Moon Phases (Agatha Harkness X Fem!Reader)

Chapter IX.

Despite the circumstances, there was not much panic, which could be considered a good sign. Being calm would help find a solution, and something told you that the clock with the counting down number was not there to show.

Suddenly, you heard a gasp followed by Alice's voice.

"Your face is back to normal, " she told Sharon, making everyone notice that the swelling had all disappeared.

"Thank goodness," Sharon exclaimed, touching her heart.

You also went to Lilia, who surprisingly still held onto the hand mirror. They both observed your faces, deeply relieved that you were back to normal.

A sigh of relief escaped your lips, but you could still feel your heart racing faster, making you question whether it was from the sudden stress or something else.

Teen looked at all the women around him. "It went away so fast."

Somehow, this seemed to ring a bell in your mind. "Why do I feel this is not a good thing?" You questioned.

Surprisingly, Jen pointed a finger at you, but her mind was elsewhere. "No, she has a point. This is not a yay. Very much not, yay."

"What do you mean?" Teen asked for everyone in the room.

Jen did her best to keep her tone from faltering. "The fact that the face swelling decreased so quickly means it could be only one type of poison... Alewife's Revenge."

You could not help but roll your eyes at the name. "Is there anything in potions that doesn't have an ominous name attached to it?"

Lilia glanced at you and merely shrugged her shoulders, having no answer to your rather rhetorical question.

"Face swelling is just the beginning." Jen continued, bringing up all the symptoms. "Next is dizziness, delirium, loss of motor function."

Suddenly, Alice started to walk away from the group. "My heart's racing."

"That's another one... Also, hallucinations, and eventually... death."

Something inside Agatha snapped, and she lost whatever calm demeanour she had managed to maintain all this time. "I've got to get outta here, " she said and headed for the balcony doors.

She grabbed the heaviest item she saw first and marched towards the glass doors before starting to smack on it with all the force she could master.

Everyone called for her to stop, but it was you and Alice who moved to do something instead.

The former police witch managed to pull the item away from Agatha's hands, causing the magicless witch to roar with frustration.

Agatha was ready to attack Alice and get the item back, but you were faster. You had moved behind her, wrapping your hands around her waist and grabbing her wrist, keeping them close to her body.

"Agatha, Agatha, Ags... breathe, breathe, " you whispered to her ear, fighting against her futile attempts to free herself from your grasp.

You were stronger than her, though, and at that moment, you were also far more determined to stop her from making a mistake that would cost her—that would cost all of you.

Eventually, your former lover stopped, and you slowly let her go, ensuring she would not try any surprise attacks or any other tricks. You knew better than anyone that she was the most dangerous when cornered.

"You can't run away from the poison." Jen scolded her, and she only scoffed in return before regaining her composure.

As you let her go fully, you failed to notice that one group member was missing. The boy had noticed something and soon returned with a familiar glass of wine; it was still filled.

"She didn't drink the poison." He pointed out, looking at her in disbelief. "You can't cheat, Agatha."

"Why? Who says?"

Lilia glared at Agatha. "The Road." She reminded her.

"Oh, that's ridiculous! We don't all have to suffer." Agatha argued and pointed at the boy. "Teen didn't drink,"

Jen, of course, already had her argument ready. "He's not in the coven. And he's underage!"

"I'm gonna shove it down your gullet, so help me..." Lilia threatened, but Agatha did not let her finish.

"You know what?" She exclaimed as she grabbed the glass from Teen and smashed it on the ground, letting the red wine stain the white carpet and wooden floors.

Different expressions and shouts filled the room, and you could not even help but take a deep breath to contain your reaction.

You had feelings for Agatha. You would protect her, but even you could not be an accomplished to a cheating scheme against the road.

Both you and Agatha knew better of the rules, and yet your lover still thought she could try her luck.

You got it. She was scared, but no one would make it through unless you passed at least the four basic trials.

"You have to drink, Agatha," Alice shouted.

"Well, I would, but there's no more wine."

Something grabbed your attention as you stood next to Agatha. "There is," you pointed out towards the table.

Alice grabbed an empty glass left by one of the witches, noticing the remnants of the red wine at the bottom. Surprisingly, the glass started to refill itself, proving to Agatha that this was the only way forward.

Agatha was still hesitant, and Teen was getting tired of this game, not wishing to see the other witches and you dying, not when you all had just started.

"Drink." He ordered Agatha, surprising her with his sudden and serious tone that was unlike him. When the woman hesitated, he chose to do it himself. "Fine. Then, I will."

"No!" Agatha exclaimed, surprising everyone with her reaction and her quick move to grab the glass before the boy.

You could not help but arch an eyebrow at the sudden protectiveness, but this time, she refused to meet your gaze, knowing you would be able to read right through her.

In the end, she emptied the glass in one go; pulling a face at the bitter taste. "Ugh! It's so cheap." She commented.

You all looked at her, waiting for the swelling to start, but you did not manage to stare for long... for Sharon was the first victim of the next stage.

"Please, please." She begged as she walked on weak legs, staring pretty much at nothing. "Wanda? Wanda, I'm begging you. Let him breathe. Please."

Her begging tone and the fact that she was on the verge of tears were unsettling, especially since she had been so joyful and happy all this time—well, almost all the time.

Hearing Wanda's name made you realize she was hallucinating from her time in Westview, but based on her reaction, it was not a good memory.

Dread filled your stomach as you speculated that the hallucinations were not going to be any good ones but most likely your worst nightmares.

Sharon started to pant heavily, and in the next few seconds, she passed out. Alice and Teen moved fast to keep her on the couch while the rest watched, shocked at what had just taken place in front of their very own eyes.

"So the hallucinations seem chill." Teen said, trying to change the dooming aura in the room.

"Hey, Potions Witch." Agatha suddenly said, and when everyone turned to look at her, you were surprised to see her with her face swollen. "It's time to brew an antidote."

Jen moved towards the kitchen and started to think, with the rest following. You and Agatha were the last ones standing, and she dared to look at you.

This time, your look towards her was one of disappointment, and you merely shook your head a few times. Without saying another word, you walked towards the coven, leaving Agatha behind to stare at your retreating back with her lips parted.

Hurt or not by your reaction was well hidden behind her swollen face, making one wonder if she did regret the latest scheme she almost pulled off.