4
They devised the plan for Amity to ride Revali to Lilith's house at 13:45 each day. Lilith would send the staff to Hexside shortly before to ensure it arrived on time. Amity was floored that Lilith was entrusting her precious staff and palisman with her, and was thrilled by the prospect of flying on her own. Lilith didn't have the energy to be thoroughly nervous about the plan and took a leap of faith into trust. She knew Amity would be extremely careful and that Revali knew how important the girl was to her.
It was Friday, the final work day of Lilith's week off, and the witch was beginning to feel more recharged. Dressed in a long-sleeved charcoal cotton dress and black tights, the witch stood in front of her mirror, carefully pulling her blue hair back into a single french braid. Her peaceful reflection stared back at her, reminding her of what things could have been if she had never joined the coven. She dreamt of a life where she could wear what she wanted, style her hair as she pleased, and be at home . So much would be different. She stood back, taking in the full look, before turning to make her way to the front of the house. Amity would be by any minute.
Right on time, Lilith sensed Revali's approach. She walked to the garden door, sliding it open and stepping out onto the patio. Amity was walking up the cobblestone path to her, the staff safely in her hand, and her bag slung over her shoulder. Her eyes were cast downward, watching her feet as she stepped carefully from stone to stone. Lilith watched her as she glanced up, noting the slight bags under her eyes and how pale her skin looked. Amity was naturally fair-skinned, but often had a splash of pink in her cheeks. Her tired appearance was worrying for the professor.
"Good afternoon," Lilith waved and offered the girl a gentle smile.
Amity's face perked up upon realizing Lilith was outside waiting for her. She picked up her pace, nearly jogging down the path now. She was no longer concerned about stepping on each stone exactly right. When she reached Lilith, she offered a small head bow before holding the staff. She was relieved to see Lilith back on her feet and able to dress on her own. Lilith looked graceful even in her pajamas in bed. Now, wearing a soft dress, her stocking-clad feet bare, her eyes illuminated by round glasses, and her hair pulled back into a soft braid she looked marvelous. Amity felt a pang of jealousy as she was acutely aware of her messy hair and demeanor.
"How was your day?" Lilith asked, placing her hand on Amity's shoulder and guiding her into the house. It was now middle fall and growing increasingly colder. The professor didn't want her student to catch a cold.
"It was okay. Professor Raine let us watch a film," Amity wiggled her eyebrows, receiving a chuckle from her mentor. "The rest of the day was fine enough."
"I see," Lilith smiled, placing the staff near the door and walking Amity to the kitchen.
Amity sat down on a stool at the island, watching patiently as her professor searched the fridge for a snack. She'd grown used to Lilith insisting she eats a snack before they moved into her studies. Lilith was adamant that the time between lunch and dinner was not suitable for a growing child to go without food, and that Amity needed to eat more. She pulled a piece of fruit and nut butter from the fridge and began plating it for the child. Amity had to resist the urge to get up and help the professor, aware that she was still moving a bit slow compared to her normal pace. Lilith had been very clear that she wanted to take care of certain things on her own as she was beginning to feel better. It had been hard for her to lose so much independence the week before.
She placed the plate in front of Amity and leaned over so her arms rested against the wooden island countertop. Amity dutifully began eating, pleased with the selection. Lilith watched her, pleased that Amity smiled when she saw what Lilith chose. She took mental note of the winning snack before lifting her chin to rest it in her palm. The pair had worked extra hard all week as Amity advanced in her abomination work. Lilith was thrilled to see the girl's powers snowball into something so great. Still, she feared she was pushing the girl too hard and that Amity was becoming too tired. The girl had no allotted time for true rest.
"How do you feel about us taking a short hiatus from our abomination work?" Lilith finally broke the relaxed silence. Amity raised an eyebrow, her mouth full. "I wouldn't mind too much if we did something else for the evening. You've made tremendous progress. You're tired. You need to recharge."
"I have the whole weekend to recharge," Amity scoffed, earning an incredulous look from Lilith, who stood and crossed her arms. Her professor knew Amity helped at Blight Industries on the weekends. She certainly wouldn't be recharging. Amity, knowing Lilith saw right through her, sighed. "I…what do you want to do?"
"I was thinking we could…light a fire," Lilith smiled, thinking through what she would deem a restful Friday evening. "Yes. I can bring out the fire pit and we can set up on the patio with our books or some music. We can order food or roast something over the fire. The sun will set in just over an hour, so it won't have to be too late."
"What about my parents?" Amity asked timidly, remembering the week before when she'd stayed late. Her mother was not pleased, to say the least.
"I will call them," Lilith nodded firmly.
Amity thought back to the week before. Her mother had been furious. She was convinced Amity was lying about what happened and ended up going through her bag, despite the girl's insistence that nothing had gone wrong. When she found the potions test she became enraged. Amity faced harsh punishments for the stunt. Her mother said that she was a liar and a sneak and that she had manipulated her mentor into covering for her. She knew changing the plan tonight, and staying any later with Lilith, would likely result in another very painful evening.
Still, the thought of staying just a bit later and spending time with Lilith was overwhelmingly promising. Unlike when she was at home, Amity felt safe and cared for at Lilith's house. She knew her professor wanted the very best for her and was beginning to trust that. She could, of course, go home, but there was no guarantee she wouldn't face punishment for some other random deed her mother deemed irresponsible and inexcusable. She imagined the two of them eating dinner beside the small fire and reading their books together and was convinced.
"If you call them…that sounds lovely."
" Wonderful," Lilith grinned, standing up. "I am excited!"
Lilith stepped into the other room with her scroll. Amity listened as her teacher told her parents that she would be home somewhat late due to a change in study plans. There was a bit of banter before Lilith thanked them and hung up. When she returned to the room, her expression was less than thrilled. Amity felt a pang of guilt as she knew Lilith only interacted with them because of her. It was uniquely challenging having such unpleasant parents who did not care for her, much less her teachers.
After Amity finished her snack, she and Lilith moved outside to rearrange the patio. Lilith moved the tabletop to expose a small fire pit before moving several logs into it. Amity was sent to the study to choose a book. While in there, she found the book Lilith was now reading on her desk and grabbed it for her. The sun was just beginning to set as Lilith returned to the kitchen to begin cutting meat and vegetables. She was planning for the two of them to roast kabobs over the fire for dinner. It would be nutritious and easy.
"Will you squeeze the citrus for this tea?" Lilith asked, pulling a squeezer out and passing Amity a cutting board of sliced citrus. She was still holding back on using her magic as she wanted to be at her fullest capacity upon her return Monday. She reserved it for when it was necessary.
Amity followed Lilith out to the patio with two glasses and a pitcher of citrus tea. Lilith set up the grate for them to roast the kabobs on and began placing the food out to begin cooking. Her student placed the beverages on a small side table before moving the chosen books from the study to the table on the other side of the small rattan couch. Once everything was in place, she sat down and pulled her legs up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them to hold herself. She watched as her teacher used tongs to rotate each kabob, cooking dinner with such ease. Despite feeling somewhat awkward at times, the girl was overwhelmed with how easy it was to share Lilith's space. She hardly felt like she needed instruction. They both knew what to do to get things done together.
Lilith glanced at the girl on her couch, smiling softly. Amity's hazel eyes sparkled brightly in the light of the small fire. Her auburn roots, which Lilith had grown fond of, also shimmered in contrast to her green hair, which was pulled back in her go-to half updo. The girl was very pretty and Lilith knew she would grow up to be a beautiful witch someday. While this was undoubtedly clear to Lilith, she also knew that it was who Amity was on the inside that made her a truly perfect witchlet. Amity was quiet, seeming at peace, and Lilith couldn't help but sigh as the feeling of joy washed over her like the warmth of the fire. She had grown to greatly appreciate Amity's company, something she never expected.
"There we go," Lilith began pulling the kabobs off the fire and onto a plate for the two of them to share.
She used a long metal hook to move the grate from the fire, placing it safely off to the side, on the pavement, before backing up to sit down next to Amity. Mimicking the girl's positioning, she pulled her legs up and under herself so that she could place the plate in her lap. Amity took a kabob and began eating, emitting a hum in response to the satisfaction of eating the fresh food.
"You have been excelling, Miss Blight," Lilith complimented the girl, breaking the silence and offering her another smile.
"I thought you said we could just do Amity and Lilith here?" Amity responded playfully.
"Oh, of course," Lilith smirked back. "I suppose it's a tough habit to break. Especially once we are back in school next week. Which, just to be clear, I would prefer you use Professor Clawthorne at school. It is not so much about you as it is about the other witchlets. They won't understand."
"I understand," Amity nodded. "How…do you feel about going back?"
"I am ready," Lilith said after appearing thoughtful for a moment. "I like teaching. When I accepted the position I was mainly looking for a way to spend my free time. Head Covenness comes with very serious duties, but they're surprisingly not as time-consuming as lower roles in the guard."
"You didn't think you would like it?" Amity felt puzzled. The professor was a natural.
"I wanted to teach as a child. Headmaster Bump taught my beast-keeping class. He inspired me."
" Headmaster Bump ?" Amity giggled, the sound lightening her teacher's soul.
"The one and only," Lilith smiled. "He was a very special professor. I am glad he still works at Hexside. I am also glad I now work at Hexside. Teaching history and seeing my students become curious about where we come from and connecting the dots between the past, now, and our future is delightful. Plus, teaching brought me you ."
Amity sat back, moving the plate she'd taken from Lilith at some point to the ground now that they'd finished the food. She sat up to pour each of them a glass of tea, passing one to her teacher as she thought over what Lilith said. She was grateful to have been given me ? Amity couldn't imagine what that would be like for someone. Her parents made it very clear that she was an accident and a burden. They repeatedly told her the twins were enough for them. She wasn't wanted or needed. Her throat was tight and she drank the tea, grateful for something else to do instead of responding at that moment.
Lilith watched as the girl's features went from curious to pleased to defeated as she sipped her tea. She didn't understand where Amity's mind must have gone. The girl had gone completely quiet, no longer engaged in the conversation as it was. Now, avoiding what was on her mind, she was chugging her tea. Lilith sat her glass on top of the books to her right, crossing her arms.
"Amity? Where did you go?" Lilith reached out and placed one hand on Amity's shoulder, gently pulling her from her reverie.
"I…I guess I don't understand," Amity's eyes were locked on her glass as she placed it back on the table behind her. She turned back to Lilith, now facing her with her knees to her chest. Lilith's hand returned to her lap. "What do you mean? Teaching brought me to you?"
Lilith sighed. Amity didn't understand how she could be wanted or how someone could be grateful to know her. Lilith had been lonely before working with Amity, so she was familiar with the feeling of being unwelcome and unneeded. The idea of her mentee feeling so unloved hurt to imagine. While she'd only been working with the girl for a few short months, she had grown to appreciate so many of her qualities. She knew it would take time for the student to internalize the idea that she was important, so each word mattered.
"Before working with you…I was all alone," Lilith broke the heavy silence. Amity looked up, surprised by her professor's words. She couldn't imagine how the Head Covenness could be lonely. "I primarily lived in the castle. I would meet with the other heads of the covens throughout the week, and Kikimora each Monday afternoon, before spending my weekends on missions. Now that the ranks are filled, they stopped needing me on every mission. I became a planner and an organizer. So, I would spend a lot of my time alone.
"I started to realize I didn't know what I wanted anymore. I had…my reasons for joining the coven. I knew leaving was out of the question. Belos doesn't take too kindly to high-ranking members stepping away as it can impact his image," the professor cringed at the thought of what happened to her the time she merely threatened to find another role in the coven system.
She looked down at her arms, the electric burn stars seeming to glow up at her next to the fire, and winced. She had unknowingly rolled up her sleeves while handling the food for sanitary reasons. It hadn't occurred to her just how exposed she had been all evening. Amity followed her gaze, already understanding what Lilith was implying. It was very clear to her now that Emporer Belos was not the fair ruler she'd once believed. Lilith continued before the girl could connect too many more dots. She had to remind herself that Amity was still a child and didn't need to know the gory details. The information alone was traumatizing.
"Then, on my first day at Hexside, I met a witchlet named Amity Blight and things changed," Lilith held her arm out, palm up, for Amity to take her hand. Amity didn't hesitate before accepting the gesture. "Right off the bat, I found myself feeling more and more amused by your humor, excited to hear about your studies, and…just curious about you, I suppose."
"Why? Why me?" Amity asked, her brow pinching together in the middle. "I'm nobody outside of my grades. I'm Amity Blight, the accidental third child of Blight Industries, and Top Student."
"That is far from the truth, Mis- Amity," Lilith shook her head, reaching out with her other hand to tilt Amity's chin up. When she caught her gaze, she continued. "You are a creative girl. When something is stumping either of us on an assignment, you never fail to think outside the box. You enjoy reading, which I am, of course, partial to. You know what your time and work ethic is worth, and you don't allow anyone to threaten your position as Top Student. You're unbelievably kind and thoughtful. You welcomed the human girl…"
" Luz," Amity interrupted and Lilith smiled. Her point about thoughtfulness is proven by the correction. Amity cared about Luz, which warmed Lilith's heart. The thought of her apprentice being so close to Edalyn's kid was something out of a childhood dream for Lilith. Their reality was different, but she'd always imagined their children growing up together. Amity and Luz being close was the next best thing.
"You welcomed Luz to Hexside, knowing full well your parents would not take kindly to the gesture. Don't think I haven't picked up on their remarks about humans, either," Lilith shook her head. "You face quite a lot at home and yet you still show up, unapologetically yourself. It has been an honor getting to know you and knowing you chose me as your mentor. You will far surpass my impact on this world."
"Don't say that," Amity frowned.
"It's entirely true," Lilith shrugged, pulling her arms back to fold her hands in her lap. "It is a good thing. I want to give you all of the good I have and I want you to match that with your brilliance. I want you to make the impact I never truly made in the real world. I knew you would succeed within days of knowing you, too. You're already succeeding."
Amity's cheeks flushed a familiar hue of pink. Lilith grinned, flashing her perfect teeth, grateful to see some color back on the child's face. Unable to resist the urge any longer, Lilith opened her arms. This was her signature way of asking to hug the girl and Amity never declined. The student scooted over so that she rested in Lilith's arms, her head resting in the crook of her neck. Lilith wrapped her arms tightly around the girl, gently rubbing her upper arm with one of her hands.
"Do you remember the expository essay you included in your application for the apprenticeship?" Lilith asked then, the question feeling out of the blue for Amity.
"I do," Amity nodded.
"You wrote an exploratory piece on the ethics of abominations in battle and servitude. I was particularly fond of the point you made about fairy pies," the witches giggled together, each remembering. "I was tickled by the prospect of Alador and Odalia Blight's youngest daughter calling the ethics of their entire corporation into question in such an important essay. There was no way they didn't read it themselves. I knew, at that moment, I wanted to work with you."
"I got in so much trouble," Amity rolled her eyes. The punishment was worth it for her. "So worth it."
She shivered then, from the memory and the cold breeze. Lilith reached over to pull one of the throw blankets from the chair next to the couch. She carefully draped it over the two of them, not yet ready to let go of Amity. The girl snuggled closer, seeming pleased by the gesture and the increased warmth. As strange as it was, being a professor and having a student in her home, nothing bout the exchange itself felt strange to either of them. To Lilith, in moments like that, it felt as if Amity was her child.
"It was very good," Lilith chuckled bemusedly at the girl's gall.
The two sat in the quiet then, listening to the sound of the firewood snapping and the creatures of the garden chirping and croaking. Lilith listened closely to Amity's breathing, allowing the sound to soothe her nervous system. The girl was somehow better than she'd imagined while initially reading that entrance essay. She sighed, wishing the teenager could see herself through her eyes. Amity was truly a witchlet prodigy who had too many cards stacked against her. Lilith rested her chin on the child's head then, letting her eyes flutter shut, her mind at ease for the moment.
A few hours later, the fire had dimmed down significantly, no longer offering a sufficient amount of heat to the witches who fell asleep on the rattan couch. Amity's eyes gently fluttered open in response to the chilly breeze, her brain confused by the change in scenery. It was now much darker and the fire was gone. She was still tucked under Lilith's throw, the older witch's chest rising and falling steadily beneath her. Lilith was sound asleep. Amity snuggled in closer for just a moment, soaking up the peace she felt. She couldn't remember a time her mother held her.
Her mother. Shit, she thought to herself.
"Shit, shit, shit, shit," Amity jumped up then, her head bumping the professor's chin, causing her jaw to smack shut. "Oh! Oh my Titan! I'm so sorry!"
"What? What's wrong?" Lilith was still groggy from sleep as she rubbed her tender chin. Amity was pulling away and standing up then. "Amity?"
"We fell asleep!" Amity groaned, rubbing her face with the palms of her hands. "We fell asleep and they're going to kill me."
"Oh…oh!" Lilith stood quickly.
The older witch quickly tossed the blanket onto the couch before covering the fire. She turned to Amity then, who had her hands in her hair, her eyes watering, and her breathing rapid. She was panicking. Lilith's stomach twisted at the realization of what she'd done. She leaned down, placing a hand on each of the witchlet's shoulders. Amity looked up at her, her bottom lip trembling.
"Amity, I promise I will not let anything happen to you," Lilith spoke sternly. "I will talk to your parents. They will understand."
"They didn't last time!" Amity spat back, already becoming defensive in preparation for her parents, before quickly covering her mouth.
"Wh-what?" Lilith stood up straight, the knot in her stomach so tight it felt like it could burst. "What do you mean? What happened last time?"
The image of Amity being yanked into her home by Odalia played in Lilith's mind then. She knew Amity had likely gotten into trouble but she assumed there had been more to the situation. Perhaps Amity had done something else that upset Odalia. The girl never brought it up during the following days, and Lilith didn't want to pry or assume. For all she knew, Odalia may have been worried about Amity's safety. There was truly nothing Lilith could come up with that would justify punishing the child after that lesson.
"She didn't believe me," Amity cried then, her voice shooting up an octave. "Sh-she called me a liar and a sneak. She told me you didn't want me to burden you. I…I was punished for the lost point on my exam and for wasting your time."
Lilith's blood began to boil then, the crack in her heart splitting it entirely in half. She had imagined Amity getting reprimanded for staying late on a school night or for not calling in to ask them herself. The professor simply didn't want to believe something worse could be going on. She knew she was biased against other parents due to her own childhood experiences, and she worked very hard not to project. The mere thought of someone saying such hateful things and laying their hands on her student made her want to scream.
"She did this," Amity pulled up her sleeve then and revealed an arm that quite resembled Lilith's.
Lilith's eyes watered as she eyed each scar and bruise. She reached out, holding the arm in the gentle grasp of both of her hands. There were distinct marks that appeared to be self-inflicted. Lilith was, unfortunately, familiar with the concept. She made a mental note to check in with Amity on those later. The self-inflicted marks were surrounded by various hand-shaped bruises and welts. The professor took in a very deep breath, carefully filling her lungs in an attempt to soothe herself, one hand holding the arm and the other's fingers grazing the injuries. Amity continued to sob, not saying anything further. She knew she was in for it and that she'd be lucky to attend school Monday after what her parents would do to her.
"No… no," Lilith shook her head, unable to find the proper words. Without thinking, she pulled the girl back to her chest, squeezing her tightly as tears broke loose from her sapphire eyes. If she thought letting Amity leave earlier was painful, she truly couldn't bear the thought now. "I will not send you back there tonight. Absolutely not."
"What will you do?" Amity sniffled, her words muffled by Lilith's shoulder.
"I will be calling your parents and informing them that you fell asleep and will be staying the night," Lilith's words came with a venom Amity had never heard. Her heart thumped erratically at the tone, afraid her mother was right about being burdensome. As if she could read her mind, Lilith continued. "You are not a liar, sneak, or burden. You are not a waste of my time. You are one of my favorite ways to spend my time. Do you understand, Amity?"
"Please don't be mad at me," Amity cried and Lilith realized Amity couldn't hear her over the anger in her tone. She was too afraid.
"We need to go inside. It is cold," Lilith shook her head, straightening up but not letting Amity go. She would address Amity's comment later.
She kept an arm around Amity's shoulders as she guided her into the house. Upon reaching the living room, Lilith used her magic to light several candles. She'd long forgotten about being drained and the fury in her gut lit a fire under her energy source. While she'd been sleepy and sluggish upon waking, she was now ready to physically fight the child's parents. Lilith guided Amity to her couch and helped her take a seat before walking to the kitchen to retrieve a glass of water and her scroll.
"I am not mad at you," she was finally able to speak, her voice thick from crying. "I am furious with Odalia and Alador. Not you. Never you."
She returned with the glass of water and handed it to the girl, asking her to hydrate as she pulled up the contacts in her scroll. When she reached Odalia's number, she was acutely aware of the lack of missed calls. Amity was certainly right about her mother likely being upset about the situation, but it was apparent Odalia only cared for appearance's sake. If she was worried for her child's safety she surely would have called Lilith to see if Amity was still with her. Lilith's stomach sank and she was grateful to have flown Amity home last time. She was right on the money in thinking they wouldn't be keeping an eye out for the child.
Lilith didn't hesitate before dialing the number. She had no idea what she would say to the mother. She knew anything too over the top would tip Odalia off. If Odalia knew Amity had spoken to Lilith about the punishments she would surely respond with more punishments. Lilith knew her mother certainly would have in the same position. Not wanting to cause further harm to Amity, she decided it was important to take things one step at a time. She needed more information before she could take action.
The Blight mother answered the call on the final ring and Lilith squeezed her eyes shut, resisting the urge to scream.
"Professor Clawthorne? Is that you?" Odalia's voice was sharp and Lilith sighed. Willfully ignorant. She was well aware Odalia had caller ID on her scroll.
"Good evening, Odalia," Lilith spoke after clearing her throat. "I…I am greatly appreciative of Amity's hard work this week. After our lesson this afternoon, we took a well-deserved break to eat dinner and watch a movie. Your daughter has fallen asleep and I wanted to run something by you."
Odalia's ears perked up, confused and intrigued.
"You see, Miss Blight has a rather important exam this week. I would like to spend some extra time this weekend studying. It occurred to me that a field trip to a potioneer may be beneficial for her," Lilith pinched the bridge of her nose, her eyes squeezed shut as she attempted to come up with something believable. It was vital her words not incriminate the child. "With your permission, I believe it may be most convenient for Amity to sleep over here and travel to the potion shop with me tomorrow. I will return her to you after."
"I see," Odalia was thoughtful then, wanting nothing more than to tell the Head Covenness to fuck off and drop her child back off at home. Odalia knew Lilith was far too powerful to say no, though. She had watched the witch climb the ranks of the Emperor's Coven only to work as the most powerful witch on the island's right hand. She simply couldn't say no if she wanted to maintain positive appearances with Belos. "Well, if you believe that is best I shall not stop you."
"I do," Lilith nodded, her eyes wide. Odalia took the news far too easily but she wasn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth. She resisted the urge to gag at her next words. "Thank you, Mrs. Blight. I, and Amity, are greatly appreciative of your unending support."
"Of course, will that be all?" Lilith steeled at the realization that Odalia didn't so much as want to check in with her child. She wasn't offering an overnight bag or checking to ensure this was what Amity wanted. Lilith was acutely aware of how strange a student sleeping over at a professor's house was and how vulnerable Amity was to be in her care. A child's mother not wanting to say goodnight to their baby was equally, if not more, strange, to Lilith.
"Yes. I suppose it is."
The scroll clicked, indicating she'd hung up. The professor turned and walked into the kitchen, further away from Amity, who waited silently on the couch. Lilith, unable to contain her rage, chucked the device across the room. The witch was incredibly strong from her training. Her scroll hit the glass pitcher on the kitchen island, knocking it over and shattering both items on the floor. She let out a scream before realizing Amity was still in the room and watching from afar. Not wasting any time, she used her magic to sweep it all into a pile that she then dropped into the garbage.
Amity stared with wide, fearful eyes as her teacher spoke to her mother. She was impressed by Lilith's ability to come up with a lie and sell it to her mother on the spot. A part of her knew it was her professor's job that threatened her mother and kept her quiet at that moment. Her heart thumped in her chest as Lilith finally hung up the phone, letting out a roar and chucking her scroll across the room. The student, startled by the display of violence, cowered. Lilith's anger spilled out across the whole room, palpable and terrifying for Amity, who had never seen the witch more than a little frustrated.
" I'm sorry," Amity squeaked and Lilith turned to face her, blue eyes wide and cheeks pale.
" You're not the one who should be sorry," Lilith snapped before fully realizing she needed to calm down before she hurt herself or scared Amity out of the house. She paused, took in a deep breath, and clenched her fists at her side. "Your mother is a despicable witch."
"I'm sorry," tears rolled down the student's cheek. It was very clear to her, from day one, that Lilith did not enjoy interacting with either of her parents. She knew they'd attended Hexside at the same time and had a less than positive history. "I'm so sorry, Professor Clawthorne."
"Amity, you do not owe me an apology," Lilith was soft again at Amity calling her Professor Clawthorne. She chewed on her bottom lip, actively trying to gain control over her temper. "Can I…can I come over there?"
Amity nodded, surprised by the question, and Lilith walked to her in quick strides. Her family never asked permission before invading her space. The older witch then wrapped her arms around Amity once again, her touch incredibly gentle. She was intentional in moving slowly and quietly after scaring Amity. After a few moments of holding her close, Lilith slid back, placing her hands on the teenager's cheeks, and looked down into the girl's familiar hazel eyes.
"Amity, dearest," she projected all of the affection and gentleness she could muster. "You do not deserve to be treated the way your parents have treated you. No one deserves that, but especially not you. I am so terribly sorry for my outburst. That was terribly inappropriate and I understand if you do not forgive me. I am absolutely enraged by your parent's behavior and that does not reflect on you. I will never hurt you. You will always be safe with me."
"You hate them and you have to talk to them because of me," Amity's eyes squeezed shut as she sobbed. Lilith swiped her fingers over the girl's cheeks, catching the fresh tears and softly wiping them away.
"No, you sweet child," Lilith shook her head. "I do not simply hate your parents. It's entirely true that I was not fond of them as students. However, my disgust in them now is solely in response to what they have done to you. I do have to speak to them," and possibly curse the hell out of them, she thought. "But I am doing so because I care deeply for you."
"You're not mad at me?"
"Not in the slightest," Lilith shook her head. "Will you trust me?"
Amity nodded slowly then, remembering Lilith's anger and working to connect it to her parents. Lilith's outburst was because she was angry for Amity. She cared so much for her that she broke things in her kitchen in response to Amity being harmed. She was fierce in her protectiveness towards the girl and, despite how scary it was to witness, Amity realized that it was genuine. No one had ever stood to protect her. The girl nodded more firmly then.
"I trust you."
"I will protect you," Lilith spoke again, making the promise to both Amity and herself. "Your parents will not lay another finger on you so long as I am breathing, do you understand?"
"You can't promise that," Amity shook her head. "You can't always be there, Lilith. I wish you could, but I have to go home eventually."
The child was wise beyond her years and absolutely correct. Unless Lilith uncovered proof of the Blight's child abuse and endangerment, there truly was very little she could do to protect the girl. She could, of course, continue to sing Amity's praises to them, but they weren't operating from a place of logic. If Amity being a well-behaved, perfect student meant anything to them they never would have hurt her, to begin with. Lilith stared down at the girl, lifting her hands to brush pale green hair from her wet face. Amity, despite their nap, looked more exhausted than she had after school.
"I believe it is time we get some sleep," Lilith sighed. "I promise I will do everything in my power to find a solution that protects you, Amity. We cannot resolve this without sleep and rest, though."
"You're right," Amity sniffled, swiping at her face with her sleeve. The thought of Lilith helping her caused her heart to squeeze almost painfully. She didn't understand the feeling.
"Let's go find something for you to wear," Lilith held out her hand, which Amity gladly took into her own, and lead the girl back to her room.
The professor opened her drawers and searched for something comfortable and appropriate. Amity, at just almost fifteen, was quite a bit smaller than her. She found a shirt that was typically form-fitting on herself, the same sleep pants Amity had worn the week before, and some socks from the armoire before turning to face her. The student watched patiently as her professor chose something suitable for her.
"Here," Lilith passed the stack of items to her. "You can wear these if you'd like. I can even toss your clothes in the wash and dry them early tomorrow morning. You're welcome to change in my bathroom. I need to choose something for myself."
"Okay…thank you, Lilith."
"You're most welcome," Lilith smiled as Amity turned to go to her bathroom.
Lilith began searching for her own set of pajamas, forcing herself to not obsess over her next steps. She wanted so badly to create a foolproof plan that would bring down Amity's parents and place Amity in her care, but she knew the odds of something like that appearing out of thin air was thin. She was going to need help.
She was going to need to ask Edalyn.
Meanwhile, in the bathroom Amity changed into her pajamas, reflecting on everything that happened that evening. She'd only known Lilith for three months and already felt safer with her than with her own family. Lilith was, in Amity's opinion, beyond generous in welcoming her into her home. The studying, reading, garden, dinner, and fireside cuddles made her never want to leave. She finished dressing and looked around Lilith's bathroom.
The space was almost as big as Amity's bathroom. There was a deep clawfoot tub and a glass-walled standing shower. The walls were painted white with an evergreen board and batten wrapping around their lower half. The tile on the floor was black and white, each tile printed with an ornate design that matched the ironwood shelving and potted plants. It very accurately reflected the Lilith she had come to know away from school.
After using the toilet, the girl looked at herself in the mirror, taking in her somewhat haggard appearance. She pulled her hair down and used Lilith's brush to fix it. She had cried her eyeliner clean off her eyes, the black ink streaking her cheeks, leaving her eyelids red and raw. Noticeable bags were appearing under her eyes and she resented them as she ran the water to wash her face. When she was finished, her hair was loose, parted on the side, and her skin was clean. She was, on the inside, still a mess, but she felt much better.
She stepped out of the bathroom to find Lilith returning from the other room. Lilith explained that she had put away their dishes and put out the candle fires. Amity walked in and Lilith squeezed her shoulder as she passed her and went to change. The teenager, uncertain of where to be, decided to wait in the middle of the room while Lilith changed.
When Lilith returned, she took Amity's clothes from earlier, along with her own, and walked to the hallway to load her washer. She shut any remaining lights off as she walked back to the bedroom. Amity waited patiently, grateful Lilith was going to clean the clothes for her. Lilith now stood with her arms crossed, looking around the room with a bit of uncertainty. She chewed at the inside of her cheek and debated offering her bed to the child for the evening. The guest room had not been fixed up since Amity's last stay due to her illness and the sheets were still in the dryer. Lilith decided she was content to sleep on the couch, as she'd prefer Amity to get proper rest.
"You can sleep here," Lilith walked over to her bed and pulled the covers back. "I can sleep on the couch. Unfortunately, the sheets from my guest bed have not yet been put back. I do not have extras, though I will get some soon. This is okay, though."
"What? No. What? I can't sleep in your bed," Amity was flustered at the proposition. She didn't want to burden Lilith and knew the witch was still recovering from her injury during the fire.
"I truly do not mind," Lilith patted the bed reassuringly. "It's one night."
"Lilith…" Amity whined as she walked to the bed.
She climbed in, resting her back against the headboard, and Lilith pulled the sheet and duvet back over her. The professor sat down on the edge of the bed, reaching up to swipe Amity's loose strands of hair from her freshly washed face. The girl's eyes flickered around and the older witch realized she was anxious. She withdrew her hands and placed them in her lap, tilting her head to the side.
"Will…will you at least stay until I am asleep?" Amity whispered. "I have nightmares."
"Of course," Lilith nodded, all too familiar with having nightmares.
"The bed isn't exactly small," Amity whispered then, her bravery overcoming her nerves. "You could just…sleep over there."
"Amity," Lilith sighed, thinking through the option. "I'm not sure that is entirely appropriate. I am still your teacher, dear. I'm not…"
Lilith almost said 'your mother' and she caught herself. Her heart broke.
"I don't have to tell anyone," Amity spoke then and Lilith smiled at her.
"Making it a secret would make it explicitly worse," she chuckled at the thought. She knew there was nothing technically inappropriate occurring between the two of them, but she also knew their culture wasn't even supportive of parents sharing a bed with their older kids. Teachers were discouraged from even having students in their homes. "I can sleep over there, but it is not a secret. You don't have to announce it to anyone…but there is nothing to hide. You are safe."
Amity nodded, not particularly caring about Lilith's qualifiers. She didn't want to sleep in the unfamiliar room all alone. After sleeping outside, she knew very well how comforting Lilith's presence was. Plus, she didn't want Lilith to lose any sleep during the process of recovering from depletion. It was important to Amity that if she stay over she not be a burden in any way she could prevent it.
Lilith crawled over to the open side of the large bed, grateful to own a king-size. She scooted under the covers, getting comfortable. Amity scooted further under the covers, her head resting fully on the pillows now. Lilith turned to face her, laying on her side with one arm under the pillow and the other resting along her waist. Amity did the same, not expecting to be face-to-face with Lilith once she turned.
"Thank you, Lilith," Amity whispered. "For everything."
"I appreciate your gratitude but no thanks are owed. I am right here if you need anything tonight," Lilith reassured the student. She resituated so that her arm under the pillow was stretched out to Amity. The girl appreciatively took her hand, comforted by the touch. "Get some rest."
"You too," the girl yawned.
Lilith watched as Amity drifted off into a peaceful slumber. She gently swiped her thumb back and forth on the back of Amity's hand, acutely aware of how right it felt. She had surprised herself with her maternal instincts that evening. The more she learned about Amity's past, the less she felt strange and confused about the connection. Amity was very much like Lilith as a child, both at school and in her home life. Lilith had always dreamt of someone swooping in to save her and protect her. Instead, she graduated, moved out, and joined the Emperor's Coven where the abuse was turned up several notches. It made sense to her that she had such a strong desire to be there for Amity.
As she continued to process everything she was learning about Amity's home life and her past, she became increasingly devoted to keeping Amity out of the coven system altogether. She couldn't save herself from her own past mistakes, but she could prevent the cycle from continuing through Amity. Lilith desperately wanted to protect her from violence and pain. She wanted Amity to live freely, like Edalyn. Edalyn, though an outlaw with her struggles, had autonomy. She had family and friends. She had a community. Edalyn was, generally, safe and knew she deserved to be safe.
Lilith wanted nothing more for Amity. She didn't care if she had to burn her career to the ground to make it happen. Regardless of what got out about her, about her beliefs, she would not give up on Amity. She knew Belos would not take kindly to her protecting a witchlet from him and that she was treading a very dangerous line by interfering. Part of her knew it was inevitable. The Emperor was not going to cure Edalyn and, even if he did, Lilith wasn't sure that the coven life was truly better than being a cursed wild witch anymore.
She knew that even if Belos killed her, she could leave Amity with Edalyn. Edalyn would protect her. Edalyn would give her the life she deserved. Amity would be freed of her parents and the single track to hell that was joining the Emperor's Coven. The knot in her stomach dispelled at the thought. She could save her, even if it meant rocking the boat that held her above water. Amity came first.
Lilith's eyes grew heavy and she resigned to sleep, no longer being able to fight it.
