#but i remembered that Lilith is the older sibling and then this dawned on me lol | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

thegoodgayshit · 3 years

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Luz’s mother really doesn’t want to send Luz to camp. She knows once she leaves, there is no going back. But Luz has a knack for getting into trouble, and one day she stumbles into the same type of people her mother would have preferred she avoided. After helping Luz dissolve her high school bully into dust, Eda and Lilith know right away that this kid is just like them - a child of the gods. So Luz hops on a Pegasus and heads to Camp Half-blood, where she embarks on a dangerous quest that makes her both friends and enemies... and she might even save Olympus along the way.

Chapter Seventeen: Amity’s Mom Has Got it Going On

Willow had dragged Luz aside right before they left. Amity was talking lowly to Gus by the workshop, and Luz was going to join them until Willow had started talking so quickly Luz wasn’t sure what to think.

“Don’t talk to Aphrodite unless spoken to, don’t look her too long in the eyes, try to keep your composure, whatever you do don’t give her any reason to have a problem with you.” Willow was gripping her shoulders so hard it was starting to hurt, and Luz’s eyes were wide in panic at the intense stare she was getting from her.

“Wait, what? Why do I have to remember all that?”

“She’s a goddess, Luz,” Willow said impatiently, which was so unlike her Luz just shut her mouth closed. Willow sighed, releasing her grip.

“Sorry, but this isn’t Antheia. You have to be very careful. Major Goddesses don’t just seek out demigods. Whatever she wants from you two can’t be good.”

Luz’s brow furrowed. “But she’s Amity’s mom! I mean she can’t be all that bad-”

“Luz, please,” Willow begged. “I’m only telling you this because you have a tendency to underestimate just how serious the gods are. Just follow Amity’s lead for this one. She’ll know how to handle her mom better than anybody else.”

Luz slowly nodded, before promising to Willow that Amity would be the one to take charge. She still didn’t really understand why meeting Aphrodite could be so serious, but then she looked over and saw Amity biting her lip nervously and it slowly dawned on her. She had always underestimated the children of Aphrodite and been proven wrong by the Blight siblings more than once. This was her real deal mother. Maybe Willow had a point.

Luz walked over to Amity and tapped her shoulder, which made her jump and spins around. Her face flushed when she saw Luz looking at her.

“Are you ready to go?” Luz said, and Amity nodded. ‘

“Yeah, yeah let’s go. Probably shouldn’t keep her waiting.”

“We’ll wait right here if you need us,” Willow said, and Gus nodded fervently tapping his wristwatch with a smile.

“If you need help just run right back and we’ll cover you.”

“We’ll be fine guys,” Luz said confidently, but for the first time on this whole quest, her words seemed to just make everyone more nervous. Gus hummed, Willow bit her lip nervously, and Amity’s face was so pale she looked like she was going to be sick.

“Let’s just get this over with,” she mumbled, adjusting the sword on her belt before heading for the exit. Luz followed her, frowning. She was still new to this whole half-blood thing, but she’d been wondering what her dad was like her whole life. She found it odd that Amity didn’t seem excited, and instead seemed to be dreading it.

Maybe it had something to do with her parents… her human ones anyway.

The streets of Denver were still lively with the heat of the late afternoon summer. Luz and Amity were walking in the direction Willow and Gus had instructed them: apparently, Aphrodite was waiting in the indie café across the main street.

As they walked, Luz stole a glance at Amity. The girl had a weary look of exhaustion that Luz was just becoming accustomed to her having. Luz couldn’t help but mimic the expression. Despite them being the same age, Luz realized how much older Amity seemed in comparison to her. Like she was already weighed down with the responsibilities of an adult and it was taking a physical toll on her body. Not that Amity wasn’t pretty… she definitely was. She had sharp symmetrical features that Luz had always wished she’d had and well defined half-blood muscles that could cut glass. She had just looked so much prettier earlier in the workshop when she wasn’t as burdened by everything going on around them. When Luz had handed her the book, her cheeks were flushed and she had given Luz that little smile that was still ingrained in her brain. Her gold eyes had flashed with affection and Luz couldn’t help but smile back.

Luz froze immediately, unable to stop the physical shake of her head. What in Zeus’ name did she think she was doing? She had to focus.

Next to her, Amity shot her a look. “Luz, are you alright?”

“Fine! Just peachy!” Luz said, definitely too quick to seem casual. Amity quirked a brow but said nothing. They fell back into their silence, but now Luz’s mind couldn’t help but keep whirling.

The moment they’d had in the workshop felt like ages ago already. Luz had thought she was helping break down some of Amity’s walls, but every time they were alone she was always so distant like she couldn’t get out of her own head. Now Luz was doing the exact same thing, she could tell by the warm rush she felt in her cheeks.

Luz couldn’t bear the awkward silence anymore.

“So, have you ever met your mom before?” She asked, wringing her hands together. She always did that when she was nervous. Luz’s face got redder and redder. Why was she so nervous all of a sudden?

She hadn’t even realized how insensitive the question probably was until it was out of her mouth, and she closed it in embarrassment. She remembered Willow and Gus telling her most goldy parents didn’t just talk to their kids for no reason.

Amity, thankfully, seemed too weirded out by Luz’s weird behavior to take it personally. “Once. Ed and Em and I went to Olympus for the grand reveal when our parents finished a big project. I don’t remember what it was… I was only seven. Something to do with the Mist I think. Anyway, Aphrodite managed to pull the three of us aside. I didn’t know who she was at the time. She introduced herself, and then she gave the three of us each a gift.”

Luz’s interest had peaked. She turned to Amity in excitement. “Really? What was it?”

“Emira got a rose quartz pendant, and Edric got lapis lazuli.” Amity tapped her camp necklace, specifically the amethyst pendant around the middle. “She gave me this. In ancient times, amethyst was said to transform negativity into positive energy. It supposedly helps with controlling anger, fear, and anxiety. Aphrodite called it the stone of condensed passion.”

Luz couldn’t help but chuckle. “The stone of condensed passion? That sounds a lot like you.”

Amity’s face blushed a deep red. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Luz blinked, her own face heating up. She tried to backpedal. “I just mean like… you know you have a lot of layers to you. Like Shrek!”

Amity’s face quickly turned dangerous. “Shrek? Are you making fun of me?”

“Not Shrek, Shrek!” Luz said quickly, now mortified. “Like you don’t look like an ogre or anything, you’re so pretty-”

Luz needed to stop talking. Like right now, before she embarrassed herself more than she already had been. Zeus, this was terrible. It was starting to feel a lot like the Maya situation all over again-

Now Luz had startled herself so badly, she skidded to such a quick halt the couple walking behind them had to lunge out of the way. Thankfully Amity had already skidded to a stop as well, her own face starting to resemble a fire truck. But Luz’s mind was whirling so quickly, she couldn’t process that. All she could think about was how much this was reminding her of Maya and she needed to stop.

She was breathing so quickly now she might hyperventilate. She hadn’t thought about that mess in almost five months, but now she couldn’t even look at Amity without feeling like her brain would melt right through her body.

She pressed her back against the brick wall of the shop next to them, trying to calm herself down. After a few moments, she felt a soft hand on her shoulder. She opened her eyes, and Amity was staring back at her, her face hesitant, but also reassuring.

“Luz, are you sure you’re okay?”

Luz took a deep breath and put on her best smile. “Yeah, I’m alright.”

It wasn’t exactly a lie, she was feeling a lot better now that she had taken a couple of breaths. But Amity didn’t need to know about all that yet. Especially if… this was something similar.

“I’m sorry, please just forget about… that whole Shrek thing,” Luz pleaded, her face twisting apologetically. “I don’t think before I speak sometimes.”

“You don’t think before you speak all the time,” Amity scoffed, but her tone wasn’t mean, it was light and meant to cheer her up. It worked because Luz laughed.

Amity’s face twisted apologetically. “I’m sorry, I don’t want to push you if you need a minute, but my mom won’t be happy if we keep her waiting any longer.”

Luz shook her head. “I’m alright. You’re right. We need to go. Is that the café there?”

Luz pointed across the street at a café she had seen walking through the city yesterday but hadn’t had time to process. It was a cute little green and white café with an outdoor patio, surrounded by pretty décor and a chalkboard menu outside.

Amity scanned the patio, and Luz saw her inhale sharply. Her gaze was locked on a woman sitting alone, with two empty chairs across from her.

“Yeah, this is it. She’s sitting right there.”

Luz turned her head to look more closely, but before she could, Amity reached over and grabbed her hand. It was such a tight grip, it made Luz wince.

“Luz, just be careful, ok? Her children can see through her glimmer, but I don’t know how her appearance will affect you.”

Luz furrowed her brow, but she could tell by the urgency in her expression that Amity didn’t have time to answer her questions. So instead, she just smiled.

“Yeah, ok. I’ll be careful and stay focused.”

Amity smiled, but Luz was almost certain it was forced. “Well, I don’t know if you’re ready but we are literally out of time. Let’s go.”

Amity dropped Luz’s hand, and Luz wiped it on the side of her pants, doing her best to ignore the tingle she’d felt when Amity held it. Taking a deep breath, she headed across the street with Amity to meet Aphrodite.

As they crossed the street, Luz was so focused on trying to, well, stay focused, she was watching her feet as she crossed the street, which likely could have killed her if Amity wasn’t walking pace by pace with her. As they passed towards the café, Luz heard the most beautiful voice she had ever heard.

“Ah, finally. Hello again, daughter it is so good to see you. And this must be Luz Noceda. You’re big news up on Olympus right now. Please, sit down.”

Amity tensed at her words, but walked forward and pulled out one of the chairs, and sat. Luz went to do the same, but as she did she looked up to see the face of the love goddess for the first time.

Her beauty alone was so radiant Luz’s knees almost buckled out, and she forgot everything all at once. She was perfect: literally, anything you could ever find attractive about a person, she had. Luz was mesmerized upon first glance. Luz wanted to look everywhere at once, but every time she tried, it was like her appearance changed.

“Oh my,” the goddess said with a smile as Luz’s mouth involuntarily dropped open in awe. “Isn’t she sweet?”

“Luz!” Amity said from next to her. She was definitely frustrated with Luz, but it sounded so far away to her, and she had already zeroed back in on Aphrodite.

First, she looked like the first-grade teacher she’d had a crush on, with dark hair and perfect brows. Then, she looked like a real-life version of Azura, which was so strange but so captivating Luz couldn’t look away. Then… then she saw an older version of Maya. That one hurt, and Luz knew Aphrodite could see it too. The love goddess chuckled, flashing white teeth, and the appearance of it shocked Luz so bad she tunneled straight back into the present. When Aphrodite smiled, she looked just like Amity. Luz wasn’t doing her best not to focus on it, but she swore her hair was changing back into the mint green color it had been when she looked like Azura.

Her cheeks pinked when she realized what had just happened. Amity was shaking Luz, and she swallowed in embarrassment. So much for staying focused.

“Uh, sorry. I’m sorry, Lady Aphrodite. My apologies for my behavior.” She looked down and away at the napkin on the table, anything to not have the love goddess change form again.

Aphrodite laughed, and Luz felt her heartbeat accelerate. Aphrodite’s laugh could have been Amity’s. In fact, it was scarily similar to when Amity had laughed in the tent back in Kansas.

Luz pinched herself. Focus. She looked back up at the goddess, and thank Zeus she had changed form. She was still drop-dead gorgeous (which even then was an understatement) but it now looked like ethereal beauty, not anything too specific.

“No, no, don’t apologize. I’m flattered, Luz.” Aphrodite said, winking at her. “And you’re affected by my charms. This is good news for you, daughter.”

Luz’s brow furrowed in confusion, and next to her, Amity choked.

“I’m sorry, my lady,” Luz frowned. “I don’t understand.”

Aphrodite looked at Luz slowly, up and down like she was a barbie doll in a toy aisle. It made her viscerally uncomfortable, but she tried not to show it. Willow had told her to be careful. After a moment, Aphrodite smiled brightly.

“You will, daughter of Hermes,” she just said. Luz knew it would be stupid to ask any more questions, though now her brain was hurting so badly she just wanted to go. She stole a glance over at Amity, and her eyes widened. The girl looked like a mix of furious and embarrassed, her cheeks puffed out a bright red, and her hands shaking. Aphrodite caught the look, and tisked, nodding her head.

“I suppose that is irrelevant right now, though, in my opinion, these things are never irrelevant.” She said, folding her hands over the table. “Regardless, I didn’t call you here to meddle. The gods have taken a deep interest in your quest. Though some would never admit it, Hestia is a greater glue to Olympus than we originally thought. With every day that passes, our powers get weaker. It is in our best interest to assist you mortals wherever we can.”

“Pardon me, my lady, but if Hestia is so important, then why wouldn’t a god or goddess go looking for her?” Luz asked, and Aphrodite tilted her head humorously.

“We cannot find her. Mount Pelion has always been a safe haven for demigods, dear Luz. If a demigod does not wish to be found, there are few places safer than that mountain to go. Belos is despicable, but he is not daft.”

“We’re already heading up Mount Pelion soon,” Amity said slowly, “Surely, mother, you would not call me here if you didn’t mean to assist us. What did we do to deserve such an honor from the love goddess herself?” Luz looked at her in surprise, despite her smooth words, her tone was out of place, and frosty. Luz was enamored by the way Amity was watching Aphrodite. It was almost cautious like she didn’t trust her. Luz knew she should let Amity speak from now on. This was her mother, and Luz would be lying if she said she wasn’t terrified of Aphrodite’s effects on her.

Aphrodite hummed, and Luz realized she was eyeing Amity with interest like she wasn’t sure to make out of her daughter either. “I know I must seem foreign to you. Most of my children, and other goldy children, feel this way. But I promise I am looking out for you the best I can with the cards Olympus has been drawn. I have much faith in your quest, Luz already knows this.”

The realization dawned on her. “Antheia told me you had favored me.”

The twinkle in Aphrodite’s eye couldn’t be missed. It was like they were literally shinning. “I have always admired heroes with a strong heart, fueled by love. You, Luz Noceda, have more love in your heart than… my my, maybe Paris of Troy? Regardless, it is about time we had a hero whose greatest strength was their heart. These stories are often the most passionate.”

“Or the most tragic,” Amity deadpanned, and Aphrodite shrugged.

“Maybe because it has yet to be done right. That is why I want to help.” Aphrodite shrugged her shoulders, which should not have looked so elegant. “If you don’t want to accept my help, that is fine. There is no saying if you do well without my help or not. I don’t mind tragedies either.”

Amity stilled, and Luz turned to meet her gaze. It was clear by her expression that Amity was very uncomfortable with this, but Luz could also tell that they didn’t have much of a choice. From what Luz gathered, Amity’s mom didn’t seem like the type of girl to just accept an easy no.

“What kind of help are you offering to us?” Amity said slowly, and Aphrodite hummed, leaning closer. Luz had to stop breathing just to not get too intoxicated by the scent of her perfume. It reminded her of the smell of saltwater at camp when she would sit by the water with Willow and Gus, as well as the camp’s pine trees… and something else. Mint?

“I know the first map up the mountain failed you, and that is because Belo’s used his magical abilities to twist it to his advantage. You cannot rely on any old object to guide you up the mountain. But you can rely on a godly item.”

Amity’s lips were pursed, but she didn’t shut Aphrodite down. Probably because she couldn’t but Luz was leaning in with interest.

“The Centaurs at Mount Pelion still trust the gods. If you showed up with a blessed object, they would not be able to refuse to help you, lest they wish to infuriate us. If you showed up with a second object, they would have no choice but to treat you as godly kin. You might have the help of an ally on your quest to destroy Belos and the portal to the Underworld.”

“Where are we going to find godly objects in Colorado?” Amity asked, and Aphrodite grinned so brightly Luz almost passed out.

“Well, you already have one. And I just happen to know the location of a second. The University of Denver has a lot of old Greek weapons in its Classics department. There, you’ll find Peleus’ shield. Take it, and use it on your quest.”

“You want us to break into a university and steal an artifact?” Luz exclaimed, and though it definitely wasn’t polite, Aphrodite thankfully let it slide.

“I just happened to have already created the perfect cover story. The local high school is holding their prom in one of the Universities Facilities not that far from the Classic’s department. Attend the prom, and then sneak out and steal the shield.”

“So you want us to attend a prom, break into the university, and steal one of their artifacts?” Amity repeated back with a scowl, and Aphrodite beamed.

“Exactly.”

Luz felt her stomach begin to swell in excitement. She’d never gone to a school dance before, not after… well. It didn’t matter. She was going to attend one tonight, even if it was fake. And she would get to do it with friends!

“This is so exciting, Amity!” Luz squealed, squeezing her friend's forearm eagerly. “We’ll have to hurry back to pick out what we’re going to wear from the magic wardrobe.” Luz’s smile began to dwindle. “Do you think Athena’s wardrobe can do that?”

Aphrodite snapped her perfectly manicured fingers together once. “Don’t worry about that. I just had four outfits sent to the wardrobe for you four to wear tonight. You’ll find them labeled. They should all be according to your style…” She turned to Luz with a smile that was all too knowing to be human. “And as much as I liked your vision of a prom outfit, you’ll want to blend in tonight. I adore the tutu, but it’s quite flashy for a heist. I think what I picked should still suit you very nicely.”

Luz blushed. How did Aphrodite know she’s always wanted to wear a tutu to a school dance?

“Mother, we haven’t agreed to anything yet,” Amity said quickly, “we still need to discuss with Willow and Gus to decide if this is the right course of action.”

Aphrodite sighed. “You worry too much, dear. As a goddess I can assure you, this is the best move you have going forward. Unless you’d like to gamble with being hunted for sport by centaurs.”

Luz flinched and turned to look at Amity pleadingly. Amity still didn’t look sure, but after looking at Luz’s desperate eyes for a couple of moments, she eventually conceded.

“Alright, fine. But I hope whatever you picked out for me isn’t too intense. It’s not like when you claimed me, right?”

“Please,” the love goddess scoffed. “Your blessing was some of my best work. But no, like I told Luz, I made everything… more subtle.”

Amity didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t get much of a chance to say anything else about it.

“Alright, then. You two better get going, you only have five hours to get ready which is barely enough time in my opinion.” Aphrodite got up, waving her hand and leaving a healthy amount of cash on the table. “Take the change for your trouble, dears. It’s always nice catching up with my children. I look forward to seeing how your quest plays out.”

Amity grumbled something under her breath and picked up the cash on the table, stuffing half of it into her pocket. Aphrodite chuckled at her daughter one more time, before casting Luz a wink, speaking so quietly Luz was certain only she could hear it.

“And Luz, save Amity a dance at the Prom tonight, will you? That girl needs to lighten up a little bit.”

#the owl house #percy jackson au #lumity #luz x amity #shelby speaks

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frizz22 · 3 years

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Growing Up Spellman ch. 3

Read on ao3. NOTE: Morgan is 8, Sabrina 4

Zelda watched in amusement as Morgan knelt on a kitchen stool, bracing her forearms on the counter as she excitedly told Lilith about the upcoming junior coven members tour of the Academy of the Unseen Arts.

And when her daughter proudly puffed out her chest and claimed she’d be studying at the same place as her Mama and Auntie Hilda… well, Zelda melted, just a little.

“Yes, you will my little demon,” she murmured, carding her hand through Mo’s hair affectionately.

Beaming, and leaning into Zelda’s touch, Morgan shifted her attention back to Lilith. “Where did you go to school?” She asked eagerly, clearly hoping the Dawn of Doom went to the Academy as well.

A small chuckle escaping her, Lilith tilted her head. “I didn’t go to school, little beastie,” she informed Morgan. Nonplussed, Morgan sat back on her haunches in a thoughtful silence, her brow furrowed, as Lilith turned to Zelda. “As much as I’d love to sit and chat about your school days and the antics I’m certain you got up to, I have to go. Our Dark Lord is summoning, and one does not keep Him waiting long, not even me.” She rolled her eyes then winked at Morgan, who had come out of her trance and attempted to wink back—much to Zelda and Lilith’s amusement—before teleporting away.

With Lilith gone, Zelda prodded Morgan gently in the side. “Alright, Mo, I let you stay up a bit later than usual so you could tell Lilith about the upcoming tour, but now it’s time for bed.” And to her astonishment, Morgan slid off the stool and made her way upstairs without any attempt at negotiating a later bedtime.

Surprised, Zelda trailed after her daughter and leaned against the bathroom door frame, arms crossed, as Morgan brushed her teeth. “What’s on your mind, Mo? You were so effusive earlier.” When Morgan looked at her in confusion, Zelda smiled. “Talkative. Effusive means talkative, darling. Something you no longer are, you feeling alright?” She automatically reached to touch Morgan’s forehead for a fever, only for her girl to duck away and spit out a mouthful of toothpaste.

“I’m fine, Mama, just thinking.” Morgan replied, rinsing her mouth before wiping the back of her hand across it, much to Zelda’s chagrin—she’d been trying to break that habit for a while now. “Will you tuck me in?”

Unable to deny such a sweet request, especially when Zelda wasn’t sure how much longer Morgan would make this particular one, she let the matter drop and nodded. “Of course, sweetheart, come on.” She moved out of the doorway and let Morgan lead the way to her room.

Her girl clambered into bed and immediately snuggled underneath the covers, Gorgo tucked firmly into her side; the toy had seen better days, despite the spells she and Hilda tried to use to freshen the thing and keep it preserved. But Zelda certainly wasn’t going to take the beloved item away from her daughter. She remembered all too well how quickly her parents made her and her siblings grow up, and she wanted Morgan to be a child for as long as possible.

Shaking away old memories, Zelda tucked the blankets in around her girl. “All set?”

A small yawn escaping her, Morgan nodded. “Yes, Mama.” The words came out a little mumbled, sleep already taking her.

She smiled at the sight and smoothed back Morgan’s hair, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Night my little demon, I love you through Hell and back.” Her girl giggled at that, loving it because it was true. With a final kiss to Gorgo’s head as well, Zelda slipped out of the room, turning off the light as she went.

Morgan’s eye cracked open as the door shut, waiting until she heard it click before sitting up. Yes, she was very tired, but what Lilith said was keeping her brain awake.

Did the Mother of Demons herself really not go to school?

Hugging Gorgo to her chest as she thought, Morgan turned the problem over in her head again and again until she came to the only conclusion that made sense. She wouldn’t go to school either.

Content with her solution, Morgan kissed Gorgo on the head as well before rolling over and snuggling back into the blankets; she’d tell Mama in the morning.

~~~

To say Zelda was exasperated, might be an understatement.

For two weeks now, Morgan was adamant about not going to school. Apparently, if Lilith hadn’t gone and accomplished so many amazing things, surely Morgan shouldn’t go either. The morning after Lilith’s visit, Morgan traipsed down the stairs and firmly announced she had no intention of attending the Academy of the Unseen Arts, not for the tour, and certainly not for years to come. The about-from not even twenty-four hours before baffled them.

And no matter what she, Hilda, or Ambrose said could convince Morgan otherwise.

Hilda reasoned it was a phase, that all children refused to go to school at one point or another. Normally, Zelda would agree, except this phase often occurred when the child was actually in school, not before it even started.

So, she tried a number of things to try and convince Morgan she needed to go to the Academy tour in a few weeks and ultimately the Academy itself once she was older.

Every tactic failed.

Which meant, two days before the tour was set to happen—one Zelda had certainly already signed her daughter up for regardless of her anti-education stance—Zelda swallowed her pride and messaged Lilith; asking her to please come back and talk to Morgan about why she didn’t go to school and how those circumstances certainly didn’t apply to young witches today.

It was embarrassing, to say the least. To admit she couldn’t talk to her own child, make her see sense in such an obvious thing. But if nothing else, Morgan inherited her stubbornness, and Zelda knew from the set of her daughter’s jaw and the defiant spark in her eye that no amount of logic from Zelda would change the girl’s mind in time.

So, that was how she found herself apologizing profusely to the First Witch, the Mother of Demons, Lilith herself, for all but summoning her there to attend to what amounted to an unruly child.

Waving a dismissive hand, Lilith grinned. “Nonsense, I like a little rebellion, especially when I’ve instigated it.” At Zelda’s arched brow, she chuckled. “But given this rebellion centers on education, I’ll make an exception and nip it in the bud.” With a smirk, Lilith strode into the parlor to find Morgan.

A wide grin split the girl’s face when Morgan saw her, and she leapt up from her spot in the couch. “Lilith! You’re back already?” She asked, eyes bright with excitement as she launched herself at Lilith to hug her hard.

The ease with which Morgan—and the entire Spellman clan in general—displayed affection still stunned Lilith. Chest tightening in an odd way, Lilith hugged the girl back, her lips quirking up unbidden. Gently disengaging, Lilith led Morgan back to sit on the couch. “Well, this isn’t exactly a social visit. Your mother asked that I come talk to you.” When Morgan frowned, her brow furrowing adorably like her mother’s did when concerned, Lilith continued. “She told me you don’t plan on going to the Academy of the Unseen Arts. Not for the tour you so excitedly told me about, or for your full education.”

Morgan’s face cleared then. “Oh,” she murmured, clearly relieved and not thinking she needed a lecture. “No, I’m not. You didn’t.”

Though deeply touched—if bemused—by Morgan’s idolization, Lilith knew this was a path she wouldn’t let the little witch follow her down. Least of all because Zelda would skin her alive.

Refocusing, she inclined her head. “You’re right, I didn’t go. But you see, little beastie,” Lilith began, “the False God created me to be subservient to Adam, something I failed to be spectacularly.” She bopped Morgan’s nose, eliciting a giggle. “But He had no plans to educate me, or even Adam for that matter. You see, the False God knows knowledge is power and He wasn’t going to simply share power with us. He wanted to keep that power for Himself. So, I didn’t go to school, though I wish I could have. I’d have loved a place like the Academy; to learn, go to school.”

Mouth tugging downwards once more as she curled almost instinctively into Lilith’s side, Morgan looked up at her. “But after you ran, after you found Lucifer… why didn’t you go to school then?” Before Lilith could respond, Morgan added. “I understand why the False God kept the mortals down, why He withheld knowledge. But surely, Satan,” her frown morphed into a scowl at the mention of the Dark Lord, clearly still not forgiving all the hurt He caused her family, “surely, He’s better than the False God. Surely, He wanted to teach witches. You first among them.”

Taken aback, Lilith blinked at her. “I, well, Lucifer, he—" she fell silent. After a long moment, Lilith cleared her throat. “I couldn’t. Lucifer needed me to help him build up the Churches of Darkness. He couldn’t spare me, so I couldn’t learn with the others.” A smile curled her lips, as if to reassure them both.

From the girl’s scrutinizing look, Lilith knew she missed the mark; her thoughts confirmed seconds later. “That’s not a real smile.” Morgan observed bluntly. “It doesn’t make your eyes happy, not like the ones you normally give me.”

Struck speechless, Lilith blinked at the seven-year-old in front of her.

Taking advantage of the silence, Morgan forged ahead. “Well, what about later, later? Maybe you couldn’t go at first. But what about when the churches were done, and the covens were learning and going to school? Why couldn’t you go then? If you wanted to, shouldn’t Lucifer have let you?”

Her mouth twisting, Lilith ran a hand through Morgan’s hair distractedly. “I… I was too busy helping Lucifer run Hell at that point. He needed me as His Left Hand, His General, so I could prepare to be His, His Queen...” But even as she spoke, Lilith trailed off, looking at Morgan uncertainly and then her eyes drifted over to where they could see Sabrina and Diana in the kitchen.

“Lilith?” Morgan sat up a little, and touched her cheek, startling the Mother of Demons.

Shaking herself, Lilith covered Morgan’s hand where it still rested on her face. “Sorry, little beastie, got lost in an odd thought. But, as I was saying, I was too busy helping the Dark Lord to go to school, though I longed to. But you,” she squeezed Morgan’s hand and then lowered it to hold in her lap. “You are not too busy. And if you want to be a proper witch like me and your Mama, you need to go and learn all there is to learn at the Academy. Besides, you’ll love it there.”

Morgan chewed her lower lip, mind clearly still churning away. “I know why I need to go. But,” she huffed in frustration, “I still don’t understand why you weren’t allowed. Satan had a reason; He needed your help. But, but the False God had a reason too and He was wrong…. So, so doesn’t that mean Lucifer was wrong too? They both didn’t let you learn, didn’t let you follow your free will to do what you wanted, they just had different excuses.” Her adorable face was screwed up in confusion.

Unsure how to respond, Lilith once more gaped are the child curled against her side.

Seeming to decide this topic was too difficult for her to unravel, Morgan shrugged and sat up straight. “I’m sorry you couldn’t go to school, Lilith. But I’ll make sure I learn plenty and I’ll share everything about it with you and Beelze! I’ll tell Mama to sign me up for the tour at the Academy.” With a sweet smile and a quick peck on Lilith’s cheek, Morgan hopped off the couch and made for the kitchen where her mother most likely still was.

Dumbfounded, Lilith remained on the couch, frozen. Because did, did this child just make a comparison between the Dark Lord and the False God… and make sense?

Did she just make a comparison, one in which Lucifer was not in the kinder light?

Well, if Lilith truly thought about it, if she reached far into her memories, back to when things were just beginning… had Lucifer held her back? Denied her knowledge?

Or had that decision been her own?

Did she decide that while knowledge was power, more important things needed her attention? Or, or had Lucifer nudged her in that direction? Promising once they were established, she’d be His Queen.

Except, they’d been established for centuries now, and she still was only ‘Satan’s Mistress’….

His concubine.

If she broached the topic now, how would Lucifer respond? Say it’d been her choice all along? Claim His need of her outweighed such ‘whims’ just as much now as it did then? Or would He once more distract her with temptations of a Queenship?

Only, only now there was the matter of His unabating attention to the youngest Spellmans to consider as well….

Her thoughts were interrupted by Zelda coming into the parlor.

“Thank you, Lilith.” She smiled, relief evident in the now absent tension in her shoulders. “I’ve just been informed that Mo absolutely must go on the tour tomorrow if she is to learn to be a proper witch like the two of us.” Head shaking affectionately, Zelda chuckled. “I truly do appreciate your help. Mo so admires you, and to hear you never went to school, well,” she spread out her hands, “you getting her see the light, so to speak, should put the issue to rest.”

Nodding absently, mind still turning over the puzzle of dusty memories from lifetimes ago, Lilith stood and made to leave.

It was only when Zelda caught her arm, that Lilith truly snapped out of her convoluted thoughts. “You alright?” The witch asked, that same crease indicating her concern marking her forehead, like mother, like daughter.

Clearing her throat, Lilith forced her stoic mask back into place. “Certainly.” At Zelda’s skeptical expression, she added. “Morgan gave me as much to think about as I did her. Clever little beastie,” she added at the end, almost to herself. “I do have to go, Zelda, Hell beckons.”

It didn’t.

But Lilith needed time alone to contemplate everything Morgan stirred up inside her. Still, just because she needed time, didn’t mean she had to cut her time with the Spellmans completely short. “But if Morgan is up to it, I wouldn’t mind a call on one of the mirrors to hear all about her tour.”

The soft smile accompanying Zelda’s nod was too much for Lilith to handle, it seemed as though Zelda saw right through her. Seizing onto her fake excuse, Lilith gave the redhead one last curt nod before teleporting away, her mind whirling.

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