by Lily Luchesi
Satisfied that I’d done all I could do for the moment, I used a ribbon to tie it around my neck. As long as it was on my person, I would be safe from any other witches that were bent on trying to get payback.
The collar of my dress covered it completely so I had nothing to worry about others noticing it.
A timid knock sounded and I waved a hand to cover the magic ingredients before opening the door.
“Hello,” Bethany smiled at me. “Can I come inside?”
“Sure,” I moved aside to let her in. “I thought you were coming last night.”
"We had to cancel because they've got men in the woods looking for any witch-like gatherings. They were out all night. It wasn't good to have a meeting."
"Makes sense. Everyone will be nervous about any gatherings this soon."
“Um, I’m not sure how it works that you’re Anna, but you’re not. We really need you for the coming days to help us get past this problem that’s popped up.”
It suddenly dawned on me that the group of people that I was involved with might be part of an evil coven. They were the reason that all this stuff was going down. People in later years might blame it on Reverend Parrish and those girls who’d had fits, but I had a sneaking suspicion it was Anna that had started this witch hunt.
“I’m your girl.” Her face looked confused at my words, “I’ll help in any way I can.”
"Oh, blessed be." Her hand brushed my arm as if that was a reassurance, but I could feel the slight bit of magic lingering from her touch. "When we can meet, I'll let you know."
“Can Hetty be trusted? I’m new to this time and need to make sure that I’m not putting faith in someone that’s going to get me killed.” I leaned against the door frame as she paused on the path.
“Hetty? Why do you ask?" She turned to appraise my question.
“It just seemed that you were trying to keep my current situation about what’s going on from her. I needed to make sure who is safe to talk to or ask questions.”
She quickly shook her head no. “I don’t think she’d turn against us, but we can’t be too careful. If she knows something about me, she’s never said.”
“Sounds good. Thanks.” I closed the door behind her as it hit me.
“Hetty came over here to help me and Bethany didn't have a clue," I muttered out loud. "Bethany's not a good guy."
My secret was out. I was going to have to be very careful with the information that I shared. Otherwise, it was going to get me killed.
* * *
Chapter 4
Hetty arrived mid-afternoon so that I could help prepare the soup with a few of the other ladies that had been feeding the prisoners.
I wasn’t sure what my role was in the community. Was I supposed to be cheerful and helpful? Mean and hateful? I didn’t want to act out of character for whoever Anna was here in Salem.
The only thing I had to work with was the reactions of the people around me. Most stayed clear from me or shot me looks as if they expected me to do something to them.
It quickly became clear that I wasn’t the nicest of people, but I couldn’t suddenly start saying snide remarks. Anything I’d have said would have been a modern insult and wouldn’t have made any sense to the women around me.
Instead, I kept quiet for the first while and listened to what everyone was saying. It took a few minutes for the women working to forget that I was there before they loosened up enough to talk about the women on trial.
“Did you hear that the council is going to be hearing accusations on new people today?” Mary Walcott whispered to a woman I’d learned was Elizabeth Hubbard.
“Yes, there are more of the witches living among us than we’d knew about.” She cast a worried glance around those working before locking eyes with me. “It’s bad enough they’re alive. We can’t let them cast their spells on us the way have others. We must rely on the church to save us from their evil.”
I could feel my eyes roll at their stupidity.
Hetty grinned and leaned closer to me, “Can’t help them’s that dumb. The evil spirits already came and got their souls.”
Her words made me feel much better and I breathed a sigh of relief.
“Thanks.”
“Always going to be haters. Can’t stop them from listening to the demons. You’ve just got to ignore what they’re saying and do what you came here for.”
Most of the women working began to leave or return to their homes to get supper ready for their own families. They didn’t want to be anywhere near those accused of being witches in case it rubbed off when they came to get their food.
Two men picked up the pot with long metal rods to carry it inside the barn holding the prisoners.
Without a backward glance at the women eyeing us, I followed Hetty inside to start passing out the meal.
Each group of women shuffled forward holding out their bowls to have the warm stew dished out.
When the woman I’d met the day before came by, I smiled and hoped to catch her eye.
I was rewarded with a fleeting smile before she shyly stepped away.
For today it was enough of an acknowledgment. At some point, I'd have to find a way to have a conversation with her.
On the way back to put the stuff up, I waited until the others had gone and it was only Hetty with me.
"So I had a conversation with Bethany today. I'm getting the vibe that Anna and Bethany aren't the good kinds of witches." At her nod, I continued, "I know that I need to help someone, but if I step out of line then they'll accuse me of being a witch. What do I do here?"
Somehow I felt comfortable with her as if our magic recognized the good in each other.
“Just lay low. Don’t go against them. You’ll know when the time is right.”
“Got it. I may need some help at some point. I feel that one of the women in there is someone I need to speak to.”
She just nodded her head. “Now go on home. You’ll be tired from all the work.”
“Copy that.” Then I realized what I’d said so I tried to fix it. “Yes, ma’am.”
This was much harder than I’d realized it would be to stay incognito in the past. Maybe I could think of a spell that would let me speak like everyone around me. It was something to work on.
* * *
Not expecting anyone for the night, I ate dinner and was about to go to bed when a knock sounded.
“Hello?” I called through the door wishing that there was a gun somewhere to defend myself with.
“It’s me, darling." A drunken voice sang through the door. “Let me in.”
“Great!” I muttered. A drunk who was going to want me to have sex with him.
Survival was important and I had no idea who was at my door so I might as well open it to find out how bad things were.
The lamplight didn't reveal much until he'd pushed his way into the room.
Tall blonde hair fell over his forehead as he whipped his hat off before coming over the threshold.
“Hope, I’m not intruding. I haven’t seen you in a few days and was hoping you would be willing for me to be here.” He was so polite and almost apologetic, I couldn’t stop this from happening.
"It's all right to come in." I shut the door behind him only to find his arms around me.
His drunken breath surrounded me and I realized that I was going to have to find a way to work around this.
“Make him believe the things in his mind that he wants to see.” I slid out from under his arms as the spell took effect.
If it hadn’t been such a horrible situation, I’d have been videoing it for some social media channel.
He started making out with the door. When he fumbled with his pants, they never got past his waist. Whatever he was seeing must have been good because he grunted a few times and finished with his pants on.
It was going to make him wonder how drunk he was when he woke up the next morning.
"There you go, sweet man. Say your name darling." I whis
pered walking him over to the table.
"Jed Hammond." He stroked my cheek as if it was normal for me not to know his name.
“Go on home before someone see you and wonders what we’ve been up to.”
My words must have worked under the spell because he kissed my forehead and walked out the door hat in hand.
"That was too close for comfort." I leaned against the door as he left. I blew out the lamp so that anyone else would assume I'd gone to bed.
The climb up to the loft felt like a mountain instead of a few ladder rungs.
When the dress hit the floor, I sank to the bed feeling lighter. The clothing of this time was heavy and bulky.
The lids of my eyes closed before I could think about it. I’d survived my second night in the past.
* * *
Chapter 5
An entire week passed and I was no closer to a solution.
The women were guarded closely so that they weren’t allowed to use their magic on anyone or cast a spell.
One of those conducting the trial decided that it was better to have the women take care of their own food and clothes as long as it was all searched first.
They didn't want anyone else to become infected from dealing with the accused witches. As we were a virus of some kind that could be spread by simply coming in contact with others around us.
We had a little bit of freedom to move around and talk to the women as we brought the supplies in to get them set up. It wasn’t going to be enough to make them feel at home, but at least they could clean up a little bit.
I moved closer to Sarah.
“Hey, I need to talk to you.”
Seeing most of the others distracted, she nodded and moved to one corner before lifting a hand to create an illusion.
“Speak fast. I’m not used to dealing with the likes of you. It’s why I’m in here.” She crossed her arms as if I was the one on trial for something.
“I’m not really Anna Marshall. I’m from the future. One of your descendants I believe. I can’t change the past, but there may be a way to save you for your future.”
“So that’s the reason our magic responded to each other.” She relaxed just a little. “Do you have a plan?”
“According to history, you are hanged along with several of your witch friends. As we know it from family history, you live and your executioners think you died.”
“We haven’t had a trial yet.” She started to pace up back and forth in the small space. “You’re certain that we die?”
I gave her a tight smile, “Yes, of that I’m sure.”
“When?”
“From what I can tell about two months. They’re going to let you all sit here until the trial in a month. I know someone specific gets hung in June and we’re in April so it won’t be too long before it happens.”
“Gracious. That’s not much time to live.”
“Don’t worry,” I assured her, “I have a plan. Still needs some work, but we’re going to have you relocated.”
“We’ve been talking for long enough. Get everything ready. Make sure that when the verdict is decided that I can escape.” She grabbed my hands, “Promise me?”
“I promise on the lives of my family that I’ll make sure you live.”
“Good.” She snapped her fingers and the illusion disappeared.
Things were wrapping up and I hurried to join the others before anyone saw me.
I was going to need some money for her to start over and a way to get her out of town. A horse would be the easiest, but I’m not sure how to go about getting one. Hetty might be able to help me find a ride out of town for her.
It wasn't until after Jed Hammond left money on my table that it had dawned on me that this was how Anna made money. She was an old-fashioned single woman accepting gifts for her time and efforts.
I wouldn’t be around to worry about money being a problem and Sarah would need that money to start over somewhere in the west where no one knew who she was.
Bethany fell into step as I got close to my home.
“We’re getting together for a dinner this evening. Just a social affair of the local families, but I thought you might like to come as my guest.”
“Do I need to bring anything?” I wasn’t sure if this was an offer of friendship or some other way to find out more about my agenda.
“Just yourself.” Her smile said that it was something more, but there was no way to know what she was thinking.
“Wonderful, I’ll be there.”
“There are several gentlemen that are looking forward to meeting you.” She winked as she walked away with a bounce.
“Crap!” It slipped out, but no one was close enough to hear it.
That’s what her hold on Anna is. She’s her pimp. I couldn't believe it. Even back this far in history, someone was always using someone else for their gain. If I didn't do this and act as if I liked it then everything I'd come back for would be lost.
These days it only took the hint of someone thinking you were a witch for the roots to take hold.
Being used in this manner wasn’t what I’d come back here for. I was going to have to work harder to be a mean girl. This woman was going to get a karmic comeback that would haunt her for years to come. I was working on an idea that sounded perfect and would help give me an exit strategy.
I only knew the history surrounding my ancestor, which meant that I had no idea if I was messing up the future for someone or not. Only time would tell, but it was something that had to happen.
Chapter 6
The dinner party had been attended by several prominent families and single men. Throughout the meal, I’d been eyed as if I was on the chopping block for the next sacrifice.
Jed Hammond was there and stayed close by for most of the evening. He offered to walk me home causing several others to do the same.
“I thank you all kindly for the thought. I’ll be staying to help Bethany clean up.” I met her glance across the room with a raised eyebrow.
Even with my subtle hint, Bethany wouldn’t let me stay afterward.
“Well, played. You had so many of them ready to follow you home, but it looks like only one of them won out.” She lifted the curtain to show Jed waiting by the gate. “Meeting in the woods first thing before the sun comes up. Be at the edge of town out of sight and I’ll let you come with me this time.”
Feeling that she’d expect something for her generosity, I reached out to give her a hug.
“You’ve been wonderful to me the past few days.” I choked out the words knowing they weren’t true in the least. She needed to think that I was on her side.
Jed fell into step beside me as I started along the path toward my house.
“I don’t need an escort.”
“No, ma’am. I just felt the need for a walk out in the evening air.” His grin said that he expected to be thanked when we arrived at my home.
“You’re going to get me killed.”
“There’s no one out here to see anything.” He tried to put an arm around me as we passed the last house.
“No. I was serious Jed. You can be seen with me and then come inside. It isn’t right.”
"That isn't what you said the other night when I came over." He took my hand pulling me to him. "In fact, it was I need more, give me more, darling."
Jed wasn’t going to give up. Something had to be done or I was going to be in trouble in other ways.
"Go home," I added just a touch of magic to it so that he would leave. "Don't approach me in the daylight again."
He did as he was told and walked away into the darkness.
Using magic to make others do something they had no knowledge of wasn’t really something that was allowed in the good magic world. Claiming it was self-defense sounded nice, but that wasn’t really the case. I was going to have to figure out where my own personal moral line was going to be drawn in the sand.
If I’d learned nothing else it was that things weren’t always
as black or white as we’d like when it came to magic.
* * *
The early morning was way too early for me no matter what century it was in.
There was a certain smell that accompanied this time of day and it was one that I was completely familiar with.
I’d put on my dress in the dark and stuffed a few potions into the pockets. It never hurt to be prepared especially when dealing with witches that could turn on you at any moment.
Bethany was standing at the edge of town waiting for me when I turned the corner.
“Ready to find out how we do some witchy stuff in our time?” She threaded her arm through mine.
“I guess now’s as good as time as any to do something fun for a change.”
“Wasn’t last night fun?” Her sideways glance suggested she knew Jed had walked me home. “I’ve heard that he’s really good at what he does.”
“You’ve heard, huh?” My head tilted in her direction, “Don’t you mean you’ve tried him out?”
“Hmfp Anna, you bad girl. How else do you think I could vet all the gentlemen for you?” She giggled as if it was the funniest thing in the world.
Not saying anything was the only way I could keep from spelling her right then.
Before I could do what I felt was needed, we reached a clearing where three other women were cloaked.
“Welcome sister to our circle.” They spoke in unison as we approached.
“Blessed be.” I returned, hoping that it was a greeting used by all.
There were only five of us there and we needed to have six to make it work properly.
We stood spaced apart as if we were waiting on something.
"She's coming," Bethany whispered to me.
Unsure of what to do, I echoed the greeting with the others as the head of the coven came into view.
It was still dark enough at I couldn’t quite see who it was, but everyone began to drop their cloaks.
They were going to do a sky-clad ceremony.
Hurrying to shed my clothing, I just hoped that anything did wasn’t going to leave a mark of evil behind.
