ROOTS | MICHAEL LANGDON | AHS: APOCALYPSE

TWELVE: SNOW WHITE'S POISONED APPLE

WARNING: CONTAINS GORE

A FEW MORNINGS LATER, EVE WOKE UP AGAIN IN MICHAEL'S ARMS but kept her eyes closed, savoring the moment. She knew she needed to get up and return to her quarters to keep Venable off her trail.

When Michael's fingers traced up her back, she knew he was awake. She turned to her side and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "You should go back to your quarters." he suggested, "Venable is making her announcement today."

"And my father? And Fiona?"

"They'll be with me."

Eve nodded and kissed him softly before getting out of bed. She hid in the shadows, walking quietly to her quarters. She made quick to change into something acceptable, knowing a Grey would be at her door in any second.

With a knock on her door, Eve let out a huff and halted what she was doing with her corset to open it.

"Ms. Venable has called an emergency meeting." The Grey said.

"I'll be there shortly." she replied curtly, closing the door and finishing the laces on her corset and hefting her purple, long-sleeved, open-back gown over her shoulders, clasping the button tight at the back of her neck.

Having finished, she made her way to the meeting, where Venable stood waiting. She didn't mention her tardiness, just jumped right in to what she had to say.

"These past couple of months have been difficult for all of us." Venable spoke, "And perhaps in my efforts to keep us safe, punitive measures have been taken too far. I believe now what we need is a moment of celebration, camaraderie. Which is why this weekend, as a gesture of goodwill, we will have a Halloween soirée in the style of a Victorian masquerade ball."

"....And this festive occasion is the perfect opportunity to remedy this." she continued. And I encourage you all to use your imaginations to create what I am sure will be exquisite costumes. Attendance is mandatory."

-

Eve watched the party from the shadows. Her illusion was splendid. Her double fit in flawlessly. No one had any idea that it wasn't actually her. She could even walk amongst them and they wouldn't notice her, only seeing her double.

While CoCo danced with a masked man she thought to be Michael, Eve has manipulated the illusion in real time, trapping Mallory in the shadows while her own double socialized among the partygoers. The real Mallory's confusion brought a smirk to her face. Every time the witch attempted to leave the shadows, she was knocked back against the wall. It was even more so thrilling when a particularly harsh landing knocked her out, buying her some time.

Smiling to herself, she made her way to CoCo. She found herself disappointed when she walked in on the scene in front of her.

The masked man had stabbed the witch.

"That's unfortunate," Eve sighed as CoCo's lifeless body fell to the floor, "I was really looking forward to killing her." She looked at the heiress' dancing partner, who stood frozen in fear, and tsked. "Can't leave any witnesses," she said blandly, sending the knife he'd used flying directly into his heart with a simple wave of her hand.

A gasp from behind her made her turn around. "Mallory, I see you've escaped."

"W-what was that?" she questioned. "Are you like me? Do you know what I am?"

Eve surged forward and pushed her against the nearest wall. "Oh, sweetheart, I'm nothing like you. I'm just here to solve my problems." With a touch to the witch's forehead, she broke down the walls.

Eve took a step back and let the girl slump forward and fall to her knees. "I'm a witch." Mallory realized. "And you're something darker."

Eve smirked. "That I am." She flashed her red eyes, "Do you fear me as much as you fear Langdon?"

The witch shuffled backwards in shock. "You're with him." She attempted to get up and defend herself but only struggled, bound by some invisible force.

The halfling walked forward. She waved her hand and released the bonds. She laughed as Mallory stumbled and tried to escape but stopped short when she felt a pain in her chest. She looked down, eyes widening when she saw the arm that had thrust itself into her chest, the hand connected to it gripping her heart.

The halfling yanked the still beating thing out, brought it to her mouth, and took a bite. Blood dropped down her mouth. She dropped the useless organ and licked her hand clean and then her lips.

"That was nice," she said to herself, turning and walking away. Behind her CoCo and Mallory's bodies  – heart included – went up in flames. There was nothing left of the two witches. All that remained was dust.

-

Michael couldn't help but smile when his lover walked into his office. "I see you enjoyed yourself." he said as he approached his wife. "You've got a little," he paused, bringing his thumb to the corner of her lips, "blood."

Eve smiled. "Fresh blood is always the sweetest."

"Come," Michael said, taking her hand, "sit." he said, bringing her down to sit on his lap.

The two reveled in each other's warmth. Eve couldn't help herself, she looked up at him with a small smile, and reached a hand up to play with his honey locks.

They were interrupted shortly after with the entrance of Venable and Miss Mead.

The taller of the two women stopped short when she noticed Eve. "I watched you die," she said, brows furrowed.

"A mere illusion." Eve waved her off.

Venable stared at her, eyes narrowed to slits. Eve stared right back, challenging her.

"Ladies, I'm a little busy right now."

With a scoff, the redhead's eyes left the halfling and directed their gaze on Michael. "This won't take long." she said.

"What's this?"

"We're making the selections now, Mr. Langdon," Venable explained, "and I'm afraid neither of you made the cut."

Eve bit back a smile while Michael simply laughed. "I'm sorry," he smiled, "I wanted to let you have your moment, but I just couldn't hold it in."

"You think this is funny?"

"I think I'm impressed, Ms. Venable. I wasn't sure you had it in you. You've passed the test, you're perfect for the Sanctuary."

"Miss Mead," Venable spoke through gritted teeth, urging her to shoot the couple.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Michael warned.

"Miss Mead."

Miriam turned the gun away from the couple and to Venable. She let go of the trigger, shooting the woman.

"I don't know why I did that. I was always loyal to her."

"It's all right. You were obeying commands, like you're programmed to do. My commands."