We must have been expected.

That was the second thing I had thought as I stepped over the opening to the cavern; second only to the faint sound of a waterfall rippling through the room.

I could only come to that conclusion by the twins stopping dead in their tracks as soon as they'd entered the cavern; a sudden gasp leaving the male's mouth. I had wrapped around the bend to peer over his shoulder, only to be met with the kind eyes of a weary woman. There was nothing intimidating about the soul in the least; draped in a brown cardigan and simple jeans that were covered in paint splotches.

A woman who stood in front of us with an elevated composure and refined features. Her arms were folded over one another, eyes staring up at the ceiling.  She was perfectly comfortable, both in front of us and in the wide space that was the cavern. I couldn't blame her for this, having glanced around at the somewhat familiar buildings that formed around the void in the centre; they looked to be made of expensive materials that would be difficult to find on this side of the earth, that, or powerful magic and genuine belief in their ability.

Most of the buildings on this side of the cavern were a bright shade of white, accompanied by spiral columns on each side that carried perfectly kept vines that wrapped around each one. What I'd presumed to be a dirt path similar to the tunnel, was in fact a ceramic tile that covered every inch of the place, offering a delightful clicking noise with every shuffle of my feet. More lanterns were dotted around the room, offering a faintly warm glow throughout the room that illuminated the wood tones that took up the rest of the cavern across the chasm. The bridge that ran across and connected the two sides sooner than the bend along the path was illuminated by a curved stone column in the centre that was covered in platformed candles.

These candles were providing an orange glow on the woman's face; a face that was providing a bright smile towards the twins in front of me. Unfortunately for her, the twins were both looking at her a little warily, unsure of how to proceed.

"Now is that any way to look at your grandmother?" The woman had spoken; causing alarm in both myself and the male twin, who looked on in gobsmacked horror. I had to believe this was due to the appearance of the woman; at best guess she had the look of an early thirty-year-old woman at most - owed to the powers of an elder witch. Often the oldest in a bloodline tended to reduce the age of their appearance in the quest to hide their elderhood - something about generational rifts of power that I'd never inquired about.

"You look just like-" Alexander had managed to choke out before being interrupted, almost sounding like he was in the midst of choking on his own tongue.

"Your mother?" She had spoken in glee, a glow of her cheeks as she seemed to remember her daughter in fondness; not a single hint of sadness to be pulled from her expression. The warmth that flowed from this woman was almost overpowering; even I wanted to be enveloped in an embrace for just a moment,  "Well, you can certainly tell where she got her good looks from, can't you?"

A giggle from Valentyna had caused her expression to change to one of genuine concern, several steps being taken towards her. With a confident hand, she caresses her cheek, eyes glowing as she examines the face of her granddaughter. As she took a step back she motioned at the archway to her right, tilting her head towards Alexander,  "Now, take your sister inside. Any room will do, I'll find you soon."

The woman then turned her attention to me, a hand moving to her hip as she looked me up and down, "Calvin, I assume? I was meant to offer you my thanks for looking out for my young but it seems that debt was repaid."

I try to hide my confusion as a few coughs leave my throat, "That isn't my name as far as I'm aware."

A gentle laugh escapes her mouth.

"Then you simply aren't aware. Calvin Linn of 1813, turned in 1836. You certainly have been around my boy," I acknowledge both years, ringing true in the back of my mind despite time turning those memories to dust.

"It's been a few centuries I suppose that could be my name," I pondered, trying to search through my mind for a hint of truth but in this state that was never going to happen; I was forced to accept it as truth - for now, "It never occurred to me that I'd replaced it..."

"A boy as lonely looking as you seemed to need something gifted to them. A name is as best an old witch like me can do for you," She smiles slightly, looking across the cavern at an archway before taking a step back from me and crossing her arms once again, her cardigan covering her frame, "But, as little as I can help, the Madea sisters have been expecting your arrival. They can be found-"

The name causes my head to snap towards her and away from the ground, I had rested my eyes on as she spoke. With the name came my memories of my previous visits that left me interrupting the woman abruptly, "I think I know where they are ma'am. Thank you."

Her face contorts into glee once again and as she turns to leave I can't help but want to follow her; the warmth she emanated leaving the open chasm. I find myself gripping onto the railing and basking in the moonlight that rained in from the open ceiling; unsure if this was part of the illusion or we'd made it out of the city. I'd never been clear on the wall borders and my current state didn't allow me to work through that now.

There was an anticipation that was lingering in my heart as I walked down a semi-familiar path. While the witches had hidden away, that didn't necessarily mean they'd gone very far; or anywhere very new. This place had been a secret only a good few had whispered into their ear; it took me months to pull the location from my lover's twisted tongue.

The cavern split into five different archways made of a golden shade of sandstone and covered in white lilies and an assortment of vinery. With these archways in view, I could finally understand where I was, having often taken a ladder straight to the West Garden where the herbs were grown and meetings had; the Hauler entrance was stark in comparison.

The second archway I had come across was the most familiar to me; the smell of apples and cream wafting towards me as soon as I turned in. The residents of this courtyard tended to be eagerly medicinal, surrounded by plants and greenery and almost always messing with a mortar and pestle. The walls at the entrance were enough to tell me that, covered in crawling plants with entangled lilacs.

It wasn't a surprise to me that the courtyard had tripled in plant species since my last visit long ago; arrangements of rosemary seemed to be littered wherever there was space, amongst the rose bushes and lavender pots. The centre of the courtyard had been a field of grass the last time I'd seen it but had now been covered in oak pots filled with primrose, monkshood and meadowsweet. These understated plants that often lent themselves to potion creation were surrounded by pansies in beautiful shades of yellows and blues, muscari that stretched around the various trees and hyacinth that only added to the delicate scents.

Despite their earthy roots, they weren't without whimsy; quickly remembering my destination was in the middle of an array of pale, pastel-coloured townhouses covered in sprawling wisteria in opulent shades of purple and blue, and adorned by bright white windows with open shutters. It was a view I'd seen a couple of times before but I never got used to the feeling it gave me.

I hadn't gotten anywhere close to them, however, stopping in my tracks when my eyes landed on her. A woman with roughly chopped hair who dressed like the world was just a backdrop to her personal adventure; beige tapered trousers, a flouncy cream cotton shirt and brown suspenders and heels that tie everything together.

A woman I wrapped my arms around instantaneously despite the uneasiness in my feet. Her head tucked right under my chin, arms squeezing tightly around my chest. The nostalgia-inducing scent she was covered in made me want to stay in the moment forever, truly comforted and at peace.

"We've been expecting you, Nika. You sure kept us waiting," Eva had called over her shoulder, leaning against the doorframe of the sage painted townhouse. She was clasping tightly on a pale blue mug with her eyes glued to the back of Nora's head. In contrast to her sister, Eva was in a sleek black sweater and worn-out jeans that told me she didn't put in as much effort in seeing me again. Without a second glance at my face, she sensed my confusion, quickly adding, "We did mention to our sister that we'd be seeing you soon."

This only added to my confusion; since our first meeting years ago I had only known of the two Madea sisters, born of their mother's decadent bloodline and celebrated for their naturally strong abilities. It certainly begged the question I whispered into Nora's ear, "I've known you all this time and you've never mentioned a third sister."

"Violet," Nora reveals, and I try to find some reason for me to be shocked but come up blank. The sister doesn't comment on my lack of reply, and instead chooses to continue, "She talks of you plenty, certainly kept me satiated. We haven't seen her much recently though," Nora says, having removed her head from chest to look up at me with that heaven-sent grin on her face. With her hands connected with mine, she begins to pull me along with her, keeping her body close to mine to keep me steady on my feet.

Eva, the on-looker on this occasion was taking minute sips of tea, gently tapping her slipper against the door frame, eyes rolling at every small gesture Nora was making; which was currently limited to rubbing her thumb against the back of my left hand - an absentminded gesture she was used to when we'd been together, and a habit she'd slipped straight back in to. But as she stood there, graceful and confident I could see the resemblance between the older sister and Violet; both came across as all-knowing beings with wisdom beyond their years and a temper on equal footing.

As I got a good look at the older sister, I noticed a small black cat resting on her boot and releasing quiet mews as the conversation passed on. I wondered where the cat had come from, as Eva certainly didn't have a pet the last time we'd been in contact and it was highly unlikely they'd be able to create the creature with magic alone.

"I'm not surprised you weren't aware considering the way she is," Eva mutters over her shoulder, leaving the doorway. I didn't consider much of Violet, simply choosing to believe she had been here as long as I had, despite our paths not crossing until the new society began.

"She does come across as an old soul that's deeply embedded in the vampire society, doesn't she?" Nora mumbles to herself under her breath, helping me up the three steps leading up to the property with ease, "Probably the perfume... maybe mother's? Mother was like that too."

"I thought witches couldn't handle the transformation into vampires?" I questioned as we stepped over the landing, my vision dampening as I did so.

"She was skipped in the genetic lineage as the middle sibling..." Nora points out, solidifying my theory that Violet was indeed a middle sibling. I hadn't queried a witch on what happens when there are multiple children, believing that Eva and Nora were proof all children are treated equally.

I can't help the lump from forming in my throat as I realise that with three members of her family being witches, she was sorely missed out on all of it. Even if she didn't turn and chose to stay here, she'd have been an outcast in her own home. A girl that'd have to watch on as her two sisters used magic to their heart's content.

Nora seemed to read my thoughts, clearing her throat and motioning to a photograph on the wall; Violet standing over a birthday cake with her extended family surrounding her. The cake itself had the numbers '1' and '8' on either side in a purple shade atop white icing. Despite the celebration, Violet's smile seemed forced, eyes holding back weighted tears, "She didn't handle being abandoned and succumbed to a bite shortly after her eighteenth birthday party. We searched for her for days before she hitched up at our front porch with a devilish smile and fang marks on her neck."

I wanted to apologise but couldn't find the words, nor the true reason for an apology. She still had her sister alive, presumably in a happier state than she was beforehand.

Though Nora could see my despair at the very thought of it, chipping in with sudden glee, "Oh, don't worry. She doesn't hold it against us. We communicate frequently. How else would she know so much about everyone around her? We are her true eyes and ears; if we know something, so does she."

Nora had always been capable of leaving me dizzyingly overwhelmed. She was a woman that spilt her words with harsh conviction but tender touches; a paradoxical nightmare hidden behind eyes that shimmered purple under the light.

Her lips were curved in a content manner, one of her hands steady against my shoulder as the other traces gentle fingers against the fresh cuts on my face. With every new bruise and gash, that content smile faded, turning into a slight grimace.

"You promised me you wouldn't wreck yourself like this," Nora had drawled, the bittersweet tone of voice sticking on every syllable. Her voice strained as her fingers lingered on my skin. Every movement she makes is slow, taking every inch of me in, replacing the image of me she had in her mind.

It had been a long time since I'd seen her; the last being the eve of their decision to leave the city behind. She'd met with me in the library in the centre of the city and blessed me with several of the spells I owed being alive for as long as I had. Her words had been short and blunt, as her face was telling me all I needed to know; she didn't want to leave me. I couldn't blame her for that, the humanity I had then, and even now, was only tied down by the compassion her eyes always shone on me.

The last kiss we shared hurt more than anything else; seeing the woman I cared for more than anyone else being fuelled only by a passion to protect me. She'd burst into tears before pulling me in to lay the last sign of affection she could show me on my lips.

"Nora, hurry up and step away. You've examined him enough," Eva pleas in a rough voice. Nora stifles a laugh, removing the fingers that were holding my chin up at an angle. She turned her back to me, pulled a clip from the back of her suspenders and took her long hair up into an up-do; something she only used to do when she was about to sit down to her mortar. I had forgotten how much I missed this woman, the slightest touch from her left a warmth on my skin that I became frightened to lose.

As her touch breaks contact with me I find myself stumbling, all sense of balance being lost as my fingers struggle to find something to grip onto. The instant relief of seeing Nora had been suppressed by the waves of pain flooding through my body; every inch of me was squealing under the writhing pressures.

Eva watches on as I take gulping breaths. Her body moves hesitantly as she places a wavering hand to my forehead before leaning down over me purposefully. Her hand dances in front of me, the swirls of blue light that illuminate under her skin start to shine as her eyes close, "Invenietis requiem tuam."

As the spell is spoken I can't help but be consumed by the sudden darkness, light leaving as the two women swarm me.