Witches and Devils

Queenie and Madison

The meeting comes to an end and the witches prepare to leave. Zoe, who is only a few years older then I am, stops me in the halls. "Why are you helping them?"

"Excuse me?"

"Why are you filling their heads with all of this nonsense. You and I both know there will never be a male supreme."

"Why are you so sure there won't be?"

"Because there never had been." Zoe crosses her arms.

"And that means there never will be?"

"As far as the coven is concerned, yes."

"The coven or Cordelia?"

"They are one in the same."

I chuckle, "you'd better get ready to leave, I'd hate to find out what will happen to you if mommy leaves without you."

"Is that a threat," Zoe steps toward me, "that's a high offense."

"To threaten another witch?"

"To threaten a member of the Supreme's council."

"Sadly, a threat would have to be made first. But we are in a school filled with young boys, who have been taught their whole life they are less than a witch. I think they'd jump at the chance to prove everyone wrong. Don't you?" I smirk, "don't comment, just look frightened and run."

Zoe straightens up and hurries away from me. I head up with the witches to see them out, at Cordelia's request. We walk through the main hall, past Ariel, some of the boys, and John Henry. As I pass John Henry, I snag the lit cigarette he has in his fingers. John Henry turns to me a bit shocked, I simply wink before turning back and following the women out. Once we are up top, we look across the field and see Michael walking toward us with two young ladies by his side. One is thin and blonde, and smoking a cigarette, the other is heavier set with short black hair, both dressed in black. The blonde's outfit being a bit more daring then the other's. As I look closer at the women I notice they are Madison Montgomery and Queenie. Madison I had only heard about from other witches, but Queenie I had gotten to know briefly while at Cordelia's coven. One might even say we were friends before I left, I was even friends with Zoe once, but once I left I became on outcast. I smile and scoff as I see Michael smiling, having been able to do something Cordelia could not. Queenie waves to everyone, but moments later Cordelia collapses, as she does all of us rush to help her. Well, I guess Madison didn't rush, so much as roll her eyes and walk. Michael stands back and watches. We get Cordelia inside and onto one of the couches in the library, where we had our meeting about Michael.

Zoe pulls me away from Cordelia, "what are you doing?"

"I'm trying to help someone who is important to me."

"Important to you? Was she important to you when you left to come help warlocks? Or when you dragged us out here to listen to some nonsense about a male supreme?"

"Girls!" Myrtle shouts over us, "enough. Yes, it is true that Rose has been studying with and helping warlocks, but don't forget, it was you, Zoe, who suggested that Rose find a new coven."

"I didn't think she really would." Zoe shakes her head.

I chuckle, "you did all but pack my bags."

"You were talking about equality between Witches and Warlocks, it was insane."

I push a hand toward Zoe, pushing her back and pin her up against a wall, "is it?! I have been studying with Warlocks and the only thing that seems to be different is they willingness to listen to opposing opinions."

"Rose, put her down this instant." Myrtle protests.

"And if I don't?" I don't take my eyes off of Zoe.

"You will be proving to everyone here, that training with Warlocks has made you unreasonable."

I sigh and slowly lower Zoe back to the ground. "No, in fact it's quite the opposite."

I turn back to Cordelia, "stay away from her," Zoe shouts.

"Fine, then I guess I won't read her soul and tell you what's going on." I turn back and start to walk away.

Before I get to the door I hear Zoe, "wait. Come back."

I smile and turn back around, Myrtle looks between Zoe and I, "now girls, let's behave like adults."

"I can, it's her you have to worry about." Zoe and I answer in unison.

"Rose, will you please tell us what is wrong with Cordelia?" Myrtle gestures over to Cordelia.

I nod and walk over to the couch she is laying on, "she is in pain and fears that she is fading, because Michael is rising."

"That ridiculous." Zoe shakes her head.

As Zoe comments, Cordelia wakes you and takes a deep breath. Myrtle places a hand on her forehead, "easy, dear. You're all right. You're with us. You're safe."

Cordelia takes another deep breath, "what happened?"

Zoe sits on the couch next to Cordelia, "you lost consciousness."

"And you had a lot to say about it, too." I chuckle softly

"I was talking?" Cordelia looks rather confused.

Myrtle shakes her head, "no, it seems since she left the coven, Rose has learned to read souls."

I nod, "but you did call out our names a few times."

"You left me out though. Not that I'm surprised." I turn so Cordelia can see Madison. "Did you guys even know I was dead?"

"We knew." Zoe nods.

"You are back." Cordelia gasps, "I didn't imagine it."

"Well, I might be imagining all of you," Queenie shrugs, "I'm not 100% sure that any of this is real."

Cordelia stands, "oh, I can't believe it." She hugs the girls.

Madison struggles to get away from her, "maybe you forgot, I'm not much of a hugger."

"Tough shit." Cordelia keeps hugging the girls, Queenie hugs back happily, Madison loosely wraps and arm around Cordelia, "you're alive."

"Not if you keep squeezing my neck like this." Madison pulls away from Cordelia.

Cordelia steps back and places a hand on Queenie's cheek, "hi." She takes a deep breath and turns to me, "I want to see him. They boy."