Title: The Dead of Night
Author: crammit
Fandom: Glee
Rating: M
Pairing: Brittany/Santana
Timeline: AU
Summary: For hundreds of years, wolves and witches have existed in peaceful coexistence until a terrible threat seeks to tear that alliance apart. With witches on the brink of extinction, Brittany finds herself at the mercy of a beautiful stranger who isn't exactly what she seems. With no other choice but to put her trust and her life in this woman's hands, will Brittany find the key to stopping the violence wiping out her people or will she instead experience the ultimate betrayal? - Rated M for sex, language, and violence
A/N: Glee and its characters do not belong to me. I am only borrowing them. I promise to put them back right where I found them once I'm done.
A/N: Big thanks again to Uvaack for being a kick ass beta. :-)
A/N: As always, thanks very much for reading. Reviews are always appreciated and thank you all so much who have reviewed already or who have sent me tweets and messages letting me know you're enjoying the story. :-)
As wakefulness slowly teases her senses, Brittany knows she should probably move. Despite the darkness of the early morning still taking up residence in the room, she can hear the others moving around downstairs, Malek's irritated voice followed quickly by the sound of Nicholas' laughter. Opening her eyes, she inhales slowly and glances down, the reason for her reluctance to get out of bed inching closer with a soft sound. At some point in the night, Brittany realizes she must have rolled away from Santana, the ache in her lower back speaking to the fact that she must have been flat on her back against the mattress for a while. Santana's arm tightens around her ribs as she presses closer in her sleep and Brittany runs her hand softly across Santana's back, the chill in the morning air chased away by their combined body heat under the blanket covering them. The tiredness in Santana's body is readily apparent as it rests heavy against her own and Brittany chooses to ignores the pain in her back, determined to let Santana rest as long as possible.
The quiet shuffle of footsteps outside the door thwarts that idea and she looks over Santana's shoulder to meet Rachel's eyes, the regret in them evident as Rachel takes in Santana's sleeping form. Stepping silently into the room, Rachel keeps her voice hushed as she looks at Brittany. "Everyone is awake and downstairs. Quinn held them off for a while but they're anxious to figure out our next steps."
"She sent you here to wake us up?"
Smiling, Rachel takes a half step closer and glances down at the back of Santana's head before speaking again. "She figured that Santana was less likely to rip my head off when I woke her up over one of the boys coming up here to do it."
"Don't be so sure, keela. You're probably standing closer to the bed then you should be."
Santana's voice is scratchy from sleep but it still has Rachel taking a step back, the smile Brittany can feel against her shoulder hidden from Rachel's sight.
"Yes, well, Quinn would probably prefer if I kept my head and you both came downstairs. I'm about to make breakfast."
Subtly holding Santana a little closer under the blanket, Brittany lifts her head and answers Rachel. "Breakfast sounds good. We'll be down shortly, I promise."
Waiting until Rachel leaves the room, Santana goes to move away from Brittany, grunting playfully as Brittany pulls her back down. "No, don't move. It's okay."
"We should probably get up, Brittany. And…your back is hurting you."
Startling a little bit, Brittany looks down and meets Santana's gaze, the urge to lie dissipating at the look of concern on Santana's face. "A little bit but it'll be okay once I'm up and moving around."
Santana holds eye contact with Brittany as she slides her hand across Brittany's stomach, resting her palm just above the waistband of her pants. Rising onto her elbow, Santana focus her magic on her other hand, pulling the pain from Brittany's back and absorbing it into her own body. Closing her eyes as she works to dissipate the pain, Santana misses the way Brittany's mouth drops open, the blue of Brittany's eyes shrinking as her body reacts to the lingering feel of Santana's magic. After a few moments, Santana reluctantly removes her hand, both of them letting out a long breath as Santana sits up, checking the urge to pout at the loss of Brittany's body against her as she stands next to the bed.
Stretching her arms above her head, Brittany grins at Santana at the easy way her back accommodates the motion, sliding her legs over the edge of the bed to join Santana in the middle of the small room. Impulsively, Brittany pulls Santana closer and kisses her softly, her touch light as they hold onto Santana's shoulders. She keeps the kiss brief and smiles at Santana as she pulls away. "You kissed me goodnight so it only seems fair that I kiss you good morning."
Clearing her throat, Santana's stomach flutters in response to Brittany's words and the emotion Santana can see behind her eyes. The simplicity of waking up with Brittany, even with everything going on around them, gives Santana a fleeting sense of peace and she's loathe to let that go, her shoulders slumping slightly as she glances toward the hallway. She finds her hands clasped in Brittany's warm ones as she's pulled forward into another kiss, this one even softer than the first and she feels the connection with Brittany strengthened, the taste of Brittany's magic lingering on her lips as the kiss ends.
"I know," Brittany's voice is barely audible, her thumbs running across the backs of Santana's hands before letting them go.
With another smile and a deep breath, Brittany grabs her boots and waits while Santana does the same, each of them pausing in the hallway to put them on. The morning light is starting to fill the open spaces of the church and they can hear the elevated sound of voices downstairs, Rachel's above them all in a sharp plea for help with breakfast dishes. Laughing, Santana stops at the top of the stairs to pull her hair into a bun, meeting Brittany's grin over her shoulder. "What do you say we go save them from her wrath?"
Luck was on their side as they made their way into the main area of the church, Connell and Nicholas hauling in fresh water so they could clean up while Quinn and Malek helped Rachel get breakfast together. Taking a few minutes to make use of the clean water, Brittany and Santana sit down at the table just as Rachel brings over their plates, each containing a mound of flavored oats cooked with hot water, a strip of dried biselk, and a slice of danpo.
Picking up the bright red piece of fruit, Santana holds the danpo up, her mouth already watering in anticipation of its sweetness. "Where did you even find this, Rachel?"
"It wasn't me. Connell found a tree behind the water shed this morning. There were only three good pieces left but I could probably make them last for a few days. Assuming people don't try to sneak pieces off of other people's plate. Malek!"
Brittany's eyes open wide as Rachel slaps at Malek's broad hand, the danpo slice falling to the table between them. The table erupts in laughter as Malek's cheeks darken, his mumbled 'sorry' said through a crooked smile. The others begin eating and Brittany can't help but smile as she watches Rachel hand Malek the danpo slice between them, Rachel's eyeroll for show as Malek wastes no time in taking a bite.
Passing Connell a mug of water, Quinn finishes a spoonful of oats before looking over at Santana, using her spoon to indicate the book of spells on the table next to them. "What's the plan, Santana?"
Santana pushes her bowl to the center of the table, going over to get the book of spells before taking her seat once more, turning the pages of the book until she finds the proper spell. "I went over and over this spell last night and I think that my initial plan to use the amulet and the spell at Featherstone Castle was wrong."
"Wrong in what way?"
"I can't be sure but I don't think the spell is meant to happen right away. Here, the phrase kashen uys nagew…it translates roughly to the life of a candle or something like that. This spell is in Castiveen but some of the words are different, older I think. Once the spell is cast, I don't think we can be sure when the power will be released and I don't think it would be wise to wait it out behind the gates of Aleksander's castle."
Leaning back in his chair, Malek drums his fingers on the table before meeting Santana's eyes, nodding his head as he accepts her reasoning. "What do you propose instead, Santana?"
"There are two covens close to Thestin, very old and very powerful covens on the outskirts of Aleksander's land, that make up the main front of the resistance. It's been awhile since I've had contact with them but they should still be there. Like this church, if those covens had fallen, the news would have made its way to us."
Interrupting Santana, Brittany confirms her statement. "They are still there. At least, they were still there in the time just before I found your cabin. Siobhan mentioned trying to join forces with them after we made it to River's Run."
"Then we'll have to trust that they haven't fallen. Their power is enough to maintain their barrier protecting their lands, allowing the main holds of the resistance to operate there, but they have never been able to breach the grounds of Featherstone Castle. This spell, the power released by this ancient amulet, might just be enough for them to finally break through. But I don't want them to be blindsided by the shift in their power. We'll also need them to coordinate with the other resistance forces so there is a concentrated attack on the castle. This might be our only chance to turn the tide in our favor."
Santana can sense Quinn tensing across the table as she continues to speak but she blocks Quinn out, turning her attention to Rachel and Connell. "The trip there and back should take about a day, less if you push hard. I'd like to send you each to the covens so you can let them know of our plan."
"What if they don't believe us?"
Holding Rachel's gaze, Santana leans forward, her fingers curling over the edge of the spell book. "You have to make them believe, Rachel. We've come this far and we need them in order for this to work. I have faith and I trust that you and Connell will get them to agree to our plan."
"No."
Santana was expecting Quinn's quiet voice, the tension in her beta's body language speaking to the disagreement before the word was uttered. Since she was prepared for it, even understanding why it would come, Santana's own body language remains calm even as the rest of her pack turns to look at Quinn.
The silence sits heavy at the table as Santana and Quinn look at each other, Santana's voice even as she replies to Quinn. "Rachel and Connell are the fastest out of all of us. They can make it there and back in less time than it would take most of us to get there."
"You would send them out, alone, so close to Aleksander's stronghold, knowing what he and the Sogues are capable of doing?"
There is an undercurrent to the conversation happening between Quinn and Santana that has Brittany feeling unsettled, her gaze flickering between the two women. Brittany expects to see anger on Santana's face with Quinn's challenge but Brittany only detects sadness, a matching look on Quinn's face. Looking down, she sees Rachel place her hand gently over Quinn's forearm, the rest of the pack continuing to watch in silence as the scene plays out.
"Quinn, it's okay."
"It's not okay, Rachel. There is no way that…"
"Quinn, please…"
"No, if you think that I could let…"
"Quinn!" The sharp tone of Santana's voice has Quinn trailing off, Santana's body language softening as she looks Quinn in the eye, the sharpness gone as she speaks again. "Quinn, I understand. You know I understand but we need them for this."
There is a brief moment of hesitation before Quinn gives in, excusing herself as she pushes away from the table and heads to the back room.
"Santana…"
With a heavy breath, Santana nods her head, her voice quiet as she looks over at Rachel. "Go."
As Rachel gets up and follows after Quinn, Nicolas wordlessly starts collecting some of the breakfast dishes, resting his hand briefly on Santana's shoulder as he passes her before walking over to one of the water buckets. Leaning over to the side of the table, Malek grabs the remaining strips of biselk and hands them to Connell, refilling Connell's mug with water as well before putting that on the table in front of him. "Eat up, boy. With the run you're making, you're going to need all the energy you can get."
It takes most of the rest of the morning for Quinn and Rachel to emerge back into the main room of the church, the breakfast dishes long since cleared away, but Brittany can tell that whatever Rachel said to Quinn has made a difference. As she watches, Rachel detours to Malek at the sound of her name, water and more biselk strips given to her as Connell talks quietly with Nicolas next to them.
Brittany turns her attention back to the spell book in front of her as Quinn walks over toward the table, Santana getting up and meeting her halfway. Even knowing that she shouldn't eavesdrop, Brittany can't help but listen to the conversation happening near her, her eyes blind to the words she pretends to read. Of all the dynamics between the pack members and Santana, it's her relationship with Quinn that Brittany can't quite figure out all the way. The panic in Quinn's voice and the hint of sadness in Santana's over her decision to send Rachel and Connell out revealed another layer to Quinn and Santana's relationship and Brittany listens intently in the hopes of having that layer exposed.
"Santana, before you say anything, I'm sorry I disagreed with you in front of everyone like that. Especially now and especially with everything that is going on."
"I get it, Quinn."
Brittany can sense Santana glance in her direction and she turns the page, running her finger across the words as if she's reading. When Santana speaks again, her voice is quieter and Brittany has to strain to hear the words.
"Believe me, I understand. I'm sending the woman you love…two people you love and that I love…into danger. If anything happened to them because I sent them out there, I don't know how I'd live with myself. They are my family, you know that."
"I know…I know that. I didn't mean to add to the weight of that decision and as Rachel so kindly reminded me, it's not my place to make decisions for her or prevent her from making decisions for herself. Even still, it wasn't just about that. This place, the circumstances…"
Brittany can't stop herself from looking up at the emotion in Quinn's voice, all pretense of reading gone as she observes Santana step closer to Quinn, her hand running soothingly over Quinn's arm before leading them further into the main hall and out of range of Brittany's hearing.
She has to fight not to stand up and follow them, the feeling that she's missing out on something important growing as Santana pulls Quinn in for a quick hug. Santana remains near one of the pews as Quinn makes her way over to the group, her fingers slipping between Rachel's as she joins her. Brittany finds and holds Santana's gaze, her magic fluttering below her skin at the intense way Santana is looking at her, yet another thing brewing between them the longer they stare at each other. There is something behind Santana's eyes that Brittany can't quite name and her nerves from earlier return, pushing her to stand up from the table. She watches Santana's eyes drop down and she looks down as well, startled to see her magic twining around her fingers like smoke. Inhaling quickly, Brittany pulls her magic back, relieved to see nobody from the group is looking in her direction. She senses that Santana wants to come over to her, the question in her eyes readily apparent, but Nicolas' voice breaks the tension between them and instead they both head over in the direction of the group moving to one of the side doors.
"You're crazy if you think I'm going to take that bet."
"What bet?"
"Santana, get this. Connell bet me thirty iryns that he would be back before Rachel."
Ignoring Rachel's outraged noise, Santana pins Connell with a stare, crossing her arms over her chest as she addresses him. "You would bet on a task of this importance?"
Finding no sympathy in Rachel's eyes, Connell turns to look at Quinn, his shoulders falling as she simply arches an eyebrow at him. Accepting the rebuke, he faces Santana, an apology spilling quickly from his lips. "I didn't mean anything by it, Santana. Rachel was tense…"
"I…was tense?"
"Um, well, I just mean that with Quinn and everything and…"
"Easy, brooka."
Quinn's voice has Connell's cheeks reddening further, his hands tugging on the hem of his tunic as he looks at Santana again. "I just thought to try and ease the situation a little bit because of everything that's resting on Rachel and I making it to the covens and, I didn't…I mean…"
Connell's earnestness brings a smile to her face and she steps forward, resting her hands on Connell's shoulders, squeezing them lightly as she responds to his nervous rambling. "Thirty iryns, is it? On whoever beats the other one back?"
"Yeah, yes…that was going to be it but…"
Playfully patting Connell's cheek, Santana glances over her shoulder at Rachel. "My money's on you, Rachel."
"Hey!"
Malek's laugh booms through the deserted church, the others playfully betting on each of the twins with Brittany respectfully declining to make a choice. Hanging back, Brittany watches the way the pack interacts, their moments of joking interspersed with long hugs with Rachel and Connell, whispered words of encouragement and advice exchanged in equal measure, her own words to Rachel and Connell a family blessing in Castiveen to guide them on a swift and safe trip. Connell's hug with Quinn lasts longer than the others until she finally pulls away with a glancing kiss on his cheek, leaving only Rachel and Quinn to say their parting words. Brittany expects them to seek privacy for their goodbye or for the rest of the pack to wander away but to her surprise, they all remain as they were and Brittany realizes that this is their way of honoring this relationship between their beta and her bonded mate. Looking around she sees that she is part of the semi-circle formed by the pack, Santana's eyes meeting hers across the way. Without thought, Brittany's shoulders straighten, bearing her own witness to this sacred bond. With Santana's eyes still locked on hers, she feels a rush of heat flash across her chest, the fleeting thought passing through her head over what it would be like to be bonded with Santana.
The moment between her and Santana is broken as Quinn releases Rachel from her embrace, the pack finally averting their gaze as Rachel pulls Quinn back for a kiss before stepping away to join Connell by the door. Moving to them, Santana rests her hands on each of their shoulders, all traces of her earlier playfulness gone from her voice. "You looked over the map that Nicolas showed you? You each have your routes memorized?"
"More or less. The map he found was an older one so some of the landmarks may have changed but the land itself should essentially be the same. We'll be able to sense when we get close to their magical barrier anyway so it should all be fine."
Nodding at Connell's assertion, Santana presses them on the most important matter, knowing that even if they make it there, their plan may still fail. "You know what to say to them to convince them of our intentions? We'll need them to send messengers to the rest of the resistance and their nearest covens so they'll be prepared for the spell. The dark witches and wolves won't be affected but if Aleksander has hybrids, newly turned, their hearts may still be pure enough that they'll feel the amulet's power. We won't have much time after the amulet empties to try and catch Aleksander and the Sogues off guard."
Reaching up, Rachel rests her hand on top of Santana's, smiling as she answers her. "When have you known me to not be able to talk someone in to something? And Connell can smooth talk a tygew beast from its dinner. We'll make it work, Santana. I promise you."
Santana knows that Rachel is right, the speed of the twins is only part of the reason she chose them to go, and she also knows that she has to trust that decision, even if the thought of willingly sending two of her pack members into danger scrapes at her heart. With a small exhale, she reaches past them and opens the door, the faint warmth of the early afternoon starting to give way to the cool, long shadows of the approaching evening. "If I could send you with magic, I would. The amount needed to send you to two different locations, never mind the chance that the surprise of you appearing in the middle of covens already prepared for war might get you killed, means that I can't."
"It's alright, Santana. This way will allow us to scan the surrounding areas as well and that could be helpful later. We'll be okay."
Taking Rachel at her word, Santana holds each of their gazes for a long moment, her words following them as they shift and take off in different directions. "Be swift and sure in your journey. May your words find their place in willing hearts and may you return home to us soon."
The remainder of the afternoon is spent keeping busy, all of them working to avoid wondering how Rachel and Connell are doing. A more thorough examination of the church revealed a hidden storage area that allowed them to restock their food supplies, an old chest filled with books and drawings on wolf ancestry that managed to bring a tiny smile to Quinn's face, and an ancient athame that Santana brought to the main part of the church to put with the spell book. The ritual for the spell called for blood, as powerful magic usually does, and Santana thinks that the addition of the coven's own ceremonial knife could only help them.
With Rachel gone, Brittany offers to make dinner for the group, the fresh rabbit caught by Nicolas turning into a nice stew, a few root vegetables thrown in for substance. As Brittany hands Santana her bowl, she's struck with the memory of her first day with Santana behind her cabin as she helped her prepare the rabbit that Quinn caught. She catches the hint of a smile on Santana's face as their fingers touch and realizes Santana is thinking about the same thing. Filling her own bowl, Brittany joins the quiet group at the table, small talk passed between them until bellies are full, Nicolas again rising to clean up the dishes.
A long stretch follows Malek's rise from the table, his unspoken question to Santana answered as Nicolas rejoins them. "Malek, you and Nicolas go on patrol and do a perimeter check. With the food supplies in the guards' traveling packs, I figure we have a few more days before they would either be forced to go back for more supplies or would be relieved of their post by a new contingent of guards. I think our position is still secure but it won't hurt to take a look around."
Malek and Nicolas head to the front of the church without a word, leaving Quinn with Brittany and Santana. Santana knows that Quinn is thinking about Rachel and Connell being out there, her eyes unfocused as she stares at one of the candles burning at the table. Understanding what Quinn needs, Santana walks into her line of sight, waiting for Quinn to look at her. "Brittany and I are going to take another look through the rooms in the tower and see if maybe we overlooked something earlier. Will you be okay down here?"
The worry in Quinn's eyes is hidden behind a smile, her hands brushing through her choppy hair as she stands up, gesturing to a table in the narthex. "Yeah, I'll be fine. I'm just going to look through those books and drawings we found. Most of it is in jzaktis and while my jzaktis is a little rusty, I know enough to pick up most of what I'm reading. Is the barrier secure while Nicolas and Malek are out?"
"It is. I checked before dinner. If you find something or you…need anything, we'll just be upstairs."
Acknowledging the sentiment behind Santana's words, Quinn gives a small nod, brushing past Santana as she heads toward the west end of the church. Brittany watches Santana watching Quinn and her feeling from earlier returns. Since she's been with the pack, she's slowly learned each of their stories but Quinn's remains a mystery and more than that, her history with Santana remains vague. Their interactions speak to something deeper than just alpha to beta and while Brittany has a really good feeling it's not something romantic that lies under their relationship, her instinct is telling her that whatever that something is closely guarded by both Quinn and Santana. Her thoughts are pulled back as Santana turns and smiles at her, picking up one of the candles and beckoning Brittany to follow her up the back stairs. With one final look in Quinn's direction, Brittany returns Santana's smile, following her to the top of the church tower.
The last room at the top of the tower is flush with shadows, the moonlight coming through the large dormer to the side of the room casting an eerie illumination into the mostly empty space. Stepping into the room, Santana places the candle into an empty holder sitting on a small table, skirting a bed nearby to push open the windows. Santana moves aside as Brittany joins her, both of them looking out across the treetops in silence before Santana leans closer and points to a tall object far off to the north. "Do you see that?"
"I think…the tall spiral thing?"
"Yes. That's the top of the main tower of Featherstone Castle."
Brittany is suddenly very aware of how close Santana is standing next to her and she angles her body, using the pretense of wanting to get a better look to bring Santana's chest flush against her back. The quick inhale from Santana brings them even closer and Brittany waits to see if Santana will move, covering her smile with her hair as Santana simply rests her hands on Brittany's hips, both of them looking at the spiral.
"It looks beautiful from here. It's hard to reconcile that something so beautiful could be the home to something so evil." Santana feels a shiver run through Brittany's body and pulls her closer, resting her chin on Brittany's shoulder as Brittany sighs before continuing to speak, "I spent so long running from the dark ones that to be this close now, it's…I don't know. It scares me."
"I'm scared, too. This chance we're taking, even considering trying to go up against Aleksander and his forces? This danger I'm putting you all in, I…"
Spinning around, Brittany cuts Santana off, shaking her head as she speaks. "You aren't putting us in danger, Santana. Me, your pack…we're all here because we want to be. This war will be won not because one savior will rise to destroy Aleksander but because of people like us and the resistance who fight together. This opportunity that the amulet brings could be what finally turns the tide in our favor and yes I'm scared but there's no place else I'd rather be than here, fighting at your side with your pack."
Overcome, Santana steps forward, her hands finding the side of Brittany's face as she pulls her in for a kiss, taking comfort in the gentle way Brittany kisses her back. After a few moments, she brings the kiss to an end with a smile, leaning over to shut the windows and close out the reminder of what awaits them. Moving away from the dormer, she and Brittany walk over to a long table braced against the back wall, books and potions spread across its surface as if someone only just left. Noticing a torch tucked into an intricate sconce above the table, Santana waves her hand, igniting the torch as she reaches for one of the books.
Next to her, Brittany runs her fingers over the engraved words on one of the book covers, glancing over at Santana, her voice curious as she holds up a piece of parchment. "Where do you think the witches that lived here went when Aleksander's forces were coming? Why not stay here and wait it out?"
"I'm not sure. I think maybe they might have used most of their power to secure the church from being breached and may have fled to find the amulet themselves. Since we found the amulet, with Vasperk destroyed, I can only hope that finding amulet wasn't their final intention."
Brittany places the parchment back down, sliding one of the books over and startling as a flat blue gemstone slips out from under the cover. Drawn to the noise, Santana looks down and grins, reaching for the gemstone before Brittany can grab it.
"What is that?"
"Have you never seen a wreyuk stone before?"
Trying to get a better look, Brittany moves closer to Santana, laughing as Santana dances away, moving with the stone behind her back until she's across the room by the candle. Holding the gem in the palm of her hand, Santana holds it out in front of her body, breathing deeply as her magic reacts to it. "I can't believe that someone of the High Council has never seen nor used a wreyuk stone. These were always very popular around the time of the Harvest Moon."
"Well, maybe if you'd let me see it, I could tell you whether I've ever encountered one before."
Grinning harder at Brittany's pout, Santana delights in watching Brittany's face as she takes the gemstone from Santana's hand, her grin turning to a smirk as Brittany's eyes quickly find hers. "Oh."
There's a low pull in Santana's belly as she sees Brittany's body react to the wreyuk, Brittany's cheeks flushing pink as she takes a deep breath. Taking a step closer, Santana keeps her eyes on Brittany's, her magic starting to thrum in her veins. "The wreyuk is also known as the Lover's Stone. It's traditionally used for fertility but it can also be used to bring hidden desires out, either alone or with someone else."
Clearing her throat, Brittany knows her cheeks are betraying her body's reaction to the stone, her embarrassment over finding such a personal item among another witch's things losing quickly to the sensations coming alive in her body. "Hidden desires? Not real?"
Santana shakes her head, realizing that she has moved even closer to Brittany. "No, they are real. The gemstone can't make you feel something that isn't already there. It only releases the person from the binds that keep them from acknowledging their wants and desires." As she answers Brittany's question, Santana sees Brittany's magic reacting to the gemstone, blue light twining like a snake around the stone and she inhales slowly, the image bringing forth a memory from earlier. Despite her reluctance to end this little game they are playing, the sight of Brittany's magic swirling around her hands brings Santana back to the moment with Brittany in the nave, the memory of the look in Brittany's eyes prompting Santana to take the wreyuk and place it next to the candle on the table.
Facing Brittany, she tries to ignore the lingering sensation of the warm gemstone in her hand, Brittany's magic fading against her palm. Letting a few seconds pass to remove the influence of the stone, Santana takes a small step back, meeting Brittany's gaze directly. "Brittany, can I ask you a question?"
"Yes."
"What was that before with your magic? When I was finished talking with Quinn before Connell and Rachel left?"
Brittany doesn't need Santana to clarify the moment as she knows exactly what she is talking about, a small twinge of nerves sneaking along her skin as she thinks about how to answer Santana. She's not sure that bringing up her unease and curiosity over Santana and Quinn's relationship is the right conversation to have just then but there is one aspect over her reaction that she can answer. Taking the discovery of the wreyuk as a sign, Brittany swallows hard, letting out a long breath before answering Santana's question as honestly as she can. Holding her hands out, she lets go of her control slightly, allowing her magic to build, the sensation warming her hands and sending slow tendrils of blue to trail across her knuckles. "When you look at me sometimes, Santana, it feels like I can't stop the magic from building inside of me. It's like you call to some deep part of me and my body responds to you before I can pull it back."
Realizing that Brittany's confession is putting them at an unspoken crossroad, Santana decides to meet her honesty with some of her own. Stepping closer to Brittany, Santana reaches out and runs her fingertip across the back of Brittany's hand, the blue magic moving over her skin like fog. With her voice barely above a whisper, Santana remains watching Brittany's magic moving over hand, the blue starting to turn a faint purple as Santana's magic joins it. "I feel it too. Why do you hold back?"
"Because you scare me. This scares me."
At that, Santana's hand falls away, her quick step away from Brittany causing her to knock into the table behind her, the light from the candle dancing wildly over the room. "I scare you?"
"Yes. No. Not like you're thinking. Stop moving, Santana…look at me. Just…look."
Grabbing Santana's hands, Brittany presses their palms together, holding their joined hands up between them. Never looking away from Santana, Brittany releases the hold on her magic, the air punched from her lungs as Santana's magic rushes out to meet hers, the power of it pulling a desperate noise from Brittany's open mouth. She watches Santana's mouth fall open and she aches to kiss her, everything in Brittany pulling her forward to do just that before she forces herself to stop, needing to try and make Santana understand before anything else happens between them.
Breaking the connection, Brittany steps back, her chest shuddering as she tries to catch her breath, Santana doing the same in front of her. "Don't you feel it?"
"Yes."
"I've never felt this before, with anyone, not even anything close to this. Sharing magic like this takes years and even then you have to nurture that connection and yet with you, it's just there. We haven't known each other that long but I feel you in my bones, in my blood. And that scares me. Not because I'm afraid of you but what cruel twist of fate put us in each others' paths now, now when we stand to lose everything? I've lost everything except myself but I know as sure as I'm standing here before you that if I were to lose you and lose what I've found with you and your pack, that would be a darkness that I could not recover from. It scares me to think that in such a short amount of time, I've come to have these feelings for you. And I can sense you keeping your distance sometimes and so I hold back, because I think it's the right thing to do. But now?"
"Now?"
"I don't want to fight this anymore, Santana. I need you and, it may be selfish but, I need to be with you. I realized, watching Rachel and Connell leave and seeing Quinn, that whatever is coming for us in our future may end any chance we have to see what this might be. And if this is all we're going to get before everything falls to pieces, then I'm going to take all that I can."
Santana feels breathless as Brittany finishes speaking, the blue of Brittany's eyes pulling all color from the room until that's all that Santana can see. Santana understands that she and Brittany have been building to this since the first time they shared their magic, their connection more and more difficult to dismiss the longer they spend together. As Brittany moves closer, Santana's heart gives in to the emotions Brittany's word evoke, her body responding to Brittany's next command.
"Be with me."
In the same motion that she casts a cloaking spell in front of the door, Santana steps forward and slides her palm across Brittany's jaw, her fingers curving to grip the back of Brittany's neck. "Don't hold back. Not anymore."
Answering Santana's entreaty with kiss, Brittany moans against her mouth, tilting her head as Santana's tongue slides across hers. Desire strips the dexterity from Brittany's hands as she fumbles with the ties of Santana's tunic, her magic teased forward with each slow stroke of Santana's tongue. Despite her grip on the back of Brittany's neck, Santana takes her time kissing Brittany, her own magic surging through her veins as the back of Brittany's fingers brush across her chest, her tunic now loosely hanging from her shoulders. Reaching up, Brittany pulls Santana's hand away from her neck and ends the kiss, sucking her own bottom lip into her mouth to taste Santana's magic. With Santana watching her, Brittany grabs the bottom of Santana's tunic and gently pulls it over her head, letting it fall at their feet.
Kneeling, Brittany guides Santana to sit on the edge of the bed, going to remove her boots before being stopped by Santana's hands on hers. "Wait…not those. In case something happens, it's only Quinn downstairs and we should be ready and, I'm sorry…I'm ruining this…"
"No, shhh, it's okay." Soothing her hands across Santana's thighs as she rises, Brittany stands between Santana's open legs and takes off her own tunic, inhaling sharply as the fabric drops from her hand, Santana's hands skimming across the skin of Brittany's lower back. Letting Santana pull her closer, Brittany releases Santana's bun, combing her fingers through the dark, heavy strands as Santana looks up at her.
"When this battle is over, I'm going to take you to the most beautiful place I know and do this the right way. You deserve so much more, Brittany."
Leaning down, Brittany kisses the words from Santana's mouth before cupping the back of her head and guiding Santana to her breast, her skin tingling as Santana presses a soft kiss there. "The most beautiful place in the world is right here with you, right now. Santana…"
On a soft sigh, Santana drags her bottom lip across Brittany's nipple, thrilling in hearing Brittany's words melt into a groan. Brittany's skin is fever hot as Santana runs her palms over the curve of Brittany's spine, releasing a pulse of magic that causes Brittany's hips to arch closer to Santana. Slowly wrapping Santana's hair in her fist, Brittany pulls Santana's mouth closer, clenching her jaw as Santana responds by sucking her nipple into her warm mouth. Need flutters warm and wet between Brittany's legs as Santana drags her open mouth across Brittany's chest, giving her other breast the same attention.
The candlelight dances its way across Santana's features and Brittany feels her hold on her magic slip even further, wanting nothing more than to feel Santana pressed against her. Releasing Santana's hair, Brittany caresses the tops of Santana's shoulders before pushing her back onto the bed, her hands going to Santana's waistband, tugging the fabric of her pants down to her ankles. Santana's desire is apparent as her knees fall open, her breath rushing quickly through parted lips as Brittany's gaze travels agonizingly slow over her body. Magic seeps from between Santana's fingers, skimming across the thin bed cover as Brittany straddles her waist, warm palms covering her breasts as Brittany indulges them both in a rough kiss. There are a hundred ways that Brittany wanted this time with Santana to go but her magic feels like fire beneath her skin, her stomach tight with desire and so she braces one hand above Santana's shoulder, her mouth skimming across Santana's cheek to rest next to Santana's ear. "You are the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
Before she can reply, Santana's mouth drops open on a groan, Brittany's other hand reaching between their bodies to tease through Santana's wetness, her fingertips slipping against Santana as she curls her hips in response. Brittany can feel Santana's magic as her pleasure grows, Santana's nails lightly scratching across Brittany's back and making her skin tingle as magic flows over her sensitive skin. There is a battle inside of Brittany to want to make this last with Santana despite everything in her pushing her to just take Santana and her magic makes the decision for her, her fingers sinking into Santana as she pulls her head back to look at her.
The connection blooming between her and Santana has Brittany moaning as Santana's body reacts to Brittany touching her, Santana's back arching slowly as she drops her hands to the bed, fingers splayed wide as Brittany's palm brushes against her. As Santana tightens against her fingers, Brittany lets her magic go, her heart pounding wildly in her chest as Santana watches her with half-lidded eyes, Santana's pleasure a desperate ache inside Brittany that continues to build as she works to bring Santana over the edge.
Suddenly Santana's hands are at her waist, frantically pulling at the ties of her pants until the backs of her fingers brush low on Brittany's belly, creating just enough space for Santana's hand to slip inside the space created there. Santana's moan at the wetness she finds has Brittany's eyes closing, her own fingers pausing as Santana forgoes any teasing and begins to touch her with purpose. Santana's forearm brushes against her own and the sensation feels like lightning across her skin, her eyes opening as she begins to move her fingers once more.
Neither notice the candle flame growing next to them, it's light hazy as their magic swirls in gossamer wisps around them. With her free hand, Santana pushes against the bed and sits up, wrapping her arm around Brittany's back and tilting her head up, her mouth opening at the first touch of Brittany's lips against hers. Everything in her feels connected to Brittany and it almost feels like too much, her pleasure coiled tight enough to snap at any second as Brittany moves her fingers harder and faster, prompting Santana to do the same. Breaking the kiss, Santana looks up at Brittany, her body trembling as their joined magic seems to ready to burst into flames inside of her.
"Brittany…"
"I know…"
The groan that follows Brittany's words pushes Santana over the edge, her body tensing as she brings Brittany along with her a few seconds later, their bodies falling to the bed as their hips slowly ease to a stop. With a soft moan, Santana relaxes against the bed as Brittany moves her hand, smiling softly at the answering moan when she does the same. Santana feels boneless even with the awkward way her pants are bunched around her ankles, preventing her from stretching out the way she wants to with Brittany, and she huffs out a laugh as Brittany tries to get more comfortable.
"Wait, just move over here for a second."
Pulling Brittany to her other side, Santana sits and pulls her pants up, leaving the waistband open as she lays back down, rolling onto her side to face Brittany who is looking at her with a smile.
"What?"
Santana watches Brittany bring her hand to rest on the small expanse of bed between their bodies, Brittany's smile growing as she spreads her fingers out, the magic swirling around them a soft purple. Curious, Santana brings her hand up and inhales sharply as she sees her magic is the same purple as Brittany's, the blending of their magic affecting both of them. Reverently, Santana traces her fingers across Brittany's knuckles, looking at Brittany for a moment before speaking. "This has never happened to me before."
"You've shared your magic before though?"
"Yes but…not like this. It's never been like this. I've never shared with someone while being with them."
Shuffling closer, Brittany pulls Santana forward into a kiss, leaving her hand against her face to stroke the soft skin of Santana's cheek. "Me either. It was like I couldn't control it but I didn't want to, not with you. This connection, Santana…I feel like I've been waiting my whole life for you. I don't know how it can be that I can feel like this when you were a stranger to me not so long ago but it doesn't make this any less real."
"Of all the magical things in this world, Brittany, you are one of the few things that ever felt truly right to me. When I bonded with my pack, I thought that would be enough. To have them with me and to stay alive was enough for me but now? You feel essential to me. Maybe you were meant to find my cabin that night. Maybe we would have met under different circumstances at another time. Either way it feels fated to have you here with me and with us, especially now."
Helplessly, Brittany kisses Santana again, the undercurrents of their magic still moving through her body, her feelings made stronger by Santana's declaration. Just for a moment, she can forget the reason she found her way to Santana's door and the reason they are together in this room in an abandoned church and just experience the peace she feels being in Santana's arms. Placing a kiss on Santana's cheek, Brittany smiles when she feels Santana's cheek curve, lifting her body slightly as Santana places her arm around her waist.
As Santana rolls onto her back, Brittany notices a mark on her skin, partially hidden now by her waistband, chagrined to realize she didn't see it earlier when she was in a rush to get her hands on Santana. Trailing her fingers over Santana's stomach, Brittany pushes up onto her elbow, her fingertips tracing the whorls of what she sees is some kind of intricate brand just above Santana's hip. Looking up, she finds Santana watching her intently, her breathing slow and deliberate as she waits for Brittany to speak. "Did this hurt?"
Covering Brittany's hand, Santana shakes her head, pulling gently on Brittany until she's resting against her chest. Santana runs her fingers through Brittany's hair, using her other hand to remove the cloaking spell from the door, pulling the side of the blanket partially over their bodies before answering Brittany's question. "I don't really remember. It was given to me as a baby."
Brittany soothes her hand over the mark as if she could wipe away the pain from a memory that Santana doesn't even have, her brow furrowed as she tilts her head up to look at Santana. "What kind of person would brand a baby?"
Kissing the concern from Brittany's forehead, Santana eases her back down as she runs her hand in long strokes across Brittany's bare back. "It's a family tradition, much like the parlok mark given to witches born of the High Council. I'm sure you have been part of those ceremonies before?"
"I have. But the mark is given magically, with no pain to the child. Your mark was burned into your skin. I know you don't remember but my heart aches for the baby you were to experience that kind of pain so young."
Santana has to close her eyes against the emotion Brittany's words bring, her tender heart on display as Brittany once again runs her fingers gently over the mark. Pressing a kiss to the top of Brittany's head, Santana lets out a slow breath, her body relaxing further against Brittany's. "It's meant to build character, to see it there, and is done young enough that the memory fades but you are very sweet for your words."
The next few minutes pass in comfortable silence, Santana's eyelids weighing heavy before opening, a jolt of awareness rushing through her body before she relaxes again. "Malek and Nicholas have returned from patrol."
Pulled from the beginning fog of sleep by the flash of tension in Santana's body, Brittany yawns and cuddles closer, her voice sleepy as she curves her arm around Santana's ribs. "Santana, can I ask you a question?"
"Of course."
"I can understand how you can communicate with them when you are in wolf form but how can you know their thoughts and their location when you are just a woman?"
Snorting, Santana pokes Brittany's side, her voice playfully hurt as she waits for Brittany to stop squirming, enjoying the sound of her laughter. "Just a woman am I?"
"You know what I mean."
Running her hand across Brittany's arm, Santana rests her cheek against the top of Brittany's head, watching the candlelight flicker on the ceiling above them. "It's the Oath of Echoes. That bond that gets created between alpha and the pack extends to my normal form. That link is essential to survival so it remains regardless of whether I've shifted or not."
Another moment passes in silence before Santana senses a change in Brittany's magic, her cheek warm where it rests against Santana's shoulder. "Does it work the other way when you aren't in wolf form? Can they know your thoughts?"
"Only if I let them. Why?"
It takes a moment before Santana understands why Brittany asked that question and she grins, pulling Brittany closer even as Brittany tries to roll away from Santana's teasing laughter. Kissing Brittany's pout, Santana looks at her face, her tone becoming more serious as she holds Brittany's gaze. "What we share is just between us, Brittany. My pack will sense the change in our dynamic because that is essential to their survival as well but that's as far as it will go."
Seemingly satisfied with that answer, Brittany kisses Santana one more time before returning her head to Santana's shoulder, her legs brushing against Santana's as she gets more comfortable. Casting a spell to ensure the candle will burn through the remainder of the night, Santana closes her eyes, her hand coming to rest on the curve of Brittany's waist. "Sleep now, Brittany. I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be a big day."
