By My Side (Nabrina AU)

Chapter 8

After having a peaceful dinner, they all sat down in the parlour talking about how their day had been. Zelda and Hilda and Dr. Cee took the biggest sofa. Ambrose and Mambo, who was invited by Zelda, both took the armchairs across each other. As for them both, they took the chair from the kitchen which was usually occupied by Ambrose, so that they could sit together.

Hilda and Kenny talked about their day at Dr. Cerberus and about a recipe that Hilda was trying to learn. Zelda had her brows arched the whole time but after Hilda stopped, she quickly moved on to talking about the new lessons she was planning on teaching at the Academy. When Zelda was coming to a close, Ambrose, Kenny, and Mambo Marie just stayed silent and let her take the floor.

Leaning to Nick's arm around her shoulders, she began to tell them how her day went. "Well, since Nick had training the whole day, I went to Harvey's with Roz and Theo. They were practicing for the Battle of the Bands that's happening next week."

Hilda flashed them a smile, which definitely showed her excitement. "Ooh! Battle of the Bands. That'll be exciting. Do you know what songs you're singing?"

She subconsciously intertwined her fingers to Nick's hand that was hanging on her side. "No, Aunt Hilda. Nick and I aren't in the Fright Club." She looked at Nick lovingly and before forgetting that they're not alone, she turned to her Aunt. "That's just Harvey, Roz, and Theo."

"Aren't you interested in joining? I know you love singing and you've got a lovely voice, just like Diana."

She felt Nick brush her hair and said in a low voice, "You do have a very soothing singing voice." It sent shivers down her spine that she had to pinch herself as a reminder that she's with her family. The feelings he stirred in her whenever they were touching or kissing were still there and didn't go away as she thought it would.

"Nah, I don't think I'm up for it, Auntie." She said hurriedly.

And her Aunt just gave her an "Oh", with a bit of a disappointed look that didn't last long.

"And what is Nicholas training for?" Her Aunt Zelda asked.

"Well..." she began but got interrupted by the doorbell. She wondered who could've been visiting them this late at night. Then she noticed that Ambrose stiffened, as well as Mambo Marie. Nick seemed to have noticed this too for he was suddenly alert.

They all went to the door with Zelda leading them. When her aunt opened the door, they saw no one there until Zelda looked down and cried with delight as she went outside.

"Why, it's Vinegar Tom!" She picked up the dog and gave him kisses.

This surprised her and this time, the shivers that went down her spine were very different from the one Nick gave her. She felt his hand hold hers. "But he's dead, isn't he?"

Zelda seemed too happy to care though. "Pish-tush, who cares? Vinegar Tom's back." She said while she went back inside.

Hilda joined in clamoring over Vinegar Tom. She was happy for her Aunt but what could this have meant?

"Marie, what is it?" Ambrose asked, with his voice full of worry.

She turned to the Haitian witch and saw that she looked very perturbed. She slowly approached them and told them with an ominous voice.

"It is time."

She didn't have to look around to tell that they all had scrunched brows.

"The thinning between the fabric of life and death is upon us."

Zelda stepped closer to Mambo. "Marie, what are you saying?"

Oh no. "Is it an eldritch terror?" She asked.