Black Magic Women

101

"Faustus?" Zelda breathed, her voice almost inaudible. She couldn't believe her fleeting eyes, as they nervously searched her sister for any answers she might hold in regards to his presence. When they finally did find Hilda in the very back of the kitchen, having a bowl of gravy in hand, she simply mouthed 'I am sorry'

She knew she couldn't blame her sister. She had probably done her best to buy them some time and keep him away from them for as long as possible. Too bad they didn't share a telepathic bond, though she knew she'd probably kill her even more if they had than she already did.

„Zelda," he said and his eyes, which had been glued to her face, wandered towards her arm, which was gripping Mary's waist painfully tight.

How could he be here? He hadn't visited in ages and the last time she saw him... she had been in his bed, promising to return in time for another one of their meetings. How long had it been since then? Days? Weeks? Months? Zelda honestly couldn't tell, her mind whirling.

How could she have been so careless and forget about him? She should have remembered. Especially after their last encounter had sparked a fight between her and Mary. She should have distanced herself from him, should have ended it back then. She didn't know why she hadn't.

She felt lightheaded, almost dizzy. She couldn't tell if she was hot or cold, sweat running down her back.

Only when she heard Mary wince, did she realize just how hard she had clasped her still tender and sore side and softened her grip. She wanted to apologize, kiss the pain away, but she couldn't do any of it.

If Faustus hadn't become suspicious, he surely would if she didn't let go of the brunette soon. She couldn't even imagine what Mary was thinking, too hasty to access her thoughts. She knew it would hurt her, that Mary needed her just as much as Zelda needed Mary. And yet, she knew that there was much more at stake here than some hurt feelings. From the panicked look of her sister to the sheer look of terror and tension on Ambrose's face, she knew that this was serious.

Excommunication was the least of her worries if Faustus found out what had been going on around the Spellmans. Tricking the Dark Lord, performing a bonding spell with his fallen concubine. She was in a lot of trouble and she'd be lucky to walk out alive.

It was a surprise to her that Faustus hadn't caught them the second they had entered the room, their smell far too intrusive to be ignored.

I am sorry.

She heard nothing come from Mary. No reassurance, no words of sympathy, understanding and so she let go of the brunette, who half stumbled, half fell into the chair that Ambrose had already pulled out for her.

"What brings us the honor of your visit?" Zelda said, trying to remain her usual cool, despite her newly found disdain towards the head of their coven and fear of being caught up in her lies. She couldn't let him figure out what was going on. They'd be as good as dead if he even as much as figured out that Mary and she were more than just civil towards each other.

He had no idea of their recent run-in - or better to say ins - with their Dark Lord, that she was sure of. He wouldn't have admitted his failure in that matter to anyone let alone his High Priest, so Faustus didn't know that Mary was powerless. Good. They could use that to their advantage.

"Worry brought me here, my dearest Zelda. I haven't heard from you since your last visit and I was worried something might have happened to you... As we all know you're one of the, if not the most devoted witch in our coven and you sure wouldn't miss out on your... duties," he said and Zelda did her best to keep from emptying her stomach then and there.