"Yes," Mrs. Hamilton said pensively. "I... suppose it's alright. As long as it's for your education. It's just such a strange scenario, and I still worry about you being alone in a foreign country on the other side of the pacific ocean."
"Oh, I won't be alone," said Beck. "Some of my friends from school got accepted into the program as well. Brianna Dixon, Ellie Rubenstein, and Harper Browning are all coming."
Mrs. Hamilton's eyes flooded with relief. "Brianna Dixon's going with you. Oh, that's a big relief! She's such a nice, sensible girl. She'll keep her out of trouble. To be honest, I always sort of hoped you two would get married some day seeing how well you go together."
Beck grinned. "I got news for ya, Mom. Bri and I are hoping that, too."
Mrs. Hamilton smiled. "You're dating?"
Beck smiled back. "Have been for about a week."
"That's a load off my mind," said Mrs. Hamilton. "I was beginning to worry you were running around with a... bad influence."
Beck laughed. "I can promise you, Mom, I'm not dating a juvenile delinquent. That honestly sounds more like Renata's speed."
Mrs. Hamilton stroked her thin. "There's a thought. Do think she might be with Delilah du Charme's daughter?"
"You mean Jezebel?" asked Beck. "Never knew her mom's name was Delilah."
"I went to school with her mother," said Mrs. Hamilton. "She and her daughter are both bad news. She'd take boys and girls to her bed and use them before discarding them like used-up cigarettes. Her daughter doesn't seem any different, but I'm not surprised. Your grandfather always said that the du Charmes were bad seed."
Beck arched their eyebrow. "Oh? What did Grandpa mean by THAT?"
"I hope you never have to find out, Beck," Mrs Hamilton said seriously. "Well, you'd better go and pack for your trip to Japan."
Beck nodded and ran up the stairs to their bedroom. As soon as they were gone, Mrs. Hamilton picked up the phone and dialed the number of Tori's smartphone. "Hello, Tori? This is Aunt Kim."
"Aunt Kim?" said Tori Vordenburg. "What is it? You'll have to make it quick; I'm on a flight and the reception's crap up here."
"Two things," said Mrs. Hamilton. "First, Beck's going to Japan the day after tomorrow. Is it possible to follow them there and see if you get any leads?"
"I think," said Tori. "Erzulie and I are bringing along some people we met on our mission in the Hebrides. One's a Scottish girl called Fiona who was forced to live as a vampire for decades; if anybody knows their ways, it's her. Don't worry, Erzulie cured her. The other's a newly turned vampire who we're bringing along so the leeches in Karnstein Manor aren't the only ones with access to the powers of Night.
"And you don't have any misgivings about trusting a vampire?" asked Mrs. Hamilton.
"Believe me, Aunt Kim," said Tori, "I've had PLENTY of misgivings. Less and less by the day, though. As vampires go, she's honestly not that bad. Her name's Megan."
"I thought vampire clans made up ridiculous goth names for their members," said Mrs. Hamilton.
"Megan doesn't exactly have a clan right now," said Tori. "She was turned by the vampire we were sent to kill, and she never really got to settle down into the clan's culture before we rescued her. So, I'm thinking we split up. Erzulie and I will focus on investigating the local vampires and werebeasts, and Fiona and Megan can go follow any leads in Japan. Megan's been chattering about anime a lot; I'm hoping that means she's taught herself some Japanese. What was the other thing you're calling about?"
"I'm starting to worry about Renata, too," said Mrs. Hamilton. "She didn't get home until extremely late last night, and now she's taking forever to get home from school. She hasn't phoned or texted about what she's doing."
"And you think this might be more than her usual teen antics?" asked Tori. "I know I was pretty wild when I was seventeen."
"That's normally what I'd assume it is," said Mrs. Hamilton, "but it feels different. It started right after Beck started getting weird. And she has this friend... Jezebel du Charme..."
"Say no more!" Tori cut in. "That's more than enough. Huuuuuge red flag right there. I remember the du Charmes... and what Dad and Grandpa always said about them."
"That they were succubi?" Mrs. Hamilton offered.
"Exactly," said Tori. "This may be our big chance to catch those predatory bitches red-handed... or red all over. I've been waiting for a chance to prove that they weren't behaving themselves for YEARS! Trust me, Erzulie and I will get to the bottom of what's going on with both your kids."
"Thanks, Tori," said Mrs. Hamilton. "I honestly don't know what I'd do in this insane little town without you to be the family monster hunter. Bye!" Mrs. Hamilton hung up the phone and went to see if Beck needed any help packing.