The Sisters of Salem

by Tish Thawer

Trin looked around the familiar space and could no longer ignore the sinking feeling in her gut. “I think I do.”

  Caris walked forward, giving Jason a quick hug, then turned to Trin. “What do we need to do?”

  “She’s clearly regained use of her magic somehow, and by doing so, I think she’s trying to go back to a time in which she had full access to her powers,” Trin explained.

  “Time travel? Are you serious?” Kennedy snapped.

  “Yes, unfortunately. By kidnapping Jason, she knew I’d come here, and I think she’s trying to latch on to the magical energy left behind from my previous life.”

  Kennedy pulled her service revolver from its holster, yanking Trin from the all-to-recent memory, then led them up the staircase to the attic. Pushing open the cracked wooden door, she cleared the room, then motioned the others inside. “So, what exactly are we looking for?” Kennedy asked, putting her gun away.

  Trin’s gaze shifted to every shelf, bowl, and book in the room. “Anything that might contain a hint to the magic Ann was working here.”

  The family spread out, combing through every single item one at a time. There were bits and pieces of yarn, feathers, bones, and stones that didn’t belong to the house originally, as well as a makeshift cauldron tucked away in the corner. The residual magic, however, wasn’t strong enough to get a read on what combination of elements or ingredients had worked for Ann’s exact spell. All-in-all, it was looking like their trip here was turning out to be a bust.

  “Damn it.” Trin tossed a small, wooden bowl to the floor—Ann’s makeshift pestle—scattering the dust left inside. “I thought there’d be more to go on.”

  “It’s okay, honey. Let’s head back home and finalize our plans.” Jason placed a hand on the small of her back, guiding her toward the attic door.

  Everyone gasped.

  “Lionel? What are you doing here?” Caris exclaimed.

  “Please forgive me.”

  Time slowed as the junior Mr. Epps pulled a golden key from his pocket and tossed it onto the floor—directly in the same spot Ann’s previous portal had been.

  Magic swirled as a hole burst open, churning with dark energy. A gust of air ripped through the room, yanking at their physical bodies as well as their souls. Struggling to stay upright, Trin grabbed for Jason but fell to her knees as the portal grew in strength. Caris and Kennedy clawed at the floor, desperate to reach each other, their auburn hair blowing wildly in the wind. Their shouts and screams echoed off the walls, as Trin tried to cast a spell to stop what was happening, but it was too late. With a final surge, the portal pulled them forward, sucking them all inside.

  Trin closed her eyes, knowing there was nothing more they could do but embrace the energy as time folded around them again.

  Chapter Nine

  IPSWICH, MASSACHUSETTS

  1685 (Current lifetime)

  “I’m gonna kill him!” Caris shouted, rubbing her eyes as she blinked past the sun spots swirling in her vision.

  “What the hell was that?” Kennedy stood, brushing the dirt off her jeans.

  “A trap, obviously.” Pushing to stand, Caris took in the forest surrounding them. “He’s clearly working with Ann.”

  The two younger sisters continued their banter, while Trin remained silent. Reaching for her beloved, she accepted Jason’s help to stand, then covered her mouth and gasped. “You two, stop. Look where we are.”

  Caris and Kennedy spun around, pinpointing the object of Trin’s inspection.

  Surrounded by lavender, they stood atop the grove in the precise place they would bury Mama in 1689, with the golden skeleton key lying at their feet.

  “This can’t be a coincidence.” Trin reached down and retrieved the key.

  “I’m sure it’s not. It’s probably Ann’s idea of a cruel joke; a way to remind us that we won’t be able to save Mama,” Caris snapped.

  “I’m not so sure,” Trin stated. “Think about it … if Ann had anything to do with this, why wouldn’t we have ended up where they were, surrounded by her and her family and the magic they now wield?” She turned the key over in her hands, inspecting it from every angle.

  Kennedy turned in a circle. “We’re completely alone,” she confirmed.

  Unable to get a clear read on the object or its magical signature, Trin shoved the key into her pocket and gazed at the lavender surrounding them, brushing the tips with her fingers. “I think we need to keep an open mind.” Her sisters fell silent and watched as she circled their mother’s future gravesite with feather-light steps. Soon the three were holding hands, accepting the magic of this time and place as it settled into their hearts.

  Trin smiled and pulled them to the ground, making room for Jason to sit cross-legged beside her. “Okay, let’s get focused. We’re back in our original time. I can feel it,” she put a hand to her chest, “but what we don’t know is when. We need to find out how long we have before Mama’s original death and gauge our actions from there.”

  Jason scooted forward and grabbed a stick, drawing out a rough map in the dirt. “Here’s where we are, and here’s your house, which we know all three of you are still living in at this time.” He moved the end of the stick a little to the west. “And here is my house, which, depending on the month, will be empty and a perfect place for us hide.”

  Trin smiled up at Jason. “I forgot you used to travel with your family during the Spring Equinox.”

  “Yes. We would travel to my grandparents and spend Ostara with them and our extended family down south. So, I think it stands to reason that since it was spring before we left, it may be the same season here now.”

  “It’s definitely spring here.” Trin nodded to the lavender surrounding them. “I say we all head to Jason’s house and take our chances as to the exact date. It’s better than trying to hide out here in the forest. We all know our family never left to travel, so running into ourselves in these woods or at our house is an absolute given.”

  They all agreed and rose from the ground with nothing but the modern clothes on their backs. Acutely aware of their surroundings, they quietly made their way through the fields and woods that separated their homes, wishing and praying for the Goddess’s protection.

  “This is all so surreal,” Trin whispered, holding tightly to Jason’s hand.

  “I know.” Smiling, he pointed to a hill in the distance. “It was in that field, under that very tree that I stole my first kiss.”

  Trin dipped her head, her cheeks reddening as she remembered exactly when she’d fallen in love with Jeremiah Hollsteen.

  IPSWICH, MASSACHUSETTS

  1684 (Original lifetime)

  Pulling leaves and sticks from her hair, Karina crawled out from under the blackberry bush. Her basket overflowed with berries, as she’d made sure to collect every last one from the brambles today. Lifting her basket into the crook of her arm, she noticed one last bunch hidden in leaves and leaned over to reach them. Pitched forward, she fought to keep her balance and the contents of her basket steady when her shoe shifted in the mud. Karina slipped and fell, only to be saved by two strong hands encircling her waist.

  “There, there, Miss Karina. I’ve got you.” Jeremiah Hollsteen squeezed her with just enough pressure to bring her back to balance, but the feel of his hands on her knocked her heart for a loop.

  “My goodness. Thank you, Jeremiah. You saved me from another hour’s work of clean-up and a pair of scuffed knees.”

  “My pleasure. And next time, I’d be happy to meet you here and help gather the berries so you don’t have to do it alone … if you’d like,” he tacked on.

  Trin spun to face him, realizing he still had a hand on her waist.

  “I think I would like that very much.”

  They stared into each other’s eyes, hesitant and nervous, until Karina leaned forward with a slight tilt to her chin. Jeremiah took the hint and placed his lips on hers in the softest kiss. Pulling away, yet barely recovered, he stepped back and finally removed hi
s hand from her hip. “Good day, Miss Karina. Thank you for making it one I’ll never forget.”

  IPSWICH, MASSACHUSETTS

  1685 (Current lifetime)

  Trin smiled, recalling the memory of their first kiss and the how she ran home, spinning in the delight of young love and told her mama all about it. She’d been old enough that it was accepted—hell, even expected at this point in her life, and her mama was happy and approving, exactly as she’d hoped she would be.

  “We’re here,” Jason announced, pulling Trin from the memory.

  Squatting down in the tall grass outside of Jeremiah’s familial home, they waited in silence to see if the place was clear. Minutes passed with no commotion from either inside or out.

  “Stay here. I’m going to go have a look.” Jason crept along the tree line, ducking behind the tall evergreens for cover. Sneaking forward, he bent down, crouching behind the wood pile to listen for movement within. With nothing stirring, he moved to the window, cupping his hands to peer inside.

  “All clear,” he called out, waving them forward as he pulled open the back door.

  The girls followed him into his childhood home. Unlike their own clapboard-sided house, Jeremiah’s cabin was made of wood from the surrounding trees—dovetail notching held the logs together while the white chinking provided a modern look for the day.

  Jason moved quickly around the space while Trin, Caris, and Kennedy all waited in the open living room.

  “All clear,” he confirmed again. “You were right. It must be close to Ostara.” He pointed to the small altar his family always decorated before leaving on their travels. Bits of eggshell, rabbit fur, crocus petals, and a bowl of honey sat atop the small wooden table at the back of the room. “The leaves are fresh, so it must be the week before Ostara,” Jason surmised, remembering his family’s schedule from long ago.

  “Perfect. But how long before they return?” Kennedy asked.

  “At least three weeks.” Jason closed the door, setting the internal latch, then moved into the kitchen. Gathering glasses and plates, he began to prepare a meal from their winter stores as if no time had passed.

  “Let me help you.” Trin slid up beside him and took the knife from his hand, then started chopping the vegetables.

  “I figured we should eat and gather our strength and wits before we try to come up with a plan.” He smiled.

  “Great idea,” Kennedy replied, taking a seat at the large, hand-hewn wooden table.

  Trin turned to find Caris staring out the window. “Car, are you okay? Would you like something to eat?”

  Caris remained silent as she stared out into the woods.

  Chapter Ten

  Jason added ingredients to the cauldron over the fire one by one as the sisters sat silently around the old, wooden table. Rain speckled the window, calling to Trin’s soul and raising the fog on her long-lost memories, but all she could think about was getting to Mama. “What do you think we need to do first?” she asked.

  “I, for one, think we should scout the town and see if the Putnams still live in the same place … you know, case out the joint to see if Mama’s even there.” Barely able to contain her nervous energy, Kennedy shifted in her chair, ready to jump into action.

  Caris, however, remained stoic, seated at the end of the table. “It’s not like we can just waltz into town and go looking around. What if one of us is there already? And look at us …” She waved a hand between the four of them. “We’ll have to change our clothes before we do anything.”

  Trin glanced around the table and grinned as she took in their modern clothes. She had on jeans and a light sweater with boots. Caris wore her usual ball cap, T-shirt, and leggings. While Kennedy was sporting jeans, a T-shirt, and a loose-fitting blazer.

  Jason chuckled as he placed four wooden bowls on the table and began spooning out their soup. “You’re definitely right about that. Could you imagine the ruckus we’d cause if we were spotted looking like this?”

  The group fell silent, completely aware of exactly what would happen—exactly what had happened to Trin when she’d been deemed ‘other’ by those from their original time.

  IPSWICH, MASSACHUSETTS

  1693 (Original lifetime)

  Flames licked the hem of her dress as she worked to free her hands from the ropes. Somber faces, etched with malice and fear, watched as she squirmed against the stake. She refused to close her eyes or scream. She wouldn’t give them that. No. She would prove to be as defiant and wild as they deemed her while dragging her from her home.

  Kara and Kenna stood hidden at the back of the crowd, silently pleading for her to use magic to escape. She wanted to, oh how she wanted to, if only to see these Puritans running for the hills. But, staring into her sister’s eyes as her legs started to burn, she knew she had to do whatever it took to keep them safe.

  She closed her eyes, the chant beginning simple as always, words from the Goddess flowing into her mind. “Come to me, death that be, flames surrounds, peace abounds; flesh to earth, spirit to soar, transport our souls, alive forever more.”

  IPSWICH, MASSACHUSETTS

  1685 (Current lifetime)

  Jason cleared his throat. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make light of such painful memories.”

  Trin reached for his hand as he passed behind her chair. “No, you’re right. We can’t let ourselves forget what it’s like here, and we’ll have to be even more cautious this time around. Speaking of …” She looked to her sisters. “In order to keep a low profile, we need to refrain from doing as much big magic as we can. Any major spells we cast here will be felt as an increase of energy, and we definitely don’t need to pop up on Heinrich’s radar, or Ann’s for that matter. Agreed?”

  “Agreed,” they all intoned.

  “As for clothes, my mother has plenty of dresses you all can choose from, and I’m sure my own will fit from before.” Jason squeezed Trin’s hand, then moved back into the kitchen, returning with a fresh pot of tea.

  Trin smiled at her beloved as he took the seat across from her. “Thank you for doing all of this, and for allowing us to hide out in your family home. I know it has to be strange being back here.”

  “It is, but it’s also comforting in a way. I know we’ll be safe, so that’s one less thing to worry about.”

  Nodding heads and muffled agreements rose from the table as they all dug into their meticulously prepared meal.

  ***

  Evening slid into night as the family continued to settle in, meeting back in the living room around the glowing hearth. Jason stoked the fire, then sat beside Trin on his mother’s modest couch. “I believe the first thing we need to do is to establish what year it is, and go from there. Unfortunately, the easiest way to do that is by visiting the church in the village. The daily Puritan posts will contain the date …” he paused, then rushed on, “and I think I should be the one to go. We know I won’t run into myself in town, as I’m currently traveling down south, remember?” He winked at Trin, hoping she’d see the logic of his plan.

  Trin took his hand, her palm cold and clammy from all the worry and nerves. “I hate to admit it and can’t stand the idea of you being out there alone, but you’re right … it is the safest way.”

  “Then it’s settled. I’ll head to town tomorrow morning to see what year we’ve ended up in.” Jason lifted Trin’s arm, placing a kiss on the inside of her wrist. “It’ll be okay. We’ll get through this.”

  “With the Goddess’s help, so mote it be,” Caris whispered.

  Chapter Eleven

  IPSWICH, MASSACHUSETTS

  1685 (Current lifetime)

  Frayed stitching held the worn, grey patches sewn into the knees of Jason’s old, black, tattered work pants in place. Pulling his father’s wool peacoat over his dingy white shirt, he stepped outside of his family home in Ipswich, Massachusetts and meandered down the trail that would lead him into the heart of town and possibly straight to the devil himself.

  This mor
ning’s goodbyes had been equally as rough as last night’s late-night conversations. He and Trin had laid in his parents’ bed and discussed what he would do if all sorts of different situations should arise. In the end, he agreed to her small “watching” spell which she’d cast only moments before he left.

  “Goddess, please, allow me to see. Let me be at one with he. Through his eyes, I’ll watch and learn. Connected heart-to-heart, as I await his return.”

  His vision remained unimpaired, but it was clear Trin could see everything through his eyes as he continued down the path.

  “The woods look sparse compared to how I remember them,” she spoke into his mind as he rounded the first bend.

  “Yes, it’s strange how our memories of things can alter their true nature,” Jason sent back, stepping over leaf and limb. “I also don’t remember it being such a long walk,” he huffed out a laugh, feeling Trin’s smile through their shared mental bond as she watched from the safety of his home.

  “Yes, it never seemed that far when I was rushing home to meet you.” Her smooth tone settled over Jason’s nerves like honey.

  He walked on in silence—around blackberry bushes and through aspens and birch groves, then farther into the forest where tall oak trees mixed with thick pines—continuing along the path until the edge of town came into view. “Okay, here we go,” he sent down their link, readying himself for whatever he might face.

  The wood and mortar buildings lining Main Street looked exactly the same as he remembered—along with clapboard-sided houses and the market set slightly back on the next block, bordering the tree line. The stables at the end of the street were partially visible but mostly blocked by the largest structure in town—the church.