Rita had been to some
strange places, but the world at the bottom of the stairs took the cake. The walls and ceiling were rough, sharp
pieces of jet black crystal, the light emanating from Aria causing their
surfaces to glow a deep purple. The
floor was smoother, but slick, made out of the same material. With each step Rita feared that she would
crack the floor open, but as the walked it remained steady.
She reached out, her hand
grabbing Ashtyn’s. She glanced at her
friend, at the woman she had shared a kiss with only moments before, and she
felt less scared. Ashtyn smiled at her,
giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
“Are you ready?” Rita’s
voice was a whisper.
“As ready as I ever am in
these situations.” Ashtyn laughed.
“Is your…” Rita tapped
her temple, “is she ready?”
“She’s always ready. I have a warrior princess living in my head.
Just try telling her not to fight.”
The group stopped
walking. Rita looked forward, and saw
they had reached a set of large, crimson double doors.
Aria, who had been
leading them, turned to the group. “I
can’t go beyond this point. Inside there
is my… my physical self, and once I pass through these doors, I will be joined
once again with my body. Just know that
beyond these doors lies the witch’s throne room. Inside, your battle will begin, and while I
hope for your victory, I will not be able to fight with you.”
Rita could see Q watching
Aria, his eyes glistening pools. His lower
lip quivered. She could see him wanting
to speak, but unable to make the words, because every time he opened his mouth
a weak sob would escape.
Rita couldn’t imagine the
pain he was feeling, or the pain that Max was feeling. She glanced over at Ashtyn again.
She needed to go into
that room with no regrets.
She kissed Ashtyn again,
their lips pressed tight. The kiss
lingered, and as it went on Rita could feel a warmth growing inside of
her. Love? Maybe. It was something, a
reason to fight, and a reason to get the hell out of the witch bitch’s world,
and back into their own.
“When we get out of
here…” Rita broke the kiss, her voice breathy.
“When we get out of here, I’m taking you on a date. A real one.
A date free of demons and witches and all the shit that always seems to
get in the way.”
Ashtyn smiled. “I’ll hold
you to it.”
Ashtyn broke away from
Rita, and walked towards the doors.
Aria was watching her,
and as Ashtyn reached out, her palms touching the slick surface of the crimson
doors, Aria nodded.
Ashtyn pushed the doors
open, Aria vanished, and the remaining members of the group froze.
Their battle had
begun.
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