CHAPTER FIFTY TWO
[52]

song: let it happen by tame impala

THE HOUSE WASN'T WHAT SHE HAD GROWN USED TO. It was just a house, nothing special. Definitely not something she would choose when she had the luxury to just pick whatever she wanted, but it was convenient for now.

She looked around, it felt weird being alone again. After only thirty minutes of being around people, her human brain had gotten used to it. And being alone was hard again. It was the first time she felt weird being in someone else's house since she had first arrived here. And she hadn't stopped looking out the window at all the people going on walks, or stopping to chat with their neighbors.

A knock came from the door, and she stood up from her couch, walking to it and opening it up to Ezra, who stood on the porch. She just looked at him, not sure what to say.

"Are you gonna pay for the damage on my car?" He asks.

She narrowed her eyebrows at him. "Pay?! Money?! I don't have money!" She says defensively.

He gives her a face. "I'm kidding." He says.

She felt stupid for a second, and then felt stupider when she realized she had a towel still wrapped around her wet hair from her shower. She quickly took it off and frantically fixed her hair. She didn't know why she felt so embarrassed, but she did.

Everything was so new again.

"Marzia wanted me to bring some stuff over for you." He says, welcoming himself in. Daisy stood back and out of his way as he brought the cardboard box in, shutting the door behind him. "Just some snacks and—"

"Do you have a pager?" Daisy asks, a little more abrupt than she intended.

He glanced at her and let out a little laugh. "Got someone you need to call?" He asks.

She swallowed and shook her head. "No— I—" She laughed slightly. "Sorry I just— my mom always told me to have a pager on me. And now that I'm surrounded by a bunch of people again it's just... instinct." She shrugged, impressed at how fast she came up with that lie.

He nodded and reached into the box, pulling out a pager. "I put my digits in there for you already, and Marzia's." He smiled, before turning back to go through the box. She watched him hesitantly as she accepted the pager from him.

"So you've been here fifteen years, huh?" He asks, brushing his curly hair out of his face with his fingers.

Daisy felt her breath hitch at the sight, and then she felt her breath hitch at the thought of her breath hitching at a guy doing literally nothing but moving his hair out of the way. She clenched her jaw and fumbled with the pager in her hand awkwardly. "Yeah, it's been... you know, super enjoyable." She says sarcastically.

Ezra let out a laugh as he emptied the last of the box. Just some food, a map of the town, and a few phone numbers to have. He then turned and leaned back on the wall, crossing his arms as he looked at her. "So what'd you do? How'd you end up here?" He asks, sarcastically eyeing her. "Going off the fact that you tried to kill me with a rock not even an hour ago, I'd say something along the lines of... murder?"

"You could say that." She says, coming off a little more jokingly than she intended. She leaned up against the opposite wall with her arms crossed.

Ezra laughs and puts his hands up in defense. "Hey, no judgment here. It was a long time ago, maybe you've changed." He says. "Or maybe you haven't and I'm five feet away from a serial killer." He tilts his head to the side.

"That'll depend on if you get on my nerves or not." She responds with a small smirk, and she caught herself actually flirting with this guy.

He smiles at her. "Well, I'll leave you alone." He says, leaning off the wall and walking to the door. "Call me if you need anything." Daisy follows him towards the door, and he turns around to face her. "Oh, uh a few of my friends and I are having a bonfire tonight at the Church." He nods. "At ten. You should come."

"Maybe." She responded quietly, as she leaned against the open door. He smirked at her before turning to leave, and she shut the it behind him.

Her heart was pounding with excitement, she felt her cheeks warm with a blush and a genuine smile creep up on her lips. And then, she snapped out of it, and smacked herself repeatedly on her forehead as she walked towards the living room.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" She muttered to herself. "Are you seriously that horny?!" She glanced out the window, watching as Ezra got back in his car, broken window and all. Even him getting in a car was hot. She shook her head quickly. "Apparently yes." She mumbled as she plopped on the couch with her pager.

She focused, trying to remember Kai's digits when it was hard to even remember what she had for breakfast yesterday. They hadn't spoken in forever.

555-HI-KAI popped into her brain, along with the obnoxious Kai voice that voiced it in her head. Quickly she dialed in her digits, then his, and the number to call. And waited.

She knew he wouldn't have his pager after all this time, what was the point in keeping it when no one was paging you anymore? But it was worth a try.

Daisy turned on the TV and watched whatever had been playing on loop everyday since she got here. At this time of night, it was usually the same episode of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air— the only actually, as she was sent here before other episodes could even air. On MTV, she watched Paula Abdul's Opposites Attract music video, and then next Aerosmith's Janie's Got a Gun, next, Billy Idol's Cradle of Love— which always reminded her of Kai because Billy Idol is his favorite, and whenever he was around he would sing it obnoxiously loud. She had the whole television memorized by now, but it was entertainment none the less.

Maybe she wouldn't have to depend on television for entertainment if she stayed here. There were people her age here. Cute people her age. Throwing bonfires. Which is better than blacking out by yourself every night.

Startling her, the phone began to ring and she sprung to her feet, running over to it. She stood in front of it, not sure if she could answer it. Was he going to be mad? Was he going to tell her to leave him alone? Was he going to curse her out for ignoring him for years?

She wanted to hear his voice.

She grabbed the phone off the hook before he hung up, and she put it to her ear, noticing her hands were shaking a bit. It was silent, except for his breathing on the other end— but then he spoke. "Daze?" He said.

Her heart plummeted in her stomach, she opened her mouth to respond but she stopped herself.

What was she even going to say? Hey Kai, I found this fully functioning town full of hundreds of witches that your coven sent here and also— one of them is cute and I might stay here for a bit because I'm painfully lonely and bored. Just thought I'd let you know! Please don't visit! I don't want you to kill them all. Thanks, bye!

"Daisy?" He spoke again, and before she could fuck things over for herself, she hung up. She leaned against the wall, letting out a breath she didn't realize she was even holding.

She needed a drink.

Daisy pushed herself off the wall and into the kitchen, rummaging through fresh produce and food. It was fully stocked, and she wondered if they bought her food before Marzia brought her here. Although they were fully stacked, alcohol of any kind was nowhere to be found. She'd have to go to the grocery store.

Did she have to pay? She couldn't just walk through and shovel whatever she wanted into a shopping cart— she had to pay?! Did she have to get a job? Maybe this wasn't for her. She was retired.

'Maybe this wasn't for her'. 'This' wasn't anything, yet. She was just staying here for a night to get back on her feet, she can go a night without alcohol. Could she? She hadn't gone a night without alcohol in... she couldn't remember.

Maybe this bonfire or whatever Ezra was talking about would have some liquor. And if it didn't, it wouldn't hurt to be around people— people who weren't trying to kill her, and vice versa.

Or maybe they were trying to kill her. Maybe this was all some big revenge plot. Maybe they knew who she was and what she'd done— and they were here to attack.

She was being paranoid.

Rightfully so, but still. They clearly didn't have the same morals as a Coven like Kai's. From the conversation she had with Marzia, it sounded like they were pretty keen on community and healing. Maybe that's what Daisy needed.

She went upstairs to the bedroom, making her way to the closet that sat opposite the nearly made bed. She quickly realized that this was once again, not someone's previous house, and there wasn't going to be an entire wardrobe at her leisure.

To her surprise, when she opened it, there was. A fully equipped closet with shoes, hats, jewelry, everything she needed. She stepped inside confusedly, quickly flipping through each piece of clothing hanging, all with tags, all new, all her size. Not really her style, but it was doable. She pulled out a plaid dress, holding it up to her body to look in the mirror.

Daisy didn't know what she was getting herself into. Was she really going to a party right now? When less than two hours ago she was wandering the streets thinking she was alone. She didn't know how to act around other people, she had lost all social cues. What if she had an angry fit? Or just started trauma dumping? Or accidentally set the whole town on fire?

She shook her head quickly, beginning to undress out of her sweats and into the dress. She'd stop by for a little bit, say a few hellos, take the liquor and leave.

—

The phone lingered against Kai's ear for a few seconds. Despite the end phone dial ringing, he waited just in case she hopped back on the call. When she didn't, he hung up, letting out a deep breath.

"Who was that?"

Kai turned around to face the man he had chained up to a chair in the living room. Kai rubbed his eyes frustratedly, a crowbar in hand.

"Who was that? Who's Daisy?" The man asks, a mix of panic and confusion on his face.

"Shh. Shut up." Kai snapped annoyedly, as he was clearly trying to think.

"Are there other people here?" The man asks, blood dripping from his nose and mouth.

Kai turns to him with wide eyes. "I literally just told you to shut up, Kevin."

The man narrowed his eyes at Kai confusedly. "My name's Tony?"

Kai rolled his eyes. "Okay? And?"

Tony clenched his jaw, glancing around the mansion he found himself in for anything to help him get out of the chains he was in. Kai plopped down on the couch opposite Tony, scratching his head as he thought. "It doesn't make sense." He says. "She's hasn't spoken to me in years... why call me now?"

Tony looked at Kai confusedly, because not even three minutes ago he was in the process of beating him to a pulp. He thought if he maybe engaged in the distraction he might make it out of here alive. "Well... what'd she say?" Tony asks.

"Nothing. She just called me and then hung up." Kai crossed his arms, thinking hard as he tapped the end of the blood covered crowbar to his chin.

Tony eyed him for a few seconds before speaking again. "Maybe if wasn't her." He shrugged a bit.

"She paged me. She's the only person who has my digits." Kai shrugged, now completely sidetracked from his previous activities. He looked to Tony to advice. "Maybe she just wanted to make sure I was... alive or—"

"Yeah, yeah. That's probably it." Tony nodded, not really caring, but going along with it.

"Or maybe..." Kai shook his head as he thought deeper. "Maybe she's in trouble and... she called me but couldn't say anything—"

Tony's mouth gapped open in a not-so-believable fake gasp. "You should probably go find her and make sure she's okay."

Kai glanced to Tony, beginning to nod and agree, when his face shifted back into a threatening look again. He lifted his eyebrows and tilted his head, pointing the crowbar out towards him. "I know what you're doing." Kai says, shaking his head disappointedly. Tony swallowed harshly, beginning to look around again for something to help him out of the situation. "You're trying to get me to leave."

Tony began to panic. "Look, man. I don't want anything to do with you— just unchain me and we'll never see each other again."

Kai frowned, not really hearing what Tony was saying. "It'd be a shame if I just left you here chained up with no way to escape and you just slowly became more and more malnourished until you starved to death." He let out in one breath.

Tony's eyes widened a bit and he shook his head quickly. "Please don't." He pleaded.

Kai rose from the couch, now scratching the back of his neck with the crowbar as he thought. After pacing back and fourth for a few seconds, he turned back to Tony. "Do you really think I should go look for her?" He asks, another quick tonal change in conversation.

"I think you should follow your gut." Tony said, and for some reason is actually sounded like genuine advice.

Kai glanced at him with suspicion eyes. "What?"

"Wh—" Tony stumbled on his words. "I said please don't hurt me."

"Ah." Kai responded, understanding now that half of the things he thought this guy was saying— definitely was not him talking. Didn't matter. "You're right. I'll follow my gut." Kai nodded confidently, he turned to Tony. "Thanks, man."

"What?" Tony's voice cracked in painful confusion.

Kai tapped his foot anxiously as his eyes focused on the phone. She wouldn't have called if there wasn't a reason. There'd been a sudden rise in prison world guests over the past couple years, so it wouldn't be out of the blue if something bad really were happening.

—

"You came!" Ezra shouted, as he sat by the bonfire amongst a few other people.

Daisy muttered a curse under her breath as her hiding in the bushes must not have been as subtle as she thought it was. She stepped out from behind them, holding herself awkwardly as everyone turned to look at her. "Yup." She forced out.

Ezra stood up, stepping away from everyone else and towards Daisy, who still stood a good ways away from everyone else. "I'm sorry I didn't realize this is probably a little weird for you— um, we can just hang back here if you don't want to meet everyone right now?" He asks, quickly catching on to her discomfort.

She glanced at the people around the bonfire. Two girls, and three guys around her age sat around it and talked amongst each other. They wore similar clothes to what Marzia had on; flowy shirts and pants, with crystal jewelry. If they didn't have alcohol, they probably had shrooms. They were definitely on some now, as their eyes looked soulless and tired.

She turned back to Ezra, who had on his own assortment of crystal necklaces and rings. "That's okay, I can hang for a bit." She nodded.

He smiled, and he led her towards everyone. Her eyes were quickly drawn to it. It was a comforting feeling almost; the blazing heat, the smell of smoke. She didn't blink as she stared into it, worried that shutting her eyes for even a second would ruin the sensation.

"Daisy?" Ezra spoke, and she snapped her head up towards him with a raised eyebrow. "I asked if you wanted a drink."

"Oh," she says, and glanced to the small plastic table decorated with all sorts of liquor. "Yes." She said a little too eager. He handed her a cup, and let her pour herself something.

"Uh, these are my friends." Ezra says, and Daisy glanced up back and fourth between the liquor and his friends as he introduced them. "Iris, Stephanie, Michelle, Andy, Kyle, Brian and Finn." He says, pointing to them each individually. "This is Daisy."

"I love your eyes." A scrawny red head, Michelle, said awkwardly, the girl sat next to her gave her a weird look.

Daisy nodded slowly, eyeing everyone. "Thanks."

Ezra gestured for her to sit down on the log next to him, and she did, already regretting coming. Fifteen years in isolation or not, this was awkward. One of the guys let out a couple wheezed coughs, and a guy beside him pat him on the back to help them get it out. Daisy took a big swig of the fireball she'd just dumped in the cup.

Daisy glanced to Ezra, who was giving his friends stern looks. The guy who was coughing let out a choke, but then took a sharp inhale before he spoke. "Where are you from?" He asks, Daisy maybe thought this one was Finn.

"Oregon." Daisy responds. "Wayward. It's outside of Portland."

"Cool, cool." Finn responded, nodding slowly, and he let out another cough.

"You guys are unbelievably boring." Ezra says with a sigh.

One of the other guys, Kyle, puts his hands out in defense. "Dude this is weird! Sorry!"

"She has ears, you dick." Finn says, slapping the other guy on the shoulder.

"I'm just gonna go..." Daisy says, making an awkward face as she turned to Ezra.

He shook his head, "Don't." He said disappointedly. He turns back to his friends with an annoyed look. "They're just being weird because they haven't met anyone knew for a few years."

"Right." Kyle says. "Sorry." He turned to Daisy with an apologetic look.

She shrugged it off. "No, it is weird." She scoffed, attempting to lighten the mood. "At least you've had each other. I've been stuck here w—" She stopped herself. "With myself."

Iris, a girl with perfectly clear dark skin, eyes, long dreads, and an incredible sense in fashion, spoke up. "That must've sucked." She frowned and shook her head. "What have you been doing for fifteen years?" She asked, she looked genuinely curious.

She was pretty, easily the prettiest girl here. But there were deep eye circles under her eyes, under everyones eyes. They all looked like they hadn't slept in months.

It was almost a relieving feeling; to know that Daisy wasn't alone in the lack of sleep and nourishment that one would get in the real world. Even surrounded by people, everyone had inevitably had to deal with being stuck in an eternal repeating time loop.

Daisy lazily took another sip. "Traveling. Getting drunk. Very entertaining stuff." She scoffed.

The other girl, who's name she couldn't remember, spoke up. "I would've killed myself a long time ago." She let out, leaning back and taking a drink. Everyone turned to her with wide eyes and she put her hands up in defense. "What? I'm not saying she should've I'm just saying I would've."

"Tried that. A few times." Daisy says. "There's some magical rule where I can't die because I got here first." She laughed it off, but the conversation fell silent as the group exchanged concerned glances. Daisy leaned up quickly and tried to calm everyone down. "I'm fine— I knew I couldn't die— like I just did it out of boredom it's—"

"You can't die here?" Michelle asks, looking at her with narrowed eyebrows.

"Nope." She shrugged as she shook her head. "I'm kind of like the God of this place." She sarcastically gestured towards herself with a cocky expression. Everyone kept their confused expressions and Daisy bit her cheek, clearly not matching the vibe.

Ezra took a sip from his drink and Daisy looked at him. He hid a smile caused by the painful-awkwardness with his cup and the two exchanged quiet laughs when they made eye contact.

"Let's play truth or dare." Iris spoke up, both Daisy and Ezra turned to her at the same time after she spoke.

"Are we 12?" Finn asks her with a bored look.

"It's called a game." Iris snapped back at him. "I don't know about you but I'd like to be friends with this girl and not freak her out with loads of questions about her past here."

Daisy smiled faintly as she watched Iris speak, taking another sip of her drink. "Sorry for dragging you into this." Ezra muttered quietly to Daisy. She noticed he apologized a lot.

She shook her head. "No, this is fine. Really." She turned to face him. "I needed this. It's refreshing." She added, not sure if she was talking about the people or the drink in her hand.

"Andy, you go first." Iris spoke to the quiet guy who sat farthest from Daisy, his eyes were bloodshot and he was definitely on something.

"Huh?" He spoke, his voice was quiet and coarse. Kyle leaned towards him and whispered something in his ear. Andy glanced at Daisy as Kyle spoke, then redirected his attention back to Iris. "Truth." He let out.

"Chicken." Ezra called out, cupping his mouth with his hand to amplify his voice.

Andy blinked a few times, slowly. "I do not know what's happening."

The group exchanged a few laughs before Iris spoke again. "Have you ever cheated on someone?" She asked. Immediately the group exchanged wide eyed glances, and Daisy quickly put the pieces together.

Michelle gave Andy a stern look and crossed her eyes, waiting for him to answer. Daisy covered her mouth, letting out a quiet 'ooo' that only Ezra could hear.

Andy thought for a few seconds too long. "Answer the question." Michelle prompted, with raised eyebrows.

"No answer." Andy let out, slapping his knee like it was some kind of game show buzzer. The boys erupted in laughter, while the girls all rolled their eyes.

Daisy felt herself becoming annoyed at the boys for laughing too. She didn't even know these people and she already felt herself becoming apart of their stories. It was exciting, and it made her feel like she was in high school again.

"Ezra!" Andy spoke up amongst the laughs. "Truth or dare."

"Dare." Ezra responded with no hesitation.

Andy thought for a second, but Daisy already knew she was in for it when he glanced at her before speaking to Ezra. "I dare you and Daisy to go inside for seven minutes in heaven." He says. Daisy almost choked on her drink.

"Grow up, Andy. She just got here." The tall blonde girl who hadn't spoke up much said.

Ezra turned to Daisy who hid her smile. "We don't have to—"

"Okay." Daisy spoke, turning to Andy with a confident face. Everyone erupted in excited gasps and 'ooo's', and she felt an excited giggle creep up in her stomach, but she didn't let it out.
She turned back to Ezra. "If you want to." She shrugged a bit.

He looked at her impressed for a second before speaking again "Sure." He nodded, glancing at Andy before standing up, Daisy not far behind him.

Her heart was pounding as the two walked side by side away from the fire. She didn't know if it was the alcohol or just the fact that she hadn't gotten any sexual action in fifteen years, but she was excited. She felt like a kid again. It was a feeling she longed for, and she had already forgotten what she was happening outside of this little bonfire party.

She realized they were heading up towards the church, the nearest building. "Isn't this a little taboo?" She let out a soft laugh.

He glanced at her and then back to the church. "Are you religious?" He asks.

She shook her head. "No. Are you?" Dumb question. She realized it right after she said it. His confidence was intimidating.

He shook his head. "Not this kind of religious." He wiggled the doorknob of the building, it was unlocked, and he held it open for her.

She stepped inside. Stained glass windows lined the walls of the building. An altar stood at the far end of the aisles on stage, where a large wooden cross stood atop. Several candles were lit, giving them a small amount of light.

She bit the inside of her cheek as she looked around. It was a funny feeling, knowing that you both knew what you were here to do, but still being too modest to do anything outright. She felt nervous, a feeling she'd gone unfamiliar too— especially in this instance.

She turned around and sat on the arm of one of the wooden benches, looking at him with a cocked head. "We really don't have to do anything if you don't want to— Andy's just—"

"No, I want to." Daisy spoke, a little too eager. She was eager. That was undeniable.

Ezra caught on, a small smirk appearing on his lips as he stepped towards her. Her breath hitched at the sight of the soft glow of the candles carving out his sharp features.

He leaned in and she closed her eyes, awaiting the touch, but like it was on queue, she snapped out of it.

She snapped out of the daze she'd put herself in. Everything came flooding back, all the walls she'd built up over the years came piling back up at once.

Her eyes shot open and she moved her face out of the way, leaning up off the bench and stepping past him. Ezra stood frozen for a bit before turning to face her with an awkward expression.

"I'm sorry." Daisy shook her head, shocked at how little it took to get her to act like this was just some college guy she was playing seven minutes in heaven with. When that absolutely wasn't the case. "I don't know why— I'm sorry." Was all she could say, she let out a little scoff, feeling bad that she'd led him all the way up here.

He shrugged it off with a soft laugh. "That's alright. I was surprised you wanted to in the first place, but when you said twice that you did I—"

She squeezed her eyes shut and face palmed, shaking her head. "I'm an asshole, jesus." She scoffed. She lifted her head back up. "I think you're like... super cute but— I mean— you saw the state I was in a few hours ago I don't think it'd be fair to myself to start making out with some random guy, you know? Like I don't even know who you are! Like it's— you know?" She rambled on quickly.

Ezra smiled, shaking his head. "It's really okay, I understand."

Daisy looked at him with soft, appreciative eyes. "You know, most guys would get really pissed at girl who led them on like this. So thanks for— not being a dick."

He made a sarcastic face. "I am pretty great." He joked.

She smiled, and took a deep breath. "Well— um. I'm probably gonna go back to that house and... figure things out."

He nodded understandingly. He looked pretty exhausted himself, it probably wouldn't be a bad idea for him to head home too. He let out a cough before speaking again. "Want me to walk you home?" He offered, but Daisy shook her head.

"I'll be okay, but thanks." She responded, still feeling awkward and not wanting to prolong it any further.

"I'll stop by in the morning and see how you're doing. Maybe we can get breakfast?" Ezra suggested.

"Sure." Daisy smiled.

The two left the church together, but when Ezra walked back to the bonfire, she went the other direction towards the edge of town, where her house was located.

She realized as she approached the front door, she hadn't even bothered to lock it behind her when she left. That was something she was definitely going to have to get used to again. Maybe she should start with getting a key.

Daisy walked in, shutting, and locking it behind her. She turned on the lamp that sat by the front door, letting out a yawn before rubbing her tired eyes. This was easily the weirdest day she'd spent here.

She turned to make her way up the stairs to bed, but froze in place when Kai came around the corner from the kitchen.

Her heart plummeted into her stomach at the sight of him, and for a few seconds she thought she was seeing things, that was until he spoke.

"What is going on?" He questioned.

She quickly turned the lights off, beginning to shut the blinds in a panic and looking out them to make sure there were no on lookers.
Before turning to face him in a frenzy. "Did anyone see you?!" She asked, walking past him and into the kitchen to shut the blinds in there.

Kai followed her back in there with narrowed eyebrows. "Were you just not gonna tell me you've been living in a happy little colony of witches or was I just gonna have to figure that out on my own?" He asked.

She turned to him. "I've been here literally a day."

He shrugged. "You seem a little too close with your friends here to have only been here a day."

"My friends?" She opened her mouth to speak again, but stopped herself after she realized what he said. "Have you been following me?!"

"Well when you call me for the first time in four years and don't do anything but ominously breathe into the phone— that calls for a little locator spell." He says. "I thought you were in danger but it's worse. You're pretty much buddy-buddy with the Mormons of the witchcraft world."

Her mouth was gapped open in shock, and the only thing she could do was let out a laugh. "The Mormons of the witchcraft world?!" She scoffed.

"But with less polygamy and more happy friendly crystal time. Yay!" He spoke sarcastically.

"You're such a dick." Daisy says. "They've all been extremely welcoming and kind to me."

"Ohhhh right. Just like scientologists would be if they were trying to get you to join their cult." Kai responded.

"I thought they were mormons?" Daisy retorted annoyedly.

"Why not both?" Kai shrugged.

She let out a frustrated huff as she rounded back into the living room to double check out the window that no one saw him. "You're sure no one saw you?" She asked.

"Yes? Why would that be such a problem?" He asked.

"Your coven is the reason they're all here. I'm sure they've heard your name once or twice and if they knew you were here... well they might do something—"

"Wait wait wait." He stopped her. "I thought they were welcoming and kind— now you're saying they might torture me for being the son of the guy who sent them here?" He tilted his head to the side with a cocked eyebrow. "Sounds fishy."

"Well I'm sorry for wanting to make sure you were okay. Next time I'll just let you roam the streets of a town full of people who might hate you!" She shrugged happily.

"I think you're forgetting that I'm more powerful than all of them combined." He adds, narrowing his eyes. "Actually, I'd be more powerful than all of them combined if I had no magic." He added. "They're pretty much just a bunch of pacifists who waste their power on stupid healing rituals."

"So I've heard." Daisy huffed. "Just because they practice magic different than you doesn't mean it's bad. Maybe your coven should consider some of their practices because they seem to be doing real well in the sanity department."

He nodded slowly. "You know a lot about covens now, huh?"

"Yup, big fan." Daisy snarked back. "Look, It was good seeing you but I haven't slept in a good 48 hours and I'd really like to—" She started to walk past him, but he stepped in front of her.

"You're staying here?" He asked.

She shrugged. "For now."

Kai looked at her for a few seconds. "Why?"

"Why not?" Daisy says. "I've got quite a bit of time to kill."

"You don't even know these people." He responded.

"Well geez we're not having an orgy. I'm literally just crashing here for a while. I didn't know I had to do full background checks on people to live in their town." Daisy says.

"Do you even know what factor they are?" He asked.

She looked at him blandly. "Factor?"

He lifted his chin. "Thought you were a big coven fan?" He said smugly. She didn't react. "Their factor. Like— you know how the Gemini Coven is a factor of Synchónefsi witches?"

She pretended to know what he meant to avoid the snarky comments. "Yeah?"

"Well what factor of Epione witches are they?" He asks.

Daisy yawned. "I don't know. Does it matter? I'm tired—" She started to walk past him but he stepped in front again.

"Yes it matters. Have you forgotten that everyone sent here is a threat?" He looks at her concernedly.

She lets out a long groan. "I don't know what 'factor' they are. They didn't say. Again— I haven't even been here for a day."
He thinks for a second, for a question to ask that would help him identify it. "Kai, I appreciate you looking out for me. But I'm tired. Can we have this conversation tomorrow?"

"Who was that guy? The one you went to the church with?" He asked.

Her mouth gapped open in disbelief. "Is that what this is about?" She narrowed her eyes frustratedly. "You're jealous?!"

"I'm not jealous I was just wondering—" He says defensively.

Daisy shook her head quickly, storming to the front door and opening it up. "You need to leave. We can talk tomorrow. I'm not in the mood for this." She huffs.

Kai followed her over to the door. "Don't pride yourself. I'm not jealous I just—" His words fell silent as he caught glance of something at the house across the street. She followed his gaze, confused and looking for whatever he saw. But just saw a house.

"Wha—" Daisy spoke, before she could finish her word, Kai had shut the door and locked it.

"You've gotta get out of here." He said grabbing her arm and frantically walking back into the kitchen where the back door was.

"What?! Why? What did you see?!" She asked panicked.

He turned to her, making her stumble a bit at the sudden stop. "That symbol— that symbol on the door. The two hands and the cup— it's— they're Algean. That's their Factor. They're— not even considered a coven. It's a fucking cult." Kai said. She wasn't following, and it was clear in her expression. "I remember my dad talking about them when I was younger. They've been on the run for decades but no one had been able to hunt them down." He takes a breath. "They get their magic from pain and suffering. They— they take human sacrifices and torture them until they kill them, feeding off of their pain until they have enough power restored. Daisy, they're going to do that to you— they haven't had a sacrifice in years they—"

"Kai." Daisy stopped him from rambling on any further.

"We have to go, now." He pleaded.

Daisy yanked her arm from his grip. "This is a new low." She let out with a soft scoff. He looked at her confusedly. "I knew you were easily jealous but really?" She shook her head in disbelief. "That is quite the story."

He let out a frustrated groan, rubbing his eyes before speaking again. "It's not a story it's the truth." He says.

"Well maybe you can tell it to me again in the morning." She suggested, beginning to guide him back to the door.

Kai huffed, raising his palm and beginning to mutter a spell, but he could barely get the first word out before Daisy smacked his hand down. "Were you just about to use magic on me?!" She shouted.

"You're not hearing me! Daisy!" He turned around and spoke angrily. "These people are insane!"

"That was our last promise for each other that you hadn't broken yet." She spoke, clearly upset that he would even think to use magic on her when she'd made it clear that she didn't like it. And he used to understand.

"Then please just come with me— I can prove it to you." Kai responded.

Daisy swung open the front door. "Please leave." She turned to him with a blank expression that only he could see through.

She was furious with him. Furious for almost breaking their promise of the no magic rule. It was something that she'd told him made her feel stuck, and powerless— and he knew that— and he used to it against her. He felt like an idiot. But he knew his intentions were good.

"Kai." She spoke, when he didn't move. "Get out."

He clenched his jaw, unable to continue arguing with her when he knew she was undeniably the most stubborn woman he'd ever met. There was no use, he knew he was right, and she was just gonna have to find out on her own if she refused to listen. "Fine." He snapped at her, walking out the door. As he got on the porch, he turned around to speak again. "Don't come running back to me for help when I end up right." He said, getting in her face.

"Trust me, I won't." She snarled back, not flinching at his harsh words.

He lingered on the porch for a few moments before walking off the steps. Daisy slammed the door, but peaked out the window by the door to watch him walk out into the night.

When he was no longer in view, she shut the blinds.

a/n
when a character lets out a breath they didn't even realize they were holding

i literally have no idea why this chapter ended up being so long lol.

i've asked this before but do u guys prefer long chapters and less frequent updates, or short chapters and more frequent updates ????

anyways hope u enjoyyyeeeddddd 🥳

and hey hey don't forget to share this story on twitter and tiktok or whatever. it seriously helps wattpad/ao3 authors out so much. like SO MUCH. ESPECIALLY PPL ON STAN TWITTER like when y'all share ur favorite fanfics they blow up so pls pls if u want to pls share hehehehe love u

- jane