Erin had watched Hattie exit the room. She was not expecting the elderly woman to enter the library again any time soon. However, when she walked in not seconds later after whatever important business she had to deal with, Erin had a look of surprise written on her face for anyone to read.
"Thank you Erin. You may have very well saved this coven." Hattie noted walking past Erin and to the shelf that was behind her, lined with books.
Erin shifted in her chair to get a good look at the woman looking through the shelves and books. Erin tilted her head to the side, it appeared like the woman was looking for something. But, Erin couldn't for the life of her figure out what she would be searching so methodically for.
Hattie could feel the the young girls eyes on and she almost ignored the feeling and continued with her search. However, instead she turned around and faced the girl. "Erin."
Erin's ears perked up and she waited for more information from Hattie. The woman was wealth of information, she knew everything! However, the 'hag' was also quite intimidating and to ask her point blank any questions ... sometimes felt like the wrong thing to do. So, when the woman addressed her first Erin waited patiently.
Hattie stared at Erin for a moment. Not exactly sure how to begin or what exactly to say. However, to give her time to organize her thoughts she asked the young girl opposite of her, "are you ready?"
"Ready?" Erin questioned while squinting her eyes.
Hattie wore a calm and patient expression on her face. "Of course dearie, ready? As in are you ready to join the coven? Are you ready for the responsibility? Are you ready for the sisterhood?"
Erin looked back toward the table and the grimoire taking up the better part of the table, including her notes. "Isn't that what I am doing now?" She questioned hesitantly. What exactly was Hattie getting at, thought Erin.
Hattie bit her lower lip and raised her eyes to once again meet the girl. "There is so much more to understand than just reading and studying the grimoire."
Erin took the pause from Hattie as her opportunity to speak. "Of course. I have also been working in the garden."
"Well, of course that is good and all." Responded Hattie, "but to join a coven is so much more than that."
"Um, I'm afraid I don't fully understand."
"Erin, dear. A coven is made up of more than just a grimoire. A coven is made up of individuals that give part of themselves to become part of the larger group, the coven. Have you spoken to the other's? Have you found out why they joined the coven and if they are content? If they are happy?" Hattie raised her brows looking expectantly at the girl. Thinking to herself, she really couldn't call the young girl a 'human girl' any longer.
"Well, isn't it kind of rude to ask such personal questions?"
Hattie giggled and shook her head, "Of course not dearie, these women will be your sisters before long.
Erin wanted to ask Hattie her story. But, she found that she couldn't and chickened out. Maybe later. Erin began to put away the grimoire and her notes.
"Oh, leave the books you can always come back later and study."
Erin nodded and left the documents all over the table. Hattie's eyes followed her out the library door and hovered there for a moment before moving back to her search of the library shelves. Hattie thought for sure, that the girl was going to ask about her own story.
***
Elizabet sat in the coffee shop and stared out the window, her fingers tapped on the cup with her misspelled name, 'Elisabeth'. She took one last sip of the cup before standing up and throwing it in the bin. She exited the shop and walked with no particular direction in mind. They had no clues...yet. Nothing to indicate what might have happened to the young man. However, her mindless wandering was not in vain.
Elizabet noticed the shadows that moved behind her and her wicked grin sat squarely on her face. It was about time she thought to herself, she was after all 'the bait'.
Elizabet took a turn down an alley, that was poorly lit and had no windows or doors. She took in a deep breath hoping the shadows would follow her. To her endless delight they followed her down the alley. They were truly alone and wouldn't be bothered...rather interrupted...by pesky humans.
When she was sufficiently down the alley she turned and faced her unseen stalkers. Elizabet noticed three men. The men wore serious expressions on their faces. They were dressed to capture and kill. Elizabet let out the deep breath she was holding that came out as a blissful sigh.
"Hello, boys." The succubus cooed. He should have known better she thought to herself. While she had fed earlier, she could definitely use these men as desert. She let out a seductive chuckle and walked towards then men.
The militia men were surprised when the woman had turned around and even more surprised when she began to approach them. They were the hunters, right? The leader pulled out his gun and held it at the woman. "Freeze, you are coming with us." The woman obediently held up her arms.
"Please don't shoot." The seductress called out. "I'm unarmed."