Witches and Devils

Pentagram

Rose's POV:
I am woken by Cordelia, who is speaking in whispers, so she doesn't wake Mallory or the other girls, "Rose." I jump as she places a hand on my shoulder. "Sh... It's just me." I look over to her and rub my eyes, "are you up for a little trip?"

"Where?" I ask, sleepily.

"Myrtle and I need to go to the Academy to update John Henry and Chablis on the plan and hopefully get them to come back with us. We thought you'd like to come."

I nod, quickly and quietly getting up and ready. In classic witchy fashion, Cordelia, Myrtle and I dress in black with our hooded cloaks on. It doesn't take us long to get to the school, since Cordelia and I can transport there and Cordelia is still strong enough to take Myrtle with us. As we walk into the academy Myrtle crinkles her nose, "Back in the dungeon again. I had hoped to avoid the fetid aroma of pubescent warlocks the rest of my life. How did you do it?" she looks over to me.

I shrug, "I've mentioned the time I spent in my room here, right? Plus there were a lot of candles and perfumes."

"Of course, how else would you combat the scent."

"Mmm..." Cordelia nods, "That and she was too wrapped up with John Henry to notice much else." Cordelia looks over to me and smiles.

I laugh softly and nod, "I suppose you're right." I blush a bit.

"Don't be embarrassed, Rosie." Cordelia stops and turns toward me, "John Henry is a powerful warlock with a good head on his shoulders. You could do worse." Cordelia turns and starts down the hall again, "lord knows I have."

Myrtle and I continue after her, Myrtle sighing, "I never thought I'd see the day you approve of a relationship between a witch and a warlock or when we come to ask for help from men."

"It might have been easier if you allowed me to kill myself." Cordelia complains.

"Delia, don't even joke."

"John Henry and Behold are potent allies. Together we can slow Michael down and give Mallory time to develop her powers."

As we round a corner, I stop. Cordelia and Myrtle continue, but it doesn't take long for Myrtle to notice I am no longer by her side, "my dear, whatever is the matter?"

I shake my head and look up and down the hall, "somethings not right."

"What do you mean?"

"Listen." I put a hand up, "I don't hear any of the boys. Normally, we can't get them to shut up." I walk down the hall and past Cordelia and Myrtle, "this place is always a hub of activity." I run down the hall to the grand hall, which should be a buzz at this time of morning, the boys who are still in the academy heading to the classes they still have. John Henry yelling at them to hurry up or to get where they're going and the laughter of those who are pulling pranks on the others. As I get to the doors I push them open, seeing the fire is light and alive. It takes my eyes a moment to adjust to the lighting in the room and as I look up and around I see there is no one.

"Hello?" Myrtle calls out once she and Cordelia get into the room with me.

"Rose, what is going on?" Cordelia asks, worry present in her voice.

"I don't know." I shake my head before running toward the library. Maybe all the boys went home, maybe it is just Chablis and John Henry and they are just in the library, reading, passing time. Maybe we just got here early and they weren't expecting us so soon? As the fire in the library grows closer and it's light grows brighter, I see something laying on the floor. As I get closer, I realize it is not something and someone. The boys from the academy, laying on the ground, lifeless. Placed in a pentagram, some of their arms have even been taken off to be used as part of the outer circle. By the time I enter the doorway of the library, my legs fall out from underneath me and I scream. "NO!" I crawl the rest of the way to the edge of the circle and see John Henry, laying here, his eyes open and empty, just staring up at the ceiling. I hold him and cry. Cordelia and Myrtle walk in behind me and Cordelia tries to pull me away from the scene, "no! NO!" I cry, fighting her and cringing back onto John Henry's body.

Cordelia eventually stops fighting me and hugs me from behind, "I'm sorry, Rose. I know this pain is unbearable. But you are not alone. You have us, your sisters." I look over to Cordelia and shake my head, the tears still rolling down my cheeks as I look back to John Henry. "I know. I know, they were your friends, your classmates, your family." Cordelia places a hand on my back, "they were your boys. And I know the pain you are feeling because I felt it when I lost my girls. But you know what. It's okay." I look over to Cordelia confused, "because I may have lost some of my girls, but I got one back." Cordelia wipes a tear off of my check, "I got you back, Rosie. One of my best students, who just wanted to learn. And I pushed you away from our coven and I am sorry. But we can't stay here. Michael may still be close by and we can't let him get to us." Cordelia stands and steps towards Myrtle, as she does I lean down and kiss John Henry's head, before placing my forehead against his. I think for a moment before taking a deep breath and slowly blowing it into John Henry's face, trying to bring him back.

"My dear, I'm sorry." I hear Myrtle step forward, "you remember what you and Madison told us. They're gone."

I don't listen and continue the deep and steady breaths into John Henry. I hear Myrtle take another step, but Cordelia stops her, "let her try." I continue this process for what feels like hours. I take a final breath and blow again, and to my shock John Henry gasps and sits up. As he does I fall back, I can see my vision begin to go black and I can hear the three of them rush in around me.