“I’m not allied with anyone,” Ricky scoffs.

“But you have a vampire staff,” I point out.

Ricky gives me a disdainful look. “You can hardly call Charlotte a vampire. She’s not ruthless like them, or like your kind. She’s a gentle soul. Your kind and vampires consider those who are soft and gentle to be weak. Witches consider those to be powerful character traits. After everything Charlotte has suffered, there is still room in her heart for forgiveness. She is still capable of ...