bonus chapter blackmail

Elizabeth leaned against the doorframe of Vicky's cramped office, a smug grin splitting her face. She dangled her phone like a noose. "Smile for the birdie, Vicky. Or should I say, Kurokage-chan?"

Vicky's eyes narrowed to slits and blushing profusely glasses nearly falling off. Her desk was a fortress of black leather and sharp edges, but Elizabeth had cracked it open. Hidden in the bottom drawer: a pastel explosion of plush unicorns, strawberry keychains, and a notebook plastered with heart stickers including especially cute drawings of her family. Vicky, the woman who once threatened to key a coworker's car over a parking spot only to settle with a hex where he gets set on fire in a chem lab accident, secretly cooed over cute shit.

"You wouldn't," Vicky growled, but her cheeks burned.

"Oh, I would. Be nice to me. Compliments, coffee runs, no snark. One week. Or these pics hit the group chat. Imagine the reaction especially from the kids."

Vicky's jaw clenched. She hated it, but her rep as the ice queen couldn't survive plushie Armageddon. "Fine. Truce." Elizabeth, deal! She says in a mischievous tone and shakes hands with Vicky immediately sensing the incredibly cold skin but that wouldn’t stop her from her playfully picking on her for her own selfish amusement.

The next days were a twisted ballet. Vicky brought Elizabeth lattes with foam hearts. "You look... radiant today," she'd say through gritted teeth, voice dripping syrup. Coworkers whispered about the apocalypse as it felt like hell literally frozen over.

Luna: Theodore you noticed mother is more,,,, how should i say radiant lately? Theo responds, Tis highly unusual indeed probably must be testing a charm it should wear off eventually. Luna: Hex more like and not going to lie i rather mother hit us with the book again than seeing her in whatever that is. Theo: Gran whats with mother lately? Liz: Oh she must have a good cup of coffee.

The day after Elizabeth's blackmail struck, Blackwood Hall reeked of unnatural sweetness. Vicky, leashed by sisterly threats, doled hugs like candy. No icy glares. No pen prods. No anvil drops of books on the head. Twins Theo and Luna huddled in shadows, plotting but still enjoying the affection if they were to take one good thing from the hex.

"Mother's possessed," Theo hissed. "Test the demon."

Luna grinned wicked. "Accidents."

Vicky swept hallway, humming Shelley. Theo "stumbled," barreling shoulder-first. Expect whack? Instead, arms enveloped. "Darling bard, steady now. Mummy's got you." Pat-pat. Theo stiffened, eyes wide.

Luna "tripped," elbow jabbing ribs. Vicky spun, chin cupped gentle, peck planted. "My fierce witchlet, watch those spells. Wouldn't want mishaps." Thigh tease absent – just syrup.

Horror dawned. Kids fled to Edward. "Father! Sap Mother hugs everything and she’s being “nice” out of all things!!"

He smirked over grimoire. "Temporary hex, dears. Ice returns eventually."

Dawn proved true. School quaked under wrathful queen. Home: books flew – thwack! Theo. Thwack! Luna. Cackles rang.

"Normal Mum," they sighed, bumps throbbing. Fierce love beat sap any day.

But Vicky wasn't built for sainthood. On day four, she baked "peace cupcakes." Elizabeth bit in, expecting sweetness. Instead, ghost pepper filling hit like a freight train. Her mouth ignited. Tears streamed. She gasped, flailing for water.

Vicky smirked from the doorway. "Oops. Wrong batter."

Elizabeth wheezed, plotting murder – maybe swap Vicky's lipstick for superglue. But then Vicky slid a small foil wrapper across the desk. Lindt dark chocolate, 85% cacao. Elizabeth's absolute favorite, the kind she hoarded like contraband.

"Was gonna surprise you with that anyway," Vicky muttered, avoiding eye contact. "Before your dumbass blackmail."

Elizabeth unwrapped it, the rich bitterness soothing her scorched tongue. She popped a piece in, savoring the melt. "Knew you had a heart buried under all that void somewhere." She giggled to herself, finally getting her wish in her own way.

Next day dawned quiet at Windsor High. Teachers swapped whispers in the lounge. "Vicky's smiling. Actual smile. Think she's on new meds?" Students high-fived in the halls. "Good day incoming. No frostbite today."

Class bell rang. Vicky swept in like a storm cloud with heels. Chalk snapped in her grip. "Eyes front, or I'll carve equations into your skulls." Glare iced the room. A kid dropped his phone – crack. "Mine now." Teachers outside peeked, shuddered, retreated. Good mood? Vaporized.

Home that evening, Theo and Luna slumped on the couch, trading relieved grins. "Mother’s back to form," Theo said. Luna nodded. "The cuddly one's fun, but scary Victoria Blackwood the shadowy scythe of the blackwood? Classic."

Vicky loomed in the doorway, spotting them being layabouts resting near the fireplace. Grin wicked. Book flew – thwack! Theo's head. Thwack! Luna's. They yelped, rubbing bumps. She cackled. "Payback for yesterday's sap." Kids groaned, but beamed in relief. Normalaity and peace in the dark was chaos they craved.

Vicky sank into her armchair, Spooky purring on her lap like a void furry landmine. Edgar perched on her shoulder, beady eyes plotting. Glass of red wine swirled in her hand – deep crimson, like secrets. Erotic novel cracked open: forbidden lovers in misty hills. She sipped, smirked. Blackmail truce? Sure. But her throne stayed thorny.