A couple of hours had passed since Lillian's powers reawakened. But something was wrong. She felt no connection to her mother, whatsoever. Whatever that was eating at her mom's fears and manipulated her emotions was powerful and knew her weaknesses. Her mother was stuck in a restless dream and Lillian was set on getting her out. But there was one thing that kept bugging her...
Why did this feel so familiar?
"So what now?" Maddison asked blowing a plume of smoke towards Lillian who scowled at the younger, spiteful witch.
"Go smoke that shit outside, I'm trying to think!" Lillian snapped as she flailed her hand in the air to chase away the pungent odor.
"And if I don't?" Maddison challenged with a look of mischief on her face.
"You want to test me?"
Maddison drew out a breath and rolled her eyes. "No, not really," she said, throwing the half-lit cigarette on the ground, and squashed it with the heel of her boot.
"I found something, Lillie," Mrytle spoke from across the shack. "Your mother... it seems that she is trapped in her own sleep," she added, glancing up from the black-feathered book in her hands.
That was her mother's journal. Whatever that was in that book was very personal, her mother would flip if she found out someone was going through it. But desperate time calls for desperate measures.
"Something very strong has taken a hold of her, and she's too weak to fight it. There's only one person that wants your mother dead..." Myrtle blew out a shaky breath. "Micheal," she uttered.
Lillian's brows narrowed together at hearing the name of her ex-lover. "What do I have to do?" She asked eagerly.
"Sleep," was all that Myrtle said.
"What-How?" Lillian replied abruptly.
Mrytle's gaze shifted back to the book. "A sleeping spell. Your grandmother was the only witch to ever use it. She used it on Marie Laveau to help her fall asleep after her tribe was attacked. And I believe Micheal used it on you."
Lillian closed her eyes and sucked in a breath to calm her racing heartbeat. This was the most difficult thing that she had to face. The betrayal of her lover turned enemy.
There was no one to blame but herself. She should never have fallen in love with a monster.
Flashes of memories from when she was in that deprived sleep flooded her mind. It was awful. Just imagine being stuck, and reliving memories of the past. The bad ones were the worse. Fear immediately tugged at her shoulders and her stomach began to twist and churn in more ways than one.
No way in hell was she going back there. But her mother...
"Don't you fret, Lillie. I'll be the one that's casting the spell this time." Myrtle reassured her with a hearty smile. "I'll guide you if you get lost, so don't you worry that pretty little head of yours. You will get your mother out, then together we'll figure out a way to take down Micheal, and get your children back."
Lillian gave Myrtle a long look and after a whilst of consideration she nodded. Her mother needed her help. What was there to think about? "Alright," she replied walking towards the carrot-haired witch. "Lead on."
"Do I have to be here for this?" Maddison whined irritatedly, stomping her boot on the wooden floor. "We got her out. Now, we have to save her mother, our dear supreme?" she scoffed. "This is getting really boring, I want a cappuccino!"
Myrtle glowered at the young witch. "No one cares what you want, blondie. Now shut your trap and do what I say," she gritted out.
Madison's lip curled up. "And what is that you want me to do, old hag?" she asked bitterly.
"You'll find out soon enough. But for now, sit still and shut the hell up."
Madison huffed in agitation and turned her head away.
"Lillie, come here help me get your mother in the circle," the old witch beckoned as she walked towards the bed.
Lillian complied, grabbing her mothers legs. As they lifted Cordelia, Lillian noticed that Myrtle was struggling.
"Madison, help us," Lillian groaned.
The young witch huffed, stomped her feet and walked over to them with a disdainful look. They heaved Cordelia into the circle, lying her on her back.
Mrytle chanted something under her breath and the candles relit. She walked towards the bed picked up the diary and returned to the circle.
"Lillie, lie down next to your mother, and I want you to hold her hand and close your eyes."
Lillian gave the old witch a brief look and did as she was told. As she grasped her mother's cold hands there was a tingling sensation that traveled through her body. It was beyond powerful. She had never encountered anything like it before. One thing was clear. It wasn't her power. It was someone else's. Lillian could feel how it was manipulating and tethering with her mother's emotions.
There was only one person who could do that...
Micheal.
"Micheal, you fucking bastard!" Lillian growled indistinctly. "Myrtle, do it now."
The old witch sighed.
"Madison, take my hand and repeat after me..." the old witch trailed off, chanting the same spell that Micheal had used to put her into a deep sleep, but this time she felt no pain.
After a while Lillian began to feel her mind relax as her heartbeat fell in the same slow rhythm of her breathing.
"Open your eyes, Lillie," she heard Myrtle's voice in her head. "NO! I'm so sorry Lillie. He's blocking me, I can't go any further - He won't let me. You need to find your mother. Now!"
At that Lillian's eyes snapped open and she saw darkness surrounding her. No single light apparent. It was all pitch black.
Lillian froze, feeling a vigorous and a very dark presence behind her.
"Hello, wife," a husky voice whispered as strong arms wrapped around her waist, a cold breath fanning along her neck and into her ear. "Oh, have I missed you."