Chapter 35

"Glynda!" Pyrrha cried out, clutching her frozen arm. She held her other hand over the limb and whispered a spell, the ice disappearing wherever she touched. Unfortunately all that did was free her wounded arm, it still bled profusely from multiple punctures.

The sound of scrambling feet approached and Ruby burst through the door. She had only been one room away, chatting with the werewolves, when Pyrrha had cried out. "Oh gods, what happened?!" She gasped on seeing Pyrrha's damaged arm.

"Just an accident." Pyrrha groaned through gritted teeth. Blood and water mixed to turn her arm bright red.

"What's going on?" Glynda asked, arriving soon after Ruby.

"Dew is awake, she froze my arm and now…" Pyrrha reported, nodding toward the sobbing girl who remained curled up in the corner.

"Let me help!" Ruby exclaimed. Pyrrha offered her arm and Ruby took it in her hands, closing her eyes tight and concentrating. The blood separated from the water, filling the punctures as they knitted themselves closed.

Meanwhile, Glynda approached Dew, crouching beside her. She laid a hand on the girl's shoulder, persisting even as Dew flinched at her touch. Whatever happened to her must have been extremely traumatic. Glynda had witnessed scenes of uncontrolled magic like this before, and the cause was never a happy one. "It'll be alright." She soothed. "You're safe now." Glynda would tend to Dew, but first she had to take care of her own. She stood and approached Pyrrha, taking her hand and examining her newly healed arm. "Does it still hurt?"

"Yes." Pyrrha confirmed. "But it's nothing I can't handle." The way her eyes still watered belied that statement.

"You know the potions to drink." Glynda noted. Injuries were common while training as a witch, and though Pyrrha was more skilled and careful than most, she had suffered her share. "Go, now, I'll take it from here."

"Yes ma'am." Pyrrha agreed. She flexed her fingers and wrist, wincing at every movement. At least it seemed Ruby's healing had put everything important back where it was supposed to be. Pyrrha took Ruby by the hand and led her from the room, closing the door behind her. Dew flinched once more as the door clicked shut.

"Blake, hot chocolate please, with a teaspoon of cinnamon." Glynda spoke to her other half, the darkness around her flickering in reply. She lowered herself to the ground, crossing her legs by the bedside and observing her newest patient.

Dew was trembling now, the frost misting around her curious in emanation, a typical trait of a frightened awakening. Magic was strongly tied to emotions. Dew felt endangered and sought protection - Pyrrha had been the unfortunate victim of unfettered fear - and now this field of frost represented caution. Glynda had to tread carefully.

"Dew?" She spoke. The girl quivered but met her gaze, a single violet eye peeking out. "Do you remember me?" Dew rapidly nodded. "Good. I want to make it very clear to you that this is a safe place. You are in my home, under my protection. Do you understand?"

Dew shuddered, her eye shutting tight as she shakily nodded. "Ah...are they gone?" She whimpered.

Glynda raised a brow in question. They? "Are who gone?"

"The vampires!" Dew warbled, louder than expected.

"The vampires?" Glynda repeated. "Cinder? Did Cinder do this to you?"

Dew shook her head. "N-no, not her, s-she didn't care...Mercury, his name was Mercury. He did it. He...he…" Her breath hitched, her form wracked with convulsions as she began sobbing into her hands, the frost around her growing thick upon the ground.

With a click, the door briefly opened, Blake's essence trailing in. Glynda felt her presence on the bed above, and the strong smell of chocolate and cinnamon permeated the air. "Dew…" Glynda murmured, accepting the hot mug as it hovered by her side. "I cannot promise you that Mercury has left our island, but I can promise his companions have. Cinder and Emerald-"

"Dead?" Dew choken in question.

Glynda shook her head. "Cinder was wounded and captured, eventually taken away, her thrall alongside her."

Dew laughed, bitter and mirthless. "Cinder didn't care about me. I was Mercury's pet. But Emerald cared." Her voice hitched at the name. "Did anyone even look for me?"

"No one reported your absence." Glynda replied. "I assume both villages expected you were at the other."

"For a month?" Dew hissed, hands clenching into fists beneath her chin as she glared.

"I am sorry Dew, if I had known, I would have come for you myself." Glynda apologized.

"Like you did the vampires?" Dew spat, scowling.

"To my knowledge, there was only Cinder." Glynda defended. "We were not made aware of her companions until much later. There were two werewolves and a contingency of Templars scouring the woods for her. If there was any chance of finding you…" She heaved a heavy sigh, slowly extending the mug. "Nothing excuses my failure Dew. I am deeply sorry. You deserve better from me."

"It wasn't your fault…" Dew whispered, sniffling. "Cinder sent Mercury to throw off their scent, and the Templars…" She hitched, laughing. "Templars couldn't find their way through a single cornered maze." She shook her head, raising the cup to her lips and taking a small sip. "I remember laughing, as if it was the funniest thing I'd ever heard...but deep down I was just...trying to scream." With that the frost returned in full force. Her expression screwed up in confusion as she stared at her cup. She reached in with a finger, tapping the contents, before holding the mug upside down. A block of frozen milk and chocolate fell to the ground with a dull thump. "Hmph...damn...more complications." She mumbled.

"You don't seem particularly surprised." Glynda observed, hoping a change of subject would offer a more positive outlook.

"Trauma induces magic...I read about it...I used to read a lot." Dew explained. "Is Pyrrha okay?"

"Shaken, but fine, thankfully." Glynda answered.

"Good...I'm sorry for my outburst." Dew responded.

"You had no control over your powers." Glynda waved away her concern. "As a child I once threw...a friend across a field when they startled me."

"I'll have to learn better then." Dew commented.

"Don't worry about it too much." Glynda advised. "Once you learn the basics, frost magic is quite a gentle art."

Dew hummed, fingers trailing around the rim of her cup. She sniffled again. "What happens now?"

"I'd like you to stay a while." Glynda requested. "You appear physically healthy, but trauma manifests most in the mind. Not now, but when you're ready, I'd like to discuss what went on in depth. Is that fair?" Dew nodded, but Glynda did not miss the way she visibly shrank at the idea. She would have to tread very lightly. "Very well. Do you feel up for some food? I don't know how long it's been since you last ate."

"I think so, I don't really know either...a lot of it is very...muffled." Dew sighed.

"I understand." Glynda nodded. "I can offer you answers for that when you are ready." She pushed herself to her feet, assisted by Blake's persistent essence.

"Thank you." Dew returned. She planted a hand on the floor and attempted to lift herself upward, only for her limb to shake, her eyes losing focus as she swayed. "Oh...dizzy."

"You are malnourished." Glynda warned. "We could only provide so much whilst you were unconscious." She offered her hand. The herbalist took it, easily pulled to her feet by the witch, stumbling into her chest.

"Gods...I feel horrid." Dew complained.

"Don't worry yourself dear." Glynda soothed, helping the girl sit back on the mattress, now vacated by Blake who stood by the door. "You lay back down and rest, and when I return you'll have a nice hearty meal to devour."

"I can't wait…" Dew gripped Glynda's hand in both her own. "I mean this Glynda, thank you." She looked up through tired, red-rimmed eyes and smiled for the first time.

Glynda returned that smile. "I always take care of my own Dew. Rest, recuperate, live and that will be thanks enough for me."

Dew had managed to eat little of the first meal Glynda presented her. It was not that she was not hungry, or that she did not like it, her body was simply not ready to eat very much just yet. In any case, she spent most of the day and following night sleeping. Blake, who kept watch over her, reported fitful rest, but given what she had been forced to endure, that was hardly surprising. Glynda visited her again in the morning, offering a light breakfast that she managed to fully consume.

Dew in turn gave a few more details of her ordeal. She had been traveling the road from the port, but failed to reach the village before nightfall. Rather than risk traveling after dark, she set pulled her wagon off the road and set up camp. She had awoken when her horse began neighing and stamping, and emerged from her tent just in time to see Mercury rip out the animal's throat with his bare hands. Dew had tried to run, but he was much faster, seeming to teleport in front of her. One look into his eyes and her free will had been locked away.

There had been much crying and more uncontrolled magic as Dew recounted her tale, but Glynda saw some progress at least. The frost that surrounded her remained more contained, and she at least seemed more calm than she had been. Glynda only wished there was more she could do, but for now she would have to wait. Her other patients were doing rather well, with Ren's cough nearly gone. Nora's sight was still not improving, and she was still cranky, but her mood was a little lighter.

Just before noon, Glynda headed to the kitchen. As expected, she found Pyrrha there preparing lunch. She was grilling meat of some sort, beef judging by the smell. Lately everyone in the house had been eating more meat than usual. Werewolves needed it to stay healthy, and it did not make sense to make different meals for everyone. Ruby worked away at a nearby counter, preparing the meal's side dishes. For someone who did not have a human sense of taste, the food she produced was rather good.

"Pyrrha, how is your arm?" Glynda asked, stepping up beside her.

"Much better." Pyrrha replied, not diverting her focus from the food. "I have full range of motion and the pain has subsided, just some minor aches every now and again." She transferred the meat from the grill to a nearby plate and turned her focus to Glynda. "How is Dew?"

"Physically she's doing quite well." Glynda replied. "Psychologically...unstable would be a charitable assessment, and given her newfound magical abilities, that means dangerous. She's swinging between rage and detached assessment, and bottling up her stronger feelings as much as possible."

"What happened to her?" Pyrrha asked.

"She was enthralled by a companion of Cinder's, a certain Mercury." Glynda replied. "She hasn't said what he did with her, but she described herself as his 'pet,' so I'm sure you can guess. It also seems to have been a particularly brutal enthrallment. Usually the victim's conscious mind is turned off so to speak, or their desires twisted to match the vampire's. In Dew's case it seems she was fully conscious of everything that happened, but unable to control herself, a prisoner in her own body if you will."

"That's...horrifying." Pyrrha managed, lowering her head. "Did she say what became of Mercury? I assume he's the one who attacked the Templars and I. Is he still on the island?"

"She doesn't know." Glynda answered. "I can't imagine he would have remained however. I suspect he would have left covertly at the earliest opportunity. With the Templars and werewolves pursuing him, and the entire island on guard, staying would only have resulted in his capture or death. Given the risk he took to save Cinder, he either has some affection for her, or a more tangible incentive to assist her. Either way, he would want to rejoin her as soon as possible. He's almost certainly returned to the coven and is back under Salem's protection."

"He should be punished for what he did." Ruby interjected. "Cinder got burned at least. It's not fair that he just got away." Glynda and Pyrrha were taken aback. They had never seen Ruby angry before, not even mildly annoyed.

"Unfortunately that's just how it goes sometimes." Pyrrha sighed. "As much as I'd like to see him brought to justice, it's not worth a war with a Nosferatu."

"The world isn't always fair, and happy endings aren't guaranteed." Glynda noted.

"I know." Ruby frowned, shoulders slumping.

"What is Dew planning to do after she recovers?" Pyrrha changed the subject, hoping for something that would cheer Ruby up. Seeing her sad was just painful.

"Well, she lost all her money and possessions…" Glynda started. Pyrrha shot her a look, one begging for something positive. "...but with a little help I'm sure she'll be back in business in no time."

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves." Glynda cautioned. "She's still weak, and might have plans of her own. Perhaps her family-" Glynda stopped speaking suddenly. Her expression turned serious and she began undoing the top buttons of her shirt.

"What is it?" Pyrrha inquired.

Glynda reached into her shirt, pulling free a crystal that hung around her neck. It glowed bright, pulsating red. "Danger…" She whispered. "I have to go."

"What's wrong?" Pyrrha asked.

"A family emergency." Glynda replied. "I'll explain when I get back." She rushed for the basement. Pyrrha and Ruby followed, watching as the witch grabbed a bag from the corner. It had been sitting there for all the time she had known Glynda, but Pyrrha had never really noticed it before.

"Can we help?" Ruby offered.

"No." Glynda replied flatly. Blake appeared beside her. "Let's go."

"Go ahead." Blake grumbled.

"You're coming too!" Glynda growled in response.

"That little crystal starts glowing and you rush off to your other family." Blake complained bitterly.

"They're not my other family, they're our family, and this is no time to have this argument." Glynda admonished. "It's never been red before!"

"Alright." Blake sighed and took her place at Glynda's side. The witch grabbed the aspect's wrist and the pair disappeared.

"What just happened?" Ruby asked.

"I'm not sure." Pyrrha admitted. "But I know it's not good."

"I didn't know Glynda had a family." Ruby noted. "I hope they're alright."

Pyrrha was unsure of what to say. She too had been in the dark about Glynda having a family. Sure, she knew Glynda had some deceased relatives. The witch had informed her of the fate of her sisters at the beginning of Pyrrha's training, a cautionary tale. Other than that, Glynda had never spoken of any living family members. Whoever and wherever they were, she clearly cared deeply about them to have left in such a rush, over Blake's objection no less.

"I hope they're alright too." Pyrrha finally spoke. "And I hope Glynda's alright."

Of all the things Velvet expected of her new companion, cooking for her was not one of them. Sharing a bed did not surprise her. Coco was a succubus, she knew what Velvet wanted, and chief among her desires was simple, natural affection. Velvet had melted into her embrace, the intimacy of the gesture like warm milk to her tired mind. She had not slept so soundly in months. Scratch that, years.

The next day started late, and slow. Dragging herself from Coco's arms proved...trying, not helped by the succubus' sure grip and...decidedly alluring scent...but there was work to be done. Windows had to be boarded, at least until new ones could be commissioned. Velvet still had commitments of her own to fulfill. With the Solstice celebration approaching, the demand for her work began to increase. Clothing was both a simple and practical gift - boots, jackets and gloves in particular. They would see constant, heavy use throughout the year. Or if Velvet worked well enough, two or three years.

Coco, to her credit, was quite the comforting shadow, and very useful to boot. By the time Velvet had dressed, the sound of sizzling had filled her kitchen, and the smell of fresh bacon wafted through the open door. It felt like ages since she had last had breakfast cooked for her, and Coco knew how to fry an egg - flipped, scrambled on toast with a generous helping of tomato sauce. Just like grandma used to make. Velvet was already falling in love.

The remainder of the day was fairly normal considering the circumstances. Velvet went through the motions, just...not alone. Coco followed her everywhere, a warmth at her side, filling the silence with questions and conversation. She was not ignorant of the world, yet still sought to learn of the world she would inhabit, the life Velvet led, her routine, her work...her dreams. It was nice to speak of it all, to someone who was genuinely interested. People rarely took more than a passing interest in her life. They came and went, Velvet little more than a footnote in their lives, another character in the grand story they wrote with each passing step.

Even if it was an illusion, the feeling Coco inspired within Velvet brought a new joy to her day. Each stitch sewn with a smile, each moment passing with a warmth in her heart, that she had so sorely missed.

"Hey hon." Coco's voice spoke from above. Velvet turned to see the succubus leaning on the banister, golden eyes gleaming down at her, the smell of fresh cooked beef already filling the room from above. "You better get your ass up to eat this nice meal I slaved away making for you."

Velvet laughed and gladly got her ass up. The dinner was delicious.