Woven in Shadows (agatha x rio)

Echoes of the Past

Chapter twenty-seven: Echoes of the Past

The soft hum of a movie filled the living room, casting flickering shadows across the walls. Agatha leaned against the armrest of the couch, legs tucked under her, absently running her fingers through Nessa's hair as the girl rested her head on her lap. The scent of popcorn lingered in the air, mingling with the faint aroma of wood smoke curling from the fireplace. A blanket of quiet contentment covered the room, broken only by the occasional sound of laughter from the screen and Nessa's delighted chuckles.

"This is nice," Nessa murmured, her voice sleepy. She tilted her head to look up at Agatha. "Do you think we'll get to do this more often?"

Agatha's lips curved into a soft smile. "We'll make sure of it" she replied, smoothing a strand of hair behind Nessa's ear. The warmth in her chest was unfamiliar but welcome, a stark contrast to the tension that had ruled their lives so far.

Outside, the afternoon sunlight slanted through the windows, gilding the room in shades of gold. For once, the world seemed calm, as though it had paused to let them savor this moment. But that calm was fleeting.

It began subtly—a faint chill in the air that caused Agatha to shiver. She frowned, glancing toward the fireplace. The flames flickered erratically, as if caught in a sudden draft, before dimming to embers. The shadows in the room lengthened unnaturally, crawling across the floor like living things.

"mom?" Nessa said, sitting up, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"I know," Agatha replied, her tone sharp and alert. Her magic stirred instinctively, a protective shield wrapping around them both. She stood, her gaze snapping to the window. The sunlight outside had dimmed, replaced by a strange, pulsing darkness that seeped like ink through the trees surrounding their home.

Before she could react further, a low guttural sound reverberated from outside a noise that was neither human nor animal. It was accompanied by a scraping, clawing sound against the protective barrier she and Rio had cast around the house.

"Stay here" Agatha instructed, her voice firm but calm. She stepped toward the window, pulling the curtains aside just enough to peer out. Her breath hitched.

Something stood at the edge of the barrier, tall and twisted, its form constantly shifting as though it couldn't decide what shape to take. Its eyes or what passed for them were pinpricks of glowing red light, and its elongated fingers clawed at the invisible wall, sending ripples of energy through the air.

"mom..." Nessa's voice was trembling now, her earlier confidence replaced by fear.

"It's okay" Agatha said, though her heart was pounding. "It can't get in. Not yet."

But the barrier wouldn't hold forever. She could feel the strain in the magic, the way it wavered under the creature's relentless assault. It wasn't just trying to breach the house—it was looking for Nessa.

Agatha grabbed the small pendant around her neck, her fingers tightening as she whispered an incantation. The air around her shimmered, the spell carrying her message...it was a summoning spell.

Rio appeared moments later, stepping through a swirling portal of smoke and shadow that dissipated behind her. She was dressed in her usual casual elegance, but the sharpness in her gaze spoke of immediate understanding.

"What the hell is that?" she asked, striding to Agatha's side.

"Something tracking Nessa" Agatha replied, her voice tight. "It marked the house earlier, and now it's here."

Rio's eyes narrowed, her hand brushing against the protective barrier. She muttered something under her breath, and the creature flinched as though it had heard her.