Witch of Skin and Bone

Lilac puffs of smoke circled and contracted around her, a snake coiling against its prey. She added hemlock and lavender, causing dark purple bubbles to boil and roll in the mixture. It tickled her nose, making the skin on her arms tingle with light goosebumps. Smells of bitter herbs puffed into the room, she sighed, it was soon time. Her hair was thick and long, falling down her back in golden waves. The sands of an hourglass, poured into her palms, but never slipped through her fingertips. Days, centuries, millenniums passed her by. She remained as she was, always and forever. A small black cat with three eyes, amber and piercing, emerged from behind her locks. The cat nuzzled into her neck, purring quietly as if to say you can do it. Time lapsed and froze, thickening the air around them, as her doubt settled in her lungs. As soon as it started, the air softened, a gasp of air flushing the space. The bitter scents of poisonous roots wafted to the ceiling, the concoction continued to bubble and steam. She breathed, relief melting the furrow on her brow.

“You ready Nyx?” her voice low, the cat meowed in agreement, jumping from her shoulder and landed squarely by a dust covered chest. She nudged it open with her head, dragging out the final ingredient with her teeth. Climbing atop the table that was cracked and covered with occult oddities, she looked up at her partner in crime, and waited patiently.

“Oops! Sorry!” She bent down, cleaning the surface, so that Nyx could place the missing piece on top of the scratched surface. Reaching over, and petting the sweet spot behind her ears, Nyx purred in approval and began licking the back of her midnight paw.

She eyed the missing piece, and picked it up, holding it close to her chest. She breathed in the scent of honey and wine. The fabric was worn and tattered in a few places. But, it was perfect. Just what she needed to complete the remedy. Her hands trembled and for a moment the air seemed to solidify in her mouth. Her lungs constricted, and mind swayed. Her eyes stung, tears threatening to spill out. Nyx had begun to tap the steel pot, and meow more insistently. The heat of the metal didn’t seem to bother her. All three eyes, fixed and determined. She needed to snap out of it, she didn't have the time. She felt the air lighten, her panic dissolving in her mind. She thanked her friend for pulling her back, her hands squeezing the fabric, and swallowed loudly.

“Nyx, if it doesn’t work, I-” she stopped herself, hands jittery. Nyx tilted her head to the right, a focused look on her face, and moved closer to her, nuzzling again. They stood in the purple clouds of smoke that started to puff out of the mixture.

“Thank you, you’re right. It has to work,” she breathed, “it just has to.”

Closing her eyes, she dropped her relic, her heart, into the pot and heard it gurgle and cry. A cacophony of wails and coughs burst their ear drums. The room spun, crystal balls shattered and the table creaked under the turmoil. She held the pot, willing herself to open her eyes. One more step remained, she needed to do this now. Ripping a lock of her long hair, straight from the root, she dropped it into the whirlpool of bubbling herbs and screams. Blood bloomed on her scalp. With one finger, she pressed down and brought it close to the whirling liquid. Drops of crimson mixed with the rich purples. Loud and wailing, the concoction thrashed in harsh waves, splashing and boiling all at once. Soon, it began to slow, the screams slurring and breathing out a thick lilac steam. A smile, short and sweet, fell on her lips. She breathed in the smoke, and let the steam fall on her face. It smelt of rich wine, from a time that no longer was.

Collapsing to the ground, her legs weak, her heart began to shake. The skin on her bones, wrinkled and tightened. Her long blonde hair transforming to a shocking white and grey, shooting from the roots downwards. She felt her the bones in her back double over and hunch, her legs crack and bend. Finally. Her blood pulsed, slow and soft. Finally, it’s time. When she stood, she grabbed a piece of broken wood, and used it to balance herself. She waddled to the nearest stool, the only piece of furniture that remained fixed in place. And she sat down. Nyx purred, running around and jumping on her lap. Her shaky, wrinkled hand found its way to Nyx sweet spot, and she petted her in soft motions. Her heart warmed as she examined her hand. The beauty of green veins and brown freckles shone in the dark. With her free hand, she felt her face, memorising the ridges of expression at the tip of her fingers. Nyx, satisfied with the attention received, jumped out and headed towards the windowpane. She delicately pulled at the dusty curtains, slowly unveiling the night sky, and turning once her way, as if to say goodbye, before disappearing into the moonlight. Her three amber eyes lingered after she had gone. Starlight enveloped the room, bright and gleaming. No signs of clouds or smoke, only the stars and moon. She laughed, low and hoarse, and stood up. It was her time to follow suit. She hobbled over to the steel pot, and looked into its clear, azure waters. Her eyes fixed on her reflection, and her breath caught. She saw the sands of hourglass fall like shooting stars, burning fast. The last grains of sand, a long awaited kiss on her cheek. She was beautiful. She watched herself closely, tears spilling out. When she was ready, she closed her eyes, and let herself fall into the star's embrace.