The Muse

IV

Espanyana's P.O.V

        “Espanyana! Can we please stop talking about this and just enjoy the feast I’ve prepared for us? When Dane comes I’ll be just as prepared as you!” She huffed in frustration

   Annoyance filled my being as she spoke those words

As If, stop lying to yourself

        “You act as if I can’t hear your thoughts” she snarled

My eyebrows lifted in shock

        “Wow, I’m surprised you’re still able to do that” I teased as I began to stab my fruit with my fork before bringing its freshness to my lips.

        “Do you want the truth?” She questioned as she dropped her silverware on the plate before meeting her eyes with mine

I nodded my head slowly while taking a bite of my omelet

        “You say I live in fear? Well, your damn right, because I don’t want to be f*****g slaughtered like the others were because of you. Your addiction to power is the reason we’re in this situation in the first place. The reason why our entire coven is sitting six feet in the ground right now. But you just won’t stop, will you? You won't learn your lesson. You’re so selfish. So while you go and risk both of our lives for your sick obsession I’ll be here, safe where I can’t be found. I’m not weak, I’m cautious so don’t ever disrespect my name like that again.” She spoke as her eyes visibly began to darken, indicating the fury living within her.

  My stomach churned in guilt and disbelief as she allowed those words to fall from her lips. How dare she blame the deaths of our coven on me? It wasn’t my fault. How dare she?

        “I’m the reason their dead? Me?! Everything I’ve ever done was to protect our coven! To elevate us-“ I started before getting cut off

        “And look where that got us.”

  I immediately rise from my seat before slamming my plate down on the glass table in rage.

I could f*****g kill you right now

        “f**k you! Your not cautious your just a scared, weak & naive little b***h! You hide away too afraid to even step foot outside so instead you stay in here and f*****g rot! You say I’m obsessed with power? Fine! Maybe I am, but I’d rather have power to protect us than sit here dying with nothing. Ur f*****g pathetic and a disappointment to Asmodeus & all witches. You should be in the grave with the rest of them.” I spat with venom laced throughout every word before walking away allowing her to soak in everything I said

  A tear escaped from my left eye from frustration as I made my way down the dark hallways before entering the garage

        “It’s not my fault.” I repeated as I climbed into my Matte black Challenger

  My hands began to shake immensely as I placed the keys into the ignition.

  How f*****g dare she place the deaths of our sisters and brothers on me? It’s not my fault. I didn’t mean for any of that to happen. It wasn’t supposed to happen. It was never supposed to be this way.

  My fingers press the garage opener, revealing the outside world; granting me permission to leave the premises

   I clasp onto the gear shift, putting the vehicle in drive before pulling out of the garage, away from the house.

   My foot begins to apply pressure upon the gas pedal allowing me to reach 115 mph

Everything I’ve ever done was to protect our coven, to heighten us. I never meant for any of this to happen.

        “It’s not my f*****g fault!” I yelled as my fingers tightened around the steering wheel.

   I drove swiftly down the Las Vegas roads, weaving my way around different vehicles before making it to my place of work in record time.

Get your s**t together b***h.

   Once I place my car in park I take a moment to breathe and collect my thoughts.

I’m not going to let this ruin my day

   I take one last deep breath before exiting my car and making my way towards the tall marble building labeled ‘icon fashion’.

        “Good morning Espanyana” my co-worker spoke as I entered the building

        “Good morning” I smiled as I walked past the front desk.

   I made my way to the back of the building, passing many different sections of designer clothing before going up the tall glass staircase.

   I flashed a fake smile to my coworkers in attempts to hide the emotions I was engulfed in as I continued to my office space.

        “Good morning” my co-worker Nyx spoke as she stood in front of me, preventing me from going forward.

Can you like, move?

        “Good morning Nyx”

        “The owner of Chanel called in for you earlier, she wants to know how the new designs for the Chanel x icon collaboration are coming along.”

Fuck my life.

        “Thank you, please let her know I’ll have those designs sent in by the end of today. If you need me I’ll be in my office.” I spoke with confidence.

  She nodded her head swiftly before disappearing from my view, allowing me to continue my journey.

  As I reach my destination I immediately shuffle through my keys before finding the right one and unlocking the doors.

   I walk into my very spacious office seeing the different artwork displayed on the dark walls before closing the door behind me.

   I let out a loud huff of air as I sit down on my grand chair behind the black marble desk.

   My eyes glance across the different fashion designs on my desk before finding the sketch labeled “Chanel x icon”.

        “Alexa play Lana Del Rey” I spoke as I began to get into my creative headspace.

        “Playing Brooklyn Baby by Lana Del Rey” Alexa replied

  The soft melodies of Lana's angelic voice filled the room allowing me to indulge in my work.

    Sometimes I highly enjoy coming to work, it’s the one place where I feel sane and away from my dark reality. I love who I am and what I am but every once in awhile it becomes overwhelming. But coming here allows me to dive into my sense of creativity, and leave my world of sin behind- even if it is just for a few hours.

    My pencils begin to trace against the white paper, sketching along it while connecting the different lines. I sat in full concentration as I began to sketch 4 different looks for the collaboration.

    Chanel is known for its classy and sophisticated look, but I wanted our collaboration to be different from any other work that they’ve displayed before.

     I wanted to give them 4 looks that were all completely different yet oddly similar. Soft, hard, light and dark- those were the aspects I intend to bring to life.

    I begin to think about my style- Gothic, punk and grunge before sketching these themes into my design.

    I spend what felt like hours perfecting each detail and seam on the design, allowing the artwork to be wild and dark yet sophisticated and clean before finally feeling satisfied and completing the sketch.

    My hand begins to cramp up as I pick up my pencils one last time, determined to complete the rest of my looks.

    I really wanted to get out of here before sundown so that meant I had to work diligently.

    The lead of the pencils run across the white paper, allowing my visions to come alive. I sketch in a pastel alternative look, before moving onto more high fashion- heavy metal apparel.

    Once I finish those 2 looks I move onto my last design sketching in a retro nostalgic look. I hum to the sound of the music in the background as I focus my entire being on the work in front of me.

    After a few hours, I finally complete my last design allowing me to take in the work I just created.

    My eyes diverge from my art, to the clock located on my wall as I checked the time- causing me to smile in satisfactory.

6:30

   I finished 4 designs in 8 hours; 2 hours for each sketch. That’s a new record. And at this rate, I should be home before nightfall.

   A breath of air escapes my lips as I carefully place the sketches in the Chanel x icon file.

   I immediately rise to feet, straightening up my desk before grabbing the file along with my belongings and exiting my office. Making sure to lock the door behind me.

        “Here are the completed designs for Chanel to review” I spoke to Nyx as I stopped by her office, handing her the file.

        “Thank you I’ll be sure to get these sent off” she replied causing me to nod in understanding.

        “Are you about to go home?” Nyx questioned

        “I’m afraid so, it’s getting kind of late. And I have errands to run, I’ll see you tomorrow” I smiled before beginning my departure.

    Tonight is the second night of the full moon and I want to make sure I’m home before daylight fades in order to prepare for the night.

    I make my way down to the first level of the building, making sure to say my goodbyes to my coworkers before making my way to my challenger.

    As I step into the all back vehicle, I place the keys into the ignition, causing my car to roar to life.

    My hands clasp onto the gear shift before reversing out of the parking lot and immediately driving off of the premises.

    I drive swiftly down the highway, avoiding any cars as I followed the sunset to my safe haven.

    My feet slowly push onto the gas pedal, accelerating my speed before coming face to face with the deserted road.

Tokyo Blvd

    I always loved the irony of that name. Tokyo is overpopulated yet our street is an empty void accompanied by 2 witches. it's absolutely hilarious

    a faint laugh escapes my lips as I pull into the gates. My fingers apply pressure to the garage opener allowing me access to my home.

    Once I park my car I immediately close the garage and exit the vehicle. As I step into the cold hallways, my mind immediately takes me back to Natalia and the events that occurred this morning.

     Though she managed to hurt my feelings I had no right to say the things that I said to her. I was just angry, and upset and I said those things out of impulse.

     I make my way to the second level, traveling through the dimly lit hallways before reaching Natalia’s door.

        “Natalia? Can I come in?” I asked as I left two knocks on the wooden door.

    After a brief pause, the door slowly opens, revealing Natalia's tall figure behind it. She immediately steps away from the door, allowing me to come in.

        “ I wanted to talk to you.” I said softly as I closed the door behind me.

        “I’m sorry, about what I said to you this morning. I didn’t mean it. I don’t think you're weak, and I don’t wish you were dead. I was just hurt, and I said those things out of anger. I’m sorry. You’re all I have and I don’t want you to think that that’s how I view you” I spoke.

     The ghost of a smile haunted her lips before speaking.

        “It’s ok I forgive you. I know what I said was wrong. And it was wrong of me to place the death of our coven on you. I’m sorry for saying that, it’s been eating me away all day.” She smiled.

     A smile formed on my lips as I took in her words.

        “It’s okay, I forgive you.” I stated before pausing

        “But I have a proposition for you”

Her eyebrows furrowed together in confusion as she stared at me

        “What?” She asked hesitantly.

        “You should come out with me tonight” I started before getting cut off

        “No. I can’t”

My eyes rolled in irritation as she spoke those words. She’s coming with me.

        “Please, Natalia. Just this one time? It’s the second day of the full moon so it’s not as strong as yesterday. It’s safer. Plus we’ll be together which is better than one of us going alone. Please? It’ll be good for you- for the both of us.” I pleaded

She sat in deep thought before speaking

        “Who will drive?” She questioned

        “We can get a taxi or an uber” I stated

     There was a brief moment of silence as Natalia sat in deep thought.

        “Where will we be going?” She questioned, breaking the silence

        “Lux - Lucifer’s playground.” I smiled as the excitement for tonight began to pulsate through my veins.

    I can already feel the sins I’ll be collecting tonight

        “Will we be back before the witching hour ends?” She asks will concern laced throughout her voice

        “Of course” I stated.

    She let out a loud sigh after a moment of silence before speaking.

        “Fine. Just this once.” She stated.

    A smile began to form on my lips as memories from our past began to flood my mind. When we would collect sins together, it was so dangerous that it was deadly.

    I mean- we are the last remaining witches for a reason.

        “Dress sexy, where we’ll be going there will be sin everywhere. Make Asmodeus proud”