It had been 24 hours since Sabrina had been at the Academy. Induction required that she stay there over the weekend but it had been eerily quiet without her antics and I had grown terribly bored. Father Blackwood had even gone as far as to insist I take the weekend off so Sabrina could get the full experience without her "protective" older cousin hovering over her. I didn't hover and I was well aware of what the "full experience" meant. I swore to Satan himself that if those Weird Sisters so much as entertained the idea of harrowing my cousin I would turn them and everything they loved to ash. However, until the weekend was over my hands were tied so I sat in our kitchen draped over a chair letting out the occasional exasperated sigh. "You certainly get your dramatics from your mother don't you? Quit worrying, love. I'm sure we'll hear from Sabrina soon and she'll be back home before you know it," My Aunt Hilda chuckled as she made jam at the island. "I'M not worried," I lied terribly. My Aunt shot me a knowing glance and I just smirked in return. After my Father had died my Aunt Hilda had helped my mother raise me and therefore she knew me just as well as mom. We fell into a comfortable silence as Aunt Hilda continued cutting strawberries. "I've met someone, Auntie," Ambrose chimed in. Both Aunt Hilda and I looked at each other in surprise. "Hmm?" she responded prompting him to continue. "He's asked if I'd like to go on a date with him." Aunt Hilda stopped her chopping, "Oh." Per the orders of Ambrose's house arrest he was not permitted to leave the Spellman property so this news surprised us greatly. "So I was going to astral project to a coffee shop, with your help," He finished taking a mouthful of jam. Aunt Hilda looked skeptical and I couldn't blame her, "That's risky. Also, you wouldn't be able to touch him, love." Ambrose remained optimistic, "No... but we could... see each other. Have a conversation, face to face. I like him, Auntie." I felt bad for Ambrose. It was rare for him to ever catch feelings for someone so this guy must be pretty special. Aunt Hilda came over to join us at the table, "I know. I know. I'm sorry, hon, but it's just- it's too dangerous." I slid some of the jam jars out of the way so we could all see each other properly. "Auntie Zee projects all the time," He protested, "and with you guarding my body, I'll be perfectly safe." I felt bad for Ambrose I truly did but I didn't want to lose my cousin and my best friend for some warlock boy. "Only the dead are allowed to travel the astral plane," I chimed in softly. Aunt Hilda nodded, "Nicole is right, love. You spend enough time out there, the psychopomps will find you. They will assume you're dead. They will carry you off to the hereafter, or... they will tattle to the Dweller in the Abyss. They may look like sweet little sparrows, but they are in fact vicious, spiteful, hateful creatures, much like sisters." Way to go dark, Auntie. Ambrose thought over our words for a moment before that same look of optimism returned. "First sign of a psychopomp, and I'm out of there. Swear on Satan's claw," He finished holding up the sign. Aunt Hilda shook her head, "Can't do it. Hey, besides the psychopomps and the Dweller, Zelda—" We all chuckled. "Thought my ears were burning. What are you three plotting?" My mother asked as she breezed into the kitchen. "We're not, we're just—" My Aunt started. "Just wondering where you're going so smart," Ambrose continued. "You look beautiful, Mom." I finished with my best attempt at an innocent smile. She smiled proudly, setting her case on the nearby counter , "Thank you, darling. I've been invited to the High Priest's house to sup."
"With your medical bag?" my Aunt questioned. "Shut up, Hilda," My mom answered sharply. "what?" My Aunt asked as Ambrose and I laughed. "You are persona non grata. Dinner with the High Priest is a great honor. One you'll never again enjoy. You three will have to fend for yourselves tonight, I'm afraid," My mother stated, popping a strawberry in her mouth and waltzing away. Ambrose and I both looked to our Aunt who watched my mother go, irritation evident in her features. "We'll need candles, the address of the coffee shop, and a map."
Later that night Ambrose and Aunt Hilda took to the embalming room so my cousin could astral project to his date. I refused to be any part of that awful plan so instead I lounged about in my room laid across the bed rolling a perfect joint. It was nearly an empty house and I was taking full advantage of that fact. As I finished my task at hand I sat up from the bed just as the doorbell rang downstairs. Not my problem, I thought to myself. Standing I twirled to the soft hum of music as I made my way over to the window. I slid it open, finding a perch on the window pane. I blew lightly on the end of the joint which quickly flickered to life. Taking a large drag I let the smoke fill my lungs and held it as I tilted my head back to look at the moon. It was truly a beautiful sight. The night was clear and the moon's glow cast a silvery light over the world below. Thousands of tiny stars could be seen with their white light standing out against the backdrop of the inky night sky. I released the smoke I had been holding in and watched as its tendrils morphed and twisted seemingly reaching for the moon herself. This. This was peace. There was only one thing that could've made that moment more complete and I found myself wishing that my demoness would appear like she had so many times before. It was becoming a bit of a habit. But everytime we would be interrupted and our cover nearly blown. However, with everyone predisposed it would have been the perfect opportunity. I took another pull off the joint and began tracing all the constellations I knew and had committed to heart. And then I heard it. A door closing and footsteps coming down the hall. I cursed softly to myself, putting out what was left of my joint. No one was supposed to be home and Aunt Hilda would've never abandoned Ambrose while astral projecting. I made my way across the room and swung the door open prepared to confront whoever dared break into the Spellman house only to be met with blue eyes that seemed to contain the fire of Hell itself. "Lilith? What're you doing out here?" I questioned. Her smirk was feral as she placed her hands possessively on my waist, "Would you believe me if I said I was here to see you?" No. If Lilith truly wanted to see me she would've summoned me or teleported directly into my room. But that didn't matter at that particular moment. Instead of answering my arms wrapped around her neck pulling her down into a searing kiss. The haze that had blanketed my mind just moments before lifted instantly. There was only one thing I wanted and that was her. She quickly pulled the door closed behind us as she walked me back to the bed, her lips never leaving mine. I wasn't the least bit surprised when the back of my legs hit the edge of the bed sending me tumbling backwards. I smirked against Lilith as I pulled her down with me never missing a beat. She pulled back only a moment, smirking as she took me in, "Little minx." I quickly dove in for another kiss, "Only for you, babe." At this she growled and scraped her teeth against my lower lip and I made quick work of the leather jacket she wore pushing it down her shoulders. I shivered as I felt her sharp nails gently scrape up the inside of my thighs and enter the waistband of my shorts. I had many lovers over the decades but this woman had me spiraling with even the simplest of touches. We burned with a fire that made even Hell pale in comparison. As Lilith's fingers worked she kissed along my jaw, "Say it." My hand wandered up to gently caress her face as I forced her gaze back up to meet mine, "I'm yours, Lilith." She quickly crashed our lips together and I lost myself in the moment. Almost. Not enough to not hear the car coming up the gravel drive through my still open window. Lilith obviously heard it too because she froze. I groaned, "Satan in hell. Mom's back from Blackwood's." Lilith let out a laugh sitting up to straddle my hips. I huffed, "What's so funny?" She traced her fingers along my jaw affectionately, "You, Darling. However, I should be getting back downstairs. I did tell your Aunt I was here to make funeral arrangements." I sat up as she got off me, "You what?!" She laughed again pulling me into her arms, "I had to find a way in. And I certainly don't regret my results." I rolled my eyes at the added wink as she finished. "Well then allow me to escort you out, Ms. Wardwell," I joked, pressing a peck to her lips as I helped her with her jacket. We made our way down the hallway, fingers interlaced until I heard my mother close the front door and quickly pulled away. "Excuse me, may I help you?" My mother questioned noticing Lilith and I coming down the stairs. "So sorry. I was looking for the powder room and that lovely little English lady that told me to wait has been gone for so long—" Lilith lied. My mother was unimpressed, "And you are?" Lilith regarded her for a moment, "Ms. Wardwell. I'm one of Sabrina's teachers, but.. I came here to make some funeral arrangements." I quickly cut in backing up her story, "I found her upstairs. I thought I might be of some assistance." My mom looked me up and down and I prayed to Satan I didn't look terribly disheveled. "And since when did you take an interest in the family business?" I shrugged, "You know I've never been able to resist a beautiful woman in distress." My mother scoffed and rolled her eyes at my antics but I didn't miss the smallest of smirks that twitched at Lilith's lips. "Miss Spellman has been a great help to me," Lilith confirmed. My mother cut her eyes at me, "I'm sure she has. And the woman you spoke to? Where did she go?" I stifled a laugh as Lilith pretended to ponder the question, "The basement, I believe. Yes." My mother's smile didn't quite reach her eyes as she stepped to the side gesturing towards the door. "I'll see her out, mother," I offered. Lilith nodded, "Yes, I should be on my way." I grabbed Lilith's arm pulling her onto the front porch before my mother had a chance to say anything else. "You know I'm all for living dangerously but if my mother were to catch me with a mortal woman she'd kill us both. Which may not be a problem for you being immortal and all but I seriously doubt she'd bury me in the Cain pit for that transgression," I mused playfully. Lilith smirked, taking my hand before twirling me and pulling me into her arms, the cool night air clinging to us. "I would never allow her to do such a thing, darling," She murmured before leaning in for a kiss. I smirked pulling away from her and laughed as she let out a little growl at being denied. I leaned against the hood of Lilith's— or rather Ms. Wardwell's car and she came to stand in front of me, hands resting on my thighs. "You're going to be quite the handful aren't you, dear?" She questioned a small smirk gracing those gorgeous features. I shrugged wrapping my arms around her neck, "Probably. But that would insinuate you plan on keeping me around?" She frowned, pulling away only slightly, "Why wouldn't I?" I began playing idly with one of her curls twirling it between my fingers, "I only mean that you're Lilith. The Mother of Demons. The first woman herself. You probably have countless Handmaidens and Demons at your disposal. I would never presume to be any different from them. I just thought that once Sabrina signed her name you would move on or go back to Hell." I became increasingly interested in the lock of hair I toyed with as I spoke, refusing to meet her eyes. Of course I wanted Lilith to sweep me off my feet and keep me by her side forever. But this wasn't a fairytale and I wasn't some princess that got a happy ending. A single manicured finger came to rest under my chin lifting my gaze up to meet hers and I almost shied away from the fire I found there. "You, Nicole Arcana Spellman, are worth more to me than all the armies and aristocracy of Hell combined. All the handmaidens of the Dark Lord's covens pale in comparison to you. Don't think for a second there's anyone in all of the realms that could compare to you," She lowered her voice, "Not even the Dark Lord himself." I couldn't believe the words I was hearing. It was all I ever needed to hear. I knew then that I would bend both Heaven and Hell to stay by her side. She had left me speechless once again and was the only one who seemed to have such a gift. I pulled her down into a kiss I could only hope conveyed my feelings. When we parted she smiled a genuine smile, "No one has made me feel this way in a millennium. I won't let anything tear us apart." I pulled her in for another lingering kiss. "I should get going," I murmured against her lips. She nodded in understanding, "I'll see you around, Spellman." I smirked, leaning up to place a kiss just next to her adorable pout, "Until then, my demoness." As I walked through the door as my mother stormed up the stairs that led up from the embalming room. "For the love of Satan, Nicole, please tell me you didn't have anything to do with that mess downstairs!" I held up my hands in defense, "Don't look at me. I didn't want any part in it." She searched my face for any signs of deceit and her eyes softened when they found none. "Good girl. At least there's one other sensible Spellman left," she rolled her eyes slightly. I huffed out a laugh before kissing her cheek, "Night, Mom." With that I made my way upstairs smiling the entire way. Maybe things were starting to finally look up.
