Y/n's pov.
" We've heard the news already " uncle Javier said.
" Then you must know why I came here? " I asked, he nods.
" Y/n " I look over to grams.
" I've been thinking that Malia has always been gentle and kind "
" She couldn't possibly commit treason, there must have been a misunderstanding of some sort, however the king's mind can not be predicted " she said.
" Who knows how he might punish Malia, but since she carries the family name, we hoped you can put in some good words for her to spare from death " uncle Jack said.
" Exactly, someone who practices black magic can be cleansed, there are success of such ceremonies in the past " grams said.
I take a deep breath then exhale as I adjust Esmé in my arms.
" I apologize, uncle Jack, uncle Javier, grams, I will have to let you down, I can't help Malia "
" However I saw her with my own eyes attempting to kill Esmé and almost killed my father in law as well, but if it weren't for her crafty mind, all of the crimes she's committed, would have had killed her many times over " I said.
Grams gasp as uncle Jack furrow his eyebrows.
" What do you mean by that? " Aunt June asked.
" She's behind aunt Talia's death " I said.
Paige got up from the couch and took one step forward.
" What? " She asked.
" She caused Talia to take the poison and kill her in cold blood " I said.
" You mean–. . . "
" Yes " I look at Paige and she turns away covering her mouth.
" Y/n! " I hear aunt Hyria's voice from behind as she enters this parlor.
" Don't you make such slanderous accusations! " I turn my head and see her approach me with complete anger.
" You must have made her do it, you tricked her! " She hits my arm.
" Hyria! " Aunt June rushes.
I gasp as I turn away to protect Esmé and Laurence hugs me from behind.
" I'll beat you to death!, You frame my daughter!, You jinx!, Your a curse to this family!, Come at me if you dare! " I can hear Laurence taking the hit behind me as Esmé start to cry from the shouting.
" Shhh " I coo her.
" She wouldn't be like this if it weren't for you! "
" Stop it! "
" Enough! "
I see uncle Javier has pulled Hyria away with a few maids and aunt June turns to us.
" Laurence, are you okay? " She asked, Laurence nods.
" We're fine " he said.
Esmé calms down quick and I pat my hand on her back to reassure her.
" It's okay, baby " I whisper in her ear.
" Y/n, is what you said true? " Grams asked, I turn to her.
" I have never utter one lie of it, she's done damaged to our family and I'm not afraid to confront her of it " I said.
" Mother!, You mustn't believe such nonsense! " Hyria retorts as she points to me and aunt June pushes her hand away.
" Ever since she came to our family nothing good has happened! " She exclaims as she steps forward then turn to me.
I didn't hesitate to give her a glare and I will not pretend Laurence isn't doing the same.
" She's been trouble to all of us, the festival incident, Paige almost lost her fame during the war!, Talia died!, Even now she's trying to get rid of Malia!, Tessa can't even get out of her bed right now because of it!, Jack suffered so much in her hands! " She shouts.
" Jemma " I said and she approaches me.
I pass Esmé to her since she's not calming down with all the shouting, once she left and Esmé is quieter, I hear the door shut.
" Whether you believe me or not, I told you the truth " I turn to Hyria and she glares at me with tears down her face.
" If you can't face it, don't blame others because your too naïve to know which is right or wrong, it's better for you this way " I said then turn to grams and uncle Jack.
" I'm very sorry " I said then kneel down on the floor.
" Grandmother, the favor you asked of me. . . " I swallowed the lump in my throat.
" I can't do it "
I bow my head close to the floor then get up with the help of Laurence.
" Let's go " I said, I take his arm as we turn around.
" Y/n!, Your nothing but a country girl! " I hear Hyria shout.
" If it weren't for Derek you would never survive this world!, You'll die a tragic death for all that you've done!, Your cursed to suffer!, Your a jinx! " She shouts.
" You just wait and see! " She screams.
The door shuts and I sigh, hearing muffled arguments from the other side.
" So much for asking for information " I said.
" It's alright, we can figure it out ourselves " Laurence cares my back and I sigh again.
" Miss " I look up where Jemma approaches us with a much calmer Esmé.
I smile and hold her close.
" I'm so sorry you had to witness that baby " I said then kiss her cheek and carry her on my hip.
Laurence caress her back.
" Let's go home then " he said, I nod.
We approach the front door when I hear the parlor door open and I turn around to see uncle Javier.
" Please don't leave yet " he said as he walk up to us.
" There's not much we can do, we'll make things worse here " Laurence said.
" If you have some time to spare, I have something to show you "
~ Time Skip ~
" Where are you taking us? " I asked as we enter this library part of the mansion.
I have Jemma take care of Esmé again, I hold onto Laurence's hand when uncle Javier approach the corner of the room.
" As not many people know, I go overseas as a collector and I've never really told anyone about this. . . " he arranges a book in a specific order.
I was startled when the entire bookshelf opened like a door.
" Other than Malia " he said.
He grabs the lantern on the wall and light it up as he enter first, Laurence and I looked at each other in hesitant and walk in together. My jaw went ajar to see witchcraft items all over the room as well as pages and spell books which are forbidden all over the room.
" What is this place? " I asked.
He turns to us as he set down the lantern and use magic to light up the entire room.
" Before it was made illegal, studies in black magic for good was never a problem " he said then approach a writing desk.
" You collect items of the black arts? " I asked as I avoid touching a totem on a shelf and some hanging things which are creepy.
I see some glass capsules of wands, I've seen those in the library school, their witches wands from ancient times. Some were thought to have been destroyed or lost, at least most of them.
" My father was a high priest, it wasn't illegal back then, he continues his studies into the black arts for a few years after it was banned, hiding it all in this room " I turn to uncle Javier.
" And you decided to continue it for him? " Laurence asked, he sighs.
" Unfortunately yes, he taught me everything he knows because I'm the only one interested in it, my brothers aren't really as close as I to our father " he said.
" But I don't practice it I promise " he said then take out a book then slide it to us.
" When Malia came into the family, all I ever wanted was too protect her, I showed her how to protect others as well " he said.
Laurence opens the book and see drawings and sketches of witchcraft.
" But instead I created a fascination " he said.
" We must be careful how our obsessions are passed to our children "
My eyes widened as we flip through the pages filled with spells, runes, rituals, sacrifices and notes. These looks like a kid's handwriting and I just know it's Malia's.
" You knew " I look up at him.
" You knew she was hurting my daughter and you didn't do shit about it?! " I asked.
" Malia's my daughter, I couldn't bear to lose her and Theresa is all I have left now " he said.
" But why?! " Laurence slams his hand on the table.
" We could've stopped her! " He exclaims with anger.
" After all these years I thought she'd come back to me, repent what she's practiced, it worked for a while but the bullying and torture she suffered made it worse, it corrupted her more " he said.
" Then you know where she is now, don't you? " Laurence asked.
He sighs then open the drawer of his desk to take out a box.
" What's this? " I asked.
Laurence turn the box and see the wood is carved with witch symbols and runes.
" I remember these symbols, the cup of Infernal Libation " Laurence said.
" You found it? " I asked and Javier shakes his head.
" You stole it " I said and he sighs again with the look of regret.
" My father stole it " he said.
" I thought I could hide it from her but she knew too much of. . .this " he gesture to this room.
Laurence open the box and there we see the shape of a chalice is supposed to be placed inside.
" Where is she? " I asked.
" I used to bring her and Theresa to a cathedral near Loriburgh and Maelia boarder, the place was nearly demolished from a fire, no one ever goes there anymore " he said.
" She would explore the place thoroughly before, I suspected she'd prepare the ritual pentagram there " he said.
" You really think telling this was a good idea? " I asked.
" You do know we're not showing any mercy " Laurence said.
I can see his eyes are swelling up with water but he's holding it in.
" If that's how it takes to stop her, then it's what I deserve for letting these things fester in her "
~ Time Skip ~
" Thank you, Jemma " I said as she finished braiding my hair for me.
" The authorities has been informed, you do not need to join them, they'll take care of Malia " I get up from the chair and turn to her.
" No, I have to " I said.
" But who will take care of miss Esmé if anything goes wrong?, You should be spending the last an hour and a half with your daughter, when Malia comes here you may even see Esmé one last time if anything goes wrong " she said.
" Jemma, you have been there since the beginning to this end, I trust you to take care of Esmé, please, she will be in good hands of Celeste if we don't make it " I said, she frowns and nod.
" I will do my best " she said, I smile.
" Thank you " I said then turn my head to Laurence who's holding Esmé while she sleeps.
I approach them with my armor making little noise and Laurence is in his armor as well. He hums a little song for Esmé to be in a deep sleep and I place my hand over her head before kissing her.
" Mommy and daddy loves you " I whisper.
" Everything will be over like nothing happened " I said.
" That's a promise we can make " Laurence said, I smile and he kisses her forehead before setting her down in her cradle on her tummy.
As Laurence tuck her in I take off my bracelet and set it down beside her, I turn to my husband and we hold hands.
" How's your rib? " I asked and place my hand over it, he doesn't flinch.
" I'm good " he holds my hand.
There was knocks by the door and we turn around as Jemma approach the newly built door, she opens it halfway only for her and hear muffled talking.
Our door was fixed with magic thanks to Rowena, in some way she had learned how to extract the phoenix flame scorch on the door and we had it replaced overnight.
" Who is it? " I asked.
Jemma steps away from the door and see Heidi walking in the room.
" Heidi?, What are you doing here? " I asked.
She stood there looking at us then sigh.
" I'm here to stop you "
" Like hell you are " Laurence steps forward and I grab his arm to stop.
" Why? " I asked and she locked her eyes on me.
" Because Paige will go after her "
There's some references above about witchcraft stuff from the movie Conjuring 3: The Devil Made Me Do It.
Bye!
ฅ'ω'ฅ
~ Mariko