Lilith, feeling a pit in her stomach, looped back around to watch the Blight Manor from afar after dropping Amity off. Her eyes narrowed at the sight of Odalia appearing to grab Amity around the wrist and pull her into the home with force. The older witch took a deep breath, trying to suppress the protective rage that was boiling inside her chest. She couldn't be certain, but it was becoming increasingly clear that Amity was not returning home to a loving family each night.
Once the foyer light was off, Lilith forced herself to get moving and return home. On her flight home, she played back the evening in her mind. She was alarmed by her maternal instincts when it came to Amity. Earlier that day she had been proud of Amity's independence and resilience. By the evening's end, she was desperate to pull the girl in and support her. To be honest with herself, she was very uncertain of where the line should be drawn.
After landing in her garden, she returned to her house and was acutely aware of how cold it was when she was alone. She'd always cherished her alone time, so this was a strange sensation for the witch. Back in her room and undressing, she grimaced at the sight of her own body. Due to the events of her childhood and her training as the Emporer's Covenness, her pale skin was littered with scars and marks of all kinds. This was the primary reason that she carried a concealment stone and never parted with longer clothing.
The professor paused in front of her full-length mirror, resisting the crashing wave of traumatic memories that threatened to overcome her mind. A new thought occurred to her, something she'd never stepped out of her bubble long enough to consider, as she took in her appearance.
If I am training Amity to succeed me as Head Covenness…I am training her to one day survive this, Lilith's blood ran cold at the thought. The idea of priming the student, who was still so full of joy and goodwill, to work under the hands and punishment of the Emporer was devastating. She'd yet to ever consider who would succeed her and she certainly never cared for their well-being. In a world where one had to fight for their survival, she couldn't care for another. Another outside of Eda.
Lilith turned away from the mirror, slipping out of her undergarments and into her pajamas. For the first time in years, she began truly contemplating her choices and what she needed to do. Not what Emporer Belos needed her to do for him. While she knew she was locked in as the Head Covenness for life, she also recognized the power this gave her in her current situation. She couldn't bear the thought of turning Amity away and sending her off to work with another. She simply wouldn't be able to trust another Coven Head to have her best interest at heart. It occurred to her that she could manipulate the child into believing it wasn't for her, but based on that afternoon she knew how devastating such actions could be for Amity emotionally.
As she lay in her bed, her eyes fluttering shut, she decided that she had handled the day precisely as she should have and that nurturing Amity's gentleness, kindness, and values was the key to protecting her. If Amity's truest self could flourish, she would likely realize that this track wasn't for her on her own. She would be able to walk away, get away from Blight Industries, and live a safe life.
When Lilith woke the following day she was quick to get dressed. She showered, and put on undergarments, a black turtleneck sweater, jacket, pressed pants, and heeled ankle boots. It was beginning to grow colder out, and, given her scarring, she was grateful. Not wanting to spend the rest of the day in a dark place, Lilith did her best to mentally wash away the memories as she took off for work. She could conceal the wounds and move on.
At lunchtime, Lilith realized she'd yet to eat that day and decided to make the trek into the school cafeteria. She'd been very intentional about avoiding it so far, not wanting to engage with the other professors and staff. It was challenging working with the people she served as Head Covenness. It was also of the utmost importance that she maintain her image and civility. Nevertheless, she could sweep in and out quickly, and eat in her office.
Upon entering the cafeteria her eyes scanned the crowded room. They lingered, for just a moment, on her apprentice, who appeared to be eating with Luz.
Interesting, she thought to herself. She was not expecting Amity to befriend Eda's wild human child.
Not wanting to be caught staring, she went straight to the food, retrieved a salad, and returned to her office. She was grateful to not be interrupted along the way. In her office, she thought about what she saw before. Amity was eating with Luz. Her gut instinct was to be concerned. However, the realization that her sister and Luz were both living a more liberated life softened her. While she would be worried for Amity should she choose to leave the coven system, she couldn't help but ponder how exposure to Edalyn's lifestyle could broaden Amity's horizons.
This is good, she nodded to herself.
With just ten minutes left of the lunch break, Lilith stood to toss the box and stretch. She had one more lesson before she met with Amity, and Amity would be in class during said lesson. She was a little nervous about the previous evening and hoped Amity would fill her in on what happened after she dropped her off. On one hand, she didn't want to pry and decided to give the girl an appropriate amount of space. On the other hand, her mind simply would not stop replaying the memory of Odalia grabbing Amity's wrist.
Lilith perked up upon the realization that she could smell something unusual. She just barely had time to register the familiar smell of something burning when the fire alarm began screaming. Despite noticing the smell, she was still startled, her heart rate instantly elevating. The witch did not hesitate as she summoned Revali and stepped into the hallway. A throng of students and their teachers had already flooded the hallway. She looked around, hoping to spot the source of the fire.
"Evacuation is this way, Professor Clawthorne," she looked up and saw Bump gesturing towards the exit she usually used in the mornings.
"Sir, is there a fire?" She asked, wondering if a curtain had caught flame in the potions class again.
"It's in the kitchen! A gas line blew," Bump told her before turning to walk in another direction to check classrooms on the other side.
The kitchen. Her heart sank. Amity and Luz were in the cafeteria, which was adjacent to the kitchen. Not wasting a moment more, Lilith took off in the opposite direction of the crowd. Headmaster Bump called after her, shouting that evacuating was policy. She shook her head to herself, unwilling to simply leave the building without Amity and her sister's kid. Despite their years apart, Lilith was well-aware that Edalyn would have her head should she not ensure their safety.
Upon reaching the cafeteria, the smoke was very thick. The professor could no longer see everyone as she did earlier. It was crowded as students made their way towards the front doors together.
"Luz!" She called, ducking down a bit to avoid inhaling too much smoke. "Amity! Luz!"
She snaked through the tables, helping disoriented students as she searched for Amity and Luz. The sound of someone whimpering caught her attention and she found herself crouching, trying to get closer. As the whimpering grew louder, she recognized Luz's voice. Tucked under the large table were none other than the two girls she'd searched for.
"You two must get out of here," Lilith hissed, pushing chairs out of the way and sliding under with them.
"She's hurt!" Amity's hazel eyes were bloodshot from the smoke as she looked up at Lilith. Her hands were pressed over Luz's knee, where red blood was gushing rapidly from a large wound. "I tried to heal it…she can't walk. We were throwing our trays away when something blew up. Something metal knocked us over and cut her."
"I will heal it, but you need to evacuate now, Miss Blight," Lilith summoned Revali, who parked next to her, elevated and ready for her them to take it out should they need to. "Please."
"I won't," Amity's hands were still pressed over the wound.
She coughed erratically then and Lilith sighed. She took a deep breath and realized she would need to double up on her magic use, risking depleting herself too rapidly. Leaning into the fierce protectiveness she felt in her core, she created a protective bubble around the trio, knocking the table out of the way. She quickly pushed air through the magic contraption, clearing it of smoke. Lilith gently pried Amity's hands from the wound and inspected it.
It was free of debris and exposed through Luz's leggings. Lilith's mind raced as she tried to remember the differences between human and witch anatomy. She didn't want to waste any time but she feared the spell having an adverse reaction. Plus, the thought of causing the very scared girl any more pain caused her anxiety. Trained in staying calm in the most stressful situations, Lilith took in a massive deep breath, her lungs burning from the previous exposure to smoke, and summoned magic into the palm of her hand.
The magic was quick to close the wound. The two girls' eyes were wide open, shocked by Lilith's use of such big spells all at once. What they didn't know was that Lilith could feel her bile sac exhausting itself, straining to keep up. The wound wasn't fully healed, but the bruising was decreased and it was no longer gushing blood. Lilith sighed, shaking from the exhaustion, and stopped the healing spell. Her protections spell began to waver as well.
"Here's the plan," she spoke standing and holding a hand out for each girl. She could see the very large kitchen fire over their heads. She guided them to Revali and helped Luz onto the staff. She helped Amity position herself so that she was holding Luz up. "I will be placing my cloak over the two of you and you will take Revali out. Do not look back. I will be right behind you."
"Can't you ride with us?" Amity's eyes glistened.
"I need…I need to make sure no one else is here," Lilith shook her head. "I will come straight out after. You two have to go. You've breathed in too much smoke. When you're outside, find a healer first thing. Do you understand?"
"I don't want to go without you," Amity shook her head and Lilith reached out to squeeze her shoulder, the last of her magic rapidly draining.
Without another word, she patted the staff and sent it off without her. The professor coughed, the protection spell fell, and she began dragging herself back through the last few rows of tables. She couldn't see or hear anything through the thick, black smoke billows. It was overwhelming when she wasn't depleted. Having studied magic depletion, she knew she was racing the clock and had very little time before she would collapse.
The urge to stop and sit down became overpowering and she found herself melting to the floor. Her mind thought through the last few months. She thought about how she would miss her students, Miss Blight, Eda, and even Luz. She regretted not taking the opportunity to spend more time with Edalyn now that they were living and working so close together. She wanted nothing more than to push herself off of the stone floor and get out of the building, but she could no longer so much as lift her head.
—
When Lilith opened her eyes, she noticed instantly how exhausted she felt. Every muscle and joint in her body ached and her lungs still burned. She opened her eyes, becoming dizzy under the bright lighting of her bedroom. How in the hell did I end up here? She thought to herself. Her mind spun, trying to understand what happened and where she was. She couldn't remember. Flashes of fire, smoke, Amity, and Luz played in her mind and her breath caught.
"Amity? Amity!"
She was shouting and trying to sit up when someone gently pushed her back down. It was near impossible for her to sit up without resistance, much less when someone held her down.
"Lilith," a familiar, warm voice came from beside her and she was startled. "What happened to you?"
—
When Edalyn arrived at the school, the sight of smoke billows from her tower causing her stomach to sink, she flew around trying to find Luz in the crowds outside the building. Other parents had arrived to retrieve their kids as well, adding to the masses. When her eyes landed on a healing station where Luz was placed on a cot, she flew in instantly. She had been hurt.
"Luz!" She called as she swooped in, coming to a quick landing, and running to her kid. "Kid! What happened?"
She looked over the teenager, her eyes scanning every inch of skin for injury. While the rest of Luz seemed okay, besides the smoke coating her tan skin, her knee had a fresh scar and torn material. She had cut it and someone had healed it for her.
"It looked worse earlier," a voice came from her right. It was another witchlet with pale skin, hazel eyes, and green hair. "She was hit by a chair during the blow and we got trapped because she couldn't walk."
"How did you get out?" Edalyn asked, her eyes flickering between the two girls before her mind caught up with what she was seeing. Luz had a white cloak draped over her shoulders. Eda looked back at the girl who stood beside them, her chest tightening. The girl was holding a white staff in a life grip. Edalyn knew Revali like she knew Owlbert. Her father had helped both girls sculpt their palismen as children. She interrupted the girl before she could answer. "Where did you get that ?"
"Professor Clawthorne," tears welled up in the girl's eyes and threatened to spill over. "She found us. She came and found us. She healed Luz and sent us out with Revali…she said she would be right behind us but she never came out. I'm not allowed to go back in."
"Are they safe?" Eda turned to the healer then, who nodded promptly.
"Whoever healed this wound did a wonderful job. I am going to clean it and they'll be on their way," he explained and Eda nodded.
"Girls, you stay together, okay?" Eda placed a hand on each of their shoulders. "Do not part from each other and do not part from Revali. I will be back."
"No!" Luz blurted and the green-haired girl began crying.
"Professor Clawthorne said she would come back and she didn't," the girl wept.
"Well, that's why I have to go find her," Eda hopped onto Owlbert. "I will be back. I promise ."
"She was in the cafeteria!" Luz called out as Eda took off towards the entrance.
She planned to fly upward before looping around and swiping in before she could be stopped by a guard. She needed to find Lilith. The younger sister of the two witches shook her head as she thought about Lilith's stunt she pulled. She would be eternally grateful to Lilith for saving Luz…unless she could get even and save Lilith herself. Then they'd be even.
Guards and staff hollered at her as she flew in through the front doors. The building was full of smoke still and Eda rapidly encompassed herself in a protective spell before flying into the dining area. In that room, she could barely see through the smoke. It was nearly black, despite the bright lights above them. The witch swept high and low, winding her way through the tables. When she was just on the brink of giving up and flying out to search other parts of the building, she caught a flash of blue below her. She knew her sister's sleek, raven hair anywhere.
The witch swooped down and landed next to her sister's unconscious body. Her heart thumped violently in her chest as she rolled her sister onto her back and checked for a pulse. The witch was still breathing but her skin was coated in smoke and she was wheezing. Her skin was hot and she was completely limp.
"Dammit, Lily," Eda groaned, carefully reaching underneath the witch and dropping her protective spell in favor of an elevation spell. She lightened her sister's body weight before pulling her up and onto Owlbert with her. Once secure, Eda took off, flying as quickly as she possibly could out of the school. She was lightning fast as the two of them flew onto the front grass. "Help! We need a healer now !"
She laid Lilith down on the grass and began stripping her of her heavy, dark clothing. Her studies had taught her Lilith would need to get her body temperature down after being in the heat for so long. Especially if she had any burns. Headmaster Bump and multiple healers surrounded them. They were prompt in jumping down and getting to work on her.
"She's depleted," one of the healers gasped and Eda felt her heart jump in her chest again.
"What? How? How the hell would she be depleted?" It was not computing for Eda, who knew her sister was one of the most talented witches in the isles. Even if she'd used up too much magic at once, she should have sensed the depletion and known to stop.
Eda didn't have time to think through this information because when Lilith's sweater was removed, her entire world flipped upside down and inside out. Laying in the grass before her, her sister wore nothing but her undergarments, exposing her pale skin. The witch was covered in deep, red scars. Gashes, burns, scratches, and all kinds of various shapes littered the witch's alabaster skin. Eda's blood began to boil at the sight. While her mother was unkind to them as children, she knew from sharing a room that Lilith's body was not massacred when she was seventeen.
Eda stood to get her sister's cloak so that she could have some privacy. She turned around and physically ran into Luz and the girl with green hair. Luz, somehow understanding exactly what Eda needed, held up the cloak for her to take. It was the sight of the girl with green hair clutching the staff to her chest, her hazel eyes wide, and tears streaking her cheeks that alarmed Eda. Before she could come up with some form of reassurance or instruction, the girl brushed past her and ran towards Lilith.
"Hey, wait, Kid!"
"Professor Clawthorne!" The child wailed hysterically. "No! No! What…what happened?"
"Get this kid out of here!" One of the healers shouted and Eda jumped in to pull her back by the waist. She swiftly draped Lilith's cloak over her, allowing it to levitate, before properly restraining the girl.
"Look kid, you can't get in their way or they can't help her," Eda huffed, turning the girl around so that she couldn't see Lilith. "You have to stop. You have to stop."
"What happened to her?"
"Look, if I knew I would tell you," Eda sighed. "Her magic is depleted. She is with the healers who will do their best to take care of her and get her back up and moving."
"Her…h-her skin," the girl whispered then and Eda realized the girl's hysterics were from seeing the past injuries in addition to the consequences of the fire. Eda nodded knowingly. She too was feeling a bit traumatized by the sight of Lilith's injuries.
"I don't know what happened," Eda sighed. "We have to wait for her to wake up."
"She is going to be okay," one of the healers spoke and everyone visibly relaxed. "She needs rest and lots of it. She is depleted. No magic use for at least a week. If someone could take her home, away from the crowd, I believe that is what the Emporer would prefer."
"Right," Eda nodded feeling her stomach twist. She had no idea where Lilith even lived.
"I can get her home," the girl whispered from beside Eda. "I know where she lives. I can get in too."
"You do?" Eda asked and the girl nodded firmly.
"Okay, I need your help then!"
Eda wrapped Lilith's cloak around her body, gently maneuvering each limb as though the witch was made of china. She used the spell from earlier to levitate the witch and brought her to her staff. She frowned, unsure of where to set her.
"I can take her," the girl approached with Revali, who she positioned and climbed over to sit on. "If you can levitate her, I can steer and hold her."
"You most certainly cannot," Eda shook her head. "You and Luz will ride together so that you don't have to multitask. I will follow with Lily."
The girl looked uncertain but nodded.
"They're sisters," Luz whispered as she climbed onto the staff behind Amity, who gasped. "It's okay. Let Eda take her."
The set of witches took off quickly and it took everything Amity had in herself to remember the way. She felt relief flood her system as they approached the cottage. Her heart warmed as she realized that it looked like a cottage, and not an old shack, to her because Lilith welcomed her and meant it. Upon landing, she could hear Eda behind her.
"Uh, kid," Eda began but watched in awe as Amity took a deep breath and began a spell circle.
Amity wasn't sure she was going to be able to dispel the illusion for the others but she wanted to try. When the others gasped behind her, she knew it worked. She didn't waste time answering their questions as she unlocked the gate and ushered everyone in, locking it behind them. She could hear the other two commenting on everything behind her as she let them into the house but the words fell on deaf ears. All she could truly hear was a high-pitched ringing and her heart pounding in her chest.
Eda followed suit as the girl brought them to the back of the beautiful cottage. She was certain the weird green-haired kid was taking her to some kind of trap upon their arrival at the old, dilapidated shack. However, awe-filled her as the girl took down the illusion and revealed Lilith's cottage. Eda couldn't help but grin to herself as they entered the property. Part of her always feared everything Lilith was would be drained of her while working for the Emporer's Coven. It was clear, seeing her colorful home that her Lily was still in there somewhere.
She followed the kid, who was surprisingly familiar with the home, all the way to the bedroom in the back. Eda laid Lilith on the large bed before turning to place her hand on each of the kids' shoulders. She asked them to please take their staffs and excuse the two older witches so she could clean Lily up. The children, still in a state of shock, nodded and returned to the front of the house.
Eda returned to Lilith after the door closed, her heart breaking at the sight before her. She carefully removed her sister's cloak again before using the elevation spell to bring her sister into the shower space. She finished undressing Lily before carefully washing her down. The younger sister felt a bit uncomfortable but knew that Lily would prefer it was her and not some random healer in a hospital. She knew Lily would be furious about the few random people who saw her as it was.
"Oh Lily," Eda sighed.
After Lily was clean, in a black pajama set, and tucked into the bed, Edalyn bathed herself. She was as quick as possible, wanting to be there when Lilith woke up. Once she was properly clean and re-clothed, she pulled out two sets of pajamas and made her way to the front of the home. They'd walked past a guest bathroom on their way to the back and she'd noticed the shower.
"Here kids," she handed each of them a set of pajamas and a towel. "You should each take a shower and redress. That smoke can't be good for your skin and I imagine Lily wouldn't want it on her furniture."
The girls nodded, accepting her offering. The green-haired girl stood and went to the guest bathroom first. Once the door was locked and the water was running, Eda turned to Luz, who sat on the wooden floor with wide eyes. She knelt beside her kid, sighing. She wished she could have been there for her and not chased after Lilith, but she was grateful Lilith saved her kid. It could have been much worse.
"It's going to be okay, goob," Eda placed an arm around Luz's shoulder. "I promise. I think we may be staying here tonight, okay? These pajamas will probably be big on you two, but it's better than the smokey stuff you got on."
"I was so scared, Eda," Luz sniffled and Eda pulled her even closer, placing her free hand on the kid's head. "If Aunt Lilith hadn't come…I don't know what would have happened to me."
"I was nervous to find she worked there at first…but today I am very grateful," Eda nodded before pausing. She glanced up at the closed guest bathroom door before looking back at Luz. "Who's Minty Fresh over there?"
"Aunt Lilith's apprentice," Luz whispered and Eda's head tilted to the side. Lily was the last person she expected to bring on an apprentice. "Her name is Amity."
"Oh…that makes sense," Eda nodded. "I need to get back to Lily. Come knock on the door if you guys need anything. It seems Minty Fresh knows her way around though."
Eda walked back to the bedroom, feeling a tad smug that Lily's apprentice had befriended her apprentice. She was fairly certain the concept would enrage Lily if she knew. Lily wouldn't want the wild witch's human apprentice contaminating her Little Miss Perfect. If Amity was being mentored by Lily, then that meant Amity must be a pretty powerful and charming witch herself.
Upon entering the bedroom, she noticed Lily had begun tossing and turning. The older witch was muttering incoherently. Eda pulled a stool up to the side of the bed and sat down. Lily suddenly tried to sit up, shouting Amity's name. Eda was surprised to hear her name first but also wasn't that surprised. I suppose if she's let her beyond her protection charm, it's probably pretty serious, Eda thought.
"Lilith," Eda sighed. "What happened to you?"
—
Lilith eyed her sister from the bed before groaning.
"Where. Is. Amity?"
"Hey, calm down!" Eda laughed nervously. "Kid's in the other room taking a shower. She got looked at by a healer. She and Luz are safe and well…at least physically. She's pretty scared, though."
"I went to look for them," Lilith finally answered Eda's question, not understanding that Eda was more concerned about the scars. "I had a gut feeling. I'd seen them in the cafeteria earlier and knew they were close to the fire."
"Listen, Lily," Eda sighed and climbed over to the other side of Lilith's bed. "I probably owe you my life for getting my kid out of that mess. I can't overstate my gratitude. Honest."
Lilith watched inquisitively as Eda tucked herself under the blanket beside her.
"I am grateful," Eda stated again. "But that's not what I'm asking about right now."
"Huh?" Lilith asked.
"You are depleted, Lily. Depleted," Eda reached out and yanked Lilith's arm up from where it rested under the blanket, exposing her tattered arm. "And what the actual hell happened to you?"
Lilith yanked her arm back, covering it with the blanket. She desperately wanted to climb out of the bed and cover herself up further, but her sister was right. She was completely depleted. She sighed heavily, her stomach churning as she processed how exposed she was at that moment. She'd been all on her own for so long. She never imagined Edalyn finding out what happened to her when she worked for the Emporer.
"I healed Luz's injury while protecting them from the smoke and debris," Lilith whispered, her voice still sore from the smoke inhalation. "I had to summon Revali and it was all too much. It took too much at once. As for my body…that's not from today."
"I know that," Eda rolled her eyes. "Who did this to you?"
Lilith didn't respond, knowing speaking of it would put them both in further danger.
"I fucking knew it," Edalyn hissed. Lily didn't need to say it. She knew it was Belos. "He's been doing this to you? Lily, some of these scars are so…so…"
"Edalyn," Lilith sighed. "I had to do what I had to do. Working under him is my job ."
"And what, now you're recruiting that little girl to succeed you? So you can be depleted and she can take your place?" Eda snapped, unable to hold back.
Lilith pushed herself up then, suddenly having the whereabouts to reach out and smack her sister in the arm. She was furious at the accusation but she did not have the strength to properly chuck Edalyn across the room as she desired.
"That is not… funny! I do not want this for her. I do not want this for anyone else ever. I will not leave because as long as I am working this job, everyone else is protected from him," she coughed and Eda helped her lay back down. "I do not wish this upon my worst enemy."
"The fact that he did this to you…I will kill him," Edalyn muttered. "I will. You won't have to stay for life. I will kill him and you will be free."
"You can't, Edalyn. He is too powerful," Lilith sighed and Eda looked up at her, her eyes pained at the idea of what her sister would continue to suffer if she didn't leave.
"He's too powerful," Eda snorted. "You didn't say that he doesn't deserve it though."
Lilith shrugged, surprising Eda.
Three raps on the door pulled them out of their conversation and Lilith immediately perked up. Eda watched curiously as she permitted the outsider to come in, seeming to already know it would be Amity.
"Professor Clawthorne?" Amity's voice was very small as she stepped into the room wearing one of Lilith's long-sleeved black t-shirts and a pair of overly loose pajama pants. The pants were shorter on Lilith and still needed to be rolled up by Amity to not drag on the floor. Lilith was a bit perplexed by the sight but was much more concerned with the well-being of her student.
"Miss Blight. Amity," Lilith held her arms around and Amity jogged over to hug her. She was not expecting her professor to be so glad to see her but she was entirely grateful for the embrace. "Please…call me Lilith when we are here."
"Lilith," Amity spoke slowly as if she were practicing. Her voice was thick. "I was so scared."
"I was too," Lilith swallowed the lump in her throat. "I am very relieved that you and Luz are safe."
Lilith followed Amity's gaze to her exposed arm and felt her cheeks grow hot. Amity reached up with her hand and gently pressed her fingers to one of the thicker scars on her professor's forearm. Her breathing hitched, the anxiety overwhelming her. She didn't know what Amity was thinking as she eyed the scars but she couldn't convince herself to pull away. A part of her, deep down, wanted Amity to know the truth.
"Edalyn," Lilith glanced over at her sister, gently lifting herself so that she was leaning against the headboard. "Will you excuse us for a moment?"
"Sure thing," Eda squeezed her sister's shoulder and planted a kiss on her head. "I'm gonna check on my kid."
"Thank you," Lilith smiled as her sister left.
She then patted the open spot in the bed for Amity to join her. The girl hesitated for a moment before carefully climbing over Lilith and sitting cross-legged beside her. The professor watched the girl get comfortable, something fluttering in her chest as she processed the fact that Amity was in her home, in her clothes, and safe. Despite the horror of what had occurred that day, she, at the very least, knew they were all safe.
"We need to talk," Lilith whispered and Amity's face began to pale. "Amity, may I call you Amity?"
The girl nodded silently.
"Working under Emperor Belos' hand is not…gentle."
"Emperor Belos did this to you?"
"Amity, it has been truly a joy working with you as your mentor," Lilith spoke softly, the warmth evening out how frightening her words were. Amity's heart sunk into her stomach at the realization that Lilith was trying to end the apprenticeship. "I have felt so proud watching you grow and thrive in this role."
"Please…don't," Amity whispered, her voice cracking. "I have been learning so much because of who my mentor is. Please."
"I cannot ethically guide you to Head Covenness, Amity," a tear broke loose from the professor's eyes and slid down her cheek. She held out her arms. "This is what would await you. I cannot bear the thought-"
Her voice cracked then and she knew she couldn't keep talking.
"What if…what if you didn't? Does that mean the apprenticeship must end?" Amity resisted the urge to wipe her professor's tears and instead swiped at her own. "You could just…guide me to graduation instead. I don't have to join the Emperor's Coven. I could join my dad's coven or another."
"I worry that will put a target on your back," Lilith sniffled. "He will want you. You are an incredible, powerful witch. He will notice you through me."
"Do…do you want us to stop working together?"
"Certainly not," Lilith chuckled darkly. "Not in the slightest."
"I don't understand," Amity continued to sniffle, her eyes cast downward.
Lilith gently reached up to lift her chin with her fingers. Amity's eyes sparkled from the tears. Her lip trembled. It broke Lilith's heart to see her cry. She didn't want to say goodbye either. The thought of letting Amity go and not working with her anymore was heart-wrenching. Yet, the thought of putting the child in harm's way was also devastating.
"I want you to be safe," Lilith reiterated, for both Amity and herself.
"I won't be safe…without you," Amity spoke and squeaked, her stomach dropping as she realized what she said.
Lilith absorbed Amity's words and her mind spun in circles. She logically knew that Amity was unsafe at home…to some degree. She wasn't aware that the circumstances were dire enough for Amity to be aware. She placed her hands over her face and took a deep breath, thinking through the situation. It was entirely true that she was focusing on having Amity's safety at heart. If that was the case, abandoning her with the Blights or another Coven Head would indeed put her at increased risk of other threats.
She looked at Amity, who was fidgeting with her hands in her lap, and whose tears were dripping onto her hands. The moment was strange for Lilith, who had never been one to comfort others outside of her little sister as a child. It had always been Lilith and only Lilith. She'd never had an apprentice or anyone else to look out for. As frightened as she was with the reality that sat in front of them, she realized that she couldn't keep her distance this time. It wasn't going to solve the problem.
"H-here," Lilith stuttered, trying to ignore the sharp pain that came from her bile sac as she adjusted her position.
She opened her arms, carefully suggesting Amity join her in a hug. A small smile broke out on the girl's lips and she scooted over to lean into it. Lilith let a relieved sigh leave her lungs. Her nervous system was able to relax when it knew Amity was with her and safe. The professor was nervous to lower her walls for the student, but she had been rapidly growing more and more protective and maternal towards the girl over the weeks.
Amity leaned into her professor's arms, her head resting on her sternum. She could hear Lilith's heartbeat, a sound so comforting she felt as though she could fall asleep. Lilith stroked the girl's hair with one of her hands while they held each other.
"We can continue the apprenticeship…should you make me one promise," Lilith whispered.
"Anything. Anything at all," Amity responded enthusiastically.
"You must promise me you will never, ever join the Emperor's Coven," Lilith whispered. "And I need you to promise that this conversation never leaves this room. This stays between you and me. Should anything change, as I've said many times, you are always free to leave. I will simply need to talk to you to make sure that you are safe to leave. Do you understand?"
"Yes," Amity nodded, pulling her professor in tighter. "Thank you, Lilith."
As if on cue, Amity's stomach gurgled then. Lilith peeked over at her clock and realized it was far after dinner time. She grimaced, feeling immense guilt for not feeding the girl. She was hungry. Careful with each movement, Lilith pulled back from the girl and turned to begin getting out of the bed. Amity gasped and climbed over her. When the teenager's feet hit the wooden floor, she jumped in front of Lilith and held up her hands.
"You cannot get up! You are to rest, Profe-Lilith!"
"You need to eat," Lilith winced as she tried to pull herself up, her sore muscles opposed to the movement.
"Don't I know it," Edalyn appeared in the doorway then, a plate resting in each hand. "You both do, for that matter! You should get to it too! Headmaster Bump is on his way here. He needs to speak with you, Lily."
"Oh," Lilith gratefully accepted the plates from her sister. Amity climbed back into the bed with her and took her serving. Eda had cooked up a pasta dish with a meat sauce for them to eat. It smelled incredibly enticing. After watching Amity begin to eat, Lilith turned back to Eda. "What does he need?"
"I guess he just got done talking to Baby Blight's parents," Eda gestured to the girl next to Lilith, who looked up with wide eyes but continued inhaling the pasta. "He wants to check in on her to report back to them. I believe he also wants to check in on you as he hasn't seen you since I pulled you outta the mess at the school."
"I see," Lilith nodded. "That is fair. Thank you, Edalyn. For the update and the food."
"It's good!" Amity grinned during a break between bites and Eda felt her heart grow several sizes.
Something about being in her sister's home, seeing her and her mentor, who could easily be her kid, share a meal in their pajamas, warmed her heart. After spending the better part of the afternoon worrying her sister had nothing more than a violent, abusive boss and solitude, she could see more clearly that Lilith had begun building a life with her new job. She was softer and more authentic.
"I'll be out here eating with Luz," Eda pointed her thumb over her shoulder. "If either of you needs anything, I will be up until after Bumpy heads out. Got it?"
"Thank you, sister."
"You know it, sister."
—
"I think it may be best if you join Luz in my study while Headmaster Bump stops by," Lilith whispered, sweeping a strand of Amity's hair out of her sleepy face. "You two girls can sleep in my guest room tonight. Edalyn can share with me. If you do not fall asleep while Headmaster Bump is here, you are welcome to step back in and say goodnight, okay?"
"Okay," Amity nodded, eager to spend the night away from her house. She had already been dreaming of moving in with Lilith after coming over the afternoon before. Especially after her mother was done punishing her. "You'll be in here?"
"Yes," Lilith smiled gently. The two hugged one more time before Amity left to find Luz.
Not long later, Lilith's ears twitched when the energy shifted at her front gate. It was likely Headmaster Bump. Edalyn stepped in to check with Lilith, who gave her permission to lower the charm for him. If she hadn't known the Headmaster since her youth, she likely would have declined a visit from him. However, over the years she'd developed a quiet trust in the witch.
Their footsteps were light as Eda brought the Headmaster back to Lilith's room. Upon arriving, he bowed his head at Eda before stepping into the room and taking a seat on the footrest by the bed that Eda had sat on earlier.
"Good evening, Professor Clawthorne," he spoke courteously and she offered him a careful, tired smile. "I must be honest. It is a relief to see you are awake."
"I could say the same," she smirked and he sighed, relieved to see she was truly awake and not just upright.
"I wanted to stop by to discuss making arrangements for the next week," he was straightforward, something Lilith deeply appreciated. She was unsurprised to be forced into a leave given the circumstances. "You will take the time to rest. I simply need to know your preferences in terms of who will fill you in. I have a few offers, but I wanted you to make the call."
"I appreciate this," Lilith nodded. "You don't think…could…Raine Whispers possibly fill in for me?"
"Ah, I had hoped you would accept Professor Whispers' offer. They have already requested to fill in for you during your class times. They also offered to take Miss Blight under their wing for the time being," Headmaster Bump elaborated and Lilith felt her anxiety prickle at the thought of someone else working with Amity. "That said, I wanted to ask about Miss Blight. She does not have to stay here tonight. I am more than happy to fly her home at your request."
"No," Lilith was suddenly firm, wincing at the pain projecting her voice further caused. "Miss Blight is welcome to stay. She-it was a rough day for her. Luz Noceda is staying over. I do not mind."
"It is admirable of you to welcome them into your home tonight," Headmaster Bump nodded solemnly. "Would you like Professor Whispers to take her into their care for the remainder of the week, or even the month, while at school?"
"I have the highest amount of respect for Professor Whispers," Lilith spoke slowly, careful to choose the correct words. "However, Miss Blight and I are working through a track that we crafted for me to guide her through. I took her in as my mentor. I will be the one who continues to teach her. She is very advanced, I do not need my magic at full capacity to work with her this week."
Headmaster Bump watched the way Lilith's expression changed when they began talking about Miss Blight. It was as if the professor was excited to continue working with the girl. Her reaction to Professor Whispers taking over tipped him off to the fact that Lilith had, as he suspected she would, grown fond of the youngest Blight child. Having been the one to coordinate the match, this tickled the older witch.
"I see," he nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "I understand. No worries. I will make arrangements for Miss Blight to visit your home after her class with Professor Whispers this week. You two will continue the apprenticeship together."
"Thank you," Lilith felt her muscles relax.
"I was very worried today, you know," he pivoted, wanting to be honest with the young professor. "I have always been fond of you, Miss Clawthorne. You were an impeccable student who went on to do brilliant work in the Emporer's Coven."
Lilith didn't miss the way his eyes flickered to her arms before he continued.
"I know you are trained to work in high conflict and dangerous situations, but I highly suggest you do not run into a fire ever again," the headmaster continued. "I am also…forever indebted to you for saving the lives of several of my students today. They were all blessed by the Titan to have you in the building today."
"I had a wonderful professor of my own once set an example,"
"You get some rest, Miss Clawthorne," he reached out to squeeze her hand. "Hexside will be thrilled to have you back when you are fully recovered and ready."
"Thank you, Headmaster," she nodded. "Safe travels on your way home."
After Headmaster Bump left the room and the cottage, small footsteps brought Amity back to the bedroom. She looked intensely sleeper than she had before, bags beginning to form under her eyes. Lilith welcomed the girl back and held out her arms to welcome another hug. Amity walked across the room and accepted the gesture joyfully. They silently hugged for at least a minute, both of them soaking up the comfort it brought to them.
"You have sweet dreams tonight," Lilith whispered, not yet pulling away. "If you need anything, anything at all, please do come to find me or my sister. I do not care what it is or what time. We will be right here."
"Thank you," Amity nodded. "I hope your sleep is restful."
"Good night," Lilith squeezed the girl one more time and then watched as she walked away, into the next room.
Eda returned to the bedroom shortly after, leaving the lights off behind her. She left the door cracked as she came into the room and crawled into the bed beside Lilith. She was acutely aware of how much comfier Lilith's bed was than her nest. After getting comfortable under the blankets, she leaned over to hug her sister, who was too quiet. The two witches shared a room for years. Eda knew when Lilith was lost in her head by this point. Being together and being close, as harsh as the circumstances were, felt like home for both of them.
Neither of them let go as they drifted off to sleep.
