Camila Returns
Luz wasn’t trying to go to sleep, not really. She just wanted to close her eyes for a quick second. She didn’t really nap during the day that much, but it was just so peaceful and calm in the living room. But, eventually she did end up falling asleep, floating in a dreamless slumber.
When she opened her eyes again, squinting around the room, she didn’t know what time it was or how long she had slept, but nothing had really changed. Except that a purple blanket was draped over her. Amity was still sitting on the couch next to her, but now she was leaning her head on the pillows, her eyes closed. Luz thought she was asleep, but apparently not, because Amity smiled at her when she heard her wake up.
Hunter, Gus, and Willow were still sitting on the floor, just soaking in the sunlight with their Palisman.
They all were silent for several more minutes, but then a loud noise came from behind them. Hunter jumped up, startled, and the rest of the kids also looked confused. But Luz recognized that sound. It was the sound of the garage door opening and a car pulling in. Her mom was back.
Luz stood up and went over to the door to the garage right as it opened. Camila was standing there, holding several grocery bags and her keys. Vee was behind her, carrying two more packages. Luz hurried to help her mom set the bags on the kitchen counter. Some of them felt different than the other grocery bags, and when Luz peeked inside she noticed that not all of them were full of food. There were first aid supplies, blankets, towels, and other items. She smiled softly, admiring her mother’s thoughtfulness.
“How was work, Mamí?” Luz asked her.
“The usually,” Camila replied, taking the groceries out of their bags and putting them in the fridge. “But we did have someone bring in an injured hedgehog that they found on the side of the road.”
“I helped put some bandages on it!” Vee added, shifting out of her fake-Luz form and into her normal basilisk form. “It was so cute.”
Camila smiled warmly at her. “Yes, Vee is a wonderful helper.”
The rest of the kids had left the living room and walked over to Luz.
“What was that noise?” Amity whispered to her.
“Oh, that was a car,” Camila replied, still unpacking the groceries. “Do they not have those in the Demon Realm?”
“A car is a human mode of transportation,” Luz explained to them.
“Fascinating,” Gus murmured, which was one of the first things he had said this whole time.
“Oh, no, we mostly just use our staffs,” Willow said.
“Staffs—?” Camila started to ask, but was interrupted by Vee gasping loudly.
“You guys have Palisman?” She exclaimed, noticing Ghost and the other animals, who the kids were holding.
“Palisman?” Camila closed the fridge door and turned around. Her eyes widened when she saw the cat, the bird, the chameleon, and the abnormally large bee. “Are those like demon pets? Oh no, I should’ve bought pet food. I’ll have to head out to the store later—“
Amity waved her arms. “No, no, it’s okay. They don’t really need to eat like regular animals.”
“But Emmilline steals my snacks sometimes,” Gus chuckled, holding out his Palisman. The chameleon jumped out of his hands and climbed on his arm.
“Palisman are magical creatures that are bonded with witches,” Willow explained. “They can turn into staffs and help us preform magic. Clover is my Palisman, and she is the best bee in the whole wide world.” Willow held out her hand and Clover flew over to land on it, buzzing cheerfully. “I hope that’s okay.”
“Interesting,” Camila said. “I have a lot of experience with animals, they are very welcome here.”
Vee leaned in closer to look at them. “Woah, cool! I didn’t know witches had those anymore. One time I overhead a couple of soldiers complaining near my cell about how Belos took away their Palisman. I thought it was the same for everyone.”
“That’s only in the Emperor’s Coven,” Hunter said quietly. Everyone turned to look at him, since he hadn’t spoken a word to anyone except Luz since he had got here. He flinched under their gaze. “Belos destroys the almost all of Coven soldiers Palisman when they first join because they’re made of wild magic.”
Vee tilted her head at him, confused. “How do you know that?”
Hunter looked away. “I— I saw him do it.” He reached up to instinctively put his hand over Flapjack, who was sitting on his shoulder.
Vee’s eyes widened, and she stepped back ever so slightly. “I have to put some stuff.. somewhere,” she said, then scurried away to the hallway.
Hunter looked down at his boots, an odd look on his face.
Camila looked at the kids, confused, but holding in all her questions. She would have to ask Luz about it later.
“Okay,” She exclaimed, interrupting the momentary silence. “I need to get your beds ready. Luz, will you help me?”
“Beds?” Amity asked.
“Of course! You are staying at my house, after all. I can’t let you just sleep in the living room the whole time.”
Amity smiled gratefully.
“Sure,” Luz grabbed a couple of the bags and followed her mom down the hallway.