The Last Deal

by MrSova

The final part of The Entanglement Saga. Luz and Amity need to heal after all they have been through. They thought they were safe. However, they learn they need to pay for Odalia's last deal before they can have their happily ever after.

3. Chapter 3 - The Reunion

AN1:

So, yeah. I thought I should continue fixing that chapter, but I was scared it would be over-corrected. I'm self-conscious about posting something without Beta Reader, so feel free to point out the errors you find :)

Enjoy another 14 800 words of angst :D

The days went slowly by. Luz could have sworn that the time was going backward. With Willow's help, she returned to the Academy after the Healing Spell and gradually started catching up on the material she had missed. Catching up on Potions and Plant Magic was not too difficult, thanks to her best friend and Eda's fantastic help.

The problems arose when she showed up for the Beast Keeping classes. Luz limped toward the stables with a nervous lump in her throat. She gulped when she noticed Miss Jenkinsmeyer's expression. Her look was filled with an equal amount of pride and fury.

"Stealing my Griffin, Clawthorne?!" The Professor roared when she found a chance to mention that incident. Which was the moment the human entered the class.

"Technically, I borrowed Puddles…" Luz tried to explain.

"Technically," Miss Jenkinsmeyer mocked, "One morning, I come to the stables and Griffin is missing!" The teacher continued, "Do you have any idea what kind of a fool you made out of me? I reported a missing beast, and when the Coven Scouts came over, Puddles was back in her box!?" She asked, raising her hands in frustration.

"But she was fed and bathed," Luz argued, and her expression dropped when she noticed how Miss Jenkinsmeyer chuckled, shaking her head in disbelief.

"And how do you think that I figured out that it was you who 'borrowed' Puddles, huh?" She asked, smirking at the human's dumbfounded expression.

"Youʼre not angry?" Luz squeaked a shocked question.

"Not anymore," The teacher smiled warmly, "Next time, just ask. I thought you knew I trusted you with any beast we keep here," She added. Luz could not believe how her emotions oscillated from fear to anger to relief.

"Oh…" Very mature response.

"So now that's out of the way, let's talk about slitherbeasts," The teacher addressed Luz and the rest of the class.

The human did not notice when the students arrived. She saw the strange looks some of her colleagues sent her. Luz did not understand what that could have been about but decided to ignore it and share some insights about the slitherbeasts.

"Luz, you seem distracted," The teacher noted. The students snickered, "Why don't you tell us what the Slitherbeasts are doing right now?" She asked. Luz noticed how some students watched her as if they wanted her to fail.

"Um… The mothers are teaching their cubs to hunt by intimidating the prey while their young ones make the kill," Luz explained matter-of-factly.

The silence filled the classroom, and Miss Jenkinsmeyer blinked, looking dumbly at Luz. Puddles snorted in the distance, and the chimeras screeched slightly.

"That was supposed to be a trick question that I was supposed to give you a lecture about," The teacher admitted, and her blank expression lightened, "Do you want to share how you know this?" She asked with a proud smile.

"Um…" Luz hesitated, thinking back to her numerous visits to the Knee, "Amity angered the slitherbeast a couple of weeks ago," She finally said and smiled slightly.

"Murderer…" Someone whispered venomously, shocking Luz.

The human stiffened and exchanged looks with Miss Jenkinsmeyer, who seemed just as outraged. Then, turning around, she faced the source of the whisper. No one dared make eye contact with her.

"What was that?!" Luz growled angrily, but no one replied, "Thatʼs what I thought. Not brave enough to speak up," She added just as angrily, slowly turning back in her seat to face the teacher.

"Now…" The teacher said sternly, silently siding with her human pupil, "Let's get back to the topic," She ended the discussion.

Luz was grateful to Miss Jenkinsmeyer for doing so, but she could not stop thinking the situation would only escalate in time. A quiet hoot echoed in her head, agreeing to her approach, playing it safe.

Amity woke up and smiled widely when she noticed Danielle beside her. Her ears perked up when the green eyes met the gold ones. The human leaned forward, took hold of the pale hand, and returned the warm expression.

"Good morning, Cariño," Danielle whispered, "How are you feeling?"

"Better," Amity whispered hoarsely under her breath.

"I see your voice is improving," The human noted with a smile.

"Y-yeah…" The witch whispered, taking hold of her throat, "It feels like a bad Fire Flu," She explained with a wince.

"I am unfamiliar with that, but I take your word for it…" She paused, and her expression faded.

Amity massaged her throat and did not notice how she scratched a delicate nick on her neck. Danielle gulped loudly, and she looked aside shamefully. She took a deep, calming breath before looking back at the witch. She tried to remove her hand, but the witch tightened her hold.

"I'm sorry, Amity," Danielle finally said, "Eda told me how I've hurt you and…"

"Stop," Amity replied. She smiled warmly at the other woman, "I get trauma. I get nightmares," She paused to wince in discomfort, her ears slanted when she gulped, "Why do you still carry a knife?" She asked worriedly.

Danielle stiffened and reached into her back pocket. She retrieved a small, flat, black knife. It was not bigger than a human's palm. She offered the blade to the witch, who accepted the weapon and curiously inspected it.

"It belonged to my brother," Danielle whispered, "You know I had a rough childhood, but I still didn't have a chance to explain…"

"You don't have to…" Amity tried to interrupt.

"I want to, Amity," Danielle said with a smile, "I want you to know me…" She hesitated, nervous about the witch's reaction.

"I'd love that," Amity smiled widely, "Please tell me about the knife," She added, and Danielle relaxed.

"Well, it's not like I've been carrying my old hunting guerilla machete," The human said teasingly, "But that knife…" She immediately saddened, "My brother… Oh, my stupid brother," Her voice quivered, "He killed himself with this knife… Well, my mother killed him. She and her never-ending pressure to lead the family, to keep up the turf war, she never listened to… Ugh," Danielle paused to take another deep, calming breath.

"I'm so sorry…" The witch whispered with ears slanted in compassion as she thought about Edric.

"It's not like she wiped my memories or altered my personality," Danielle tried to brush her feelings off. Amity sent her the famous Blight disapproving look, "But yeah… Finding Abnar with this knife in his neck… It was the final straw. I left the country and my home right after his funeral. Camila and Manuel, Luz's parents, helped me start my life over…" She paused, not knowing what else to say.

It had been a while since Danielle looked up at Amity, and she was shocked that the witch had listened to her every word. The golden eyes were stuck on the human's face, making the older woman nervous. The witch realized that and looked down at the weapon in her hands.

"I understand now…" Amity whispered in a quivering voice, "I was scared…" She paused, afraid to speak her mind, "I was scared that you were afraid of being close to me," She added, looking up with tear-filled eyes and slanted, nervously twitching ears.

"Oh, Cariño," Danielle whispered, finally realizing how that must have looked to the younger woman, "No, of course not," She leaned forward and held Amity's hand.

"I'm sorry…" The witch whispered, letting her tears roll down her cheeks, "I thought…"

"Shh, Mija," Danielle interrupted, pulling Amity into a warm and soothing embrace, "I am not and never were afraid of you," She whispered, rubbing circles on the witchʼs back, "Okay, maybe I was when we first met," She giggled and pulled away to look at the younger woman, slightly cupping the tear-stained face. Amity chuckled and wiped her eyes, mindful of her nails, "But I believe you can understand why," She added, and the witch smiled at the human.

"Y-yeah," Amity admitted, "I would have been scared of myself back then, too," She added, suddenly her expression faded.

"What is it, Amity?" Danielle was worried about the sudden change.

"Um…" Amity blushed and looked away. She returned the knife, but the human kept staring at her, waiting for an explanation, "I was wondering," The witch looked back into the green eyes, rubbing her palms nervously, "I know I'm not a child anymore, but I was wondering," She paused, hesitating to continue. Her ears trembled anxiously, and Danielle arched her brow questioningly, "Is that okay if I call you my mom?" She asked quickly, immediately clutching her quilt, clenching her eyes, and slanting her ears so they hugged her head.

Danielle recognized that behavior. Amity asked about something she had been hoping to ask for a long time and now expected to be punished. The way the witch froze, how she pulled slightly away, and how she readied her face to accept punishment was genuinely heartbreaking. What Amity did not expect was a tight, warm hug.

"I'd love that, Mija," The human whispered, and her daughter returned the hug to the best of her ability, "Te quiero, Cariño," She added, not realizing she had said that out loud.

Danielle heard a slight sniffle and stiffened momentarily before relaxing again and releasing a shaky breath. Amity tightened the hug as much as she could, which was not much at all, but the human appreciated the intention before she let out a quivering whisper.

"Te quiero también, Mamá," Amity whispered, relieved that she was not punished for speaking her mind.

They held tightly onto each other. They considered it strange how comfortable they felt with the situation and each other. Amity needed a mother, and Danielle needed a daughter. Despite all the bad that happened to them, two worlds apart, they found each other in the right place and at the right time, as if guided by light.

The said light felt quite dim after her last few days in the Academy. Luz quickly returned home, where Willow was already waiting for her. The witch was still in her Flyer Derby uniform, and her Palisman rested on her shoulder.

"Welcome home," She exclaimed cheerfully when Luz entered her bedroom.

"Yeah… Thanks," Luz replied in a resigned tone. She approached her desk, where she unpacked her books, placing them on a tall stack of letters, "Iʼm just tired," She explained, sensing the piercing green gaze behind her, dropping into her chair, her eyes locked on the paper adorned with Amity's handwriting.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" Willow asked worriedly.

She approached Luz and sat on the small stool the human lately used to rest her leg while studying. The hazel-brown eyes traveled to the witchʼs face, and the full lips heaved a sigh seeing the supportive expression.

"I donʼt know if there's anything to talk about," Luz admitted, looking aside, "I just have a strange feeling at school. People behave differently. I hear them whisper, glance angrily at me… One person even bumped into me on purpose today," She admitted and looked toward the window, losing herself in thought.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you…" Willow said, and Luz shocked her with a snort.

"Come on," The human turned her head, facing her friend, and smiled, "You can't blame yourself for having a life. You can't keep babysitting me," She added.

"Yeah, but you're hurt and…"

"And you're leading the Flyer Derby team, Skara's the Grudby Team Captain, and I can take care of myself," Luz interrupted, "Iʼm just confused. It wasn't like that last year," She added, and the silence filled the room.

Willow knew what that was all about but agreed with Hunter and Lilith to keep it quiet for now. She knew that people who were in any way affiliated with the Blight Industries were frustrated, looking for a scapegoat to blame.

"Well, let's see how it goes while I'm around," Willow offered with a mischievous smile. Her confidence was infectious. They shared a short laugh, "I see you got quite a few letters from Amity," She noted after a while. Luz smiled dreamily.

"Yeah," The human giggled, "Eda is strangely enjoying being the messenger," She added, and the witch rolled her eyes.

"You gave her an excuse to keep visiting Danielle," Willow teased, and her friend had to agree.

"Talking about visiting," Luz tied her hands on her chest and raised her eyebrow, "When will you stop avoiding Amity?" She asked seriously.

"I'm not avoiding…" Willow was evidently saddened.

"Then what is it?" She asked worriedly, "Come on, it's not like you."

"It's…" The witch hesitated, pulling her knees to her chest, "I'm still having nightmares, Luz," She admitted, looking aside shamefully, "I still see how I burned her alive… How can I face her after killing a version of her?" She asked.

Luz felt stupid for not connecting the dots herself. She could not imagine the toll that action took on her friend. Even if Amity's clone asked to end her life, it could not have been easy on the witch who always cared about her friends.

"Have you been talking to someone about it?" Luz asked, and Willow shook her head, too ashamed to speak, "Zariyah is still in town, you know? Maybe she can help?" She proposed, and the witch looked like she was considering this option, "She'll be at the Clinic later this afternoon," She added, and her friend nodded.

"Thanks, Luz. I'll think about it," Willow replied, mustering a small smile, "So how about Hexes Hold'em?" She tried to lighten up the mood, changing the topic.

"Ugh, Eda rubbed off on you," Luz chuckled, shaking her head in disbelief, "Bring it, Park," She agreed, getting her lucky stack of cards.

The rest of the afternoon passed by in a flash. Between playing cards, snacking, and info-dumping on their respective fandoms, Luz was feeling a little bit like her old self when Willow decided it was time for her to leave. They needed an afternoon spent like in the good old days.

Danielle guided Zariyah to Amity's room, entering quietly. The young witch opened her eyes, feeling she was not alone anymore. The golden eyes blinked rapidly, chasing the sleepiness away while the pink lips smiled at the Mind Healer.

"Good afternoon, Miss Blight," Zariyah greeted her patient. She was shocked to see the young witch smile widely.

"Please… Just Amity," The witch whispered hoarsely, "Good to see you, Zariyah," She adjusted herself in bed, trying to lift her body slightly to find a more comfortable position.

"Let me help, Cariño," Danielle approached the bed and assisted Amity in getting into a restful position.

"Thank you, Mamá," The witch's voice was filled with gratitude.

Zariyah could not control her shocked expression. Her lips parted when she watched how the women before her interacted. The half-demoness took a seat in the comfortable chair, and she watched how the young witch looked at the human.

"I'll leave you to it then," Danielle bid them farewell and left the room.

Zariyah watched Amity look at the human until the doors were closed, and then she refocused on the Mind Healer in front of her. Their eyes met, and the young witch sent her Healer a strangely warm smile.

"Good to see you feeling better… Amity," Zariyah said, reluctantly calling the Heiress by her first name.

"Slowly getting stronger," The witch admitted, resting her head on the pillow.

"I see your voice is still strained," Zariyah noted with worry, "And you still haven't been cleared to consume solid foods," She pointed at the IV drip.

"Or to meet my fiancée," Amity joked in a hoarse whisper, "But I'm happy to be alive," She added, smiling widely.

"Are you okay with me checking in on you?" The Healer asked with concern, and the witch nodded, agreeing, "How have you been feeling physically?" She wondered, tying her brows.

"I've been better," Amity joked before wincing in discomfort. Zariyah gave her a disapproving look, "Ugh, I'm still on pain medication, but Viney keeps it on the lowest level possible to keep me lucid," She explained, and the Healer nodded in understanding.

"How about your nails?" Zariyah pointed at the pale hands. Amity looked down at her nails and tied her brows.

"Yeah, I gave up on those," Amity said, "I went a little overboard when I tried to get them under control…" She admitted, looking up at the Healer.

The half-demoness nodded in understanding. She knew that retracting the nails while the body still thought it was in distress hurt. She had seen her patients struggle with it often after experiencing traumatic events.

"Would you mind if I took a look?" Zariyah asked, watching Amity's figure and trying to understand her patient.

"She looks so calm and relaxed… She's nothing like the Heiress I met a few weeks ago," The Healer noted.

"Knock yourself out. I did some cleaning since your last visit," Amity joked, showing off her fangs in a broad yet weak smile. Zariyah shook her head in disbelief at the display of humor.

"Well, you certainly have been in a better head space since the last time we spoke," The Healer noted, "Iʼm pleased about that," She said and drew a big, bright blue spell circle, "Shall we?" She asked last time, and Amity nodded, "Lay back and relax," She added.

The young witch did as asked. Amity let out a long, deep exhale. She put her head back on the pillow and closed her eyes. She noticed a bright blue glow behind her eyelids, and suddenly everything disappeared.

Zariyah blinked rapidly when she felt her body materialize in the fuchsia-illuminated space. The Healer corrected her hair, tucked it behind her ear, and she looked around with awe.

"Woah…" Zariyah whispered in awe.

The Healer walked further in and saw the Memory Doors, brightly illuminated by the glow of Amity's magical aura. The paintings were clear and saturated in color, and the brass frame was polished. The brass gears incorporated into it ticked regularly and rhythmically.

The space between the doors was clear of any obstacles. The floor seemed covered with laboratory-like gray tiles, and some wisp-like greenish energy flew by like a butterfly. The sudden child's laughter got Zariyah's attention, shocking her out of her mind.

The Healer followed the sound and soon found herself in the deepest part of Amityʼs Mind Scapes, where the old Memory Vault was wide open. The thick, heavy door with broken hinges was leaning on the side.

Zariyah stiffened in surprise when a young auburn-haired child darted by her, laughing giddily. The Healer relaxed when she noticed a young witchling summoning a small abomination and making it carry her in a piggyback hold.

"I told you I did some cleaning," A sudden mischievous voice teased Zariyah.

"AH!" The Healer exclaimed in shock, "Inner Amity?" She asked in disbelief when she noticed the woman before her.

The lavender hair, broad, fanged smile, pointy, perked-up ears, black tunic, burgundy jeans, and heavy boots created an image of the woman who was whole and content with who she was.

"Just Amity is fine, really," The young woman said, her warm smile never wavered, "Soooo?" She leaned on the Healer, confusing Zariyah with the physical contact, "How do you like it?" She asked, watching the half-demonessʼs expression.

"Thatʼs… Wow…" Zariyah did not know what else to say.

Her sight was fixated on the Memory Vault. The massive Memory Painting concealed the gaping hole, surpassing anything Zariyah had encountered with her patients before. The Memory Door was still forming. The brass frame with stuttering gears was slowly constructing itself around the oil image of Danielle holding her daughterʼs dead body.

"I'm gonna need some explanation," Zariyah chuckled nervously as she faced Amity.

"Let's take a stroll. I'll walk you through everything that has happened since your last visit," The Heiress spoke warmly.

Amity's voice was so kind and welcoming that the Healer had a hard time believing this was the abrasive, vexatious, and distant patient of room twelve-oh-eight whom she had met all those weeks ago.

Luz faced a challenge she couldn't resolve alone. She struggled to remain with her thoughts for long, knowing her fiancée was stuck in the Clinic. She intended to take advantage of Amity's session with Zariyah to reconnect with Danielle.

The doctor was more than happy to take her mind off her daughter as well. She knew that if she did not meet with Luz, she would most likely keep worrying about Amity, who was undergoing the Mind Healing Spell.

They chose to visit the Hexside Academy stables, as Danielle hadn't had the opportunity to learn anything during her previous visit. Luz was already waiting for her guardian when the older woman arrived.

Danielle had not seen Luz in a while, and she worried about the younger woman. She noticed how Clawthorne was leaning heavily on her cane. She was still thinner than she should, her clothes were hanging loosely on her frame, and her face looked tired.

"Hey, Dani!" Luz exclaimed happily when she noticed the shorter woman.

Clawthorne noticed how much weight Danielle had lost and how her skin had paled because of the time she spent in the dim room, watching over Amity. Luz was glad she cared for her fiancée, but she only wished it would not harm her guardian in the process.

"Luz!" Danielle replied excitedly, "Oh, I'm so happy to see you," She added, rushing Luz in a tight hug.

"Wow," Clawthorne gasped in shock, almost losing her balance when her hand slipped off her cane. Once she realized what was happening, she returned the embrace and closed her eyes in relaxation, "I missed you too, Tia," She whispered, letting herself enjoy the safety that the strong embrace had brought her. Until it tightened again, "Dani…" Luz gasped, "Chest…"

"Oh, shit! Sorry, Luz," Danielle whispered, quickly pulling away and looking up at her ward, "I really missed you," She added with a sheepish smile, feeling dumb for forgetting about Luz's wound.

"Then let's make the most of the time we're given," The younger woman offered, brushing off her discomfort. Danielle smiled widely in answer, "Follow me," Luz suggested.

She told her Tía about her class, where she was officially told she could come to the stables whenever she wanted. Danielle listened excitedly, loving that Camila's daughter unknowingly followed her motherʼs footsteps.

"Meet Puddles," Luz said with a smile, opening the box where the griffin was kept. This time officially," She added, walking the beast to the beast run.

"Dios mío…" Danielle whispered when she eyed the strange animal.

"See, griffins are a little like the Human Realm cats mixed with horses and dogs," Luz giggled when she noticed the other womanʼs confusion, "They are very independent, intelligent, and they don't take shit from anyone," Luz explained, petting the beak, "Griffins don't trust just anyone but once you gain their trust, it's for life," The loud purring erupted from the large animal and the tongue licked Luz's cheek.

"Sheʼs beautiful," Danielle whispered, unaware of what she was saying.

She could not look away from the griffin. The large beady eyes were enchanting, the strong wings were impressive, and the fluffy mane was alluring. Danielle knew everything about the Human Realm animals and had just been brought to a world filled with Magical Beasts.

"Oh, I'm gonna love it here," The doctor thought with awe in her look.

"Come on," Luz's warm hand taking hold of her own surprised her. Danielle looked up at her ward and trusted her to keep her safe, "Puddles, meet Danielle," Clawthorne whispered, "She helped raise me in the Human Realm, and she's Amityʼs mom," She added.

Danielle could have sworn her heart melted when she heard these words. She was so focused on them that she barely realized when her hand was brought to the griffin's beak. The doctor gasped and smiled widely excitedly when she realized what was happening.

"Hi, Puddles," Danielle replied. She moved her hand and started rubbing the beak delicately, "Thank you for taking care of Luz and Amity at the Knee," She added, "I heard you helped scare the slitherbeasts away," She continued and noticed how the hesitant look in the beady eyes have changed.

Puddles started purring again, and she leaned forward to lick the tan cheek. Danielle giggled, feeling the harsh tongue on her face, and her hands landed on the feathery neck, enjoying the closeness with the beast.

"Awww, she likes you," Luz fawned over the other human, loving how her favorite beast accepted her favorite human.

"Sheʼs awesome," Danielle mumbled, feeling confident enough to hug griffin and hiding her face in the feathery neck, "This reminds me of the horses we had back in Dominicana," She added.

"You had horses?" Luz asked, surprised that Danielle had said anything about her childhood.

"Mhm," Danielle confirmed, still smiling.

The griffin sat down and allowed the human to hug her for as long as the featherless beast needed to. If anyone could read the beast's mind, they would know that Puddles enjoyed the affection, feeling safe around this new, older, and shorter Luz.

"It looks like you needed some destressing, huh?" Luz joked a little.

"You have no idea," Danielle replied, her voice muffled by the thick feathers.

"How about we let Puddles stretch her wings, huh?" Luz offered.

"Oh, yeah…" Danielle pulled away with regret, "Iʼm sure she wants to use the time outside the box," She added and looked up at Luz.

She did not understand why the young woman wore a wide, wicked smile, showing off her white-gold fang. The mischief in her hazel-brown eyes made the doctor feel nervous. It was a herald of shenanigans.

"Luz, I don't like your expression," Danielle's confidence faded, "It's too… Eda-like," She added, and that made Luz chuckle.

Puddles stood up, shrugged her wings, and snorted slightly as if she were laughing at Danielle's reaction. Luz approached the griffin's side. She caressed the beast softly, patting it gently.

"Since you grew up with horses, I'm sure you'll enjoy what I'm planning next," Luz added, extending her hand.

Danielle accepted it hesitantly, and she understood what was coming next. She approached the beast's side and bent her knee. Luz grabbed her guardian's shin and helped her up in one swift move.

"How does that feel?" Clawthorne asked, watching the doctor's excited expression.

"I haven't been riding bareback since I was a child, but Puddles is much more comfortable than a horse," Danielle explained and smiled, "Aren't you gonna join me?" She asked, worried about Luz.

"Oh, I am joining you," The younger woman said, taking a few steps back, "But more than one beast needs to spread their wings," She added, resting her cane on the fence, "I'll be right beside you," She said with a wink.

Danielle chuckled, Puddles snorted, and Luz groaned. The bright, gold light illuminated the field, and a few loud bone snaps later, the tall harpy stretched her wings. The black-gold eyes roamed the beast before her.

"Come on, Puddles," Luz said distortedly, "Quick trip to the Knee. Just be gentle with Danielle," She added before facing the other human, "Take hold of the feathers on her neck if you don't feel confident holding her only with your thighs," She added, and Danielle nodded.

Luz spread her wings, and with a powerful beat, she soared into the sky. Looking down, she noticed how widely Danielle smiled when Puddles followed her example. The older woman let out a loud cheer. Excitement mixed with fear created a fantastic combination that helped her forget about every worry.

"Titan, you're natural, Dani!" Luz exclaimed, showing off her fangs in a broad grin.

Danielle looked at her ward and could not help but smile even wider. To think she was scared of Luz's demonic appearance when she first saw it. The wide, fanged smile, feathery, perked-up ears, and sparkling black-gold eyes were so welcoming that Danielle could not feel more at home.

"Puddles is taking great care of me!" Danielle replied and reveled in the moment she shared with her ward.

"If that's so, I hope you won't mind getting a little more adrenaline?" Luz asked hesitantly, "Beasty didn't have a chance to enjoy freedom in a while, and I promised them some wild sky soaring," She explained and was shocked to see Danielle squint and grin mischievously.

"Oh, I could use a serious dopamine shot right now," The older woman said, taking hold of griffin's feathery neck, "Let's do it!" She added. Luz could only smirk in answer.

Luz let out a loud screech, and she folded her wings. She let herself free fall, gaining speed. Her eyes dried when she watched the ground approach her rapidly before she spread her wings widely, using the speed to regain her altitude. A loud chirp of gratitude rolled off her throat.

"Oh, how we missed that!" Luz exclaimed, answering Danielle's shocked expression, "How about a small race?" She asked.

"Youʼre it!" Danielle replied, and before Luz could react, the older human was rushing Puddles toward the Knee, leaving her ward behind, "Thatʼs it, girl," She whispered, happy with the rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins, focusing her sight on the destination.

Danielle could not believe how much she enjoyed the flight. For the first time in years, she felt like her old self. Suddenly, she was not a scared little López Heiress. She was not an immigrant struggling to survive in a strange country, and she was not a useless lesbian crushing on her best friend because she was the only person who was good to her.

Danielle felt she was in the right place and time for the first time in decades. If anyone had told her a few months ago that she would be dating one witch, becoming a mother to another, riding a griffin, or finding her long-lost ward, who was now a human-demon hybrid, she would have locked herself up in a mental asylum.

"No way!" Danielle exclaimed when Puddles slowed her flight, approaching the Knee.

Luz was already waiting for the older woman, back in her human form, preparing the small fireplace and a snack. The griffin spread its wings and delicately landed in the snow. Danielle slid down the feathery body, standing beside the east.

"How's that possible?" Danielle asked in surprise, "And what's all this?" She asked, pointing at the fireplace. Luz chucked.

"I'm sorry, Dani. There's no way you could have won if I can do this," Luz flashed in bright gold and appeared right next to the griffin, leaning on the animal, guiding it to rest, clenching her jaw in discomfort as she limped.

"Wow! You always could have done this?!" Danielle exclaimed in shock. Luz laughed and shook her head in disbelief.

"Yeah," Luz admitted and retrieved some blankets from her backpack, "At least since I learned to communicate with Beasty," She explained, guiding her guardian to sit down.

"Isn't their name Strigi? I'm sure that's how Amity called them right before you were kidnapped," Danielle noted, reaching for the fireplace and warming her hands, "Wow…" She whispered when she saw the fallen Titan illuminated by the orange, setting sun.

"Huh?" Luz let out, and a loud hoot echoed across her mind.

"Okay, later," Luz thought, "We need to help her relax now so she will have the strength to care for Amity," She argued, and the demon agreed.

"Anyway," Luz said, changing the subject, "Let's have something to eat before returning," She proposed, sitting beside Danielle. Puddles rested not too far away, rolling in the snow and enjoying the freedom, "How did you like it?" She asked, chopping some vegetables.

Danielle could not hold back her excitement. She told Luz about every single thought that rushed through her mind while she flew to the Knee. For the first time, she told her about her childhood.

Danielle shared about the wealth she grew up in, her favorite horses, and how she always felt safest among the animals, simultaneously hating the humans. By the time Luz prepared the meal, the older woman shared how by the time she became a teen, her mother had forced her to take an active role in the turf war her family was responsible for.

It surprised the Owl Demon to realize that Luz had never interrupted Danielle. The other human kept talking, and by the end of their meal, Luz finally understood why her guardian felt a strong connection with Amity.

"The only thing Danielle's mother was missing was magic… Such an Odalia," Luz thought at some point in the story.

"I'm so sorry for rambling…" Danielle whispered sheepishly when they were getting ready to go back.

"Stop, Dani," Luz said with a smile, "Iʼm happy to finally get to know you. The real you. You didn't tell me anything like this when I was a kid. But based on those juvenile experiences, I trusted you when I called you to help Amity. Now you're dating my mom, you're a mother to my fiancée, and I'm indescribably happy to learn about your life," She added, her eyes roaming the shorter woman, "I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm happy to have you back in my life," She explained, looking sheepishly aside, scratching the back of her neck.

"I missed you too, Luz," Danielle whispered, crushing Luz in the tightest of hugs.

"Ah, shit! Dani! Chest! Cracked chest!" The young woman gasped, trying to pull away.

"Oh, shit!" Danielle exclaimed, quickly pulling back in panic and noticing tears in her hazel-brown eyes, "Iʼm so fucking sorry, I just…"

"Easy…" Luz gasped, struggling to breathe, "You didn't do anything wrong. I'm just as impulsive," She chuckled, trying to calm the shorter woman down, "This one just needs more time to heal. Come here, Tía Dani," She added, pulling Danielle back into a warm hug.

"Thank you for today," Danielle whispered after a while, "I had no idea I really needed that," She added, and Luz chuckled.

"My pleasure," Luz replied, slowly pulling back.

"As fun as that is…"

"You want to get back," Luz finished the sentence. The older woman nodded.

"Amity's about to end her session, and I'm just worried about her," Danielle explained, and she noticed tears in Luz's eyes.

"Thank you, Dani," Clawthorne's voice quivered, "For being there for her when I can't, for keeping her safe when I…" She gasped, trying to calm her breathing.

"Luz, calm down," Danielle whispered, "I can only imagine how difficult this is for you. To stand aside, unable to do anything, trusting that others will do what you wish you could have done yourself…" She continued, "I do my best, but there's no need for you to thank me. We both care about Amity," She explained, and Luz took another calming breath.

"Thank you, Dani," The younger woman whispered, wiping her tears before they roamed down her cheeks.

"Anytime, Cariño," Danielle replied, smiling at her ward.

With that, Luz helped the other woman bridle the griffin. They flew back to the stables together. Danielle watched Luz clean and walk the animal back to the box before she bid her farewell, returning to the Clinic, hoping her daughter was still safe.

Danielle entered Amity's room in time for Zariyah to finish the spell. The human watched the bright blue glow disappear from her daughterʼs eyes. The bedridden witch was breathing heavily, exhausted from the session.

"Are you okay, Amity?" The Mind Healer asked. Her voice was full of warmth.

"Y-yeah…" The young witch replied with a heavy voice, "Just… Beat…" She explained.

"That's perfectly normal. You did quite an extensive cleaning, and having me in your Mind Scapes for so long was not without a mark," Zariyah explained, "But the good news is that you don't need me anymore," She added when she noticed Danielle enter the room quietly.

"W-why?" Amity gasped. She was not ready to say goodbye to the Healer who greatly helped her.

"Amity," Zariyah smiled warmly at her patient, "I gave you the tools, but you did a great job all by yourself. You confronted your past, accepted what was done to you, and you came to know how to live with that," The Healer explained, and Danielle realized she had yet to do some healing of her own.

"Thank you, Zariyah," Amity whispered weakly, sending a small, grateful smile at the half-demoness, "I mean it."

"I know you do," Zariyah returned to her feet, "Rest now. You can experience some weakness for a day. If anything's wrong, I'll stick around for the next week or so," She added, leaving the room with that.

Danielle nodded with acknowledgment, smiling with gratitude at the Healer. Zariyah placed her hand on the human's shoulder and nodded knowingly at the shorter woman. Then she left to care for her newest patient - a short witch with green eyes hidden behind the round glasses.

"¿Mamá?" Danielle heard Amity's whisper. The witch suddenly started sniffing, "Oh…" The witch smiled widely, "You met with Luz and Puddles," She said, looking at the human who blushed sheepishly.

"Y-yeah, sorry," Danielle said in shame, "I forgot I must reek of the stables. Let me get a quick shower," She added. The human was shocked to hear Amity giggle.

"I'm not going anywhere," The witch said weakly, "Enjoy your shower," She added, watching the human smile at her and disappear in the adjourned bathroom.

Amity shut her eyes and gradually drifted into sleep. The witch found it hard to believe how fortunate she was to be cared for like this. A wave of relaxation washed over her, and she smiled at the thought, still getting used to such support.

"I must have done something right…" Amity thought, falling further into slumber.

She did not know if she had fallen asleep and, if she did, how long it lasted when she heard a sudden ruckus coming from the corridor. It did not seem right. Her room was not too close to the Nurses' Station, but something seemed to be going down not too far.

Amity opened her eyes, and she forced herself to sit up. She grunted in pain and pushed her legs off the bed. The water in her bathroom stopped running, but she could not wait for Danielle any longer. Not when she heard her best friend's panicked voice behind her door.

"Luz!? What the hell happened?!" Willow exclaimed.

"Sheʼs hurt…" Amity thought fearfully and could not stay hidden anymore.

The witch grabbed her IV stand and leaned on it, standing up. Her legs were stiff and weak, holding her up for the first time in weeks, but she slowly made it to the door. She opened her room and was immediately blinded by the bright lights illuminating the corridor.

"Luz?" Amity asked, but no one heard her.

She blinked rapidly, fighting the discomfort in her eyes away, trying to distinguish shapes in the bright light. Everything seemed so hectic. Slowly, she analyzed the situation, looking from the right to the left.

The Coven Scouts, standing by the Nurses' Station, were restraining a young witch whom Amity recognized from school. Her sight followed Willow's voice to the left, where she noticed a tan, beat-up body on the gurney. The blood painted the floor, and pained yells attacked the Heiress's ears just like the wave of additional pain attacked her body when her fiancée regained consciousness.

"No," Amity gasped, forcing her legs to guide her toward the human.

"No, Amity!" Willow gasped, her expression fading into panic, "You need to stay back!" She added, realizing it was too late.

Amity was close enough to see the state Luz was in. The human was severely hurt. Her face was already swollen, bruises forming. Her full, cracked lips were quivering, her chest expanding irregularly, breathing hard. The lean hands were shaking uncontrollably, clenching the cane broken in half.

"Who did that?" Amity gasped weakly, looking up at Willow.

"I wasn't there…" The shorter witch replied.

"Thatʼs where you're hiding!" The restrained witch exclaimed, but everyone ignored them.

Amity stepped back and looked around the corridor. Her eyes hurt when the bright light entered the golden orbs for the first time in the weeks she had spent in the darkness of her room, but she looked at the people around her. A headache formed behind her eyes, and her breathing hitched. She felt overwhelmed, and her senses were paralyzed.

"Amity?" Danielle's voice surprised the witch, making her pointy ears flutter, "Whatʼs…?" She paused when she noticed her ward, which was coughing up blood on the gurney, "Call Emira! Now!" She roared toward the Nurses' Station before she faced her daughter, "Come on, Cariño," She whispered, trying to get Amity's attention.

"Luz…" The witch gasped and trembled, shaking her head to signal her mother that she would not abandon her fiancée.

Danielle approached Luz and eyed the hurt woman. She looked at her hands and realized the young woman did not fight back. She looked at the Coven Scouts holding the young witch. They were not even scratched. But their knuckles were severely bruised.

"F-fuck…" Amity gasped, taking a step back. Luz's pain paralyzed the witch's body, making her realize the human was awake.

"Amity…" Luz gasped when she noticed her fiancée for the first time in weeks.

The witch was pale and weak. She was wearing white long-sleeved Clinic pajamas and leaning on the IV stand with a catheter attached to her forearm. Her pointy ears were slanted, and her eyes were half-lidded in exhaustion. Luz wanted to say something, anything, really, to let the witch know how much she missed and loved her.

"Luz, calm down," Emira said suddenly as she appeared by the human's side, "Amity, what are you doing?" She asked in panic when she noticed her sister out of her room on the brink of collapse, "Somebody help her back to bed," She ordered, trying to remain calm and focused.

Danielle understood the Healer was right. Luz was now safe, so she turned around to walk her daughter back to the warmth of her bed. She was barely standing as it was. The witch was just a few steps away when the situation escalated.

"Murderer!" The confined young witch exclaimed, shocking everyone.

The Coven Scouts could not restrain the fugitive. Luz's attacker jumped forward, leaving the dumbfounded soldiers behind. Amity watched how Danielle, Emira, Willow, and Luz before her froze in panic, not understanding what was happening.

"Die!" The witch roared, breaking the chains on their magic-restricting shackles that continued to keep their magic locked.

"Amity!" Danielle yelled, but she was too far away to do anything.

The fugitive grabbed Amity's jaw from behind, muffling her lips, and with the other hand, they sunk a wavy dagger into her chest. Luz roared when she felt the stabbing pain near her heart, and Danielle watched the golden, fear-filled eyes stare at her with panic as the pupils shrank.

The knife was withdrawn from Amity's chest, only to be plunged back into a different spot on the left side of the witch's chest. The Heiress coughed, her blood staining her chin, neck, chest, and the hand of her assailant. Her golden eyes fixated on her mother's green ones as if her other senses were muted.

Luz let out another roar, her back arched. Suddenly, a brilliant golden light flooded the corridor, momentarily blinding everyone. A loud screech scared everyone but Amity, to whom it was a sound of her rescue. The Harpy leaped ahead in an attempt to save the lavender-haired witch.

"Not here!" Emira roared, casting a sleep spell at the hybrid, who immediately fell unconscious on the floor, instantly regaining her human form.

Amity tried to grab her attacker and fight back. Her stiff hands shook deliriously as her lengthened nails slightly scratched the arm that held her immobile. She could not do much, being too weak to fend for herself.

"Enough!" Danielle screamed frantically as she saw the young witch lift their dagger again.

Amity felt another plunge in her chest. Just when her attacker was about to stab her for the fourth time, she noticed her mother retrieving her knife. The small, black, smooth object flew swiftly, passing the slanted, pointy ear by a mere inch. Suddenly, the hold on her jaw slackened. She heard a weak cough behind her, and the wavy dagger fell to the floor.

"Amity!" Danielle yelled and rushed forward.

The human watched her daughter lose her balance. Amity's weak knees buckled underneath while her hand tried to grab the IV stand again. The lavender hair flew up as the pale body collapsed onto the floor. Danielle rushed to her side, just barely managing to cushion the impact.

"Cariño, talk to me!" The human exclaimed, not realizing how illogical her request was, "Youʼre going to be fine, you hear me!?" She added in panic.

Danielle applied pressure to the bleeding wounds on her daughterʼs chest. The snow-white pajamas were now crimson red, and the color was spreading rapidly. The human tried to ignore the puddle of blood warming her knees.

"M-Mamá…" Amity gasped, her eyes rolling up. She coughed up blood, unable to control the spasms of her diaphragm.

The image of Danielle's worried face was getting blurrier with each passing second and every blood-tasting cough. The witch needed to let her mother know she cared about her. She needed to tell Luz how much she loved her.

"Willow, get Luz to the OR two," Emira ordered. You better…" Her voice was becoming unrecognizable to the Heiress. The golden eyes rolled up, and the pointy ears limped weakly.

"¡No, no, no! Cariño, por favor…" Danielle muttered under her breath, trying to slow down the bleeding, knowing she would not be able to do that forever. Amity was slipping away, and she needed a Healer.

"Keep talking to her," Emira ordered, "Viney will be here in a second. I need to deal with the Coven Scouts who set their prisoner free in my Clinic," She explained. Danielle had never seen the witch so furious, barely controlling herself.

"Vas a vivir, Cariño," Amity recognized a familiar voice assuring her that she would survive, yet the witch could not move.

Everything hurt. Breathing was making everything worse. She tried to focus, scared that if she faded away, it would be for good. She tried to open her eyes but could only see the blinding lights above her.

"Cariño, necesitas calmarte, por favor…" Danielle continued, begging her daughter to calm down, not realizing she was not speaking English anymore.

"Amity, Honey," Viney's appearance shocked Danielle and helped Amity relax, "It's gonna be okay," She whispered, drawing a bright blue spell circle and immediately applying it to her chest.

"Clear out the floor!" Emira roared, scaring the older human who finally dragged her gaze from her daughter, "Patients back to their rooms! I want this place on lockdown!"

Danielle breathed heavily, feeling the warm blood oozing from Amityʼs wounds, trickling between her fingers. The human looked around and noticed the Coven Scouts being pushed away by the Nurses. The immobile body of the attacker was lying a few feet away, with Abnar's knife sticking out of his neck.

"N-no…" Amityʼs weak cough helped Danielle refocus on the problem at hand.

"Easy now," Viney cooed as she worked her magic above her sister-in-law's chest, "Good job slowing the blood loss, Dani," She praised the human, trying hard to ignore the body beside them.

Danielle's rapid breathing clearly indicated a panicked state. She was worried about Luz, about Amity, and about being charged with the murder of a young witch. It was too much, but she knew she needed to focus and help her daughter.

"Amity, you're gonna be okay," Viney informed, dropping the spell, "He missed your bile sac, and Danielle slowed down your blood loss. Relax, Honey," She added, and the golden eyes seemingly stopped to fight to remain conscious. One last whimper left Amity's lips, and her head lolled to the side unconscious, "I need you to keep the pressure while I move both of you to the gurney," The Healer addressed the human.

"Of course," Danielle acknowledged and straddled Amityʼs hips.

Viney created a spell circle, and in moments, her patient was on the gurney, wounds still held by the intense pressure applied to the cuts. Danielle was unaware of when they began moving, their arrival at the Operating Room, or when she was transferred to the Operating Table.

"Okay, Dani," Viney said, moving the gurney to the side, "It's time to let go so I can heal her," She said and realized the human had not moved an inch, shaking in panic, "Dani!" She repeated, this time louder.

"Huh? Yeah," Danielle replied, carefully removing herself from the hurt witch, "Please, help her…" She added, her green eyes filled with unshed tears.

"Take a break, Danielle. I'll let you know once we're done," Viney said in a much softer tone, and Danielle barely moved.

"Y-yeah…" The human gasped, "T-thank you," She added, slowly walking out of the room.

Danielle had no idea where she was going. She was barely aware that her legs were moving, and her mind was still frozen on the image of Amity's pained expression, fighting to stay conscious.

"Come here, Dani," The human knew that voice. Still, she could not register who placed their hands on her shoulders, guiding her to safety, "Everything's gonna be fine," The person repeated, and the human did not even realize when she was in the personnel room.

Danielle looked up and noticed her reflection. She was in the bathroom. The woman who looked back at her was a frightened shadow of the usually confident Doctor López. Her face and clothes were covered in blood, making her breathing hitch.

"Coño…" Danielle gasped and looked back down at her shaking, blood-covered hands.

She opened the tap, setting it to fiery hot, and tried to wash her daughterʼs blood off her palms. She added soap and grabbed the brush, but it was not working. Danielle's breathing hitched again, and she swallowed her sobs, trying to control herself.

"Shh, calm down," The familiar voice repeated, and Danielle finally realized it was Eda who had helped her out. The witch closed the tap and grabbed shaking, tan hands, trying to comfort the shorter woman, "Iʼm here, Baby. Deep breaths," She offered and delicately pulled the shocked woman into the safety of her embrace.

"Yo…" Danielle choked, "I killed a child…" She mumbled, nuzzling her face into the witch, but her hands were still frozen, shaking deliriously, "They killed my child…" She added, and Eda realized how difficult it must have been for the human, "I haven't…"

"Shh, Cariño," Eda cooed, shocking Danielle with her choice of words, "You saved your daughter. Thanks to you, Amity is safe," She added.

That was when the human finally returned the embrace, wailing loudly. Her weak knees gave up, and she fell to the floor. Eda helped her, keeping her close, rubbing the soothing circles on Danielle's back while the shorter woman cried out all her emotions.

"Thatʼs it," Eda whispered, rocking them slightly, "Let it all out," She added, continuing to help her girlfriend through the experience.

Danielle's cries quieted when the woman lost her voice and strength. It had been a long, exciting day and a very stressful evening, and she could no longer do anything but close her eyes. The human had no idea she was suddenly losing touch with reality. Encouraged by the warmth and scent that made her feel safe, she fell asleep in Eda's embrace.

"Oh, Baby," The witch thought worriedly, watching the exhausted human pass out in her arms.

Luz woke up feeling a pounding headache. She groaned, cracked her eyes open, and immediately recognized the Clinic. Two people were with her in the room, but she had difficulty identifying their features.

"Luz?" A soft whisper got the human's attention. The round glasses reflected the dim light, "Are you back with us?" Willow asked, and her best friend nodded slightly.

"Luz, can you talk?" The other person approached the bed, and Luz immediately recognized Emira.

"Yeah," The human croaked, trying to sit up, "Sorry…"

"Can you tell me what happened? Why were you attacked?" Emira asked. She waited patiently for Willow to help her best friend sip water.

"They took me by surprise. When they hit my head with something, I couldn't kick their ass," Luz explained, "I think they had some connection to the Blight Industries. They…" She paused, and her eyes started moving frantically as if she just recalled something, "Where's Amity?" Her breathing hitched, and she tried to leave the bed.

"She's safe," Emira replied dryly, stopping Luz from leaving, "She's back in her room, guarded by Empire Coven Scouts," She added and glanced at Willow.

"Listen, Luz…" The short witch hesitated, "We need names. This was just one frustrated student, but we suspect more people may want to hurt Amity," She explained, afraid of the human's reaction.

"Haven't anyone questioned the people from the mob that attacked us?" Luz asked, trying to think straight.

"Boscha paid them. It seems unrelated to the recent attack," Willow explained. She sighed in defeat, "Just when Lilith started her new job…"

"I'll get to the bottom of this," Luz said determinedly. But for now, I need to see Amity," She added, trying to get up again.

"Luz, no," Emira opposed, stopping her again, "You will be affected by her discomfort…"

"I don't care, Em!" Luz snapped, "She was stabbed. She's scared and alone. I don't give a fuck about sharing her discomfort. If I could, I would take it all…" She let out, and the Healer stepped back, "I'm sick of keeping my distance, so as long as she won't be affected by my discomfort, I'm not staying away anymore…"

"I'm sorry, Luz," Emira whispered, looking aside sheepishly, "Do you feel okay?"

"You just focus on running the Clinic, Em," Luz offered, her tone softening, "I'm fine. I'll take care of Amity…"

"And I'll find the person responsible for that attack," Willow interrupted, "We still have contacts within the Empire Coven, and I won't let anyone hurt my friends," She added. They all agreed in silence to do precisely that.

Luz removed herself from the bed, wincing with discomfort in her chest, and wobbled a little. She realized her broken cane was resting on her bed. She frowned at it, recalling how proud Hunter was when Dell helped him carve it.

"Let me help you," Emira said, offering her arm, "I need to approve your presence to the Coven Scouts anyway," She added. The human's expression softened, and she accepted her help.

"Thank you, Em," Luz whispered, taking a wobbling step forward, "Sorry for snapping at you," She added, realizing how she had behaved earlier.

"It's okay, Luz," Emira smiled, helping her future sister-in-law walk, "I tend to forget how difficult it must be for you — both of you," She said sheepishly.

"It's okay, Em… I mean, it's not okay, but I understand you want what's best for your sister," Luz said as they walked down the corridor, "I just want it all to be finally over. I want her to be safe and happy, Em," She added, and the Healer hummed in agreement.

"I'm happy we want the same thing for her," Emira said in time for them to arrive at Amity's room. Two Coven Scouts guarded the door. They glared at Luz before looking at the Healer questioningly, "This is Luz Clawthorne. She's a niece of the previous Coven Head, Lilith Clawthorne, and the patient's fiancée. She's cleared to enter and clear other people," She added. The Scouts shared a look before drawing a spell circle, removing the safety precautions, "Take care of her," She addressed Luz.

"We have met before," One of the Scouts said, "But you probably don't remember me. It was one night over four years ago," She said with a small smile, "I will know if someone would use an Illusion to imitate you," She explained, and Luz smiled sheepishly.

"I'm glad to hear that," The human replied, looking at Emira, "Thanks for walking me, but why aren't you coming in?" She asked worriedly.

"It's just… A lot," The Healer said, her ears slanting in shame.

"I get it," Luz said with a warm smile. She limped toward the door and opened it.

When she finally entered, she held her breath. Viney was checking on her patient when the human gathered the courage to approach the bed. Amity was sleeping soundly, letting out a slight wheezing. The dim lights and the Healing Spell illuminated the witch's body.

"How's she?" Luz whispered, hoping not to scare the Healer.

"Safe," Viney dropped the spell and faced the human, "She was stupid lucky that none of the stabs wounded her bile sac," She said and then looked back down at the sleeping woman, "However, her ribs were cracked in the process, and her left lung is in a miserable state. I did what I could, but she's not strong enough to go through the full Healing Spell now," She explained, and Luz nodded in understanding.

"Youʼre afraid you could hurt her if you continue," The human whispered, and Viney nodded in confirmation, "I get it. I'll help her through it," She added, taking a seat in the chair, suddenly realizing something was not right, "Whereʼs Dani?" She asked dumbfoundedly.

"Um…" Viney hesitated, "Eda took her home," She explained, and the human arched her eyebrow questioningly, "She had a bad breakdown after she helped me get Amity to the OR," She explained. The hazel-brown eyes widened in shock, "I thought you knew since you came here," She added, eyeing the human.

"Um, no," Luz looked at Amity, "I just woke up and couldn't stay away anymore…" She paused, hearing Amity's wheeze change its pace.

Luz grabbed her chest and realized her fiancée was slowly waking up. The pointy ears twitched, and the lengthened nails scratched the mattress. Amity let out a pain-filled huff, followed by a whimper. Her eyes fluttered as if she was trying to crack them open.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Viney asked, placing her hand on the human's shoulder. Luz only nodded energetically, trying to get the sensations under control, "Okay, I trust you," The Healer whispered, "Call me if you need anything," She got up and left the couple alone.

"Titan, she's been alone with THAT pain all that time…" Luz thought, watching the witch slowly stir awake, "I hope she won't be angry that I'm here," She continued to worry while the dark brows frowned on the pale face.

Amityʼs lips parted, taking in a deep wheezing gasp. The slanted ears fluttered, and the pale, stiff hand slowly moved toward the hurt chest. The golden eyes cracked open and almost immediately rolled up in pain.

"F-fuck…" The witch gasped, trying to clench her wounds, "¿Mamá?" She whispered pitifully, panic rising in her system. Her right hand left her chest, and she moved it to the edge of the mattress, clearly looking for a hand to grab and hold onto, "H-help…" She added with a breaking voice, and Luz could not help herself.

Despite the overwhelming pain, the human forced herself to scoot closer and take hold of the pale palm. She exhaled deeply, and the pain slowly became more manageable. Just being back in Amityʼs presence was soothing her.

"W-who?" Amity gasped in pain when she realized the hand on hers was not Danielle's. It was too big for her mother but still so familiar, "No, not again, not real…" She panicked, clenching her eyes shut and starting to cry.

"Shh, it's real, Baby," Luz whispered hoarsely.

"L-Luz?" The witch gasped, fighting her pain away and forcing her eyes open. The golden orbs roamed the tan face frantically, "You shouldn't…" She added, noting the human's expression.

"I shouldn't stay away from you as long as I did," Luz whispered, smiling supportively through the pain.

"Titan," Amity gasped, smiling slightly and letting out a waterfall of tears. She was in agony, but she had never felt happier, "I love you so much it hurts," She whispered, laughing through the tears. Luz snorted at that poor joke and sniffled loudly, making the witch realize the human was crying, too.

"It's mutual… Princess," The human teased, her voice breaking.

Amity could not stop the wide grin that appeared on her face. She slightly giggled again and grabbed her chest with her left hand. She arched her back in pain, but her delicate chuckle turned into laughter, and her right hand squeezed Luz's.

"Dork…" Amity whispered when her glee subsided. She took a deep, calming breath and winced in pain, "Whereʼs Dani?" She asked worriedly. Her mother's frightened face was still fresh in her memory.

"Eda took her home," Luz said before telling her everything she knew, "Is there anything you need?" She asked when Amity fell silent.

"I…" The witch hesitated. Luz arched her brow, her face filled with worry, "I mean…" Amity's face reddened, and the human was unsure if she was blushing or hurting.

"Talk to me, Baby," Luz asked, hoping she could understand the witch's hesitant behavior.

"I'm scared…" Amity admitted, her voice quivered.

Luz blinked and tried to understand what scared her fiancée. Was it the pain? The physical contact? Maybe she was still afraid the human was not there? The brunette decided first to comfort the woman she loved.

"Let me help," Luz got up and hovered above the witch. Their eyes met, and the human could not believe how she had missed Amity, "Is that okay?" She asked, delicately caressing the pale cheek underneath the scar on her eye. A memory of the witch's bleeding face flashed before her eyes.

"Y-yeah…" The witch gasped shakily, bringing the human back. She missed the other woman's warmth, but it suddenly scared her life out. Luz brushed the lavender hair away, and Amity's breathing hitched, "S-sorry…" She gasped, looking away with ears slanted in shame.

"No need to apologize," The human smiled warmly at her, "I'm here to help, not overwhelm you," She added and was relieved to see the witch look back at her, "Do you want me to hold your hand while you try to sleep some more?" Luz asked. The warmth in her voice made Amity's heart melt.

"Would you…?" The witch gulped nervously, her eyes roaming the tan face.

"Hold you?" Luz asked, realizing she was just as nervous as Amity.

"You don't have to…" The pale woman looked away again, ashamed of her neediness.

"Oh…" Luz suddenly realized what it was all about, "You're scared of being touched after all this time," She guessed.

Amity did not look back at the human. She simply nodded, afraid that Luz would hate her for it. Should she not be longing for the embrace? Yet, she was scared, almost as the day when she felt it for the first time.

"It's okay," Luz whispered supportively, "Do you want to try it? It's okay if you don't. I'm not leaving you either way. Unless you want me to, of course," She added, afraid to scare the witch.

Despite that reassurance, Amity still avoided Luz's gaze. She moved slightly aside, grunting in discomfort. The human stiffened momentarily when the sensation coursed through her body as well. When the witch rested again, there was enough space next to her to fit another person.

"Oh, okay. Hold on," Luz whispered, understanding what the witch had in mind.

She removed her shoes and shrugged her flannel before opening the snow-white quilt. Luz grabbed her right leg and forced it onto the bed. Amity stiffened when she noticed another person hovering above her.

"It's gonna be okay. That's Luz, your Luz," The witch's mind panicked.

"Amity, it's okay," Luz whispered, feeling her fiancée's fear, "If you want me gone, just say the word," She added and was relieved to see Amity shake her head.

With that, the human rolled to her right side, slid her arm underneath the lavender head, and carefully lay down. Amity's breathing hitched when she felt the warmth of another body on her own.

"Are you sure that's okay?" Luz wanted to make sure.

Amity looked up into the hazel-brown eyes, and her lips parted. She wanted to hug and kiss the human, but her body was completely frozen. She only nodded and settled for reluctantly placing her head on Luz's collarbone.

"Thank you…" The witch whispered tiredly and allowed herself to close her eyes.

"I gotcha," Luz replied, delicately pulling the other body into an embrace, "You're safe now," She added.

The witch's breathing hitched, hearing words of affirmation. She could not believe that after all these months, after everything that happened, and after what had been done to them, Luz was still by her side.

Amity felt the warm hand delicately brush her hair. She was unaware of how she slightly leaned further into the hug. Even though initially the touch hurt her, the witch finally relaxed for the first time in weeks, nestled in the warm embrace.

The stiff hands reluctantly moved up, and Luz was shocked to see the pale digits on her forearm, clenching her possessively. The pointy ears twitched, and the brows, tied in a pained frown, slowly relaxed. The human could not help but watch every change in her fiancée's expression.

"Titan, she's so small…" Luz thought, taking note of how much weight Amity had lost.

The cheekbones were more pronounced, and the cheeks appeared so famished. The collarbones sickly stuck out of the witch's torso while her wrists seemed so fragile. Luz was sure she could count all of Amity's ribs without even touching her.

"I hope you're really here…" Amity whispered weakly.

As soon as she did, Luz felt the pale body slack, and the strained breathing calmed down. When the pain left, the human was sure Amity was fast asleep. The brunette head rested on the pillow, and the tan body also tried to relax.

Yet, Luz could not stop looking at Amity. She watched the witch as if she was ensuring the woman she loved was safe every breath of the way. Soon, exhaustion caught up with her, and the sleep surprised the human, knocking her out.

The Owl House had not been this quiet in a long time. Eda walked on eggshells around Danielle, while the woman could not get over what had transpired at the Clinic. The witch was more glad than ever that Lilith asked Hooty to help her around the Museum. She would not want to overwhelm her girlfriend at her time of need.

"Eda…" Danielle whispered fearfully.

It was the break of dawn. The human sat at the kitchen table, staring blankly into the black surface of her Brew. Watching her reflection, she could not stop replaying everything that had transpired the previous day.

"Yes, Baby?" Eda sat beside her girlfriend.

"What will happen to me now?" Danielle asked, forcing herself to look into the golden eyes.

"Dani, don't panic until there's a reason to panic, okay?" Eda smiled and caressed the tan cheek supportively.

Knock, knock, knock!

Both women stiffened in shock. The sun's first rays barely made it above the horizon. Who would come all this way? Emira had done so when Amity went missing, but they knew this time was not the case.

"Open up! Empire Coven!" The stern voice called from the front of the house.

Eda glanced at Danielle, who stiffened in fear. The human gulped but left the kitchen and entered the living room. She was not a person to hide from the consequences of her actions. Her girlfriend was not far behind when the front door opened.

"Danielle López of the Human Realm?" The tall, brunette man witch with a horn on the right side of his forehead asked.

"Y-yes?" Danielle replied, her voice quivering.

"Steve?" Eda asked with surprise.

"Oh, hi, Eda. May I come in?" He smiled widely before facing the shorter woman who stepped aside, letting the Scout enter their home, "I have something of yours," He said, presenting a black throwing knife.

"What? H-how?" Danielle immediately retrieved the weapon and looked at it in disbelief, "I thought you'd keep it as the evidence in the murder case," She added, not understanding what was happening.

"I would if that were the case, Miss López…"

"Danielle is fine," The human interrupted.

"Danielle," Steve repeated with a smile. Eda guided him to the couch, where she offered some drinks, listening in disbelief, "The Healers patched him up pretty easily. However, I have to admit that your target is impeccable. To hit someone's carotid from that distance. Just wow!" He fawned over her skills, confusing the women further.

"So I'm not under arrest?" Danielle whispered in disbelief.

"Why would you?" He asked, taking a sip of his drink. Eda's ears fluttered in shock, "Even if he would die, there were at least a dozen people who witnessed how you saved your daughter," He explained, quickly turning to Eda, "Daughter, I got that right, right?" He asked, afraid to overstep. Eda nodded dumbfoundedly, "Anyway!" Steve continued with a smile, "We questioned him and detained him for an attempted murder. One easy solve," He explained, and the room fell silent.

"He's alive?" Danielle finally realized what Scout just said. Steve hummed in confirmation, "¡De puta madre! I need to talk to him! I thought I killed the child!" She said, getting up. Her eyes filled with determination.

"Woah, Danielle!" Steve followed her example, "He's detained. Besides, talking wouldn't do you any good. Let us handle it while you focus on caring for your daughter," He added, glancing at Eda for support.

"Yeah, Dani," The human's girlfriend said, "We should get ready if we want to make it in time for Amity's first meal…"

"If she would be cleared," Danielle noted, glaring aside.

A sudden sound emerged from Eda's hair. The witch retrieved her Scroll and smiled warmly, showing off her golden fang and her ears slanted in relief. She turned the magical screen toward Danielle. The image of Amity sleeping securely in Luz's embrace melted the human's heart so much that she did not notice the Scout hovering above her.

"Way to go, Luz! I heard the rumors but didn't believe she actually scored…" Steve paused when he noticed the two women's glare. Oh, if looks could kill, the poor man would be reunited with the Titan.

"Thatʼs my daughter you're talking about!" Danielle growled. She may have been shorter than everyone else, but she was not to be overlooked. The man realized his mistake.

"You haven't been at Odalia's trial, so I will let it slide," Eda hissed through clenched teeth, "But my Kid does not 'score'..." She added, slanting her ears aggressively.

"I'm sorry," Steve stiffened in fear, "Poor choice of words!" He added, regretting his loose tongue.

"Very!" The women agreed.

"Anyway," Eda faced Danielle, trying to regain her calm, "Amity's cleared to start eating. She needs to regain her strength before Viney can finish the Healing Spell," She explained before showing her Scroll again, "But I didn't show you the picture to fawn over how sickly adorable they are," She added, tapping the screen.

"Nails…" Danielle whispered, her eyes widening in disbelief, "She retracted her nails…" She smiled, relieved and shocked at the same time.

"Woah, so she really is a Wild Witch… I have never even seen my primals," Steve commented, and Eda placed her hand on Danielle's shoulder before the shorter woman shredded him to pieces.

"Steve," Eda spoke as softly as she could, her brow twitching in irritation, "I like you, so I will let you down easily. This is a very stressful time for our family," She towered above the man and lifted her right hand, "So if you don't want to see my primals up close," She growled, lengthening her nails exceptionally slowly, "Don't say another word about our daughters, got it?" She asked, and the man nodded rapidly.

"Yes, Ma'am!" Steve whispered, afraid of the Owl Lady. He moved toward the front door, "Sorry, Ma'am!" He added and disappeared as fast as possible.

"Once this is all over," Danielle's voice got Eda's attention, "I need to circle back to how hot that was, Amor," She whispered, flustering the witch.

"Shut up…" Eda whispered sheepishly, her slanted ears twitching in embarrassment, "Let's get going," She quickly changed the topic.

Danielle giggled at her girlfriend's antics. Knowing that she did not kill a young witch was definitely a relief, though she was now even more worried about Amity's safety. They would just have to deal with one problem at a time.

Danielle and Eda arrived at the Clinic quickly. Owlbert was eager to check in on Luz just as much as her mother. They entered the second floor and reluctantly walked toward the room guarded by two Coven Scouts.

Eda roamed the floor. Amityʼs room was still close enough to the Nurses' Station to get a quick response, but it was secluded enough to be considered safe and easy to protect. The guilt of not being present during the attack was eating the Owl Lady alive.

They were just about to turn toward the kitchen to oversee food preparation when they heard frantic, familiar cursing. Once they faced the Nurses' Station, a panicked Viney made her appearance.

The brunette Healer looked like she had not slept in days. Her spiky band could not hold her tousled hair, and her eyes roamed her surroundings frantically as she ran by Eda in a hurry. Danielle noticed a syringe in her hand, connecting the dots.

"Shit, shit, shit, shit…" Viney repeated like a broken record, sprinting toward Amity's room.

Danielle and Eda did not wait to be invited to drag along. They rushed behind the Healer and, with a slight objection from the Coven Scouts, entered the dim room, where the Heiress rested in Luz's embrace.

"Viney, talk to me," Danielle whispered when they came to a stop and fell silent.

"I was held back at the meeting with the Healing Coven," The Healer said, trying to calm her breathing, "Iʼm late with Amity's painkillers," She explained, and Danielle's eyes widened in understanding.

"How long?" The human asked worriedly. She looked at the sleeping couple, who still seemed unaffected.

"Thirty of forty minutes," Viney explained, facing the human before looking up at Eda, "Iʼm so sorry," She added.

"No time to apologize," Eda interrupted, "Let's fix the mistake before…"

"Mmm…" Amityʼs murmur echoed across the room.

The three women faced the bed, and the witches' ears slanted anxiously. They knew it was too late, and this morning would not be a memory Amity would like to retain. Even if, for the first time in weeks, she was not alone in her suffering, waking up in Luz's embrace.

The hurt witch tied her brows and frowned in discomfort. While she slept on her back, slightly leaning on Luz, Amity suddenly stiffened and returned to her back. Her hands stopped clenching Luz, and her retracted nails lengthened painfully, digging into the mattress.

Amity's relaxed ears, resting on the pillow, suddenly hugged her head and trembled. Her calm breathing suddenly hitched, forcing her back to arch in pain. The pink lips quivered, releasing shallow, raspy wheezes.

"No, no, no, no…" Amity panicked when she realized she had been woken up by paralyzing pain that Luz would be forced to share with her.

The golden eyes cracked open and immediately rolled up. Amity's eyelids fluttered as she forced herself to focus her sight. Her lips parted despite her clenched jaw as she started breathing heavily. The pale body was shaken up with random twitches of her body.

"W-what…" Luz whispered when she realized that her fiancée was awake and in pain, "N-no…" She gasped, clenching her eyes and taking a deep, shaky breath, forcing the pain away, "Amity…" The human opened her black-gold eyes and forced herself to her elbow.

Amity was shaking hard, trying to control her body, which felt like it was not hers. The witch heard her fiancée's grunt, and tears escaped the golden eyes when she understood it was too late. The human was already affected by her sensation.

"Viney… What's…?" Luz whispered, clenching her eyes in agony in between words, forcing pain away.

"I'm so sorry, I…" Viney's voice trembled.

"No time to be sorry, Viney. Give her the drugs," Eda urged the Healer, not understanding the hesitation.

"Y-yeah…" The brunette witch nodded and approached the IV drip.

The Healer's hands shook. She lifted the syringe, removed the secure cap, and tried to add the medicine to the drip. A quiet, pained whimper distracted Viney, making her miss her target and breaking the needle.

"Shit, shit, shit…" The Healer hissed.

Danielle noted the sloppy action. The Healer did not behave like the Viney the human had come to know. Her fluid and confident movements were gone. She looked exhausted and on the verge of collapse.

"Youʼre safe, Amity," Luz tried to reassure her fiancée. She did not even notice her mother drawing a small spell circle beside them.

"Sheʼs running a fever," Eda informed.

Cold sweat beaded on the pale forehead, rolling to the twitching ears. The pink, quivering lips let out shaky breaths. The wounded chest shook, the back arched and relaxed while the limbs spasmed uncontrollably.

"Let me," Danielle approached the Healer. She did not wait for Viney's approval when she retrieved the syringe from her hand, "Where are the spare needles?" She asked, looking around.

"Here," Viney opened a small drawer and passed the pointy object.

"Eda, help Luz out of the bed," Danielle instructed. Her stern tone made everyone follow her instructions without hesitation.

"N-no…" Luz tried to oppose it, but Eda did not have any of that.

"It's just for a moment, Kid," The witch reassured, "Let them help her," She argued.

Luz tried to object, but Amity's gaze met her eyes. The witch struggled to keep contact, but she hoped it would be enough to convince the human to go. The Heiress felt guilty that Luz was affected by her pain.

"Youʼre… Hurt… Too…" Amity whimpered pitifully, paying for her attempt to communicate with another wave of pain.

"Come on, Kid," Eda urged Luz, "Hold onto me," She added, realizing her daughter could not move.

"Hey, Cariño," Danielle hovered above the witch once Eda secured Luz on the wide armchair, "Iʼm gonna give you the pain medication now. Do you understand?" She asked calmly. The human was relieved to see the golden eyes meet her own momentarily before the lavender head gave a slight nod.

"Easy, Kid. Breathe. Like in the books you read," Eda said, trying to help Luz through the experience. See, that's why we kept you separated," She added, hiding her heartbreak.

"I'm gonna touch you now, Amity," Danielle warned the witch. Teh sound of a slight smirk shocked her, "Yeah, a lot has changed since then," The human whispered with a small smile, understanding Amity recalled their first meeting. She tore open the sleeve of her pajamas.

"M-mom…" Luz gasped behind Danielle, getting Eda's attention.

"Shit! Luz, look at me," The witch lifted the tan chin and drew a spell circle, "Youʼre burning up," She explained before eyeing her daughter.

Luz was sweating bullets, shaking, and gasping weakly. Her black-gold eyes were not fading away as she shared her fiancée's pain, unable to regain control of the Bond-related sensations.

"Here we go," Danielle whispered.

The doctor grabbed the pale, trembling arm and squeezed it hard. Amity was so thin that Danielle did not need a rubber band to make her veins pop. With a swift movement, the needle was inserted into the porcelain-like skin, and the syringe was emptied into the witchʼs bloodstream.

Amity squeaked when she felt the medicine spread but knew it would soon pass. She was thinking only about how she was hurting Luz. She arched her back and shook violently, unable to control her body.

"Very good, Cariño," Danielle praised and removed the needle, passing the syringe to Viney, "Just hold on a little longer, it's strong…" She added and caressed the pale, sweaty face.

"M-Mamá," Amity gasped with a shaky voice, interrupting, "Luz… Help… Her…" She forced words.

Danielle blinked in shock as she turned around. She saw Luz trembling in the chair, sweating feverishly. Her demonic black-gold eyes could not focus on anything, but she was not alone in the discomfort.

"It's okay, Cariño," Danielle returned to her daughter again, "Eda's taking care of her. Let me take care of you," She added, and Amity slightly nodded.

"M-Mom…" Luz gasped hoarsely, "I need…" She gagged slightly. Eda's eyes widened in understanding.

"Come on, Kid," The witch helped her daughter to the bathroom.

"Viney, are you okay?" Danielle asked while she still held Amity.

"Y-yeah, I'm sorry for all that," The Healer whispered sheepishly. The human eyed the witch and realized she was barely standing.

"Take the chair and rest a little," Danielle suggested. The Healer did not object, "Amity, are you better?" She addressed her daughter, noting that the witch seemed calmer.

The witch was not arching her back anymore. Her limbs were calmer even though a shock or two ravaged her shoulders. The golden eyes stopped rolling up so violently, and the eyelids finally were not fluttering weakly. Danielle moved her right hand to Amity's palm, and her daughter squeezed in gratitude.

"I'm so sorry, Cariño," The human whispered. The pointy ears relaxed a little and stopped hugging the lavender head.

Danielle kept caressing the pale cheek, helping the woman relax while waiting for the medicine to work. The pink lips let out a shaky exhale, and the golden eyes closed while the green ones traveled to Amityʼs hands.

"There goes retracting her nails," Danielle thought worriedly before looking back at the witch.

"Viney, what happened?" The human asked, but no one answered her.

Once she turned around, she noticed the Healer sleeping soundly. The spiky band left the brunette hair, and the slanted ears did not twitch. She was out cold. A delicate squeeze in Danielle's palm dragged her attention back to her daughter.

"Ma…" Amity gasped. She winced in pain, her face contorted in discomfort, "How… How do you… Feel?" She let out hoarsely. Danielle's green eyes widened in shock before looking away as the human chuckled in disbelief.

"I'm okay, Cariño," The older woman smiled warmly, "Try to rest until the medicine fully kicks in," She added. The witch closed her eyes, letting out another shaky exhale.

"Luz…" Amity surprised her mother, "She's not…" She gulped, "Not well," She barely opened her eyes and saw Danielle above her.

"I'm on it," The human whispered, "Sleep now," She added, covering the twitching body with a quilt. Amity whimpered pitifully but did not argue.

When Luz reached the bathroom, she fell to her knees and barely made it to the toilet bowl. Her stomach was empty, but the pain-induced nausea made her cramp and retch. She salivated and coughed, not seeing her surroundings.

"Easy, Kid," A familiar voice soothed her nerves. A delicate touch on her back supported her through the experience, "Iʼm here…"

Eda had no idea what else she could have done. Her bile sac was still regenerating, making her an average witch at best. Additionally, this situation was so unpredictable that the witch felt no magic could have helped her daughter.

"Ugh…" Luz groaned. She felt the pain slowly began to subside, "Fuck…" Her voice quivered.

The slightly feathered hand extended to find the handle to flush what had exited her body. Luz wiped her face with the top of her palm and rolled to the right, sitting by the toilet bowl, leaning against the cold wall, and curling her knees.

Eda looked at her daughter with heartbreak and shock. Luz's face was covered in a cold sweat. Her chest expanded in rapid, short breaths as her demonic features emerged. Her black-gold eyes roamed the bathroom frantically, her strangely witch-like pointy, slanted ears twitched anxiously, and her semi-claw-like hands hugged her knees.

"Luz, are you okay?" Eda asked worriedly. She had never seen Luz lose her shape like this.

"Huh?" The human gasped, making the witch notice her sharp fangs.

Just as Eda was about to explain what she had in mind, a delicate knocking distracted her. Danielle entered the bathroom, and she let out a frightened gasp when her eyes landed on Luz.

"Cariño, are you okay!?" Danielle asked, panic seeping off her voice.

"Much better," Luz whispered, closing her eyes, "I take it the medicine started working?" She asked.

Luz took a deep, calming breath. She could feel herself relax. She let go of her knees and sat cross-legged. Her hands and ears returned to normal human shape, while her eyes remained black-gold.

"Yes, she's sleeping now," Danielle confirmed. Luz closed her eyes and rested her head on the wall.

"Good," The human whispered, exhausted by everything. She let out another shaky exhale, "I can't believe…" She gulped, "She has to go through that…" Luz opened her eyes, and they roamed between her mother and Danielle, "I had no idea… She never wrote about it in her letters," She added, looking at the other human with disbelief, shock, and fear for her fiancée.

"Will you be alright?" Danielle asked worriedly, eyeing the demonic characteristics.

"Oh, I'm not leaving her alone with this ever again," Luz looked at her mother, "I donʼt care how much you forbid me to…"

"Luz, ya dumbass," Eda snorted, "No one ever forbade you," The witch smiled warmly.

"We were worried about you, Cariño," Danielle said, "You were hurt and needed to heal as well, but we never forbade you to see Amity. We said that you shouldn't," She explained. Luz looked at them as if she had seen a dancing slitherbeast.

"Dang it, I'm so stupid," Luz groaned, hiding her face in her palms. The two older women giggled at her obliviousness.

"You can't change the past, Kid," Eda encouraged.

"Just be with her now," Danielle completed the sentence.

"You have to stop completing each other's sentences," Luz giggled, resting her head again.

"Let's take you to rest, Kid," Eda helped her daughter up, "Don't think we're done talking about the Owl Demon altering your looks," She added, slowly guiding the young woman out of the bathroom.

Luz did not resist. She allowed the witch to help her. She noted Viney's sleeping form, which was absolutely knocked out by her exhaustion. She looked toward the bed where her fiancée was sleeping soundly, presumably waiting for her.

"I'm officially reinstating myself as the Volunteer responsible for her," Luz chuckled, "Viney and Emira have enough on their plate," She added and did not realize when Eda carefully helped her down to Amity's bed, mindful of her state.

"Sleep, Cariño," Danielle whispered, helping to tuck the two women in, "We'll help you through it," She added, and Luz smiled slightly.

The black-gold eyes finally faded to hazel-brown, and the sharp fangs shrunk underneath the full lips. Luz tried to lay her head on the pillow carefully, but she was out like a light when she felt the scent of Amity's sleeping form.

"Titan…" Eda exhaled in exhaustion, lowering her head in helplessness.

"It's gonna be okay, Eda…"

"Okay?" The witch interrupted and straightened herself to face the short human, "Have you seen her?!" She whisper-yelled in panic, "She's losing herself! She's, she's…" Eda could not continue.

Danielle pulled her partner into a powerful, rib-crushing hug. Eda stiffened at first, but her body slacked when she felt the loving warmth surrounding her, and she rested her chin on the brunette's head.

"Try to relax, Amor," Danielle whispered. She slightly pulled away, and her green eyes met the golden ones, "One step at a time," She added, relieved to see the witch nod sheepishly.

"Okay," Eda agreed.

The Owl Lady eagerly returned the hug. Her girlfriend smiled when she realized how the taller woman melted into her embrace. They worried about their children but were relieved they would go through everything together as a family.

AN2:

Soooo? Do tell, how bad was it?

Next time, Amity undergoes the Healing Spell and finally returns home to her studio above the Clinic... and it takes her like 15k words to do it xD