Elizabet walked to the cell and Hattie looked far more pitiful than she did a week ago, but the same resolve and spirit was still there. For that, Elizabet was glad. It did not escape the attention of Elizabet that the Hag looked like she was sitting on the edge between life and death. A slight breeze and the woman would fall into the land of the dead.
Elizabet opened the cell door and stood across from the Hag that sit chained to the wall in front of her. Hattie did not make an attempt to stand this time, she looked far more frail than the last time and that time she could barely lift her own weight. Even with how weak and pathetic the woman looked, she still maintained her air of authority Elizabet noted.
After the quick observations made by Elizabet she spoke abruptly, "hag, how did you know my name?"
Without breaking eye contact, a rough looking smile appeared on her face. "I saw it."
"What in the hell does that even mean, you saw it?"
Hattie shook her head, "You know I am a Hag, a long time ago I saw our paths crossing. I didn't have the particulars, but I knew we could become friends."
Elizabet snorted, "I don't have friends. I'm evil."
This time Hattie snorted, "No, you only pretend to be. You were hurt a long time ago. You're sad and fearful-"
"NO!" Elizabet yelled back. She turned around slamming the cell door shut, "No," she spoke more firmly and then headed down the hall. She was nearly to the stair case at the end. However, instead of walking up and back into the light she stopped. Hattie's words swimming around in her brain. Instead Elizabet turned around and headed back to the cell. She didn't enter (she was somewhat ashamed of herself and her outburst and she didn't want to give the hag the satisfaction.
Elizabet could see Hattie's gaze meet hers. Elizabet waited half-hoping that the hag would say something awful giving her a reason to walk away and never come back. However, the words never came. Elizabet searched the woman's face for clues to what the hag was thinking. Again, she found no unspoken language indicating she thought poorly of the succubus opposite of her.
"Friends?" Elizabet whispered, her voice shaky and uncertain. The word was so foreign to her.
The hag smiled at the sweet naivety of the succubus. "Yes, I said friends. I know you could become the most loyal of friends if given the opportunity.
"I thought I had friends once but, they tried to kill me." Elizabet paused as she looked at her feet shame washing over her like a tidal wave. She slowly met the hag's gaze again. "Is that what you mean by 'friendship' you want to kill me too?"
Hattie tilted her head to the side. If Elizabet could recognize emotions better, she would see the sadness written all over Hattie's face. "They were scared. Instead of trying to understand you they feared you."
"Do you fear me?" Elizabet asked. She leaned in a little more and at the same time made herself appear smaller and less threatening (she did this all without her own knowledge).
Hattie shook her head, "the other that male creature, yes. But, you, no. I trust in the vision I had. I truly think we can be friends, well more than friends really: sisters. But! that is entirely up to you."
Sisters?
Sisters.
Elizabet let the words sink into her mind and then she nodded, "that would be nice. I think I would like that."
For several weeks Elizabet would go and visit with Hattie, they would spend an hour or so together, before Elizabet would leave. She still had the fear of Atchen lingering over her. Over the next few weeks and months Hattie grew stronger by the food provided by Elizabet. Hattie no longer struggled to stand up under the weight of the chains (she wasn't in the best shape of her life but she was no longer sitting on the edge of death and life).
One day as the spring sun shined through the trees with their little buds she headed back to her home after her meeting. Elizabet had a genuine smile sitting upon her face. She always felt better about herself and the world after speaking with Hattie. She didn't see Atchen as she walked through the door. She was thinking what she should do about Hattie and maybe the other captives as well? She thought about the humans, but she wasn't convinced.
Atchen grabbed her wrist, he subsequently thrusted her against the wall. Elizabet was startled out of her thoughts, did he know?
"Taking an interest in those scum?"
Elizabet blanked, "I just want to be more involved in your life, you kept it hidden from me for so long." She could feel him grip her by the shoulders and his bony fingers digging into her soft skin. It was painful, but she didn't let it affect her.
"Really, by feeding them?"
"Yes, how else to get her to turn."
Atchen cocked his head to the side, "What do you mean?"
"Well, she is the most powerful creature in there, if I can pretend to be friends with her, maybe we can use that to our advantage. I mean, you were not doubt trying to starve and torture her into submission, right?"
Atchen released her shoulders and laughed wickedly, "you are truly terrifyingly evil." He leaned in and kissed her passionately. As with much passion an evil creature could summon.