"Get away from her before I break every bone in your body"
Sarah, bless her heart, was not terribly smart, but she was sweet, and that perhaps made her Cora's favorite of her sister-in-laws. Well. Not technically her sisters in law but; technicalities.
This was why Cora didn't mind taking the youngest Sanderson sister out when she asked. They could usually have a fairly enjoyable time together, bar hopping or window shopping or some such thing that Winifred hated with all her sold soul. Mary, ever desperate for Winnie's approval, followed in her footsteps on such matters, thus leaving Sarah as the only partner in crime. And honestly? Cora sort of preferred it that way. At least Sarah wouldn't judge her after one too many drinks and too many drunken stunts.
But tonight, tonight she regretted ever suggesting the newest club. Cringe had just opened a few weeks prior and everyone wanted in, including them, but that also meant it attracted some of Salem's less than savory occupants. Had she known she'd see Caleb Orion grinding on every avaible ass he could find she'd have locked them both in the house if it meant keeping a wide berth from him. Everyone knew he'd already assaulted a handful of girls and raped at least one, but money talks and his just so happened to scream.
"Hey, stay away from him," she half yelled over the music as she grabbed Sarah by the arm.
The blonde had been on her way over to him, always one to enjoy a man's company, especially handsome men. Sarah stuck her bottom lip out in an exaggerated pout that often earned her a slap from her eldest sister.
"Why?"
"Because…" Cora trailed off. How much did she want to say when she had to scream to be heard? "Because he isn't a good guy."
Cocking her head, the other woman glanced back at Caleb.
"But he's such a pretty boy! I want to play with him!"
"No! There's plenty of other guys here. Play with one of them."
Sarah narrowed her eyes but just as quickly her face brightened.
"Okay!" she chirped, turning to work her way through the crowd in search of her next toy.
Cora heaved a sigh of relief. The spell she'd placed on the sisters shortly after their resurrection had gifted them with all the knowledge they'd need to navigate the modern world, and it wasn't as if sexual assault was a new concept, but she'd rather her ditzy friend not experience it first hand. (Even if she was guilty of it herself). Forcing herself to relax as she saw Sarah on the opposite side of the dance floor, she joined an older woman who'd been eyeing her all night for a dance.
The lights were a little blurry, the room just a tad bit too warm, and she just a little too drunk, but Cora knew better than to ignore her intuition that something was wrong. Excusing herself from the pretty woman she'd been dancing with she stepped off the dance floor, eyes glossing over the crowd in search of a familiar head of blonde hair.
Nothing.
She could feel the effects of the alcohol fading as she looked again and again and still couldn't find the youngest sister. Panic began to rise in her chest. She knew Sarah was a witch and could technically protect herself if the need arose, but she also knew they'd both been drinking and that of the three witches, Sarah's powers were the weakest. There was a solid chance she wouldn't even know she was in danger until it was too late. She'd never forgive herself if something happened to her sister-in-law, especially when it was unspoken that she was to watch over her when they went out.
Her anxiety doubled when she realized she hadn't seen the sleezeball, even from a distance, in quite a while. Chanting quietly, she sent a signal to Winnie and Mary, a special one they'd devised to mean "help needed now". Shaking her head to clear it, she began weaving her way around and through the dance floor, paying extra attention to the little shaded nooks and tables, hoping she'd just missed Sarah and everything was well. Her stomach dropped as she completed her lap around the floor, Sarah nowhere to be found.
Frantically she headed for the bathrooms, hoping to find her there. Shockingly enough, for once they were completely devoid of people, though that did nothing to help her situation. Heart thumping wildly, she began pushing people to the side as her eyes darted to and fro, praying she'd see some sign of the purple witch. She ignored the shouts of anger and protest as she neared the front door, pushing into the cool night air. The street was fairly empty, just a few people out and about, and she didn't know whether that was a good or bad thing.
A familiar crackle raised the hair on her arms and she whipped around, following the tingle of magic around the building to the small alley behind it. 'Of course,' she thought as the dim lights revealed two people pressed against the wall. Anger boiled in her veins as she drew silently closer, slowly making out none other than Caleb Orion boxing a woman against the wall with his arms, belt undone and jeans halfway down his thighs. She'd have stepped in regardless, she'd tell herself later that night, but her control snapped like a rubber band as she heard the woman beneath him whimper and give a breathy cry. The flash of a purple clad leg she glimpsed identified the woman as her friend, and before she could think she was grabbing the man by the shoulder and yanking him away.
She stepped protectively in front of Sarah as he yelled and stumbled, unphased by his death glare.
"Get away from her before I break every bone in your body," Cora snarled, magic tingling up her arms and down her fingers.
He scoffed at her, adjusting his pants and putting his member away. She spared a quick glance behind her, relieved to find the woman's pants still in place, though the top button had been undone.
"Get out of the way, Cora," he half laughed, always cocky.
"How about you fuck off instead?" she snapped, fingers itching to punch the smirk off his face.
Caleb's face changed instantly. It was obvious he remembered the bruised jaw she'd given him in high school for trying his pervy behavior on her. Although, her brain supplied as he straightened to his full height, that was several years back and he was several inches shorter and about fifty pounds lighter. Her nerves faltered for a split second before she heard Sarah give another breathy whimper and tuck herself further behind her.
"And what if I don't?" he asked. "What if I'd rather finish what I started?"
"Then I guess," Cora started, cracking her knuckles, "it's time for me to kick your ass."
"You wouldn't da—"
His arrogant sentence cut off when she clocked him across the jaw, snapping his head to the side. He reached up to his face slowly as she shook out her hand, the bones aching and nearly broken. His fingers came away with blood and she couldn't help but give a smirk of her own.
"You know, I was always taught not to hit a woman, but I don't think that lesson applies here."
Her vision exploded into stars as his punch collided with her nose, the cartilage shattering instantly. Blood poured down her face like a waterfall and she gasped, tears pooling in her eyes. Before she could retaliate he punched again, this one to her stomach, causing her to double over. He pushed her to the side, and through her tears she saw him turn to advance on Sarah once more. Taking as deep of a breath as she could manage she lunged at his back, clinging like a spider monkey and clawing at his chest.
"Sarah, run!" she yelled as she felt her grip slipping.
The blonde nodded, stumbling down the alley toward the street, obviously blackout drunk as Cora had suspected. She yelled as she slipped off Caleb's back, her own colliding with the concrete. Dazed, she couldn't move away as he reached down and yanked her to stand.
"You know, your friend is prettier than you, but I suppose since you ruined that you can take her place."
He slammed her against the alley wall, one hand on her neck to pin her, and squeezed. She clawed at his arm frantically as her already strained air supply was cut off, terror filling her as she felt him tear open her admittedly flimsy tank top. Pain laced through her as he roughly grabbed her breast, and weak blue lightning arched up his arms, doing little more than burning off his hairs. Just as she began to see spots, brilliant lime electricity shot down the alley, slamming into Caleb and throwing him several feet away.
She gasped for air as she slid down the wall, turning her head to the source of the attack. Winifred stood mere feet away, fury rolling off her in waves, Mary behind her sheltering Sarah and looking just as murderous.
"Mary, help Cora." Winnie ordered, eyes never wavering from her target that was slowly pushing himself off the ground.
The middle sister did as told, rushing to the younger woman and helping her up, mindful of her back as she hissed in pain. Only when both were safely behind her once more did Winifred advance on the confused and slightly terrified man.
"I see that though the year has changed the level of filth in Salem unfortunately has not," she hissed as she approached. "Ordinarily I would draw this out, make it as horrendously painful as possible. Really give you something to pander on as you nursed your wounds. However, you happen to have hurt two people who are very important to me, and I can't let that go with a simple warning."
Mary giggled maniacally as Winnie stopped mere feet from the man who was now cowering in fear and, if the dark front of his jeans was any indication, had pissed himself. Cora simply wrapped her arm around Sarah's shoulders, taking slow breaths so as not to aggravate her injuries.
"W-wh-what are you going to do?" Caleb managed to stammer out.
"Kill you."
The alley lit up in a light so bright that Cora found she had to look away. Regrettably, closing her eyes didn't hide the sizzle of skin or the smell of burning flesh. When the light faded she chanced looking up, only to gag. Where Caleb had once sat there was now his charred remains, far beyond recognition and probably impossible to identify once he was found. Winnie stood, arms raised and panting slightly, a light sheen of sweat to her skin. Mary stepped forward as though to assist her as she turned back, but was waved away. Cora leaned into her touch as she cupped her cheek, nails just barely grazing the skin.
"Are you alright?" Winnie asked, eyes showing the worry and fear she'd never voice aloud.
"I'm fine," Cora breathed, "I'm just glad I got here in time."
Winnie's eyes darted from her to Sarah and back, face settling in a grim line.
"Come, let's go home and get you both cleaned up."
Sarah breathed evenly, unconsciously snuggling further into the pillow in her sleep. Across the coffee table, Winnie and Cora watched her, thankful she hadn't been seriously harmed. Cora winced as she shifted, the deep bruises on her back aching. Thankfully Mary did happen to know a little white magic, and her nose had been mostly healed save for the dark bruise and dull ache that followed quick movement. Unfortunately nothing could be done for the bruises blooming around her throat or on her shoulders and upper back, save ice and resting.
She yawned as she leaned against her lover, her adrenaline and the alcohol working against her as well as the late hour. Winnie absentmindedly ran her fingers through her hair, eyes never leaving her sister.
"I hope she doesn't remember any of this in the morning," Cora said, breaking the silence.
"She's had a lot to drink, perhaps she won't," Winnie replied, continuing the stroking.
"I'm sorry I let this happen."
The older woman's hand stilled, gaze snapping down to her partner. Cora's face was partially hidden by the angle they sat in, but she could still see tears beginning to glimmer in her eyes. She frowned, uncomfortable with the show of emotion, doubly so because it wasn't her fault.
"It wasn't your fault. You told me you deliberately warned her away from him."
"But I should have kept an eye on her."
"We all know Sarah is…less than brilliant," Winnie sighed, closing her eyes. "It's regrettable that it nearly cost her something so dear."
"It still feels like it's my fault."
"It isn't, darling," Winnie replied, tilting Cora's head to meet her gaze. Brown eyes held nothing but seriousness, no irritation or blame to be found, and that along with the rarely used pet name gave Cora some peace. "Sarah does as she pleases, and sometimes it has disastrous results. Thankfully, you were there to prevent much worse from occurring."
Cora leaned up and pressed a kiss on the elder witch's cheek, a ghost of a smile appearing on her face. She laid her head back on Winnie's shoulder, the older resuming her stroking as they drew comfort from one another. Sarah slept on, safe under their watch.