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.

7. Chapter 7 - The Fever

AN1:

After 2 weeks of waiting, here you have 15.4k words of angst.

I'm dedicating this chapter to all my ADHD fellows who don't remember if they took their meds ;)

Many events from this chapter were based on my experience, so enjoy :)

Luz woke up at the break of dawn. She could have sworn she had never felt more rested. She stretched her limbs, groaning in pleasure when her joints popped back in. That was when she realized the bed was empty. She quickly sat up and realized Amity's quilt was missing.

"Mhgh…" A barely audible whimper reached her ears.

Luz sat on her heels and hovered over the edge of the bed. She stifled the shriek when she saw Amity trembling on the floor. Her face was flushed with feverish blush while her half-lidded eyes roamed the room.

"Amity!" Luz exclaimed in a whisper and jumped out of bed, quickly approaching her fiancée.

The witch lay on her back, her weighted quilt covering her stomach and thighs. Her pale hands shook deliriously, and her lengthened nails slightly scratched the floor. Her pointy ears twitched, and her eyelids fluttered, while Amity continued to whimper in discomfort.

"Shit, shit, shit," Luz panicked, not knowing what happened or what she should do, "Amity!" She exclaimed, trying to wake the witch, "Baby, what did you do?" She muttered.

"Nnngm…" Amity mumbled incoherently, her eyes rolling under the fluttering eyelids.

"Okay, come on," Luz decided to act, "Iʼm gonna put you to bed now," She warned and removed the quilt.

"Titan, she's soaked," Luz noticed worriedly.

"And scoop," The human lifted her fiancée swiftly.

"N-no…" Amity cried weakly.

"I'm gonna get Viney," Luz informed, feeling the witch waking up, spreading discomfort through her body, "Hold on, Baby," She added and rushed downstairs as fast as she could.

Luz stomped down the stairs like a herd of angry chimeras. She almost fell when her femur acted up, but she did not let it discourage her. She rushed to the Healers' bedroom and found the sleeping witch.

"Viney! Wake up!" Luz exclaimed. The witch only groaned tiredly, turning her head to the other side, still lying on her stomach, "Viney, come on!" The human shook the sleeping form urgently.

"What?!" The witch snapped with her face still stuck in her pillow, covered by the fluff of her brunette hair.

"It's Amity!" Luz exclaimed.

That made Viney face the human. The green eyes cracked open, and she lifted her head. The pointy ears twitched nervously. The panicked expression on the tan face woke the Healer up immediately.

"Wh-what happened?" Viney wiped the sleep of her eyes and sat up in bed, looking for her robe.

"I donʼt know," Luz squeaked. She pulled Viney up, guiding the barely awake Healer to Amity's studio, "I woke up, and she was on the floor," They entered the room, "She was like this," She pointed to the Heiress, who sweated bullets, and whimpered in pain. Viney closed the grayish robe, approaching the bed.

"Amity, Honey, can you hear me?" The Healer whispered softly, tucking her hair behind the ear.

"Ugh…?" Amityʼs eyes fluttered, and her ears twitched.

"I'm gonna examine you now," Viney said, drawing a spell circle. Her sister-in-law mewled, and her back arched slightly. Luz watched the witches nervously, "Why haven't you told me you didn't take your medicine yesterday?" The Healer asked once she dropped the spell.

"Should I get a dose?" Luz asked, and Amity groaned, shaking her head in answer.

"No," Viney said in defeat, "She doesn't want to take the potions anymore," She sighed, "And she shouldn't need them anymore…"

"S-s-sorry…" Amity mumbled, tears escaping her eyes.

Luz thought hard, tying her brows in concentration. She knew that it was not supposed to look like this. Amity was supposed to feel slight discomfort, but this was not normal. Something must have happened.

"Amity, Baby," The human knelt by the bed and tried to keep her voice calm and soft, "Were you overdosing to stop having nightmares and…" She paused, embarrassedly glancing at Viney, "Sleep through the night?" She said suggestively, finishing the question.

The lavender head nodded, and the golden eyes released a waterfall of tears. Amity felt dirty and ashamed of what she had done, even more so because she had not told anyone about it, endangering herself.

"How long? How much?" Viney asked in a panicked whisper. The hurt woman could only extend her fingers, gesturing number three, "Three doses in the morning and three at night?" She asked, her throat clenched in realization. Amity shook her head and sobbed at her recklessness.

"D-d-days…" The Heiress mumbled, ashamed of her actions.

"Three days?" Viney asked. Amity nodded, and the Healer understood immediately, "You've been overdosing since Luz was hurt…" She whispered more to herself, but her sister-in-law nodded anyway, "How much?" She asked again. Her sister-in-law extended two fingers, "You know your body is currently undergoing detox, right?" The Heiress nodded.

"No more…" Amity muttered under her breath, "Please," She added, wincing in discomfort.

"It's okay, Amity. We'll help you through it," Luz whispered, trying to control her tone, knowing her anger would not help anyone.

"How could I have missed it?" The human thought, furious with herself.

Luz looked at Viney, who was now wide awake, her ears twitching anxiously. The Healer had a hard time believing that her responsible and well-versed in the Healing Magic sister-in-law would do something so highly irresponsible.

"We need to take you to the magic-restricting room," Viney finally said, breaking the silence, "This will get worse before it gets better," She explained. The human nodded rapidly, too shocked to speak, "Are you sure you're okay?" The Healer asked Luz.

The human got to her feet and hovered above Amity, kneeling on the bed. Her hazel-brown eyes frantically roamed the feverish, pale face. The witch's golden eyes weakly roamed the face above her, unable to speak. Her face was full of regret and a desire to apologize.

"It's going to be alright, Amity," Luz whispered, hoping her fiancée would hear her.

"L-Luz…" The hurt witch whispered, sobbing pitifully.

"I love you, Baby," Luz added, hoping to fight Amity's fear of rejection and abandonment.

"N-no…" The feverish witch shook her head, crying harder, "No one… Could…" She mumbled. Her eyes rolled up, and Luz understood it was time for her to move before the witch's sensations would overwhelm her, too.

"Come on, mi Corazón," The human whispered, lifting the Heiress. Amity released a pained cry. Her skin felt like it was being burned alive, but she grabbed Luz's clothes desperately, snuggling closer nonetheless, "Lead the way," She addressed Viney.

"Come on," The Healer whispered in defeat, getting up as well, "I've dealt with a handful of detoxes, so I need you to be prepared for the worst, Luz," She said blankly, recalling all the previous cases.

They walked downstairs, trying to avoid other people to spare Amity further embarrassment, before practically sneaking into the magic-restricting room as far away from the Nurses' Station as possible.

"Place her in bed," The Healer ordered, securing the door, "Now listen very carefully, Luz," She added sternly, grabbing the Clinic pajamas and handing them to the human, "She will be experiencing high fever. Her body will ache her, she would feel like dying, she would wish she were dead, but that won't last very long," She explained, helping Luz change her fiancée before shackling Amity's wrists and ankles with leather bindings.

"Are those necessary?" The human asked, feeling uncomfortable restraining the hurt woman.

"Trust me, they are," Viney said plainly. She paused to take a moment and look at Amity. The Heiress was sweating, shivering, and mumbling incoherently.

"Titan… Taking a double of what I considered a high dosage… Fuck, Amity…" The Healer thought in disbelief.

Viney was shocked at the turn of events. On the other hand, she understood her sister-in-law had enough of feeling pain and discomfort for so many weeks. She just wanted it to end. The Healer was glad that Amity was not one of those who significantly increased the dosage, ending in an overdose. No, the Heiress only wanted to return to her everyday life again.

Suddenly, the door handle turned, startling Luz and Viney. Emira's emerald head popped into the room, eyeing them with confusion. The older Blight sister entered the room and paused when she noticed who was shakily whimpering in pain.

"What the hell's going on?" Emira asked, approaching the bed. She looked at her wife, who was supposed to sleep, not admitting a patient, wearing her robe, "Mittens?" She asked in disbelief.

"N-no… St-Stop that…" Amity thrashed in bed, tugging on the restraints.

"Oh, shit…" Luz wobbled a little. Viney grabbed her immediately, eyeing her worriedly.

"You okay?" The brunette Healer asked, and the human nodded rapidly, "Let's get you outta here," She said before looking at her wife, "And talk," She added, looking at Emira knowingly.

The green-haired woman nodded, confused and worried. She helped the human to walk and glanced at her sister over her shoulder before leaving the room. Amity thrashed in bed, pulling on the restraints, groaning, mewling, hissing, and murmuring incoherently.

Despite her overwhelming exhaustion, Viney told Emira everything she had learned. Once she was done, Luz hugged herself, rocked, and blamed herself for everything. The older Blight sister tried to comprehend everything.

"Baby, go to sleep," Emira suggested, "You just finished your night shift," She pointed out. Luz looked at her friend, and Viney sat frozen with empty eyes. She was clearly exhausted but too worried about her family.

"I'm sorry, Em, I should have known…" The human whispered anxiously.

"Luz, you Dumbass," Emira chuckled bitterly, "You were asleep most of the time, recovering from your wounds…" She covered her face with her hands, trying to comprehend everything.

"But, but…" Clawthorne was stubbornly not giving up.

"Luuuuz," Emira whined, exhausted, "Shut. Up." She said exasperatedly, uncovering her face and looking warmly at the younger woman, "It was not your fault! Amity fucked up, and you know what?!" She snapped, looking at the human with outrage, "I fucking get it! I would have probably done the same!" She added, barely containing her emotions.

"I need to go back to her," The human said absentmindedly.

"Don't do that to yourself…" The brunette Healer begged.

"I donʼt give a fuck about me, Viney," Luz whispered bitterly, "My future wife made a mistake. Things happen. But she needs help, and I'm not leaving her," She continued, getting up, "Not now, not ever," She added more to herself than anyone else.

"Luz," Emira paused, "If it's too much, don't feel ashamed… It WILL be too much," She added.

"It's just a few days, Em," Luz smirked confidently, "We've been through worse," She added, heading for the door.

The loud steps approached the room, and cursing echoed in the corridor before the doors to Emira's office flew open. A very sleepy, confused, and sweaty Danielle barged into the room, heaving heavily.

"Whereʼs she?!" It was all the older human said.

"Room two-twenty-eight," Emira murmured, and before she could say anything else, the older human was gone. Luz blinked dumbly, comprehending everything, "Well, that was… Something," The Healer said semi-jokingly.

Despite her overwhelming worry for her sister, Emira was relieved to see how many people cared about Amity. She was not alone anymore, and the Healer felt lighter, knowing their family had grown in the past year.

Danielle rushed into the magic-restricting room with worry. When Eda received a call from the Clinic, she hoped she just overslept for her shift. But she never expected to hear that Amity was in a detox.

"¿Cariño?" Danielle gasped blankly as she entered the room.

Amity was thrashing in bed, trying to free herself from the restraints. She was weak and feverish, not understanding what was happening, but she still had enough strength to move the bed across the floor.

"¿Mija?" Danielle whispered, noticing her daughterʼs feverish state.

"N-no! Fucking bitch!" The witch growled, tugging her restraints frantically, bruising her wrists.

"Oye, Bebé," Danielle whispered, approaching the witch. She tried to touch the pale cheek, but a couple of snaps of the sharp fangs shocked her as the Heiress wanted to bite her, "Easy, Amity. I'm gonna help," She said before the witch thrashed in bed again.

"Aaah! I won't hurt her!" Amityʼs roar surprised Danielle, "Fuck you! No more! I won't hurt anyone ever again!" She continued. Danielle finally got the picture.

"It's okay, Mija. You're not alone," The human said in defeat, sitting by her daughterʼs bed.

Amity kept thrashing, sweating, and growling. Danielle sat by her side, watching her daughter carefully. The young witch struggled against her restraints, unable to relax. The Heiress hissed, growled, and gasped heavily.

"N-no! Mother, please!" Amity arched her back as she suddenly started crying. Danielle felt an urge to hug the witch but knew better than that, "I promise! I'll be better! Willow! Don't hurt her!"

Amity continued, stuck in a feverish nightmare. Her ears were fluttering in fear, spreading droplets of sweat that covered her body. Her hands tried to break free, bruising her wrists further. Her lengthened nails scratched the air as she fought against the cuffs. Danielle delicately wiped the pale face of the excess sweat as she sat beside the witch.

"You can't hurt me… N-no!" Amity continued, "You can't! My mother will protect me!" She continued feverishly, "Danielle… ¡Mamá!" She begged, unknowingly breaking Danielle's heart, "Don't leave…" The witch wailed, harshly gasping for air.

The human knew it was just the beginning. It needed to get worse before it would get better, and she was not about to leave her daughter's side. She would support her along the way. She knew the witch counted on her. Even if the fever tormented Amity, Danielle was happy to learn the Heiress honestly thought of her as her mother.

Odalia grabbed her daughterʼs chin, squeezing it painfully and pulling it close. She eyed the pained face with disgust, regretting ever letting the witchling have any kind of freedom. She dropped the face and slapped it with the top of her hand.

"Ahhh!" The young, auburn-haired girl squealed.

The sound of chains echoed in the room, and the golden eyes fluttered weakly. The pointy ears were slanted in exhaustion. They barely twitched at the sound of her mother picking up another tool to torture her.

"Wh-why? Mommy…" Amity whimpered, confused by her predicament, too weak to fight.

"Quiet, Mittens!" Odalia hissed, glaring at her child, "You should very well know what you did wrong!" She added, casting a small spell circle that paralyzed her daughter with pain.

The sensation of burning skin, melting joints, and breaking bones rushed through Amity's body. The young witchlet howled in agony until she could no longer make another sound. Her throat was parched and sore. Once the sensation disappeared, her head fell limply, and the abomination tears left the hazy golden eyes.

"You will never humiliate me like that in front of a Woodcarver ever again," Odalia hissed, drawing a magenta spell circle, "I will make sure you won't even consider having a Palisman," She added, lifting her daughterʼs sweat and abomination-covered face before applying the spell to the auburn head.

"N-no, Mommy! No, please! NO! NOOOO!" Amity screamed helplessly. Her voice echoed in the empty chamber.

She had no idea how long it lasted. The only thing she now knew was that when she woke up, she was back in her room, never recalling carving Ghost with Eliza or even meeting the Woodcarver herself.

Danielle watched over Amity the entire night. The witch was waking from her never-ending nightmares as if reliving her worst memories. She had a few lucid moments, which the human used to help her daughter take a few sips of water.

Seeing how the witch struggled against restraints, Emira decided against using IV to hydrate her sister. They did not want Amity to hurt herself, and the witch herself was determined to avoid needles and any more drugs.

"How's she?" Eda startled Danielle at the break of dawn, "Sorry, I brought you something to eat," The witch whispered apologetically.

"Thank you, Amor," The human whispered with gratitude, "She's…" Danielle paused, eyeing the feverish witch, "She'll get through it," She said with a heavy voice.

"Take a break, Baby," Eda suggested, "She's not going anywhere. I'll cover for you," She added with a soft smile.

"No, it's okay," Danielle opposed the idea, "Luz will change me in thirty minutes, and then we can go and eat together," She explained.

"Very well, then," Eda said, sitting beside her girlfriend and gently embracing her, "I'll wait with you," She said, pecking the brunette's head.

They sat together, watching Amity sleep. Her breathing was heavy but steady and regular. Occasionally, her limbs twitched, her ears fluttered, and she released a pained or panicked whimper. Nevertheless, it was the calmest she had been in a few hours, and Danielle did not trust it to last.

Luz sat in the wide armchair, watching her fiancée with worry. Amity was struggling in her sleep again. Her head thrashed to the sides, and she mewled in pain, trying to speak. The pointy ears fluttered, and with a sudden discomfort, the human realized the witch was waking up.

"Alright, we can do it," Luz encouraged herself, taking a deep breath.

While waiting for the witch to wake up, the brunette read about controlling the Bond-related sensations. This was an unfortunate situation, but it was a perfect opportunity to practice. A delicate hoot echoed in Luz's mind, encouraging her.

"N-no…" Amity gasped, and a flash of Odalia haunted the human.

"Breathe…" Luz inhaled deeply, "Control…" She blinked rapidly and regained control over her body.

"Mother, please!" Amity's back arched in discomfort, and her eyes snapped wide open, "Wh-what?!" The golden eyes roamed the room.

"Amity?" Luz whispered, analyzing her fiancée's behavior, "Are you with me?" She asked when she noticed how the golden orbs traveled from the wall to the bruised, restrained hands and finally to the tan face.

"L-Luz?" Amity whispered in disbelief. She looked like she had no idea where she was.

"Yeah, Baby, I'm here," The human confirmed, smiling warmly, wiping the sweat off the pale face.

"Luz!" Amity gasped in panic, she paled even more.

The witch tried to sit up. The pupils in her golden eyes shank in fear, and she released a distraught hiss. Luz recognized that behavior and their Bond confirmed her suspicions. The human did not think twice when she opened the restraints and pulled Amity out of bed to drag her to the bathroom.

The Heiress fell to the floor with a thud. Her stomach cramped, and she salivated, drooling heavily. Luz pulled her fiancée up as the weak woman gagged and coughed, unable to control her body.

Once the witch noticed the toilet bowl, she lunged forward and barely reached it before her stomach cramped again. The lavender hair ruffled, and her nails scratched the porcelain rim as she struggled through spasms in her stomach.

"Ghah!" Amity gasped, emptying her bowels.

"Shh, shh, I'm here, Baby," Luz cooed, taking hold of the ruffled hair, keeping it away from the pale, sweaty face.

"Gwagh!" Another load exited the feverish body, "Fuck…" She hissed tiredly. A small sob shook her back.

"It's okay, you're safe," Luz caressed the shivering back, trying to support the witch.

"L-Luz?" Amity sounded shocked to find her fiancée beside her. She spat into the toilet before flushing and closing the bowl.

"Me," The human confirmed, smiling warmly, and Amity groaned tiredly, letting her head rest on the closed toilet.

"I'm so-sorry…" The witch sobbed pitifully.

Luz's expression faded when she saw how her fiancée was ravaged with guilt. The bodily sensations were punishment enough on top of reliving the trauma Odalia inflicted. She needed to help the witch.

"I was scared that I hurt you, so I took a dose before going to bed," Amity suddenly said, dragging Luz from her thoughts, "I slept through the night for the first time… No nightmares, no desires…" The pale chin rested on the forearm, and the golden eyes weakly looked up at the human, "Then I woke up and forgot about the evening dose. I thought I was taking a normal dose," She continued and fought through a sudden stomach cramp, getting it under control with a wince, "But once the evening came, I thought that maybe I should try taking a dose before sleep…" She paused, feeling nauseous again.

"You slept calmly through another night…" Luz finished the thought, and her fiancée nodded in confirmation, "What changed?" She asked before considering if Amity would be able to answer.

"Shit!" The witch quickly opened the bowl and lowered her head in, "Gwah!" Another load exited her stomach. A painful shiver ravaged her as she fought the discomfort, "The Healing Spell…" Amity groaned, confusing the human, "Viney said I'm finally regenerating," She added.

"Ooooh," Luz understood.

"I was an idiot…" Amity said, flushing the toilet again, "It never even occurred to me that I…" She paused, shaken up with another shiver.

"It's okay, I understand now," The human confirmed.

"I donʼt want to take these elixirs. I didn't want to overdose. I just didn't want to be in pain…" Amity looked up at Luz with tear-filled and guilt-ridden eyes, "I just wanted to rest," She added, and the human pulled her close into a powerful embrace.

"It's okay, we're gonna get through it," Luz confirmed, offering slow, calming strokes on the pale back.

"Together?" Amity asked, slurring slightly before clenching the flannel shirt as if her life depended on it. Her ears fluttered, and Luz sat by the wall, pulling the witch into the safety of her hold.

"Together," Luz confirmed, returning the embrace, answering her fiancée's need.

"She can't find us here…" Amity murmured, crawling further into the hug, curling her body, and trying to disappear, "She…" The pointy ears twitched again, the bony hands balled the shirt, and Luz realized that her fiancée was losing touch with reality.

"It's okay, Amity. Rest," The human cooed, "I'll protect you, Baby," She added, pecking the lavender head.

"I…" Amity gasped, "I…" The witch struggled. Her limbs shook again, and her stomach cramped slightly, "I failed her… I killed her…" She muttered before breaking into sobs.

Luz crossed her legs, corrected her pose, and pulled the witch into the warm embrace, offering the safety her fiancée needed. She caressed the lavender head and stroked the sob-shaken back, hoping to soothe the nerves ravaging the feverish body.

"L-Luz…" Amity slurred, too tired to cry anymore.

"Shh, I'm here, Baby," The human reminded, whispering warmly.

"I couldn't stop it…" The witch continued. Luz noticed that the woman in her hold started sweating excessively again, "Iʼm sorry I killed you…" Amity continued, her words becoming more incoherent, "I loved you…" She added before losing the ability to speak. Frustrated grunts and mumbles left her lips instead.

"I love you too," Luz whispered, looking up at the ceiling before closing her eyes and allowing herself to cry, too.

"Maybe this will work," The human thought, trying to remain calm, "I love you, Amity. You saved my life so many times over," She hoped to reach her fiancée through their Bond, "You saved me the moment you stepped into my life, and you save me every day just by being beside me," She added and was shocked to see the witch calm down.

They remained in this position. Amity was breathing heavily but steadily, her body shaking with fever. Luz smiled softly, realizing she had helped her fiancée center herself and rest. She dared not move, hoping the witch would feel better soon. The human did not notice when she dozed off herself, surrounded by a still-lingering flowery scent.

Emira entered the first-floor Recovery Room and smiled warmly. She saw the Woodcarver wide awake and spending time with her daughter. They shared the meal the Nurses had brought the patient. The Healer noted that the girl stopped eating as if scared to be yelled at.

"If you want more, feel free to ask one of the Nurses," Emira said softly, approaching the bed, "You both need your strength," She added, sitting by the bed.

"We don't want to overstay our welcome," Eliza said worriedly, "We'll pay you back as soon as possible…"

"You don't have to worry about that," The Healer interrupted her patient, "Everything has been paid for, and you have to worry only about getting better," She added.

"Thank you, Miss Blight," Eliza replied, resting her head on the pillow.

"It's Misis Dorch now, but Emira is fine," The Healer chuckled, "I'm still getting used to it. I changed it just over the summer," She added sheepishly.

"Congratulations," The Woodcarver smiled softly.

"Thank you. It was about time," Emira replied, smiling widely, "Would you mind if I examined your leg?" She asked, her expression still friendly.

Eliza nodded, and Amelia approached her mother to hold her hand. Emira uncovered the leg and drew a spell circle. The Woodcarver hissed at the contact but did not complain. It did not take long before the Healer dropped the spell and smiled.

"Marvelous," Emira whispered, "Amity saved your leg. You won't regain full mobility, but you will be able to walk," She explained.

"Titan," Eliza gasped, blinking rapidly, "What a dumb luck she was there," She added and looked at the Healer.

"Not entirely luck. Amity wanted to check the laboratory conditions to see if she could reopen the Industries," Emira said, noticing how confused the hurt witch looked, "She feels responsible for ruining the lives of the employees…" She was shocked to hear the older woman snort.

"And who do you think did that to my leg?" Eliza asked snarkily, "I didn't want to participate in the ambush they planned, so they decided I wouldn't be going anywhere," She added. Anger was adamant in her voice, "Also, it was just a dozen of bribed employees. Everyone else found jobs elsewhere immediately, so your sister should not take it so personally," She added sternly.

"How did you even end up in Blight Industries?" Emira asked worriedly, changing the subject.

"It's a long story," Eliza muttered.

"I have a pile of paperwork I'm avoiding, so I'm happy to listen," The Healer said with a smirk, making the other woman snort in amusement.

"I can help with that later if you want…" Eliza offered and took a deep, calming breath.

Her playful expression faded, and she told Emira how she was entangled with the Blight Industries once Odalia got her revenge for humiliating her by encouraging Amity to carve a Human Realm-originated animal as a Palisman.

Danielle decided to bring Luz and Amity food by midday. She rolled the trolley into the room, only to find it empty. She was about to panic when she noticed the light underneath the bathroom door. She carefully opened it and popped her head in.

"Awww, cute," She thought when she saw her daughter curled up in Luz's protective hold.

The younger brunette's head rested on the wall while her hands tightened and relaxed on the witch in an unconscious attempt to keep her fiancée safe. The tan face winced in discomfort, and the hazel-brown eyes cracked open under Danielle's intense gaze.

"Dani? What's wrong?" Luz asked in a hoarse whisper.

"I brought you food, Cariño," Danielle explained, "What happened here?" She asked in return.

"Nausea," Luz replied plainly, closing her eyes momentarily. She started feeling discomfort again, and a flutter of pointy ears confirmed that the witch was waking up.

"Mmghmm," Amity groaned.

She tied her brows, clenched her jaw, and dug her fingers into the human's forearm. The pale body shivered. Luz did not know anymore if it was because the witch was cold or hot, but she instinctively tightened her embrace.

"Sheʼs still feverish," Danielle said, concerned about her daughter. Luz noticed a thermometer in her guardian's hand.

"She needs time to get it out of her system," The younger woman whispered, looking down at the witch in her embrace. Amity winced and snarled in discomfort as another shiver shook her body.

"Let's take her to bed," Danielle proposed, and Luz nodded in agreement.

While Amity started shivering more frequently and forcefully, the humans took her back to bed and tucked her under the covers, hoping to increase her comfort. The fangs chattered, and the pale face ran with cold sweat.

"Try drinking some water," Luz proposed, and Danielle passed her a glass. Amity's eyelids fluttered, ears slanted, and she looked weakly at the human above her, "Just a little," She added.

"Mmm…" Amity whimpered, trying to lift her head.

"There you go," Luz cooed, helping the lavender head up, "Slowly, Baby," She said when she saw how the witch started gulping the water, "I know you're thirsty, but you need to calm down," She added, helping Amity calm down.

"M-more…" The pointy ears twitched, and the golden eyes rolled up.

"If you keep it in, I'll get you another glass in around ten minutes," Luz explained, but her fiancée was not hearing her anymore.

Amity was sweating bullets, shivering fervently, and her eyes rolling up. Her entire body felt paralyzed with how her muscles spasmed. Danielle approached her daughter with a cold compress and wet cloth, clearing the crevice of her scar off the salty fluid.

"N-no…" The witch gasped, making her mother freeze in her movements, "G-get off…" Amity gasped in panic. She rolled to the side, curling and hugging herself.

"Amity?" Luz asked worriedly, not understanding the sensations that she had kept pushing away.

"D-don't t-touch…" The golden eyes teared down, and Luz accepted the flash of vision haunting her fiancée.

"No, no, no, no, no, Amity, you're safe," The younger human rambled in panic, forcing away the image of Philip forcing himself on the witch.

"Luz, what's wrong?" Danielle asked when she realized how her ward shook in discomfort.

"It's…" Luz gulped, "Thatʼs…" She did not know what to say. It was not her story to tell, "Thatʼs intimate…" She added. Before Danielle could prod further, Amity's wail caught their attention.

"No!" The witch cried, "Stop!" She thrashed and rolled to her back again. Her eyes rolled up, and a delicate fuchsia glow appeared and soon disappeared, "Dirty!" She roared and kicked off her quilt, "Disgusting!" Her back arched, and her hands flew up.

"Cariño," Danielle whispered in fear.

She finally connected the dots between what Amity said about getting over her trauma during their first lunch together and what she hinted at between the lines until now, scratching off the shame she felt.

"No, Amity, stop!" Luz begged when she noticed how the witch scratched herself with nails lengthened in distress, "Danielle, get Viney," She ordered when she saw how her fiancée opened her skin.

"D-dirty, disgusting, pathetic, whore," Amity mumbled, scratching herself more frantically.

"Amity, please…" Luz grabbed the pale hands, trying to restrain her fiancée, but it backfired instantly.

"DON'T!" Amity's yell was so panicked it mimicked the howl of a starved finger-dragon.

Luz could not react fast enough when the pale foot met the tan face. Confused by the sudden hit, the human was blinded by the vicious face of a much older, blonde man above her. His piercing blue eyes glared at her with lust. She shook her head to refocus on the problem at hand.

The hit forced Luz to back away, and blood trickled down her nose. When she came to, Amity was out of bed, her ears slanted in anxiety. She backed away, looking at the space before her as if threatened. Her panicked eyes glowed with fuchsia and returned to their natural color in the rhythm of her frightened heartbeat.

"No!" The witch grabbed her head and shook it fervently as if she disagreed with someone, "N-no… Why me?" She gasped and fell to her knees, "Dirty…" The pale hands left the mauve, swear-drenched lavender hair and returned to the sob-shaken torso, "Dirty! Disgusting! Pathetic! Weak!" Amity mumbled, and her nails dug deep into her skin.

Luz froze momentarily. The witch was stuck in her trauma, scratching her pajamas and skin away, trying to remove the shame and disgust she felt toward herself after being abused. Her frantic movements increased as the material was shredded to pieces, revealing her cut-open, pale skin.

The human snapped out of her stupor and rushed toward Amity, kneeling by her side and grabbing the blood-covered, bruised wrists. The witch howled at the touch, trying to free herself.

"Baby, please," Luz whispered, frightened by the feral expression on her fiancée's face, "Youʼre safe. He's not here," She tried to convince the frightened woman but to no avail. Amity let out another screech, trying to scratch herself clean again.

"I'm not…" The witch gasped, "Not yours!" She cried, her eyes roaming wildly.

Luz gulped when she realized the fuchsia glow had returned to the golden eyes, and the magic had exited the weakened body. Amity snarled, threateningly showing off her fangs, and pulled her wrists free.

"No, no, no, no, Baby, no!" Luz tried to react, but it was too late.

Amity roared like a wounded beast, and a powerful wave of magic surged from her body, sending Luz crashing into the wall with a painful thud. The human slid to the floor, and everything became blurry. The last thing she saw was the witch in panic, scratching herself as her fiancée collapsed to the floor, exhausted from the outburst.

Danielle found Viney in one of the exam rooms. Despite seeing that Emira was free, she knew it was decided that her wife was responsible for her sister for a reason. When the brunette Healer noticed the human with a distressed expression, she stopped everything she was doing.

"Amity?" Viney asked. Danielle nodded fervently, and the Healer's pointy ears slanted in distress, "Let's go," She said sternly, dropping everything and following the older woman.

They exited the Exam Room, and Danielle led them to the second floor, where Amity was recovering from her detox. Screams reached their ears and made them rush forward. They did not expect what they witnessed.

Luz was lying on the floor, slouched on the wall, a red mark left on the paint while her face was covered in blood. On the other side of the room, Amity was lying on the floor, mumbling incoherently, scratching herself into a bloodied mess. The white Clinic pajamas were shredded to pieces and drenched in her fluids.

Neither Danielle nor Viney noticed that the distraught Heiress was practically naked as she continued to scratch herself frantically. The two pairs of green eyes met in a silent understanding. They nodded, and each approached a different woman.

"Luz, Cariño, are you with me?" Danielle asked her ward, analyzing her state.

"Amity, Honey, you're safe now," Viney whispered softly, kneeling in the blood pool surrounding the distraught witch.

"Luz, Bebé, wake up," Danielle cupped the tan face, but all she got in return was a weak whimper.

"Amity, look at me. I'm gonna touch you now," Viney approached the pale witch and frowned, realizing her sister-in-law was not hearing her.

"NOOOO!" Amity roared, releasing more magic in distress as her nails scratched her body more frantically.

"Dani! I need your help," Viney was helpless. The human looked at her friend, eyed her daughter, and nodded in agreement. They quickly changed their patients.

"Mija, please look at me," Danielle whispered, kneeling by the Heiress.

"It's okay, Luz," Viney drew a spell circle. The hazel-brown eyes snapped open, confused about her surroundings, "Youʼre safe," She repeated, and Luz slowly started to comprehend her surroundings.

"D-don't… I'm not…" Amity growled, her eyes shining momentarily before fading and tearing with abomination, "Iʼm, not yours!" She cried, letting out a wave of magic.

"Shh, shh, I'm here," Danielle cooed.

The older woman disregarded her instincts and pulled Amity into a tight, powerful, calming hug. She squeezed the witch, rocked her, and whispered words of comfort to calm her daughter down.

"N-no…" Amity slurred, her strength leaving her, "Don't… Hurts…" She tried to speak, but her body did not cooperate.

"It's okay, Cariño, I'm here," Danielle assured as she continued calming her daughter.

"N-no…" Amity repeated, but she removed her nails from her hands despite her fear, "N-no more…" She added, absentmindedly grabbing the tan forearms and snuggling her face into the secure embrace. A small nose twitched, and the tensed expression faded, "¿Mamá?" The witch asked confusedly. Her muscles relaxed ever so slightly.

Luz and Viney relaxed hearing that, knowing Amity was returning to the right state of mind. The Healer helped her friend out of the room to heal and help her, trusting Danielle was the only person capable of supporting the distressed witch now.

"Yes, Mija, I'm here," Danielle confirmed while rocking the witch, helping her relax.

"H-he…" Amity mumbled in panic.

The golden eyes roamed the room and the tan face above her. The pointy ears twitched unevenly, and her breathing hitched. Danielle eyed the floor surrounding them and the pale, half-naked body in her hold. Amityʼs bloodied hands held her arms as she ignored her state.

"He's not here, Cariño," The human whispered in reassurance, "Youʼre safe, I promise," She added, and her daughter seemed to believe her.

"Wh-why me?" Amity wailed, leaning further into the safety of the embrace, "I-I…" She gulped loudly, "I couldn't fight back…" She added, and Danielle felt herself cry.

"Mittens?" Emira's soft whisper startled the human, but she was glad to see the Healer, "Oh, Titan…" She whispered when she saw her sister's bloodied body, "What happened?" She asked the older woman.

"I-I feel… Dirty…" Amity wailed, trying to disappear in her motherʼs hold. Danielle noticed how Emira's expression faded in understanding.

"Mittens, I'm gonna help you now, okay?" The Healer whispered and drew a spell circle. The cuts slowly started to close, leaving no mark to remember them, "Please, let me see your other side," Emira asked softly, but her sister was immobile, "We've been through this, Mittens. You're safe now. He can't hurt you anymore," She added.

Danielle understood that her sister had helped her through what happened to Amity. However, it left a mark on Emira as well. The Healer looked heartbroken, distressed, and on the verge of crying. A loosening hold brought the doctor back to the situation at hand.

"I…" Amity stuttered, slowly letting go of Danielle, "I couldn't fight…"

"I know, Mittens," Emira whispered, helping her sister up and healing her cuts and bruises as fast as possible, "Youʼre safe now…"

"Still disgusting…" Amityʼs voice shook as she looked hollowly before her.

"Let's get you some fresh pajamas," Emira offered before addressing Danielle, "Her fever is still high, but it stopped rising," She said as if she were explaining Amity's hallucinations.

The Healer left for a moment, and the human eyed her daughter. The young witch sat in the pool of her blood, knees close to her naked chest, hugging her legs, her shaking hands still had lengthened nails. She rocked herself, trying to calm down, but her immobile eyes suggested she was still trapped in her trauma.

"Can you help me?" Emira asked, dragging Danielle out of her stupor. The human nodded and stood up, "Let's get you cleaned, too," She offered. A small spell circle cleaned the tan skin, and they refocused on Amity, "Hey, Mittens," The Healer spoke softly, making her sister's ears twitch, "Can you lift your hands for me?" She asked, not wanting to force clothes on Amity with a spell.

The younger witch's arms twitched as if she wanted to cooperate, but something was blocking her. The golden eyes glanced at the human, and her pink lips parted as if she wanted to say something.

"Let me help, Cariño," Danielle whispered, and she sat behind her daughter. The lavender head nodded in consent, "Iʼm gonna touch your hands now, Mija," The human warned, and she touched the pale wrists reluctantly, worried how the witch would react.

"Mmm…" Amity whimpered with an ear flutter.

Danielle felt a slight resistance, but her daughter cooperated. With a few grunts and gasps, the younger witch was back in bed, dressed in clean, fresh pajamas. The human glanced at the restraints and then at the feverish woman, who nodded energetically. Emira noticed that and helped the older woman secure the pale limbs.

"Sleep, Mittens," The Healer whispered, "Youʼre safe here," She added, caressing her sister's face. Amity tried to move away, afraid of the touch. Her eyes roamed the people before her, "I'll stay until you fall asleep," She offered with a soft smile.

"Sh-she f-forced me…" Amity gasped, her eyes roaming the ceiling.

"I know, Mittens," Emira replied softly, sadness sipping off her voice, "It wasn't your fault…" She added before looking up at the human while her sister sobbed quietly, "Take a break, Dani. I'll watch her until you're back," She added with a well-trained smile.

The human nodded absentmindedly. She looked at how Emira helped her sister drink as she left the room, feeling paralyzed with realizing what Odalia had done to her daughter. Hate entered her heart, and she did not know where she was heading.

Luz shook her head, fighting blurriness away. She grunted slightly and focused her sight, shocked to realize she was sitting in the exam room, Viney before her, applying Healing Spell to her head with frowned brows and ears slanted in concentration.

"Viney?" The human groaned, blinking rapidly, "Ouch," She winced.

"Sit still. I'm almost done," The Healer whispered, "She did a real number on you, huh?" She asked, dropping the spell.

"Yeah…" Luz looked aside, and Viney's expression faded.

"What was that about?" The Healer asked.

Luz could not look the witch in the eyes. The images of shared memories haunted her. She shook her head to chase them away, still in awe of her fiancée's strength to live with that trauma.

"Philip," The human whispered with hate.

"Oh…" Viney looked away as well, "I remember that… Emira and I had just started living together…" She paused to take a deep, calming breath, "She came to us for help then. She was so scared…" The green eyes met with the hazel-brown ones. They did not notice Danielle enter the room, "She came to us when you started dating…" The Healer paused, "Iʼm sorry, I shouldn't have told you…"

"It's okay, she told me," Luz replied.

She sighed heavily before she noticed Danielle in the room with them. She was about to ask about her fiancée when she heard strange noises from the corridor. Rushed footsteps were getting closer, and within a second, Eda rushed into the room. She eyed her daughter with panic in her face.

"Kid, are you okay?!" The older witch rushed toward her daughter, inspecting her body, "What the hell happened?" She turned around and noticed Danielle, who still wore ruined clothes, "Blood?" She rushed toward her girlfriend, "Abomination?" She noted another type of stain, "What happened with Boots?" She asked.

"It's okay, Amor," Danielle whispered, touching the pale face, calming the witch down, "Amity is safe," She addressed Luz, "Emira's with her now," She looked at Viney, "And I'm fine, Eda," She addressed her girlfriend.

"You weren't hurt?" The Owl Lady pointed at the clothes.

"No, that's Amity's…" Danielle was saddened at the thought of her daughter.

"Oh…" Eda understood that the young Heiress was still struggling with her fever, "How long has it been already?" She asked, looking up at Viney.

"Three days since the last dose, two days since symptoms started showing," The Healer said, and Eda nodded in understanding.

"So she should be getting better soon," The older witch muttered.

"Should be…" Viney shook her head, "She's very dehydrated, and she just barely started producing her own bile…" The Healer explained.

"She produced enough to throw me into the wall," Luz chuckled bitterly, "She's a fighter," She added, standing up, "Iʼll go back now…"

"Luz, you haven't eaten anything," Danielle pointed out.

"I promise I'll eat something later," Luz said on her way out of the room, "Te quiero," She added, and she was already gone.

"Ugh," Eda groaned in frustration, "You do know she's not going to eat anything?" She asked, looking down at Danielle.

"Of course I know," The human said with a smile, "I'll clean up, change, and bring her food. Don't worry, Cariño," She added, pecking her pale cheek before leaving the room.

"What the hell did I miss?" Eda addressed the Healer.

Viney sighed heavily and guided the other woman to sit. She told everything she knew, sparing no detail but keeping Amity's personal information to herself. Eda took in everything, seeing the situation clearly and understanding why the overdose happened in the first place.

Amity groaned when she started coming back. She blinked rapidly and mewled in discomfort as the visions from the most recent events flashed before her eyes. Her breathing hitched, and her body was flooded with pain.

"Fuck…" The witch thought, trying to turn to the side.

"Amity?" A soft voice surprised the witch, "Are you awake?" The said witch turned to the right and blinked rapidly, trying to chase the blurriness away.

"¿M-Mamá?" Amity gasped, trying to focus on the person by her side.

"Yes, Cariño, I'm here," Danielle said softly, holding the pale, restrained hand.

"Luz?" The witch asked worriedly, "She's hurt…" She paused, wincing in pain.

"Sheʼs fine," Danielle interrupted with a soft smile, "She's sleeping right there," She pointed to the side.

Amity strained her neck and noticed Luz sleeping on the gurney, covered by a light blanket with Ghost curled beside her. The human mumbled something incoherently in her sleep, making the witch smile slightly.

"She refused to leave you but needed her sleep," Danielle explained.

"Thank you," Amity faced the older woman and paused momentarily, wincing in discomfort, "Iʼm sorry…" She gasped before a coughing fit incapacitated her, "I fucked up big time," She added.

Amity was shocked to feel warm hands on her body, and her head lifted. The golden eyes met the green ones, looking at her with care. Danielle helped the witch take a few sips of water before letting her rest on the pillow.

"Cariño, we all fuck up from time to time," The human said softly, "You've been through more shit than most people throughout their entire life. You may not see it like that, but you're still very young. You have all the right in the world to make mistakes and fuck up," She explained, smiling softly.

"I was never allowed to make mistakes…" Amity whispered weakly, closing her eyes as if she recalled every time she made a mistake.

Danielle tied her brows worriedly and sneaked a thermometer to Amity's head to take a reading. The expression on the tan face faded when she noticed that the witch was still having a high fever.

"¿Cariño?" Danielle asked, noting that her daughterʼs eyes roamed the ceiling, "Are you still with me?" She asked, but there was no answer.

Amity's ears were twitching unevenly, her breathing was getting more shallow, and her hands clenched the mattress, digging her lengthened nails. The pink lips parted, showing off fangs in a weak attempt to speak. Danielle leaned closer and recognized words.

"Make no mistakes… No mistakes, Mittens… You'll regret…" Amity whispered in panicked gasps.

"Oye, Cariño, you're safe now," Danielle cooed, caressing the lavender hair, hoping to relieve the panicked mind.

"Mmm," The witch's back arched back, and she pulled on the restraints, "Thatʼs your last mistake… No one would love you…" She added, and tears started rolling down her cheeks.

"Shhh, you're safe, you're loved, Bebé," Danielle tried to reassure her, but her daughter was lost in her memories.

The human's heart broke at the sight of Amityʼs struggle. The witch kept mumbling words Odalia taunted her with her entire life. The golden eyes were blinking rapidly, letting the tears roam free, but it seemed as if she was stuck.

Danielle patiently waited for her daughter to start calming down. Then, she checked the temperature and worried, realizing the fever was still rising. She helped Amity take a few more sips of water and watched the witch fall into restless slumber before she did so, too.

"Just a little more, Cariño," Danielle thought with her last sober thought before dozing off in the armchair.

A soft light illuminated the tan face, blinding the hazel-brown eyes and making them blink rapidly. Luz groaned and wiped the sleep away from her face before sitting in the provisional bed. She looked around and saw Danielle sleeping in the wide armchair.

The younger human stood up and slowly wobbled before limping to her guardian to cover her with a blanket that rolled down her body. Luz smiled warmly before hearing shallow, sharp breaths from the bed.

"Amity?" The human asked worriedly.

Luz blinked rapidly, trying to see what was happening. Amity lay stiffly in bed, her eyes immobile and fixated on the ceiling. Her parted lips quivered as she released shallow, panicked gasps.

"Baby?" She asked again, but there was no reply. Luz retrieved a thermometer from the nightstand and frowned, seeing that the fever had barely moved down, "Dang it, Baby," She whispered in worry, "Let me get you a cold compress," She added, disappearing for a moment in the Nurses' Station.

It was then that Luz noticed it was barely a sunrise. No one was around, and the graveyard shift was still doing rounds, giving her a free pass on grabbing some supplies. She returned to Amityʼs room as fast as possible. The human approached her fiance and pulled a nearby stool to sit. She placed a cold cloth on the pale forehead.

"I didn't…" Amity slurred.

The golden eyes finally blinked, and the witch looked around the ceiling. Minutes passed by excruciatingly slowly. Luz changed another compress, and a couple of hours later, the frozen eyes finally closed, and the slanted ears relaxed.

"I killed…" The witch gasped, getting Luz's attention, "My wife…" The human smirked at first, loving the sound of the witchʼs lips, before realizing how the night of freeing Amity from Odalia's influence had scarred the witch.

"Dang it, Luz," The human scolded herself, "You never consider how seeing you impaled or dead hurt her!" She thought bitterly, applying a new compress before rechecking the witch's temperature.

"My fault…" Amity muttered under her breath.

Luz sighed heavily and cooled her fiancée's forehead and face, clearing it of sweat. Meanwhile, the witch continued to slur and mumble, fighting her memories, stuck in the worst days of her life.

"N-no… Augustus! Don't make me hurt him…" Amity whispered in panic.

Luz did not notice how time passed by. The graveyard shift ended, and the dayshift Nurses arrived. Emira was heard in the distance, and her wife joined the human in the darkened room.

The Healer waited patiently for anyone to notice her. Danielle cracked her eyes open, stretched widely, her bones popping, and she smiled when she saw the brunette witch by her side.

"How long has she been like that?" Viney decided to break the silence. The younger human froze at the sound of someone's voice.

"Luz?" Danielle asked worriedly when they received no answer.

"I found her like this at dawn," Luz finally replied.

She did not see how the older women exchanged worried looks. Danielle left the chair and joined her ward. Even in the dim light, she could tell Luz was exhausted and on the brink of collapse.

"Luzita, I know you worry about her, but let's give Viney space to work while we get you something to eat, okay?" Danielle suggested. She looked at the Healer and noticed a look filled with appreciation.

"Not hungry," Luz grumbled, wiping the sweat off Amityʼs face.

"Luz, you need your strength, too," The older woman argued.

Luz looked aside, angry, knowing that Danielle was right. If the roles were reversed, she would want Amity to care for herself, too. A loud chirp echoed in her head, urging her to listen to her guardian. Without warning, the youngest brunette let go of the compress and left the room without a word.

Viney used it to sit by Amity's side and apply a spell to examine her. Danielle rushed behind her ward, worried that Luz seemed out of touch and acting automatically. The young human did not notice a warm hold on her arm, which delicately guided her to the kitchen and sat her by the table.

"Don't mind us," Danielle addressed the Chef, who snorted in amusement.

"As if we would ever," The witch dressed in a white robe chuckled. Her expression faded when she noticed Luz's blank expression, "Should I get her favorite?" She asked worriedly.

"I'll prepare the food. I don't want to be a bother. You have plenty of work as it is," Danielle tried to dismiss the help, but the Chef urged the older human to sit down.

"So do you. Take care of your family, and let us help," The witch added softly, and Danielle stopped arguing.

The older human sat before her ward and watched the blank expression. She was sure the hazel-brown eyes blackened momentarily, worrying Danielle even further. She knew Luz was worried, but she was apathetic.

"There you go," The Chef surprised the humans with some pancakes.

Luz leaned away to accept the meal but did not even look at it. Danielle frowned, wondering if that had ever happened to the young woman before. She looked out of touch with reality. It looked too familiar.

"Chef?" The older human addressed the witch, "Would you do me a favor? Could you please close the door to the room two-twenty-eight while on rounds?" She asked, and the witch nodded with a smile.

"For you? I'll do that right now," The Chef replied, disappearing from the kitchen only to return a few minutes later.

"Huh?" The hazel-brown eyes blinked rapidly, "What?" Luz asked in confusion, looking around.

"Did it work?" The Chef asked upon return.

"Like a charm," Danielle said with a smile, "Thank you for that," She added, but the witch waved dismissively.

"Whatʼs going on?" Luz asked, getting frustrated by not understanding her situation.

"Calm down, Luz," Danielle smiled warmly, "I just wanted you to eat something. We left Amity with Viney…"

"I donʼt remember…"

"I know, Cariño," Danielle took hold of her ward's hand, "Iʼm afraid Amity's mental state affected you, too…" Luz looked aside, slowly comprehending her situation.

"Oh…" The young brunette muttered nervously.

"Don't worry about that now," Danielle tried to lighten the mood, "Eat up. You need your strength. Caring about your well-being is caring for Amity, too," She added. She was relieved to see her ward grab a fork, her expression a little lighter.

"My stomach is tied in knots," Luz admitted but forced the food down her throat anyway.

"Maybe this would help," The Chef suddenly appeared with two small bowls.

"Jackie! You're literally the best!" Luz exclaimed when she felt her stomach relax and rumble at the sight of black currant jam and peanut butter.

Danielle and the Chef exchanged looks, and the older human giggled at her ward's antics. She was glad to see Luz finally eat with the appetite of a slitherbeast. It had been so long since she had seen her ward munch food with such gusto.

"Luz, can you talk to me?" Danielle waited for her ward to finish her meal.

"Thanks, J." Luz thanked the Chef before she refocused on her guardian, "There's nothing to tell…" Her sour mood returned, "Amity overdosed because she didn't want to hurt me… Sheʼs tired of feeling like shit, and I get it…" She paused, and Danielle eyed her carefully, "I get why she overdosed…" She muttered, her voice shaking, getting Danielle's attention.

"Luz?" The green eyes studied her expression.

"You know how I forget about my elixirs from time to time?" Luz asked with panic, "She forgot she ever took the meds… Our Bond got her into this mess," Her breathing hitched, and she blinked rapidly as the tears fought their way out, "I got her into this mess…" She could not hold it in anymore. She broke into ugly, snotty cries.

"Oye…" Danielle reacted quickly, pulling her chair as close to Luz as possible, "You can't blame yourself," She pulled her ward into a powerful hug, "Amity's not to blame either. We all understand how difficult and tiring healing is…" She added before the younger woman interrupted her.

"Stop acting like you know what she's going through…" Luz was on the verge of flaming out.

"Luz!" Everyone froze when they saw Eda enter the kitchen. The witch's angry expression softened when she saw the distress on her daughterʼs face, "You don't know what you're talking about, Kid," She approached Luz and knelt before her, too, "Let the anger out, but never take it out on your family. Isn't that what you taught me?" She said more softly.

Danielle looked aside, ashamed of keeping Luz in the dark about her past. At the same time, the younger human looked at her guardian and understood she underestimated her, blinded by the pain.

"I'm sorry…" Luz gasped, wiping her face, leaving snot on her sleeve, "I didn't mean… Ugh!" Danielle's powerful hug surprised her.

"No te preocupes, Cariño," The older human whispered with forgiveness.

Eda watched with amusement as Luz was taken by surprise. It took a moment before she realized what was happening and urgently returned the hug. Owlbert hooted at their adorableness, and the witch could not hold back the embrace she had pulled both women into.

"Mom?" Luz broke the hug after a while, "What are you doing here?" She asked, afraid that someone cawed her at her expense.

"Oh? Didn't you miss me, Kid?" Eda teased, "I always join Dani for lunch when she has a day shift," She explained, dropping her facade, "I need to keep tabs on you too, y'know?" She asked, smirking a little.

"Titan, I missed you," Luz threw herself at her kneeling mother.

"Gah!" Eda squeaked in shock, "I'll never get used to this," She giggled before returning the embrace.

Danielle chuckled before she found herself pulled into the family hug. It did not take long for them to pull away. With the women's support, Luz felt better than a few moments earlier. They shared a small meal as Eda ate her lunch while they caught up with their lives.

As Luz shared what she had been through in the last few days, Eda could not believe how her dorky kid had grown up in the past year. She just wished she would never have to grow up — at least not as fast as she was forced to. Nevertheless, she was glad her daughter was safe.

At first, everything was silent. However, the sounds around her soon attacked her sensitive senses. Amity felt her ears flutter and her eyes burned, and she could have sworn her skin was peeling off her body. She tried to scream, ask for help, and beg for it to stop.

"Shh, calm down, you're safe," A familiar voice whispered, but it seemed too loud. The pain paralyzed the Heiress, forcing her ears to hug her head.

The pale hands tugged the restraints, and the knees tried to bend, but her ankles were stopped. The pink lips parted and bent in an ugly cry as the golden eyes released a waterfall of tears. Each drop felt like acid on her skin.

"Amity, Honey," The same feminine voice continued, "Can you hear me?" She asked, and the lavender head slowly nodded while the hurt witch fought through the pain, "Your fever is decreasing…"

"Make it stop!" Amity exclaimed, interrupting the Healer, back arching, letting out a high-pitched squeal.

The pale chest heaved in short, shallow, raspy gasps. The lavender hair stuck to the sweaty forehead, and salty droplets rolled toward the slanted ears, mixing with tears. It was too much.

"Amity, Honey, try to calm down…" Viney asked, "I would have preferred to give you some pain medication, but you explicitly forbade me to," She explained.

"No drugs!" Amity concurred.

"The Sleep Spell is too great of a risk, so you need to brace through," Viney continued, "Youʼre almost there, Honey," She did not know when her eyes swelled with tears. Seeing her sister-in-law like this was too much.

"Better me than Em," She thought, recomposing herself.

"Make it… Put me down!" Amity roared, arching her back, "AaaaAAAAA!" She screamed before her voice cracked, and she started crying again.

Viney stepped back when a more powerful tug on the restraints moved the entire bed. Amity roared like a wounded demon while her bile sac erupted in pain as her eyes teared with abomination. She was paralyzed with overwhelming pain. Her skin, bones, joints, everything felt like burning alive.

"No more, no more, no more…" Amity mumbled in distress, trying to free herself of the binds.

"Amity, please…" Viney could not react fast enough.

The fuchsia aura erupted the pale and weakened body, illuminating the dimly lit room while Amity kept trying to pull herself free, not knowing what she was doing. This was the moment Viney dreaded — the dark before dawn.

"Amity…" Luz's panicked gasp shocked the Healer.

"No, Luz," Viney tried to react in time, "Stay away," She tried to stop the human.

Danielle and Eda appeared behind the young human, frozen in shock, fear, and helplessness. When Luz noticed the state Amity was in, she became an unstoppable force, rushing forward with disregard for her safety or the entire world.

"Amity, Baby, look at me," Luz gasped, taking hold of the lavender head.

The lean, tan hands entangled between wet, mauve, auburn locks, holding her fiancée in place. She growled in an attempt to push the overwhelming pain away. She understood what the witch felt and, at the same time, immediately understood the witchʼs reaction.

"Luz?" Amity gasped as if she did not believe the human to be by her side, "Iʼm sorry, I'm not strong enough… I-I… AaaaAAAAA!" She roared in another surge of pain, "Please, let me go. This is too much. I'm not good enough anyway, a waste of space…" She rambled in distress.

"Shh, shh…" Luz tried to calm her down, delicately caressing her sweaty hair. At the same time, Viney approached Eda and Danielle to explain what happened, "Youʼre doing good, Amity," Luz continued.

"Make it stop," The golden eyes clenched, and her face contorted in pain, "Just put me down!" She exclaimed, her eyes snapped open and roamed the tan face, releasing another load of abomination tears, "Call Willow! She killed me once. She'll do it again!" Amity argued.

"How can we help?" Danielle asked Viney worriedly, never looking away from her daughter.

"I would have given her the lowest dose of the elixirs she was taking, but she told me not to…" The Healer explained.

"Come on, Spikes," Eda interrupted, "There must be something…"

"Hoot!" The demonʼs voice surprised everyone, silencing them.

"Nah…" Luz whispered, still holding Amity's head, watching her worriedly. Everyone exchanged looks confusedly.

"¿Cariño?" Danielle stepped forward, extending her hand.

"Failure!" Amity cried out, "Shouldn't live… Shouldn't…"

"Screech!" The demonʼs angry yell erupted in the human's throat.

"Fine!" Luz snapped, "If you say it would work, then I trust you," She added in a much softer tone.

"Whatʼs…?" Eda wanted to ask but was at a loss of words.

Luz let go of her fiancée and looked around the room frantically. She jumped toward the gurney where she was sleeping and removed the mattress. She kicked the metal bed out of her way and placed the soft cushion on the floor.

"Luz, what are you doing?" Viney asked, but she received no answer.

The young human grabbed the pillows from underneath her fiancée's head and placed them on the mattress on the floor. She then returned to Amity, pushing her back to the wall. She then removed the armchair from her way. Eda let out a silent 'oooooh'.

"Sheʼs making a nest," The older witch explained when Danielle and Viney looked at her questioningly. The thick brows traveled up in understanding on the tan face.

"Sheʼs going to speed up her natural healing…" The older human whispered in understanding, "She did that in the Human Realm," She added, seeing the witches' confusion.

"So why didn't she do it before?" Viney asked in confusion.

Before the Healer urged for an answer, she realized she was foolish even to ask. Luz removed her flannel shirt and let it rest on the armchair. She slid off her sneakers, and her jeans, socks, and tee followed. Once her clothing was reduced to her black sports underwear, she approached her fiancée.

"Everybody, stay back," Luz ordered in a voice so low no one dared argue, "If you want to stay, I want you to stay away from us. Otherwise, leave."

Viney blinked dumbfoundedly, eyeing the tan body littered with scars of different shapes and depths. They made Luz look feral, reminding everyone how much the young woman had been through. Everyone stepped back without a question.

"Hey, Baby," Luz's voice was suddenly warm and kind, "Listen, I'm gonna release you now and help you, okay?" She asked.

Amity could not answer, struggling with how her body hurt, paralyzing her with agonizing pain. Her fiancée was glad she finally learned how to control the sensations they shared, or else she would not be able to help the witch.

"Alright, let's go," Luz whispered, anxious about what she was about to do.

The human could not recall if she ever went through the transformation out of her own free will. Usually, she was forced to let go. This time was different. This time, she and the demon residing in her were in full understanding.

Luz released Amity's ankles, and the pale legs immediately bent before thrashing on the bed. The pale wrists were released next, and the witch could not control how the muscle spasms contorted her hands. The human quickly grabbed her fiancée in a bride-like embrace, carefully moving her to the provisional nest.

"Stay here, Amity," Luz whispered, clearing her sweaty face from the lavender strands, "I'll be right back," She added, stepping back.

"Okay…" Luz released a nervous, shaky exhale, "Let's do this…"

"Strigi," She heard a familiar voice in her mind, and her full lips smirked.

"Luz. Long overdue, but a pleasure to make your acquaintance," She joked, paralyzed with fear.

With that, Luz fell to the floor like a cut-off puppet. She let out a pained roar. Viney cast a sound-restricting spell on the room and watched her friend fearfully. She had never seen the complete transformation, and she wished she never had to.

Seeing Luz partially transformed was still haunting her dreams, but this? She could not imagine this in her worst nightmares. The way her hands were breaking only to grow and lengthen, joints being popped like a soda, back snapping and twisting, and her ribs moving, expanding, stretching her skin. The Healer wanted to look away, but she could not.

"Screech!" The human-demon hybrid cried out.

The broad wings fluttered slightly, and the furry body shook as if the demon was getting used to the physiology. Danielle, Eda, and Viney watched the beast in awe as Luz carefully stepped into the nest and delicately pulled the struggling witch into a secure embrace with the care they recognized immediately.

"Titan," Eda whispered in disbelief.

"They are cooperating…" She would not believe it if she had not seen it herself.

A loud, cooing trill escaped Luz's deformed throat, and in an instant, the entire room was illuminated by the golden glow as she applied the magic to the hurt body. The feathery ears slanted slightly.

"It's okay," Danielle whispered, taking hold of Eda's hand and offering her support.

The Owl Demon released another thrill, and Amity arched her back. The howl that erupted in her throat was so animalistic and full of agony that they were unsure this was still the witch they knew. Her pale legs bent slightly, and her arms stiffened. The roar was interrupted by gasps for air.

Neither Danielle nor Eda knew how much time had passed when Amity's screams turned into weak cries. The warmth of the Owl's magic was finally bringing the desired effect. The arched back returned to the mattress, and the shaking hands, despite the nails lengthened in panic, calmed down.

Danielle slid down to the floor, and the witches followed her example. They watched the horrific image from a safe distance and were relieved to realize the room was suddenly filled with silence, interrupted only by the calming purrs of the large demon.

Amity finally started to comprehend her surroundings. She blinked rapidly, barely staying conscious, unable to control pained whimpers. She was relieved to feel her body was ceasing to paralyze her with agony. Her ears fluttered in confusion when she found herself in a fluffy embrace, warmed by the demonʼs aura.

"Luz…" The witch thought, closing her eyes in relief, "You Dumbass…" Amity felt a pang of guilt that her fiancée had to sacrifice herself once again to help her, "Iʼm sorry…"

The witch was surprised by a comforting trill and a delicate bump on her head. The demon tightened the embrace momentarily before loosening it again as if she wanted to let her fiancée know everything was alright. The pale hands clenched the brown feathers, and Amity snuggled further to the safety of Luz's embrace, grateful for helping her through.

Danielle observed the nest with the intensity of a hunting puma. She did not know how much time had passed, but she straightened up when she noticed Luz's black eyes glance at her. Eda mumbled something, making the human realize she was sleeping on her shoulder.

Danielle removed herself from the embrace, gently helping Eda lean on the wall. The witch pretended to stay asleep so as not to startle the human, watching her approach the Owl Demon. A quiet trill was tired, and it was clear that Luz was losing her strength to heal Amity.

The hurt witch trembled, but she was finally resting. The demon removed the wing from the pale body to show Danielle how Amity calmed down. The older woman knelt by her daughterʼs side and brushed the sweaty hair off the pale face.

"You did good, Luz," Danielle whispered, smiling warmly. A rapid blinking followed a weak trill, "Woah," The human grabbed the large, furry face, "Eda, stop pretending to sleep and get me her elixir," She ordered. The older witch was by her side in a blink of an eye.

"There you go," Eda offered the vial, "Hey, Kid," She looked at her daughter worriedly, "You really are in there, huh?" She asked, and Luz nodded.

"Okay, there you go," Danielle helped her ward drink the elixir.

The golden aura disappeared immediately. Amity let out a small whimper, and Eda helped Danielle secure the witch while Luz pulled away ever so slightly. The multiple breaking sounds of the bones rearranging in the human body woke Viney. The Healer quickly joined the other women.

"Ugh…" Luz muttered with no strength to fight the exhaustion.

The tan, naked body fell face-first into the nest. Danielle quickly fetched the blanket and covered her ward while Viney checked on her sister-in-law. Once she was sure Amity was sleeping semi-peacefully, she approached the knocked-down human.

"Woah…" The Healer whispered in awe, "She's perfectly fine…" She explained, dropping the spell.

"She always is after a full transformation," Eda explained, shaking her head in disbelief before looking at her girlfriend, "She did that in the Human Realm, too?" She asked with disbelief.

"Yeah, she helped Amity by speeding up her natural healing ability," Danielle finally looked up at Eda, "But she did not want to change then. At least not at first," She added, looking back at the nest.

"Let's get them to a proper rest," Viney decided, "Then we can talk… Or sleep considering the time," She added, noting the time.

They were shocked to realize it was evening already. Eda pulled Luz into a tight embrace, lifting her limp daughter, who whimpered in discomfort. Danielle did the same for Amity while Viney drew a spell circle that cleaned the nest and dropped the sound-restricting spell.

Amity felt herself wake up. Her body was stiff and sore but otherwise rested. It took her a while to finally move and crack her eyes open. She was back in her studio. The window blinds were partially closed, but it was bright enough to let her know it was before midday.

"Meow?" The witch heard a familiar purring. She blinked rapidly, wiped sleep away from the golden eyes, and smiled widely, showing off her fangs.

"Ghost!" Amity exclaimed with glee.

The Palisman jumped forward, and the witch pulled her into a warm embrace. They bumped each other's heads, marking each other, and Amity returned the purr with equal amounts of joy and relief.

"Whereʼs Luz?" The Heiress asked when she finally recalled what her fiancée did for her, pulling away, her expression fading into worry.

"Meow?" Ghost shrugged. Amity's brows tied in a hardening expression.

"I have to find her," She said, letting her Palisman go. She turned to the edge of the bed and pushed herself off. Her knees buckled beneath her, and she landed flat on the floor, "Graceful Blight," She muttered, frustrated with herself. Ghost snickered at her comment, "Would you mind helping me?" She asked, turning to her back and slowly sitting up.

"Meow!"

Ghost immediately transformed into her staff form, and Amity gratefully accepted the help. She struggled to get to her feet but was determined to find Luz. Her chest throbbed a little, but compared to the past days, it was a delicate tingle.

Amity left her studio as fast as she could. She leaned heavily on her staff, still feeling weak. She knew she was dehydrated and probably on the brink of starvation, but finding her fiancée came first.

Once the witch reached her sister's living quarters, she was hit with a dizzying smell of fresh food. Her stomach growled, and she salivated like a ratworm. She stumbled forward with more urgency. She passed Emira's library in the living room, entered the dining room adjoining the kitchen, and stopped, frozen at the sight.

The dining table was filled with food. Roasted meats of different kinds, vegetables rich in vitamins, different variations of potatoes, and nut pastes. In other words, it was a feast. In the middle of all that was standing Luz.

The human froze mid-bite when she noticed her fiancée leaning hard on her Palisman. The witch was tired and weak, but Luz had never been happier or relieved to see the other woman.

"Amity…" Luz mumbled, swallowing hard the piece of meat sticking out of her stuffed mouth, "Youʼre awake," She pointed out the obvious in disbelief.

"Luz," Amity gasped and finally snapped out of her stupor.

The witch rushed forward and let go of Ghost when she was close enough for Luz to catch her. The human lifted the witch and spun her around, unable to contain her joy. The tan hand found its way to the pale face once they stood before each other. Amity closed her eyes, reveling in the feeling of a warm, soft hand caressing her right cheek.

A low purr erupted from the witchʼs throat while the smaller hand touched the one on the pale cheek. Luz could not contain the grin that appeared on her face. The golden eyes opened, and they studied each other for the longest moment. They did not care for anything in the world, glad to be together again.

They leaned forward, and their lips brushed in a slight reluctance. Luz noticed how the golden eyes looked up, hesitating momentarily. Amity smiled widely, and their lips finally connected. The full, soft, warm muscle massaged the other one in chaste affection of love.

"Titan," Luz gasped, parting her lips slightly, shuddering under the touch.

Amity was speechless and just as happy to hold her fiancée again in her arms. She let go of the tan hand and entangled her fingers between the brunette locks, pulling the human into another, more fervent kiss. The chastity was slipping away, just like their restraint and self-control. The witch moaned loudly when she felt the warm, skilled tongue on her own. She did not control herself, biting it down.

"Ouch!" Luz pulled away in an instant. Amity slapped her mouth in shock. Her golden eyes were wide, her ears slanted in fear, and her pupils blew wide with desire, "Oh…" The human analyzed the woman before her.

"I'm so sorry…" Amity mumbled from behind her hands. She was shocked to see Luz smile warmly.

"Let's get you something to eat before you find me the tastiest meal around here," The human added with a teasing giggle. She kissed the pale cheek, helping Amity relax, "It's not your fault, Baby," She whispered, "I must smell like that roast I've…" A loud rumble erupting from the witch's stomach interrupted her sentence, confirming her suspicions.

"I'm really sorry, Luz," Amity repeated, her voice filled with guilt.

"Stop apologizing," Luz smiled, "Emira and Viney prepared everything for us to regain our strength," She explained, gesturing to the dining table, "But I have something special for you. Once we are sure you can hold a meal," The human guided her fiancée to sit at the table, "Let's start with something delicate, okay?" She asked once Amity was ready to eat.

"Why are you so good to me?" The witch asked in disbelief when the human offered her a bowl of soup.

"Because I love you, silly," Luz pecked the lavender head, "Eat, and then you need a long, warm bath," She added with a smirk.

"That bad?" Amity sniffed herself, "Dang, even worse," She chuckled nervously.

"Don't worry about that now," Luz smiled at the witch's antics, "Food first," She added, sitting in front of Amity.

They sat together at the table, sharing the first meal in days. The witch could not comprehend the kindness Luz offered her. She did not feel worthy of it after everything that happened in the past few days.

"Stop blaming yourself, Baby," Luz interrupted the silence. The pointy ears fluttered in surprise, and the witch looked up at her, "If the roles were reversed, you would have done the same. So stop," She added sternly.

"Thank you, Luz," Amity said, pushing the empty bowl to the side, "I can't comprehend your kindness…"

"Not after reliving how Odalia made you feel worthless?" Luz guessed. Amity nodded and looked aside in shame, "It's understandable. We'll work on that, but for now, let's get you fed, okay?" She asked, getting up.

"Where are you going?" Amityʼs voice was filled with worry and fear of abandonment.

"The raw snorse meat is in the fridge…" The human explained, and she could not believe how much the golden eyes darkened with hunger.

"Um… Luz…" Amity hesitated, "Iʼm… That is…" She sighed heavily, trying to speak her mind.

"Oh… I didn't think about that…" Luz thought, quickly approaching her fiancée and kneeling before her.

"Amity," The human brushed some lavender hair away from the pale face, "It's a natural reaction, so there's no need to feel ashamed…"

"But…" Amity tried to interrupt, but Luz did not have it.

"Baby, I want to marry you, and as your awesome wife, I will see you in much more embarrassing moments than going feral on the raw, bloody, juicy piece of meat," She explained, slowing down her speech while describing the food. The pupils in the golden eyes were blown wide, and Amity gulped, "Wait here. I'll be right back," She added.

"Okay, you can do it," The witch encouraged herself, "Control yourself," She added when she noticed Luz with a food container.

Luz noticed Amity's fear. It was written all over her face. She understood that. The witch did not want to be judged. But she miscalculated. The poor woman kept forgetting how much the human loved her.

"There you go, Amity," Luz whispered, sliding the container in front of the witch, "Don't hold yourself back. You deserve to enjoy your food," She added and opened the glass box.

The smell of raw meat, so rich in protein, fat, and vitamins her body craved, made Amity completely black out. The last thing She was aware of was the sensation of her lengthening nails and moist flesh under her fingertips.

Luz stepped back, giving the witch her space. She could only suspect what was about to happen. When Eda was recovering from her poisoning all these years ago, King suggested she would leave them alone, afraid the witch could find her weak nerd body too tasty.

After what she had learned in the Healing Track in high school, she was a little more prepared, but seeing Amity go absolutely wild when she smelled the meat was still slightly surprising. Not appalling but just shocking. The human was used to how the witch always controlled her urges, so seeing her like this was something different.

Before Luz could have finished eyeing her fiancée, Amity's hand scratched the bottom of the container, alerting the human. A low growl erupted the pale chest, and the pointy ears slanted aggressively. The golden eyes with pupils blown wide roamed the surroundings. Luz gulped nervously.

"M-more," The witch growled.

Before she could leave her seat to answer her primal call for the hunt, Luz slid another container filled with snorse meat. Amity immediately started tearing the flesh apart, satisfying her need for sustenance. The human smiled, glad her fiancée was finally eating and holding the food in.

Luz decided to continue with her meal while she kept an eye on Amity from a safe distance, ensuring the witch had as much food as she needed and wanted. It took another three containers when the Heiress finally passed out with her head on the table, sleeping soundly, lengthened nails just partially retracting, and the pointy ears still twitching occasionally.

Luz did not dare to retrieve the containers until she was certain her fiancée was deep asleep. She took her time appreciating the finally relaxed pale face with blood smeared on her jaw. The brows scrunched in the way the human always considered cute while the pink lips parted, releasing incoherent mumbles.

"Hey, Luz," Viney's whisper surprised the human, who immediately tore her eyes from her fiancée and straightened up, "Is she good?" She asked, and Luz smiled.

"Yeah, she's good…"

"Woah!" The Healer exclaimed in a whisper, "Five containers?" She asked in awe.

"She ate the whole container after two days without food during our vacation, so I'm not surprised," Luz shrugged.

"You certainly know her best," The Healer giggled.

"Yeah…" Luz agreed, her expression fading, "We've had an intense relationship course with all we've been through," She said bitterly, watching the sleeping witch, "I'll take her to bed," She added once she noticed the pointy ears finally relaxed and lay limply in the greasy, lavender hair.

"Let me help," Viney drew a spell circle and cleaned Amity off the food remains, "For the rest, you can use our bath once she wakes up," She added, and Luz nodded.

"Thanks, greatly appreciated," The human said with a smile, knowing that her fiancée had missed a good bath.

Without another word, Luz picked Amity up. The witch was out cold, not even snuggling into the embrace. Her limbs hung limply, her head lolled back while her jaw slacked open. Viney could not believe the amount of care in the human's look as she ensured her fiancée was safe. All her worries about the interspecies relationship not working out were long gone.

Viney left the young couple upstairs while she resumed her duties. She was glad they were feeling better, but she knew they still had more healing to do. She also had a strange feeling she could not shake. Some events were not adding up.

The Healer walked down the corridor on the first floor, not knowing where she was going, thinking about how Luz and Amity were attacked, then about her sister-in-law's bully. It looked connected, but she did not know how.

"Ugh, why is everyone out to get the Blights?!" Viney thought in frustration as she entered her wife's office, sitting nonchalantly in the wide armchair, resting her feet on the brew table.

"Babe, I don't get it! Why would that idiot attack Danielle?! To trigger Amity? Why? This makes no sense!" She exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air before resting them on her face.

"I'm afraid I can't help," An unfamiliar voice replied.

Viney uncovered her face, and the green eyes roamed the room until they focused on the unfamiliar witch. The woman was dressed in the Clinic pajamas and was still connected to the IV.

"Who the hell are you?" Viney asked with a dose of hostility, afraid a patient broke into the medical records.

"Oh, my apologies," The intruder said, "Iʼm, Eliza Darag. I used to be a Woodcarver…"

"Youʼre the witch Amity found at the Blight Facility," Viney interrupted, and the woman nodded in confirmation, "So what are you doing here?" She asked.

"Oh," Eliza blushed, "Amity paid for my care, and I hate to be indebted," She smiled sheepishly, "When Emira complained about all the paperwork, I thought it was only fair to help out," She explained, "I was working in the bookkeeping at the Blight Industries," She added.

"Oh…" Viney did not know what else to say, "So you're permitted to be here?" She asked, making the other witch giggle.

"Yes," The Woodcarver confirmed. She got to her feet and headed for the door, limping and holding her IV stand hard, "But you are right," Her voice suddenly turned serious, "These attacks do not make any sense. The workers discussed getting revenge, but why would a student attack Amity? That makes no sense," She concluded.

"Thank you…" Viney paused, trying to show her gratitude.

"Eliza," The Woodcarver repeated, "Pleasure to meet you. Emira speaks very fondly of you," She added, winking teasingly. Viney blushed fervently, "And that's why I'm taking the bookkeeping job to take some of Emira's responsibilities," She added with a small giggle.

Viney watched the woman limp away, clenching the IV stand as she was left in her wife's office stupefied. She did not even notice Emira enter the room with a wide, excited smile. The green-haired woman sat on the armrest of the chair, rolling into the familiar embrace.

"So you finally met my new bookkeeper?" Emira asked giddily before pulling away. Viney's expression was full of confusion.

"So you healed her and decided to give her a job?" The brunette asked.

"Well, Amity tried to help me around here, but she has school and her own life," Emira said, "And to get someone trained by my mother to do the job? It's a blessing!" She exclaimed excitedly.

"So you want to use Odalia's abuse for your benefit?" Viney did not hide her shock.

"No! I want to fix the abuse," Emira's expression hardened, "Odalia was many things, but she knew how to keep the books clean," She added.

"I'm sorry, Honey. I didn't mean it like that," Viney tried to apologize, nervous under the hard golden gaze. Her wife's expression softened.

"It's okay. I know what it looks like," Emira said, snuggling in and resting on Viney's collarbone, "But I will have a huge pile of responsibility off my shoulders," She added, leaving a delicate kiss on her wife's neck, "That would let me spend more time at home," She nibbled the delicate skin, making the other woman groan in pleasure.

"It has certainly been long," Viney agreed with a smile, her worries about morality gone, "We've been living on different schedules…" She paused, feeling a kiss just below her ear.

"I have time now," Emira whispered heatedly, running her tongue around the base of a slanted, pierced ear, loving the elicited reaction.

"Amity's in a food coma…" Viney informed her wife.

"And Luz won't leave her side," Emira added, smiling wickedly.

The green eyes met the lust-filled golden ones. They roamed each other's faces and smiled in a silent understanding. They grinned with equal mischievousness, and Emira left the embrace, pulling her wife to her feet. They left the office quietly, hand in hand, sneaking to their living quarters, blushing and giggling like teenagers in love.

Amity could not express her gratitude for her sister allowing her to use her bathroom. It was a warmly illuminated, large rectangular room with a large bath in the middle. Just far away from the enormous window to keep it private but close enough to enjoy the panoramic view of Bonesborough.

The witch lay in the warm bubble water, resting her head back, enjoying the calm and peace. She kept her eyes closed and could not believe how everything had turned around in the past few days.

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK!

The sound dragged her out of her thoughts. She opened her eyes, blinking rapidly, and craned her neck to look at the door.

"Hey, Amity, I got you some clean clothes," The witch smiled, hearing the familiar voice.

"Come in, Luz," She said and giggled when she saw her fiancée.

The human hesitantly entered the bathroom, holding the bundle of clothes in her arms while keeping her eyes closed. The witch grinned at Luzʼs antics.

"Open your eyes, you Dork," Amity kept giggling, "Youʼre going to trip or something," She added.

"I didn't want to overstep… Woah…" Luz was at a loss of words.

Her jaw dropped when her eyes landed on the witch. The light illuminated her pale body with an orange tint, giving her a golden glow. Her wet, lavender hair curled slightly, resting on her collarbones. Amity smiled warmly at her fiancée's enamored expression, finishing her off with the amount of adoration in the golden gaze.

"Will you keep staring at me or join me?" Amity said sultrily, dragging Luz out of her stupor.

"Y-you mean?" Luz stuttered nervously.

"Why? You have something better to do than bathe with your fiancée?" Amity teased, raising her leg above the water level. The witch grinned mischievously at the way Luz gulped.

"N-no," Luz squeaked, placing Amityʼs clothes on the small rack, "Nothing better to do," She frantically started rushing her clothes off, almost tripping on the way.

"Careful," Amity giggled, scooting a little, leaving a space for her fiancée to sit behind her.

"Thatʼs surprisingly warm," Luz noted, sneaking behind the witch and pulling her to sit between her legs.

"I needed that," Amity whispered, resting her head on the tan collarbone.

"How do you feel, Baby?" Luz asked, and her voice tickled the witch's left arm.

"Mmm, better," Amity purred, grabbing the tan hands and placing them on her stomach.

"Titan, you're killing me," Luz chuckled, earning a small giggle from the witch.

Her hands shook as she tried to stay still, but it was impossible. She massaged the pale abdomen with her thumbs, earning a small purr.

"I take it you aren't stressed about exams?" Luz asked, and the purr stopped immediately. She paused her ministrations when she noticed how the pointy ears slanted.

"What do you mean exams? They're weeks away," Amity craned her head to look at Luz.

"Um… They were weeks away the last time you were at the Academy," Luz explained, "Which was almost two weeks ago," She added. The golden eyes blinked rapidly in shock.

"I really fucked up, huh?" Amity returned to her spot on her fiancée's collarbone.

"Stop, Baby," Luz pecked the wet, lavender head, "You have yet to learn how to live with the impulsivity I cursed you with," She added with a small giggle.

"Not a curse," Amity replied with a tease, "But I guess you're right," She paused, looking at the town below, "We'll get through it…" She looked back at the human, "Thank you for being there for me," Luz snorted.

"Any time, Princess," The human teased, and Amity giggled.

"I never had a chance to thank you for not giving up on me back then, too," The witch added.

"Silly," Luz squeezed the other woman, pulling her into a tight, bone-crushing embrace. Some water spilled from the bath, "Get it to your head finally. I love you, Amity," She added, eliciting another giggle from the witch.

"I love you too, Luz," Amity said, grabbing the tan forearms and started purring again, "Thank you for being in my life," She added, melting in the embrace.

AN2:

I hope it was worth the wait :) Let me know what you think, and I hope you still like this story.

Feel free to share any thoughts you might have or other ADHD experiences that endangered your lives :D