disappeared and I found the strength to open the door.

Suddenly, everything changed around me. It was subtle but it felt like the nature of my surroundings was not the same. I felt I was in my mansion's studio, with my friends, but I also felt so much more. I knew if I concentrated I could hear any sound, could feel any change in the air, could reach any feelings running through the persons around me. I felt alive as never before.

I opened my eyes and I looked at the other immortals and the vampires. They were stunned.

"Love, you were glowing," James said. "But not I-just-had-the-best-sex-of-my-life glowing. No, no. Glo-wing. With actual light around you."

"Is anyone hurt?" I asked, panicking.

"No. We are fine. It was just... beautiful," Amaury said. "We... well, I... felt your presence like never before."

"How do you feel?" Aidan asked.

"I feel... incredible." I smiled. "It seems that I have found my balance again. It is very weird."

"I have never seen something like that before or heard of it," Abosede said. "But I am quite sure you can do much more than glowing now."