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Lilith rose from her car seat looking up at the Spellman morticians, over the past year of inhabiting Mary Wardwells body she had learned of routines of the residents. She should have an hour before anyone arrives home; Taking a deep breath she began walking towards the stairs, however before she could even reach the top step the front door swung open revealing the youngest Spellman -Clearly prepared to leave for the Academy for the evening- Both startled by the presence of the other.“Ms Wardwell?..What are you doing here?” Sabrina enquired as her teacher ascended the final step.‘ Yes what in hell are you doing here ’ Lilith questioned herself, it was now or never.“I’m here to see your aunt, is she around?” The first witch asked looking behind the blond in front of her.“Sorry aunt Hilda is still at work, you could stop by Doc Ce-”“That won’t be necessary” Lilith dismissed “I’m actually here to see your aunt Zelda” There was no turning back from it now. How long she had wished to say those words, The conversation however she was more terrified to have, along with the consequences she finally had to face after 25 years.“Oh” Sabrina scrunched up her forehead together in confusion before clearly dismissing these thoughts and continuing what she had to say “Well I really need to leave I’m already running late but aunt z is in the kitchen” she simply stated maneuvering past her teacher “see you next Monday Ms Wardwell” she called over her shoulder.Knowing she was now truly alone with Zelda should have put her at ease but the wrath of Zelda Spellman was unmatched even to Lucifer himself, she thought about turning around and leaving like every other time she had tried and failed to have this conversation over the last year.Alas she continued into the belly of the beast closing the door behind her, ending her chances of walking away.Zelda was engrossed in a russian newspaper as Lilith entered the kitchen, adrenalin flooding her body at the sight of the redhead, she was as beautiful now as the first day she laid eyes on her. She doesn’t age the brunette thought, only improves.“Ms. Wardwell, to what do I owe the pleasure?” The eldest Spellman asked dryly not looking up from her newspaper, only setting it on the table once Mary sat down in front of her abruptly.This took Zelda by surprise, though she didn’t let it show, The Mary Wardwell she knew was always polite, never looking Zelda in the eyes or so much as breathing too loud in presence, she had figured Mary was simply intimidated by her; as was the case with most people. Though today was different..Mary was staring into Zelda's eyes, they looked almost familiar she thought before snapping back to herself, regaining her indifferent composure.‘Was there something you needed or do you just plan to sit there and stare?” The redhead dawled flicking the ash from her cigarette before raising a perfectly sculpted brow to the woman in front of her.This seemed to snap Lilith back to herself, she felt the blood rushing to her face ‘ Damn human body ’ she thought before beginning“I’ve been avoiding this conversation for the past year. I debated whether or not I should even tell you or not but you deserve the truth”Zelda looked at her as if she was insane, most likely given she was continuing to have this conversation.“I’m not Mary Wardwell, well not technically anyway-” She took a second trying to think of how phrase the next part but all that came out was “I’m Lilith or Lily as I remember you preferred”That was all it took for Zelda's expression to change from bewilderment to complete and utter rage, sending a shiver through Liliths spine.“I don’t know what sick game you’re playing or how you even know about her. How dare you sit there and claim to be Lily, I watched her die in my arms and you have the gaul to enter my home and say that you are her” The edge to her voice was enough to cut glass, she stood glad Mary or whoever she was didn’t see her tremble.Lily...her 16th anniversary was next month and yet there wasn’t a she didn’t think of her, wonder how she’d react or feel about something, Hilda had only recently stopped sharing a room with Hilda which had begun the night Lily had died. It hurt even to say and hear her name again, for so long it had been forbidden upon her request to be mentioned in the house.“I’m not doing this to hurt you Zelda, I never want to hurt you again. Ask me something, anything” Lilith tried, This was as hard as she had expected and this wasn’t all of Zelda anger, in fact this was barely a drop of the oncoming storm.“This entire conversation is purposturious. Why should I even entertain this conversation?” With that Zelda stood up taller pointing to the front door “In fact i shan’t. Get out”“Ask me something, I swear I’ll leave you after that” Lilith remained strong, staying in her seat now gazing up at her former lover.Zelda shook her head this was ridiculous, insulting and frankly cruel. Who did this woman think she was to enter her home and claim to be some reincarnation or what not of her Lily. Well if she wanted a question she’d ask the one thing no one would know.“Fine” she gritted her teeth at the words she was about to say “When did Lily and I share our first kiss?” The name is always heaven on Zelda's lips if not a stab to her heart.Lilith smiled softly, which made the redhead consider smacking it off her face.“That’s a trick question. I first kissed you after your harrowing, I held you as you cried in the woods and we never once spoke of it, though I guess our first actual kiss was on the front porch after our first date"There it was, irrefutable truth. Putting down her long since forgotten cigarette and it’s holder on the table; She wanted to be sick, to scream, to hit or even throw things at the woman in front of her. Instead she sat down, her legs suddenly feeling weak.“I don’t understand, I-I watched you die...” Those words hung heavy in the air, suddenly Lilth was viewing the scene that had haunted her every second. Zelda sobbing hysterically over her body as she watched from afar in her new vesal before the voice behind her tells her it’s time to leave for the darklord is waiting.“Please, allow me to expl-”“No, I don’t want to hear whatever excuses are about to come out of your mouth. Since you remember so much do you remember what you told me after my harrowing? How you promised to never leave me again? That you would stay with me forever?”Each word was a stab to Liliths heart, it didn’t help that it was all true “Zelda please-” she tried once more only to be interrupted.“NO! You may not have died that day, but watching you killed me. Now Leave, Get out, go back to wherever in heaven's name you were” The house began to tremble slightly as Zelda stood once more having miraculously regained strength. Likely due to the new source of adrenaline. Zelda did not shout often, This was the first wave and Lilith knew it was time to leave. With that she stood and began to walk from the kitchen to the front door, stopping at the doorway of the kitchen to look back at Zelda.“I still love you Red, I’m not leaving this time” Lilith stated before quickly swerving to avoid the ashtray that flew past her head.“G-GET OU-OUT”With that Lilith turned, walking from the room trying to hold back her tears for as long as possible. Hopefully till she reached her car.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Zelda’s ears rang and her vision began to blur, the house still trembling around her before she finally fell to the ground. How could this be happening? By Satan's name she wasn’t sure if this was a blessing or a curse.
That was where Hilda found her when she returned from work, tears still silently streaming down her face as she stared blankly ahead.
“Zelds!” the blonde exclaimed rushing to kneel by her sister, she hadn’t seen Zelda like this in years, not since…
“What happened, love?”
“S-She’s back.”
“Aunties! I’m home!” Sabrina called as she entered her home once again on Sunday night in preparation for school tomorrow at Baxter high.
However, something was wrong. The energy in the house felt off. Sad almost, walking into the kitchen she found only her Aunt Hilda cooking alone. Usually, she would find her Aunt Zelda smoking in the kitchen reading her paper or complaining about something that happened at the academy. Now she thought about it, she hadn’t actually seen her aunt while at the academy this weekend.
“Hi Auntie,” Sabrina smiled, softly kissing her aunt on the cheek. “Where’s auntie Z?” she asked curiously.
“Oh she’s feeling a bit under the weather,” Hilda lied, Zelda really wouldn’t want Sabrina meddling in her love life. She would try to hold her off as long as possible but Sabrina was like a dog with a bone.
Luckily this seemed to pacify the teen’s curiosity as she began to tell Hilda about her weekend at the academy.
Zelda laid in her bed staring at the ceiling above her. She truly didn’t know how to feel about any of this, let alone how to begin understanding it.
Hearing footsteps approaching her door, causing the eldest Spellman to tensed up, only to relax again upon realising it was just her sister who entered alone, closing it behind her.
“I brought you something to eat, love.” Hilda told her as she set a tray on Zelda's lap.
“I’m not hungry.”
“Zelds you’ve barely eaten since Friday. You can’t live on cigarettes forever, just try eat a little bit,” Hilda encouraged.
The redhead sat up grimacing slightly at the sight of the food before grabbing her packet of cigarettes and lighting a fresh one, resulting in an angry sigh from her sister.
Deciding to ignore sister’s attitude, Hilda sat down at the foot of the bed “So... How are you feeling?” she tried looking sheepishly at her sister.
Zelda tensed up once again at the question. How was she feeling? She didn’t really know. Her mouth opened and closed as she tried to think of the right words but nothing came out. With that she just sighed deeply before taking a long drag and shrugged her shoulder which was extremely out of character for her.
Zelda's emotions rolled over her. All of the anger and hurt she was feeling, it was all just too hard to process any of this. Sixteen years of sadness, guilt, and worst of all the loneliness that followed with it, after Lily had passed Zelda had completely closed herself off.
“I don’t know which hurt more. Watching her die or knowing she chose to leave.” Zelda finally uttered quietly taking another long drag of her cigarette, hoping it would numb the emotions welling up in her eyes as they began to glass over.
At that Hilda hummed sadly, unsure how to reply to her sister. “Well maybe there's a good reason…” she tried only to receive a death glare from Zelda.
“Do you want me to sleep in here again tonight?” the younger Spellman asked after a while causing Zelda to soften and shake her head.
“No, you may go, I will be perfectly fine alone...thank you sister.”
At that Hilda smiled sweetly at Zelda, not necessarily believing her but taking the hint that her sister wanted to be alone right now. With that she stood, leaving the room.
As soon as the door closed Zelda proceeded to pick up the tray of food and put it on the ground before curling up on her side as she stared at the picture frame, that was now cracked in the centre stretching towards the edges. Hilda must have picked it up while she was sleeping.
The photo was taken of Zelda and Lilith on their first anniversary, Zelda was laughing at something Lilith had said and Hilda had caught the moment by chance. They looked so in love.
They looked so happy... They were happy then, at least Zelda had thought so. However, all she thought of now was ‘did she know then? as it already planned? Was she just a momentary play item for Lily to play with?’
Zelda threw the frame once more, completely shattering the frame this time, sending glass across her bedroom floor, that was an issue for later she decided.
Hilda took a grounding breath as she exited her sister's bedroom leaning against the door for a minute as she thought about what to do next, only to almost jump out of her skin as she heard glass shatter. She had hoped that Zelda wouldn’t break the frame completely. She remembered watching Zelda and Lilith’s relationship bloom, it was so vivid in her memory. Zelda was never usually someone who let her problems faze her. However when they did, well, this happened and Hilda just wasn’t sure what to do next.
~Thirty nine years ago~
“Zelds, you’ve got to get out of bed some time you know,” The blonde complained throwing a pillow at her older sister’s face.
“If you keep doing that when I finally do get up, I’ll put you in the Cain Pit,” the redhead snapped, throwing the pillow back.
Hilda was torn between being terrified of her sister's threats or throwing another pillow at her, at least she might get up then.
“I’ll stop but only if you tell me what happened,” Hilda declared sitting on her sister's bed. Regardless of her age Zelda was still her standoffish self. She barely trusted anyone, let alone talked to others about her problems.
Which is why Hilda was so shocked when Zelda let out a deep breath she hadn’t been aware she was holding, before allowing her shoulders to relax.
“I-I had a fight with Lily,” she quietly admitted, not looking at her sister. Feeling uncomfortable being so vulnerable.
“And
that
has caused you to take to your bed?” Hilda asked puzzled, regretting her words immediately when her sister tensed back up.
“I haven’t ‘taken to bed’, in fact I no longer wish to discuss this matter,” Zelda huffed crossing her arms across her chest.
“Zelds no, just forget I said anything before. What was the fight about?” Zelda sighed a bit too dramatically if you asked Hilda, before she proceeded to pick up a cigarette and light it.
“I may have exploded at her outside of a gathering and I may or may not have told her never to speak to me again,” The elder Spellman replied nonchalantly as if they weren’t talking about something so important to Zelda.
Hilda wasn’t blind, she could see how Lilith and Zelda felt about each other even if they both couldn’t figure it out for themselves. How long could they do this dance before they finally ended up dating? Sadly they had been like this for twenty seven years, in fact Hilda had hoped it was inevitable since they first met in 1952.
“Why did you blow up at her?” Hilda asked carefully, not wanting to risk being in Zelda ending the conversation again by saying the wrong thing.
“Well we went to the event together and less than an hour later she had deserted me to talk to some..trollop! So I dragged her outside and asked her what in the heaven she thought she was doing -” Zelda paused to take a long drag of her cigarette in hopes to delay the inevitable, being this conversation. “Well of course she acted oblivious and had the nerve to imply that I was jealous,” Zelda scoffed.
“Well Zelds, it kind of sounds like...you maybe were, a bit jealous that is,” Hilda timidly suggested.
“And why pray tell would I be jealous, sister?” The redhead asked, her voice dangerously low.
“I’m only saying that you sound upset she wasn’t giving all of her attention to you.”
“I suppose one could look at it that way,” Zelda replied once more nonchalantly looking away from her sister.
“Maybe if the two of you went on a date…” Hilda suggested frankly, tired of tiptoeing around the topic, this sincerity caused Zelda to snap her head back to her sister, giving her a soul burning glare.
“At this point what's the worst that could happen? You already told her to never speak to you again.” She knew she’d be claiming out of the Cain Pit for saying that later but it was definitely worth it.
At that Zelda picked up a book she had been reading and lit a fresh cigarette signifying she was now done with this conversation.
~Present day~
Hilda was then reminded of how two days later Zelda had worked up the courage to apologise to Lilth. It still took them another year to actually go on their first date, however Hilda doubted this would be resolved as easily.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Lilith stared at the reflection she had come to know as her own over the past year, as she prepared for another day of being the principal of Baxter high, however on this particular Monday morning Lilith was anxious.
An uncommon feeling for the first witch, had Zelda told Sabrina? Was she about to be accosted by the blonde teen as soon as she entered the school grounds? Though it wasn’t Sabrina she was truly worried about.
Lilith didn’t expect Zelda to forgive her in three days, heaven she’d be lucky to be forgiven in three months. That didn’t make her worry less, was it selfish to have told Zelda? It was too late to take it back but would she even if she could at this point?
Lilith felt as if she could almost relax for the day, the final bell was just about to sound and students would leave for the day. Meaning she wouldn’t be looking over her shoulder worrying she may run into the youngest Spellman.
With that thought Lilith retreated to Mary Wardwells office, sitting behind the desk beginning to look over the paperwork left neatly in the centre of her desk. Deciding to ignore it for the moment instead Lilith proceeded to sip on the coffee she had made, allowing her body to briefly relax as the hot bitter liquid hit her tongue.
Alas it was short lived as the final bell rang startling her before Lilith simply rolled her eyes at her own reaction and began to work on the paperwork in front of her.
The intercom light began to flash signifying mrs Meeks was looking for her, Lilith glanced at the clock causing her to groan. How could it have only been twenty minutes, it felt like she had been working on this nonsense for hours.
“Ms Wardwell, I have Sabrina Spellman here wishing to speak with you”
Of course she is, Lilith should have expected as much at this point.
“Send her in”
With that Lilith steeled herself off, reverting back to the Mary Wardwell persona.
“Sabrina, What can I help you with?” she asked in her most sickly sweet voice, smiling softly at the blonde as if Friday had never happened.
“Principal Wardwell, sorry to bother you”
“Please take a seat” the brunette gestured to the chairs in front of her desk, with that Sabrina took a seat.
“Now, what seems to be the issue Ms Spellman?” She enquired, So far Sabrina didn’t appear to know anything so far which was more unsettling frankly, why hadn’t Zelda told her…
“My Aunt Zelda, you saw her Friday right? How was she?” the blonde questioned innocently
“She was perfectly fine when I left, why do you ask?” the first witch lied looking back at Sabrina just as innocently. However underneath she was beginning to panic. Why was she being asked this? Was Zelda okay? Did she cause Zelda to do something terrible?
Before her mind could swim to darker depths it was cut off by the sound of Sabrina speaking once more.
“Oh it’s probably nothing, I shouldn’t have even asked. If Auntie Zee finds out I asked you about this she”ll have my head” the blonde half laughed somberly.
“Well you have my word, I won’t repeat any of this to your aunt” Lilith smiled before continuing “Though you seem worried, Sabrina is everything alright” She enquired selfishly.
“It’s nothing, it's just…” Sabrina bebated quietly with herself as she bit her lip before continuing.
“I was speaking with my cousin Ambrose and he said that she didn’t leave her room at all on saturday and she didn’t leave sunday either...It’s just not like her”
“Maybe it’s just the flu” Lilith supplied wishing she could just leave at this point rather than continuing this conversation, her fears were true.
“I guess, I could just be making something out of nothing” the youngest Spellman shrugged
“Why don’t you head home and make your aunt’s favourite comfort food or perhaps try to cheer her up?”
“That’s a great idea, Thanks for listening to me Ms Wardwell” With that Sabrina smiled brightly rising from the chair and leaving her principal's office.
Once the door shut Lilith slumped back into her office chair, Zelda evidently was not taking their talk well. She should have figured as much.
A migrain began to form behind the witches eyes, She considered just heading back to the cottage for the night, however if she was to keep her cover then Lilith would need to stay on her A-game.
Upon Sabrina's arrival back to the mortuary she headed straight to the attic to talk with Ambrose, inquiring into whether or not he had found out anything while she was gone.
Alas Ambrose hadn’t found anything that would explain their aunts behaviour.
‘If she was actually in some way ill, we’d know...right? So something much happened, but what?” Sabrina mused aloud.
“What mischief are the two of you getting into up here?” Hilda asked as she climbed the stairs, having been listening to their entire conversation.
“We’re just debating the cause of Auntie Zee’s sudden isolation” Ambrose answered frankly
Hilda sighed sitting down “Ambrose my love, Do you remember Lily?”
Sabrina watched her cousins face shift from shock, to sadness and finally confusion which was currently her feelings on the matter.
“Her anniversary isn’t till next month-” Ambrose began puzzled only to be cut off as usual by his younger cousin.
“Who’s Lily?”
“Aunt Zelda's soulmate, she died just before you were born” Ambrose rattled off clearly not wishing to catch Sabrina up this second “However what I don’t understand is how she’s a factor in our Aunties current state”
With that Sabrina tabled her questions for the moment, turning towards Hilda.
“I wish I could tell you more loves, but that’s all I know, your aunt isn’t the most forthcoming with information if you haven’t noticed. She’s also not fond of others getting in her business, So if you would like to help her maybe stop scheming for answers and try to cheer her up”
With that Hilda left them to their own devices heading back downstairs. They didn't need to know Lily had somehow been alive this entire time and was now in the body of Sabrina's principal. Luckily that was not her conversation to have.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Zelda had slept through most of Monday, apart from the time she had taken to inform Faustus she wouldn’t be returning to teach at the academy for the rest of the week due to family drama, the lie was easy to believe given there was often drama happening. However Zelda wasn’t the type to take any personal leave, especially suddenly with no prior warning.
Surprisingly Faustus hadn’t tried to fight her on it, which Zelda was pleased with if not a bit annoyed he hadn’t begged her to come in.
In reality she felt numb, sipping on the bourbon she had summoned to her room. Hilda would never approve, especially given it was five am and she was using it along with cigarettes to dull her hunger pains.
Zelda hadn’t thought she’d survive the death of Lily, only for Sabrina she might have tried to join her. At that thought she laughed aloud bitterly in her tipsy state “Well luckily I hadn’t done that, I’d have been even..more...alone” Oh what a cruel awakening that would have been.
Then suddenly Zelda was standing, staring at the glass from the picture frame she had smashed all those days ago. She had forbid Hilda from cleaning it up, when she had tried Zelda had screamed at her before sealing the room, baring the rest of the family access from coming in.
‘How could my mind be racing yet so painfully quiet at the same time?’ Zelda mused stepping forward now standing on the glass that decorated her bedroom floor. Feeling her blood seep from the souls of her feet, the pain felt terrible yet she fell to her knees biting her lip painfully hard to stop from crying out in pain.
She laid there allowing the pain to surge through her body staring let out a strangled sigh.
Eventually Zelda felt numb again, slowly getting up and walking into her bathroom, looking at herself with pain, Zelda almost didn’t recognise the woman in front of her.
Frankly she looked like a total mess, her hair was tangled and frizzy beyond belief. The make up she had been wearing last Friday still slowly working to fade off her face making the bags under her eyes more pronounced. The slip so that had been wearing under her dress was all she had on now it Was Completely ripped and slight bloody.
Finally Zelda brought her eyes to look down at the damage she had inflicted upon herself.
For arms and legs blood trickling down them, pieces of glass still stuck to them, her body looked as broken as she felt.
That was one of voice finally snapped back at her “ this isn’t your fault, dump or just your body for mistakes that aren’t yours“
Fresh tears she didn’t think were capable of forming began to stream from Selders eyes as she saw the voice wasn’t in her head but Hilda standing at the door way of the bathroom having broken in somehow.
“I-I don’t know why -I” Zelda rambled overwhelmed.
Hilda simply Hoster, getting her to sit down as she run a bath and began picking the glass carefully from Zelda’s cuts.
“I won’t ask why or how“ Hilda began as she tended to the mostly shallow wounds on her sisters body “However I will beg you not to go down this path again, please Zelda“ at this point to Hilda had tears of her own streaming down her face.
“ I can’t lose any more of you Zelds” Celtic couldn’t take her eyes off your sisters, she looked desperate and terrified, silently Hilda helped her sister to undress and put her carefully in the bath.
Lilith sat in front of the fireplace, in the centre of what was slowly starting to feel like her cottage. It has been over a year since she was ordered back to earth, remission was simple, hope secure a young Wichling‘s name in the book of the beast.
I thought she was deeply offended at such a task, returning to the place she was so desperately ripped from amir couple of centuries ago just to secure some 15 year-old half witch, the one she was told of the power this child would possess if used to their advantage, she had to agree it would be a wonderful asset to them.
“As you wish my Lord“ Lilith agreed, besides the chances of running into Zelda were slim to none, right?
That’s when she heard it “ The young witch is Sabrina, Sabrina Spellman“
Then a week later she sell Zelda, sitting on the front porch of the Spellman manner. That was the moment to airlift the longs, feeling suddenly faint Lilith teleported back to the cottage, luckily in front of the couch as her legs give out from beneath her.
It was Zelda, her Zelda. Still here after all this time. That was the first time she had allowed herself to cry after all the centuries.