AnnouncementI can be found in the following pces and always willing to discuss character dynamics or plot evolution or simply polishing scenes. Feel free to drop in.bsky

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  Ruby stirred awake. She was again in Mom's bed, clothed. That was a consotion. Mom angled beside, letting her fingers py through Ruby's bed tangled locks.

  "Or went home st night." Mom offered her statement casually. "I know you may have hoped she could join us, since you both grew close."

  Ruby's palms found comfort against sheets. Her heart sank. Then panic set in. "Did something happen? Like... weird?"

  Mom continued pying with a coiled lock of her hair, tugging and releasing it. She watched it bounce and dance with a nguid smile.

  "Mom... did you like..." Her tongue stuck to her pate. Some words could not be said. Some questions cannot be asked, especially between mother and daughter.

  "After meeting your Dad, you fainted. So Or carried you and I dressed you up proper for bed." When Ruby could not reply, Mom traced her fingertips along her brows. "You looked angelic when you sleep, darling. And I am not saying this because I am your Mom. You really do."

  Ruby can only watch Mom through stupor. The immense size of Mom's bed dwarfed her. She can't quite fit all within her frame.

  Then Mom sat up regally. As though she owned everything within her reach. As though she reigned supreme.

  Mom continued petting her hair, watching them spring against her finger, teasingly pulling them while she tugged.

  "Ruby, I really wish you would remain a girl." Mom volunteered, unprompted. "Don't grow up too fast."

  Then, Mom looked sidelong through dark tresses. Her chin rested upon her shoulder, one side of her lips curled. Her voice contained a strange quality, plea somehow draped itself within each sylble. "Before I blinked, I had a full-grown daughter in my hand, and I would hate to miss so much."

  "Can I ask you, since I am kind of curious?" Ruby asked, turning on her side. Her chin rested on Mom's p. It was surprisingly warm and comfortable. "When I asked you whether you can change me... you know...back."

  Mom peered closer. That strangely soft expression fell upon her features. When she smiled, her cheek dimpled.

  That drew Ruby's attention. A stark realisation. Mom looked pretty. Not seductive. In those unguarded moments, she looked overbearing and pretty. Even during her stern moments, she remained arrestingly beautiful. That added further sincerity behind her gentle touch. Ruby can feel it reverberate and tug something in her.

  "Darling, come closer." Her voice beckoned, teasingly soft, luring, and completely captivating.

  Mom may control powerful magic, can weave through complex spells, alter physical ws, may make someone disappear. Yet, she used none. Instead, she reached, bringing Ruby closer. Ruby found herself transfixed within Mom's soft, hazel gaze.

  "Darling, so Or tells me that you somehow knew that IPL hair removal does not work on ptinum blonde hair. I am not a fool to believe you have this knowledge stored inside that beautiful head of yours for seemingly no apparent reason."

  Ruby's options were limited. She could cim she overheard a few girls discuss, or she accidentally stumbled into the female hygiene side of the aisle. Not that it would shine before Morgane Spenard. Moms are human lie detectors, and her Mom could sense it coming before even the words would form.

  Then Mom continued petting Ruby's hair. Her touch stayed, flowing through her crown. "Tell me, since I am curious, darling. Where exactly you came upon them?"

  "I may have searched for some techniques to remove unwanted body hair." Ruby confessed, unable to contain any further. "It's nothing. Just wanted to learn a bit about personal grooming."

  Mom tilted her chin. "Personal grooming?" If she suspected, then her expression was unreadable. "The st time I checked, that is just a shower and copious amounts of axe."

  "Okay. I was probably disturbed by hair growing in some pces."

  "And now?" Mom's hands fell low. They traced a slow line along her bare arms. Ruby almost mewled and rubbed her legs, again, hair free.

  "It's acceptable." Ruby couldn't decide whether she liked it. Or not. It looked nicer. Ruby hid her blush since that might give a false impression.

  "Would you call your body hair... inconvenient?"

  Ruby could only offer a mumbled confession. "Not any longer."

  Mom appeared pleased. That drew Ruby's attention. She avoided eye contact, since all evidence pointed towards her.

  Then Mom blew her kisses along Ruby's brow. "Now get ready, and be on guard. The witch we are going to recruit today has abilities that could throw both of us off the trail."

  When Mom parked her corvette, Ruby felt very out of pce. She expected another monolithic tower or even a seedy underbelly of the city. Even sewage tunnels and a cottage in the wilderness would not have surprised Ruby. She was prepared. Instead, now, Mom brought her to a soccer field. Mom's car looked disproportionate beside minivans.

  "Mom... you said we are meeting a witch." Ruby said over the din of a match.

  "And we are, darling. Not every witch hangs around renfair selling fancy coloured healing stones." The condescending note was there. Typical Mom. Anyone who did not fit Morgane Spenard's views, anyone who she cannot mould to her vision, was below her.

  Mom led Ruby through the sounds of eight and nine-year-olds shouting. It was less of a match. Most of the kids had their eyes on the parents. The ball was a secondary priority.

  As they walked along the path, Mom leaned closer. "Be careful. Today we may meet one dangerous adversary." Her voice dropped several octaves. A frown fell upon Morgane's features. "The one being I can't carelessly use my magic against."

  Ruby narrowly dodged a ball kicked in her direction. When she turned, Ethan stood before her, all grin and face blushed. Ruby craned her neck. Logan must be around.

  Logan picked the ball and walked closer to his twin brother.

  "Hey." Ethan was the first to make the move. Behind them a few older boys, all fifteen years olds, shuffled with lethargy.

  "Hello." Ruby kept her tone neutral. The st few interactions with Uncle Craven's twins were rather nerve-wracking.

  "Hope, I didn't spook you by that. You ain't hurt, right?" Ethan wore his goofy smile, fshing his canines.

  This can't possibly be happening!

  Not since she wore these pretty girly clothes.

  Ethan continued his ogling. "Sorry about that. I mean for spooking you and all."

  "By the way, I am Logan." Logan held his hand hoping for the first one to touch her. "And this loser is Ethan, unfortunately, also my twin brother."

  "Sorry... I can't. You know..." Ruby flickered her gnce between Logan's palms, dirty brown fingers covered within yers of grime. "...because I may catch something."

  Logan shrugged his shoulder. "Fair eno..."

  But Ethan snatched Ruby's palm.

  Logan could only grin. "Damnit. Bro, I can't believe you managed."

  "You are just pissed that my girlfriend totally shot you down." Ethan bore a rivalling grin, and his palms still clenched Ruby's.

  Girlfriend? Right. Teenagers. Ruby had to train her features not to roll her eyes.

  But since he held her palm, Ruby can't quite pull it free. Even when she struggled, Ethan's grip became stronger. "The next is our match. So I would like to invite you to watch."

  "Kid, I am a lot older than you."

  Ethan ughed through his nose. "I can bet I am taller than you in like a year or two."

  "Yeah, whatever kid." Ruby liberated her palms and walked away, but not before hearing Ethan brag.

  "I am showing her my killer moves in the field. Believe me, by the evening, she will be asking me for a date."

  "Keep dreaming kid." Ruby turned and shouted, hiding the smirk. "Your mom gave you money for a Burger King meal. Unless you mug your brother out of his stash, you are not going to afford a date."

  "How did she know that?" Logan scratched his head.

  "That's because my girlfriend is totally perceptive. Like totally into me." Ethan bragged more.

  Ruby left the two boys to their own devices, and approached Mom.

  Morgane stood before another woman cradling a three year-old in a stroller. The woman screamed at a boy in the field, who Ruby presumed was her son.

  "Mom... is she the witch you were cautious of?" Ruby asked through murmurs.

  Mom huffed. "That's because she is."

  "She is a soccer Mom, in harem pants bottle-feeding one baby, while her other son is pying." Ruby hoped Mom was wrong, against all odds. "We can't possibly lose against her."

  "Don't underestimate any opponent, especially ones wearing comfortable clothes. You can never judge based on the appearances." A trepidation fell on her shoulders with every word Mom uttered. They sounded grave and desperate. "That woman is a chaos witch. Be careful."

  "Chaos witch?"

  Morgane sighed. "Some witches call them mayhem mages. Chaos magic can disrupt everything, including spell constructs. Beings like her can affect probability. Tear open gates. Disrupt wards. Very difficult kind."

  Then Mom finally wore her cap, checked her cascading curtain of bck tresses, donned her sungsses, shook her jacket straight, adjusting it. All routine done.

  Ruby's thoughts traversed, fshing through all possibility. She could only utter her realisation in a whisper. "And you are trying to recruit such a dangerous being? Why?"

  Morgane Spenard smirked. A chill ran along Ruby's spine. "Desperate times, darling. Not many a witch would willingly join your Mom." Then Mom spun her cap, wearing it backwards, bearing all mischief. "They all need a bit of motivation."

  "Kelly." Mom drew the woman's attention.

  "Oh hello. Sorry, didn't see you there." Kelly kissed her baby. The baby girl didn't flinch, only watched Ruby while smiling brightly. "Please excuse me. This one can't sleep through the night."

  Morgane stayed a distance away.

  "I am hoping my little Sarah can nap during the daytime." Kelly continued her rant, unheeding to her messy brunette hair with gray weaving just held in a bun. "Also sorry, I didn't get your name."

  That was the second sentence, and she already apologised twice. Ruby wondered why Mom was guarded.

  "Is your kid with Liam or with Owen?" Kelly lifted her daughter and adjusted her on her hips.

  To Ruby, the woman seemed less of a powerful witch and more of a tired soccer mom, who would dump her daughter in any casual acquaintance's arms, while she grabbed a nap for ten minutes.

  "Or do you take csses with Zoey?" Kelly's gaze fell on Ruby. "I can never keep track since I am terrible. My kids can vouch."

  Ruby can't entirely fit her in Mom's description. One cannot mistake her tired, dishevelled figure.

  Kelly continued her barrage, since Morgane remained silent. "Kids can be demanding." Then she kept her voice lower. "But since they are cutie pies, it's hard to refused." She dandled her baby girl while she gave her bottle.

  Ruby can hear her slow murmurs, they came den within affection, teasing softly. "How can mommy refuse you when you are so cute?"

  "Kelly, I come with an invitation. Join my coven."

  Kelly's gaze was barricaded by a heavily hooded squint. No signs whatsoever dispyed any mirth. The warmth she showered, moments ago, evaporated.

  "You are Morgane, the war queen." Her voice rose above the cacophony. "Your penchant, they call it, is an unquenchable thirst. Are you building your army?"

  "Oh, honey. I am hoping I can avoid one." Mom's voice tethered on teasing, but her stiff limbs spoke otherwise.

  Kelly paused, clenching her palms tight. "So, you have actually come to me. Is it worth it?" Then, she smiled. It didn't quite reach her ears. She pyed her fingers through her baby's hair. "I guess it can't hurt." Then she settled her gaze on Ruby. "Before I agree, may I ask, which name should I call you?"

  Then Kelly looked at Morgane sideways. "Your daughter's name wouldn't happen to be Reuben, am I correct? Because that name would be wasted on a pretty girl like her."

  Morgane's stony features slipped. A flicker reached her lips, mirroring a simirity between mother and daughter.

  Kelly finally allowed warmth within her smile. "Since, I can't control everything, doesn't mean chaos magic is useless. It has its moments." Then, she extended her hands. "Morgane Spenard, Mistress of the Shadow Path, it will be my pleasure, joining your coven."

  Before Mom would respond, seeing her trepidation, Ruby reached out and took her hand as a sign of courtesy.

  That's when the first of the fog settled on the field. Not the ordinary kind, one which slowly thickened. All fell murky grey.

  The only part Ruby can feel clearly are Kelly's fingers, and where they csped. Within them, Ruby can feel sharp pricks. Pricks turning swiftly harsh. A severe pang went through. Her entire frame shook. Every hair stood alert. The sensation amplified. When she couldn't bear them any longer, she broke contact. But, nothing happened.

  "Your daughter..." The panic in Kelly's voice rose in conjunction with the screams from the children trapped inside the fog. "What is her Aspect?"

  "She is uninitiated, Kelly." Mom growled through clenched teeth.

  A murder of ravens roamed above the fog, their cries ominous and terrifying. When they flew lower, only screams remained. Not one raven, hundreds upon hundreds bearing obsidian feathers, fpped wings above the fog. Their talons can easily rend flesh.

  A few parents and older boys attempted to enter the crepuscur region. Their attempts brought them back. Most fell on their knees, convulsing and puking blood. Few managed to escape. Most writhed, wracked within excruciating pain. But none endeavoured to stay inside.

  "Dude, I am going to totally impress my girlfriend." Ethan charged.

  "Lets see who gets more kids out." Logan followed.

  And neither of them returned. Ruby counted to ten heartbeats. Eventually, Ethan stumbled out, vomiting, and somewhat changed. His eyes bulged in their sockets, blood-filled and terrifying, while his ears shrunk from their pointy tips.

  Then, the malicious and inhuman howling came from within the fog.

  "Morgane, do something." Kelly shouted. "Liam is inside. He is trapped."

  The screams of children, and the howling, were a blood-curdling mix.

  "We shou..."

  "Hold your breath, darling."

  Mom's lips captured hers. She pressed her lips close. So close and so tight. Ruby could feel the softness of those lips and the ravenous appetite with which they cimed hers. Her tongue forced its entry, taking, dominating, leaving Ruby breathless. The pulsating energy that bloomed inside her was bound, stifled, hotter, traversing along her limbs. They condensed upon her essence. They demanded. She can only relinquish all control to Mom's unbridled ministrations. It took everything. Even her will. And it devoured them whole.

  Then, Ruby heaved, flinging her torso upward, breathing hard, while her hands sought support against Mom's shoulders.

  Mom held her close, running her hands along Ruby's hips, towards her waist, holding her tight. Then her gaze steadied upon Ruby's. It carried intensity. Those brown hazel flecks smouldered, hiding something within each.

  When her lungs finally constricted, she could feel Mom's mirth teasing her. Ruby gasped as Mom teased her tongue, circling against her teeth. When Mom finally liberated her lips, Ruby can only tremble. And gasp. Her breath boured, shaky. All energy, swirled within her. They threatened expulsion.

  "Hold it inside." Mom's words were an undeniable command. "Remember, when you get the children from inside the fog, that creature that is stalking, is no longer your friend. The fog has reverted him to his other form. When you are inside, avoid relying on your senses."

  Ruby can only feel confusion around. Not just because of the fog, or the screams, but Mom's action, and the way Kelly stood as though she has not witnessed anything scandalous.

  "When you are inside the fog, the ravens are your senses." Mom continued. "They will submit to you as long as you carry my essence. Trust the ravens. Remember all that we pyed yesterday. Put that training to use."

  Ruby stumbled inside the fog. Her eyelids fluttered shut and tight. The silence prevailed for a second. Then, the perceptions of a thousand corvidae coalesced in her consciousness. Soon, they surged within, spinning, and overwhelming. It took all her willpower to not split the rotten bile rising in her throat. The conscious thoughts of a murder gnawed at her insides.

  Some cimed for mates. One even wanted a cosy nest on a gargoyle's head. Ruby could feel it all. Soon, they took shape within her form. She could feel the putrid taste of rotten rat and fox carcasses in her mouth. They were worse than Mom's kiss...at some level.

  Ruby clutched herself, trying not to fail her footing. She could feel their demands, their hunger, and their urges. Each trying to expand within her. The world beneath seemed to unfurl. The cries of the ravens resonated through her entire body. She can hear them squawk through their caws.

  There. There. One voice cawed through the cacophony. A little one. Near you.

  Ruby's hands felt a mop of unruly hair. When she held the boy tight, she could feel his sobs. Three more steps with the boy in tow, her perception grew sharper. The mind of the corvids slowly submitted to her will. Ruby took another boy by his arms and guided them both out.

  "Go." She shoved both the boys out of the mist.

  She set about searching for the remaining children; that is when the second of the stone-ravaging howl came. Something primal and very near.

  When she looked through one raven's senses, she can feel it coming towards her. Through their minds, Ruby can feel the terror. She drew herself in, erecting her barriers just in time before the first rending strike came. The feathery barrier gave her enough time to stumble out of harm's way.

  Time was running short. Whatever that Logan became, was circling in on her. Very intense. Very concentrated and very territorial.

  She darted towards the next three boys huddled together. Gathering them in her arms, she spoke in calming whispers while she herded them out.

  As she looked, through shared perceptions, Ruby can only sense a singur thought, and it seemed ready to attack her any time. The cacophony increased through her connection. Thousands of ravens circled above. They can sense her power. It all subdued when she breathed them within.

  That bought her moments. And when she took them, Ruby staggered.

  Not because Logan stumbled upon her. He bellowed, and moved with inhuman celerity, but her barriers rose faster. They melded to her will. She could twist and fabricate it to her needs. Every time she guided one of the boys, Logan stalked her, and she fended his attempts with her barriers. With every use, her connection grew until she found it easier to manipute her barrier to form paths and guide the boys out of the fog.

  Her feet found support. Her nerves handled each sharp blows against her erected barrier. Ruby felt herself becoming acclimatised, until her heartbeat remained steady. She can keep herself calm, while being hunted. She kept leading. In one and two, she led them out. Her connection grew stronger. Her senses better. When she finally found them all, Ruby stumbled outside, taking the st four boys through.

  Ruby expected praises. Thanks and cheers.

  "Akhil... he is missing." A panicked father's cry tore through everything.

  Ruby rushed back inside. Just one boy. She could do it. She shivered against Raven caws. Their cacophony became deafening. She darted to where they pointed.

  A young boy, perhaps, of eight or nine, sat cross-legged. Sobs wracked his body.

  And the thing that used to be Logan stirred behind. He transformed within the fog. His eyes were bigger, more almond shaped and wider. His limb grew taller, and more lithe and agile. She anticipated a beast, instead Logan looked human. More than human. His lips were tight shut and when they curled, there was cruelty to it.

  When Ruby staggered closer, she can feel him transform further. His nails became rending cws. And finally, he crouched from his full height. He stalked forward. Slowly. Steadily. Her escape became limited.

  Ruby ran toward him.

  His sshes were relentless, as was his fury.

  "You smell very familiar." He growled, a very menacing tone. It was soft, and smooth, like velvet slithering over silk, and that unnerved her further. "You may run, little witch, since your fear may buy you moments."

  Ruby dropped all pretences of engaging. She stood still, bracing herself for the eventual impact. Logan's cws were lethal, stone-cleaving, and they struck with surgical precision. Again and again. In a never-ending cycle of assault, he attacked, hoping to erode her barrier.

  Soon her st defences were shredded. Her barriers dissolved against his assaults. Her connection to the ravens fell. Whatever Mom imbibed her, she had exhausted those.

  Ruby could only make space between them, whenever his strikes connected. She can feel each gncing blow cut through.

  His prowess seemed supernatural.

  Her bones ached. Her heart never slowed, while her awareness grew sharper. With each strike, she became familiar with the pattern. When his cws descended, Ruby moved slightly sideways, letting his sshes miss. His cws cut through her jacket. They ran along her sides, scraping along her jeans, leaving fyed fabric. His hands sliced her blouse.

  Then he leapt for the killing blow.

  The moment felt suspended in time. A tiny trickle dribbled inside; penetrating through her very soul and her essence. It set ripples on a deep and calm well that rested in the unfathomable recess of her core. She could perceive her barrier more clearly. She can feel them unravelling within her essence. Then the tangible essence became intrinsic. They were an extension of her, easy to control, like stretching a limb or unfurling a finger. Those barriers...her barrier, extended from her back, like dazzling gossamer wings with the resilience of a reinforced steel vault. They encased her in a soothing cocoon of protection.

  His flurry of strikes continued. He looked tireless. Her barriers only scuffed his cws.

  Ruby's trance sted only several heartbeats.

  Logan noticed her change. He roared his rage, frenzied within his unrelenting assaults. "Die! You insignificant witch!"

  Even his roar can't perturb Ruby. The calm within her persisted. She can perceive each stroke, each cw... where they may connect.

  Her attacks followed Logan's lead. Her movements may have cked finesse, elegance or grace, but it connected where it mattered. She rammed into him, her forehead met his nose. The sound of bone crunching filled her. She felt it rather poignantly; they way her skull impacted, and his nose broke.

  And Logan went limp.

  When the fog eventually lifted, Ruby id on the ground beside a very unconscious Logan.

  That drained Ruby. It sucked all energy, leaving her starving. Her limbs felt sluggish. Her arms failed her when she attempted to pull herself upright. All she can remember are hands picking her, lifting her against their softness.

  "Ruby, my little Ruby." Mom's voice resonated through her soul. "No time to rest, darling. That is just the first part. The second part is yet to come."

  "Mom. The second part?"

  Then Ruby felt Mom's palms against her nape, cradling her, while she rested against her shoulder.

  "Darling, someone has to expin to Tasha why one of her twins looks hurled and dishevelled, and the other has a broken nose, and probably a severe concussion."