All hail the heartbreaker - CHAPTER SEVEN
Disclaimer: despite my best efforts and wishes, i dont own Ivy, rachel or the rest of the Hollows. I am hopeful that Santa will correct
this.
A/N: 'What's this a chapter?'
Yep
'nah it cant be, i figured you had dropped dead.'
no, still breathing and its a chapter with words and everything.
'so its short and cut in half then?'
nope its the whole chapter and nearly 13,000 words (so i suggest a drink and a snack before settling down to read this)
My thanks as ever to those of you who are kind and wonderful and leave me a review. Thank you to Agmartin40 for being my beta, any mistakes left are down to me.
Chapter one
Chapter two
Chapter three
Chapter four
Chapter five part one
Chapter five part two
Chapter six part one
Chapter six part two
CHAPTER SEVEN - I sometimes find it odd, you've got to climb the statue of the demon to get closer to God.
“STUDENT!” Al's voice bellowed across my mind. My bubble lurched and I desperately focused on holding it together knowing there was no way Ivy would survive if it fell.
“What in the name of Newt do you think you’re doing!? Give me control now.” My mental bubble shuddered as if hit from behind. Never did I think I would be so relieved to see Al.
“I don’t know how!” Turn take it, if I knew how to hand over control I would. Al might beat me for this, but at least we’d both be alive. And maybe I could convince him to hand over a wolf curse, it would be quicker than making it myself.
“I swear, you are too goddamn stupid to live.” His heavy sigh made my anger flare, if he was a better teacher I might not be in this situation. “Now, if that tiny stunted witch brain of yours can manage it, focus on my voice, can you see where my bubble touches yours?”
I felt for a mark on my bubble, there was a cold spot perhaps the size of hand. “Yes, I can feel it.”
“Good. Now, try to pull it inside.” I squeezed trying to manipulate the spot. Nothing was happening, I yanked frantically at the spot in my mind. Something seemed to give as a ripple seemed to spread and become a wave of cold. I was losing control, each wave made it harder to feel the protective force that was the only thing stopping our minds, bodies and souls being spread across the lines and burned to a crisp. Memory of the agony of the line, of dragging myself back to reality washed over me and I panicked.
“Stop it. You’re just making this harder.”
I tried to relax, tried to ignore the certainty I was going to die in horrible pain, that Ivy was going to die the same way and it was all my fault. “I'm sorry.”
“So you bloody well should be, I was in the middle of something.” The line opened out in to reality and my feet refused to hold me. Al's kitchen floor was cold against my legs as I collapsed to my knees. I knelt there staring at the flagstone floor panting for breath. I had spent a lot of time in his spelling kitchen, the whole thing looked like it belonged on the movie set for some fantasy epic about king Arthur and Merlin. Wooden beams crisscrossed the ceiling and the circular grey stone wall was littered with tall wooden cabinets, fronted with rippled and smoked glass windows showing the outlines of books and spelling implements.
There was no gas or electric, instead the room was lit by a ley line light spell, a small hearth just beside me provided a source of heat, a comfortable arm chair sat in front of the fire along with a wooden stool. For reason I didn’t understand the armchair was my seat, apparently it had been Ceri’s. On the one occasion I sat on the wooden stool I had ended up being backhanded to the floor. Right in the centre of the room was the raised fire pit where most of the spells were cooked. The central fire pit was dark and cold at the moment, and I stared longingly at the bench curving around it, sometimes Al would let me nap there. It was deceptively comfy, with the heat from the fire helping to lull me to sleep.
“What in the blue blazes did you think you were doing? Too weak to walk or even stand and you try to jump the lines. I ought to beat you into next week.” Al’s hand grabbed my chin and wrenched my head upwards.
“Argghhh!” the pain was incredible even after he let go, the pain throbbed through me and tears clouded my vision, all thoughts of sleep abandoned.
“Oh, my little itchy witch, what happen to you and your pet?” I tried to find the strength to answer Al's suddenly soft voice. He was still crouched down and I knew if I didn’t answer him quick enough I’d end up screaming again. I could never understand how Al had the patience for training familiars, but then I suppose he got to hit them as much as he liked. Al was dressed in his normal guise of noble Englishman, and I wondered not for the first time just why it was Al was so attached to this outfit.
“My, my, Gally you have been a bad boy. Trying to keep secrets from me never ends well you should know that by now.” My body lurched as Newt’s voice sent a shiver through me. She sounded relaxed, bored even, but with Newt that didn’t mean anything. I glanced up, for a split second Al looked horrified before his face became blank. Good to know I wasn’t the only one surprised and worried by the insane demons sudden appearance. I could at least take some comfort from the fact Al was the one in trouble.
“Newt, my love, what an unexpected surprise.” Al stood up and turned towards her straightening his lace cuffs. “I must say, you’re looking as terrifying as ever. What brings you to my humble abode?”
“You’ve been hiding things from me. And she is injured again, I do remember warning you after the Krathion incident what would happen if you made another mistake with her.” Newt’s completely jet black eyes narrowed and she placed a half empty milkshake down on Al's countertop. The crazy demon looked just like she had last time I saw her. The androgynous female stood barefoot, pale, bony feet clutched at the cold stone and a red silk contraption clothed her. It looked like a cross between wizarding robes and a kimono as it gently moved in a none existent wind.
Al licked his lips, spreading his hands in a placating manner. “Now Newt, she was declared my student you gave up all claim to her.” This was about me? What was Al hiding?
Newt’s staff appeared in her hand out of nowhere, the obsidian wood was as tall as me, faint symbols almost too worn away to see covered it. Remembering her using it to break Ceri’s circles I knew nothing good could come of the staff’s sudden appearance. Al, it seemed agreed with me, he took one look at the staff and disappeared into the lines.
“Oh, goody, a chase! I’ll be right back.” Newt grinned at me and winked, if I’d had the energy I think I would have had a heart attack. There was the faintest of pops and Ivy and me were alone. The light spell died leaving the room lit only by the small hearth fire besides us. Looking down at Ivy in the dim light the only thing I could think was what the hell was that about?
.
So when I’d pictured making the wolf curse for Ivy I had foolishly assumed four things. That I would be in my kitchen, that I would have my demon spell books, that I would have all the ingredients, and lastly that I would be able to stand up. Currently none of those things was true.
In the five minutes since Newt had left the only things I’d managed to accomplish was to become less semi and more naked. I’d tried to bandage Ivy's arm and had to sacrifice a lot of my gown to do it. I wasn’t sure it would help but it had to be better than nothing right? The crapy thing had been nearly impossible to make decent bandages out of, I was seriously considering going down to the hospital and sticking a hair loss charm over the front door.
After I’d done what I could for Ivy, I dragged myself over towards Al's ingredients cupboard. I was pretty sure I knew which cabinets held the right ingredients; I was desperately hoping that I could remember exactly what I needed. I tried not to think about the chance some of the ingredients might be in the cellar. Just as I passed the edge of fire pit, I’d nearly passed out as my wrist flamed to life. I’d watched through blurry eyes as my final demon mark disappeared.
I’d got rid of the one on my foot a few months ago when I’d forced Al to switch back our summoning names. At the time the coven of moral and ethical standards had been using his name to summon me through the lines, switching back had kept the coven from dragging me around but it had also let Al snag one of them. I’d no idea what my last demon mark disappearing meant but I’d bigger things to worry about right now.
I was currently lying face up on the floor fighting to breathe, I’d made it to the end of the room. The freezing floor was almost comforting, easing the pain and swelling of my back but it was doing nothing for my ribs. The cabinet I was banking on containing the supplies, loomed over me seeming almost further away now than they did before. I was pretty sure my damaged ribs wouldn’t take much more strain but I knew I had to stand up. Now I’d something to lean against and grab on to it wouldn’t be so bad right? Oh crap this was going to hurt.
A confused face appeared inches above my face and I squeaked, which made me groan as my ribs and face protested.
“What’re you doing?” Newt regarded me owlishly, her bald head tilted to one side. Her staff was gone again and she smelled strongly of burnt amber, as if she’d been spelling.
“ting to akea ocean” I grimaced and tried again. “Try to make potion.” Better if grammatically challenged.
“Oh, what potion?” she seemed genuinely intrigued, her lack of understanding towards the idea of personal space continued as she ran a finger down my good cheek.
“A wolf curse” my tongue felt thick and heavy, the scent of burnt amber coated and dried out my throat. I really, really wanted a drink, if Newt would give me some water I’d hand over part of my soul.
Her nose wrinkled and she mouthed the word ‘wolf curse’. “I can think of six thousand, three hundred curses that involve a wolf.” She stared at me awaiting an answer even though she hadn’t asked a question. What was it with me and surreal conversations recently?
“One to turn into wolf, started Weres.”
Her face lit up like the 4th of July pushing even closer to mine, our noses nearly touching. “And tell me Rachel Marianna Morgan, why is it you want a curse which will allow you to turn into a wolf on a cellular level?”
I swallowed trying to ignore the grinding sound that started in my cheek again as I answered her. “For Ivy, fix her”
She nodded, causing her nose to touch my swollen recently reset one and fought the added pain. Newt was smiling widely, making insanity dance across her face. “Very good, yes using one of the original transformative curses will certainly heal you up.” She paused. “You said for Ivy.” She leaned back, and stood up. I took a breath of slightly less tainted air gratefully. Newt's eyes roamed the room, the midnight eyes absorbing the dimly lit room, and she gilded over towards my roommate.
As she left my limited line of sight I struggled to try and sit up, my chest heaving and body screaming in protest. Newt’s eyes watched me impassively as I gave up slumping in a half siting half lying position against the wooden cabinets. Black spots had developed in my eyes and my breathing wheezed in and out. But at least I could see what she was doing now and I clung to that small victory. I wasn’t my seven year old self struggling to sit up in a hospital bed too big for me as I waited to die, I could do this.
Holding my gaze Newt knelt before Ivy, the small hearth fire back lighting her with a halo of red and gold. Reaching forward she removed my poor attempt at bandaging from Ivy's arm and my heart started to beat faster, the spots in my eyes throbbing in time with the beats. What was she doing? Newt's eyes never left mine as her finger ran along Ivy's arm, dipping into the bloody wound, pulling the finger out she held it up. Ivy's blood dripped off it. “Had you considered how you were going to remove the steel from her arm before you invoked the curse?”
“No.” My voice was a whisper, my heart was trying to beat its way out of my body. I didn’t like her so close to Ivy, something was screaming inside me that this wasn’t going to end well. Newt's eyes went distance and I wasn’t sure what was happening but I didn’t think Newt was home anymore.
I tried again to sit up, if I could just do it then all I had to do was get my legs under myself and I’d be standing. My arms pushed and I fought to make my legs work and find purchase on the floor. A sob of frustration built in my throat. Stretching I could almost reach one of the cabinet handles, gritting my teeth I grabbed for it. My fingers wrapped around the cold metal. Using it I pulled myself up onto my knees. I knelt there clinging to the handle as I wheezed. My lungs felt on fire as I tried to get enough oxygen. A coughing fit seized me and I thought my chest was going to rip its self apart. I slumped against the cabinet, fighting to keep my eyes open. If I passed out now it was all over.
I peered over at Ivy, she was still lying on the floor unmoving except for the gentle motion of her chest. My gaze moved upwards and my heart froze as I forgot to breathe. Detached, only partly sane Newt was back, her face still looked distant but the eyes; her eyes were alive. Some part of me told me to breathe, that I was holding my breath and so was Ivy. Air exploded from my lungs and I watched Ivy do the same, my heart was racing trying to escape even if the rest of my body wasn’t up to it.
Her mouth twisted upwards and her finger delved back into Ivy's wounded arm. “It would be kinder to kill her, it would be a waste of a good curse keeping a vampire alive.” The bloody finger disappeared inside her mouth. “Here, I’ll do it for you.” Her bones seemed to move in impossible ways as she flowed around Ivy's body till she was knelt cradling Ivy's head in her hands and smiling at me.
How dare she? How fucking dare she? After everything that had happened, after the number of times Ivy had nearly died in the last few hours; she thought she could just come in here and finish Ivy off?! Rage was building inside me, my vision narrowed, white creeping in from the edges. I tried to calm down, to hold back the tide of rage within me. I had to think, I had to be smart. I’d bargained with demons before, I could do it again.
And then Newt bent down pressing her lips to Ivy's and I was buried in a tidal wave of white hot rage. .
“Ugh. Don’t wanna, I eeping.” I was tired, but the person shaking me wouldn’t give over. Cold water drenched me and my eyes shot open as I spluttered. Before whimpering low in my throat as my body made me aware that it was less than pleased with me. Trying to ignore the pain I fought to focus on what was happening. I was sat in the small armchair in Al's kitchen, the last thing I remembered I was on the floor.
“Ah, there we go.” Newt gave a little self-satisfied nod and grabbed my chin. Before I even had chance to blink, she was pouring possibly the foulest potion I have ever tasted down my throat. My ribs began to burn, the world faded from my awareness, all I could think about was the flames eating me alive. The fire spread up my body until it enveloped my face. My jaw, my nose, the back of my head all burned, but nothing hurt the way my left cheek did. My body bucked and shook as it was over loaded from the sensation. I screamed silently as my body was consumed in flame.
And then the pain cut off. There was no gradual reduction it was just suddenly gone. Newt's eyes captured mine searching them as I moaned and gasped struggling to understand what’d happened.
“Good girl” She patted me on the head and moved to sit on the wooden stool in front of the still burning fire place. A light spell once again illuminated the room and I could only assume it was Newt's doing since I didn’t see Al anywhere.
I blinked. Did Newt just pat me on the head? My mind seemed to restart and I remembered what happened before I passed out. “Ivy!” I struggled to stand up, I had to find Ivy.
“Your guardian is by your feet.” Newt sounded pleased, way, way too pleased, her hands resting calmly in her lap. I looked down, trying not to whimper at the pain shooting from my neck.
Ivy was lying at my feet and I watched as her chest rose and fell. I sighed in relief even as I started to worry at the size of the pool of blood she was lying in. Crap, how long had I been unconscious? I noticed I wasn’t wearing my hospital gown anymore, instead I was dressed in an outfit identical to Newt's, except for the colour. Whereas Newt's was a deep blood red with golden trim, mine was washed out, almost pink with delicate silver stitching. The fabric felt glorious against my skin, all of my skin. Still with my barely there chest it wasn’t like I need a lot of support. Newt had dressed me … what the turn? What the hell kind of rabbit hole had I fallen down?
“What did you give me?” even as I asked I could guess. I was having no trouble breathing anymore and talking was only uncomfortable instead of agonising. I still felt light headed and weak, which was probably from the blood loss. Where were the brimstone cookies when I needed them?
She waved my question away “...healed your bones, there was no point trying to bargain with you if you couldn’t talk and your chest collapsed.” I looked back down Ivy at the word bargain. This could still all work out ok. A thrill ran down my back chasing away some of my fatigue.
“So” Newt's voice pulled my eyes upwards and over to her, a small blue bottle appeared on her palm. The glass was exquisitely crafted, twisting and turning in ways that should have been impossible. It wasn’t really a bottle, more a glass tube twisted and bent to look like a bottle. My eyes flicked from the bottle back to Newt's face and I licked my lips. I knew what was in that bottle, there was only one thing it could be that explained why Newt was so smug.
“As you can see I have the daemonlupum curse which you need to save your guardian’s life. I’m also willing and able to remove the length of sword from her arm without detaching it.” The solid black inhuman eyes watched me carefully. She knew she had me the only question was what she wanted. I could guess, she was going to demand I give birth to a demon. My eyes dropped briefly to Ivy's prone form and I knew I was going to agree. But that didn’t mean I couldn’t try and get the best bargain possible.
“I can do it myself, sure it would be quicker if I do a deal with you but it’s not worth my soul.” It was a lie, Ivy alive and whole was worth my soul any day. However I’d managed to learn one thing from Al - when it comes to demons it’s best not to negotiate from a position of utter weakness. I thought my lie would be half reasonable, especially since demons didn’t value vamps. I hadn’t been expecting her to laugh at me. The sound echoed around the room, it was possibly the most feminine sound I had ever heard.
“No, it’s not worth your soul. Even if it was worth such a high price, I couldn’t demand your soul. Gally has been a very naughty boy marking you. No, my price is far more legal and far more attractive.” There was a slyness to her words that raised the hairs on the back of my neck.
I stared at the demon. I wanted to ask what Al had done wrong and if that was why my mark was gone. But I was way too worried about Ivy dying at my feet to ask. “If Ivy dies there is no deal, I need to bandage her up first.”
She looked confused, but I held her gaze and she shrugged snapping her fingers. A skittish looking man appeared. Confusion spread across his features, he was facing me and couldn’t see Newt. She snapped her fingers again, and terror washed over him. Body trembling he turned to face Newt. Looked like Newt had gotten herself a new familiar, he wasn’t a demon. I guess they haven’t been able to decide who should replace Minas.
“The vampire, bandage her wounds.” He nodded so hard his head nearly fell off.
I watched as he eagerly began to care for Ivy, summoning bandages through the lines and applying them. I watched enviously, that was a skill I really needed to learn.
“In return for removing the blade and providing you with the daemonlupum curse in time to save your guardian I demand three things.” She held up three bony fingers. I wonder if she eats anything?
“From now on, your guardian accompanies you on all your trips to the ever after.” One finger curled downwards. I blinked in surprise that wasn’t what I was expecting to hear.
“You take a familiar of my choosing.” Another finger fell leaving only one.
“And you agree to spend an additional 2 days every month on this side of the lines during which you will not spend time with Gally. I may on occasion summon you to learn something from me if I am…” she seemed to search lost for words “… In the mood to teach.” The final finger collapsed forming a fist which turned upside down and unfurled to reveal the curse. With an act like that Newt would have been a roaring success on any pre turn magic show.
I frowned, well I tried to, I'm not sure if the expression translated well on my battered face. “You want Ivy to come with me? Why?” The familiar and spending more time in the ever after I could understand, but Ivy? Demons always have an angle, always looking for a way to trick you - a loophole they can exploit.
Newt shrugged. “Those are my terms.”
I closed my eyes trying to ignore the pain from my remaining injuries and focus on the offer. The extra time was pretty small but what was I meant to do? Besides, me and Al had an understanding, I wasn’t Al's slave and I knew why he wanted me around. I couldn’t say the same for Newt, Al needed me around to save his damaged reputation and keep his ass out of demon jail. All Newt needed me for was what? Popping out demon babies was the only think that came to mind, hell Al had warned me that was the reason months ago. But I wasn’t sure, if Newt wanted me for my baby demon producing abilities why hadn’t she tried to bargain for it?
“If I'm not being taught by Al and only occasionally by you, then what am I meant to do while I'm over here? And I won’t have anywhere to sleep.”
“You’re meant to explore of course. As for your own rooms, that’s easy enough to take care of, I’ll make sure you’re given a set of rooms.” Newt still had a slyness to her that unnerved me. I wonder if she’s still dosing herself with forget curses or had she stopped? Maybe that’s why she seemed more focused.
I stared at her surprised. She was willing to give me my own room? Al spent most of our lessons bitching about the high cost of rooms. Having my own was an attractive proposition, no more sleeping on a bench besides the fire. Sure Al had offered me one but only if I moved full time to the ever after. If I couldn’t get my shunning removed at the next annual witches meeting, I’d end up living on this side of the lines thanks to a deal I’d made with Al in exchange for his help. At least this way I wouldn’t have to live with Al.
The idea of being able to explore the ever after was oddly tempting. I hadn’t had the chance to go out and about - except to parties with Al - and I was curious just what the Ever After was like. I’d been harbouring a hope that demons had bookstores and that maybe I’d find something to save Ivy's soul with. I found myself almost eager to agree to Newt's demands. I knew I was fairly safe from the other demons but if Ivy was with me….
“What about Ivy while I'm exploring? I know I'm listed as Al's student so I'm guessing that will give me some protection but Ivy won’t have anything.” The last thing I wanted was for Ivy to get demon napped.
She chuckled; the sound caused ice to trickle down my spine. “You are perfectly safe from other demons, and as for Ivy; you can register her as yours.” She shrugged “If anyone tries to take her, by force or trickery, you are allowed to attack them and the courts will find in your favour.” She was starting to sound vaguely bored and irritated, I needed to come to a decision quickly.
I wasn’t sure how Ivy would feel about being registered. But I guess it wasn’t that different from her declaring my blood, as hers to keep the vamp assassins away from me. As for the familiar I hated the idea. Trent was meant to be my familiar but I’d never enforced it. He wasn’t happy about me having a magical hold over him and I’d promised to release him as part of a deal to get my shunning rescinded.
I hadn’t found the right spell to release him yet but this would solve that problem. And as much as I hated the idea of enslaving anyone they would be free of the demons. Besides once we got back to our sides of the lines I could let them go - just because they were my familiar didn’t mean I’d to use them. Still I would be participating in the enslavement of a human being - probably another witch. I remembered the fear Nick had treated me with after I’d pulled a line through him.
Could I really do that to someone else? Could I really be someone’s master? My stomach churned at the thought. If I agreed to this I would be a demon even if I never used them, that person would always know I could enslave them. I’d never faced the reality of what it meant to be capable of enslaving people. I didn’t want to be a black witch or a demon. I just wanted to live in my church with my vamp and be left alone.
“I won’t agree to take a familiar.”
“What a shame. Your guardian seemed interesting. Well, I best be going.”
I stared in panic at Ivy. I’d expected Newt to negotiate, I didn’t want to be a demon. I couldn’t give up my humanity. But I knew I couldn’t live with an undead Ivy, minus an arm. Especially knowing that I’d been able to prevent it but chosen not to.
“Ok, I’ll take the deal.” How I managed to force the words out around the bile coating my tongue I don’t know. But if I had to be a demon to save Ivy, I would be a demon.
“Good.” She moved to stand in front of me her hand held out expectantly and I shook it, trying not to grimace as the long thin fingers curled around my hand. She held my hand so long I began to worry I would never get it back.
Finally she released me and crouched down besides Ivy. Remembering Newt cradling Ivy’s head her hands I started to move out of my chair. I watched in slow monition, as Newt placed a palm either side of the blade and pulled. There was a horrible sound as the blade tore away from the flesh and I closed my eyes trying to block out the sound.
“Are you tired?” I opened my eyes and looked at Newt. Confusion was written all over her face.
“No.”
“Then why did you have your eyes closed?” Newt's voice had an almost childlike curiosity to it, gone was the strong self-assured demon, here was the crazy and bewildered demon.
“I didn’t want to see Ivy hurt.”
She stared at me uncomprehendingly. I held out my hand ignoring the way it was shaking - it was just the after effects of everything my body had been through recently. “Can I have the potion; please?”
Still looking confused she handed me the bloody length of steel and the twisted bottle. “Thanks”
Placing the broken blade on the floor I slipped my arm under Ivy's neck drawing her upper body close to mine. Newt watched with curious eyes as I pulled the cork out of the bottle using my teeth. I smelled the potion and realised it was un-invoked. It still required three drops of blood. I looked at Newt questioningly.
She looked off into the distance for a moment before answering. “I think I wanted to see you do it.”
Ok, so it was a test. Moving to support Ivy with my legs I picked up the broken sword blade again, understanding now why she had given it to me. The enzymes in the blood needed to quicken spells died swiftly once they left a witches body. I couldn’t trust that the blood from one of the cuts Marissa had given me was fresh enough.
I dragged the blade across my little finger opening a small cut length ways across it. Letting go of the blade I held my bleeding finger over the small mouth of the bottle. Three fat blood drops quickly disappeared inside the bottle and the familiar smell of burnt amber rushed upwards. It had worked. I ignored Newt's hum of satisfaction and brought the bottle to Ivy's lips.
Tipping it into her mouth, I gently massaged her throat trying to help her swallow. After a few seconds I was pretty sure she had swallowed it all and I tapped a line. Taking a deep breath, I uttered the word to activate the spell. “Lupus.” The line ran through me and poured into Ivy. In barely a few seconds a beautiful black wolf lay across my lap.
I stroked the soft fur awestruck, Ivy was a magnificent wolf. My hands ran the length of her foreleg but there was no sign of a wound of any kind. Delighted, I checked the other leg just to be sure, my fingers tingling at the contact and I revelled in being able to touch her. She was fine, it had worked. I looked up at Newt and grinned, - that moment the imbalance hit me.
I accept it. I take it. I kept repeating it over and over again until finally the crushing weight lifted.
I lay on the floor besides Ivy panting, crap I was tired. A hand stroked my hair and with a supreme effort I managed to move my eyes to see Newt smiling at me.
“Go to sleep, you’ve earn a rest.” I couldn’t have disobeyed if I’d wanted to. As I drifted down towards sleep I could have sworn I heard Newt whispering. “That’s it my little one, now I know you’re here, I’ll take care of everything.” .
Continue to Part 2