Strange Magic

Chapter 3

Mary Wardwell held the blueberry pie firmly in one arm as she knocked on the door of the Spellman Mortuary, a cold chill running up the length of her spine. She found the mortuary a little creepy if she was being honest, but also a little fascinating. There was something dark and cold about the property, something otherworldly and foreign but also something deeply familiar and... heartwarming, almost.

Mary nearly jumped out of her skin as the front door swung open and pulled her out of her thoughts, Zelda Spellman standing before her in a beautifully form fitting, black lace dress. The woman was positively spellbinding.

"Good evening, Ms. Spellman, thank you so much for having me over," she smiled politely, trying to ignore the lump forming in her throat. She didn't understand the unholy power this woman had over her. It had never happened that way with another woman before.

Zelda nodded curtly and moved aside to allow Mary access to her home, careful not to touch her as she invited her inside. "Of course, Ms. Wardwell," she managed to choke out as felt the warmth of the woman brush by her, wishing she could reach out and touch her as she entered the house, "May I take your coat?"

"Oh, uh," Mary smiled awkwardly, looking for a place to set the pie down, "might you have a place where I can set this? I wasn't sure if I should bring something..."

Zelda appreciated the effort, surprised by the stranger's sweetness, wishing she could kiss her on the cheek to thank her. How bizarre it felt to see her lover's form and know that it wasn't her. "Ah, I'll take it," Zelda did her best to smile as she held out a hand to take the pie, then offered the other to take her coat.

She could feel the tension building in her chest as she stared at Mary, her slender form revealing itself as she slipped out of her wool cape. She didn't dress the same as Lilith; gone were the form fitting dresses, replaced instead by a well tailored blouse and flared skirt. Still, Zelda let her eyes wander over Mary's collar bone and down her waist before she caught herself. "That's a uh- I like your- brooch," Zelda stuttered as Mary caught her and cleared her throat.

"Oh, thank you," she smiled politely, "it was my grandmother's." Mary pushed her glasses up her nose and pursed her lips, waiting to be taken to the dining room and join the rest of the family. This interaction with Zelda was positively awkward, but what could she do? The woman was more than a little off kilter, but then Sabrina was a little strange herself. She'd expect no less from the women who raised her.

Zelda felt a bead of sweat escape down the back of her dress and she cursed Lilith under her breath. Just then, Mary flashed her bright blue eyes at her, a knowing look, and it was as if her former lover had inhabited her body for just a split second. Lilith was toying with her. How unfair- for both her and Mary.

"Right this way, Ms. Wardwell, my family is in the other room. We're delighted you could join us for the evening.... Sabrina says you're enjoying your new position as principal?" Like hell Zelda would let Lilith take over this poor woman again. Toy with her, fine, but Zelda first and foremost had a strong sense of justice and Mary Wardwell didn't deserve any more interruption in her life.

"I am enjoying it, I suppose," Mary laughed awkwardly as she followed down the hallway to the dining room, taking in the dark spirit of the home. "I'm still not sure quite how I gained the post but I suppose some things just aren't meant to be questioned."

Zelda imagined Lilith's hands on her hips as they sauntered down the hallway. How many times had Lilith embraced her, pushed her against these walls when her family wasn't home? How many times had she brought her to exquisite ecstasy in this very spot? Zelda coughed quietly and kept walking, aching to feel the woman's arms around her again. "I suppose not. Sabrina was quite thrilled to learn you'd be principal, however. You're a much better choice than that dreadful man they had before."