“For now,” I answered.
Tammy snatched the book from on top a pile of hay bales and opened it. Relief flooded through me to see Betty’s name still written in blood—for if her name were still there, she was still alive.
Tammy touched each red letter, one by one. “For now, indeed. And now we must make plans to meet in the clearing again. Bring Opias and that ridiculous hen of yours, Elizabeth. We will cast a spell to make Thomas Parris forget all about Mercy Lewis!”
“How should we do it?” Elizabeth asked.
I touched Betty’s name and then shut the book. “We will use the second page. Elizabeth, you will write down the spell and we will all sign our names like before.”
“And then we’ll cover Mercy Lewis’s name in our blood,” Tammy said gleefully.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Elizabeth paled. “Yes, she will be sorry she spoke out against a member of our coven.”
“I should go back to the reverend’s house,” I suggested.
Tammy folded her arms across her chest. “Send Thomas my regards!”
“You can send them in person soon enough,” I noted.
“I will indeed! Wait, where is your bird?”
My heart raced as I thought of speaking to Martha Wilds through Opias this morning. I quickly pictured him looking through the Corwins’ window, hoping that if Tammy Younger could indeed reach into my mind, she would see that image instead. “I sent him to the woods. The town is aflutter that he is an ill omen, and I do not wish to see him harmed by someone eager to snuff out his life with buckshot.”
Tammy narrowed her eyes and cocked her head. “Bring him to the barn.”
“But why?”
“Because I feel you are perhaps hiding something.”
My stomach lurched. “I know not what you mean,” I said, careful to keep my voice steady.
Elizabeth stared at me from behind Tammy. I had not had time to tell the whole story of Martha Wilds to her, but it was clear she knew something was amiss.
“She really should get back, Tammy. If she is missed, it might make it harder for her to sneak out, and we have no cows giving birth tonight.”
Tammy looked back and forth between us. “I think the Parris household will be preoccupied with Betty tonight and will pay no mind to Violet. Are you sure Opias is in the wood?”
I stood tall. “Yes.”
She folded her arms across her chest. “Bring him here. Now.”
“Opias, come!” I called out.
I said a silent prayer that he was back from Gloucester. I walked out of the barn into the yard and searched the sky. “Opias,” I whispered. “Please, please be near.”
To my relief, I heard a caw in the distance and saw him soar in over the treetops and land on the barn roof.
“I’m not sure what that was all about,” I sniffed, “but if you are so interested in my bird, perhaps you could have chosen one as your own familiar instead of that worm of yours!”
“I am quite happy with my choice, thank you very much,” attested Tammy. “We will see you tonight and I’m dying to hear how your Betty is faring. She seems to be lasting longer than the others, which is too bad, as I am eager to see the next name.”
I don’t know why I was shocked at her callous words, but tonight couldn’t come fast enough. I turned without saying goodbye and headed down the road. “Meet me at the clearing, Opias. I will be there after dark.”
As I made my way back to the house, I wondered what would happen to Opias once the coven was broken. Would he simply vanish? Or perhaps he would become closed off to my mind. I would miss him, but it was more important that we stopped the chain of death, because I now knew it was likely only a matter of time before Mama’s name would appear in the book.
Maine.
I had hardly any time to ponder that Mama and Papa were in Maine, but now that I knew, I wondered if I could buy my freedom from the Parrises? Would they let me go?
I wish I had more time. I could have magicked more coins to help pay for my freedom, but I knew in the end, it was more important to end things with Tammy.
At least when the time was right, I now had a direction to go in: north.
I approached the house and found Thomas sitting on the rock wall. “How did it go?” he asked quietly.
“Well, my original plan fell through. But then I convinced her we were not casting a love spell on you, but instead we were casting a falling-out-of-love spell on Mercy Lewis. Tammy is convinced you will then find your way back into her arms.”
He blushed.
“I am sorry, Thomas. I shouldn’t have been so blunt.”
“And I should never have fallen for the likes of Tammy Younger.”
“We can both agree to that. How is Betty?”
“More pox have appeared. She is still feverish, but hanging on. Mother looks like she’s aged twenty years just since this morning. Violet, I have never seen anything this frightening.”
“I am sorry I brought this plague to your house.”
“Violet, I know what Tammy is like, but I know you wouldn’t have written in that book if you knew what would happen.”
“I would like to think that is true. Thomas, do you know where in Maine my parents are?”
He cocked his head. “How do you know they are in Maine? Father refused to tell any of us where they were going. In truth, it is likely even he does not know. I can see him not caring enough to find out when the man purchased your parents.”
“Someone told me they were in Maine. One of these days I will leave Salem and find them.”
“I will do anything I can to help—even if it means sneaking you out under cover of night.”
“No, when I go it will be in the light of day and I will have earned my passage north in a way in which God and my parents would be proud of.”
He nodded.
“I need to check on Betty. I need to see her suffering so I can chase the fear from my heart, firm my resolve, and take on Tammy Younger tonight.”
“Will you and Elizabeth be safe?”
“If we are not, we only have ourselves to blame, and it’s a risk we have to take.”
“I can come with you.”
“If Tammy were to see you, she would know we were laying a trap. I thank you for your concern, but this is something Elizabeth and I need to do alone.”
“I understand, and I will be praying for you tonight.”
“Save all your prayers for Betty, for she is the one who needs them most.”
I walked into the parlor and Abigail still sat at the table, her bread unfinished. “She is getting worse.” Tears streaked down her face. “She looks so awful and her breath is so labored.”
I looked out the window, willing the sun to set so we could put our spell in motion. I walked up the stairs with fresh water and peered into Betty’s room. The reverend was kneeling by the side of the bed, clutching his Bible while Mistress Parris softly wept. I took a few steps closer and stifled a gasp.
Betty was unrecognizable. Every inch of her was covered with pus-filled sores, and I struggled to make out even a glimpse of her delicate features underneath it all.
Mistress Parris looked at me. “Violet, you shouldn’t be in here.”
I nodded. “I am so sorry.”
She bowed her head. “All we can do is pray for her, Violet, but I fear we may lose her.”
I wondered, if Tammy could see Betty, would she still wish to continue our revenge scheme? I hoped she would not, but Tammy Younger had indeed hardened her heart, and I felt even seeing Betty like this would make no impression.
I could not fail tonight. “I am so sorry,” I whispered again. “I am praying for Betty. What can I do to help?”
Mistress nodded. “Violet, there is nothing you can do. Please go. I could not stand it if another in this house were to fall ill.”
For the first time I saw compassion in her eyes, perhaps being so close to losing Betty had opened her heart—even if just a little.
I turned and raced downstairs and burst into tears. Abigail came to me and took me in her arms. “We have lost so much time, with our foolishness and lies, Violet. I am so sorry.”
“It seems there are enough apologies here to sink a ship,” I said between sobs.
“I don’t think Betty is going to make it,” Abigail confided.
I wanted to tell her she was wrong, and Betty would pull through—but I was not so sure anymore.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
I paced in my room, waiting for the sky to darken. If only it had been winter, I could have made my way to the woods an hour ago. Thomas and Abigail sat at the table, their stew cold in front of them.
“It’s getting late, Violet,” Thomas called out, tilting his chin to the window.
It suddenly occurred to me that I was to share my bed with Abigail. She would notice if I left. Would she try to stop me?
I decided I had to be honest with her—well, as honest as I could be. I walked to the table and sat opposite her. “Abigail, I will be going out soon, and I may not be back for a while.”
“Going out, with Betty clinging to life? Where are you going?”
“I cannot tell you where, but if your parents ask, you must say I am asleep.”
“How can you go out into the night when there are ravens and snakes out and about haunting the town?” she implored.
“I’m going to try and help Betty.”
Her eyes widened. “How can leaving the house help Betty? Oh!” Then she whispered, “Can you work magic like Mama Tituba did? Magic to save Betty?”
“I don’t think my mama had real magic—but I do. I want to get rid of it, though—but not before I can help Betty.”
Abigail shook her head. “How can working with the Devil help Betty?”
“I have never met the Devil, nor do I plan to. I am more of a folk woman.”
“Like your mama?”
“I have seen some things that would make Mama’s hair stand on end. But, yes.”
Abigail shuddered. “I don’t think you should do it. It’s asking for trouble and I’m pretty certain we have enough of that right now.”
“Let her go, Abigail,” Thomas said softly. “Violet knows what she is doing.”
Abigail turned to her cousin. “You know of this plan, Thomas? Does it have anything to do with the burn on your cheek?”
Abigail reached out, and Thomas winced when she touched the raw, red streaks. “It does.”
She stared at us and then rose, taking off her cap. She pulled a metal hair comb from her long locks and handed it to me. “Wear this so I will be with you while you save Betty.”
“You are not afraid that I will be practicing witchcraft?” I asked.
She took my hand. “If Betty is cured, I think even the reverend would not find fault with you.”
“I am not so sure about that.”
Abigail sniffed. “Well, even if the reverend were to find fault, I know God would not.”
She squeezed both my hands now. “Go and hurry and work your magic! Just come home as soon as you can so I can keep my heart from leaping from my chest.”
“I will.”
“And I will fix the bed so it looks like you are already asleep.”
“Thank you, Abigail,” I said as I slipped on my cloak and slowly opened the door.
The moon was still more than three-quarters full and bright enough to illuminate the path through the fields. Even if it had been pitch-black, I was sure my feet would have found the way. I rushed on, faster and faster, Betty’s pox-marked face ever urging me on.
I wound my way around trees and over decaying logs, and finally in the distance came to the clearing with the lit fire. I heard Bone-Shaker rattle his tail, and instead of filling me with fear, it filled me with anger.
This would end tonight.
I quieted my steps using the folk-woman way and noiselessly made my way closer to the fire. I searched the branches until I spotted Opias. Fly, I mouthed. Make noise!
I crept up behind where Tammy sat and called out, “I’m here.”
Opias swooped down from the trees, cawing loudly.
Elizabeth screamed, and Tammy jumped to her feet.
“What you do that for?” Tammy demanded.
“I didn’t scare you, did I?” I asked.
“No,” Tammy said flatly, though I knew that had indeed unnerved her.
“Yes!” Elizabeth squealed. “My heart is about to give out!”
I wanted to keep Tammy unnerved so she wouldn’t read my mind. Our plan had to go off without a hitch.
“Let us not waste another moment,” I declared. “I am eager to use our powers again.”
Tammy’s face warmed to me. “As am I.” She turned to Elizabeth.
“Me as well,” added Elizabeth. “You deserve to have Thomas Parris all to yourself.”
Tammy sat, and Elizabeth and I joined her on the forest floor.
Tammy handed Elizabeth the book, and she opened it to the first page. I exhaled. Betty was still named, so at least that meant she was still alive.
“You seem not so disappointed to see your friend still draws breath.”
“She is suffering,” I said, hoping my lie would satisfy Tammy.
Elizabeth held a pencil in her hand and started to write.
“Stop,” Tammy said. “I will tell you what to write.”
Elizabeth licked her lips. “Of course, it is your spell.”
“We three on this new night do command the book to do our bidding.”
“So many words,” Elizabeth complained.
I watched Elizabeth carefully and saw that so far, she was writing down what Tammy said, word for word.
My body shook.
Tammy spun around with her arms out. “And we command that Mercy Lewis fall out of love with Thomas Parris.”
I held my breath as Elizabeth’s hand began to shake and I saw what she was actually writing.
We command that our coven shall be irreparably broken, the book destroyed, and that Tammy Younger shall be stripped of all her powers. Forever.
“Anything else?” Elizabeth asked, her voice close to breaking.
“Read it back to me,” Tammy said.
Elizabeth’s eyes widened, and I knew she was trying to remember all that Tammy had said. “We command that Thomas Parris fall in love with—I mean out of love with Mercy Lewis.”
Tammy peered into Elizabeth’s face. “Why do you quake so?”
“I remember how frightened I was when we first used the book. Do we have to bury it again, or just spill blood? I am anxious to get this done and over with.”
“We must write our names first and then drip the page with blood.”
Elizabeth nodded and hurriedly scribbled her name across the page. She handed me the pencil, and as I formed the letters, I realized our mistake.
Tammy’s name was already on the page, and even if she didn’t know her letters, she would see that it was her name and not Mercy Lewis’s that Elizabeth had written.
My own hand was still shaking, and Elizabeth’s eyes widened as she took Tammy’s hand and wrapped it around the pencil.
She looked at me and I could not be sure whose heart was thumping louder.
She hastily dragged Tammy’s hand across the page and then slammed the book shut, before Tammy could see her own name scrawled. “Now, for the blood. Give me the knife, I will go first,” Elizabeth chirped.
Tammy took the small knife out of her pocket but drew it back. “Since when are you so eager to draw blood?”
“Since I have embraced my wickedness!” she said unconvincingly.
Tammy stood and looked at Elizabeth and me. “What is going on?” Tammy demanded.
“We are casting a spell on Mercy Lewis,” replied Elizabeth, without meeting Tammy’s gaze.
Tammy snatched the book from Elizabeth and opened to the page. Her eyes rapidly moved down the page and then she growled, “What did you write, Elizabeth Prince?”<
br />
“I wrote just what you asked.”
“Liar! And you!” she said, turning on me. “You knew what she was doing! Did you really think I would not see my name written twice on the page?”
I held out my hands. “It is not what you think, Tammy. It is true we did not write the spell to turn Mercy from Thomas. We wrote the spell so Thomas would fall in love with you, as originally planned.”
Tammy’s shoulders softened. “Why? That is not how I want to be with him.”
Elizabeth shook. “We—we thought this was the only way to guarantee Thomas would be yours. There are other girls in town—proper girls.”
Tammy clenched her jaw. “There was a time when Thomas Parris loved that I was not a proper girl.”
I nodded. “Truly, we thought this was the only way to be sure that Thomas would be yours.”
“Yes!” Elizabeth nodded her head rapidly. “We were only thinking of you. We just want you to be happy.”
Elizabeth laid the book on the ground and touched a finger on Tammy’s name. “We shouldn’t have kept it from you.”
Tammy folded her arms across her chest. “No, you shouldn’t have, but perhaps you are right. I know Thomas did love me and I am sure he was just shaken after Mercy was bitten. Perhaps I drove him into her arms. Perhaps I was too impulsive.”
“Yes, you can be impulsive.” Elizabeth smiled weakly. “Let’s finish the spell.”
Tammy handed Elizabeth the knife.
Elizabeth grimaced.
“You did say you wanted to go first.”
Elizabeth took the knife and winced as she made a cut across her thumb. She then painstakingly squeezed three drops onto her name.
An icy wind sailed past us, bringing chills to my arms.
Tammy’s eyes darted around.
“The spell is working already,” I said hurriedly. I took the knife and sliced my thumb. As each drop of blood hit my name, the wind grew.
“This doesn’t seem right,” Tammy said.
“Just do it!” Elizabeth commanded. “Unless you are suddenly frightened of a little blood . . . or a little wind.”
Tammy snatched the knife from me and threw it into the darkness. “Something isn’t right. I will not put my blood on this page.”
Elizabeth stared at me. “Violet, please do something—or all is lost.”
Only the Stars Know Her Name Page 13