Today was the day. October 31, my cousin's sixteenth birthday, and the day of her Dark Baptism. We had all been waiting for this day with bated breath. I made my way downstairs joining the rest of the family in the kitchen gratefully accepting my mug from Aunt Hilda. "Hilda and I have errands to run and preparations to finish," My mother stated carelessly flicking the contents on her teaspoon into Salem's bowl who growled in protest, "but I've already called Baxter High and told them you're having a terrible outbreak of hives." Sabrina looked alarmed, "Wh-what? Why would you do that, Aunt Zelda?" She took her seat at the table and gripped Sabrina's chin, "The day before your Dark Baptism should be spent in quiet contemplation reading your satanic verses." My mind wandered to my own Dark Baptism. Although we were at a loss with Ambrose being unable to leave the house we still threw a party for the ages. It's a wonder my mother and Aunt never found out. There was no quiet or contemplation about it. Ambrose shot me a knowing look, a small smirk playing at his lips. "But I haven't said goodbye to my friends yet. I can't just vanish from their lives. At a minimum, I have to tell them that I'm-" Ambrose interrupted, "Transferring to some posh private school in Connecticut?" My mother would hear none of it, "You'll send them a postcard. Ambrose will keep you company and keep an eye on you. Won't you Ambrose?" He paused mid bite with a deer in the headlights look, "But of course, Auntie Zee."
Later the three of us lounged in the parlor. Sabrina's unease wasn't going away. "Sabrina, stop pacing, you'll wear out the floor," I groaned. Honestly I thought we were past this. "I'll still be able to see them won't I? Roz and Harvey and Susie? I mean just because we're not at the same school doesn't mean we can't be friends. I'll be at the academy of unseen arts during the week but on the weekends-" Ambrose and I finished for her, "You'll still be a witch." She sighed, "No, I know, but we'll still be able to go to the movies, same as always, and bowling, and all the fun things we do together." Ambrose and I shared a look before he sat up rubbing his temples. "Of course, Auntie Mame and Baby Jane would leave us to explain the hard bits. Look, it's frowned upon, it's discouraged." I snickered at his response but he wasn't wrong. Associating with mortals broke about a dozen witch rules. Sabrina became exasperated, "But you both talk to mortals. And Hilda and Zelda, they talk to mortals." He nodded, "Yeah, we do, in passing, but we do not have meaningful connections with them. The coven forbids that, they will see to it." The last part his gaze wandered to me. My cousin knew everything. I've always confided in him. So that meant he very much knew about the strange feelings I was developing for the Wardwell woman. Sabrina let out a nervous laugh, "What? They'll cast a spell on me if I go to the mall with Harvey?" Ambrose and I both stayed eerily silent. She wasn't the first Witch who thought they could maintain a relationship with a mortal. It always ended badly. "Ambrose? Nicole? Will they?" I attempted to put it as gently as I could, "It's as though a veil drops between you and the mortal world, and eventually, quite quickly, you're weaned from it." She shook her head in disbelief, "I won't forget them." Ambrose was quick with his answer, "You'll want to. Or else the pain is too much to bear." His words hung heavy in the air slowly sinking in. Tears were welling in Sabrina's eyes and my heart grew heavy in my chest. Ambrose looked to me as he answered, "Time slows down, and they'll grow old and you won't. And those things that are so terribly important to them will.. seem trivial and pale to you. The longer you're a witch the more you'll understand, but.. it's better to forget the mortal world and think only of what is ahead.. and be ready for what is ahead." Sabrina wiped a stray tear that had fallen. With each word Ambrose spoke my heart sank lower and lower. I couldn't believe the things I was feeling nor could I explain them. Sabrina stood trudging away slowly. "Cousin, where are you going?" Ambrose inquired. Her reply was soft and broken, "To call Harvey. I'm having one last night with my friends." We both watched her leave as I made an incredibly impulsive decision. "I need to make a call as well."
Later that afternoon I stood in Sabrina's room. She sat in front of her mirror as I carefully applied her eyeliner. "Thank you for helping me, 'Cole." I smiled slightly as I finished my work, "Of course. What're cousins for? Just keep in mind you need to be in the clearing by midnight. I can't protect you if you're late." I meant for it to come out as a lighthearted joke but the seriousness in my tone betrayed me. If Sabrina wasn't baptized the consequences would be dire. "It won't feel this way forever you know. You'll wake up tomorrow feeling better than you ever have in your life," I told her, taking her hand and helping her to her feet. "Promise?" I smiled reassuringly, "I promise. The morning after my Dark Baptism I felt reborn and more powerful than I ever had in my life." I helped her into her mother's wedding gown and gently zipped it up. Guiding her to stand in front of the mirror. Her shocked expression was endearing, "I look.. amazing." I smiled, squeezing her shoulders reassuringly, "You look beautiful and ready to take on whatever may come tonight." We did look amazing. Sabrina was the picture of innocence in her modest white gown and matching heels. I was already wearing my attire for the ceremony which was positively scandalous. The dress itself was floor length with a plunging neckline and slits going up to my thighs. My tattoos wove in and out barely covered by the fabric. I was adorned in silver jewelry including a ring on each finger. My eyes were lined with thick liner and wings that were sharp enough to kill. I smirked to myself, a true daughter of night. And a look that would certainly leave a lasting impression on Mary Wardwell. Ambrose's voice echoed from downstairs. "Sounds like your beau is here. Shall we?" I held out my arm for her, shooting her a wink. The soft blush and giddy smile was sickeningly adorable as she took my arm. "This will be a night to remember," she mused. We made our way down the hall just in time to save Harvey from Ambrose's antics. "—but if I'm risking banishment to the Nether Realm it's going to be for something other than a highschool masquerade." Harvey's confused expression was laughable, "Nether Realm?" Sabrina shook her head, "He's kidding, Harvey." At that the boys turned taking in the sight of Sabrina. She really did look amazing. I smirked, "Well it looks like my work here is done. If you'll excuse me I have something to do." I slipped on my leather jacket and winked at my cousins. "Don't you be late either!" I ignored Ambrose as I stepped out the door. I took a deep breath letting the cool night air fill my lungs. The moon was beautiful that night filling the sky in a way that was completely surreal. Deciding to tempt fate one last time I uttered the incantation, "lanuae magicae." Instantly I was transported to an alleyway within the Greendale city limits. I smiled to myself how I loved magic. I stepped out onto the sidewalk looking up at the sign. Dr. Cerberus'. A bit cliche if you ask me but it was the safest place to meet because no self respecting witch would ever be caught in such a place. I swung the door open and felt the air leave my lungs as brilliant cerulean eyes locked onto my own. Fate was cruel. How was I expected to say goodbye to this woman before we ever even had a chance? I slid into the booth across from her. "Nicole? What's going on? Over the phone you sounded troubled," Mary Wardwell's concerned look sent my stomach into flips. I calculated my words carefully, "I had to see you.." Before I knew what was happening she reached across the table separating us taking one of my hands in hers. The familiar heat rippled through me and up my arm at the contact. She slowly turned my hand over until the inside of my wrist faced her. She gently traced the tattoo inked there. The mark of Lilith. The mark that reminded me of who I was. A reminder of the grim reality we were faced with. That I could never be with her no matter how strong her pull was. "Tell me what's happening," She responded softly. My gaze fixated on where her fingers still traced over my tattoo. "I can't. Not everything. It's not because I don't want to. I told you yesterday that I would still be around and that was a lie. After tonight you'll never see me again." Her grip became more firm causing me to look up into her brilliant blues, "Surely you can't be serious. Without even so much as an explanation?" For a moment looking into her eyes I thought I would tell her everything. All of my deepest darkest secrets. But then the clock on the wall behind her caught my attention. The hour was growing late and if I didn't make it to the clearing in time the Coven would start searching. I stood briskly and swayed when she mirrored my motions. Our close proximity was intoxicating. But the choice was not mine. "Goodbye, Ms. Wardwell." I pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth and left before she could even protest.
