"And you don't remember what happened? How you got away?"

Annie huffs out a sigh and rubs at her forehead, drawing the hand down her face before turning to the broad ghoul fussing over her, swatting his hands away.

"No. I remember them tying us to the stake and lighting the pyre. The fear. Feeling so…helpless. I screamed and then everything went black. Next I know I'm waking up here with two fully ghoulish ghouls standing over me." She turns to the two leaning against the wall, watching with weary eyes. "I am sorry about that. It just caught me off guard."

"It's understandable," Sage says with a gentle smile. "Though my ears are still ringing."

"It's fine, Solros." Kali's voice is small as he pulls the blanket tighter around himself, turning away from her. "It's a normal reaction to creatures like us. It's why we glamour."

Annie frowns and shifts to sit up off her pillows, wincing lightly at the pulling she felt in her back. "Can you guys give us a minute? I'd like to talk to my brother alone. Please."

Aether looks over at Sage and they nod, Aether walking around the bed and out of the room after saying he was going to look for Copia since he’s been gone so long. Sage steps over and gently takes her hand, giving it a squeeze.

"I'm gonna head down to my room now that you're up. I'm glad you're okay, Annie. Thanks for saving us."

Annie nods at him, returning the gentle squeeze before watching him leave, the door closing behind him. Alone now she turns to Kali who has pulled the blanket even tighter around him, face still turned away.

"Kali..? Come sit. Please."

The ghoul peeks over at her from the corner of his eye before shaking his head. "I'm okay right here."

"Please," she asks again, her voice soft and eyes pleading.

He sighs, shoulders dropping as he pads over to the bed. "What's up?"

Annie tugs on the blanket and he sits next to her, turning his face away.
 

"Kaliko, what's going on? Is it because I screamed?"

He shakes his head, biting at his lip. "No, it's not just that."

"Then…what is it?"

"I…hate that I look like this. I always have. So not being able to glamour, I feel…exposed. Not myself. And…yeah. The fact you screamed twice about seeing us like this did little to help with that."

Annie looks him over, taking in his altered form. Horns protrude from behind his hairline, both tall with a shorter second point near the base so it looked like he had four horns total. His skin was darker than the normal light tan she normally saw, more of a golden bronze with mossy undertones like the beginning of rusty oxidization. His hazel eyes were now a deep amber and his red- brown hair now had an almost metallic shimmer to it. She reached over and gently tucked it behind his long pointed ear, giving a warm smile.

"You're very handsome, Kali. Dare I say even more than with your glamour."

"I'm a monster."

"No!" Annie shifts closer, hand sliding to cup his cheek. "You are not a monster! I have seen monsters, true monsters, and you are the farthest from it."

Her face softens and she pulls him closer until their foreheads can touch. She smiled at how warm he felt, a comforting heat, and when she felt him relax she gently pulled on the blanket until his grip loosened and it fell to the bed. His cheeks darken and he tries to pull away but she grabs hold of his hand.

"Annie, please…"

"This, as you are now, is just as much you as the glamoured you. I love you and I accept you as you are, no matter how that is." Annie places her hand on his bare chest, feeling his rapid heartbeat under her palm. "You're my brother, Kali. I never want you to hide from me."

Kali sighs and looks away, chewing on his lip until his fang breaks through the skin making him wince and lick his tongue out against it. Annie watches, her eyes widening slightly catching sight of it and he instantly tenses, closing his mouth tightly.

“What other cool traits do you have, Kako?”

“They aren’t ‘cool’,” he replies with a huff.

“I’m human. They’re cool to me.”

Kali eyes her wearily, lips turned down in a frown as his brows scrunch together. She couldn’t be serious, could she? Then again…this was his sister.

“You’re not gonna let this go easily, are you?”

“Nope!” Annie sits back and smiles widely at him, her eyes shining with excitement. He groaned inwardly and rolled his eyes before he chewed on his lip again. He both loved and hated when she got like this. Normally it was adorable and it reminded him of when she was a toddler, but it was never directed towards him like this and it made him unsure.

But… what would be the harm in showing her?

“Well,” he starts softly, taking a steadying breath. “I’ve got the horns as you can see, and my ears are longer and pointed. And I’m a different color. My tongue is forked, I’ve got claws and fangs. And, I’ve got a tail.”

“Can I see?”

He takes another deep breath, pulling his lips in to wet them before he opens his mouth and sticks out his long forked tongue. Annie’s face, which he’s watching closely, lights up with wonder as she looks at it. He relaxes a bit and twists the two ends of his tongue over each other, able to control each side of the fork with ease.

“Whoa… That’s so cool!”

“I…guess,” he laughs softly, pulling his tongue back into his mouth. “Forked tongue is a fire ghoul trait that most have.”

“So, Dew would have a forked tongue as well? Sunny?”

Kali nods.

“What about your tail?”

Kali shifts partially off the bed to allow his tail to unwrap from his thigh where it had been as a comfort. Sitting once more, it curls and sways behind him a moment before coming around to rest across the top of his thighs, the smooth diamond-like tip flicking slightly. Annie reaches out before catching herself, still in awe. She gives an apologetic smile and folds her hands on her lap. He’s appreciative of her restraint and it somehow eases him more.

“Tails can be...rather sensitive,” he goes on to explain. “They can also act like a fifth limb, used to grab and hold things.”

To demonstrate, he uses his tail to reach next to her and pull a pillow over, holding it up for her to see. Her smile widens and she reaches over to take it from him, watching how it moves as he lets the pillow go.

“That’s so…so…”

“Freaky?” He offers.

“Amazing!”

He can feel his face grow impossibly hot and he turns away from her, reaching up to rub the back of his neck as he shrugs. “If you say so.”

“I mean so. You’re so amazing, Kali. I won’t lie, I’m curious as to how your horns feel, or if they’re as sharp as they look.”

“They’d feel like any other horns on an animal, and yeah, they’re sharp.”

Annie looks at his horns, a smile still wide on her face as her eyes trail down to his face. She shifts closer, holding in another wince when her back pulls again, and reaches up to cup his face, thumb brushing over his cheek.

“Thank you, Kali. For showing this amazing side of you. I hope you’ll let me see it again some day.”

“It’s really not that amazing…”

She laughs softly, shifting her hand to pull him close until she can kiss his forehead. “You’re more amazing than you know. Strong, brave. Kind and caring. The best big brother anyone could ask for.”

“If I was stronger I could’ve protected you tonight…. I couldn’t, and we almost died.”

“Don’t…. Don’t do that to yourself. We had no way of knowing… and If anyone is to blame it’s me for making us go on. You all had bad feelings about it, and I ignored that. You did your best. You all did. In the end it was MY decision to find them that almost got us killed.”

“But it was also you who saved us, Annie.”

She smiles softly, moving so she sits against him, legs off the edge of the bed. His arm comes up to drape around her shoulders and he kisses the top of her head, holding her close. He gives a squeeze and shifts to rub her back and she stiffens, hissing out in pain when his palm meets the exposed skin through her torn shirt.

“Wha..?” Kali pulls away quickly, moving off the bed and turning her to look at her back, his eyes widening. “Did Aether see this?”

“See what?” She’s worried now. Her back had hurt when she woke up, and even more so when she moved, but she hadn’t thought anything of it.

“I’m getting Aether. Stay here,” he says, stumbling around the side of the bed and out the door with her calling after him.

“Kali, what is it? Kali!”
 


He was gone, the outside door closing with a firm slam and she sighed. Shifting her feet on the floor she began to rise only to fight a sudden wave of nausea that made her fall back onto the bed with a groan.

"Easy, sorellina. We would not want you to fall and bump your head now."

Annie jumped and looked across the room, seeing a man dressed in black leaning against the mantle of the lit fireplace, one arm bracing his weight the other hand tucked into his pocket. His back was to her, head bowed as he stared into the flames.

"Alessandro?"

"Buonasera sorellina. I would ask how you are, but… I already know."

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm fine, by the way. Thank you for asking."

Annie blinks at him and goes to stand again but nausea swept over her again so she remains sitting. "I… sorry. I'm glad you're doing well. But what are you doing here?"

He turns from the fire, facing her with a warm smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "I came to check on you. I did not mean to eavesdrop, but that with your brother, it was adorable. He has great potential if he can learn to embrace his ghoulish nature."

She was confused now. Was he here the whole time? If so, why was she only sensing and seeing him now?  There was nothing significant about this day - no thin veil or full moon.

"You have many questions. I can see it in your eyes."

"That's one way to put it."

He laughs again, leaning against the wall while slowly crossing his arms over his chest as he looks her over. "It is a shame such a beautiful outfit had to be ruined. It was a good look for you."

Annie looks down at her singed and burned clothes, frowning as it draws attention to the discomfort in her legs. "I liked it, too."

"So did mio fratello. He will be back here any moment, so my time here is short."

"He knows…" Annie says gently. "That you're still around. That I've seen and talked to you."

"I know." His tone was sad. There was no denying that, even if his face didn't fall with her words. "It was not easy getting him to hear me that day. Not after what you did to me."

Her face falls and pales, a shiver of worry passing through her, but he gave no indication he knew or saw as he continued. "I do not hold it against you, dolce sorellina. And as you can see I am quite alright."

"You were trying to tell me something that night. Like you tried to on Beltaine. I didn't want to listen before, but I'm ready to hear you now."

He laughs, a sad smile hinted at his lips once more as he shakes his head. "There is no time. I just came to check on you. We’ve been keeping an eye on you after you were attacked in the hall.”

“We?”

He nods again. “My ghoul and I.”

Annie turns away, thinking of the night that thing was after her. She’d heard Alessandro, but another was there as she passed out, someone or something with bright glowing purple eyes. “It was with you when you scared that thing away. I remember purple eyes.”

“Omega. He is my right hand, handles tasks I cannot such as carrying unconscious witches back to their rooms.”

“But you’re…? Why would he stay? How can he see you?”

“He is a quintessence ghoul, older and wiser than Aether with more developed abilities. He stays because of his… devotion to me. Something I will forever be grateful for.”

He walks over and crouches in front of her, reaching out to hold his hand over hers yet she feels no solid touch. When she moves her hand it slides right through his leaving hers feeling ice cold and she frowns.

"I will see you again, Annie. After the solstice on the next full moon. I will answer your questions then. In the meantime, be happy and hold onto those you love. Mio fratello has great need of you, sorellina. Today has made him feel a fear he has never known before. Comfort him."

A wave of nausea passes over her once more and Alessandro fades as the outer door opens, a warm smile on his face. Annie blinks, reaching up to feel her cheek in confusion her fingers come away wet with tears. Why was she..?

"Annie?" A knock at the bedroom door drew her attention and she turned to see Aether walk in followed by Kali. "Kali said something was wrong with your back?"

"I don't know. He freaked when he looked at it and ran out."

"Let me see?"

Annie nods and turns back around and she hears Aether take a quick inhale of a gasp.

"What is it?" She asks, turning to face them, her brows furrowed. Why was no one telling her what was wrong with her back?

"I.. I don't know. I need you to take your top off so I can examine you better. Kali," he turns to the ghoul looking with worried eyes. "Thank you for getting me. Why don't you go back to your room now?"

"Do you want me to go, Annie?"

"What I want is Copia! And for you to tell me what's wrong with my back!"

"Amore? Why are you in such distress? I could feel it from down the hall!"

Relief floods through her and she's on her feet, pushing past the two ghouls to throw her arms around Copias shoulders before he even fully enters the bedroom. He stumbles back from the impact, his own arms wrapping around her middle as he holds her close.

"Annie…what's going on?"

"You weren't here when I woke up. And now they're saying something is wrong with my back and I'm scared." Copia pulls back, looking at her with confusion and she takes the chance to look over him as well. "Why are you all sweaty? And your shirt…are those handprints on your shoulders?"

"Eh?" He looks down at his shoulder, pulling at his shirt to try and get a better look. "Oh.. si, they are. But what do you mean something wrong with your back?"

"I don't know. They won't say." Annie pulls away to turn around and he lets out his own startled gasp.

"Amore…what..?" He reaches out, fingers barely touching one of the two raised and scabbing wounds that trail down either side of her spine when she hisses out, flinching away. "Kali, leave us. Even if it's just to sit in the other room. Per favore."

The ghoul nods and gives Annie a worried glance before moving past them to exit into the other room, closing the door behind him. With him gone Copia turns Annie around and undoes the buttons of her vest and with her help carefully removes it. Behind her Aether tears the rest of the fabric open on her shirt and she flinches, arms coming up to hold the torn fabric to her chest with trembling hands. Copia frowns when he notices and reaches up to take gentle hold of her face, pressing his forehead to hers.

"Mi dispiace, amore. I know this is not ideal but you are safe here with me and Aether. He's going to check out the wounds you have and I will be right here with you."

"What's going on with me?" She asks softly as she closes her eyes.

"I do not know. But you are not alone." He tilts his head, placing a feather soft kiss to her lips. "Forgive me for not being here when you woke up."

"Where were you? Ah!" She hisses and flinches when Aether gently prods at her back and he gives her a quick apology before continuing with his examination.

"I…" Copia sighs lightly. "I could not handle the emotions I was feeling and sought out guidance."

"Did you find it?"

He smiles softly, thumb brushing over her cheek. "And then some. I will tell you about it later."

"Copia, I…" Annie sighs lightly. "I really messed up today. I didn't listen to you or my friends. You all told me you had bad feelings about this and I ignored it. I almost got everyone killed…"

"But you saved them. You brought them home and you're in my arms once more."

"I won't risk them again. We won't-"

"I don't think you need stitches," Aether interrupts, resting his hand on her shoulder. "But I'd like to get this cleaned and wrapped up. Copia, help me get the bandages?"

The Cardinal kisses Annie's cheek and guides her to sit on the bed before following the ghoul into the bathroom. He leans against the wall next to the sink as Aether digs around in the cabinet for the first aid kit.

"Well? What is it?" He asks in Italian.

"She had welts in the same place after she lost control last time. I didn't think anything of it at the time, assumed she scraped against some rocks. Whatever it is, it's connected to whatever she's got locked away."

"What do you think it could be?"

"I don't know. These powers of hers…they seem to respond when she's under great duress. They saved her and Lilit. They saved her and the ghouls. What they are, what she is capable of…

"The thing is, though," Aether sighs and turns to Copia. "Whatever it is that's locked away, I can't sense it. There is nothing extra to her when I examine her and, now don't be upset, even when I pushed my powers into her, to see into her very being, I see nothing more than what she already is. It's a mystery, Vincenzo. One that worries me."

Copia frowns, his eyes narrowing. "You used your powers inappropriately? What were you thinking?"

"It was wrong, I know. And I'm sorry."

"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to. But…it does concern me. Do you think it could be Morrgan's spell? But even then, how could you not feel it? How could they break through to save her?"

"Some kind of failsafe? Or, they overcome the spell to ensure her survival?" Aether sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. "I really couldn't say. And I'm not going to delve in further to find out."

Copia nods, looking out into the bedroom at Annie with a soft sigh. "Lucifer came to me when I called him. Down in the hell pit chamber."

"So that's where you disappeared to. What did his Infernal Majesty have to say?"

"That we will unlock each other's powers. And that she must go to the other covens."

"But Copia-"

The man raises his hand to silence the ghoul. "He assured me she would be safe until midsummer eve, that going to the covens was what she had to do. If our Dark Lord wishes it, who are we to disagree?"

Aether nods, gathering up the bandages and medical tape. Copia yawns loudly and shakes his head before rubbing at his eyes.

"You're exhausted. All of us are." Aether gives him a small smile, leaning over to bump into him. "I'll get her patched up then we should all go to bed. We've got a couple days to rest."

"A couple days of rest sound wonderful, but," Copia sighs and rubs his forehead again. "Rhea and her coven. They move tomorrow. We need to be there for that."

"I'll take care of everything with Seth. You and Annie just rest."

"Aether.."

"It's fine, boss. Now, let's not keep Annie waiting. Even I can feel her apprehension."

____________________________________

After Aether carefully cleaned and bandaged her back he wished the two a good night and, after a soft hug and kiss to her cheek, left with Kali to return to the dens. Copia helped Annie undress and change into a soft loose nightgown, the witch blushing the entire time, and changed himself before he went to the kitchen to make them a light dinner and two large mugs of tea. They ate in bed, both too exhausted to really be bothered to return to the other room or clean up the dishes so he stacked them on the vanity before crawling into bed with her. She had been silent the entire time, worrying at her lip and he could see the stormy look in her eyes. Felt how she trembled next to him.

"Annie..?"

"I should have listened," she says with a sigh, pulling her knees to her chest as she sits against her pillows. "I almost got us all killed. And for what? To…to try and help people I don't know? Who I have no connection to?"

Copia frowns and sits up more, opening his mouth to say something only for her to cut him off to continue.

"I won't look for the others. I can't risk it. If anything happened to my friends…if my brother…" Tears slide over her cheeks and she quickly wipes them away.

"Amore," Copia scoots closer and wraps his arm around her, gently pulling her into him and she goes willingly, her head resting against the front of his shoulder.

"I'm sorry. It was my foolish idea that almost got us killed. I was overconfident, but I'll listen to you from now on. I'll even listen to Imperator. You don't have to worry anymore and you can focus on your rituals because I'll stay here and-

"Annie, listen to me," he cuts her off, fingers gently tilting her head up so she looks at him. He can see the tears in her sad and scared looking eyes, gently kissing away the ones that have fallen. "Today…today was something no one could have predicted. That does not mean the others don't deserve a warning. I want you to go to the others… You have to."

She pulls away, eyes narrowing in confusion. "No. Why would you tell me to go? What if they attack us, too? What if we can't escape? We were rendered powerless and tied to a stake. We almost died! I won't risk-"

"Lucifer told me you must." Annie stares at him, mouth still open from him cutting her off. Confusion floods her and she shifts again.

"What..?"

"When I left before, I went into the deepest bowels of the Ministry. We have here a….a gateway of sorts. To Hell. I called to Lucifer and he came. He told me you had to go, that you must still go to the others." He sighs and pulls her close once more, his arms tight and warm around her. "It is His will. He has not led me astray before."

"But…how can you be sure it will be safe?"

"He allowed me three questions. For my third, I asked if you would be safe. 'Until midsummer eve, she will be safe,' He said. 'No other coven on her list poses a threat to her or the Ministry.' So…you must still go, Annie."

"I'm scared."

"I am too."

"And if I still refuse to go?"

Copia sighs lightly, gently rubbing her arm as he rests his head against hers. "Then…you shall not. It is His will that you go, but I will not rob you of your free will and force you to."

Annie remains silent in her thoughts, steadily relaxing against his warmth and the comfort of the embrace. She finds herself struggling to keep her eyes from drooping, blinking rapidly to try and keep them open. He places another soft kiss to her forehead, gently nudging her for her to lay down as he shifts lower on the bed. She moves, shifting down as well until she's snuggled securely into his side with her head on his chest and arm draped around his middle. His left arm wraps around her, fingers lightly brushing stray hair from her face as his right settles along her arm, holding her close.

"Tomorrow we can talk more. For now, we both need sleep."

Annie hums in agreement, letting her eyes drift closed after a couple more slow blinks and a yawn.

"I love you, Levanna. Sleep well, mia Dea."

"I love you too, Vincenzo. Wake me up before you leave in the morning."

He smiles, soft and loving as he looks down at her. "I'm not going anywhere."