Power of Death (Agathario)

Chapter Thirteen

 Agatha had just finished taking a bath. She sat down in front of the fireplace, deciding to practice her fire spells. She blasted the fireplace with her magic to set a flame.

"Haec flamma vibrat et facile saltat; Visiones mihi affer ut lubet," Agatha muttered, letting her mind roam as she stared into the fire. She wasn't sure it would work, since she didn't have much of an intention in casting it as she did in the past.

Just as she began to make out a faint outline of a book, she felt a pair of hands on her shoulders and out of instinct she jammed her elbow back and the hands around her shoulders let go.

"Ow, love, that's good reflexes."

Agatha realized her mistake as soon as she'd heard her voice and she turned around to see Rio sitting behind her, who was rubbing her rib cage where Agatha had hit her.

"Oh..." Agatha bit her lip. "Sorry, but you were the one who snuck up on me."

Rio laughed. "Sure." Agatha saw a flash of green by Rio's hand and knew whatever bruise that had been forming was already gone.

"I didn't expect you to be back this early," Agatha remarked. "Especially after skipping all last night."

"I just rushed everyone. Normally there's sobbing and arguing, but instead of waiting for them to stop, this time I just threw them in whatever direction they wanted to go." Rio explained. "I'm all caught up now. I hadn't realized how much time I've been wasting."

"Hmm so you just stopped being nice to the dead people."

"That's pretty much what I did."

Agatha raised her eyebrow. "I didn't realize you were nice to them in the first place."

"Not really. I just stopped being patient."

"Oh I see," Agatha said playfully.

"Your hair is wet."

"That's because I took a bath, Rio."

"I do have something to tell you though." Rio pressed her lips together.

"What?"

"The guy that was there when you killed the witches yesterday," Rio replied, "He didn't die."

"Ugh," Agatha rolled her eyes. "I hate that guy, Thomas. You know, he tried to kiss me and get me to marry him."

"What??" Rio exclaimed, anger flashing through her eyes. "Oh he's going to Hell. Right now." She went to stand up, but Agatha put her hand on Rio's knee, prompting her to stay sitting. She did.

Agatha felt the edges of her lips twitch up at Rio protectiveness. "As much as I appreciate your commitment, my dear, I sense there's something else about him you need to say?"

Rio sighed. "Right. When I collected the witches, there were people there. They were examining the bodies. The guy had told them all about it, including that it was you who did it."

Agatha waved her hand. "So? Now a group of guys knows some brunette named Agnes is going around killing people. What about it?"

"He could still hear everything. Half the time he had faked being unconscious. You said your name."

"Okay, so I just go by fake names. Still not a big deal."

"You sure?"

"Absolutely," Agatha said, "but I'm still going to go kill him." Agatha got up and Rio stood as well.

"No, let's go together," Rio said, smiling in anticipation.

"If you want," Agatha said, walking to the door, trying to act as if she didn't care. In reality, she wanted to jump at Rio's offer and drag her along.