Chapter 17: Talk and Trauma

THIRD PERSON POV

Driving back to Phoenix was a very quiet ride for the Vertrudes and Lenners. Both of the Lenners were asleep and the Vertrudes were out of words with what happened.

Kane was frustrated in tonight’s events, Kelani was worried for her friend and in shambles about how to explain everything, Krisana was regretting meeting and helping Artea, and Rhett scared about his memories and his for his master’s life.

When they arrived at the Vertrude mansion, Kelani went to find their mother and tell her what had happened. They also summoned the rest of their coven and asked them to assist them in carrying the two unconscious women.

Patrick raised one of his brows at Kane, who simply rolled his eyes at him. They placed both of them on the sofas, both of them stirred slightly, and Alyssa was about to heal Artea's mother when she was stopped.

"Aly, go get the first-aid kit. We are not aiding them with magic,” Krisana instructed the girl, who meekly nodded. She dashed out of the room to retrieve the first aid kit. The others wondered why not, but they didn't say anything.

After attending to the Lenners, the other coven members were excused, but Patrick refused to leave. “It's funny how you act as if you despise her when you've always been there for her when she needed you.” Kane's forehead was marked with a tick mark.

Krisana rolled her eyes at the two men and muttered, "Ugh... Men." Patrick walked away as Kane's eyes burned through the back of his head. Kane's gaze fell on Artea's unconscious figure, and he cursed himself.

~~~

“I can't believe it.” Beatrice rested her right hand on her temples, disappointed and frustrated by the previous chaos. “It was unexpected but planned,” Krisana said, her mind filled with thoughts of the Lenner Family upsetting their peace.

“Does anyone know who she is? Perhaps we did something—” Kelani tried to make sense of what was going on but was cut off by her younger brother, "I knew her..." they all turned to Kane expectantly.

“I didn't know her personally, but she was a barista at the cafe,” Kane explained, reminiscing about the encounter. “When I fought her, all I knew was that she was a puppet. She wasn't like us because someone was controlling her from afar.”

”If someone did that, they must be very powerful not to be discovered.” Kelani's hopes for peace were squashed, a girl who wanted her childhood back, who wanted to forget about being a witch and supernatural troubles kept being dragged into chaotic situations.

*Knock Knock*

“They are awake.” When Alyssa informed them, they nodded and looked at each other. They entered the living room, where the two Lenners were wrapped in blankets and conversing in whispers.

When the two mothers locked eyes, they embodied a protective aura while remaining professional. “Ms. Lenner and Artea “My name is Beatrice Vertrude, and these are my children.” Beatrice extended her hand to shake Margott's hand, saying, "Margott Lenner, thank you for your help."

“I understand that this may be outside of our bounds, but—” Margott interrupted Beatrice, saying, "This is your territory, right?" And I'd be happy to tell you what happened before and after the fight.” Artea and her three siblings were listening in on the conversation.

“How about we have this conversation in private?” Beatrice gave Artea a sidelong glance, and Artea's mother nodded, knowing what ‘the look’ meant. The two women stood up; Artea wanted to know more but was cut off by her mother's look, which made her immediately shut up.

“So what were you doing to avoid us?” Krisana glared at Artea, "Avoiding? I have no reason to speak with you.” Artea tried to get Krisana off her back, but Krisana refused to budge.

“There is actually a LOT to talk about, like what the fuck happened.” Krisana began to approach Artea, attempting to intimidate her. "You saw what happened that bitch attacked my mom," Artea was irritated by the questions that sounded like accusations.

“Krisana…” Kelani spoke up, giving her twin a 'back down' look. "Tea, we were just trying to help you and keep you away from dangerous things," Kelani tried to explain to Artea. Or do you mean people?” Artea crossed her arms, her face accusingly directed at the three siblings.

“You really should be grateful—” Kane attempted to speak but was interrupted by the overwhelmed girl, "Grateful? We wouldn't be in this situation if you guys had stayed away when I avoided you.” Artea was attempting, but failing, to suppress her emotions.

“Woah woah. You can't hold it against us! Everything was going to go to hell the moment you stepped here!” Krisana and Artea didn't get along because they were both stubborn and determined. Others may think they are a good match, but they aren't. If they allowed each other to have her time, they might be.

“And YOU can't hold it against me if you didn't know we moved so we wouldn't be thrown in this magical shit!” Artea was gradually losing her mind; she may not have realized it, but someone did. Kelani. Artea's aura appeared brighter and redder.

Kelani has no idea why Artea has such a powerful aura that is unlike that of a normal human. She yanked on her younger brother's arm and mumbled, "Stop her." Kane's brow furrowed in response to her sister's request and body language, but he still listened.

“Artea, relax... We aren't blaming you... simply relax” Artea was looking down at the ground when she felt large hands grab her upper arm. She was frozen for a moment, her emotions were calming down, and she became aware of the sensation AGAIN.

She closed her eyes for a few moments, trying to let the rushing sensation pass and keep her emotions under control. “I'll wait for my mother in the car,” she said, lifting her eyes and pursed her lips. I'm pretty sure you got it, yes?” She walked out of the room, leaving the blanket on the sofa.

The three siblings were stunned because 1. Artea pretended she wasn't going to erupt in rage a while ago, 2. She quickly calmed down, and 3. They thought her eyes had changed color for a split second. They wanted to brush it off, but it bothered them in some way.

THIRD PERSON POV

During their return home, they didn't really talk because Artea was still annoyed and trying to make sense of everything. Margott kept glancing at her daughter, wanting Artea to say something but not wanting to press the issue, so she left her alone with her thoughts.

When they arrived, Margott attempted to reach for her daughter, but Artea had already dashed to the door, locking herself inside. Greg noticed their arrival and was concerned, very concerned, because he couldn't find her sister in her room when he went to ask for her extra help.

He was stunned when they arrived with a haggardly appearance and without even greeting each other after hours and hours of waiting, texting, and calling her sister. When Margott saw her youngest son, she hugged him tightly, recalling the fight and distorted girl's words.

Artea summoned her fae to rant about EVERYTHING, and Rhett listened intently to his master's rant and gave her advice to help her if this happened again in the future. Artea didn't want to be normal; normal makes no sense to her.

But she desired peace, for Greg to grow up happy and healthy, and for her mother to live peacefully, possibly remarrying and giving her mother a second chance at happiness. But she never considered what her life would be like or what she wanted it to be like.

*Knock Knock*

“Can I come in, Artea?” Her mother's voice was heard from behind the door, and she only mumbled a small yes before her mother entered. “I can't tell you what you saw wasn't real...” Margott tried to explain everything slowly so she could understand.

“Beatrice said you had an experience like this before... I couldn't tell you properly, but I would advise you to avoid that world,” her mother said emphasizing the word "that world." Artea understood why she needed to leave, but will the other world leave them alone?

“I tried, and then you happened,” Artea said as she looked into her mother's eyes. Brown meets Brown. “I tried to get away from the Vertrudes, but they kept showing up.” ”The Vertrudes are nice people... I wouldn't mind if you kept in touch with them.”

“Why? Shouldn't I avoid them as well? Because they are a part of "that" world." Artea didn't understand her mother's words because she let her be friends with them despite her mother's explicit instructions to avoid the other world.

“They haven't shown any harmful tendencies,” her mother didn't see any reason to oppose the Vertrudes, and she recognized their magic as powerful enough to protect her daughter when she wasn't present.

“Not yet...” Artea grunted, which her mother heard; Margott was aware of her daughter's lack of trust. Even as a child, Artea seemed to doubt everyone around her; however, there was one instance when Artea demonstrated that she doubts her own mother.

“Get some rest. Your brother cannot know for his safety. And forget about it they won’t bother us if they do let the Vertrudes know. Goodnight” Margott left the room with a longing glance at her daughter.

A wall was slowly building between the mother and her daughter.

~~~

“It is hard to trust these days, you won’t know if you’re talking to the devil”

~~~

A/N: Hellooo readers!! I was quite busy this week especially because I'm stressing over the fact that school will start soon. -_- And I don't really wanna go to school. But put that aside I'll update every week!

Votes and comments are appreciated!