CHAPTER 11

The lawyer had left word that he would be doing the reading at the estate. Agatha grumbled the whole drive there. As they drew closer, Rio tried to distract her with questions, noticing the gaps in Agatha’s stories.

“So if you grew up without money, how did your father leave you such a decent amount?”

Agatha smirked. “He had his own trust fund from wealthy parents. When they passed, he was the lone survivor, all that was left, so he got it all. He was a sick person most of his life, and his parents wanted to distance themselves from him as much as possible. Another reason I shouldn’t have kids, I am sure there’s something in my DNA that would bite me in the ass if I passed it on…”

Rio looked thoughtfully at the driver. “DNA can be tested now, we can weed out a lot of concerns… you know, especially being gay – it’s not like we can make a baby by accident.”

Agatha snorted. “Thank the gods for that, I don’t want to know how many babies I would have popped out if men were an option for me.”

Rio placed a wildflower on the dashboard, Agatha’s shoulders tensing. “What’s that?”

Rio shrugged, “I pulled it while I waited for you by the car.” She played with her fingers while in thought. “I remember you picking up flowers from Mrs. Davis’s house a few times. I know you like these.” She crossed her arms. “It’s not a big deal.”

Agatha let her shoulder’s relax. How was it that Rio Vidal knew so much about her and yet she hadn’t really remembered their interactions on the page at all. “It’s… pretty.”

Rio smirked. “A pretty flower,” She glanced sideways at her companion. “for a pretty girl.”

Agatha laughed. “Woah… You’re a charmer.”

As the house came into view, she felt her stomach tighten. She had almost forgotten where they were going. She let her car roll slower the rest of the way down the road, but as they approached her family’s home, she felt the weight of the situation slam into her. 

The pond was just behind the home, the one where she had almost drawn her last breath. She would need to stay far from the backyard. She moved to get out of the car when Rio caught her arm, waiting till she met her eyes to speak.

“It’s going to be fine. You say the word, we leave.” She nodded and moved to exit the car first.

The moment Agatha emerged, Rio slipped her hand easily in hers. Blue eyes lifting with a private smile that was only for Rio. 

The younger woman leaned in close. “The con… begins now. Lead me down the road.”

Agatha snorted. “It’s a walkway, my love.” She grinned as Rio drew her closer.

“That’s my girl. You’re going to do great.”

As they entered the home, the lawyer was standing with all of his muscles so tight that his shoulders were practically at his ears. He just about jumped when his eyes landed on Agatha. “Oh, Agatha, there you are!” He rushed over. “I am so sorry to have had a change of plans, but you mother insisted that we try and sort a few things out about the will and your father’s trust. She was very concerned that he wasn’t in his right mind, but these papers were ironclad. I drafted them myself…”

Agatha waved him off. “It’s fine, I know how she can be… where…” Her eyes looked around wearily as if Evanora was about to pop out of thin air and attack at any moment, “where is she?”

His eyes drifted towards the back of the house. “She’s out back. Said she was waiting for you.”

Agatha’s eyes narrowed. So her mother was starting her games early. “I see.” The man gave her a look, his eyes flashing to Rio and back a few times. Agatha rolled her eyes. “This is Rio… my girlfriend.” As the man’s eye remained confused, she practically growled in frustration. “My partner.”

The man looked like he was about to fall over from trying to think so hard. “Oh… h-hi, Miss Rio.” He tried for a pleasant smile. “Partner at the Marketing firm?”

Agatha opened her mouth to explain when Rio moved forward to shake the man’s hand, hard. “Oh, sweetheart, how cute. No, I'm her partner in bed. We have sex.” She leaned back and wrapped an arm around Agatha possessively. “I just had to have her for myself the moment I saw her.” She sighed as she looked deep into Agatha’s eyes. “Can you believe she was single when I met her? How lucky am I?” She turned to brush some hair over Agatha’s shoulder. 

“She’s just the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.” She sighed and lost herself for a moment when she turned like she was only now realizing the man was still there. “Oh… I hate to be rude, but Aggie has been promising me that I would finally get to meet her mother, so, I think we must move along, but we are not here for long so any legal documents must get signed soon, she’s a very busy woman.”

The man jolted as if finally understanding the situation, his face flushing red. “Oh… I, I understand. You… you both have a life to get back to.”

Rio nodded. “Exactly.” She leaned forward with a sinister smile as if she was going to eat this man alive. “Now, if you will excuse us, please have your little papers ready for us when we finish here, because I don’t want to have to take you to court myself.” 

The man shuddered. “You… you practice?” It was said as if a woman couldn’t possibly hold such a position. Rio winked conspiratorially at the man. “Everyone thinks Aggie can be pretty intense, but,” her voice dropped a few octaves. “I'm. Far. Worse.” She leaned back, wiggling her fingers. “Have a nice day.” Her tone was far too pleasant to be real. 

Agatha was pulled along and she shook her head as they headed for where Rio assumed the back of the house was. “I’m pretty sure you had him shitting his pants back there, or at the very least made him feel the need to run to confession. The scandal.” She made her voice mimic talking about spirits. “Lesssbians.”

Rio snorted and moved to lift her hand to the back door when Agatha paused. “Stop.” She whispered, then closed her eyes. “I need… I need a moment. Please.”

Rio turned and stepped away from the exit. “Okay, Agatha. Whatever you need.” Her eyes worriedly searching for Agatha’s.

The other woman shook her head as her eyes opened, blinking back tears. Speaking dejectedly. “At least this isn’t real so there’s no way she could ruin it.”

Rio watched her carefully, her voice taking on an air of authority. “She holds nothing.”

Blue eyes tried to work out the meaning of the words. Rio took her hands. “She holds, nothing. She doesn’t control you. You took that power from her. You have Lilia if everything goes sideways,”

Agatha took a step back. “I don’t…”

Rio groaned. “You do. That woman isn’t going to drop you because your mother told her to. I’m not going to leave you here alone with her. She doesn't hold you, she holds nothing.”

Agatha tried to stand up a bit straighter. Rio’s hand cupping her cheek. “You didn’t deserve her, but you do deserve what’s left of your father’s legacy – if you want it.”

Agatha rolled her shoulders and focused her gaze on the door. “Let’s… get this over with.” She moved past Rio and opened the door herself, the younger woman slipping her hand back into hers.

***

Evanora Harkness sat in a chair by the pond, counting her rosary. Agatha looked up and saw the angel bells meant to keep people like her, people with wickedness, out. She saw runes and symbols drawn on the ground that were pagan in nature and flexed her jaw at the double standard. 

She saw the moment her mother clocked her, her eyes growing hard, her hand moving quickly to make an invisible cross on her person. Agatha rolled her eyes as she approached. “Stop embarrassing me in front of my friends, mom.”

Evanora sneered. “You have no friends.”

Rio tilted her head in question, looking at Agatha to confirm that her mother could see her, right?

Evanora glanced toward the pond. “Such a shame it didn’t all end here.”

Agatha felt her chest constrict. 

Rio felt her let go of her hand. That wouldn’t do.

“Miss Harkness.” She stepped forward without Agatha. “Rio Vidal, Agatha’s girlfriend, I would say it’s a pleasure,” she plastered a fake smile on her face that Agatha felt looked a bit psychotic. “But I would be lying, and we really shouldn’t waste our limited time together with such games.”

Evanora looked past Rio to her daughter. “Another child of god you’ve brought into your world of filth? How many will you take with you to the fiery inferno?”

Agatha opened her mouth then closed it promptly, there was no reasoning with Evanora. She crossed her arms as Rio’s hand fell and she returned to her side, placing an arm around her waist. “I actually pursued her. She’s quite the accomplished woman…” She smirked at Evanoa, “Plus, she is a vision.” Rio’s eyes looked Evanora up and down. “Luckily, she didn’t receive any features from you.” 

She turned her back on the woman. “Well, I’ve seen you. We’ll be out of your hair, as soon as Agatha gets what she’s owed.”

Evanora growled. “You won’t get a cent from your father’s estate! He wasn’t well.” She stalked into her daughter's face. “That money was supposed to be passed down the family line, and you have ended it all!”

Agatha snapped. “You mean, you’ve ruined it all.”

Rio pulled her back a step. “Honey, you really mustn’t yell. You know it stresses me out. She placed Agatha’s hand on her stomach. “It’s not good for the baby.”

Agatha barely schooled her features in time as her mother practically exploded. “What! You can’t have a child! I forbid it!”

Rio shrugged. “Agatha had the better genes. Our baby is going to be just as beautiful and smart as her one day. Too bad you won’t get to see them.” She turned and patted Agatha’s cheek. “Let’s go dear, we have that appointment in town.”

Evanora boomed, taking quick steps towards cutting off Agatha’s escape. “Why won’t you just die!”

Agatha twitched as if struck. Rio’s game fading instantly, she stepped in between Agatha and her mother, shoving the older woman back hard, and harder with every push. “Get. Away. From. Her.”

Evanora Screamed. “I curse you to the grave!”

Rio boomed louder. “You can’t have her!” Before Rio could continue she heard Agatha’s voice crack, and she closed her eyes at the sound.

Agatha’s hands were wringing each other, hard, “Mom, why do you hate me so much?” The sight of Agatha in shambles killed Rio when she opened her eyes.

Evanora snarled. “You know you are a child of the damned, and I should have killed you the moment you left my body. If your father hadn’t…”

Agatha launched at her mother, Rio barely catching her. “If Daddy hadn’t stopped you, then you would have gotten everything you ever wanted! But he did, because maybe you’re the evil one. Did you ever for once wonder what god would tell you to kill your own child?” 

Rio's soft words were only for her as she was held. “Enough.”

Agatha tried to escape the hold, but Rio held firm. “Time to go, my love.”

Evanora’s voice dipped low. “You ever show your face here again, I’ll do it.”

Agatha removed Rio’s hands. She walked calmly up to her mother. “You want to see a witch? I’ll show you a wicked witch. I’ll take this place from you and then burn it to the fucking ground!” She spit at her mother’s feet then turned on her heels. “Have fun in hell, Evanora.” She took off with the sounds of her mother’s tantrums fading into the background. 

She didn’t wait for Rio as she stormed past her to the car. Rio ran to catch up, snatching her hand as she went to open the driver's side door. 

“No.”

Agatha shook, her voice unsteady. “I need to leave.”

Rio nodded. “I’ll take you wherever you want to go, but you’re not driving.” She took the keys. “Go sit down.”

Agatha wanted to turn her anger on the other woman, wanted to take control, but as Rio stared her down she realized more than control, what she wanted was to surrender and let herself fall. She stepped away slowly as she rounded the car, getting into the passenger’s side without a word and allowed Rio to take her back to the hotel.

***

Agatha laid in bed unmoving. Her mind reeling with new images of her mother shouting horrible things at her.

Rio sat beside her, calmly rubbing at her back, saying things Agatha didn’t really hear. 

Agatha let her mind wander. She stood after a while and moved to her purse as if in a trance. Without alerting Rio to her motives, she ripped a check from her checkbook and began writing for an obscene amount of money on the paper. Tearing it quickly from the book, she handed it to Rio. “You can enjoy Kathy’s cookies… I’m out.” She wouldn’t look at her. “Please… go enjoy the rest of your week in Salem. This should more than cover it. Thank… Thank you for getting me out of there.”

Rio’s eyes narrowed, she didn’t move. “I’m not taking that.”

Agatha slammed it on the bed exasperated. “Why? I won’t be needing it!”

Rio’s face fell, her voice quiet. “Agatha…what?” When Agatha didn’t do anything but continue to hyperventilate, Rio tried again. “Don’t you dare…”

Agatha shook her head, stepping back. “I’m not your problem.”

Rio sighed. “I’m not leaving you here alone, not while you’re like this.”

Blue eyes that were now rimmed in red, widened. “I need to be alone.” Her voice wavered. 

Rio shook her head. “That’s not what you need.” She let her eyes trace Agatha’s features. “What did you mean about her getting everything she ever wanted?” When Agatha wouldn’t look at her, she growled. “Don’t you fucking think about giving it to her!”

Agatha moved away quickly, stumbling over her bag that she had dropped on her way in, barely landing on her hands and knees as she fell. Her breath came quickly, too quickly. Rio dropped in front of her without a sound. Her hand’s lifted Agatha’s as the woman sat back on her heels, her hands upturned and twitching. Rio attempted to soothe her. “You’re going to have a rug burn, baby.”

Agatha laughed as her nose started to run and her eyes filled with so many tears she could no longer see, “She tried to kill me, again and again. And it never fucking worked!”

Rio’s hand moved to touch her face, but Agatha moved away. Rio reached out again and gripped both sides, not letting her disappear. “Agatha, stop, you’re spiraling. Don’t let her win…”

Agatha screamed. “She’s already won!”

Rio released her slowly and Agatha fell forward into her lap, her sobs vibrating through Rio’s body. 

***

Agatha’s tired and swollen eyes opened to white sheets and a firm hold around her waist. She tried to keep her breathing even as her mind tried to process what even happened earlier. She felt for Rio’s arm as She pressed it harder into her stomach. The other woman sighed before gripping her tighter.

Agatha’s hand came up to wipe at her face, a gentle kiss at her temple had her tears streaming past her attempts to clear them. “Why are you even here with me?”

Rio laid down and pressed her face into the back of Agatha’s neck. Remembering the first time she had interacted with Agatha and the first time she had seen her appear on her house camera. “Because you’re, flower girl.” She whispered it, as if letting out her most coveted secret. 

Agatha tried to move, but Rio held firm. “When my sister passed. I was… numb. No one checked up on me or knew how to. Everyone assumed that because I wasn’t sobbing, it meant I didn’t care. I did though.” She blew out a breath. “You obviously don’t remember but… you brought me flowers.”

Agatha stopped moving. Her mind wandered back to try and access the memory. When had she taken flowers to someone?

Rio let out a large exhale. “You had extra flowers in your garden and offered to cut a bouquet. No one checked up on me after the funeral. But you… some seriously hot woman I didn’t know… you brought me flowers, when I really needed them. I… I still have them, I pressed them.”

Rio sighed. “I never thought there would be a time I could pay you back for your kindness, but I hovered, looking for a time when I might have something you needed. And I learned an egregious amount about you… so you were right, I kinda did stalk you.”

Agatha smiled, trying to breathe through her tears. “I knew you were a freak.”

Rio gripped the woman in front of her tighter, running her thumbs over Agatha’s stomach. “It just so happened that my crush on you also came in handy when you needed someone for this fake relationship adventure.” She leaned in close to Agatha’s ear. “I was also very high at the time.”

Agatha bit her lip. “Great minds think alike, I guess.”

Rio released her. Her hand moving to run through Agatha’s hair, the other woman letting out a quiet sigh. “I don’t know you well, Agatha. But I would love to. You are so much more than you let yourself believe that you are.”

Agatha nuzzled down into her pillow. “It was just some flowers, I’m hardly a saint.”

Rio smirked. “You tried to place them like five different locations on my porch, I still have the footage.”

Agatha grumbled. “I didn’t want you to miss them and not be able to enjoy them.”

Rio leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the woman in front of her’s temple. “You are too sweet.”

Agatha pulled the sheets tight around herself, and up to try and cover her face, the sheet falling just below her eyes. Her voice came out slightly muffled. “I’m not a good person.”

Rio ran her hand through Agatha’s scalp. “That’s just a lie you tell yourself.”

Agatha turned over so she could stare at Rio. “What was your tarot session about?” Her eyes drifted all over Rio’s face, looking for answers when she wasn’t even sure what her queries were.

Rio let her hand brush Agatha’s face. “A death and a rebirth. And no, it doesn’t need to be your physical death.” Her eyes drifted in thought. “Wouldn’t mind if it was your mother’s, but I’m pretty sure it's the end of a cycle type of thing and not a physical thing.”

Agatha teared up. “What else?”

Rio traced the face in front of hers with her eyes. “I’m going to help you in this new phase of your life. You… you don’t need to do all of this alone. Also… you need to let the Queen of cups be a part of your path forward.”

Agatha sighed, swallowing the bile that threatened to travel up her throat. “She’s done too much for me already… as have you,” 

Before Rio could speak, Agatha’s phone began to ring. Agatha picked it up slowly, fighting the smile that came to her face. “She would.” She glanced at Rio before receiving a nod that it was okay to answer. Agatha’s voice was a bit rough still as her voice drifted down the line. “Yes, Lilia?” Her eyebrows furrowed. “Lilia, slow down… I’m not alone, what has gotten into you?”

Lilia’s voice was frantic. “The cards, Agatha! I received a warning today. You, you need to come back right now. Is Rio with you?”

Agatha looked at Rio before she nodded. “Yes, she’s right here… what is going on?”

“Oh thank the mother, I should have never let you go on that trip!” 

Agatha closed her eyes as Rio began to lightly scratch her nails down her back in comfort. She leaned into the touch, liking the feeling. “I’m alright. I’m not alone… and I’ll be home soon,”

“Agatha, she’s death! Rio is death!”

Agatha felt Rio’s hands stop, she turned abruptly to see where Rio had gone. The woman’s eyes had fallen to the mattress as her hands started to shake. Agatha’s hand reached out for Rio but the woman moved away. She whispered. “Rio… it’s okay, she doesn’t mean it like that…”

Rio moved away from the other woman to the very edge of the bed up by the headboard.

Agatha watched on in horror, her tone firm as she returned to the call. “Lilia, stop it. You’re scaring her.”

Lilia's voice didn’t calm down. “A past life. Many past lives. She’s looking for you. She’s been searching lifetimes to find you. She’s going to end your cycle. You won’t return, Agatha, not this time. Don’t go with her!”

Agatha sat watching Rio shudder, her fingers tightening around the phone. “Lilia. I… I love you, and I will be home for Christmas. When it comes to Rio... I need… I need you to be kind to her…”

Lilia gasped. “Agatha, I’m telling you, death manifested into a human life. She’s not what she seems. I don’t know that she even fully knows…”

Blue eyes watched Rio as she seemed to shut down further, her eyes going blank. “Lilia, I need to go. She’s… not okay. I need to make sure she’s alright. I’ll call you later. I love you.” Without waiting for Lilia to say it back, she hung up. Within a moment, Lilia was calling her back, she quickly turned her phone to silent.

She crawled towards Rio and the girl sat unmoving. 

Agatha didn’t know what to say so for a moment she sat there contemplating her options before she curled into her chest, placing her ear over her heart. She closed her eyes and wound her arms around Rio’s torso. When Rio still didn’t move, she huffed and pulled Rio’s arms around her, the girl finally starting to come back to herself, holding Agatha gently.

Rio swallowed thickly. “She… she seems like a real witch.” Her voice was rough. Agatha nuzzled in closer.

“She’s an old cook. What does she know?”

Rio gasped as she closed her eyes, tears streaming down. “What if she’s right? I don’t want to hurt you. Shit, Agatha, I never wanted that for you…”

Agatha leaned up and kissed the underside of her jaw. “Stop. If this were my last lifetime… maybe you’re what makes it so special that it doesn’t need to be repeated. Did you think of that?” Agatha’s hand reached up and found Rio’s tattoo behind her ear, tracing it with light fingertips.

Rio tried to laugh, but it came out as a sob. “Everyone always expects the worst of me. I don’t… I don’t understand it.” She wiped hesitant fingers under her eyes before Agatha’s fingers pushed hers out of the way and she took over.

Agatha shifted looking directly into Rio’s eyes, as her fingers continued to disrupt her tears. “Your parents were wrong, you have a heart.” She didn’t know what possessed her to do it but she pressed her forehead against Rio’s and closed her eyes. “It’s black…” she let a bit of teasing enter her tone, “but it beats for me.” She smiled as she felt Rio laugh lightly.

She leaned forward and captured Rio’s lips, wanting to absorb her pain, to do anything she could to take her sorrow away and hold it within herself. It was meant for her and not others. She lightly let her fingers slip behind Rio’s head and tangle in the hairs at the base of her skull. Her lips broke away just enough to utter a few unfiltered words.

“I think… I think I could love you… one day.” Her heart skipped a beat at the impromptu admission. She panicked a moment later, wondering if she should take it back, when Rio sucked in a breath.

“I think I already love you. Is that too crazy?” Rio’s voice was hesitant, as if she worried this would be the final straw to get Agatha to leave, the woman didn’t move.

Agatha leaned forward straddling Rio’s lab. Her hands moved to Rio’s face as she held her still so she could kiss her slowly, taking her time with her – something she never did with anyone. Something about Rio made her want to be gentle, wanted her to spill her secrets, and even her feelings. She knew she couldn’t heal overnight, but she felt some small parts of her heart starting to suture closed. 

Agatha slowed down and bumped her nose to Rio’s. “If you’re a good girl, I’ll let you hold me.” She smiled when she saw Rio’s fingers twitch.

“You promise?” Rio’s eyes were round and careful still. 

Agatha nodded. “For you? I think I can break the rules.” She laid down beside Rio and stayed still as the girl curled into her side, placing her black hairs all over Agatha’s chest as she settled in, an arm stretching across her midsection. 

Rio sighed. “You’re not made for only sorrow, Agatha. I promise you that if this is your last lifetime, I am going to do everything in my power to make sure you are happy and at peace.” She let her next few breaths warm the other woman from the inside out. 

Agatha tried to even out her breathing. Rio felt so warm and comforting on top of her and the words she spoke made Agatha’s heart beat in a new way, a stronger way. Agatha started to hum a song that she had no idea where it had come from, and as she started to drift off to sleep, lulled into a stillness by the warm body against hers, she swore she heard Rio starting to hum the tune along with her.