Chapter 8: Here's To Us

Ravens cawed loudly outside the window of Spade's room, the sound seeming to fill all four walls. She reluctantly opened her eyes, pupils slits as a soft growl escaped her lips. It had been too long since she last had a peacfull night's sleep, being back in her own bed allowed for her to sleep like a kitten. She grogilly made her way to her window, narrowing her eyes at the birds outside her window.

"You are lucky it's so cold." she hissed as they continued to caw. She could feel her body, trying to shift but easily kept human. It was rare she felt so in touch with her primal side, but after last night's brawl it would be odd if she didn't still feel predatorial.

Spade began her morning routine; stretch, 15 min morning work out, and off to take a shower. She stood in the water, letting the higher pressure relieve the tension in her sore limbs. Threw on a simple long sleeve black shirt and grey jeans, with only dark eye make up.

Spade went to grab her ring from Abigail off her nightstand, but was pulled away by the sound of steps approaching her room.

"Hey kid, I've got coffee." Spikes said cheerfully from outside her room, knocking as she spoke. Spade opened her door smiling at her grinning mother, "And your dad is almost done with breakfast."

"Great, I'll join you right now." she smiled closing the door behind her. They made their way into the kitchen where Spade was suprised to see both of her brother's sitting at the table.

"Good morning little moon." Vince said cheerfully as he set serving plates filled with food on the table. "Sleep well?"

"Great until those birds woke me up." she grumbled slightly as she grabbed a cup of coffee.

"At least that's one thing you cats and us dogs have in common," Spikes chuckled sitting down at the table, "we all fucking hate birds." Vince laughed with his wife, taking his seat at the table, the kids chuckling along.

"Rats too." Hamish added, happily suprising his family. Spade smiled at him softly, locking eyes with him as he nodded at her.

"Don't get me started on rats.." Elijah growled, "We have some in biology, long term experiment."

"Yeah, they have some at the science lab on my side of campus-" Spade paused abruptly the world around her suddenly spinning, she could her the squeeks of rats, her nostrils filling with the scent of blood and wet stone, a musty unsettling smell.

"Spade!"

Spade blinked vigorously, suddenly back in her parents kitchen, being stared at by both her brothers and parents.

"Sorry.." her breathing was only slightly labored, she brought her hand to her forhead running it back through her hair as she took a deep breath.

"It's okay Lenore, is everything okay?" Spikes said gently, concern deep in her eyes.

"Yeah, I'm fine. It was a small vision, not quite sure what it was about though." she furrowed her eyebrows, the stagnant scent still thick in her memory. "Eventually I'll learn how to control them." she chuckled softly in an attempt of reassurance to her family. Spike and Vincent shared a glance before both retreating back to their seats in defeat.

It didn't take long for the small family to get back into a conversation everyone could join in on. Work, school, college, music, the recent litter of pups; it was never difficult for them to find something to discuss. Spade remained involved despite the storm brewing inside her, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in her stomach.

---

Spade fell backward onto her bed, pillows falling softly around her, silver hair sprawled. She closed her eyes, the vision from breakfast repeating over and over through her mind. This was the second time she had a vision of blood and wet stone, but the meanings it could hold were infinate. She growled with frustration, grabbing her phone from her pocket and quickly pulling up her cousin's number.

She held the phone to her ear, waiting for her to answer.

"Hey. I'm coming over." she hung up before Aurora could make any protrest; grabbing her keys and jacket, quickly exiting her room.

"Where you off to?" Hamish questioned as he approached her at the end of the hall.

"Shopping with Aurora, for the New Year's Eve Party." Spade responded blandly, too focused on leaving to stop walking. "Tell mom and dad I'll be back later, I have my phone on me if you need me."

She was out the door by the time she finished her sentance.

~~~~~~~

"So tell me again what the big deal is?" Aurora questioned with a raised eyebrow. Spade sighed, leaning into the pillows beside her across from Aurora on her bed.

"I just can't shake this feeling." Spade spoke coldly, eyes focused on the blankets, "I can't place it, I feel like something is wrong and off." she furrowed her eyebrows, "Something bad, a sinking pain in my stomach." she looked over to Aurora who seemed a bit put off, trying to remain skeptical.

"And you said you heard rats, smelt blood, and wet stone?" Aurora questioned, receiving a confirming nod; "Weird, hey where's your ring you're always wearing?"

"Fuck, I must've forgot it at home." she growled burrying her head in a pillow. Aurora sat silently for a moment, furrowing her brows as she contemplated her question.

"Hey, you always get weird like this when you aren't wearing it," she began trying to form the next part of her sentance. Spade tilted her head, eyes meeting Aurora's, "I'm just saying, it's kinda weird." Spade's eyes drifted back down and she couldn't help but nod once in agreement.

"It's probably just psychosematic." Spade muttered as she sat back up. "You want to go with me to get it? We can actually go take care of the shopping I said I was going to do." Aurora stretched her arms above her head, nodding briefly mid yawn.

"Sure, let's go do this."

They left her room, choosing to take Spade's car to go retrieve the ring and run the errands.

Spade backed out of the drive way, quickly taking off down the street. She was silent, focused on the morning's vision. Desperately trying to ignore the sinking feeling in her stomach.

"So what do you want to do about this?" Aurora asked breaking the stillness. Spade shifted her eyes momentarily to glance at the other feline. Fingers tightening their grasp on the wheel.

"I first need to figure out whatever this is before I can make a plan." She sifted through her memories, trying to find anything. Anything to give her a clue to what was going to happen.

Snow lightly began falling as she turned off the main road toward the residential roads. A small flake gained Spade's focus, suddenly a burst of light flashing.

"Spade!" Aurora screamed reaching over and grabbing onto the wheel. The car swerved violently as she desperately trained to gain control, she reached down punching the brake. They skid to a stop, barely missing the cirb.

Aurora quickly threw the shifter into park, starring at Spade who's hands seemed frozen to the wheel; eyes rolled back.

This wasn't her normal vision, she could feel herself walking but the room seemed to be spinning. Her vision coninued to go in and out with each step she took. Cat skulls and bones hung from the ceiling, half melted candles on an old wooden table. And a book. A bowl was placed in front of it, bones beside. The scent was all to clear.

Human!

Spade inhaled sharply, gasping for air as her body jumped. She was shaking, noticably, sweat beading down her face.

"What the fuck Spade?" Aurora questioned, starring at Spade, eyes filled with confusion, worry, and anger.

"I'm sorry Aurora." Spade managed to get out as she tried to steady her breathing.

"What happened?!"

"Vision..I was in the place that smelt of wet stone and blood... It was dark, only lit by candles." She turned to look at her cousin, unable to hide the fear in her eyes. "There were cat skulls and bones arranged and hanging, a table with candles a book and," she hitched her breath, forcing herself to get the words out. "And a bowl with bones next to it, human bones."

Aurora stared at her with wide eyes, fear, uncertainty, questioning. Spade didn't have to read her mind, she knew the questions she desperately wanted to ask. Spade herself had the same thoughts, but she couldn't bring herself to say it outloud.

"Spade," Aurora finally spoke, "I'm driving."

Spade nodded, finally releasing her grip from the steering wheel. She frowned slightly at the new indentation but quickly ignored it getting out of the car. They both were silent as Aurora started up the car and continued on the way to Spade's house.

"What do you think it all means?" Aurora finally asked.

"You mean do I realize this looks like the work of a witch?" Spade retorted coldly. She sighed heavily, shifting in her seat bringing her hand to her face. She roughly moved her hand up and through her hair, exhaling an exasporated growl.

"It doesn't mean it has anything to do with Abs." Aurora spoke forcefully, almost trying to convince herself.

"It may not be her, but it could have something to do with her." Spade's voice was low, "She's never been clear with me on why she left the French Quater," she paused, panic starting to set in with the sinking pain in her stomach. "It could be someone trying to hurt her."

Aurora bit her lip as she pulled up to the Caine house, but quickly felt warm relief not seeing either her aunt or uncle's car in the driveway.

"We should go and see her then, find out if she can give us any answers about what you saw."

"She's out with her family today, but this is important, they should understand." Spade nodded, getting out of the car.

She quickly made her way into the house, focusing on the vision. The place did seem to hold a familiarity to it, the walls had small ledges. Past the table there was what she assumed was a hallway that split.

She opened the door to her room.

The musky smell she couldn't place, she couldn't help but feel it was a smell she should know.

Her eyes feel on the ring on her nightstand, a small smile forming as she reached for it.

THUD

She was back in that place. Lit only by candle light. But this time was different, everything was clear; too clear. She looked around the stone walls with little nooks containing long burnt out candles. Rusted gates covered in cobwebs covered some openings in the walls. The hall way she had seen before brought a breeze that would not be noticable to the human ear. It brought a freshness, covering the heavy stench of fresh blood.

Her body felt cold and tense as she began to look to the source of the smell. Her eyes widened as she starred into glazed over dim chartruese.

She fell to her knees, suddenly back in her room. She could hear screaming, one she didn't recognize. Her body was convulsing, sweat dripping off her face, only to finally realize the screams were her own.

~~~~~~~~

"Spade where the fuck am I going?" Aurora questioned harshly as they sped down the city streets.

"I-I don't know!" Spade snarled punching the dashboard, leaving a fist shaped crater in it. She hit the dial key on her phone for the 56th time, taking every ounce of control she had not to crush it in her hand when she was greeted by Abigail's voicemail again. "She's still not answering." she growled throwing her fist into the dashboard again. "Fuck!"

"Spade- Spade!" Aurora hissed, "Focus! What was the place you saw?"

"A stone building, I don't know where! It was dark, dirty, had iron gates covering-" she paused placing everything together. "A mausoleum."

"Well that narrows it down." Aurora growled sarcastically.

"You think I don't realize that!" Spade snapped back

"I know I know, I'm sorry." Aurora growled again; "I just-"

"I know, she's your best friend." Spade clenched her fists in her lap, throwing her head back. She was tirelessly searching through her memories, trying to see anything she may have missed. She could feel a lump forming in her throat, fear causing the tears to threaten to form. "We can't let her die alone."

"No! Stop that shit right now!" Aurora snarled, barely breaking her focus on the road. "She is not going to die!"

"She was DEAD Aurora!" Spade hissed, "I saw it, I could smell it-"

"I don't give a fuck! You can be wrong, the future is set in stone."

"You can't change fate."

"Well you don't see fate, you see the future." Aurora hissed, slamming her foot on the gas as she saw the upcoming light switch to yellow. Spade scowled, biting the inside of her lip to prevent her from arguing further. This wasn't the time to fight.

Spade looked forward, she could feel her body tensing and heart race. The were nearing the same cemetary she was told her uncle had been burried in, every fiber of her being drawn to it.

"There." she said firmly. Aurora nodded, quickly manuevering through the lanes to pull into the cemetary. She parked the car as they drove up to the giant stone mausoleum, turning to look at the older demon. Spade's eyes were focused on the building, a faint glow in her gaze.

"I don't know what we're going to find in there, you might need to use your fire." Spade was stern, her pupils starting to slit. "Are you ready for that?" Aurora smirked lifting her hand, a flame forming in her palm.

"Don't worry, I've got this."

Spade nodded once in response, getting out of the car. They made their way into the building, breaking the lock with ease. It seemed normal, well kept. Most definitely not somewhere one could get away with witchcraft. Aurora looked over to Spade who was focused on the hallway leading further into the building. She quickly made her way through the winding hallways until they wound up infront of a dimly lit family tomb with a clean iron gate.

Spade could feel her limbs pulsing with need to go to the tomb. The gate let a high pitched squeak as she opened it, the sound only adding to her anxiety. She placed her hand on the wall infront her, lightly grazing across the name plaque, trailing her fingers down to a stone that seemed out of place among the others.

"Oh you've got to be kidding me." Aurora huffed. Spade wiggled the stone until it came out of the wall. A fake holding a key inside. She looked around for anything else out of place, her eyes falling down to the stone bench, a seem running along next to it on the floor. She slid it aside, opening the revealed wooden door.

"No, this would seem to be really happening." Spade whispered, inhaling the faint familiar musky scent coming from the hole.

"Well, let's do this." Aurora said sharply, the rapidly rising beat of her heart starting to pound in her eardrum.

Spade carefully lowered herself into the hole, she released her hanging grip on the stone, landing only about a foot down. She quickly moved out of the way as Aurora dropped down next. They began observing their surroundings, noticing the ceiling was less than a foot above their heads.

"What is this place?" Aurora whispered looking around at rough stone hallways. She could see tombs in some of the walls, covered in cobwebs, some containing elaborate gated coffins.

"Probably the old mausoleum, it's not unheard of for people to build over old cemetaries." she looked around her, the halls extending further than the size of the building above them. She looked to her left, the familiar pull at her limbs. "We need to go this way." Aurora nodded, sparking a flame in her palm as she followed the older demon. Left. Right. Left. Left. She was begining to question whether Spade knew where she was leading them, until she caught a small flicker of light 20 yeards ahead of them against the wall on their right. She quickly put out her flame, crouching against the wall on their left as Spade turned around to signal her.

"Stay behind me, we'll hug the wall; I'll check the corner see what we're up against." her voice was almost inaudible. She waited briefly for Aurora's quick nod, inhaling deeply and exhaling silently before closing in on the corner. Back against the wall, she slowly turned her head to the left, leaning over to get a look at the source of the light.

Her eyes started on the floor, to the far right she could see four bodies laid out on the floor, her eyes quickly traveled left. She easily recognized the table legs as the table from her vision, but the ankles behind the table.

She stood, mindlessly walking out from behind the corner, Aurora's harsh whispers nothing but murmurs to her ears. Her eyes focused on ginger hair falling gently over pale freckled shoulders. Eyes following down to her hands; her soft delicate hands; one grasping a handfull of herbs, the other with finger extended trailing across a page of the book. She watched tentatively as the herbs fell from her hand, sprawling across the table and floor. She lifted her eyes, watching her curls flow around her face like a flame, meeting those chartruese eyes. Those eyes she loved.

"Cher?!" her voice broke through Spade's shock enduced deafness. "W-What are you- Aurora?!" Abigail stuttered, bracing her self against the table, knocking a few bones and feathers off it.

"W-What the fuck?!" Aurora nearly screamed. Her jade eyes wide taking in the entire room. She brought her hand to her mouth as she felt her stomach start to convulse, her mouth filling with saliva. She forced back the vomit, coughing briefly.

"Au-Aurora ay can explain."

"The fuck is this!?! What the fuck is there to explain!?!" Aurora screamed, both hands cover in flames, scoldering heat radiating off her body. Her body still shook, vomit still threatening to make its way out. "Spade! Spade!" she screamed looking over at the silver haired demon.

Spade was still, her head slowly moving to look at the four corpses. All women, each seemingly in their forties. They each had a different symbol carved into their foreheads, a language she didn't recognize. The musty scent from her vision finally she could name. Death. She brought her head back up, finally meeting her eyes with Abigail's.

"Abigail." Spade's voice was barely above a whisper. She furrowed her brows, opening her mouth to speak; desperately trying to find the words to say. She looked deep into her eyes, searching for answers without having to truly read her. "This...can't be you..." she could barely speak as she looked around the room. There were thirteen cat skulls in total hanging, and too many bird corpses for her to count. She looked over at Aurora who looked as though she would be on the floor sobbing if not for her forest fire rage. "Tell me this isn't real.."

"Lenore, mon cher, you know I wouldn't do something like this" Abigail slowly began to step toward Spade, cautiously reaching out her hand. "I just had no other choice." her eyes welling up with tears as Spade flinched, pulling away from her.

"No other choice?!" Spade barked, she pointed over to the corpses; "Nothing can excuse this Abigail! Nothing!" her voice was starting to crack and she clenched her teeth, shaking her head violently. "How can you justify this!?" she straightened her posture starring at the witch across from her.

"I lost someone cher, I couldn't live with out them." she pulled her arms in close to her, "I needed them back..." tears starting to stream down her face.

"That doesn't give you the right to play god Abigail!" Spade snarled, "We all lose those we love-"

"She's my mother Lenore!" Spade stiffened, the glow leaving her eyes. She starred in disbelief, mouth gapping as she found herself unable to speak. "The woman you known as my mom is only my step mother, my real mother passed three years ago. She was a witch too, had her own shop an everything where she sold herbs, gave readnings an such." She paused trying to steady her voice between her cries. "One night, a stranger came in robbed and killed her. She didn't deserve to die Lenore, she should have had a long life." her cries started to turn to sobs.

Spade starred into her mate's eyes. She was torn, torn into what felt like shreds. This was the woman she loved, the woman who she would be proposing to in just two days. Her heart rapidly pounded in her ears. These women didn't deserve to die either, they should have had long lives. Her chest tightened, and she could taste copper in her mouth; only then realizing she had been biting the inside of her cheek. She couldn't couldn't keep her eyes away from Abigail's as she tried to comprehend everything she felt.

Spade finally turned around and walked over to Aurora, signaling her to walk with her to the far wall of the hallway. They stood in silence for a few minutes, neither looking at the other.

"You know what I need to do." Spade finally spoke. Her voice was distant, faint.

"Are you sure you can live with this?" Aurora asked softly, taking her eyes off Abigail to look at her cousin. She frowned upon seeing the older demon. Spade's eyes were glowing completely white with an almost unnoticable black slit for a pupil. Her facial structure seemed sharper, taking a slight feline appearance. As her lips parted to speak, her fangs had extended.

"It's what has to be done, just-" she inhaled sharply exhaling silently again, "just can you go down the hall?" Aurora nodded silently, gently resting her hand on Spade's should. Spade nodded once softly, patting Aurora's hand before she removed it and took down the hall.

Spade inhaled again, deeply this time, closing her eyes and exhaling heavily. She slowly turned around, keeping her head down. This was what she had to do, she needed to take care of this. She looked up walking back over to Abigail, locking eyes with her.

"Cher..cher please." Abigail began to beg, her body shaking more violently with each step Spade took.

This was the one person she had ever loved, the person she was supposed to spend her life with. Spade's heart was now a steady drum in her ears, the impossible steps forward being willed possible by her drive to do right.

"Lenore! Lenore please don't, don't do this!" Abigail sobbed, dropping to her knees with Spade only a few feet from her.

Spade stopped and looked down at Abigail, still gazing into her chartruese eyes. The eyes she loves. She crowched down slowly, reaching her hand to cup her face.

"Lenore please...I love you...please don't." Abigial's sobs were almost inaudible, her cheeks and nose burning red, face stained with tears.

Spade lifted her head slightly, gently pressing her lips against Abigail's forehead. She held them there for a moment; she knew this was it, this was her future, this woman was her entire life.

"I love you too Abigail." Spade whispered as she stood up, her hands still lightly on her face, eyes still locked.

"You promised you would stand by me always!" Abigail cried out in a last attempt to stop her. "You promised!" she screamed. Spade nodded softly moving her hands to cup Abigail's face. "Lenore!"

SNAP

Abigail's body dropped to the ground at Spade's feet. Her eyes lifeless. Spade crouch down, gently closing the lids.

"You were right Abigail, I can't change fate."