"About time!" Ace grumbles, lifting their head from where it was leaned back against a tree.

"Shush. It's not like we were waiting that long," Mysti nudges them with a disapproving frown.

Annie laughs softly after steadying herself. She wasn't used to phazing yet and although it was getting easier it always left her a little shaky.

"Sorry guys. I'm here now, though, so we can get started."

"What did you have in mind for finding them?" A familiar voice speaks from behind her and her eyes widen when she turns.

"Sage? What are you doing here?"

The tall tan man gave a shy half smile, his mossy eyes shining over darkening cheeks. His dark hair, a deep shade of emerald so dark it almost looked black, was shaved down at the sides, similar to Ace's but unlike the other ghoul, Sage's unshaved section was short, just long enough to be pulled back into a small ponytail at the back of his head to keep it out of his eyes. His face was bare of any facial hair and he had a small scar running through his left eyebrow. Looking at him you would guess he was close to Kali's age, maybe a little older, but it was hard to tell with ghouls.

"Did you really think I'd not come with? I vowed my service to you, Annie. Where you go, so will I."

Annie smiles and reaches out for his hand which he takes after stepping closer.

"Well, based on my mom's book, the coven would meet somewhere in these woods. I should be able to locate them with a simple spell."

Ace walks over, looking bored with their hands shoved in the front pockets of their faded jeans. "Need us to do anything, Levy?"

Annie stops and thinks for a moment,  realizing each ghoul covered the four elements. Surely it wouldn't hurt, would it?



The witch pulled a now confused looking Sage to stand in a spot, then grabbed Ace to stand to his right. She positioned Kali across from Sage and Mysti took the final spot opposite Ace with Annie in the middle of the wide circle they made, facing the earth ghoul.

"Do you remember what I cast at home?" She asks Kali as she takes a wide stance, bringing her arms up in front of her chest with her wrists crossed, pointer and middle fingers held up together, ring and little finger curled and thumb relaxed.

"Yeah. You searched the nearby area to make sure we were alone."

"Similar thing. Brace yourselves."

She takes a deep breath and raises her right arm, the left lowering and pointing to the ground, energy thrumming and making the leaves and dirt around her rustle violently as she mutters softly. They feel their element get called in turn, pulling from deep within until their eyes begin to glow.

"What…?" Ace starts but a look from Kali and Mysti makes them close their mouth and just watch.

Circling her arms in a wide quick motion, Annie brought them to rest parallel from each other in front of her, chanting as the energy grew more intense before throwing her arms wide, the pulsating energy swirling around them expanding quickly like a shockwave until it disappeared deep into the forest.

She brought her hands together then, fingers curled into a fist with her knuckles touching and the shockwave bounced back before ending with a flutter of soft wind as though nothing had happened, the ghouls eyes returning to normal as their amplified power settles once more.

"North. About thirteen miles," Annie says with a smile, pointing in the direction she had sensed them. "Somewhere between twelve and sixteen humans with magical abilities and several more without, but there could be more."

Kali walks over and crouches down in front of Annie, his back to her and she looks at him with a brow raised in confusion.

"Hop on, Solros," he says, turning his head to look at her from the corner of his eye.

"Kali, I don't… you just.."

"Don't argue, little sister. We can run faster than you and I know your legs still give you trouble enough so that you couldn't even walk that far. So climb on my back and hold tight."

Annie looks at the others who just look back with small smiles, Mysti giving a 'what are you waiting for" gesture before hopping up onto Ace's back, making them stumble with a growl.


"If it makes ya feel better, I'll piggyback Ace so you aren't alone!"

"Like heaven you will! Bestie, you're heavy and more than capable of running."

Mysti groans and shakes her head. "Nuh-uh! Running sucks. Swimming? That I can do all day!"

"Well, today you are running," Ace laughs and shrugs Mysti off their back, the ghoulette pouting as she crosses her arms.

"Well, I tried Sugar Cube. In any case, Kali is right. It's too far for you to walk and we can get there faster if he carries you."


Annie sighs and nods, knowing they're right, and Kali wouldn't have offered himself to carry her if he wasn't feeling well enough to do so.  Biting her tongue from arguing further, still not entirely happy, she carefully wraps her arms over his shoulders, lifting her legs to wrap them around his waist as he stands. She was grateful her skirt allowed such movement.

"Ready Solros?" He asks, reaching back to hold around her thighs.

"As I'll ever be."

"Hold on tight."



Kali sets off first, the others falling in line starting at a swift jog to get Annie used to being carried. Satisfied she's comfortable enough he leaned forward a bit and quickened his pace to a fast, smooth run. Trees passed them in a blur, the wind biting at Annie's face until she had to lower it, turning into the side of his neck to keep it off her. Ghouls, she knew, were fast, and she'd seen them run, but this was different. Faster, their speed amplified by their ghoulish nature that she felt seeping through them, powering their muscles yet they hardly made a sound, quiet as a cat stalking a mouse.


 
It took the better part of an hour, Annie guessed, glancing up at the sun's position, before the group slowed and eventually came to a stop. The ghouls breath was quick, but not as though they were exhausted by such an intense run and when Kali crouched for Annie to climb off his back she heard Mysti off to the side.

"Aaaccceee! My legs are like jello! I told you I'm a swimmer, not a runner," the ghoulette whined, leaning heavily against the tall ghoul before slowly slumping to the ground with an exaggerated sigh, bringing her arm up to press the back of her hand to her forehead as she flops over onto her back in a dramatic fashion. "I'm done for! You'll have to go on without me!"

Annie laughs and shakes her head, the blue haired ghoul groaning and pinching the bridge of their nose as Mysti laughs from the ground.

"If you're lucky I'll give you one later, friendo. Now get up. This is no time to be goofing off."

"Fine, mom. Help me up at least?"

Ace sighs and reaches down, grabbing hold of Mysti's outstretched hand to haul her to her feet with ease. Meanwhile, Annie shifted her pouch around to dig into it, lips pursed in concentration until she pulled out a couple of small, almost shiny looking leaves, passing them out to the others.

"Here. Chew these slowly. You can either spit them out after they're thoroughly chewed or swallow, it's up to you."

The ghouls look towards her warily but shrug, taking the leaves and popping them in their mouths without question. Annie was known for her knowledge of herbs so if she offered them, it was best to take them without question. All opted to swallow the leaves, intrigued at the almost pleasant earthy taste to them.

"Okay, Solros. We're about a mile out from where you said they were. What's the game plan?"

"Just…walk in? I don't know what to expect. With any of them. Covens are solitary, prefer to be left alone. They will either welcome us, or they won't, so be prepared for anything."


 
With her words, Annie walks forward. Kali to her right, Sage to her left with Mysti and Ace behind her. Her steps were confident as they trekked the remaining distance until the ghouls could see what looked like a small settlement of makeshift shelters around the edges of a large clearing, their enhanced senses hearing the low sounds of people talking. Kali glanced over at Annie with worry but seeing her calm and determined gaze focused in front of them he took a deep breath to calm his own nerves.



"Halt! Who goes there?" A voice calls out from one of the men closest to them who had seen them coming. The others nearby stopped what they were doing and turned, each of them raising their hands with their palms out in front of them and Annie felt a tremor in the air as the group readied themselves to defend if needed.

"I am Levanna, daughter of Morrgan and we come in peace!" Annie calls back in a clear voice, holding her arms up with her palms facing herself before fisting her hands and crossing her arms over her chest so that her fists touch her shoulders. She ever so slightly turns her head and the ghouls follow the same motion.

"What business do ye 'ave 'ere?" An older man with a thick accent called out.

"I seek an audience with your High Priest or Priestess to discuss a matter of utmost urgency."

It's quiet for a moment, save for low muttering amongst the few coven members facing them before the air stills once more and a short man with blue-black hair approaches the group. He looked to be in his mid to late thirties and had weary and unsure looking hazel eyes.

"Merrily meet, Daughter of Morrgan. I am Niels. We bid you welcome and ask you to follow me."

Annie looks at her ghouls and gives a slight nod before following the man as he leads them through the clearing towards a large longhouse roughly located towards the center of the surrounding structures. Other members peek out from their dwellings or from the gardens, confused yet intrigued by the newcomers and the energies felt from them.

"I'm not sensing anything off," Ace chirps softly when they glance around the area. Annie nods, looking around herself before coming to a stop when the man raises his hand.


"Just a moment, please, while I go speak to Rhea. Our High Priestess," he clarifies seeing Annie's confused look.

"Of course, Niels. Thank you, we shall wait here."


"Are you guys doing okay?" Annie chirps softly, turning to face the others. They nod, but Annie can see how weary they look, casting glances around as the coven members grow bolder, coming closer to get a look at the quintet. Annie smiled seeing a couple children peek around the legs of their parents, careful to hide the worry in her eyes at the thought that they may not be safe here, thoughts that were interrupted by Niels clearing his throat from behind her.

“The High Priestess will see you now, Daughter of Morrgan. If you will follow me.” He steps back and gestures with his arm towards the door. Annie steps forward and when the ghouls go to follow he clears his throat and steps in their way. “Respectfully, just her.”

“What? No. Out of the question,” Ace says rather loudly. “We go with her. Always.”

“Forgive me, but it is the High Priestess’ wish to speak to only her.”

“It’s okay Ace.” Annie steps over, placing a hand on the ghouls chest as they visibly start to bristle with worry. Their mismatched eyes dart down to hers and she gives a reassuring smile and nod before turning to Niels. “Niels, could I propose a compromise? Instead of all, just one of my companions would join me inside.”

He considers her a moment before slowly nodding, even as his lips are turned down in a slight frown. “The female. The others must wait out here.”

Annie nods her head at him before giving the ghouls a look, telling them without words to stay calm and behave before turning and following Niels into the longhouse, Mysti following behind. Inside, the spacious room was hazy with lingering scents of various incense and burning herbs, a large fire burning in the pit. Standing next to it was a lean woman who was slightly taller than Annie with dark dirty blonde hair that was pulled back from her sharp face. Turning her head Annie saw her eyes were a light gray, bright and full of wisdom beyond the young age she looked.

“Merrily met, Daughter of Morrgan. I am Rhea, the High Priestess of this coven,” the woman says softly, her head held high and a gentle smile on her face.

“Merrily met Lady Rhea. I am Levanna, but you may call me Annie,” Annie greets with a small bow, returning the smile. Next to her Mysti also bows her head. “This is my companion, Mysti. Thank you for agreeing to see me.”

“It is not often that we get visitors here. Niels told me you have come here to discuss something of great importance?”

“Yes. I come with a warning. I believe that covens are no longer safe for anyone and you all may be in great danger.”

Rhea regards her carefully, her eyes narrowing slightly and her brow furrowing. “Ominous indeed, child. Explain.”

“Might I ask that we sit? My legs are easily fatigued and are feeling rather weak at the moment.”

Rhea regards her again before giving a slight nod, turning and gesturing to a row of benches several feet from the central fire pit. Together they walk, Annie only sitting once Rhea does and Mysti remains standing off to Annie’s side.

“I am unsure of your connections to the modern world and the goings on in the shadows,” Annie starts slowly, hands folded over her lap. “But there is an organization that has surfaced that call themselves The Magistratus. They follow a twisted path, devoted to the Christian God and have made it their mission to rid the world of all things they deem to be unholy. They have, to my knowledge, already targeted witches and satanists and I am unsure how far they have reached.”

Rhea regards her carefully, her eyes hard and calculating as she takes in Annie’s words. “What does this have to do with us? We are isolated. Protected in these woods.”

“I thought the same, my lady. I thought I was safe too, isolated away from society, tucked away in a deep and ancient wood, but I was so very wrong. They found us, my sister and I. Took us as captives and…and tortured me. I very nearly died, and would have if it weren’t for the Ministry.”

“What do you mean, child?”

 
Annie sighs softly and worries her lip before taking a steadying breath. “They found us after one of their members stumbled upon my sister performing magic. They came for her only, at first, but when her life was threatened I let my own powers flare to protect her. We tried to run, but we could not escape. I locked away her magic before we were captured and when they were convinced that she was indeed not a witch they turned their attention to me. As I was bound in special chains that blocked my magic, they tortured me endlessly in their quest to get me to repent for being what I am. I was whipped, beaten. Stabbed, cut, burned. Choked. Raped…”

Annie turns her back to Rhea as she talks, lifting her shirt to show the thick patchwork of scars that mar her back. Hearing the woman’s gasp she lowers her shirt and turns once more, lifting her skirt next to show her legs. “When I refused, they took us to the pyre. I somehow protected my sister from the flames, still bound in those shackles that had blocked my magic. The pain of the fire licking at my legs was the last thing that I remember before we were, somehow, transported to the woods outside the Ministry where a Cardinal and his ghouls found us. If they had found us any later I would have died.  They took us back, healed me the best they could. Tended our wounds, cared for my sister while I was in a coma. We have been living there ever since.

“Since then, there has been an attack on one of their abbeys. Cardinal Copia and I went to assist in the aftermath. There was no doubt in my mind that, based on witness testimony of events, it was the Magistratus. While we were there, as I did a healing circle for the ghouls that were injured in the attack, the Cardinal had a vision from Lucifer himself who told him that more of his children would fall. He never specified who or where, but I know many covens devote themselves to Him and I knew I had to find those I could to warn them so they did not suffer the same fate.”

Rhea is silent as she takes in Annie’s words, a grim yet thoughtful expression on her face. “The Dark Lord himself came to this… Cardinal Copia?”

“Yes.”

“When was it told this would happen?”

“Midsummer eve.”

Rhea is silent once more, lips pursed with that same grim expression on her face. She stands and walks over to where Niels stood near the door, the man standing to attention when she approaches. They talk, briefly, in hushed voices Annie can’t hear from her position before he nods with a bow and leaves as Rhea returns but remains standing with her hands clasped in front of her.

“I thank you for bringing us this information, Annie. We will do what we can to prepare ourselves for the possibility of attack, though I must confess I am unsure if we would be able to endure and survive such a thing. Although we walk the dark path in His shadow, we are a peaceful group ill equipped to fight.”

Annie stands, Mysti stepping closer as she does, hesitating before speaking. “I…will talk to the Cardinal, but we may be able to offer you sanctuary within the forest that surrounds the Ministry. Your people, from what I see, live off the land. It should be no trouble.”

Mysti’s eyes widen and she grabs hold of Annie’s arm, pulling her back to whisper at her. “What are you doing? You can’t offer that. Imperator would have your hide!”

“I said I would talk to Copia about it. I have made no guarantee, just a possibility.”


Rhea looks over the two, her gaze lingering on Mysti as she leans her head to the side. “You are not human.”

The ghoulette jumps lightly and blinks with wide eyes before turning to her, cheeks flushing lightly as she stammers, unsure of what to say. Annie answers for her, reaching over to hold Mysti’s arm lightly.

“She is not. She is a Ghoul and one of my closest friends.”

“Fascinating.” Rhea turns back to Annie with a smile. “I would like to return with you, speak to this Cardinal and Imperator myself.”

“I think we could accommodate that. When would you be ready to leave, my lady?” Annie asks as the woman moves about the room now to shelves she hadn’t noticed before, gathering several items into a small bag she procured from one of them.

“After Niels returns with my consort and council. I would ask you to please wait outside while we convene. Niels will supply you and yours with some refreshments.”

“Of course, Lady Rhea. We will be ready when you are. May my ghoul phaze back to prepare for your arrival?”

“Yes, that is fine.


Annie and Mysti bow their heads and walk to the door, stepping aside as several people enter, casting confused glances at the pair as they pass. When it’s clear, the pair step outside, wincing in the bright sun. Instantly the three ghouls are at their side, relief shown on their faces.

“You’re alright? How’d it go?” Kali asks, looking Annie over carefully.

“It went well. She listened, and she’s going to be coming back with us. She wants to speak to Copia and Imperator herself.” Annie turns to Mysti next. “Go back to the Ministry. Talk to Seth, tell him what has happened so far and have him prepare for Rhea’s arrival. I’ll need him to get word to Imperator as well,”

“What are we doing in the meantime, M’lady?” Sage asks.

“We will wait for her. Then you will phaze her to Seth and the other two will phaze me to Copia. I’ll talk to him after the Ritual and we will go from there.”

Ace looks around again before letting out a huff of a sigh. “Are you sure this is a good idea, Levy? Bringing her back?”

“I don’t see why not. They follow Lucifer here. I have a feeling Imperator would be open to them being there because of that. Add the fact that they are witches? There is much they can bring that would improve the Ministry.”

The ghouls nod silently and Ace glances at Mysti with worried eyes. “You be careful, yeah? I know you’re just going home, but still.”

“I’ll be fine. But you still owe me that piggyback ride,” Mysti laughs softly, nudging into the tall ghouls side as they grumble and roll their eyes.

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll see you later, then.”



With a final nod to the group, Mysti disappears in a shimmer of periwinkle as she phazes back to the Ministry. It doesn’t pass the group when the onlookers gasp lightly at her sudden disappearance, whispering amongst themselves as they try to keep up the illusion they were busy with random tasks. Niels exits the longhouse after a few more minutes and leads the group to the central firepit that lay cold but stacked with fresh wood for tonight's fire, gesturing for them to make themselves comfortable on the random scattering of benches and stumps. Two women come over, each with small trays. One of them holds a variety of carved cups, the other with a small platter of fruits and flowers, setting them on an open seat before quickly walking away. Annie is unphased by their actions and deminor, but the ghouls watch with weary eyes, hesitant to eat or drink anything but Annie digs in, eating a few of the deep red raspberries and sipping at her water. It’s fairly quiet for them as life goes on as normal around them as the coven continues about their day. Being solitary for so long, Annie found joy watching the community and wondered what it would have been like had Viktor not been killed. Would her mother have stayed with his coven? How different would her life be if she had?


“You doing okay, Solros?” Kali asks softly, finally sipping at his water. Annie nods and leans into him.

“Yeah. You?”

“I’m alright. Getting a bit restless waiting, but I am glad this has gone well so far.”

Annie nods and eats a couple more of the berries, looking around again. “We may have gotten lucky here. There is no guarantee any of the others would be this peaceful, accepting or understanding.”

He’s about to say something when a young child suddenly screams out in pain before they start crying, the group turning in tandem seeing the young girl sit and clutch at her knee after having tripped while running a few feet away. Annie was on her feet without thinking, rushing over to check on her, reaching her before any others of the coven made it to her side. She sees that the child's knee is gouged from where she had fallen over a sharp rock, steadily bleeding.

“Hush, child. All will be well,” she says softly as she kneels on the ground, one hand going to her satchel the other lifting as her fingers curl, calling forth the water from their glasses. The ghouls and surrounding coven members, who had stopped and stared with wide eyes unsure of what this stranger would do to the child, watched as she used the water to gently wash away the area. Pulling out some herbs including yarrow she takes a generous bite of them and chews them into a poultice which she spits on to her fingers. Moving the water away and letting it fall to the earth she ever so gently spreads the paste onto the wound, chanting softly under her breath before ripping a strip of her skirt free to bind around the child’s leg.

“All better, little one,” Annie smiles at the girl. She sniffles and stares at Annie with wide eyes, a scared yet awed look in them. Annie is about to comfort her again when a man calls out in alarm, finally breaking through the surrounding onlookers to run to the child.

“Get away from my daughter!” He yells, roughly shoving Annie back with a wave of his hand. Ace and Kali are instantly at her side, the latter helping her to her feet, Ace growling low in their throat. The sound makes the man raise his arms in defense as he stands in front of the child, a silent wind flaring around him pushing out towards Annie and the two ghouls.

Annie pulls from Kali’s arms and stands between them and the man, facing Ace and placing her palm on their chest. “Calm. I am a stranger here. He is simply reacting as any father would when his child is hurt.”

Ace looks at her and after a moment they nod, taking a step back as they force themselves to relax. Annie turns back to the man and bows her head. “Forgive me if I overstepped in coming to her aid.”

“You have no right. You should not even be here, outsider!” The man growls, arms still raised in front of him.

"She had every right, Malik," a stern voice calls from behind. The crowd parts to let Rhea through and when he sees her the man lowers his arms and bows his head.

"Respectfully, I disagree," Malik says.

"That is your right. But you would be wrong. She is Levanna, Daughter of Morrgan the Green Witch. Her herbal remedies were some of the strongest ever crafted. Where do you think our healers learned their craft?"

The man's brows furrow and he looks from her to Annie, doubt laced in his face as Rhea continues speaking. "Your daughter will heal well from her quick action. Our healers would agree, no doubt. Enough of this now. Take the little one and be on your way, there is still much to do this day."

Malik hesitates before bowing his head. He turns and scoops the girl into his arms and carries her away, the child looking at Annie from over his shoulder. She just smiles softly after them.

"Forgive him," Rhea's voice breaks through Annie's thoughts and she turns to face the older woman. "He recently lost his wife and has been extra cautious with Opal. I thank you on his behalf for tending to her wound."

"It was no trouble, my lady. Truthfully, I just reacted once I heard her cry out."

Rhea nods, turning to the tall man next to her to grab the bag he was holding. Annie watches them exchange a glance with each other coupled with a small smile she was all too familiar with having given similar to her own Cardinal. The woman goes to shoulder the bag when Sage steps forward with a bow.

"Allow me, my lady," he says, reaching for the bag. "I shall be the one taking you back. It would be no trouble to carry that for you.”

Annie nods and steps over, a smile on her face. “Yes, Sage here will transport you to the Ministry where you’ll be given accommodations. I must go to Cardinal Copia and we shall meet with you this evening.”

“Very well, Ghoul Sage.” Rhea gives him a gentle smile and hands him her bag. “My consort and council will prepare the others for relocation in any case while I am gone. I am ready to depart at your leisure.”

“Of course my lady.” Sage holds out his hand and Rhea takes it. After a moment they disappear in a haze of mossy green, those of the coven still gathered gasping softly in awed shock. Annie turns to Kali and links her arm with his, Ace stepping close to her side.

“Let’s get going. I’m anxious to see Copia and fill him in.”

Kali nods and Annie feels the familiar static as a haze of muddied red envelops them, and when the feeling fades they’re backstage, surrounded by various equipment and instrument cases, roadies and other staff moving about quickly to ensure everything is running smoothly. Annie can hear the roar of the crowd and a familiar song playing, feeling the beat of the drums and, finally, a familiar growly voice that sends warm butterflies fluttering through her stomach.

“Looks like they’re still performing,” Ace leans in close to talk to her over the noise. She nods and smiles.

“That’s okay. I think this is Mummy Dust. We’ve got time.”

“You want to go watch?”

“I wouldn’t mind, but my legs are hurting today so I don’t think I’d be able to stand for the rest.”

Ace nods and, after tracking down a sibling, got directions for where they could wait until the show was over. They led Kali and Annie further backstage and out a door that led to a spacious area with several trailers, vans and box trucks to one of the trailers that had a sign reading ‘GHOST’ that they entered. It was fairly spacious with plenty of seating. changes of clothes hung on a rack along one wall and there was a sectioned area where you could change. Annie sighed lightly as she sat down on one of the couches, stretching her arms over her head.

“You okay Solros? Can I get you anything?” Kali asks, looking around before walking to the small fridge tucked under one of the counters that held brushes and Copia’s paints.

“I’m okay, Kako. Come sit and relax. You too, Ace. We’re safe here, no need to be so on edge.”

Ace sighs and flops down on the couch next to Annie, leaning their head back as they close their eyes. “Sorry, Levy. Today was more stressful than I had thought it would be. I’m worried about how the other covens will be.”

Annie nods and shifts so she’s laying on the couch, her head resting on Ace’s lap. “I’m nervous, too. But we have to be strong. For their sakes.”

“Why, though?” Ace asks in a soft whisper. “You owe these covens nothing. Why risk the danger of going to them?”

“I don’t want anyone else going through what I did.”

Annie’s voice was just as soft as her eyes closed. She feels Ace tense under her before they sigh and shift slightly.

“I… I’m sorry, Levy. You’re right.”


A fairly easy, though slightly tense, silence falls over the trailer as they wait, Annie laying with her head on Ace’s lap and Kali leaning against the counter, occasionally sipping from a water bottle as he watches his sister. Faintly they hear the crowd roar in applause and shortly after they hear the unmistakable sound of a very hyper Dew and almost equally excited Swiss before the door to the trailer opens, the pair shoving past each other in their rush inside. Annie had barely sat up before Dew launched himself onto the couch where her legs once were, the gremlin not looking beforehand and letting out a shriek of surprise when he turned to see Annie.

“Shit, Darlin. Hi! Didn’t know you were here!”

Swiss chokes back a laugh as he walks over to the fridge, whispering to Kali as he bends over to grab a water. “That’s the problem with blonds.”

Dew growls and shifts forward to the edge of his seat before kicking out, his foot connecting with Swiss’ ass making him fall forward into the counter with an ‘oof!’.

Kali rolls his eyes, but he has a smile on his face as he moves aside, the others starting to file in now. The ghoulettes give Annie a smile and wave, each taking a water and finding a free space to sit. Mountain is next, ducking in just long enough to greet Annie and grab his clothes before he phazes away, no doubt to go back to Lilit. Annie looks around, confused as to why Aether Rain and Copia hadn’t returned yet. Ignoring the ghouls who’d started chatting with each other, she rises from her spot on the couch and walks out of the trailer, blinking in the bright sun. It takes a moment for her eyes to adjust and she looks around, seeing the crews bustle and move around quickly, working to pack up the equipment to take it to the next venue. Rain, she notices, is leaning against the side of the trailer, mask pushed up as he rubs his hands over his face.

“You okay, Rainy?” She asks, walking over. He sighs and lowers his mask before looking over at her, a smile scrunching his eyes as his lower face is covered by his balaclava.

“Yeah. Just after Ritual calm down. Are you okay? How did it go?”

“It went well. The High Priestess is back at the Ministry, waiting to talk to Copia and Imperator. Where is he, anyways?”

“With Aeth, making sure the packup goes well. I don’t think he expected you to be done so soon.” Rain laughs softly and leans his head back, arms crossed lazily over his chest. “He’s been worried all day. I’m surprised he was able to shove it aside to perform.”

Annie smiles and leans against the trailer next to him, looking at the crew packing the trucks. “Well, I’m back. And safe. Now he can relax a little bit.”


Annie and Rain stand there, watching the crews move about as they wait. After a few minutes the door opens and Dew jumps down the stairs in one go, a wide smile on his face as he turns back towards the door.

“C’mon, Swiss! You take too long! Hurry up or toss me the pack!”

Annie looks over at Rain with a raised eyebrow and the ghoul sighs lightly, reaching up to rub the back of his neck. “Their way of relaxing after a ritual. They smoke. I don’t mind it but it doesn’t agree with me.”

“Smoke?”

“Yeah. Either weed or cigarettes. Think they’re out of weed, so.”

Annie’s next question is answered as Swiss finally jumps down the stairs to follow the gremlin, pulling out a red and white pack from his pocket. Dew takes one of the offered sticks, a ‘cigarette’ Annie guesses, as does Swiss and Dew produces his zippo, lighting up both before flicking it shut and stowing it away.

“Gotta get Mounty back in his patch soon,” Dew chirps with a small scowl, taking a deep drag and holding it before exhaling as he speaks. “I don’t mind these but I miss the shit Mounty grows.”

The smoke wafts over towards where Annie is standing and she waves it off, scrunching her nose at the smell. Swiss notices it and shoots her an apologetic smile before ushering Dew farther away so it won’t bother her.

“Why haven’t I seen them smoke before?” Annie asks. Even at the two Rituals she had attended before she didn’t see them smoking. Then again, she wasn’t around after the first one and after the second she was quickly brought back to the Ministry.

Rain laughs softly, watching after the two smoking ghouls. “Because they’re polite about it. Try not to do it around others. Well, unless it’s weed. the others usually share a joint or two in the dens.”

“I don’t know what that is.”

“It’s a drug. Makes you relaxed and feel good. Could ask Copia some time if you are interested.”

Annie’s brows raise again and the ghoul shrugs. She can tell he’s blushing under his mask by the way he shrugs a shoulder up and turns his face into it a bit as he explains. “He’d smoke with us a lot. It is, or was, a common thing for us to do.”

Annie nods and turns back towards the venu, watching for Copia. She didn’t mind this new information, but she filed it away to ask about it at some point later.



Finally, after several more minutes of waiting and watching she catches sight of a flash of red and silver, seeing Copia and Aether walking towards the trailer. Copia’s shoulders look tense and he’s running his hand through his hair as he talks to the ghoul next to him, eyes cast to the ground in front of him as he walks. Annie can feel her cheeks flushing as she looks him over. He’s in his red suit again, pants hugging him so tight it was like they were painted on.

Aether was the first to spot her and she smiled, giving a small wave. The ghoul returned it before nudging the man next to him who looked up, confusion on his face before it lit up with relief. Annie’s moving already as he speeds up to a brisk jog, quickly closing the distance between them before he takes her in his arms, lifting and spinning her once before setting her on her feet. His arms tighten around her, holding her impossibly close and she can feel him instantly relax.

“Oh, amore. I have missed you,” he sighs against her hair after kissing the side of her head. “It went well? You are unharmed?”

Annie laughs softly and leans into him, nuzzling the side of his neck. “It went well, I’m unharmed.”

“Bene,” he sighs again, finally pulling back to look at her as his hand rises to hold her face, his thumb brushing against her cheek. “I missed you.”

“I missed you, too,” she sighs lightly, her hand mirroring his before she leans up to kiss him gently.

“No kiss for me, love?” Aether teases as he walks past, giving her a wink. She laughs and shakes her head, pulling back from Copia.

“Not today, Aeth. Sorry.”

Copia laughs softly as Aether gives a mock hurt pout before laughing again, continuing on to the trailer.

“Tell me what happened, amore,” Copia says softly as he takes her hand, leading them over as well at a slower pace.

“They were weary of us, but that was to be expected. They’re a peaceful group from what I could gather, and they follow Lucifer. I met with the high priestess. I think she knew my mom.” Annie shifts her hand so their fingers laced together, feeling the warmth of his leather glove against her palm. “She, uh, wanted to talk to you and Imperator, so she’s at the Ministry now waiting for us to return.”

“Eh?”

Annie sighs and worries at her lip lightly, casting him a quick glance before looking away. “I… may have said I would talk to you and Imperator about allowing them to settle in the forest so they would be safe. I’m sure we can discuss it when we all meet with Imperator.”

“Cara…”

“I didn’t make any guarantees,” Annie says quickly. “I said I would talk to you about it. I don’t think we have anything to worry about if it was granted, though. They could live off the land. There’s enough of it.”

Copia sighs lightly and pulls her gently so she stops and turns to face him. “You have a big heart, amore. But you know we cannot possibly shelter so many. Even if this one coven was granted permission, there is no way we could accommodate any others. We already have so many of our own flock transferred over.”

“I know… Honestly I don’t know why I even offered to talk to you about it. It just felt….right.”

Copia regards her for a moment before letting out a soft sigh, his free hand running through his hair as he closes his eyes. “I cannot guarantee it. Imperator would have to make the choice. Let us hope she is having a good day, si?”

Annie gives him a small smile, leaning up to kiss his cheek. “Thank you, Copia. And I understand.”

He smiles and opens his eyes once more, tugging her closer so he can lean down to kiss her again. Their kiss is soft and gentle and it's sweet nature makes Annie's heart flutter again. They found themselves getting lost in it so after another lingering moment they forced themselves to pull away.

"We should go," Copia whispers, pressing his forehead to hers. "I need to shower and change before this meeting."

Annie hums in response, enjoying the peaceful moment not quite ready for it to end. She knows it must, though, so after a quick peck she pulls away and turns only to blush seeing the ghouls watching them with amused eyes that make her blush. Swiss is grinning widely, his hand covering Dews mouth making the gremlin look at him annoyed since his witty remarks are silenced. Aether and Kali move from the group to go to their sides, asking in silent question if they are ready. The couple parts fully then, Annie taking Kali’s arm and Copia taking Aethers before the ghouls phaze them back to their quarters.