Chapter 53 - Deserved

 "Mr Carruthers," Gwen said confidently, "I believe I am expected."

"Do come in," the butler replied icily, "I am to show you to the sitting room."

"Very kind," Gwen nodded.

"Gwen, dah'ling," Judith drawled, "I was surprised to get your call. I'm so pleased that dear Miranda has been returned safely. It must have been a dreadful ordeal. Do the authorities have any idea who was responsible for this horrible thing."

"No," Gwen said, not bothering to hide her feeling, "and I don't expect they ever will... but I know."

"Really?" Judith presented a look of shocked interest. 

"Yes," Gwen said, "it was you. It was obvious, you see, once Claudette told us about the ransom demands. The money was to be expected. Eternal youth, well that could have been Nancy Landgraab but it wasn't likely... but that coupled with the demand that Cassie quit show business... that could only be you."

"Sure accusations, dah'ling," Judith's smile turned predatory, "Such unsubstantiated, unproven accusations... why if anyone else heard them I'd have to consult my lawyers. We can have slanders like that in the press."

"Of course," Gwen continued, ignoring her entirely, "there was also they way the hide from my Sight. It wasn't merely Claudette and Max seducing Miranda and Jenny to mask their intentions. Those alone wouldn't have been enough to hide Miss H's intent to murder my daughter... no, they hid behind you. Behind your petty jealousy, your insecurity and your fear. They used you, Judith, as much as you thought you were using them."

"Really!" Judith snapped.

"So I decided to offer an end to this feud you imagine you have with my wife," Gwen spoke over her, "There, on the table, is a potion... one which will end forever your uncertainty and fear of the looming specter of growing older. One which will give you exactly what you deserve. If that's what you want, take it, drink it."

"Poison?" Judith gave a serpent's smiles. 

"Nothing more or less than I said it was," Gwen said, leaving. "Drink it or pour it out. The choice is yours."

"Eternal youth," Judith said.

The potion tasted foul, but she could feel the energy coursing through her, fire dancing within her skin.

"Yes... Yes!"

"What?"

"NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!"

Chapter 52 - Aftermath

 "Oh God, you're OK," Mariah gasped.

"I'm OK," Miranda assured her. "Really, I'm OK."

"I was so worried about you!" Mariah said. "Don't do that to me again!"

"Deal," Miranda laughed.

"So, you're here?" Mariah asked.

"I wanted to see you," Miranda said, "So, I popped over. I'm pretty sure Gwen's doing the clairvoyant thing and keeping an eye on me. The first few days, she had to convince Mom to even let me out of her line of sight."

"Yeah, this magic thing is totally cheating," Mariah laughed, "but I'll take it. You hungry? Danielle's making tacos."

"I could eat," Miranda smiled.

"... so we still don't know who was really behind it," Miranda concluded, after filling Mariah, Danielle and Londyn in on as many of the details as she felt comfortable sharing. "You've probably seen the press has finally gotten a hold of the story. Mom says we're supposed to be all 'no comment' and they're making up their own answers. My favorite is that it was a revenge thing by the Landgraab's cartel. Might even be truth... I don't know."

"We're just glad you're alright," Danielle said.

"What happened to that little blonde putana, Claudette?" Mariah snarled. 

"Mariah, language!" Londyn interjected.

"She was a witch," Miranda said, "so Gwen said she needed to face witch justice..."

"We took her before the Sages - the leaders of the Magic Realm," she continued. "It was a kind of trial. They listened to our testimony and everything..."

"There wasn't really any question of guilt... Claudette admitted to everything."

"So, they stripped her of her magical and exiled her from the Magic Realm," Miranda said. "Gwen says it's the highest punishment they can inflict."

"After that, Gwen took her to the Moonwood Collective." she continued. "I guess she'd talked to Kristopher, and he agreed to oversee Claudette's rehabilitation... and to protect her from her father. It's not exactly prison but it kind of is."

"You forgave her, didn't you," Mariah asked later.

"No," Miranda said. "I just feel bad for her. Her dad twisted her up inside since she was a kid... trained her and used her... He really messed her up."

"Yeah," Mariah said softly, "I get that... but..."

"Yeah. 'But,'" Miranda sighed. "I can't forgive her for what she did. Not yet. Maybe not ever. Still, I'm glad she's at least free from him. I think.. I hope... Kristopher and Lily can help her get her life sorted out."

"So, what now?" Mariah asked.

"Well," Miranda said, "I've got school work to catch up on. Kidnapped by mobsters and I still have to deal with school!" 

"Unfair!"

"I know, right," Miranda laughed, "So... this magic thing is kinda like cheating... but it's cheaper than airfare. So maybe, when I can get away, we can... hang out."

"Yeah," Mariah smiled. "I'd like that."

Chapter 51 - Villains

 "Gentlemen... Let me make sure I understand this correctly. The witches and their friends found you, despite certain assurances they could not. More, they defeated you. You ran back here with your tails between you legs and... oh yes... you lost the girl! I think the words 'unmitigated disaster' may be the most generous and polite way to describe this situation..."

"Now gentlemen, I would like you each to explain to me precisely why your... services... are still required."

"Please be detailed and specific!"

___________________

"Alright, grab everything and let's make tracks..."

"I admit, things didn't work out exactly to plan. So right now e just need to find a safe spot to lay low until the heat's off... and 'til I can make things right with Mr Alto."

"Stick with me, Wolfgang. We'll be back on top in no time."

Chapter 50 - Safe

 "Oh my God, Mom," Miranda gasped, "I knew you'd come. I knew it!"

"Oh baby," Cassie sobbed. "My girl, I'm so happy you're safe."

"Gwen," Miranda threw her arms around her, "That was incredible. How did you guys find me."

"Shhh," Gwen smiled, "I'll tell you all about it when we get you home."

 "Are you alright?" Cassie asked. "Did they hurt you?"

"I'm fine," Miranda said sincerely. "Really, I'm fine. They didn't hurt me or anything. I'm tired, a hungry and I could really use a shower but I'm fine."

 "That's it," Jenny said, joined them, "I am done with guys! Every guy I have ever been with has been a creep, a flake or a crook. No more guys. I'm switching teams. You're lesbians! Who do I talk to? Where do I sign up?"

"It doesn't really work that way," Miranda said. "Does it?"

"Glad you're OK too Jenny," Cassie said.

 

"Now," she added, turning sharply.

"I surrender," Claudette threw up her hands. 

"What do we do with her!?"

 

Chapter 49 - The Witness

 "Oh God, oh shit, oh God," Jenny panted as she ran through the dark square. "Where am I?"

"Here kitty, kitty, kitty," Max called out, chuckling, "Where you goin' sweatheart?"

 "Got ya'," Max laughed lunging at her.

"Get off you bastard!" Jenny shouted.

 "You heard the lady," Xander roared, diving into the fray.

 With a violent blow, Max managed to throw Xander off long enough to break free.

"Screw this," the gangster snarled, beating a hasty retreat. "I'm out here."

 ________________

"Ahhhh!" Jenny screamed. "Oh God, you're a vampire. Please, please don't kill me," she pleaded. "I'll do anything... I mean, seriously, anything... weird, twisted, whatever you want... just don't kill me."

 "Woah, hey, it's OK," Xander said gently. "I'm... I'm a nice vampire. I'm Xander... Xander Goth... Cassie's brother... here to rescue you. "

"You... you are?" Jenny panted. "Oh God, can we just forget all that stuff I just said."

 "Yeah, sure, fine," Xander nodded. "Let's just get you safe... Besides, I wouldn't... I mean I... I'm married... and I'm in a serious relationship... OK, the relationship might be a little rocky right now, but the marriage is great."

Chapter 48 - Challenges

 "I'm prepared for you this time, Gwen," Faust snarled. 

 "It was me who blocked your precious Sight."

 "Yes," Gwen admitted, "that was very clever of you, John."

 

 "Now, I'll crush you," Faust growled. "I'll crush you all!"

"You made a mistake, John," Gwen grinned back, teeth ferally bared. "You made me angry."

"Stay. Away. From. Our. Daughter!"

 

___________

"Hey, vampire," Jake shouted, "your turn!"

"That all you got!?"

 Jake's howl of victory echoes through the Old City.

 

Chapter 47 - Defiant

 "I've done everything you asked!" Claudette shouted. "I believed in you, in the cause. I've given you everything.... my magic, my heart, my body... but not this! Not this!"

"Fool child," Faust snarled. "This is what is required! Blood is the price of victory... today, the blood of Miranda Goth."

 "No!" Claudette cried. "I won't allow it!"

 "Allow it?" Faust laughed, "You can't hope to challenge me."

 "You shouldn't have sent me to Brookside, Father..."

"... I learned things there!"

 "Defiant," Faust scoffed. "I've had many children... and they are always defiant..."

 "... and always a disappointment..."

 "You are nothing, child. You can't challenge me." 

 "If you're done beating up teenagers, John," Gwen said. "I'll give you challenge."