Daughter of a Witch

Lure of the Moonstone

The woods surrounding Westview were a haven for Y/n, especially on days when her curiosity felt like an itch she couldn't scratch indoors. The towering trees swayed gently, their leaves whispering secrets only the wind could carry. The air was crisp, tinged with the earthy scent of fallen leaves. Her favorite time to explore was the late afternoon light casting golden streams through the canopy.

Her boots crunched softly on the path as she meandered deeper into the woods. She wasn't looking for anything in particular, just enjoying the quiet solitude. But something drew her off the trail-a faint glimmer in the underbrush.

Kneeling down, she pushed aside the foliage to reveal a beautiful moonstone, its surface smooth and glowing faintly as if it held a piece of the moon itself. Enchanted by its beauty, Y/n couldn't resist. She reached out and picked it up.

At first, it felt warm and comforting, as if the stone were greeting her. But the warmth quickly turned into something else. A sharp, invasive pull, like a siphon draining her very essence. Her breath hitched, and she stumbled back, clutching the stone as if letting go would somehow make it worse.

Her knees buckled, and she fell to the ground, her vision blurring as the world around her tilted. The light from the stone pulsed erratically, its glow now menacing. The last thing she saw before darkness overtook her was the towering trees above, swaying as if mocking her.

In the Harkness-Vidal household, Agatha was in the middle of an intricate spell preparation when her connection to Y/n flared sharply. It wasn't unusual for her to feel her daughter's magic-a constant hum in her awareness. But this sudden, violent pull made her drop the herb she'd been grinding.

Her heart raced. "Y/n?" she called aloud, stepping away from her work.

Silence answered her.

The second wave hit her harder, a tug deep in her chest that sent panic coursing through her veins. She didn't stop to think. Grabbing her coat, she used her magic to track the source of the disturbance.

When she arrived at the old oak grove, her heart plummeted. Y/n lay slumped against the tree's roots, her body unnaturally still. The cursed moonstone rested in her hand, its glow faint but insidious.

Agatha knelt beside her daughter, her hands trembling as she cupped Y/n's face. "No, no, no. Y/n, sweet girl, wake up. Mama's here."

Her voice cracked as she pried the moonstone from Y/n's grasp. The moment her fingers touched it, a jolt of dark energy shot up her arm. She hissed in pain and dropped the cursed object, her magic flaring in defense. The stone pulsed threateningly on the ground, but her focus was on Y/n.

"Stay with me, baby," she murmured, gathering Y/n into her arms. The girl's skin was pale, her breaths shallow, and her normally vibrant magic was barely a flicker.

Agatha pressed her forehead against Y/n's, her violet magic flaring around them as she channeled her own energy into her daughter. It was a delicate process, sustaining Y/n without overloading her weakened system.

One hand still glowing with magic, Agatha fumbled for her phone with the other and called Rio.

"Rio," she said, her voice tight with fear. "I need you. The oak grove. Hurry."

Rio arrived just as twilight began to creep over the woods, her basket of supplies swinging at her side. She spotted Agatha immediately, her wife's figure hunched protectively over Y/n's limp form.

"Agatha!" Rio called, rushing to their side. Her breath hitched when she saw Y/n's pale face. "What happened?"

"That," Agatha spat, nodding toward the moonstone lying nearby. "It's cursed. It's been draining her magic. I'm keeping her stable but can't break it alone."

Rio's jaw tightened as she took in the scene. Without a word, she set her basket down and pulled out a sprig of rosemary, a piece of quartz, and a vial of salt.

"Hold her," Rio said firmly. "I'll take care of the stone."

Agatha nodded, cradling Y/n closer. "I've got you, my little moonbeam," she whispered, her voice breaking.

Rio knelt beside the moonstone, arranging her materials in a circle around it. Her lips moved in a low chant, the green glow of her magic spreading like roots through the soil. The moonstone resisted, pulsing violently as if it were alive. But Rio was unrelenting, her voice rising in strength and command.

The stone shuddered, its light faltering. It cracked with one final surge of magic, then crumbled into ash. The curse dissipated, leaving the grove eerily quiet.

Rio slumped back, breathing heavily. "It's done," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Agatha looked down at Y/n, relief flooding her as her daughter stirred faintly in her arms. "Y/n? Can you hear me?"

"Mama..." Y/n's voice was soft, but her eyes fluttered open, searching for Agatha's face.

"I'm here, baby," Agatha said, tears spilling over as she kissed Y/n's forehead. "I've got you."

Back at the house, Agatha carried Y/n to the master bedroom, her arms never loosening their grip. She eased onto the bed, propping herself against the headboard with Y/n curled in her lap.

"Mama..." Y/n murmured, her voice weak but full of trust.

"I'm right here," Agatha whispered, brushing her fingers gently through Y/n's hair. "You're safe now, my love."

Rio entered moments later with a warm mug of tea. She set it on the nightstand, climbed onto the bed, and settled beside Agatha. Her eyes softened as she took in the sight of her wife holding their daughter so protectively.

"She'll be okay," Rio said gently, leaning her head against Agatha's shoulder. "She's strong, just like her mamá."

Agatha didn't respond immediately, focusing entirely on Y/n's even breaths. After a moment, she sighed. "I can't lose her, Rio."

"You won't," Rio said firmly. She shifted closer, wrapping an arm around Agatha's waist. "Mi Vida, she's safe. You saved her."

Agatha's shoulders trembled, and tears began to fall silently. She leaned into Rio, who pressed a kiss to her head. "Mi amor," Rio murmured softly, running her fingers soothingly through Agatha's hair. "She's here. We're all here."

The room fell quiet as Agatha's tears slowed. She leaned her head back against Rio's shoulder, her arms still tightly around Y/n. Rio's hand continued its comforting motions, her presence a grounding force.

Hours passed like this, the three of them cocooned in the safety of their shared love. As Y/n drifted deeper into sleep, Agatha whispered, "I'll always protect you, my little moonbeam."

Rio kissed her wife's head again, whispering, "Siempre," before tightening her embrace. Together, they watched over Y/n, the light of the moon streaming through the window, a quiet reminder of the bond that held them together.