Terrifying dreams had become such a staple in Sabrina’s life that she hadn’t fought the one creeping into her mind at all, expecting it to tie back to Nick being tortured by her Father. She figured it was her penance for being unable to help him. It didn’t matter that they were broken up or that apparently in the future she managed to free him. All she could focus on was that she wasn’t there now to lessen the pain he had to have endured for so many weeks. With time running differently in the ninth circle did that mean it had lasted longer, shorter? She had no idea.
But these weren’t the same nightmares of the last few months. They burned into her skin, searing her from the inside out as every instance of the last few weeks in Greendale were etched into her soul. She raised from the bed, eyes white as they opened with the powers of Hell flowing through her, calling to her in ways they hadn’t done before.
Maleficent scratched at her door, wanting to escape, while Salem watched from his place on her pillow, offering a soft meow as the memories of finding nearly every single person she had ever loved dead enveloped her, her mouth opened in a silent scream even as tears slid down her cheeks. A defeated Ambrose, mind and body broken from decades of living alone after the world had ended in chaos broke her heart and she struggled against the life being played out. None of this had been in her Aunt’s retellings, but then how could it be? She hadn’t shared the tormented future that she had been able to revert with any of them. Merely gone back in time to put things right and then not fulfilled her part of the bargain by keeping the time loop going.
Sabrina collapsed back down onto the bed and bolted upright, her eyes back to their normal color, and gulping for air as she played back everything that had happened back home.
She didn’t feel decades older. Salem brushed against her and she picked him up, hugging him tightly. The sight of his grave had cut deeply and she needed to feel his fur, to sense his heartbeat. After a quick mental check to make sure no one else was awake in the house, Sabrina pushed open the door, letting Mal run out into the darkness. Azzie stood on the other side of the doorway, looking at her curiously before meandering off as well.
Still cradling Salem closely she made her way to the bathroom, placing him down on the cool tile as she stood in front of the mirror. Decades had passed trapped in the stone, but she didn’t look a day older than she had when she’d gone to sleep and she knew that was true back home as well.
Salem moved between her legs, demanding attention again and she sat down on the floor with him, playing back the time spell she’d managed to do. It had been breathtaking to do, almost as it was destined for her to do.
What am I?
The words she’d said about herself echoed in her mind, the depth of her powers even greater than they had been before. Apparently spending decades in her domain could do that.
Her domain. Hell.
The need, the desire to sit on that throne, to keep Caliban from it had cost her everything. She had been able to fix it, to right the end of the world that had come with the chaos that had been thrown into motion, while creating her own brand of insanity.
Live out a regular life with her mortal and witch family...while also being Queen of Hell.
It was fine. It would work out. No matter her cousin's worries.
Besides. It wasn’t like playing around with the balance of the universe was going to have any sort of consequences in Vallo.
Right?
Salem purred against her and Sabrina absently brushed her palm down his back.