Woven in Shadows (agatha x rio)

Madame Calderu's Psychic Readings

Chapter twenty-nine: Madame Calderu's Psychic Readings

The motel room was quiet, save for the low hum of the heater churning against the chill of the morning. Pale sunlight filtered through the threadbare curtains, casting muted stripes across the two beds. Rio lay awake, her gaze fixed on Agatha's face as she slept beside her. The overwhelming scent of lavender warming her nose. Agatha looked softer in this light her usual sharpness dulled by the calm of sleep. The creases in her forehead, so often present from her constant vigilance, had smoothed out. Her chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, her auburn hair spilling over her pillow like threads of fire.

Rio's hand rested on the bed between them, itching to brush her fingers against Agatha's cheek but resisting. She studied her like she was committing the moment to memory, taking in every detail the faint freckles on her nose, the curve of her lips, the way her lashes fluttered slightly as she dreamed. There was something grounding about watching Agatha like this, a reminder of all the reasons she fought so hard to protect her.

Agatha stirred, her eyes fluttering open. It took her a moment to focus, her lips curving into a drowsy smile when she saw Rio watching her. "have you been staring at me all night?" she teased, her voice raspy with sleep.

Rio smirked, leaning on her elbow. "Maybe. Can you blame me? You don't look so scary when you're not barking orders."

Agatha chuckled softly, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of Rio's hair behind her ear. "You never sleep, do you?"

Rio shook her head, her expression turning wistful. "No. But this? This makes it worth staying awake."

Agatha pulled her closer, resting her head against Rio's shoulder. They stayed like that, wrapped in the quiet warmth of each other, as the sun continued to creep higher in the sky. Agatha traced absent patterns on Rio's arm, savoring the rare peace.

Agatha shifted slightly, her body pressing closer against Rio's side. She tucked her arm around Rio's waist, resting her head on the crook of her shoulder. Rio didn't move, letting the rare intimacy settle between them. Agatha's breath was warm against Rio's collarbone, her fingers brushing absentmindedly against the fabric of Rio's shirt. "I don't know how you manage it" Agatha murmured softly, her voice heavy with the remnants of sleep. "Never sleeping, always watching." Rio's lips twitched into a small smile, her hand moving to rest lightly on Agatha's arm. "Someone has to keep you out of trouble," she teased gently, her voice low and steady. Agatha let out a soft laugh, the sound muffled as she buried her face against Rio. "For what it's worth," she whispered, her voice barely audible, "I feel safer with you than I have in a long time."

Rio's smile softened, a rare, unguarded warmth flickering across her face as she pulled Agatha even closer, their foreheads nearly touching. "You think I'm the one who's lucky?" she murmured, her voice low and intimate, like it was a secret meant only for them. "You have no idea what you do to me."

She brushed her lips gently against Agatha's forehead, lingering just long enough to let the gesture speak for itself. Her arms tightened around her, as if daring the world to try and take this moment away. "You're everything, Agatha," she whispered, almost to herself, before settling into the quiet comfort of just being together.

The room felt impossibly small, the rest of the world fading into the background. In that instant, it was just the two of them, hearts beating in sync as the first light of day crept through the curtains.

The moment was broken by a low whimper from the other bed. Agatha sat up quickly, her eyes darting to Nessa, who was tossing and turning beneath the thin motel blanket. Her breaths were quick, her fists clenched tightly around the fabric.

"Nessa" Agatha called softly, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. She rushed to her daughter's side, kneeling beside her and shaking her shoulder gently. "Nessa, wake up. It's just a dream."

But the dream wasn't just a dream. The air in the room began to shift, growing colder. A strange, oppressive energy seeped into the space, making the walls seem closer than they were. Outside, the faint sound of car alarms going off broke the morning silence.

"Nessa!" Agatha called louder, shaking her harder. The girl gasped awake with a sob, her eyes wide and wild with fear.

"It's okay" Agatha soothed, pulling Nessa into her arms. The girl clung to her, trembling and crying into her shoulder. "It's okay, sweetheart. It was just a dream. You're safe."

Rio was already on her feet, peeking out the window. "Uh, I hate to break it to you, but something's not right outside." She pointed to a thin plume of black smoke rising from a streetlamp that had been struck by lightning or something worse.

Agatha held Nessa tighter, whispering reassurances in her ear. "We'll figure it out" she said firmly, glancing back at Rio.

Nessa sniffled, wiping her tears on her sleeve. "I—I'm sorry. I don't know what happened."

"It's not your fault," Agatha said, her tone gentle but firm. "We'll figure this out together, okay?"

Nessa nodded weakly, and Agatha kissed the top of her head before helping her sit up.

"We can't just sit here" Rio said. "Whatever's going on, we need to know what we're dealing with."

Agatha looked between them, her determination settling into place. "Let's check out the town. There might be someone here who can help."

The trio stepped out into the crisp afternoon, their breaths visible in the cool air. The streets were quiet, too quiet, save for the occasional crackle of static from a broken streetlamp or the flicker of neon signs struggling to stay lit. They walked cautiously, sticking close together.

As they turned a corner, a hand-painted sign caught their eye: Madame Calderu's Psychic Readings. The shop stood out with its purple awning and a glowing crystal ball decal on the window.

"This is... promising" Rio said, her tone dripping with skepticism.

"It's a start," Agatha replied, pushing the door open.

The interior was dimly lit, filled with the scent of sage and a touch of something floral. Shelves lined the walls, crammed with jars of herbs, books, and strange trinkets. A table in the center of the room held a glowing crystal orb, pulsing faintly like a heartbeat.

From behind a curtain, a woman stepped out, her piercing eyes immediately locking onto Agatha. She was dressed in flowing layers, her silver-streaked hair framing a face both wise and sharp.

"Well, well," the woman said with a smirk. "If it isn't you."

Agatha froze. "Do I know you?"

The woman laughed, the sound rich and knowing. "Lilia Calderu. Let's just say we've crossed paths before. Though I didn't expect to see you here. Or with a... family." Her gaze flicked to Nessa and Rio with interest.

Agatha's jaw tightened. "We need help. And if you know who I am, you know I wouldn't be here unless it was important."

Lilia tilted her head, studying her. "Help is a tricky thing to give, especially when it comes to you. But..." She turned to Nessa, her expression softening. "Why don't you tell me what's going on, child?"

Nessa hesitated, looking to Agatha for permission. When she nodded, Nessa stepped forward, her voice shaking as she began to explain. "There's something after me. I don't know what it is, but it won't stop."

"And it's connected to her," Rio added, gesturing to Nessa. "She's powerful...an anomaly, actually. She is our daughter...She was conceived from life and death itself. Her magic has been unpredictable and untouchable but we don't know how to protect her from... whatever this thing is...it's coming to collect her."

Lilia looked between the three girls standing in front of her, "Death and Agatha had another child" she stated with a chuckle, her expression unreadable. the psychic sighed, her hands resting on her hips. "Well, you've certainly got yourselves in a bind....But you came to the right place. I might have a solution, though you're not going to like it."

Agatha crossed her arms. "We'll take whatever you've got."

Lilia's smirk returned. "Careful what you wish for, dear."