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[sub]A collab between [@Hedgehawk] & [@sailorsadie][/sub][/center]

[i]Somewhere in Carlisle’s mind…[/i]

[indent][indent][indent][indent]The room was barely lit, only the moonlight coming in from the windows illuminated the room Amanda Aston found herself in. The room itself looked like a replica of the Aston households living room, even down to the placement of all the little bits of bric a brac that Amanda usually left on the various side tables and cabinets. The only difference she could see, was that every picture in the room, had the faces of herself and her husband covered over with plain paper. Even in his mind, Carlisle couldn’t help but lash out. Amanda thought it was pathetic and petty. She brought him into this world. He should have more respect for her.

Amanda Aston was not amused. Being imprisoned by her own son, being embarrassed in front of the coven like that. She was seething at Salem. Who did she think she was? Salem should have been kissing Amanda’s boot for helping her locate Aloysius. Sure Amanda had a double motive of punishing that bitch Mary, but Salem got what she wanted and Amanda got it too. It wasn’t like she had not tried to get rid of that waste of space Miles. She had tried sending Mary on dangerous missions in the early months of the pregnancy. When that didn’t work, she simply had Aloysius taken away. For if she couldn’t kill the baby, forcing Mary to raise the thing up on her own… now that was a long game torture that Amanda could get behind. She was proud of that one. Force Mary to raise a kid alone, while you have your own kid that you groom for power to oppress Mary’s little brat for their life as well.

Admittedly that part of the plan had failed. Carlisle wasn’t exactly the ideal candidate for showing off the power of the Aston bloodline. While she would begrudgingly admit that his abjuration skills were probably unmatched in the world, that fact that he could only use defensive spells made him useless to her plans. Not to mention he had befriended the enemy, making him useless in the final part of her plan too. She scored some wins however. Years of emotional abuse, neglect and fear, had turned Carlisle into a deeply flawed young man, and an easy target of ridicule. She had spent Carlisle’s young teen years making sure he had always presented himself in a bad light to his peers. She knew that even as leader he peers wouldn’t fully respect him. Hopefully that would cause everyone to question his leadership abilities and allow her to bring in the final phase of her new plan. As if on queue, she heard a small pop and saw the young woman appear in the room. Getting up from the sofa, Amanda smiled [color=FFFF00]”Ah there you are… Look at you.”[/color]

Violet rose a brow at the woman and folded her arms across her chest. She looked just like the picture that was included in the letter. Then again, she also resembled her own reflection. She saw a lot of herself in the older woman. Clearing her throat, she gave a small nod and stood her ground. If her brother were to be believed, this woman was not one to mess with. Well, neither was she. Tilting her head to the side, she rose a brow in interest as she feigned looking the woman over.

[color=violet]”I received your invitation. I must admit, the welcoming was a bit more hostile that I imagined. Your son is very…inadequate. And touchy.”[/color] Her brows furrowed as she shook her head. [color=violet]”And a warlock? Seriously? You threw me away and kept [i]him[/i]?[/color]

[color=FFFF00]"Well… In my defense when you were born you had no magical ability. Couldn't sense a thing on you. Now though…"[/color] Amanda stood up properly walking towards the young woman [color=FFFF00]"But now look at you, brimming with power, so much power. Makes Lilith and Serena look like children"[/color] Amanda took a moment to walk around Violet, examining her. Looking her up and down, [color=FFFF00]"Carlisle is the epitome of disappointment and regret. That is why I have bought you here. You ready to take on the family mantle as head of the family?"[/color] 

She didn’t know who those two women were, but she could tell her mother did not like them whatsoever. And finally, [i]finally[/i] the woman could tell how strong she was. How worthy she was. Her arms tightened against her chest and she stood straighter as her birth mother surveyed her. At her statement, Violet was a bit shocked to find that her coming here held another purpose other than just meeting her biological family. A dark smirk spread across her face as her hands dropped from their defensive position. [color=violet]”Yes, mother. I’m ready.”[/color]

[color=FFFF00]"Good. Good. Finally us Astons can go back to being in top. No more will I have to hide my head in shame when someone mentions my child"[/color] Amanda sat back down on the sofa, motioning for Violet to sit opposite her. [color=FFFF00]"Now, we need to do a couple of things to make sure that we are ready. Firstly, we need to remove Carlisle, preferably before he can start protecting others. As much as I dislike him, if he starts creating shields and barriers everywhere, getting around will be tough"[/color] 

Watching as the woman took her seat, Violet hesitated a mere moment before moving to the chair opposite her. She cleared her throat and slowly sat down as she kept eyes on her birth mother. Was she really ready for all this? She had just expected to show up and learn about her family. Now she was talking of getting rid of her blood brother and heading the family name? A small part of her was screaming with fright, but the other part of her, which she assumed was the Aston blood boiling in her veins, made her want to appease her mother in any way possible. With a small nod, she brushed her hair away from her shoulders. [color=violet]”I can handle the warlock, no issues there.”[/color]

Amanda smirked. This was too good to be true. She had expected to have to emotionally blackmail her secret daughter into doing her bidding, but she was lapping it all up. [color=FFFF00]"I know that being suddenly sucked up into all this can be quite overwhelming. It's okay if you aren't comfortable. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. It's not like we can escape until Carlisle decides to let us free"[/color] 

Her brows furrowed a bit at the woman’s last statement about not being let free. They were powerful witches, and Carlisle was a measly warlock. She was sure they wouldn’t be stuck in this hellhole until he decided. Which would probably be never, seeing as how she threatened his little Slim Jim of a girlfriend. Violet folded her arms back across her chest and shook her head. [color=violet]”I’m fine. And we’re powerful witches. Well. I know I am. Surely we can do something to break out of here together?”[/color]

[color=FFFF00]"Why it is very nice to see you are eager to get started. There really isn't alot we can do. As much as admonish Carlisle… He Is an Aston, and being a warlock makes him excel at the lone field he is good at."[/color] Amanda fidgeted in her seat. She didn't like how Violet seemed to imply that she was stronger than Amanda, or at least that someone Amanda wasn't. She knew that young woman was fiery. That was evident in her response back. But now Amanda was beginning to wonder if Violet was too hotheaded to control. [color=FFFF00]"You just have some questions dear."[/color] 

[color=violet]”Don’t do that.”[/color] She couldn’t help a scoff and a roll of her eyes. While Violet was more than willing to take on her new role in the family, she didn’t want to be coddled by a mother she barely knew. A mother who had given her away simply because she didn’t sense any magic within her. That kind of mother didn’t have her best interests at heart. Her eyes darkened a bit as she looked the woman over. [color=violet]”Don’t call me dear, or any other term of affection. Let’s just skip over this part where you pretend to have any kind of emotion for me. I’m here, I’m ready to fulfill my role. But you don’t get to pretend like what you did to me wasn’t fucked up.”[/color]

[color=FFFF00]”Look, it wasn't an easy choice. I had only been the coven leader for just over a year and a half. It was going to be embarrassing to have a baby that we couldn’t sense any magic from. I made sure you had a good family though, i knew your parents personally”[/color] Amanda swallowed hard. It was clear Violet had designs far grander than Amanda, and she was only just discovering how dangerous she was. [color=FFFF00]”But if you want to be strictly business, then fine. We can do that”[/color]

Biting the inside of her cheek, she looked the woman over and let out a breath. Her adopted parents didn’t mention that they personally knew Amanda. Why did all the people who were closest to her, kept lying to her? Keeping secrets when she was very much secure enough to handle them all. Violet rolled her eyes once more before giving a slight nod of her head. [color=violet]”Strictly business, for the time being. Then we’ll go from there.”[/color]

She unfolded her arms and looked around before reaching down to touch the floor. Her hands skimmed over it, feeling the vibrations from the shield they were in. A wicked glint gleamed in her eyes before she looked back up at her birth mother. [color=violet]”We’re connected to his brain, right? I can cause him enough pain that he’ll be forced to let us out.”[/color]

[color=FFFF00]”Yes we are, but you won’t be able to cause enough damage to get him to let us out. He has to hold concentration. He will eventually grow tired and have to let go”[/color] Amanda would shift in her seat, rubbing her arm as she noted that Violet was clearly pissed off [color=FFFF00]”You can’t just get out and attack Carlisle, the whole coven will attack you. You need to come up with a much more finessed approach”[/color]

Scoffing, she leaned back up and sat back in her seat. [color=violet]”Oh, please. That scrawny, little, beak nosed wanna be Coven leader couldn’t possibly be that powerful.”[/color] Violet ran a hand through her hair and cleared her throat. While she didn’t know how powerful her brother was, she most certainly didn’t want to face the wrath of an entire Coven. Shaking her head, she looked around their surroundings before turning back to face her birth mother. Violet raised a brow in question. [color=violet]”Well? Any suggestions, mother?”[/color]

[color=FFFF00]”Well, I would advise that you turn the coven against him. Carlisle is fickle and has very thin skin. Not many of his peers actually like him. Make them hate him more, you might find others that agree to remove Carlisle. Otherwise, if he is hated, he might even stand down without a fight.”[/color] Amanda crossed her legs and leaned on the back of the sofa. [color=FFFF00]”However, we do have a far more problematic threat. Ever heard of a girl named Lilith?”[/color]

Violet nodded along as Amanda spoke about making others hate her boyfriend. It definitely did make sense to turn the coven around. Yet, she knew she had already made one of the members not like her so much. Mark, Matt, something. She blew out a breath and nodded slightly. She could turn the coven around. But she would have to be nice. Her nose scrunched a bit at that thought. Her mother’s next question made her brows furrow. Tilting her head in thought, she nodded slightly. [color=violet]”His boyfriend or whoever was hanging all over him mentioned that name. Who is she?”[/color]

[color=FFFF00]”Miles”[/color] Amanda growled. She knew that guy too well [color=FFFF00]”He is the cause of most of my problems. Carlisle was supposed to one up him, and somehow he failed and became friends with him. Anyway”[/color] Amanda took a moment to adjust her top, making sure she was comfortable and making sure that her anger did not boil too much. She needed to stay composed afterall. [color=FFFF00]”If what Carlisle, Salem and the rest of them have said is true, Lilith is pregnant. And since Miles is the father, and his father is a powerful Magi, we are looking at a very powerful baby. More powerful than me and you baby. Get my meaning?”[/color]

As she listened to the woman, the wheels in her mind continued to spin. This Lilith being pregnant was a bad thing. And with a Magi of all people? And the babies would be a hell of a lot more powerful than her or any fellow Astons. That couldn’t happen. Violet couldn’t let that happen. Her eyes darkened as she slowly nodded her head. She did understand what her mother was saying. [color=violet]”We have to get rid of Lilith.”[/color]

[color=FFFF00]”No, that is too easy. We need to make her suffer. We need to kill the baby, and make sure that Lilith can’t have anymore again. That way Miles and Lilith can spend the rest of their lives alone and useless.”[/color] A dark grin spread across Amanda’s face. [color=FFFF00]”My hope is that Salem is having similar thoughts, but if she doesn’t act, we must be prepared to.”[/color]

Her face dropped a bit at the mention of killing babies. She could easily get rid of an adult person, but a[i]baby[/i]? Was she really going to consider going through with this? Violet cleared her throat and looked away from the woman for just a moment. She didn’t know who this Salem person was, but obviously she had the same thoughts her mother had. This was going to happen whether she was a part of it or not. And, if she were the person to handle it, she would gain the respect of her birth mother. Did she want that respect? She knew she wanted to be the most powerful in the coven. She had been the most powerful at home, and she wanted that here, in her rightful place. 

Clearing her throat, she nodded slightly. She looked back at her mother, her face and voice void of any emotion. [color=violet]”What are your plans?”[/color]

Amanda could see the discomfort in Violet. It seemed that Amanda had found the young woman's limits, even if she was happy to press on. [color=FFFF00]”Even if we just killed Lilith, we would be killing the babies anyway. That is why I propose we do this now, while they are young”[/color] Amanda would keep her eyes locked on Violet, testing and watching her reaction. [color=FFFF00]”Sadly, Lilith is powerful, and a diviner. Plus she has practically everyone fighting for her. Carlisle will make her untouchable if he suspects someone is out to harm her. Miles will enchant you into thinking she isn’t dangerous, and her family know enough magic to keep you tortured for the rest of your days”[/color] Amanda clearly didn’t have a plan. [color=FFFF00]”You need to get her on her own. Bullying Carlisle enough might cause her to drag you to the side to give you a talking to. Might be a way in. I remember that a girl in high school, Kirstie, I think her name was, also had a vivid disliking for Lilith. The fact those two haven’t fought yet is beyond me. Maybe use that?”[/color]

Her eyes continued to narrow as her mother spoke to her. She wanted Violet to get this girl alone using any means necessary without tripping off warning bells to Carlisle or the girl’s family. Huffing out a breath, she shook her head and leaned back further in her chair. There was no way she could do this. Her magic spoke for her. Looking away from the woman, she nodded her head slightly. This was why she had reached out. Not to have some kind of relationship with the daughter she gave away, but to do her evil bidding. She growled low in her throat before looking back at the woman once more. [color=violet]”Do you know what my powers are, mother? I can cause someone to feel a searing pain throughout their body. I can make them turn to stone, make them have frostbite. I am a witch who can cause [i]pain[/i]. Mind boggling, all over pain. What you’re wanting is some high school drama to be brought out.”[/color]

She quickly rose to her feet and growled once more. [color=violet]”You want me to get rid of Lilith’s baby? Fine. I’ll cause her so much pain that will bring her into early labor, and the baby will have no chance of survival. But this mean girl shit? I’m better than that.”[/color]

Amanda looked down, clearly she had hit a nerve. [color=FFFF00]”Alright, You do what you need to do. I am just suggesting what I think you should do. But please don’t underestimate anyone. You are an Aston yes, but even we can be bought down if enough people stand against us. Divide and Conquer is usually the best strategy”[/color]

Staring down at her mother, she weighed her options. She shifted her feet before finally huffing out a breath. Why should she go against the woman’s plans? She obviously knew the situation better than Violet. Amanda knew how this family, how these people responded. She would be a fool to go against that. Shifting on her feet once more, she rolled her eyes before sitting back down in her chair. She relaxed back into the seat and folded her legs at the knees. [color=violet]”Fine. I’ll do it your way first. But if that goes nowhere, I’m doing it [i]my[/i] way.”[/color]

[color=00FFFF]”You do what you want. I am not going to stop you. You are the future of the family. So I will leave it to you to do whatever you feel comfortable with”[/color] Amanda would sit up, back pressed firmly against the sofa to sit up straight. [color=FFFF00]”I don’t want to press you into anything you don’t want to do”[/color]

Scoffing, she rolled her eyes and played with the ends of her hair, a nervous habit. She wasn’t nervous about any of this, per say, but she was growing slightly more aggravated. With a shake of her head, she sat up straight and looked back at her birth mother. Violet looked the woman over and her eyes narrowed. [color=violet]”What’s in this for you exactly, mother? You want to be the best? Want to rule the coven? I’m just your pawn in this big ass game of yours, aren’t I?”[/color]

[color=FFFF00]”I don’t really get much this time around. I am future planning. I don’t want Carlisle to be the future of this family. I can’t let our legacy become a laughing joke to the rest of witch society. I made a mistake with you. Yes. And I am willing to admit that. I am. Once you are in control of the Coven, I am sure you will have some nasty plan for me. But for now, I want to work on securing our legacy”[/color] Amanda spoke with as much authority and respect as she could muster. She was a tired woman, still powerful, but clearly struggling to maintain her old aura. Plus the night had been pretty embarrassing for her.

She chewed on the bottom of her lip as she studied the woman. Her eyes darkened and her brows narrowed in frustration. Moving to sit on the edge of the chair, she let out a breath. Violet knew what she had to do. [color=violet]”I have to instill doubt in the other coven members about Carlisle. I have to show them that he is incompetent and unable to lead. Then I can deal with Lilith and her baby. We can’t have a magi procreating if we want any chance of ruling this establishment. Our family [i]will[/i] rise to the top. We will be the family who others will come running to. The Astons will be in charge, and we’ll stay that way.”[/color]

As Violet finished speaking, Amanda smirked. [color=FFFF00]”Good girl. Together we will be unstoppable. Also. Just a request from me. If the chance pops up and you do have to kill Miles, they boyfriend of Carlisle’s you spoke of earlier…”[/color] Amanda would lean in and speak in a slightly hushed tone [color=FFFF00]”Do me a favor, make him suffer. Truly suffer. Everyone else you can do with as you please”[/color]

Violet remembered the man with her brother and how he spoke to her. She smirked to herself as she listened to her mother. So. This Miles really got to her, and she truly wanted him to be gone. But not without some pain to help him on his way. Giving her a slight nod, she tilted her head. [color=violet]”He mocked me when I first met him. He’ll never know what hit him.”[/color]

[color=FFFF00]”The whole price family is like that. They play the hard-done by card, and then walk around thinking they are hot shit. Just because they have enchantment magic. I am still livid with Miles for ruining my first plan. I had enchanted Carlisle to fall in love with Lilith, and was planning on merging the Aston and Montgomery lines together.”[/color] Amanda got up for a moment and walked over to the sofa that Violet was sitting on. [color=FFFF00]”But Carlisle was so useless he couldn’t get beyond the friend zone with Lilith, even when enchanted. Instead Miles had to swoop back in again. I should have tried harder to kill him when he was a kid. Stupid pathetic street urchin”[/color] Amanda took a moment to look into Violet's eyes [color=FFFF00]”But you aren’t going to fail me. You are going to be the next Aston in charge. Oh the power and wealth you will yield. It will make other people tremble before you.”[/color]

Her nose scrunched at the thought of her mother enchanting her child. Forcing her blood to do something against their will. Was this the person her mother truly was? Was this what she did to her own children? Who was she kidding? Amanda gave her up just because she couldn’t sense any magic. Of course she would do whatever she felt she had to, to make sure the Astons stayed in their current position. 

When the woman approached her, she sat back as her body tensed up. She didn’t trust the woman in front of her as far as she could throw her. And she wanted to kill a child. A [i]child[/i]. Letting out a breath, she locked eyes with her mother as she spoke her final statement. Violet’s eyes darkened and a dangerous smirk spread across her face. Power [i]and[/i] wealth? People trembling at her feet, begging for her mercy? Her voice dripped with menace as she spoke. [color=violet]”Yes, mother. I’ll do it.”[/color]

[color=FFFF00]”Good girl. With Carlisle dead and Lilith’s offspring dealt with, no one will be able to stop you. Now we might as well do something useful while we wait. Let me tell everything I know about Lilith and Carlisle’s powers”[/color] Amanda mused as she went on to start detailing everything she knew.[/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]