by Tish Thawer
“That if I didn’t do as she asked, my family’s history would end here in 1685, and that wasn’t something she could allow.”
“Really? And why’s that?” Kennedy crossed her arms. Her skepticism that the Goddess would want to save any of the Putnam line quickly rose to the surface.
“My descendant will be vital to a fight in the future in a Colorado town I believe you’re familiar with.”
Utter shock rattled Kennedy’s bones. Colorado was where she, Caris, and Jason had been trapped in 1703, and where they discovered Caris was meant to have Ruby—her daughter who would return to live out her life in that same special town.
“I d-don’t b-believe it,” Kennedy stammered.
“Neither did I at first. But when the Goddess showed me what would happen if I didn’t comply, I knew in that moment I’d give up everything to honor her wishes.” Mathilde shivered, clearly shaken by the memory. Lowering her head, she stared at her feet, shuffling them back and forth through the soft dirt. “My family has done a lot of bad things over the years, more so recently once my big sister returned.” She lifted her head, meeting Kennedy’s eyes. “But that doesn’t mean I have to be bad, too.”
Kennedy sat still as she continued to look around, finally realizing they were hiding in a small cave. Sinking back, she let her head rest upon the stone wall behind her as she thought about all Mathilde had shared. If everything here was connected to something that happened in a different time, or was still yet to happen in the future, it was possible Mathilde was telling the truth. There was no other way she could know about the town hidden in the Colorado mountains. “If I’m to believe you, you need to give me more than that. Tell me what happened with Mama. Why did your family take her, and where are the rest of them hiding?”
“The story is a long one, but simple enough. My father gained access to magic of the oldest kind, and with it, kidnapped your mother to help boost his energy to pull my oldest sister, Ann, back from the future. And clearly, it worked … and here we are.”
Kennedy realized then Mathilde knew that they, too, weren’t from this timeline.
“That’s it? He didn’t do anything else to her?”
“Yes. As far as I’m aware, no harm came to her.”
“Then why is she lying comatose in her bed?”
Mathilde frowned, uneased by the news. “I’m not sure. When I released her, I created a portal that would return her home. Nothing about it should have harmed her in any way.”
Kennedy stood, hovering over the girl. “Well, it did. And you’re going to help me fix it.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Stepping through another of Mathilde’s sparking energy circles, Kennedy and the young witch arrived back outside of the Howes’ childhood home. Smoke rose from the river-rock chimney, and the plank-frame structure. The jutting peaks were a welcome sight, knowing Caris and Mama were still safely tucked within.
“How is it that you’re able to create portals with such ease, when Ann clearly struggled to find a way?” Kennedy asked as they neared the back door.
“After Papa gained his strange powers, we were all infused with different pieces of magic. Some of my sisters can manipulate the weather, while others can affect the ground and trees themselves. Me, I found myself able to open holes that allowed us to jump from place to place.” She shrugged like it was no big deal.
“Okay, so you can move from place to place, but what about moving through time? Your father pulled Ann back from the future through a portal like the ones you create.”
“No. Not like mine. I can’t move anyone through time.” The snap of her comment and the hard set to her jaw left Kennedy wondering if she’d been forced to try.
“Okay, well, if your magic is different, we need to figure out why it affected Mama like it did. Are you ready? Caris won’t be happy to see you, so let me do the talking.”
Mathilde nodded and followed Kennedy inside.
“Car, it’s me. I have something to show you,” Kennedy called out, “but don’t panic. Okay?”
“Is that any way to start a conversation?” Caris emerged from the bedroom with a smile on her face, then froze. “Who’s she?”
“She is the witch who helped Mama escape.” Kennedy stepped closer to Caris, extending her arm back toward the girl to keep the distance between them. “Her name is Mathilde Putnam.”
Sparks flared in Caris’s eyes, her chest heaving with heavy breaths.
“She received a vision from the Goddess and risked everything to help Mama escape. She helped me when her sisters ambushed me in woods, too. And she’s going to help us figure out what’s wrong with Mama, since it’s her magic that brought her here.”
“You mean since it’s her magic that hurt her,” Caris spat.
“Car, listen. I know it’s hard to accept, but she’s not like the others. They all suffer the same dark affects from using tainted magic, I’ve seen it. But not her. She’s still … good.”
“You’re right, that is hard to accept.” Caris moved closer to her sister, grabbing her by the wrist.
“What are you doing?” Kennedy exclaimed.
“Seeing if you’re under her influence.” Magic flared to life as Caris read Kennedy’s recent memories. The confrontation in the woods, Mathilde’s portal and their escape, the girl’s confession about the Goddess’s message and the Colorado town where her descendant would play an important role … the same mountain town Ruby had lived in for most of her life.
Gasping, she released Kennedy’s arm and stepped back. Caris leaned around her sister, taking stock of the young Putnam witch. Her light brown hair fell down past her shoulders in a straight fall, and her brown eyes were clean and full of kindness as she fidgeted under Caris’s scrutinizing gaze.
“Fine. Let’s say I believe you. What can you do for Mama? We found her unconscious this morning, and she hasn’t woken since.”
Mathilde shifted nervously. “If you’ll allow me to touch her, I should be able to see how my magic is affecting her.”
After a pause, Caris nodded and led the girl and Kennedy back into the bedroom. Mama still lay unmoving on the bed, her red hair splayed across a cream-colored pillow. Mathilde and Caris eased up alongside her, while Kennedy moved around to the far side of the bed to give them some space as she watched Mathilde’s every move.
“It should only take a moment.” Mathilde gently pulled back the afghan and lifted Mama’s arm from beneath the blanket. Laying both her hands on Mama’s forearm, she closed her eyes.
All the candles brightened in the room, soaring to a fever pitch. Grabbing Mathilde by the shoulders, Caris yanked her away from Mama. “What the hell are you doing?”
“That wasn’t me.” Mathilde held her hands to her chest. “None of my magic remains within her. Whatever is happening and keeping her bound, it’s of her own doing.”
Caris huffed. “I find that very hard to believe.”
“Well, if it helps, I did pick up on one word …”
“And what was that?” Caris demanded.
“Salem.”
Kennedy gasped and locked eyes with her sister. “Again? This has to mean something, Car.”
“I’m sure it does, but I have no idea what, and it’s clear Mama isn’t in the sharing mood.”
Mathilde lowered her head. “I’m sorry I couldn’t help more. I’ll be happy to go now.” Rushing from the room, she practically ran to the backdoor before Kennedy caught her by the arm.
“Where will you go? Aren’t you worried your sisters will be looking for you?”
“Perhaps, but they don’t frighten me. In our family, only Ann has powers as strong as mine.” She lifted her chin.
Kennedy sent an unspoken message to Caris through their mental bond. “If she’s the second most powerful witch within their family, I think we might want to keep her here. I have no doubt her other sisters will return to try to claim Mama again.”
Caris didn’t reply, but jerked her chin up in a silent agr
eement. “Mathilde, we’d like you stay. We think it would be best for all our safety, including your own.”
Pausing at the door, the young witch turned around with tears in her eyes. “Are you sure? I don’t want to cause your family any more trouble.”
Caris wasn’t sure if she was talking about herself or her family in general, but if she was truly on their side and working off a vision sent from the Goddess, they couldn’t turn her away. “We’re sure. You can stay in our old room. But first, I think we need to cast some extra protections around the house, especially before your sisters attempt to return.”
Mathilde smiled as Kennedy piped up, “Good idea. I’ll gather the ingredients now.”
“Thanks, sis,” Caris replied. “Now, let’s get you settled.” She held out her hand to Mathilde with one other thing in mind. The moment she touched her skin, Caris did her own magical reading to see if she was telling them the truth, and thankfully, she was.
With one more powerful witch under their roof, Kennedy and Caris set about lighting candles and at each of the doors and windows. They sprinkled salt, crushed rue, and shavings of ash wood and juniper in the four corners to represent each direction and the corresponding element.
Gathered in the center of the living room, the girls invited Mathilde into their circle and reached for her hands.
“Are you sure I should be part of the casting? I wouldn’t want my magic to affect yours since we’re in your ancestral home.”
“You are part of what we’re protecting now, so yes, we’re sure.” Kennedy smiled encouragingly.
With a spark of gratitude in her eyes, Mathilde joined hands with the sisters, completing the circle as Kennedy started the spell.
“Guardians of the North, South, East, and West, we call upon you to protect this space and all those connected to its energy. Bless this home, may peace dwell within. Protect all who enter, whether kin or friend. Repel dark magic, or harm wished toward thee. As we will it, so mote it be.”
“As we will it, so mote it be,” Caris and Mathilde repeated the words to seal the spell.
All their eyes brightened as a line of magical energy sparked from candle to candle, creating a grid that encircled the entire house. The power and protection was inherently the sisters, but it was also boosted by Mathilde’s magic. The traces left in the air shone with a silver glow, pronouncing the Goddess’s approval. Safe again, the three witches smiled and closed the circle, leaving the candles until they were completely melted.
Caris returned to the kitchen, pouring them each a cup of tea. “Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?” She nodded at Mathilde expectantly.
“Of course not. I’ll answer all I can.”
“First of all, where is your family hiding?” Caris got straight to the point.
Mathilde paused to take a sip of her tea. “At my father’s childhood home in Salem. He grew up on the outskirts of town, in my grandfather’s estate. Lt. Thomas Putnam Sr. was one of Salem’s wealthiest residents, but after learning he’d be cut from the will, my father returned home and killed him. One year before his natural death was supposed to take place.” Mathilde shivered.
“Wait, how did he know that?” Caris asked, questioning his foresight.
“Whatever dark magic Father obtained helped him to see the future. It’s how he was able to guide Ann home from your modern time.”
“Okay, so if he’s in Salem, I assume all your sisters are there with him, including Ann?”
“Yes, all but two.” Mathilde lowered her head. “They died when Father first tried infusing them with his newfound magic.”
“Really? Then how is it that the rest of you survived?” Kennedy piped up.
Mathilde swallowed hard, her throat working for her next words. “That’s when he kidnapped your mama. Her light magic balanced his enough for him to make the transfer work for the rest of us and then used her energy to help bring Ann back.”
Kennedy and Caris’s eyes widened in unison. “Are you telling me, that all of you now have a trace of our magic inside of you?” Kennedy asked.
Mathilde shrugged as the tiniest smile crept across her lips. “Some of us more than others.”
Kennedy pushed from the table, choosing to pace the floor instead of sitting. Her nerves were fraying more and more with each passing step. “If Mama’s magic flows through Putnam veins, why didn’t the rest of your sisters turn out like you?”
“Our powers developed slowly, mine most of all. During that time, Father tested the rest of them … made them do awful things, which I assumed burnt out any of your mama’s or the Goddess’s magic, leaving only the dark behind.”
Silence descended as they processed Mathilde’s words.
“Do you know what they’re planning next?” Caris finally asked.
“I do.” Mathilde met their gazes, unable to hide the apologetic expression on her face. “They’re looking for you girls … from your original time here. Their plan is to keep them indefinitely, siphoning off their powers, and stopping Karina from ever casting her spell.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Okay, wait. If they’re looking for us, that means we’re safe and hiding somewhere. Right?” Caris looked to Kennedy.
“I assume so. Mama or the Goddess probably contacted Karina and told her what to do.”
Both the girls paced the kitchen as Mathilde sat quietly, fidgeting with her hands. She’d shared all she knew, and was happy they believed her. But still, she felt like the bad guy knowing it was her family who was causing them all this harm.
“Where do you think we would have gone?” Caris’s question snagged everyone’s attention.
Kennedy pondered for a moment. “I’m not sure. In our original lives, I didn’t cast my protector spell until 1690, so I wouldn’t have had the same foresight back then as I do now.”
“Then the knowledge of what’s happening is somehow connected to Trin and Mama alone. We have to figure out a way to wake them up.” Caris bent down next to the table. “Mathilde, could you open a portal that would take Kennedy to Jeremiah Hollsteen’s house?” Looking up at Kennedy, she continued in a rush. “You need to check on Trin and let Jason know what’s going on.”
Kennedy huffed. “Fine. But, Mathilde, can you keep your portal open so I can come right back?”
Mathilde smiled as she nodded, proud she’d be able help, even in this small way.
“Good, then let’s do it.” Kennedy moved into the living room, standing in the open space.
Tilting her head back, Mathilde closed eyes and started to chant. Energy rose, and her portal sparked open in the center of the room. “It won’t close until I do it,” Mathilde confirmed.
“Good. I won’t be long.” With a quick nod, Kennedy stepped through without another word.
“Thank you for helping us.” Caris placed a hand on Mathilde’s shoulder, truly grateful for the young witch’s courage and help. “I’m going to check on Mama now. If you could stay here and wait for Kennedy, I’d appreciate it.”
“Of course. May I have another cup of tea?”
Caris smiled. “Be my guest.”
Mathilde returned to the kitchen, which gave Caris a private moment to take a reading on the portal herself. The energy was strong, and there was no dark magic present which helped eased Caris’s mind. She trusted Mathilde, but couldn’t help but worry about her father’s ability to see the future. That power didn’t bode well for any of them.
Softening her steps, Caris entered Mama’s room and took a seat in the nearest chair. Reaching for her hand, she confessed her rising concerns. “Oh, Mama, how I wish you would wake. Not only to help us, but so that we could know you’re truly okay. I can’t pretend to understand why you and Trin are being kept from us. We’ve heeded your instructions, but obviously haven’t found the piece of the puzzle needed to bring this to an end. We’ll keep trying, though. I wish you were awake to hear my words. I miss you so much.”
A soft breeze flitted through the open w
indow, carrying with it a soothing energy. Squeezing Mama’s hand, Caris took hope. She knew there was a reason for everything and needed to trust in the Goddess’s plan—for she was sure that’s what this was.
“Um, Caris. Could you please come here?” Mathilde called out.
Easing Mama’s hand back under the blanket, Caris rose from the chair and moved to rejoin Mathilde in the living room. Stopped dead in her tracks, Caris’s breath caught on an inhale as she stared at the horrifying scene in front of her.
Ann Putnam and her six other sisters stood in the living room, holding her entire family hostage at knifepoint, including Trin who was now fully awake.
“How is this possible?” Caris’s panicked gaze met Mathilde’s. She, too, was caught in Ann’s grasp with a knife held to her throat.
“They were waiting at Jeremiah’s and stepped through my portal once Kennedy emerged on the other side. I’m so sorry.” Mathilde stiffened as Ann pressed the knife harder against her skin, nicking it slightly, and a bead of blood began to well.
“That’s right, little sister. Too bad you didn’t see this coming, but father did. Now, it’s time to bring this messy business to an end.” Ann jerked her head toward the back door, giving her sisters silent directions, then turned back to Caris with a leer on her face as Trin, Kennedy, and Jason were all dragged outside. “If I were you, I’d join us before one of these knives accidentally slips.” Ann stood firm with Mathilde still in her grasp, waiting for Caris to move under her threat.
Caris’s mind raced, her eyes shifting frantically from spot to spot, searching for anything that could help defend her family now caught in the Putnams’ trap.
Stumbling over the back step, tears formed in her eyes when she looked out across the yard.
Four pyres stood tall, prepared and waiting.
“I thought it fitting, seeing as Karina escaped the last time. But tonight, we celebrate,” Ann declared. “For the future of the Howe line ends here. It’s time for you witches to burn.”
Shoved to her knees, Caris screamed, “Why are you doing this? Killing us accomplishes nothing. Our original selves are still out there, and time will play out exactly as it’s meant to be.” A hard jolt to her back knocked her forward into the dirt; one of Ann’s sisters bound her hands with a rough length of rope.
