A/n: Hello ghesties!

Lots going on in this chapter, including several songs.

●The Willow Maid by Erutan
●Under a Violet Moon by Blackmore's Night
●Wake me Up before you Go-Go by Wham!
●Karma Chameleon by Culture Club
(Boy George sounds very similar to how I imagine Kali would sing)
●The Longest Time by Billy Joel
(Though I used MC6 A Cappella's cover for this chapter)
●Hey Mickey by Toni Basil
(I changed the lyrics around to fit names)

Enjoy the fun, chaos and drama!

____________________________________

"Let's goooooo!"

Annie laughs as she's dragged down the hall by the over eager fire gremlin, hair and dress flaring out behind her as they run. He had come to collect her after she returned to her rooms to change for the evening, wanting to get out of her flour dusted outfit after baking something for tomorrow.

"Dew, slow down!" She laughs again as she stumbles. "We don't have to run. The others aren't going anywhere."

"Eh. I'm impatient. Bite me," he gives his own laugh but relents and slows his pace from a jog to a steady walk. Annie laughs again, shaking her head as she eyes a fresh bite like bruise peeking out from under his shirt.

"Looks like you already got bit. Have a fun afternoon?"

She laughs again as his neck and face turn an interesting shade of red and his steps falter for a moment

"Sh..shut up… Like you're one to talk!"

"What do you mean?"

He turns to her, walking backwards with a wide mischievous grin on his face. "I see that hickey you're sporting. Looks like I'm not the only one who had a fun day."

It was Annie's turn to blush and look away in embarrassment. "Nothing happened aside from kissing. We slept most the day."

"Hey, it's okay Darlin. Nothing to be ashamed of. Sometimes it's more fun just to make out."

Annie smiles and gives his hand a squeeze. "You're not wrong there. Hey, Dew?"

"Yeah, Darlin?"

"Wanna race once we get outside?"

He laughs, rolling his eyes. "Like that would be fair. I'd leave you in my dust!"

"What if…" Annie stops and taps at her chin as she thinks. He was right, of course. He was a ghoul and the fastest one of the pack. She had no chance if it were to be a normal race.

"What if what?"

"No holds barred. Anything goes."

He narrows his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest while pursing his lips. He looks her over, weighing his options. He was the fastest ghoul here, and figured even with all her tricks and magic he could easily outrun her and make it to the others first.

"What's the bet?"

"No bet. Just for fun."

"Well what fun is it if there's no bet?" He makes a face, sticking his tongue out.

Annie laughs again, crossing her own arms and copying his stance as she looks at him. "Fine then. What's your wager? Remember, anything goes and I'm very confident I'll win."

"In your dreams! When I win, you have to…have to…" He stops to think, roughly chewing on the inside of his lip. "You have to.."

"How about if you win I bake you a different dessert every night for a week?" Annie offers when he can't think of anything. "And you don't have to share."

"That sounds delicious. And if, by some miracle, you win?"

"Then it's your turn to wear a dress. Full day, complete with makeup and hair. I'm thinking something with…lace perhaps?"

"Yeah, sure. Whatever!" He laughs, the cocky overconfident grin wide on his face. "It's a bet. Whenever you're ready, Darlin."

"Start from here? On the count of three?"

"You're on!"

Dew bounces on the balls of his feet, rolling his shoulders as he gets ready. Annie looks around, smiling when she spots what she was looking for.

"Ready?"

"You betcha!"

"Three…. Two…. One…GO!"

Dew takes off down the hall, a blur of gold and black. Annie laughs, watching him scramble and slide around the corner. She takes her time, walking to the supply closet where she roots around for an acceptable broom. None would be like the one back at her cottage, all of these being new and small compared to hers, but it would have to make do. She trusted her control of the element she needed for this, so she was confident. She wouldn't have made the wager otherwise.

Broom in hand she closes the door and walks to the wide window down the hall. It takes a moment before it opens with a reluctant groan and squeak of wood against wood. She leans out, looking at the grounds below. Even with all her gazing out of her own window she never really realized just how high it was before. Taking a breath, she sits on the ledge and swings her legs over to hang out. There she sits waiting. It doesn't take long before she sees a flash of gold round the corner following the path, a wide smile on her face.

"Hey, Dew!"

The ghoul skids to a stop and looks around. Even from her perch she could tell he was confused, trying to find her.

"Up here!"

"What the.." He looked up with wide eyes, panic racing in his veins seeing her in the open window. "What the fuck are you doing? Get back inside!"

"Nah!" Annie laughs, grabbing hold of the broom. "I've got a race to win!"

"How in hell..? Darlin, what are you- NO!"

Annie laughs and pushes off the ledge, falling headfirst toward the ground with her arms outstretched as he yells in panic and rushes over to try and catch her somehow or at least cushion her fall and minimize the damage. Before he even reaches near where she would impact, she moves, pulling the broom over to straddle it while calling upon air to hold and guide her, the broom acting as a conduit. He lets out a yelp of surprise and ducks when she flies over his head, banking hard to circle around, hovering several feet away as her hair swirls wildly around her head.

"Hey! That's cheating!"

"Anything goes, Dew. Better get a move on!"

"Fuck!"

He takes off down the path, moving faster than he had before. Annie gives him a moment before leaning forward, directing the currents around her as she streaks across the ground. She catches up to him within moments, flying alongside him as she laughs.

"I think Swiss was right!" She calls over.

"About what!?"

"You'll look good in red!"

"Fuck!"

He leans forward, pushing himself and gaining more speed. Annie smiled and leaned over her broom flying past him with ease, quickly leaving him behind. She was nice, though, and as she passed over the gate she waved her hand and unlocked it, casting a tendril of wind out to push it open. She was in the wide clearing a few moments later, startling the others already gathered as she flew over their heads in a wide circle. Her feet just barely touched the ground when Dew burst through the gap between hedges. He skids to a stop, panting harshly, his whole body trembling as he bends over and braces himself against his knees

"Levanna!" A familiar voice calls out loudly and she turns to face Copia, the Cardinal pushing through the circling group. His eyes are wide, full of confusion and concern. "What is going on? How did you..?"

"I was winning a race."

"That…that's not… fair…" Dew pants, looking up at her with narrow eyes.

"We agreed that anything goes."

"I didn't know you could fly, sweetheart!" Swiss laughs as he circles the witch, looking at her with awe as the others gather around. Annie blushes lightly and shrugs.

"If you can fly," Ace starts, standing in front of her with their arms crossed. "Why did we have to carry you?"

"Because it's quite draining, especially when trying to cover large distances like we've needed to and aside from maybe you, no one else could fly."

The ghoul shrugs with a nod, understanding the logic. "Fair enough."

Dew stands upright and stalks over while holding his side, a glower of disappointment on his face. He walks up to Annie, eyes again narrow as he crosses his arms. "I still say you cheated by doing that. How was that fair?"

"Dew, baby," Swiss slings an arm around the gremlins shoulders with a laugh. "You're a ghoul. Fastest one around. How would THAT have been fair for her?"

"Even still! I had to run all the way down and out to the grounds. All she did was fall from a window and she was out here!"

"Eh?!" Copia looks at Annie with wide eyes. "Amore, you did not!"

Annie blushes and gives a small nod, biting nervously at her lip. "I did."

Cirrus looks between them, a smile widening on her face. "Annie, you said your terms were anything goes, right?"

"Yeah, that's right."

"Dew, you're an idiot."

The gremlin looked over at her with a low growl. "No I'm not!"

"So…. Why didn't you phaze over? If anything goes, wouldn't that count too?"

He stares at her a moment before his shoulders drop and he lets out a groan that ends in a snarl, head thrown back. "Fuck!"

"Blondes, am I right?" Kali leans over and whispers to Mysti with a laugh. The ghoulette covers her mouth to stifle her own.

"So, what was the wager?" Cumulus asks with an amused smile as she leaned against Aether. "Dew can never pass up a chance to bet."

Annie's smile widens as Dew turns red once more. "The same as the last time someone made a bet with me."

Kali and Swiss' eyes widen, the latter breaking out into an impossibly wide and excited grin as he starts to laugh. "Don't mess with me! Did he really agree to that?!"

Annie nods. The others look confused until Sunny starts jumping up and down in her spot, clapping wildly in excitement.

"Oh, I've always wanted to braid his hair!"

"What color?"

"I'm thinking red, like Swiss mentioned when Kali was in his dress. Something with lace."

"Oh sweet Satan, yes! Oh baby!" Swiss turns to the gremlin and risks a sharp jab or swift kick, grabbing hold of Dews face before kissing him deeply. He pulls back and whispers just for him to hear his next words. "You're gonna look so fucking pretty, my little ember. Just thinking about it has me all hot for you."

Dew shoves him off and wipes at his mouth, eyes narrow and jaw locked. He does a quick glance around the semicircle and rolls his shoulders before pushing through them, his eyes cast to the ground. Swiss sighs and watches him walk away.

"He'll be fine. Give him some food or something sweet and he'll perk right up."

"Do you think you could take me flying?" Sunshine asks, skipping closer to Annie. "Cirrus has but I wanna know if it's different!"

Annie looks confused for a moment before she remembers Seth told her Cirrus had wings, giving a soft laugh. "I mean…sure? I used to take Lilit around the meadow all the time."

"Now?" Sunshine's smile widens and her eyes shine with excitement. Annie gives an apologetic shrug.

"I'd feel more comfortable taking someone up on my own broom. This one worked for what I needed it to but it's too thin. Too… new." She looks at Copia with a small smile. "Honestly I'm… lucky I didn't land on my face at some point."

"Giuro su Satana che è come se volesse farmi venire un infarto!" Copia huffs, pinching the bridge of his nose, Aether and Cumulus laughing softly. "You will be the death of me, woman!"

"I'm sorry!" Annie laughs and goes to him, wrapping her arm around his waist. "I got caught up in the moment, I admit. But I trust my powers. I wouldn't have done it otherwise."

"And I trust you. But you…." He groans, leaning down to kiss her gently. "Drive me insane sometimes."

Annie laughs softly, holding him tighter. "I'm sorry."

"So I've heard." He laughs and slides his arm around her, turning her towards the fire. "You two were the last to get here. I say we all sit back down and relax now. I for one am quite hungry and cannot wait for the others to get back."

The others all gather around, taking their previous spots around the spacious fire. Copia takes his seat on a log that was split and carved to make a low bench and Annie settles on the ground between his legs after setting the broom off to the side, looking around the others as they branch off into quiet conversation.  Her brows furrow when she doesn't see a familiar blonde or giant.

"Where's Lilit?" She whispers to Copia. "I thought she was awake and alert enough to join us?"

"She is. She and Mountain are with Sage, Rain and Seth getting the food and other things.”

“She better not be…”

Copia laughs softly, pulling her hair away from her shoulders, trying unsuccessfully to tame it back a bit after her flight. “You know Mountain won’t let her. Look, here they come now.”

Annie looks over towards the hedges that mark the entrance to the clearing, a smile on her face as she sees the quintet walk through. Mountain and Sage lead, both carrying a large stack of several thin boxes of varying size. Seth and Rain are next,  each holding several bags along with a large cooler between them. Kali jumps up and goes over to the two and takes the cooler from them, lifting it to his shoulder with ease as he turns and waits for the little blonde. Lilit brings up the rear, walking slow and carefully, her walking stick helping to guide her. Annie can see her face light up when Kali says something and she nods, taking his free arm.

"You guys totally missed it!" Swiss says excitedly as the others get settled. "Annie and Dew had a race over here. Annie flew! On an actual broom and she beat him!"

"You haven't flown in ages, Eldfluga!" Lilit smiles widely as Mountain helps her sit on a bench. "How was it?"

"Fun! Forgot how freeing it is. Poor Dew is sulking, though. He's to your right."

"Oh yeah?" Lilit smiles softly, turning her head. "I'm sure you had fun, none the less. Right?"

The gremlin grumbles and walks over to the cooler, grabbing a can from the ice inside.  Annie sighs softly and leans her head back to look up at Copia.

“Should I go talk to him? He seems upset.”

“He does not take losing easily. Though, I must admit, he is handling this loss rather well. He’ll be fine once he gets some food.”

Annie nods and looks around the circle. Everyone’s chatting with easy smiles, some with cans of something, some with a handful of chips or snacks. The fire is low for now as the sun was still in the middle of setting. Once it fully departed the sky more logs would be added to make the fire roar. Aether had a guitar and was absent-mindedly strumming it, adding soft music to the ambiance. It was soothing. Something they all needed. Annie felt her mind drifting, a smile on her face as she relaxed against Copia.

The more she thought, though, the more her easy smile fell. Her mind went from the happy of now, to the chaos and pain of before. Of what may yet be. Confusion pushed its way forward followed by concern and worry. Tangled under it all - Fear. Fear of the coming midsummer. Fear of her friends getting hurt again. Fear of not knowing what she was, or what was locked away.

When she and Copia eventually pried themselves from their bed he had insisted on looking at her back, and when he pulled off the bandages he was beyond shocked to see she had not a single trace of what wounds she bore the day before. No redness or swelling, no new scars. It was like nothing had been wrong. How she could be so healed to not bear a single mark of what had been she did not know, and it scared her. Made her unsure. Made her feel broken and ugly. If those wounds could heal like that, why was she covered in such horrific scars?

He had felt her mood shift, saw the tears that welled and fell from her stormy eyes and took the time to carefully kiss along the back of her shoulders as he held her close and comforted her, lips and mustache tickling as he traced the scars he could reach, whispering words of praise and assurance, reminding her that she was beauty incarnate and that he loved everything about her including her scars.

They had talked, then. After lunch. About her going to the remaining covens. She may not follow the same path as her beloved, but for his Lord to tell him she must continue with her journey and find them… how could she refuse? Maybe one day she herself would….

"Earth to Levy! You with us?"

Annie blinks and looks over at Ace seeing them crouched down with a concerned look on their face.

"Yeah… yeah, sorry Ace. Was just lost in my thoughts. What's up?"

"I asked if you wanted a beer or water or something."

"Beer?"

Ace laughs as they stand tall once more. "Alcohol. Not sure you'd really like it, though."

"I'm willing to try, if someone is willing to share a sip."

Kali perks up having heard her and excuses himself from his conversation with Sunny to walk over, a smile on his face. 
 

"Here, give this a try."

Annie thanked him and took the offered bottle, bringing it to her nose to smell it. It had a slight…earthy type scent, a bit floral. It intrigued her but when she took a sip the taste made her make a face. Kali laughed and took his bottle back with an amused shake of his head.

“Yeah, it’s not for everyone.”

“Of course it’s not!” Mysti laughs as she walks over, a bottle in each hand. “Boys and their tasteless beer. It's basically flavored water. I don't understand the appeal. Meanwhile I get the feeling we have the same taste of the better, fruity drinks that they claim are too girly for them. Jokes on them. More for us then! Have you ever had Hard Cider?"

Annie shakes her head, smiling up at the ghoulette. "I haven't. Just wine with dinner."

"Strawberry or blackberry?"

"You pick. I trust your judgment."

Mysti smiles and pops the top off of one of the bottles before handing it to Annie. The witch takes it with thanks and takes a sip, smiling when she finds the taste pleasant.

"Good, right?" Mysti asks, opening her own bottle. "Here, try the blackberry."

Annie smiles and takes the other bottle, trying that one as well. "They're both really good, but I think I like the blackberry one better."

"Daaamn! Look at Annie double fisting drinks!" Swiss calls over with a wide grin on his face. "Shiiit I've gotta catch up! Dewy, toss me another!"

"We just started," Cirrus sighs as she intercepts the can tossed his way with a laugh. "You've got plenty of time to 'catch up' you lush."

Dew laughs loudly for a moment before coughing, trying to hide his amusement behind his drink as Swiss pouts. Behind Annie Copia sighs lightly but she can feel his silent laughter as she relaxes back against him after giving Mysti the strawberry hard Cider.

Sipping slowly on her drink she looks around at the others, smiling seeing their ease and happiness. Aether is to her right on the next bench looking comfortable in shorts and a loose band tee as he strums on the guitar. Cumulus is next to him, head on his shoulder. She's got on a pair of shorts as well and a tank top with a low neckline that really showed off her large breasts. Dew, Swiss, Kali and Sage were standing on the other side of the fire, quietly talking and laughing. Kali and Dew had jeans on, Kali in a plain tee and Dew in a long sleeve shirt, his loose blond hair bright against the black as it hung down over his shoulders. Swiss had kapri type pants and an open button up shirt with some kind of design with trees. She couldn’t help but stare a moment taking it in.

Blinking her eyes away she smiled seeing Sage in long shorts and a short sleeve plaid shirt over a black undershirt. His hair as always was pulled back and she thought about how she had seen him yesterday with his green tinted skin and ram like horns. It made her wonder what the others looked like under their glamours.
 

Cirrus was sitting next to Mountain. She had on a knee length skirt and a thin strap tank top under an oversized sweater that hung off one of her shoulders. Lilit sat next to Mountain, their hands intertwined between them as she talked to Sunshine who sat on her left. Both had dresses on, Sunshine's being longer with a subtle print to it, Lilits dress long and loose. Annie figured it was because her belly was starting to show signs of her condition.

'Soon,' Annie reminded herself. 'Then everyone else can know.'

"Aether!" Seth called out from his perch on the cooler. He had on loose fitting jeans and a shirt she recognized as one of Rain's favorite ones. Aether paused his strumming to look over, a brow raised in question. "Play something catchy!"

"Like what?"

The man shrugs and takes a drink from his can. "I dunno. What sounds good?"

Aether thinks for a moment before he looks over at Cumulus with a smile, leaning over to whisper something in her ear. She giggles with her own wide smile as she nods. He gives a silent count before giving a couple quick strums, Cumulus snapping twice when he silences the strings. The others watch in confusion as he repeats it three more times before he starts to sing as he plays, Cumulus adding soft vocals and harmonies.

"You put the boom-boom into my heart
You send my soul sky-high
When your lovin' starts!
Jitterbug into my brain
Goes a bang-bang-bang
'Til my feet do the same.
But something's bugging me
Something ain't right
My best friend told me
What you did last night
You left me sleeping in my bed
I was dreaming
But I should've been with you instead!"

By now the others knew what he was playing and they all joined in, swaying and clapping as they sang along. Annie listened, clapping along with a wide smile on her face.


"Wake me up before you go-go
Don't leave me hanging on like a yo-yo
Wake me up before you go-go
I don't wanna miss it when you hit that high
Wake me up before you go-go
'Cause I'm not planning on going solo
Wake me up before you go-go, ah
Take me dancing tonight…."


"I wanna hit that high, yeah, yeah, yeah, baby!" Swiss leaned back, raising his arm as he hit the high note, Annie laughing softly at how impressive it was.

"Cuddle up, baby
Move in tight
We'll go dancing tomorrow night
It's cold out there
But it's warm in bed
They can dance
We'll stay home instead!

Wake me up before you go-go
Don't leave me hanging on like a yo-yo
Wake me up before you go-go
I don't wanna miss it when you hit that high
Yeah, yeah!"

"Y'know," Kali whispers, leaning over towards Sage as Aether starts a new song. "We always have a blast singing together, but something just isn't hitting right. It's…missing something."

"Like what?" The earth ghoul asks with a quirked eyebrow as he lowers his bottle after taking a deep swig.

"Magic."

Kali jumps and fumbles with his bottle as it slips from his grip, catching it before it hits the ground. Sage laughs loudly, turning to greet the blonde that snuck up on him. "Satan below, Lily! How can you walk so quietly? Give me a heart attack…"

Lilit giggles, stepping up to his side. "Sorry Kali. Should I whack you with my walking stick next time to let you know I’m here?"

"Uh, no thanks," he laughs, turning to her. "I'll just get you a bell or something. Like an anklet with charms."

"What's the fun in that?"

The multi ghoul rolls his eyes and slides his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close in a half hug. "What did you mean by magic?"

"I mean my sister. You remember the last time we got together and sang. You ghouls do it, too, but when Annie sings it amplifies what's already there."

"I've heard the others say they feel their elements more strongly when you or she includes them. Heck, I've experienced a bit of it before we found the Black Crows."

Lilit nods and finishes the last of her water. "She helped the ghouls at Karlstad by doing an invocation circle with them. Just ask Ace or Mysti. They were there."

"I don't doubt it. Do you think she'd sing for us tonight?"

The little witch shrugs, smiling up at him. "Could always ask. She seems kind of lonely at the moment."

"Huh? Why?" Kali looks over to see Annie sitting on the log where Copia had previously been sitting with a distant look on her face as she stared into the fire, the Cardinal nowhere in sight.

“Mounty wanted to ask Copia something so they went to the greenhouse.” Lilit sighs and looks up at Kali again, a sad smile on her face. “You and Annie are so much alike. Did you know that?”

“What do you mean?”

“Your current colors. They almost mirror each other. And, no. I don’t really want to elaborate right now.” Lilit pulls back and gives him a gentle shove towards Annie. “Go. You cheer each other up and you both need it right now. Ask her to sing. That helps, too.”

“You’re sure bossy for such a little thing. Did you know that?”

“Little ole me?”

“Yes, you.” Kali laughs and ruffles his hair before jumping away as she swats at his butt with her walking stick. “Hey now! I’m already beat up!”

“Go!” Lilit laughs, leaning against her stick. “I’m gonna go see what else there is to drink.”

Sage steps over, a warm smile on his face. “I’ll go with you. I need another drink as well. Would you like my arm?”

Lilit smiles and reaches her free hand out and he takes it, placing it in the crook of his arm to lead her around the fire towards the coolers. Kali smiles and looks at Annie again before sighing. If his sister needed him, what could he do? He just hoped he could help her cheer up and join in the fun of the evening. Getting her to sing would just be a bonus. Walking over towards her he let his eyes drift towards the greenhouse on the other end of the spacious clearing, seeing two shadows disappear inside and he wondered what could be so important for the giant ghoul to pull the Cardinal away.

____________________________________

“Mountain, is everything alright?” Copia asks as he looks at the assorted mini pots lined up on the workbench, each holding a sprout of some kind. “It is quite unusual for you to pull me aside like this. Is something wrong with Lilit?”

“Yeah… No! No, everything is alright. She’s fine, so is the kit.”

“Then what is troubling you?” Copia turns to him with a warm smile on his face. “You seem nervous.”

Mountain laughs softly, reaching up to rub the back of his neck. “I’ve been thinking about something, and I would like your advice.”

“I will do my best. What is it? Trouble in the bedroom?”

“No! Nothing like that!" The tall ghoul flushes deeply and quickly shakes his head. "It’s something else. Something I’ve been thinking about more since we found out about the kit. Since Lilit and I started talking about… our futures and other things.”

Copia leans against the workbench, arms crossed loosely over his torso as he waits. Mountain takes a deep breath, eyes looking from the pots behind him to the neat rows of flowery shrubs and bushes before finally exhaling slowly.

“I want to ask Lilit to marry me.” The Cardinal’s brows raise as he blinks at the ghoul as he continues to talk in a rush. “Annie said it to both of us, how she wished we were married before having kits, and it got me thinking that ... maybe she was right. I’m never going to leave her, so it would make sense to marry her. Wouldn’t it?”

“I thought you said you were already bound to each other? The, eh,” Copia gestures to the side of his neck. “Bite and everything.”

“By ghoulish standards, we are married because of that.” Mountain sighs and sits on the creaky stool, chewing on his lip a moment. “But… Lilit isn’t a ghoul. She’s human, and that’s what humans do, right? When they want to spend the rest of their life with the person they love they get married.”

“Well, si. That is one reason to get married. But what I do not understand, why come to me with this? What is it you need help with?”

“Well, do you think I should? Can I, even? I’m bound to you, so at the very least I would need your blessing on this.”

“My dear boy.” Copia walks over and rests a hand on Mountain’s shoulder, the other reaching up to gently cup his face. “Of course you have my blessing. You may be bound to me, but you know I want you all to live your lives and be happy. If you and Lilit decided tomorrow to pack up and move across the world, you would have my blessing to do so. However…”

Mountain looks confused, tensing once more at Copia’s tone. “However..?”

“I’m not the one who’s blessing you should be seeking.”

“What do you mean?”

The man laughs softly and pats Mountain's cheek before leaning back against the workbench. “Traditionally, one would ask the father of the girl they intended to marry for her hand. As both of her parents are no longer with us…. You need to ask Annie for her blessing in this.”

“I..” Mountain trails off and swallows nervously. “I came to you with this because… I don’t want her to…get upset. I’d rather not get slapped again.”

Copia laughs, a smile wide on his face. Mountain gives a frowny pout and the man coughs lightly, pulling his lips in to bite back his smile. “Forgive me. I was there when she slapped you, and while it was certainly beyond interesting seeing her be able to do that to a ghoul of your stature I also wouldn’t want that to happen again.

“But,” Copia gives a genuine fatherly smile as he looks over the ghoul again. “As you said, even Annie said it to you both that she would have wished to see you married before a child. So, I can say with confidence that I do not think she will get upset.”

“Can you be there when I ask her?”

“Of course.”

Mountain nods and gives another small smile, hands clasped between his knees as his thumbs circle one another. “Is it… normal to be nervous about something like this? About asking someone if they’d marry you? I have no reason to be as, like I said, Lilit and I are married by ghoul terms, yet I am nervous about this.”

“Si, that is normal.”

The ghoul nods once more, casting his eyes to the ground. He can breathe easier now that he’s talked about this with Copia. He thought about how he would ask Annie, the best way he could bring it up with her. He thought about when he would ask Lilit. He knew she would say yes. How could she not? Next his thoughts went to what the ring could be. What stones and metal, the shape of the cut and the colors that would look best. Along this train of thoughts, another popped into his head and he looked over at Copia again.

“Copia?”

“Si? What is it?”

“Do you think you would marry Annie some day?”

The Cardinal is taken aback by the sudden and random question. He’s not quite sure how to answer. He’d thought of it before, imagined what it could be like. And there was that time he accidentally called her his wife. A small smile dances in the corner of his lips and he nods. “I have thought about it. But… It is much too soon for anything like that. For us at least. Your situation with Lilit is so very different.”

Mountain nods in understanding. “I hope you two do. Maybe when all this is over.”

“Perhaps.”

An easy silence falls between them as they turn into their thoughts once more, but it doesn’t last long as something draws their attention. A low thrum that fills the air, the earth under them pulsing as though it had a heartbeat. Copia smiled warmly, feeling the familiarity of it and he turned towards the door.

“It seems mia Dea is performing. Shall we go rejoin the others?”

Mountain nods, standing as well. "I'll be right behind you. Gotta grab something first."

Copia nods with a smile and leaves the greenhouse, shivering at the slight change of temperature once back in the clearing. He can also clearly hear the guitar, slow and steady mixed with soft humming, the sound almost mystical. A note resonates in a moment of pause before her fingers move faster and shortly after her voice follows.

"A young man walked through the forest
with his quiver and hunting bow.
He heard a young girl singing
and followed the sound below.
There he found the maiden
who lives in the willow.
He called to her as she listened
from a ring of toadstools red.

'Come with me my maiden
come from thy willow bed.'
She looked at him serenely
and only shook her head."

The magic flares briefly and Lilit joins in her higher pitch, matching Annie in a haunting way.

"See me now, a ray of light in the moondance
See me now, I cannot leave this place!
Hear me now, a strain of song in the forest
Don't ask me to follow where you lead!’ “

Annie sways as she strums, taking a breath before continuing. Closer now he can see she looks sad as she sings.

"A young man walked through the forest
with a flower and coat of green.
His love had hair like fire
her eyes an emerald sheen.
She wrapped herself in beauty
so young and so serene.
He stood there under the willow
and he gave her the yellow bloom.

'Girl my heart you've captured!
Oh I would be your groom'
She said she'd wed him never
not near, nor far, nor soon!"

The ghoulettes join the next chorus, vocalizing in the space until the next verse. Annie's magic is steadily pulsing out and they continue singing, some branching off to overlapping lyrics. Annie's voice remains the main one, strong and clear and the more they sing, the more haunting yet beautiful it gets.

“A young man walked through the forest
with an axe sharp as a knife.
I'll take the green-eyed fairy
and she shall be my wife!
With her I'll raise my children
with her I'll live my life!

The maiden wept when she heard him
when he said he'd set her free.
He took his axe and used it
to bring down her ancient tree!
'Now your willow's fallen
Now you belong to me!' “

The next chorus is slower, the girls overlapping in rounds, Sunny and Lilit’s soprano layering with the alto’s of the others. They slow their tempo, gradually fading off as Annie stops strumming. She takes a moment and several breaths before her fingers move slowly on the strings, her tone sad and mournful as she sings the next verse on her own.

“She followed him out the forest,
And collapsed upon the earth..
Her feet had walked but a distance,
From the green land of her birth.
She faded into a flower,
That would bloom for one bright eve.
He could not take from the forest,
What was never meant to leave….”

With the fading note, the only other sound heard was the crackling from the pit, the wood shifting and falling as it let out a flurry of embers that quickly faded. Copia blinked, finding his eyes itchy and vision blurred and he reached up to rub at them.

“That’s, uh…” Kali started slowly, slouching down in his spot next to Annie as she set the guitar on the ground next to her. “Not quite what I expected. That was…”

“Haunting and beautiful!” Mysti finishes with a sniffle, wiping at her own eyes. Annie gives a nervous laugh, her cheeks flushed as she turns back to the fire.

“I’m sorry if it messed up the mood. I can sing something happier, if you wanted? That was just the first one to pop into my head.”

"It was indeed a beautiful song, amore," Copia says with a smile as he steps up behind her, leaning down to kiss the top of her head and wrap his arms around her shoulders. She leans back against him, an easy smile on her face. "If you have another, go ahead and sing it. You know we love to listen."

"Hey Annie," Lilit calls from the other side of the fire. The older sister looks up, seeing her with her face angled up towards the night sky. "It's a beautiful violet moon, isn't it?"

"What are you talking about? The moon is waxing, it's not…" Annie trails off when Lilit gives her a look and she laughs in understanding. "Oh, right. Alright then."

The others look at Annie with confusion as she lifts the guitar again. Giving it a strum she twists a peg or two before adjusting her hold. Watching her hands she begins to play, fingers on the frets moving quickly and after two measures she begins to strum steadily as she sings.

"Dancing to the feel of the drum
Leave this world behind.
We'll have a drink and toast to ourselves
Under a Violet Moon.

Tudor Rose with her hair in curls
Will make you turn and stare.
Try to steal a kiss at the bridge
Under a Violet Moon."

Annie looks up as she sings, a smile wide on her face, her magic flaring in a gentle pulse that goes with the tempo of her song, slowly wrapping around the others in a comforting embrace.

"Raise your hats and your glasses too
We will dance the whole night through.
We're going back to a time we knew
Under a Violet Moon!

Cheers to the Knights and days of old
the beggars and the thieves.
living in an enchanted wood
Under a Violet Moon!

Fortuneteller what do you see?
Future in a card?
Share your secrets, tell them to me
Under a Violet Moon!"

Everyone, who had started swaying along after the first chorus, began to clap and sing along, wide smiles on their own faces.

"Raise your hats and your glasses too
We will dance the whole night through!
We're going back to a time we knew
Under a Violet Moon!"

Annie continues to strum as she sways, watching her fingers as they move quickly in a bit of a solo while she catches her breath. Two songs back to back should be easy, but she was starting to feel drained and try as she might, she couldn't reign it in. Around her the others pair off and start dancing around the fire, twirling and spinning with each other.  When the next verses start they slow, swaying slightly, the guys humming softly along as the ghoulettes layer their voices with Annie

"Close your eyes and lose yourself
In a medieval mood
Taste the treasures and sing the tunes
Under a Violet Moon

Tis my delight on a shiny night
The seasons of a year
To keep the lanterns burning bright
Under a Violet Moon!"

The tempo increases slightly and the magic flares, everyone dancing around the fire with wide happy smiles on their faces. With the chorus they all sing loudly, holding up their bottles and cans as they sway and clap above their heads.

"Raise your hats and your glasses too
We will dance the whole night through
We're going back to a time we knew
Under a Violet Moon!"

Annie's brow furrows and she bites at her lip in concentration as her fingers fly along the strings. Dew staggers to a stop along with Swiss and they watch her with wide eyes full of shock and awe at her intricate little solo before she jumps back into the chorus, repeating it three more times as she watches with a wide happy smile.

"Hey!
Raise your hats and your glasses too,
We will dance the whole night through!
We're going back to a time we knew,
Under a Violet,
Under a Violet!
Under a Violet Moon!"

Annie gives two final strums and takes a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing as she looks at the smiling and happy faces of her friends who have stopped dancing and started applauding her enthusiastically before breaking off into smaller groups once more. Their praise makes her blush and she sets the guitar down when Dew skips over, stopping in a crouch in front of her.

"How in hell did you learn to play like that?"

"You guys know I can play the guitar. We used to have one years ago."

He shakes his head, a wide smile on his face. "Not that. That fancy quick finger work."

Annie laughs nervously and shrugs. "I… it just felt right."

Swiss walks over, handing her a fresh bottle of hard Cider before nudging Dew away to sit next to her. The gremlin stumbles with a grumble and rightens himself.

"Sweetheart, you ever played an electric guitar?" She shakes her head. "Tomorrow, before practice, come to rehearsal early. I wanna see you on one. If you could pull that off on an acoustic, your potential on an electric…"

"Shit, I'll even let you use mine, Darlin!" Dew says with a wide toothy smile, his eyes full of excitement. Swiss does a double take before laughing softly.

"He never lets anyone touch his guitar. Not even me. You should be honored."

"I don't let you fuck with it because the last time I did three strings broke," Dew growled at him.

"You needed new strings anyways!"

"No, I didn't!  Those were new strings!"

Annie laughs as the two start to bicker, sipping at her drink. Kali had picked up the guitar and took a seat opposite her, strumming through some chords and notes. She sees him look up, mouth slightly open as he hesitates, unsure of if he should continue. Annie nodded, her brows arching up in a silent 'go ahead' and he smiled softly at her encouragement. Taking a deep breath he taps his foot and starts playing.

"There's a lovin in your eyes all the way
If I listen to your lies would you say
I'm a man without conviction
I'm a man who didn't know
How to sell a contradiction
You come and go
You come and go….."

Around in their groups the others start to focus on his playing, swaying and nodding their heads to the music, joining in for the chorus with smiles on their faces. Sage steps over, pulling a harmonica from his pocket, adding it to the guitar in certain spots and it brings out the music more.

“Karma, karma, karma, karma, karma chameleon
You come and go, you come and go
Loving would be easy if your colors were like my dreams
Red, gold, and green, red, gold, and green!”

Rain, from his spot next to Seth by the cooler, watched in awe. Kali never really sang before. Not around others, and he certainly never took the lead on a song. As he watched, he noticed how the ghouls' eyes would grow sad at some words and phrases, especially the last lines of the chorus and in the next verse. Heard the waver to his strong gentle voice, how his face moved, and it made his heart ache. He knew none of the others picked up on it. None of them knew Kali as he did.

“Didn't hear your wicked words every day
And you used to be so sweet, I heard you say
That my love was an addiction
When we cling, our love is strong
When you go, you're gone forever
You string along, you string along!”

Everyone joined in on the chorus, dancing and swaying more. Even Dew and Swiss had stopped bickering to join the dancers around the fire, Swiss trying to grind against Dew with the gremlin swatting him away with a wide smile and laugh. With the next verse, Swiss joins in singing along with Cirrus and Ace, echoing and harmonizing as Kali sings out louder with more confidence.

“Every day is like survival (survival)
You're my lover (my lover), not my rival
Every day is like survival (survival)
You're my lover (my lover), not my rival!”

Kali breaks into a short solo, Sage playing his harmonica with smiling eyes, his cupped hands shaking to waver the notes. Kali smiles and sings the next verse with everyone else adding their parts, humming and harmonizing that continues to the next chorus.

“I'm a man (a man) without conviction
I'm a man (a man) who doesn't know
How to sell (to sell) a contradiction
You come and go, you come and go

Karma, karma, karma, karma, karma chameleon
You come and go, you come and go
Loving would be easy if your colors were like my dreams
Red, gold, and green, red, gold, and green!”

As Kali plays, the others stomp and clap in time to the beat, singing as one in a beautiful harmony. Seeing them so in tune with each other, how amazing they sounded…. Annie would never not be in awe.

 
“Karma, karma, karma, karma, karma chameleon
You come and go, you come and go
Loving would be easy if your colors were like my dreams
Red, gold, and green, red, gold, and green!”

When the song fades, everyone applauds the now blushing ghoul as he rubs the back of his neck nervously. He glances over at Annie and she gives a wide smile, eyes shining with pride and his blush deepens. Sunny and Cirrus walk over, the former giving him a tight hug from behind that almost knocks him over. Annie laughs and shakes her head, standing to go grab another drink. Aether joins her as she roots through the ice for something that catches her eye.

“You seem to be enjoying your evening,” the ghoul says with a smile, shifting the ice with her, grabbing a can.

“Yeah, it’s been a fun night so far. Getting kinda hungry, though.”

Aether laughs softly and steps away for a moment before returning with a plate loaded with a few slices of pizza that he hands to her. “Here you go, love. The boys brought them but then everyone kinda forgot about them. Doesn't help they were put down out of sight behind the cooler.”

“Typical boys,” Annie laughs and takes the plate with thanks. She turns and looks around at the others, seeing that Swiss and Dew had taken her spot, Seth and Rain standing and laughing as they talk. Cirrus and Sunshine were skipping around in a lazy game of tag with Kali, Sage and Mysti. Ace was off by themselves drawing in a patch of exposed dirt with a stick. Cumulus was sitting with Copia Mountain and Lilit, the group smiling and laughing softly. Aether nudges her arm and leads her over to the other log and takes a seat, offering the spot next to him which she takes with a smile of thanks.

“So, tell me,” Annie says after a few moments during which she ate several bites of her pizza. Aether looked over at her, taking a large swig from his bottle. “Did you guys always sound so good when you sang together? Or did it take practice?”

Aether laughs, a smile so wide his eyes closed as he shook his head. “We’re ghouls, love. We’re naturally good at many, many things. Especially when it comes to music. Music is the greatest freedom we’re allowed, ghouls and humans alike.”

“I know. I’ve seen you guys practice, and all of you boys can apparently play guitars at least. But it’s really the singing, how you harmonize and layer your voices so….perfectly. It’s amazing.”

The ghoul nods with another smile, looking around at the others. A thought came to him then and he gave a silent chuckle. “Annie, you ever heard of ‘Acapella’?”

She shakes her head and he smiles wider. “It’s performing a song as a group with no instruments. You just use your body and voice. Want us to show you?”

Her brow quirks up and she looks over at him, mid bite of her pizza. She chews and swallows, thinking a moment before nodding. “Sure, why not. I’m interested in seeing that.”

Aether nods and stands up, giving a whistle to call attention from the others, the ghouls and Seth looking over in confusion.

“Song time. Annie’s never heard acapella. Copia, Rain, Seth, Kali, Dew and Swiss, Mountain. Come here so we can put on a show for our lovely witch.”

The ghouls and Copia share a glance before shrugging, walking over to stand around the fire in a semicircle, Aether already tapping his foot. Dew crosses his arm with a huff as Swiss drags him over, his grin ever present on his face. Kali shuffles over, rubbing his arm nervously. The others seem relaxed with easy smiles.

“What will we be singing, eh?” Copia asks. “And why are you the one leading? That is usually my job, no?”

“Because your vocals are better,” Aether laughs. “For the longest time. Each will take a verse in the order that I called you. Ready?”

He waits for the others to take a few breaths, giving a nod as they watch him intently while he starts to snap his fingers.

“Bah bum bum-”  With his free hand Aether makes a gesture, joining them in the intro as he nods along to the beat he has set. The guys snap along with Aether on every other beat, following the motions he’s making with his hands as they start to sway.

“Oh, oh, oh
(For the longest) For the longest time
Oh, oh, oh
(for the longest) For the longest-”

“If you said goodbye to me tonight
There would still be music left to write
What else could I do?
I'm so inspired by you!
That hasn't happened for the longest time!”

Copia moves his arms as he sings, turning to Annie with a smile seeing her own wide smile and shining eyes, feeling his heart flutter. The others hum and harmonize in various pitches, still snapping along. Rain takes a step forward when it’s his turn, a nervous look about him that fades when he looks over at Seth, a small smile on his face.

“Once I thought my innocence was gone
Now I know that happiness goes on
That's where you found me
When you put your arms around me
I haven't been there for the longest time!”

Aether joins in once more at the chorus, swaying as he snaps and directs them, pointing out at each when they need to vocalize something a bit differently.

“Oh, oh, oh
(For the longest) For the longest time
Oh, oh, oh
(For the longest) For the longest-”

“I'm that voice you're hearing in the hall
And the greatest miracle of all
Is how I need you
And how you needed me too
That hasn't happened for the longest time!”

Seth reaches over and takes Rain’s hand, lacing their fingers together as he snaps along with his free hand, his voice loud and clear as he sings his verse. Annie’s eyes widened further as she’d never heard him so clearly before. Kali was next, keeping his eyes to the ground as he sang. The snapping stops and the others vocalize differently for this verse, Rain and Copia joining the lyrics on the last line

“Maybe this won't last very long
But you feel so right
And I could be wrong…
Maybe I've been hoping too hard
But I've gone this far
And it's more than I hoped for.

“Who knows how much further we'll go on
Maybe I'll be sorry when you're gone
I'll take my chances
I forgot how nice romance is
I haven't been there for the longest time”

Dew’s arms are crossed and he looks bored when it’s his turn, but as he turns his eyes to Swiss he can’t help the small smile that dances in the corner of his lips, his arms eventually lowering, fingers brushing against Swiss’ as he begins to sing his part, turning to Dew with a look of pure love and adoration, reaching up to brush some hair from Dew’s face, the action making the gremlin blush.

“I had second thoughts at the start
I said to myself
Hold on to your heart
Now I know the man that you are
You're wonderful so far
And it's more than I hoped for!”

I don't care what consequence it brings
I have been a fool for lesser things
I want you so bad
I think you ought to know that
I intend to hold you for the longest time!”

Mountain was last, turning to Lilit with a smile wide on his face, his voice loud and clear. Lilit blushes lightly, her eyes finding his and his heart swells with longing. When his verse is over they all start the chorus again, repeating it twice more, Aether again joining in.

“Oh, oh, oh
(For the longest) For the longest time
Oh, oh, oh
(For the longest) For the longest….

Time!”

They hold the last word, their voices perfectly pitched and overlapping, the combined sound strong and reverberating and when Aether makes another gesture with his hand ending in a closed fist, they all stop. Instantly the girls, Ace and Sage begin to clap loudly, swarming the still circled boys with wide smiles on their faces. Annie goes down the line, gushing about how amazing they all sounded. Mountain had moved off to go to Lilit when the song ended, taking her into his arms and nuzzling his cheek against hers. Dew flushes brightly at the praise and tries to brush it off but Annie just laughs and pulls him into a hug, telling him she’d love to hear him sing more. He gently shoved her off, his jaw clenched as his blush darkened. He stammers a half reply before groaning and ducking away to the cooler to get another drink after adding more logs to the fire, Swiss laughing and shaking his head.

Annie moves to Kali next, pulling him into a hug and kissing his cheek before whispering in his ear how proud she was of him for singing for everyone, promising to sing with him any time he wanted. He nudged her lightly with a laugh, moving her along the line where she stopped at Rain and Seth, looking at the pair in awe, unable to form just what she thought of their voices. She had never heard either sing like that and it blew her away.

Finally, she wrapped her arms around Copia’s waist and he smiled at her, leaning down to kiss her gently. She had no words for him, but he knew. As often as she asked him to sing for her, he knew she loved when he sang and he did it every chance he had. His arm draped over her shoulders he led her back to one of the log benches after stopping to grab them each a new drink. Swiss had pulled out his phone and music started playing from the bluetooth speaker he had brought out with him, the music soft and random, just loud enough to be heard but not enough so that people had to talk over it to be heard.

At one point Mysti and Ace pulled out bags of marshmallows and chocolate along with a box of graham crackers. Dew, who had wandered off, came back with an arm full of long thin sticks that he sharpened with his pocket knife before passing them out, Annie looking on with confusion. Rain sat next to her and skewered a marshmallow on her stick, explaining what they were doing, showing her how to roast the gooey sphere over the flames until toasted and golden. When it was  ready he constructed her s’more with a smile, watching her face light up as she bit into the treat.

“Oh my Goddess, this is delicious! So sweet!” She exclaims with her mouth full, covering it with her free hand. The ghoul and Copia both laughed softly at her reaction, turning to their own s’mores, already roasting a new marshmallow.

“I’m glad you like them, amore. We don’t really get to make them often, but we can back in our room if you want more sometime later.”

Annie nods and finishes her s’more, skewering another marshmallow. She looks around, seeing everyone else enjoying themselves. Her brows bunch in confusion as she watches Dew stare at his marshmallow, or what once was. He was letting it burn, the outside completely charred. With it still on fire he puts it in his mouth, pulling the stick away as he chews with a lazy grin. She laughs and shakes her head before focusing back on her own marshmallow, but something in the fire catches her eye. It almost looked like…. eyes? A face? It looked like it was smiling. Squinting, she leans forward, trying to get a better look as it mouthed something.

“R…Rain..?”

“What's up?” He asks, his focus on putting together a s’more.

“Do…do you see that, too?”

The ghoul looks to her in confusion before looking towards the fire as well, seeing the flames lick and jump against the logs. “See what?”

“I…” Annie frowns as it’s gone after she blinks and she shakes her head. “Nevermind. Probably just my mind playing tricks on me. It’s been a long day.”

Rain nods, though he’s slightly concerned. He looks towards Copia who had gotten up to get another drink before sighing lightly. “We’ve all had a bit to drink, some more than others. I may be a water ghoul, but even I know fire is a playful element and likes to play tricks.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right.”

After another drink, two more s’mores and several roasted marshmallows Annie throws her stick into the fire, leaning back with a happy sigh. She was starting to feel tired, but was enjoying the night. The others were all settling down as well, sitting next to and cuddling against each other in one way or another for the most part. Aeth and Cumulus were sitting together, chatting quietly and laughing. Kali was sandwiched between Cirrus and Sunshine laughing at whatever they were saying. Mountain was sitting in front of Lilit, the little witch running her fingers through his hair and he had a look of deep thought as he stared into the fire. Rain was still next to her, Seth now next to him with his head on the ghouls shoulder. Ace, Mysti and Sage were grouped together, Mysti resting her head on Ace’s lap as they looked up at the stars. Copia took his seat on her other side, sliding his arm around Annie and placing a kiss on her temple as they relaxed.

Looking over towards the cooler she caught sight of Dew and Swiss, Dew opening another beer and Swiss dancing to the music playing, laughing at something the gremlin had said. The song changes then, starting with a series of drum hits and claps and Swiss' face lights up and he starts singing loudly.  

"Oh Dewdrop, you're so fine!
You're so fine, you blow my mind!
Hey Dewdrop, Hey Dewy!
Oh Dewdrop, you're so fine!
You're so fine, you blow my mind!
Hey Dewdrop, Hey Dewy!"

The gremlins eyes widen and he tries to back away from Swiss, grumbling and growling at him trying to make him stop. If anything Swiss' grin widens as he laughs, dancing with exaggerated movements, holding Dews arms or hips not letting him get so far away, making the red fire ghoul dance with him.

"You've been around all night and that's a little long.
You think you've got the right but I think you've got it wrong!
Why can't you say goodnight?
So you can take me home, Dewy!

'Cause when you say you will, it always means you won't.
You're givin' me the chills, baby, please baby don't!
Every night you still leave me all alone, Dewy!"

Dew groans, stumbling away as Swiss twirls him, the taller ghoul dancing and gesturing as he sings, reaching out to Dew and taking his hand again pulling him back in strong enough to make Dew wrap his arms around Swiss' shoulders to stop him from stumbling, Swiss grinding against him with his hands on Dews hips. The blond's blush darkens but he can't help the laugh that bubbles out of him.

"Oh Dewy, what a pity, you don't understand
You take me by the heart when you take me by the hand.
Oh my baby, you're so pretty, can't you understand?
It's guys like you, Dew baby!
Ooh what you do baby, do baby
Don't break my heart, baby!
Hey Dewdrop!

Now when you take me by the, who's ever gonna know?
Every time you move, I let a little more show.
There's something you can use, so don't say no, Baby!
So come on and give it to me anyway you can
Anyway you want to do it, I'll take it like a man!
Oh please baby, please don't leave me in this jam Baby!"

Dew shakes his head and stops fighting the inevitable and ignores everyone else, dancing and grinding back against Swiss as he continues to sing, his eyes bright. With him no longer fighting it, their movements are much more fluid and in sync. His hair flies out behind him when Swiss twirls him away before tugging him close.

"Oh Dewy, what a pity, you don't understand
You take me by the heart when you take me by the hand.
Oh my baby, you're so pretty, can't you understand?
It's guys like you, Dew baby!
Ooh what you do baby, do baby
Don't break my heart, baby!"

After another twirl away, Dew jumps on Swiss when he's pulled back in, legs around Swiss' waist with his arms around his neck, fingers tangled in his hair. Swiss holds him with ease, smiling up at the gremlin who looks down at him giving his own laugh, hair falling like a curtain to hide his face as he leans over to give him a scalding kiss.

"I hope you know I'm gonna murder you later for that," Dew hissed as he pants lightly, pulling away.

"Oh you loved it, baby. Don't deny!" Swiss laughs again, setting him down.

"So what? You still embarrassed me so your ass…it's mine later."

"Ooooh baby!" Swiss leans down for another kiss, consequences be damned, only to stumble forward when Dew side steps him. A swift kick to his ass and Swiss loses his balance, falling to the ground with a laugh. He rolls over to lay on his back, one hand holding his stomach as he brushes hair from his face. "Worth it!"

The others knew better than to go to Dew right now, so after applauding and laughing at Swiss they turned back to their own conversations, Seth giving Swiss a hand up. Annie watches as Dew sulks off muttering to himself and she laughs with a shake of her head. Giving Copia a kiss on his cheek she follows after him. If it were anyone else Copia would warn them against such an action but he knew those two had a unique bond of their own and she would be fine.

"Hey!" Annie calls after Dew. He slows down and looks at her, giving a half smile.

"Hey yourself.."

"You gotta show me some of those moves sometime!" Annie says excitedly when she reaches him. "That was amazing!"

Dew bumps his shoulder into her, lips pursing with a huff. "You wanna dance, you ask Swiss. Or Aether. Or literally anyone but me!"

"Yeah, but no one is you. And I want you to teach me."

"Absolutely not!" He laughs, shaking his head. "You've got so much to learn, harlot."

Annie blinks at him, her eyes widening.

".. what did you say?"

"I said - absolutely not. I'm not a good teacher for shit like that."

"Oh, o…okay."

Dew leans his head to the side and looks at her with concern. "You doing okay Darlin? You got really pale there for a second."

Annie blinks again and smiles with a nod. "Yeah. I think I'm just getting tired."

"Yeah, it's been a long day. Let's get you back to the fire."

He wraps his arm around her and leads her back towards the others, Annie letting him guide her as her mind raced. That's not what she had heard him say, she was certain of it. But…he would never say anything like that to her so it made no sense.

After making sure she was settled with a water Dew joined Swiss by Sage and Mysti where they sat on the other side of the fire. Kali was sitting with Sunshine on the bench to her right and she smiled at their playful banter while she looked into the flames. As they danced she thought she heard faint whispers, rustling. When a breeze blew some hair in her face she relaxed with a sigh.  Just the wind, she told herself, tucking the hair behind her ear.

"Enjoy the fun while you can. You'll be ours again soon," she heard Kali say in a dark voice, and when she quickly looked over he was staring at her with a cold expression but when she blinked he was turned away, still focused on Sunny with a wide smile.

"We have eyes everywhere."

Annie jumped seeing Ace laugh as they walked by, tossing a bottle to Sage. She lowered her head to her hands, shaking it slightly as she took a deep breath. What was going on?

"You will never be safe."

Her eyes darted over towards Cirrus and Cumulus having heard their voices, but they were both chatting with Aether. Annie was trembling now. The voices sounded like her friends, but she knew it wasn't them. It was off, not quite them, and they would never say such things.

She couldn't help but curl in on herself as whispers started layering themselves, growing louder. She couldn't shut them out. Could no one else hear them?

"Worthless."

"Your friends will die because of you."

"Unwanted. Unloved."

"Deformed."

"Please," she whispers to herself. "Please stop."

It doesn't stop, growing louder, talking over itself as Annie holds her head and squeezes her eyes shut. Her breath is coming quicker, ragged as she tries to ignore it. It's not real, she reminds herself like a mantra. It's not real, it's not-

Then one voice she hadn't heard yet speaks louder over the others, a disgusted sneer to the tone. Copia, clear as day even though he stood so very far away from her.  

"How could I ever love a tainted and grotesque whore like you? You make me sick."

Her heart shatters. She can feel the pain like a physical blow to her chest as her veins fill with ice. Her mind goes blank, everything around her fading with a dull thrum as she stares at the ground in front of her. Everything feels numb.

Lilit looks over quickly feeling the shifting energies, her eyes flashing as they widen. She's on her feet, then, rushing to Aether and grabbing hold of his arm pulling him from his conversation with Rain.

"I need energy. Now! As much as you can!" She whispers quickly to him. He's utterly confused but the panicked urgency behind her voice prompts him to move and place his hand in the middle of her back as she turns away, channeling his energy freely into her to use as she needs.

Everyone was confused, conversations coming to an abrupt end as they looked at her as she started to quickly chant in a language they didn't understand, her hair flying up around her head and her eyes glowing brightly. They saw Annie then, the almost lifeless look on her as she stared at the ground, grip tight in her hair and shaking hard enough they could see it, tears streaming down her face. Copia was at her side followed by Cumulus, trying to talk to her but getting no response.

"Rebound fast, spell that's cast
Back to your weavers tongue!
Scald your skin, pain from within
Revealed when your scream is sung!"

Lilit raises her staff and brings it down hard. When it connects to the earth a violent shockwave of her energy mixed with Aethers ripples out like a tidal wave. When it passes over Annie she seems to snap from her daze and starts to openly cry, clutching onto Copia. When it disappears into the garden they hear a pain filled scream break through the silence.

"Go!"

Dew, Kali, Rain, Sage and Sunshine take off into the garden at Lilit’s shouted command in search of the source. When they clear the hedges Lilit sighs and relaxes, wiping at her forehead. Mountain rushes over but she holds up her hand, halting his steps.

“Walk with me, Aether. I need to help Annie and your energy is the only thing keeping me awake right now,” she whispers to the broad ghoul before lowering her voice further as she leans closer to him. “I’m fine, so is the baby.”

He frowns but nods, gently applying pressure for her to start walking, leading her over to Annie. Lilit reaches out and strokes her hair, frowning as her eyes flash, feeling the web of the spell draped heavily over her.

“She was supposed to be safe,” Copia whispers, his jaw tense as he holds Annie close.

“She is safe, Copia,” Lilit says softly. “I can unweave this spell and make it so she won’t remember what happened.”

“That would be wrong, no? Tampering with someone like that?”

“Caro,” Cumulus moves closer, resting her hand on his thigh. “We all know Annie was already in a fragile state of mind after yesterday, and whatever just happened finally broke her. Isn’t it better for her to not remember this?”

Copia looks over at her, his white eye flashing, She holds back a flinch seeing it, giving his thigh a soft squeeze. Eventually he sighs and nods, closing his eyes as he takes a deep breath. “You are right. Do it, Lilit.”

The little witch nods and closes her eyes. Breathing deeply she focuses on the web, chanting softly as she carefully untangles it. Her brows furrow as she concentrates, feeling it lash out against her, but with Aether’s energy aiding her own she quickly subdues it and with a final flare of her magic it disintegrates to nothingness. With its hold no longer over Annie and Lilit working a new spell onto her the older witch groans and sways before her eyes flutter shut. Copia holds her tighter, brushing hair from her face seeing her now sleeping with a peaceful expression on her tear stained face.

“It’s done. The spell is gone and she won’t remember what happened.”

“Thank you, Lilit. Are you..?” Copia trails off his question with the others around, but she knows what he means. She smiles with a nod.

“I’m fine, though I’m sure Aether will check me out once Mounty gets me back upstairs.” She turns to the broad ghoul behind her, a smile on her face. “Thank you Aether. I’m sorry to use you like this.”

“It’s fine, love. And you’re right. I’ll check you out once you’re back inside.”

Lilit nods again, taking another deep breath. “Mounty?”

“I’m here Käraste.” The tall ghoul steps closer and takes her free hand, holding it tightly.

“Aether’s energy is the only thing keeping me awake right now. When he severs the connection I’m going to pass out. Don’t let me fall,” she says with a laugh.

“Never.”

Aether looks at Mountain and gives a nod before he pulls his hand away from Lilit. As soon as it’s gone her eyes flutter and she sways with a sigh. Before she crumples to the ground the tall ghoul catches her and easily lifts her to his arms. Cumulus and the others look on with worried eyes. They hoped what she had to do tonight didn’t set back her healing.

“Go ahead and phaze her back, Mountain,” Copia tells him, adjusting his hold on his own sleeping witch. “We will keep you updated with what we find.”

“Thanks Copia. See you soon, Aether.”

Aether nods and sits on a free bench, running a hand over his head as Mountain phazes away with Lilit. The others, while they wait, start cleaning up the area. They’ve got the bottles and cans bagged along with the rest of the snacks gathered together when the ghouls that ran off finally come back.

“Well?” Ace asks, looking over with hopeful eyes. They frown seeing them return alone. “Did you find anything?”

Rain nods, holding up a mass of black fabric. “A Sister’s habit. We tracked the scent but lost it in the halls.”

Seth walks over and takes it from the ghoul, holding it up checking it for any identifying markers or clues. It was small, making him guess the owner was about 5’6 or so. It was new, too. Maybe only worn a handful of times. Along the shoulder a shimmer caught his eye and he looked closer, plucking off a long strand of hair.

“Whoever it is, she has long brown hair. Did you ghouls notice anything else? Any other smells with it?”

Rain nods slowly. “Lots of herbs. And beeswax.”

“Smoke and fire,” Dew adds. He’s standing with a deep scowl on his face, arms crossed tightly over his chest. “Fresh, but also old. Reminds me of burnt flesh that never healed right.”

“That coven’s primary was fire. It makes sense that she would smell of it.”

“I want you all to keep your eyes and ears open, " Copia says, his voice cold and firm. "Spread the word with the other ghouls to do the same. I want this infiltrator found!"

"You know we will," Aether assures him. "For now let's get her inside."

Copia nods and Kali steps over, carefully taking Annie into his arms, ignoring the twinge in his side. The Cardinal tries to take her once standing but the ghoul shakes his head with a smile.

"There are a lot of stairs. I can carry her."

Copia frowns but nods, following Kali and Aether as they leave the garden. Cumulus gives the others directions and once everything is packed up and the fire is out they too head back inside.

"It was fun while it lasted," Ace sighs softly, falling in step with Mysti. "Do you think Levy will be okay?"

"She is stronger than we give her credit for. She'll be okay. I believe in her."

____________________________________

Deep in a long forgotten chamber, hidden in the maze of underground passages, a screech filled the stagnant air followed by a loud clatter as a large rotting desk was cleared off its contents.

"Damn them all!" A woman growls leaning against the wood, nails digging into it as her hands clenched. "I almost had her! If that little ghoul whore hadn't…"

"You continue to fail me, girl!" A man's voice roars and she flinches, turning to the glowing mirror mounted on the wall.

"You think I am not trying? As though you did any better!" She hisses back, limping closer. Within the reflection she sees a tall broad man in a dark mask glaring back at her. "She was literally bound and kneeling at your feet, yet she escaped your pyre!"

"She destroyed half of the camp! There are still people unaccounted for." His jaw is tense as he crosses his arms. "Your brother wasn't all forthcoming about how she escaped the first time so we weren't adequately prepared."

"Yes, blame him and not your own shortcomings. What do you want? I need to-"

"What you need is to lay low for now."

Her eyes harden as she glares at him, turning back to the mirror. "Excuse me?"

His lip curls as he growls. "You heard me, girl. We still need you there to feed us information. If you are caught-"

"They don't know who I am!" She interrupts, throwing her hands up. "I change my looks. I can mask my scent. My aura. My little helpless victim act has them all fooled!"

"For now."

"You've trusted me in this. Trust me now."

"Trust is earned, Nanette. I would trust you more if you had any success in your mission."

The woman sighs and rubs her head. "I successfully infiltrated the Ministry. I cast the blood hex. I've tormented her to the point her mind and resolve shattered. What else must I do?"

"Stay hidden. Listen, follow and report back,  but do not act."

Nanette sighs, pinching at the bridge of her nose. "Fine."

"The attack is going on as scheduled. We'll need to know if she still plans to warn the others."

She scoffs and shakes her head. "You know I will tell you once I know."

"Don't disappoint me."

The woman turns her head slightly, feeling a static in the back of her head. "Ghouls are searching the dorms. I have to go."

"Go with God."

"Blessed be, father."

The man's image shimmers and disappears. Reaching into her pocket she pulls out a stone with carvings on it and turns it three times in her palm, shimmering away only to reappear in her small room. She throws back the covers and crawls onto bed, recovering herself and feigning sleep as her door opens. She breathes slow and steady as the ghoul looks around the room. Satisfied, he backs out and closes the door.

Turning to her back she sighs, already thinking of her next course of action. Her father may be a High Priest, but he was wrong. She was confident she could succeed where they all failed. She just needed time.