Daughter of a Witch

Specter in the Night (part 2 of 2)

The night was eerily still, the usual hum of Westview's nocturnal life unnaturally muted. In their cozy home, Y/n sat at the kitchen table, flipping through one of Agatha's spellbooks under the soft glow of the overhead light. The day's warmth at the market felt like a distant memory, replaced by an unsettling chill that had settled over them since Magnus's sudden reappearance.

Rio entered the kitchen, her sharp features softened by concern as she poured herself a cup of tea. "You okay, cariño?"

Y/n nodded slowly but didn't look up from the book. "Just... trying to understand why he was so interested in me. And what he meant by 'what I'm capable of.'" She glanced at Rio, her dark eyes clouded with questions. "Do you think he's going to come back?"

Rio placed her mug on the table and sat beside Y/n. "I don't think. I know." Her voice was steady, her resolve unshakable. "But if he does, we'll be ready."

A loud crash shattered the moment. Both women shot to their feet, the sound reverberating through the house.

"Agatha?" Rio called out, her voice tight with urgency.

Y/n followed as Rio bolted toward the source of the noise: the study. The door was ajar, and the usual organized chaos had been replaced with a strange, suffocating silence. Books were scattered across the floor, papers fluttering as if caught in an invisible wind.

In the center of the room stood an ornate, full-length mirror that hadn't been there before. Its frame gleamed with dark, twisted metal, and runes etched along its edges glowed faintly.

"Mama?" Y/n called out, stepping closer to the mirror.

Her reflection stared back at her, but something was off. The surface of the glass shimmered, rippling like water. And then Y/n saw her. Agatha's face appeared in the mirror, her hands pressed against the other side of the glass, her mouth moving soundlessly as she pounded against the barrier.

"Agatha!" Rio shouted, rushing forward, but she stopped short as a forcefield crackled to life around the mirror, sparking with dark magic.

Y/n's breath hitched as Agatha's panicked eyes locked onto hers. "She's trapped," Y/n whispered, her voice trembling.

Rio's fists clenched, her jaw tight. "It's him. Magnus."

As if summoned by his name, the shadows in the room deepened, pooling together until they formed the specter himself. Magnus stepped forward, his figure half-solid, half-ethereal, his dark eyes gleaming with cruel amusement.

"Rio, Y/n," he drawled, his voice smooth and mocking. "I see you've found my little gift."

"Let her go," Rio demanded, her voice low and dangerous.

Magnus tilted his head, a mocking smile on his lips. "Oh, but why would I do that? Agatha and I have unfinished business. I thought I'd take her somewhere... reflective. Let her think about her choices."

Y/n's heart pounded as she stepped before Rio, her voice sharp. "What do you want?"

Magnus's eyes narrowed as he regarded her. "You, little one, are full of potential. So much untapped magic. It's almost a shame to leave it unclaimed." His gaze flicked to Rio. "But your mother would rather keep you hidden, untrained, unprepared. How selfish."

"Enough," Rio growled, stepping in front of Y/n. "You want to settle something. You settle it with me."

Magnus smirked. "Oh, I intend to. But first..." He gestured toward the mirror, and Agatha's image flickered, her form fading in and out. "Let's see how far you will go for her."