"Follow my voice," Cordelia begged the still body of Misty Day. "Please Misty, come back to me."
"Her time is almost up," Myrtle stated emotionlessly. "If she doesn't return before time runs out, she will die." Her heart broke for Cordelia but she had a job to do. It was her job to help find the new Supreme. As much as she loved Cordelia, and wanted Cordelia to find her happiness, finding the new Supreme was more important.
"No," Cordelia said shaking her head. She refused to believe it. "No!" She screamed and every window in the house shattered. Zoe and Queenie watched their mentor with sad eyes. Even Madison, the self-proclaimed heartless bitch, looked effected by Cordelia's pain. Kyle hugged Zoe close to him. He too understood Cordelia's pain. He had lost Zoe briefly during the transmutation test. It was Cordelia that brought her back to him.
Cordelia refused to lose Misty. She closed her eyes, though it was unnecessary because she couldn't see. She mutilated herself for Misty and now she would risk her soul for her. She started the chant. "Spiritu duce, in me est," she muttered too low for the others to hear. She couldn't risk them trying to stop her. "Deduce me in tenebris vita ad extremum." She raised her hand and summoned a knife from the kitchen. She sliced her palm open, not even wincing at the feel of the blade, before slicing open Misty's palm. She linked their hands together, forging the bond that would guide her to Misty in the nether world. "Ut salutaret inferi."
"Cordelia no," Myrtle shouted realizing what Cordelia intended to do.
But it was too late. Cordelia looked toward Myrtle's voice, silently begging for forgiveness, before saying the last word. "Descensum!"
As the spell took effect she slumped down on top of Misty. Their bloody hands still linked.
"What the hell just happened?" Madison exclaimed.
Myrtle stared at the body of her surrogate daughter. Completing descensum was one thing, but to thrust herself into someone else's hell… It was unheard of because if that person didn't conquer their hell then both would be lost forever. But Myrtle knew Cordelia. She knew Cordelia would rather be trapped in hell with Misty then lose her forever.
The three girls, and Kyle, watched Myrtle, waiting for answers. "Cordelia has decided to send herself into Misty's hell," Myrtle answered.
"She can do that?" Queenie asked in disbelief.
"It takes a strong will and a lot of power," Myrtle replied. She always knew Cordelia was powerful, even if Cordelia didn't believe it herself. But she didn't realize Cordelia was strong enough for this. Though when it came to love there wasn't much she couldn't do.
"Why would Cordelia do that?" Queenie muttered. There was no one she would risk hell for.
"Isn't it obvious?" Madison questioned. The others stared at her. "Cordy's got a thing for the swamp witch."
"Look at her eyes," Zoe said speaking for the first time. The others looked at Cordelia.
The scars around Cordelia's eyes from the acid were gone, as if they had never been there in the first place. "What the hell," Queenie and Madison exclaimed.
For the first time since the start of the Seven Wonders Myrtle felt hope. The healing of the scars meant one thing. Cordelia had completed the other Seven Wonders alongside the girls. Not because she wanted, or considered, being Supreme but to show support. "Behold, your new Supreme."
Heels clanked on the tile as Cordelia walked through the empty halls. She could feel the death and decay. So many lost souls gathered just to torment Misty. It angered her more than she could say. She could feel the white light surrounding Misty's soul. Even in hell it was there, just dimmed.
Cordelia made her way through the halls. She approached a door and could hear crying.
"If you won't dissect a dead frog, then you will dissect a live one," a voice said. She heard a scream followed by more crying.
"Mr. Kringley, she did it again," another voice said and Cordelia understood. Misty was resurrecting a frog and then forced to kill it. Over and over again. For someone so connected with nature, it was pure hell.
The door flew open and before the man, Mr. Kringley she presumed, could make Misty kill the frog he was thrown into a wall.
"Misty," Cordelia said walking over to distraught girl. How many times had she been forced to kill the frog before Cordelia had gotten to her? Cordelia didn't know but she vowed it would never happen again.
"Please, don't make me do it," Misty begged.
"Misty, it's me. It's Cordelia," Cordelia said gently. She grabbed Misty's hands. The newly resurrected frog hopped away.
"No, you're not real," Misty said shaking her head.
"Misty, love, it's really me," Cordelia said. She pulled Misty's hands to her face. "Feel me, right here with you."
Cordelia knew the risks of coming down here. If she couldn't snap Misty out of it then they would both be lost for eternity. But she didn't care. She would rather be in hell with Misty then alive without her. "It's not real. You're not real," Misty kept muttering.
"Misty, look at me," Cordelia commanded. Misty met her eyes. It was the first time Misty had seen Cordelia's real eyes. "The first time we met, I held my hands out to you. You took them and I saw all you had suffered. All of your pain. I told you, whatever trouble you had, they're ours now. I told you, you are under the protection of this coven." Cordelia watched Misty's face. Her words were starting to get to her but it wasn't enough. She needed something else. "The first time we made love. I cried and you just held me. Hank and Fiona had destroyed my self-esteem. I didn't think I was worthy of love but you showed me how wrong I was. I've never loved anyone as much as I love you."
"Cordelia," Misty whispered. Cordelia sighed in relief. It had worked. Misty threw her arms around Cordelia. "It's really you."
"It's really me," Cordelia whispered. Cordelia pulled away so she could kiss Misty. She could taste the salt from her tears on her lips. "It's really me," she said again when they pulled apart.
"How did you get here?" Misty asked. She looked around the room. All the souls were gone now. Misty had conquered her hell with Cordelia's help. The souls no longer had power over her. They would be recycled and used to torment some other soul.
"I did the descensum," Cordelia said. "I cut our hands to link us together, so I would come to your hell."
"Why would you do that? Why would you risk your life, your soul?" Misty asked.
"Because I love you," Cordelia muttered. "An eternity of torment with you is better than any life without you." She took Misty's hand. "Come on. Let's go home."
They walked through the empty hallway to the front of the school. They pushed open the front door and stepped into the white light.
Misty and Cordelia gasped as their souls were returned to their bodies. They sat up, bloody hands still linked together. Cordelia waved her hand. Their hands were healed and the blood was cleared away.
"Cordelia, your eyes," Misty said.
Cordelia touched her face. The scars from the acid were gone. It just dawned on her that she could see. She looked around and found her girls, Kyle and Myrtle staring at her. Her healed eyes meant one thing. She had passed the Seven Wonders, having completed the other six along with the others, and was now the Supreme. It was something she never expected to happen, something she never cared about.
"Girls, go get dressed. We will be leaving shortly," Myrtle instructed. "Kyle, you too."
Zoe and Kyle left but Queenie and Madison were more reluctant. They wanted to know what was going on. "Go on," Cordelia encouraged. "We will talk later." The two left. Misty moved toward the door. She was going to do what Myrtle said and get ready to leave. Cordelia grabbed her hand. "Stay with me."
Misty moved closer to Cordelia and wrapped her arms around Cordelia's side. She would never leave Cordelia's side. Myrtle looked between the two. She wanted to have this conversation alone but she could see Cordelia wouldn't allow Misty to leave. "Cordelia what you did was incredibly stupid," Myrtle scolded.
"I know," Cordelia said softly. "I couldn't leave her to die."
Myrtle's face softened. She cupped Cordelia's face. "I know darling. I saw that look on your face and the look you had whenever Misty is near you. You've never looked that way before. Not with Hank or any of those girls when you were a student here." Cordelia blushed at the mention of her dalliances when she was a child. Misty kissed her cheek. "Still, you could have died."
"I didn't care Myrtle," Cordelia said. "I would die a hundred deaths if it meant I could be with Misty."
"I know," Myrtle said with a sigh. "And that is what scares me. You didn't hesitate. You did the spell quietly, knowing I would stop you. You risked eternal damnation in someone else's personal hell. All for a girl."
The air grew cold. "Misty is not just some girl Myrtle," Cordelia said coldly. "She has never been some girl. I would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant bringing Misty back to me."
"I know," Myrtle said again. "The bond between you two. I'd heard about it but never seen it in action. Two souls, bound as one."
"Soulmates," Cordelia finished.
"Yes soulmates," Myrtle confirmed. "She should have been lost." Misty tightened her grip on Cordelia. "There is no other explanation for how you put yourself in her hell and was able to pull her out." She lit a cigarette. "I'll be taking the others out to give you two some privacy. Spend some time together, for tomorrow the real work begins."
Cordelia hugged Myrtle. She took Misty's hand and led her upstairs to her…now their room. Cordelia locked the door behind them. Not wanting one of the others to disturb them. "How are you feeling?" Cordelia asked Misty.
"I… I don't know," Misty admitted. "It feels surreal. I know I was only gone for a few hours but it felt so much longer. So much has changed in that short amount of time. You're Supreme now."
Cordelia shook her head. "That doesn't change anything," she said even though she knew it wasn't true. "Tonight, you are Misty and I am Cordelia. Nothing else matters." She touched her cheek, her thumb wiping away the tears that fell.
Misty nodded. "Okay," she agreed. She looked to the bathroom door. "How about I draw us a bath?" she suggested.
"Okay," Cordelia said. She pulled away from Misty and moved toward the bedroom door.
"Where are you going?" Misty protested.
Cordelia moved back to Misty's side and kissed her. "I'm going downstairs to get some wine… and bagels." Misty's face lit up at the thought of her favorite food. "Why don't you get the bath ready while I'm gone?"
Misty kissed Cordelia, her lips trailed down her neck and Cordelia let out a soft moan. "Hurry back," Misty whispered.
The house was empty when Cordelia walked to the kitchen. Myrtle must have rushed them out. That was good. As much as Cordelia loved her girls she wanted a night with just Misty. She didn't want to worry about her girls for one night. She knew Myrtle would take care of them.
She pulled a bottle of wine from the fridge. It was magically protected to keep others, namely Madison, from drinking it. She grabbed two glasses, some chocolate covered strawberries from the fridge, bagels and Misty's weird flavored cream cheese and a knife. With everything in hand, she transmutated back to her room, not wanting to be away from Misty a second longer than necessary.
She looked around her room. Misty's clothes were piled on the floor. She could hear Stevie, the boom box, playing Rhiannon in the background. Misty was singing along to the song. After Kyle regained his senses, he along with Zoe, repaired the broken Stevie. Kyle had then presented it to Misty with an apology for breaking it in the first place. The look on Misty's face when she got Stevie back. That was the moment Cordelia knew she loved her and would love her forever.
Cordelia pushed the door open. She found Misty, already in the large bathtub. Her body was completely covered in the water and bubbles. Her eyes were closed as she sang along to Stevie Nicks. She looked peaceful. "Are you going to stand there staring or are you going to join me?" Misty asked, opening her eyes.
"How did you know I was here?" Cordelia asked curious. She set the things on the floor next to the tub and kicked off her heels.
"I always know where you are," Misty said matter-of-factly. "I can feel you, no matter how far away you are."
Misty watched her as she slowly removed her clothes. Seeing her now was like seeing her for the first time. Every scar from her life was gone thanks to the powers of the Supreme. Cordelia's eyes met Misty's darkened ones. Misty leaned forward and offered her hand to Cordelia. The Supreme took the offered hand and climbed into the tub, in front of Misty. She settled down in the water, her back pressed against Misty's front. She closed her eyes and sighed. She could stay like this forever.
Misty leaned them forward so she could grab the wine. Cordelia opened her eyes and twisted so she could help Misty. Misty poured two glasses and set the bottle back down. She sipped the wine before setting in on the ground. She grabbed the bag of bagels. They were presliced which made it easier to open and smear cream cheese on. She handed half to Cordelia and took a bite of her own piece.
"I know you're waiting to say something," Misty said. Cordelia turned around in the water so they were face to face.
Cordelia took Misty's free hand in her own. "Your hell," she started. "Was it a memory?"
Misty kissed the back of her hand. "Yes," Misty confirmed. "In high school, we were doing dissections. I…I couldn't do it. I brought the frog back. But one of the boys saw me. My teacher was convinced I was playing a prank. He never liked me. I wasn't smart and I hated biology. He held down the frog and grabbed my hand. He forced me to dissect the frog, while it was still alive. I cried and screamed and ran away. I dropped out after that and found my swamp."
Cordelia wiped away the tears. She kissed Misty. "You will never have to feel that sort of pain ever again," Cordelia swore. "I won't let the girls harm any living creatures."
Misty surged forward and kissed her. Some water splashed out of the tub but they ignored it. "I love you Cordelia," Misty muttered against her lips.
"I love you too," Cordelia said wrapping her arms around Misty, pulling Misty against her body.
It was Cordelia's turn to start crying. Misty pulled away. "What's wrong?" Misty asked concerned.
"I keep picturing your body, motionless on the ground," Cordelia said. "I thought I was going to lose you. I almost lost you."
"You will never lose me," Misty promised. She grabbed Cordelia's hand and put her over her heart. "Feel this. My heart is beating. It will always beat for you."
Cordelia stroked the bare skin. Misty closed her eyes and enjoyed the feel of Cordelia's hands on her. "My whole life I thought I didn't deserve this. Fiona abandoned me here. I jumped from girl to girl looking for love. And then I met Hank. I thought I finally found my happy ending. That he actually loved me and wanted to be with me." She shook her head. "How stupid I was."
"You're not stupid," Misty said softly. She scooted forward and wrapped her legs around Cordelia's waist, pulling their bodies against each other. "Hank and those other girls, they didn't deserve you. And I hope Hank is suffering in his own hell for what he did to you. I already know Fiona is suffering."
Cordelia laughed. She laid her head on Misty's shoulder. "I will forever be grateful to Zoe for bringing you to me."
"You should give her a raise," Misty joked.
"Maybe I should," Cordelia mused. Her hands went to Misty's thighs. She kneaded the soft flesh.
"I never did thank you for freeing me," Misty said.
Cordelia's hands slid up further. "You don't have to thank me. Like I told Myrtle, I would die a hundred deaths just to be with you."