Chapter Fifty: The Friend in Need

Bates went and spoke to Lorraine, while Cedric remained on the side watching their interaction. He knew an apology was in place, but he didn’t know how to form one. He didn’t remember a time when he apologized to someone. He also believed that they needed to talk alone, and after they both calm down. He occupied himself with putting out the small fire which Lorraine had started with her power and listened to her and Bates. “Spontaneous bursts of magic are a good sign.” Bates said and she only gave him a small nod. He let out a sigh, “You know, did you decide on what to do?”

Lorraine shook her head, “I don’t know. If I make her forget, what’s to say that something like that wouldn’t happen again? Or like before vampires will kidnap her and use her against us?”

“Well then, ask yourself the important question, do you think your mother can handle everything? How do you think she would feel if she knows she tried to kill you? It would be overwhelming for her, don’t you think? Witches, vampires, deathless, and to know her own daughter is a witch.”

Lorraine bit her lower lip, holding back a sob. She desperately wanted to cry, and the only thig stopping her was Cedric’s presence. She didn’t want to look weak in front of him. “Fine, we can make her forget.” She turned to Cedric, looking at him for the first time after their earlier dispute, “Make it as if nothing happened, and make sure Victoria’s spell is gone.” Cedric only nodded his head solemnly. Lorraine turned back to Bates, “Can you please take us home afterwards? I have to clean her up, she needs to wake up in her bed like nothing had happened.”

Bates nodded his head, “Of course. Don’t worry. And Aiden is going to pick you up to school tomorrow morning.”

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Bright and early in the morning, Father Wilmut was getting ready to head to the church when he heard a knock on his door. He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion; he didn’t usually receive visits so early in the morning. He fixed his white collar and gave one last look at his reflection, the dark circles around his eyes were more prominent than usual, but he decided to ignore it. He was getting old, and the work of a watcher didn’t suit him anymore. Sometimes, he wondered if he had chosen the kind of life he did with no family and no children. Celibacy wasn’t meant for watchers and he went against his people for this kind of life, and he believed that now he was paying for that.

He arrived at the door, with his hand on the handle, he plastered his usual kind smile and opened the door. His eyebrows furrowed when he saw the cheerful grin of the blonde girl before him. “Good morning Father.” Judy said happily.

“Good morning, Judith. Not to sound rude, but what are you doing here?” He asked with knitted eyebrows. The girl barely came to his church, and whenever Steven nd Melissa brought her over, she seemed nothing short of disinterested. His eyes on something she was holding in her hand, noticing it for the first time.

“I brought you a pie.” Judy moved her hands forwards, giving it to him. “I made it myself.”

*“What’s happening here?”* Father Wilmut wondered to himself. He didn’t want to be rude to the girl, but it wasn’t like her. He didn’t know how he should react to that. “Thank you, Judith. I appreciate it.” he took the pie from her and have a small smile. “That’s very nice of.”

She nodded at him, “Well, I have to get going, don’t want to be late for class.” With that she left, and Wilmut kept staring after her with confusion. His eyes fell on the pie, then went inside nd put it in the refrigerator.

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Suzan was getting ready to leave for the hospital when there was a knock on her door. She opened it and when she saw Aiden, she gave him a wide grin. “Morning Aiden, how are you?”

He gave her a polite smile, “I’m okay. Is Lorraine ready?”

Suzan nodded and moved aside to let him in, “Come in.” She remained at the door and called for Lorraine to come down. “Aiden is here.” Lorraine showed at the bottom of the stairs with her bag in hand. “I’ve got to go. If you need anything, just text me.”

“Bye mom.” Lorraine said in a chirpy tone, contradicting how she really felt. Once her mother left, she walked to Aiden. “Hey, where have you been last night?”

Aiden looked down, “I had to feed. It’s been some time.” Lorraine nodded her head and gave a small assuring smile. “How’s she doing?”

“Did Bates tell you what happened last night?” When Aiden nodded his head, Lorraine let out a sigh. “She doesn’t remember anything, which is good. But lying like that is just so hard.” She couldn’t express how grateful she was to have him there with her. There were so many things, which she needed to talk about, but didn’t know who to speak to. And while she could never talk to Aiden about Cedric, she could tell him everything else.

“I know, but you’re doing this for her own good.”

Lorraine gave him a nod then said, “I made a decision last night. I think I should learn how to use magic, I set a chair on fire last night, and with everything I think I should try and defend myself and my mom. I can’t just stay like that.” She had been thinking about it all night, she thought John could try and help her for now at least until they get the grimoire back and get rid of The Brotherhood of The Sun.

“Actually, John already offered to help you.” They both left her house and got into his car to head to school.

“There was something else I needed to talk to you about.” Lorraine started and he urged her to tell him, “I think Judy stole something that belonged to my mom for Victoria. I don’t know why she did it, but I believe Mark must be controlling her somehow. She can’t be willingly doing that.”

“That sounds logical.” He hummed, “It’s the smart to deal with Judy as soon as possible. We have been distracted by everything that we didn’t do anything.” Lorraine told him that they could talk to her in school, and he agreed. “If she’s being controlled then I don’t think she’d give us much.”

“Maybe we can even figure out where the grimoire is from her.” Lorraine suggested, “Even if she doesn’t know, at the very least, she would know where Mark is.” She hesitated slightly before she said, “Maybe you could even talk to him. Tell him about Victoria that she’s not really serving them, but the other way around.”

Aiden didn’t say anything, his eyes remained focused on the road ahead, “Do you actually think he would listen to me?”

Lorraine shrugged her shoulders, “It’s worth a try. We don’t have that many options.”