𝐂𝐎𝐃𝐄𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄

Katherine was effectively put into timeout for the rest of the assembly. They didn't even ask why she was looking for Lilith before Lois decided it was better for the proceeding if Katherine wasn't present. She sits on the stairs beside Russell, picking at her fingernails, and all they can do is listen to the muted conversations through the walls.

They closed the doors.

"I don't know why I care so much," she admits. "What they say, what they think." Russell hums his unknowing, too, leaning back into her knees. "I mean, if they say no...how could they take away what's in my blood?"

Russell scratches his jaw. "I don't know," he admits. "But there has to be a way, else there wouldn't be a need for a meeting, right?"

Katherine hums flatly in mild agreement.

"How come they all freaked out at the end?" He asks. "Talking about the demon you went after?"

Katherine sucks in a huge breath. "How churchy were you growing up?"

"We went, but I was too little to pay attention. After Mom died, we stopped going."

"Lilith," Katherine begins. "Isn't in our bible. But according to Jewish mythology, and the mythos of various other cultures, she was the first wife of Adam. She was banished from the Garden for not obeying him. She wandered for a time, until Lucifer found her and turned her into a demon. For this, God imprisoned Lucifer...when he escaped, as he inevitably does, he then corrupted Cain...and you know the story of Cain and Abel." Russell nods.

"You went after the first demon?" He asks. Katherine shrugs and nods. He scoffs and shakes his head. "You're crazier than I thought."

She smiles a little. "It's helpful if you don't think about how old and powerful they are," she murmurs. "And when you're not scared of them...well, that's half the battle."

The door opens, and one by one, the coven files out of the hallway. Each one pauses at the foot of the stairs, meets the eyes of Russell and Katherine, and bows their head for two seconds before continuing through the front door.

The last three out of the door are her family. They don't bow their heads at them.

"I don't think it went terribly," Louise hums to Mitch.

"They threw her out," he grumbles.

"Yes, well, they granted her permission in the end, didn't they?" Lois sighs, looking up at Katherine and Russell. "Welcome to the coven, you two."

"Hooray," Katherine weakly cheers.

"We'll start immediately," Louise says. "Russell, if you'll come with me?"

Katherine sits up tall, frowning. "Why are we being split up?"

"Well, he can't practice magic," Lois states. "He's a familiar."

Katherine shrugs. "So?"

"His instruction will be different from yours." Katherine bristles. "For today only."

"It'll be fine," Russell hums. As he stands, he drops a kiss to her forehead. His fingers linger at the crown of her head for just a moment before he moves to follow Louise back into the study. The stench of extinguished candles wafts up to meet Katherine on the stairs.

"Where do we go if they're in the study?" Katherine asks.

"His education today will be more historical, textbook," Lois says. "You and I are going outside and connecting with your power."

Katherine frowns. "You're gonna meditate in the garden," Mitch says with a grin.

"You too, Mitchy," Lois says.