Whispers at Witching Hour

Chapter 15*

Musical inspiration: Bad Romance – Lady Gaga

Ah Lupercalia! It had always been Zelda's favourite tradition and it excited her even more to finally introduce her niece to it. Since she had had her Dark Baptism now, there was nothing stopping her from entering the world of pleasure.

She had never understood why her sister was so prude and frigid, waiting for the one. There was nothing wrong with casually enjoying oneself with some random – it was only sex after all, even though her sister dreaded simply saying the word.

"Zelds, can I have a quick word with you?" Hilda approached her after Sabrina had gone to bed.

"Spit it out, Hilda." Zelda swirled her glass before swallowing what was left of her bourbon in one go.

"Sis, I know Mary has re-lit your flame and all-" She earned a death-stare for that. "- But you really shouldn't pressure Sabrina like that. She's only sixteen."

The elder Spellman pursed her lips in dismay of Hilda's direct address of her relationship with Mary. She resented the idea of her family knowing about it, especially with respect to the recent turnarounds. The fewer knew about it, the better.

"Hilda, she's a woman, she can decide on her own. Just because you haven't been laid yet doesn't mean everyone has to wait a hundred and sixty years. And I'd appreciate if you would refrain from discussing my personal business like this."

Hilda watched her sister leave without giving her a chance to object. She somehow had a point: This was her domain. If someone knew how to deal with it, it was her. For that, she envied her sister at times.

It was a beautiful night for the pre-festivities of Lupercalia, though Zelda would have preferred spending it with Mary. When she was lying next to Faustus – a real mood-killer – but looking at the moon, bathing in its white, pale light, she was already planning out her night with Mary tomorrow.

Thinking about surprising her lover during the Lupercalia-festivities helped her endure Faustus' filthy hands already all over her body, only minutes after they had reclined. She plastered a pretty smile over her face and let it happen.

For years it had never bothered her to make out with random people who had no interest in her as a person, but ever since sleeping with Mary it had become a challenge that interfered with her plans with Faustus. Luckily, they did not get too far as they were interrupted by a loud howling.

~

Wandering the school halls she now owned, a pink sign caught Madam Satan's attention. Moving closer, she read the advert for the "SweetHearts Dance" and froze with wide eyes.

Waking up alone again had frustrated her, which was displayed for everyone to see as she ripped down the poster. It reminded her that Lupercalia was approaching, and Zelda would be spending it with Faustus instead of her.

She gritted her teeth, imagining all the things she would do to Zelda if they got to spend it together. Being a demon, she had quite some otherworldly tricks up her sleeve. Turning around, her fingers curled up into a fist and she returned to her office.

As principal, she had to attend this dreadful event, but there was nothing to be said about spicing it up a bit... Who said she could not have some fun while doing her deed on earth? She missed being a death-bringer. Back then in hell, collecting souls aka slitting people's throats had been her daily business, so why not return to old habits for the sake of nostalgia? One corner of her moth raised devilishly in anticipation of a mass-poisoning. At least, this way she could take her mind off Zelda and Faustus.