The Witch Born to Burn

by Tanya Milne

  ‘Why?’ I said, the one word an accusation.

  Max sneered before looking me up and down as though he were hungry. ‘It seems Orpheus must like you, Eva. He’s as sick as everyone else, and yet he’s still thinking of you. Sent me here first to make sure you and your family are okay.’

  My lips parted.

  ‘I know, I hardly understand it myself, but there you have it,’ said Max.

  My dad cleared his throat. ‘Please tell Orpheus we appreciate his kind thoughts and that we’ll do everything we can to help.’

  Max raised an eyebrow and put his pen in his pocket. ‘I’ll be sure to tell him what I’ve seen here today.’ With one last glance in my direction, Max turned and strode back down the front stairs. Across the street, I saw Violet’s curtains twitch, her face flashing for a moment before disappearing.

  I contemplated running over to make sure she was okay, but Elijah pulled me inside and shut the door behind us all. For a few moments, we stood as still as stone.

  I watched Elijah closely. Coming face to face with Max, who’d tortured him for hours on end, had taken something from him. Rather than help him face his fears, anything that reminded him of that night took him further down the hole he was fast disappearing into. And now he was growing apart from Anna, I feared for him with my whole heart.

  ‘Eva,’ said Mum, bringing me back into the room. ‘Come and have some breakfast. We need to talk.’

  Shortly afterwards, we sat around the kitchen table with plates and bowls in front of us, but no one eating a thing. In fits and starts we talked through all that had happened the day before, including my run-in with the panther. Finally, I fessed up about how I’d told Ezra’s mum about the poisonous mushrooms.

  ‘You did what?’ said Mum.

  ‘I tell you a panther tried to attack me and you’re not worried, but I mention telling Gretel about the mushrooms, and wham…’ I said.

  ‘Well, clearly you can manage the panther, but what if Gretel talks, tells her husband?’ said Mum.

  ‘I’m sorry, okay, but I had to say something. All those people…’ I said, knowing how sick people would get, how some might die. ‘I should have realised they may not check the mushrooms properly, insisted on doing it myself.’

  ‘This is not your fault,’ said Dad, patting my hand. ‘And you did the right thing telling Gretel. We all have to live with our actions.’

  Mum put her arm around me. ‘Your dad is right. I’m sorry, I don’t know what got into me.’

  ‘Returning to the days of Salem might have something to do with it,’ said Elijah quietly from beside me.

  In the past, we would have laughed. But now we sat in silence as the truth of his words sank in.

  ‘I know this sounds strange, but I don’t think Gretel will say anything to Orpheus. She told me to keep it under wraps last night, and if she was going to say something, surely she already would have.’

  ‘I hope you’re right,’ said Mum, looking older than I remembered.

  Elijah turned his head downwards, his finger tracing imaginary lines on the table in front of him. ‘Seems like everyone in this town is hiding secrets,’ he said.

  I remembered back to the conversation I’d overheard between Elijah and Anna in the woods last night, our family’s secret standing between them.

  ‘Why don’t you tell Anna we’re witches?’ I said.

  ‘The risk is too great,’ whispered Mum.

  ‘I know,’ said Elijah, whose body drooped like a flower without water.

  ‘Do you trust her with your life?’ I said.

  My parents gasped.

  ‘It’s not an option,’ said Dad.

  ‘Absolutely out of the question,’ said Mum.

  ‘Why? If he trusts her, why shouldn’t she know?’ I said.

  All faces turned to Elijah. In that moment I remembered what my brother used to be like – and it was nothing like the person who sat beside me. Elijah pushed himself away from the table and stood, heavy on his feet.

  ‘I need to lie down,’ said Elijah.

  I watched him walk away, my heart feeling like lead. Where had his spirit gone? Would he ever be back?

  ‘What a disaster,’ said Mum, standing to put away the untouched food and plates. ‘Christian, we’d better go to the hospital to see how we can help. Eva, you keep an eye on Elijah.’

  ‘I have a better idea,’ I said. It had been brewing all morning, finally taking shape. ‘I’ll go and get what we need from the woods for a potion…to help people get better.’

  Mum’s knuckles went white on the back of the chair across from me as her grip tightened. ‘Out of the question.’

  ‘You know as well as I do that there’s no medical cure for death cap mushrooms. If we do nothing, some people are going to die, and then what? Can we live with ourselves then?’

  I met my mother’s almond-shaped eyes and saw into her soul, where there was a deep pool of fear.

  ‘Eva’s right. We can’t stand by and do nothing,’ said Dad.

  Mum nodded and sat in the chair, and Dad placed his hand on her shoulder.

  ‘We’re living a nightmare,’ said Dad.

  ‘If we do nothing, nothing will change,’ I said.

  ‘Promise me you won’t go into the woods alone,’ said Mum.

  I nodded, knowing exactly who I’d take into the woods with me.

  Chapter Ten

  An hour later, I closed the front door behind me and zipped up my navy coat. The sky outside was a pale blue and the sun was shining, but the cold air was piercing.

  I checked the street and glanced over at Violet’s house. Max was long gone and I had a few minutes to check on her before Ezra, my boyfriend, would pick me up.

  Boyfriend! The very word made my face flush. I wondered if I’d ever get used to the idea.

  A cool gust of wind brought me back to earth, and I quickly made my way down the stairs and across the road to Violet’s house. She opened the door before I’d reached for her doorbell.

  ‘Come in, dear,’ she said, ushering me inside.

  I’d never been inside her little house, and I glanced around, taking in the two seats beside an open fire, lots of photos and discarded knitting on top of a pile of books and newspapers.

  ‘What a delightful room,’ I said, feeling safer than I had in a long time.

  ‘Come and sit.’ She steered me into one of the comfortable seats and passed me a tray of chocolates.

  ‘Just had these handy, did you?’ I said before giggling and taking a chocolate.

  ‘Always, dear. Now tell me, how are you? No one in your family sick, I hope?’

  ‘We’re all fine, thank you, Violet. I’m so glad you are too.’

  ‘Truth be told, I didn’t go last night. I might have to attend church, thanks to those brutes, but being over seventy has its perks.’ Violet thrust the chocolate box in front of me before continuing. ‘And a shame, I might add. Used to be such a fun way to catch up with neighbours. Back in the day when neighbours were looking out for you, not looking to spy on you, present company excluded.’

  ‘It must have been lovely,’ I said, looking at the pictures lining the walls and every available space. All around us were photos of young smiling faces, no idea of the future that waited for them.

  ‘It was,’ she said, following my gaze, her eyes misting up. ‘You would have loved my husband, Bertie, a real trick that one. We weren’t lucky enough to have children, but we had a wonderful life together.’

  My heart contracted and I had my first proper insight into how Violet lived her life, what she’d lost.

  ‘You must miss him,’ I said, my throat constricted.

  She nodded and for a moment I glimpsed past her violet eyes and deep into her hurting heart. ‘But, God willing, I’ll join him one day soon.’

  ‘You can’t say that,’ I said, picturing her house empty, one less light in the world.

  ‘Oh, but I can, dear. At my age, when you’ve lived a good life, joining your
one true love in the afterlife doesn’t sound as bad as one might think.’

  ‘Don’t go anywhere, please,’ I said, my voice a whisper.

  She patted my hand. ‘Don’t worry, petal. I fear I shall be here for some time yet. Now tell me, how are you and that handsome beau of yours?’

  My face burned and I wondered just how much she saw from her front window.

  ‘I must say I’m rather glad you settled on Ezra. Never did quite trust that Noah fellow, trying too hard if you ask me. And as for Jet, well, if only he did make a little more effort. That would certainly make him hard to walk away from.’

  My mouth must have dropped open, because she laughed and the room was suddenly filled with decades of memories of her laughter. ‘Sorry, dear, but I did say I would look out for you.’

  I couldn’t help but laugh, and I filled with a warmth that had nothing to do with the fireplace. ‘You don’t miss a thing, do you, Violet?’

  Violet’s eyes turned sad and she looked past me and in the direction of my house. ‘How’s your darling brother?’

  I went to speak, but my mouth wouldn’t open. My heart swelled as all of my fear and worry for him erupted into tears.

  ‘Oh dear,’ said Violet, offering the tissue box and grabbing my hand, then holding it tightly in hers. ‘I’m sorry to hear that. One of the nicest young men, apart from my Bertie. Dare I ask what happened?’

  Still my words wouldn’t form, and she held my hand and let me cry for my brother who was lost, most especially to himself.

  ‘Orpheus,’ I managed to croak out.

  ‘Of course it was him,’ she said, her eyes hardening. ‘He’s a beast.’

  I wiped my eyes and tried to compose myself.

  ‘We must not let him win. You must fight harder for your brother. He needs you now more than he’s ever needed anyone in his life.’

  I opened my eyes wide as her words sank in.

  ‘Oh, and one more thing,’ she said, standing up and collecting something from the mantle above the fireplace. She held out a silver key. ‘Here’s a spare key to my house. Come here whenever you like, day or night, particularly if you have any more trouble with Max.’

  I tried to find words of protest or to at least thank her, but nothing would come. Outside, we heard the hum of Ezra’s Porsche as it pulled up. As quick as a flash, Violet pulled back the little curtains that faced the street.

  ‘Come on, dear,’ she said. ‘Best not keep this one waiting.’

  I found my feet and she walked me to the door. I felt stripped bare and somehow supported in a way that made me feel safe. Still my words wouldn’t come, so I leaned in and hugged her, her frail body slackening for a moment before she gripped me right back.

  ‘You’re welcome, dear,’ she said, her voice breaking up. ‘And don’t be a stranger.’

  She opened the door and the cool winds blew in. She put one hand on my face before she shuffled me out the door and closed it behind me. Ezra was leaning against his car, looking up at my house. For a few moments, I watched him unguarded. He wore his navy jacket and jeans, his hands in his pockets. His sandy-blond hair was tousled and he wore black sunglasses. I tried to imagine the look on his face, the colour of his eyes. I felt hot and cold all over, as though I were coming down with the flu.

  He was waiting for me. He was as nervous as I was, unable to get the courage to walk up my stairs.

  He is mine. I am his. Ready or not, he is my boyfriend.

  ‘Hey you,’ I said.

  He turned around quickly, a crooked smile on his face.

  ‘Hey yourself,’ he said, so shyly that I stopped on the other side of the road from him.

  For a few moments we watched each other, the words and promises made under the moonlight now exposed under the daylight.

  Heat built deep inside. When he opened his arms wide, I didn’t hesitate. I ran across the road and fell into his embrace. He dropped his head as I reached for him, our lips finding each other. Electricity danced between us and we pulled away, laughing in surprise.

  ‘I could get used to this,’ he said, then opened the Porsche’s passenger door for me and helped me inside before getting into the car as well.

  So could I.

  For a few long moments, neither of us spoke. My tongue felt twisted and Ezra stared straight ahead as he drove.

  Eventually, I found my voice. ‘I heard…that lots of people are sick… Your dad, is he okay?’

  Ezra turned towards me before looking back at the road. ‘He’s really sick, actually. I just came from visiting him in the hospital. There’s…so many people there… Most of the town. It’s like a scene from a horror movie.’

  I knew how poisonous the death cap was, and I pictured what was happening at the hospital. All of a sudden, there didn’t seem to be enough oxygen in the car.

  ‘I feel terrible. If I’d gone back earlier, checked the mushrooms myself, none of this would have happened,’ I said.

  ‘This is not your fault. The cooks should have checked the mushrooms,’ said Ezra, putting his hand over mine.

  ‘Have they confirmed it’s death cap poisoning?’ I asked.

  ‘Not yet. They’re waiting on the results before they start treatment.’

  ‘Has your mum said anything…about me telling her about the mushrooms?’ I asked.

  ‘She would never do that to you,’ said Ezra. ‘You’ll see what she’s like.’

  I imagined Ezra’s home where his parents kept secrets from each other, and it made me sad. We sped past the green forest as I tried to find the right words.

  ‘The thing is, there’s no medical cure for death cap mushroom poisoning.’

  Ezra pulled the car over in a nearby car park so that his car was hidden behind the trees, before he turned to me.

  I tried to swallow. ‘Death cap poisoning is one of the worst. In the beginning, it brings on stomach pains, vomiting and diarrhoea. Without treatment, it leads to liver and kidney failure, and often, death.’

  Ezra raised his sunnies onto his head and rubbed his eyes. His dad was a beast, but he was still his dad, and Ezra no doubt loved him.

  ‘You said there’s no medical cure, but there’s a treatment. What do you mean?’

  ‘Keep an open mind?’ I asked.

  He nodded as he stared intently at me.

  ‘I can make a treatment to help people get better.’

  His eyes grew wide.

  ‘A witch’s potion,’ I said, the words sounding unbelievable, even to me. ‘It’s the only treatment that works.’

  His mouth fell open.

  ‘Say something,’ I said.

  He chuckled.

  ‘What! You think this is funny? Don’t you believe me?’ I said.

  Ezra unclicked his seat belt and, in a flash, his face was in front of mine. ‘Pretty cool having a witch for a girlfriend.’ Before I knew it, his lips were on mine.

  It took me a few seconds to respond, but a whole lot longer to push him away and calm my breath. Ezra sat back in his seat, a cocky smile on his face.

  ‘Pretty happy with yourself,’ I said, raising an eyebrow.

  ‘You have no idea,’ he said, his face more alive than I’d ever seen.

  I couldn’t help but smile back. And then I remembered my flames from the night before in the woods when I’d fought off the panther.

  ‘Do you know whether anyone noticed the flames last night?’

  Ezra let out a long breath and appeared to be trying to find the right words. ‘They did, actually. Several people at the bonfire reported it.’

  ‘Oh,’ I said, my heart thudding in my chest.

  ‘I told Dad I’d seen some kids setting off fireworks in the woods, and he seemed to buy it. Somehow I don’t think he’s going to be worried about that anytime soon.’

  ‘Right,’ I said. ‘Thanks.’

  ‘I’m not about to dob in my girlfriend for being a witch.’

  Girlfriend!

  ‘Now, as much as I’d love to stay here, we
need to forage in the woods for the ingredients so I can make the potion.’

  The smile slipped from Ezra’s face. ‘And then we need to figure out how to get it into the patients before it’s too late.’

  The task ahead felt enormous, but I focused on what we could do today – right here and now.

  ‘Where do you want to go? The woods closer to my place?’ asked Ezra.

  It was inevitable that I’d have to go to Ezra’s home, but I wasn’t ready to return to the place where my brother had been tortured.

  ‘These woods will do,’ I said.

  Before I knew it, he was out of the car and opening up my door. The cold air felt like a slap across my face after being inside our little cocoon.

  I zipped my jacket up and asked, ‘Is it always this cold?’

  ‘Coldest autumn in a hundred years.’

  ‘Hate to think what winter’s going to be like.’

  ‘Oh, I can think of a few things we can do to keep warm.’

  I’d never had a boyfriend and had never gone further than a kiss, so Ezra’s suggestion made my heart flutter. I didn’t know when I’d be ready for the next step.

  ‘I meant hot chocolates, fires, that type of thing,’ he said, stepping in front of me, running his cold finger down one of my cheeks. ‘What do you think I meant?’

  I tried to get my thoughts in order, but they zigzagged all over the place. I wondered how I would survive the day, let alone being a full-time girlfriend.

  I removed his hand from my burning face and tried to find my voice. ‘All I know is we need to get a move on.’

  ‘Aye-aye,’ he said, a cheeky smile on his face.

  I pulled him into the woods, where it was darker and even cooler. ‘You’re a troublemaker,’ I said, realising there was another side of Ezra I wasn’t sure I could handle.

  ‘Says you,’ he said, laughing. ‘Kind of looking forward to seeing Jet’s and Noah’s faces when they find out you’re mine.’

  I felt a deep pull inside me.

  ‘What am I going to do with you?’ I said eventually, realising I’d been so distracted I hadn’t concentrated on where we were going. I stopped and glanced around to find my bearings. ‘If we’re not more careful, we’ll end up lost.’