In Plain Sight

Chapter Eight

Luna could feel her body being carried out into the cold, snow-covered streets of the city. Her vision was fuzzy and her energy lacking. She had performed a powerful magic spell, on top of healing two severely wounded men. Luna undoubtedly would be useless for the next few hours.

"Where is that damn hole!" Harlow exclaimed, stomping around in the snow.

"Stand back," Nathan instructed, "I can't do this again. Not in this condition. "

Emmett and Harlow stepped back, feeling the brick of the store on their backs. The small coffee house began to shake, the ground beneath it rumbling. A loud howl could be heard from inside, sending chills down Luna's spine.

Nathan took his place at the head of the group, his legs standing equal with his shoulders. He crossed both of his hands, a warm, orange glow emitting from his palms as he directed them towards the ground. Luna could feel the heat for a brief moment, unable to watch the snow melt away.

"Alright, here we go!" Nathan said, lifting the circular panel that covered the manhole.

Nathan entered first, followed by Harlow. Emmett handed Luna down to Harlow with ease, following in shortly after. Harlow placed Luna on Emmett's back before they began to take off, following Nathan down a series of paths.

"Where are we going?" Luna asked, her head resting on Emmett's shoulder.

"Agnes's" Harlow replied, "She'll know what to do."

Luna nodded, allowing herself a few moments of rest. Harlow and Nathan took the lead, navigating through the sewers as though they were still on the streets of the city. The four continued, in silence as they put as much space between them and The Purple Potion as possible.

"You are quite impressive, Luna," Emmett spoke softly, breaking their long silence.

"You broke my necklace," Luna stated, her cheek still pressed against his shoulder.

Emmett frowned, unsure of what to say next. He was well aware Luna disliked him, yet she continued to put herself in danger for him. With the amount of power she seemed to possess, Luna could have easily taken off with Harlow, leaving he and Nathan to perish. Instead, Luna gave up the last of her energy to perform a spell powerful that would protect everyone.

"I'm sorry," Emmett said, attempting to steady his voice, "I have no excuse for the way I've acted towards you."

"No, you don't," Luna agreed.

"Hey, you aren't exactly a peach to be around either," Emmet grunted, frustrated at Luna's unwavering attitude.

"Okay, okay," Luna mused, a small laugh escaping her lips, "I wasn't exactly kind to you when we first met either."

Emmet frowned, realizing he was never going to hear this woman admit that she was sorry. They continued to walk for an hour before Nathan announced that they had reached their destination. This time, the manhole was easier to dislodge considering it wasn't covered in frozen ice.

Once on the surface, it took Harlow a moment to locate the spare piece of chalk she now kept hidden in the ally. Quickly, she drew a sloppy door and began to use her magic to show the hidden door.

"Hurry," Harlow instructed, holding the door open.

Nathan darted inside the safety of Agnes's store, Emmet following as Harlow shut the door behind them.

"Good morn-"

Agnes's greeting was cut short when her eyes met with her nieces. Agnes rushed the remaining customers from her shop before sealing off her door. In an angered huff, she lead the four into the back, instructing Emmett to lay Luna down on her now cleared coffee table.

Agnes stood over Luna, her arms out in front of her, her palms facing Luna. A swift, bright purple light emitted from her, wrapping itself around Luna on a protective shell.

"I'm promised your mother I'd keep you safe," Agnes mumbled, "And you show up half-dead in the middle of the day."

The light began to cascade down Luna's skin, her eyes now fully open as she looked on at the rest of her group.

"What happened?" Agnes demanded.

"She used her spirit magic," Harlow answered, wasting no time.

"For pete's sake, kid," Agnes groaned, "Do you not remember what happened when you were ten?"

"We were being attacked," Luna said, defending herself. She sat up, her feet dangling off the table.

Agnes instructed Luna to stay still but allowed her to continue to explain. Luna gave Agnes a brief summary, mainly focusing on the demon that had been sent after them so suddenly.

"You broke the necklace!" Agnes shouted, her hand coming across Emmett's cheek.

"What the hell is so special about that necklace!" Emmett shouted back, holding his now stinging face.

Agnes took a moment to compose herself before finally taking a seat in her recliner.

"That necklace was something, Nicole, Luna's mother, had made while she was pregnant." Agnes began, "Luna was born a rare Witch. Although, back then, her breed wasn't exactly so uncommon."

"Luna is able to use many different types of magic, despite her believing she is only a green Witch," Agnes continued, "She can pick up on new spells and skills with ease, as you have seen for yourselves, and she can easily mimic both light and dark magic with ease."

"That's impossible, we were taught that those types of Witches were wiped out by The Order of the Nether centuries ago!" Emmett began to argue.

"You've seen her power first hand, and yet you still choose to be ignorant." Agnes sighed, shaking her head, "What green Witch is able to invoke the spirits of protection?"

Emmett sat there, steaming in his seat as he held no answer. Of course, he had seen the wound Luna had closed up for Nathan and had experienced first hand her skills in potion-making. But still, if these types of Witches did still exist, why wasn't The Valor protecting them?

"Still, that doesn't explain why that necklace is so important," Emmett grumbled, glaring at Agnes from across the room.

"Nicole chose the Valerian root. It was meant to protect her from bad intentions and evil magic. She hoped to protect Luna from The Council, as well as those who still practice magic from the dark days," Agnes finished, "A Witch of her power discovered would mean nothing but sorrow for everyone involved."

"Agnes," Luna started.

"And because of that, Luna, my darling," Agnes spoke, her eyes welling with tears, "I must ask you to leave."

Luna's eyes widened, her gaze locked with Agnes's. Luna wasn't entirely sure she had heard her right until she saw the tears fall from her dear friend's eyes. Luna made an attempt to speak, however, she found no words would form from her throat.

"Take this," Agnes said, handing Luna a leather satchel, "In it, you will find the medicines, supplies to make you a new necklace, and the address of the Witch who made the necklace your mother requested."

"Agnes, please," Harlow began, reaching for her, only to watch as Agnes shrugged her off.

"Please," Agnes begged, her eyes watery as streams covered her face, "I cannot protect you here. You are not safe anywhere. Go now, before they pick up on her scent."

Harlow could do nothing but look on at Agnes, watching as Luna made her way off of the coffee table. Emmet went to Luna's side, helping her walk to the door, the four leaving Agnes as quickly as they had found her.