Ambrose layed out a map of Greendale on our kitchen island and I handed out the four jars I had gathered. On top of the map my mother sat a bowl filled with water. Sabrina watched on as the rest of us moved to stand in all four directions. Mom started the incantation, unscrewing the cap on the jar. Her voice echoed as she spoke, "Boreas, North Wind, I summon you." Aunt Hilda went next, mirroring my mom, "Euros, East Wind, I summon you." Then Ambrose, "Notos, South Wind, I summon you." I unscrewed the cap to my own jar, "Zephuros, West wind, I summon you." After a moment of silence the water in the bowl began to spin making a whirlpool. Sabrina moved to get a closer look, "Is it working? How will we know?" My mother shushed her, "Give it a moment." Then the wind started blowing throughout the house. I saw the dark clouds blowing in through the window and leaves being tossed around. We all heard the city alarm wailing as the tornado blew in. Once we were sure the spell had taken effect we placed the jars face down on the counter. "Pray to Satan the mortals heed the warning," My mother sighed. Thankfully they did. When we arrived at Baxter High nearly the whole town was rushing inside to take shelter from the storm. If only they knew what was truly coming for them. As we rushed about to help I searched for Lilith knowing she couldn't be far. That's when I found her with none other than the bane of my existence: Principal Hawthorne. I crossed my arms as I watched the interaction daring anyone to bump into me in the crowded halls. "All right. All right. East does it. Nice and slow. That's it. There's plenty of room for all in the storm shelter," He turned to speak to Lilith, still oblivious to my presence, "Don't you find this invigorating, Ms. Wardwell? I've always been fascinated by tornadoes myself, ever since The Wizard of Oz. And now, here we are. Our school, the only safe place in Greendale. I'm engorged with excitement." I grit my teeth at his blatant innuendo. Or perhaps he meant it quite literally, either way my anger was quickly getting the better of me. "Mr. Hawthorne-," Lilith ground out clearly annoyed. It didn't deter him in the slightest as he continued, "Perhaps, when all this is over, you and I might finally have that drink?" I really was containing my anger well enough until he buried his nose in her hair inhaling. Then I lost all senses. I sauntered up to him, grabbing him by the shoulder so I could spin him around to face me. Once he was looking down at me I kicked him in the shin and as he came down I hit him with a wicked uppercut. The sound of his teeth could be heard hitting together as he staggered backwards. Lilith's eyes widened for less than a second before she wrapped her arms around my waist pulling me away. "Come along, darling, let's not catch an assault charge," she said flatly, making sure to shoot one final glare at Hawthorne. Lilith refused to say a word as she pulled me along by my waist until we were tucked safely away in an abandoned classroom. "Don't get me wrong, darling, I enjoyed that spectacle immensely but would you like to explain what you're doing here?" She hissed. I sighed, "Protecting the mortals. I could care less honestly but it is the right thing to do and I won't leave my family to face this threat alone." She pinched the bridge of her nose frustration rolling off of her. "You summoned the tornado?" she asked. "Don't give me that. You summoned the Greendale Thirteen to begin with," I argued. "You forget yourself, Darling. You're mine, remember?" She purred. Her cerulean eyes flashed dangerously and as she began to advance I started to back away. She took on the same predatory look she had the first time she revealed herself to me in the woods. When my back hit the hard wall and her hands moved to trap me in place my mind wandered to how differently that first night could've gone or how badly things could go right then. Often I forgot how powerful the woman I loved was. The first woman. The Mother of Demons. The first Witch. Madam Satan herself. Her hand wandered up to grip my throat firmly but there was still a gentleness that couldn't be ignored. No. To me she was still Lilith. My Lilith. Feeling my quickening pulse she frowned. "Are you afraid of me, my love?" There it was. Instantly my racing heart calmed. "No, never," I responded before pulling her down into a kiss. Softening slightly she pulled away, "You could get yourself killed. You should be at the academy." I shrugged slightly smirking, "Well it's too late now and I'm not leaving my family to face this alone. I guess we'll just have to see how good my demoness really is." She groaned, "And here I thought your cousin was bad. You'll be the death of me, Spellman." I smirked, wrapping my arms around her neck as I claimed her lips. "Then I'll follow you to Hell and we'll take over management," I half joked. The fire behind her eyes caused my heart to race again with a completely different emotion. Before she could respond Sabrina found us. "Nicole. It's time, let's go. You can bring Ms. Wardwell we'll need all the help we can get," She said, jerking her head out the door. "I have to go take care of a few more things. If you need me you know how to summon me," she leaned down whispering in my ear before pressing a kiss to the corner of my mouth. I nodded in understanding before being yanked away by Sabrina. We stood gathered hand in hand waiting for the witches to arrive. Right as the clock struck 12 the wind howled outside and the doors began to rattle. We all chanted in unison...Qui affecto protego, mixtisque iubas serpentibus et posteris meis stirpiqu. "It's working, isn't it? The protection spell, Aunt Zelda?" Sabrina questioned. "Yes, as long as we five remain focused, it just might," My mother confirmed. Just as she finished speaking though we were both transported. One moment we were standing in the halls of Baxter High the next we were within the Academy of Unseen Arts with the High Priest standing before us. "Faustus, you brought us here?" My mom questioned breathlessly. "I did, Sister Zelda—" She cut him off, "We have to go back. Our family needs us." Blackwood began yelling over her, "Your sworn duty is here, Zelda! Lady Blackwood has gone into labor." We both turned finally realizing Lady Blackwood was laid across the High Priest's desk gasping in pain. My mother turned back to him, "Damn you, Faustus. I'll need clean towels, fresh water, and Prudence." He looked at her in confusion, "Prudence?" She began taking off her coat, "Yes, I'll need help, and this is no place for a man and that very much includes you." Lady Blackwood moaned again loudly in pain. "Mom?" I questioned paling. "Take off your jacket, Nicole," My mother commanded. I felt cold sweat breakout on my forehead, "Mom, I can't- I've never-" she grabbed my face forcing me to look away from the mess that was Lady Blackwood and into her eyes. "Listen to me, Nicole. The Spellmans have produced the finest midwives this Coven has ever seen and you're my daughter. It runs in your blood. Now come along, I'll walk you through it." As soon as she started walking Lady Blackwood through breathing exercises I found myself matching her breathing patterns. The farther along Lady Blackwood got in her labors the more intense her screams of pain became. Prudence and I each held one of her hands wiping the sweat from her brow. After what felt like forever my mother finally spoke up coaxing her through it, "We're nearly there, Lady Blackwood. One more push. Here comes your first..." My mother trailed off as the baby let out its first cry. Prudence and I both looked over concerned and noticed the baby was in fact not a boy as had been predicted. Seeing our faces Lady Blackwood began to panic, "W-What is it?" Prudence comforted her, "Nothing, Nothing. You're doing fine, Lady Blackwood. Just think of how proud the High Priest will be." She swallowed thickly, "Is he alright, my son?" Mom swaddled the babe quickly and set her in a cradle. "Strong and fine, Lady Blackwood," She lied. I happened to look down and saw the copious amount of blood between Lady Blackwood's legs. "Mother, Lady Blackwood is bleeding too much," I told her, my chest constricting. "We'll fix her right up," Mom reassured. "My babies... Sister Zelda, my babies. They must be preserved at all costs," She murmured in a daze. Prudence and I shared a look of concern as we realized the woman was fading quickly. Even my mother looked worried as she tried her best to stop the bleeding. We tried desperately to save Lady Blackwood but she had grown too weak and lost too much blood. "What's going to happen once Father Blackwood finds out he has a daughter?" I asked, shell shocked. "He won't find out," My mother said simply. "I'm sorry what?" Prudence questioned. "We have to get her out of here. Nicole, come help me. Prudence, fetch the high priest," Mom commanded quietly. Together we said an incantation spiriting the baby girl away to our house where she would be safe. I made quick work of cleaning up the boy, as my mother found something to cover the late Lady Blackwood. Just as we finished, Blackwood entered his office, closing the door behind him. "Faustus, I'm sorry, but you were right. Lady Blackwood was too weak to bring your baby into the world," my mother broke the news gently. "Baby? I thought— You said twins," He frowned. "Something strange but not unheard of happened. One of your sons, the dominant one...consumed the other, the submissive one, in the womb. There is only one son fortified by the brother he consumed," Mom explained, gesturing to the babe in my arms. Blackwood looked us over for a moment and I feared he saw straight through my mother's lie. "As it should be. Let me hold him," Blackwood said proudly, taking him from me. The air was tense as the three of us watched on as the High Priest looked down at his son. "My only begotten son...and heir," the High Priest murmured. My mother and I both spared a glance at Prudence who looked as though she had been smacked. It was only recently she found out that Faustus Blackwood was in fact her father and yet he still treated her like an orphan. No longer able to stand the confines of the High Priest's office I cleared my throat, "If the witching hour is over and I'm needed for nothing else I think I'll be taking my leave." My mother nodded in understanding, "Go. I'll see you at home." As I walked down the stairs of the Academy I noticed Lilith waiting for me. Without saying a word I rushed forward and she spun me in her arms as I kissed her. "Darling, I'm s-" She started. "Let's agree to never have kids," I rushed out first. Her eyes widened in surprise for a moment before she captured my lips again. "We can do whatever you desire, darling," She smirked sinfully, "but that implies you're in this for the long haul." I looked up into her blue eyes as she held me close,"I thought I made that obvious. I'd find a way to stay by your side for eternity if you'd ask me, Lilith." Her eyes blazed, "I'm asking for it, my little witch." The intensity in her gaze would've brought me to my knees had it not been for my demoness holding me in place. "Then I will do everything in my power to make that happen, my love," I told her, sealing the promise with a kiss. As we parted for air I realized we were still standing on the steps of the academy. "Perhaps we should go home?" Lilith suggested noticing me looking up. I nodded as she tucked me into her side as we made our way into the Greendale wood. I wasn't sure whether she meant my place or hers but I was sure of one thing. My home was wherever the First Woman was, not four walls and a roof. "So Sabrina did it then?" I asked as we walked. Lilith hummed in response, "She did yes. Although it took longer than the Dark Lord or I would've liked she signed her name in the Book of the Beast." I nodded slowly, "And the Greendale Thirteen?" Her grip around my shoulders tightened, "Gone. Sabrina summoned fire from the pit, burned them, and sent them back from whence they came." I stopped in my tracks. Summoning fire from Hell itself was a rare talent. Mostly reserved for powerful demons and in the history of witches only 3. One of them being myself. It was no easy feat and the flames themselves burned so hot they glowed blue turning anything of the earthly realm to ash in a matter of seconds. Lilith stopped turning to me, "You would've been proud. But Nicole?" Hearing her unsure tone I took her hands in mine running my thumbs soothingly across her knuckles. "What is it, my love?" I answered. "I may have been overzealous in conjuring the Thirteen... I put you in danger and I'm sorry. I swear to you it won't happen again. As long as I draw breath you'll never be in harm's way if I can help it," She promised, pressing a kiss to my forehead. I thought over my answer carefully, "Lilith, I choose you. I choose to be with you. I think we both know I'll be in danger again but as long as we're together we'll overcome any threat that comes our way." Under the moonlight I swore I saw tears glistening in the Demoness' eyes. Gently her hand came to wrap around the back of my neck pulling me into a passionate kiss. "I love you, Spellman," She murmured between kisses. I smiled wrapping my arms around her neck, "And I love you, my Demoness."
((Last chapter guysssssss. Can't believe I actually finished this. Are we wanting a part two??? Maybe a bonus chapter for midwinter's tale??? Any other requests??? Comment and let me know!! <3)))
