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Chapter 35
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2024-11-05 01:58:38Related chapters
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 36
Days later….Watching the simple wooden coffin descend into the open grave, Faye rested her head against Eli’s chest, as a soft rain began to fall. Glancing across, she saw Mark open an umbrella to shelter Sybil, and Eli did the same for her.No one had claimed Deb’s body. After a long and tiresome search, it was discovered her mother had passed years ago and there was no other family to contact. Faye felt extremely grateful to Sybil, Mark and Eli. Within moments of learning this, they had decided to all chip in, along with her, to give Deb a dignified burial.‘Rest well, Deb,’ Faye whispered, as the service ended. ‘We will meet again, old friend.’The four of them were the only ones at the funeral, and it seemed almost surreal that a whole life had passed, with no family or friends to send her off. How lonely must she have been? How many days and nights had she hoped for it all to end, for someone to just be there for her?‘It was a beautiful service Faye,’ Mark said, as they were wa
Last Updated : 2024-11-05Shadows In The Fire Chapter 37
‘Faye, are you sure about this?’‘I am Sybil. You know I’ve never had much of an interest in the day to day running of the coffee shop. Even when I lived here before. You and Mark have been doing great running it and with you getting married soon, it makes sense that you guys start a new legacy. I need to find my own way, after this is over.’She wondered silently how much of her new life she was planning, would include Eli. He’d made it clear he was willing to raise the baby with her, but did she really have a right to expect so much from him?She’d hurt him and shattered his heart in the past, and he was willing to forgive her for all of it. And now, he was by her side, trying to figure out a way to stop Magnus and Mary. What if she was simply placing him in harm’s way?She loved him, she knew that she never stopped loving him, but did she deserve him? He had never been anything, but the perfect boyfriend, while she had been selfish to the core. She’d spent so much time keeping secr
Last Updated : 2024-11-07Shadows In The Fire Chapter 38
The Following Day…The silence in the library, was eerie and unsettling as Faye made herself comfortable at the desk, closest to the window, so she could see the storm clouds rolling in from the distance. She loved this weather. The rain always spoke to her soul and soothed her heart.She let out an almost indiscernible groan as she spread out the books she had in her arms. Kirkwood Library was well stocked, but sadly did not cater much to those interested in supernatural research. The books they had on the subject seemed sadly outdated and she silently wondered if this exercise would bear results.Eli, being the Head Librarian, was able to sniff out what they needed fast, and she was sure the seven books on the desk were about all he could find. Most of them dealt with hauntings and spirit possessions, but none it seemed, could tell her how to kill an evil spirit. Not just banish it, but kill it and send it hurtling to hell, where it belonged.The memories of her life as Clarissa wer
Last Updated : 2024-11-07Shadows In The Fire Chapter 39
As thunder rumbled overhead, Faye settled in the garden with a cup of tea and some scones. She had to continually remind herself that she was eating for two and should have regular meals. She smiled contentedly as she felt the baby move. The little tyke was ready for some lunch too.She mulled over the choice before her. Should she summon Esther and place her in harm's way? What if that was the only way to gain more information? She had no idea what Magnus and Mary's plan for Esther was and Mathilda had gone silent. She no longer appeared in her dreams and visions. Perhaps a sign that she moved on and was at peace? Unlikely, though, since her whole purpose was to see that Esther was taken care of. So where was she? It occurred to her that Mathilda too, might be frightened by what was to come. She had seen so many horrors in her life, it seemed the logical reason as to why she was staying in the shadows. Her own daughter despised her to the point of delivering her to a witchfinder and
Last Updated : 2024-11-07Shadows In The Fire Chapter 40
The back door was open, as Nolan silently made his way through the house. He knew Sybil and Mark would be at work, leaving Faye all alone at home. He would take her from here and bring her to Anna. He'd seen her sitting in the garden, so he knew he had some time to lay in wait for her.From there, they would take her to the woods, kill her and bury her. With all the rain of late, all evidence would be washed away and if they buried her deep enough, her body would never be found.He searched upstairs until he found the bedroom which belonged to her. He lifted her pillow to his face, inhaling her familiar scent. Dare he? Would he have enough time to make her his once more, before sending her off to eternity?He cast his lustful thoughts aside, as another deeply disturbing notion, clouded his mind. Had she shared her body, in this room and bed, with her lover? Should he beat the truth from her?He mentally cautioned himself. There wouldn't be time for any of that. They had to do what th
Last Updated : 2024-11-08Shadows In The Fire Chapter 41
Night was falling when Eli arrived at the Bennet home. He pulled up, ran up the walkway and opened the door before Sybil could even get to it. She looked frantic with worry. She'd come home and found Faye was gone, and her cell was on her bedroom floor.Eli rushed to hug her and when she was a bit calmer, she took him up to Faye's room. Her pillow was at the foot of the bed and Sybil had left her cell exactly where she found it, on the floor close to the door.'I tried calling her after she left the library. I thought she was probably getting some rest when she didn't answer. I know she’s been tired lately, with everything that’s going on.’Eli felt a chill run down his spine. Surely the dark spirits of Magnus and Mary had not gotten to her, she herself told him they were too weak still. By the look of sheer terror on Sybil's face, which surely matched his own, he could tell she was thinking the same thing.Sybil inhaled deeply, wrapping her arms around herself. 'I did too and when sh
Last Updated : 2024-11-08Shadows In The Fire Chapter 42
'Keep your eyes closed. They want to hurt you, Faye.'Her head was pounding, and she felt disorientated, but through it all, Mathilda's voice came through loud and clear in her mind. Who wanted to hurt her? The bindings on her hands and feet were chafing into her skin and the gag in her mouth, made her feel like retching.'You can speak to me Faye. We can communicate this way.'Faye tried to clear her mind of the fog blocking her senses. She remembered being in the garden when it started to rain and then she went upstairs. Someone grabbed her from behind, held something to her face.'Who took me, Mathilda? Is it Magnus and your daughter?'Somehow, she could feel Mathilda's presence. It gave her a slight semblance of comfort to know she wasn't alone, wherever she was. She could hear no outside sounds, except the rain.'No Faye, listen to their voices.'Faye tried to calm herself as much as possible and strained her ears. If not Magnus and Mary, then who?'The moment she wakes up, I'm p
Last Updated : 2024-11-08Shadows In The Fire Chapter 43
It took her a while to accept she was home safe. After witnessing the horror of Anna and Nolan’s murder-suicide, Faye was sure she was on the edge of losing her mind. She’d struggled, until she was free and Mathilda had led her to the road. 'I couldn't grasp what was happening…. I thought they would come for me, but they just walked off into the woods. I crawled out the driver's side and made my way to the road, with Mathilda's help. That's when Eli and Mark found me. I was so scared Sybil… I can still smell their blood. The entire time, I was thinking about my baby and how close we both came to dying.’ Faye's voice broke as she recalled how Nolan and Anna died. Even if she did despise them, their deaths were not something she found pleasure in. Nolan was someone she once loved, before all the abusive madness. Surely there had been some good in him once. Sybil shifted closer to her on the sofa and wrapped her shawl tighter around her shoulders. Her cup of chamomile tea, stood s
Last Updated : 2024-11-08
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Shadows In The Fire Chapter 57
‘My darling boy, I have missed you every moment of every day, since I’ve left this world. Yes, Eli, it’s me.’Eli let go of Faye’s hand and made sure she was still comfortable, before slowly rising to face the woman before him.Nancy Evans, his mother, who died 9 years ago.Rationally, it occurred to him it was impossible for her to be standing in front of him. He’d been the one to find her, that horrible night, when she’d drowned in the tub, when the pain from her cancer had become unbearable and ultimately ended her life.He remembered pulling her up from the water where she was submerged. Her eyes were open and she was slowly turning blue. Even as he administered CPR, he knew she was gone. She was limp in his arms and he gently laid her out on the floor, her emaciated form bearing almost no weight. He’d wrapped her in a towel, before breaking down in absolute defeat and agony, his tears scorching his cheeks.When he was done, when he could finally find a semblance of composure, he’
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 56
She was acutely aware of everything around her.As Whisper raced through the woods, kicking up mud with her powerful legs, Faye felt as if it was her, as if she were the one running at breakneck speed. Whisper barely stopped to breathe, hurtling over logs and puddles, not once missing a beat. Her power was primal and it surged through Faye, in a current of strength and instinct. ‘I sense your awe,’ Whisper said whimsically. ‘We have done this before, young witch. Clarissa was the only one ever brave enough to merge with me. That is why it feels so natural to you.She did it purely for pleasure though. She wanted to know what it felt like.’Faye was surprised. It seemed Clarissa was quite the adventurer in her day. Was that why she always wanted more from life? Why she packed up and moved to London? Was a part of Clarissa always awake within her? It would explain so much, if indeed that was the case.Seeing through Whisper’s eyes, Faye recognized the area they were in. They were close
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 55
‘Do not be afraid, Faye,’ Mathilda said gently, as Faye leaned back into her pillows. ‘This will bring no harm to you or your baby.’Faye inhaled deeply and protectively placed her hands over her abdomen. Even with all the assurance from Mathilda and Whisper, a part of her still felt nervous for what was to happen. It seemed unreal that she was about to eject her soul from her body, to track down Magnus and Mary. Next to her, Whisper lay outstretched, appearing as if in a deep slumber.‘I can’t help it Mathilda. This was something Clarissa used to do, and those memories haven’t come to me yet. I could fail and place all of us in even greater danger. Even Esther. How can I protect her, if I’m dead?’‘You carry the weight of a great burden, young witch, but your salvation and the survival of your family, lies in you freeing yourself from fear. We can all only help you to a certain point, and from there you must shoulder this alone. The path of a witch, is not an easy one.’‘Nor one I as
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 54
The mood around the breakfast table, was pensive and quiet, after Faye broke the news of her and Whisper becoming one, to Sybil and Mark. It was clear both of them were upset by it and Faye couldn’t blame them for being worried. The looks on their faces when she told them, was a mixture of shock and disbelief, sprinkled with a healthy dose of 'what the fuck.'When Whisper first told her, she too had her concerns, but as she warmed up to the idea, she realized it would be safe to do. Her physical body, and her baby’s would be safe in her own bed, while her spirit would merge with Whisper, to hunt down Magnus and Mary. Mathilda would be there to guide the process and she knew she and her baby were in good hands.It was Sybil who eventually broke the uncomfortable silence. She took a sip of tea and cleared her throat, making sure she had everyone's attention.‘I know it makes sense to you, Faye, but I’m honestly scared to death about this. Look at the four of us, holed up in or own home,
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 53
Faye opened her eyes and felt Eli’s arms around her. She turned to face him, finding him smiling boyishly, as he took in her naked form. Their night of passion had lasted until the early hours of the morning and she lost count of how many times Eli had taken her. It was almost as if he wanted to make up, for all the years they’d spent apart, and she was glad he did.Her body had never felt so satiated, and loved at the same time. He had taken her to new heights of pleasure, with every achingly gentle thrust of his body.‘No regrets?’ Eli asked, tucking her hair behind her ears. ‘I have none. Last night confirmed our love, and our future.'Faye gently ran her fingers along his chest and gently pinched his nipple. God, his body was so hard and strong...‘None whatsoever, Mr Evans. Thanks for reminding me what I missed out on, more than once.’The memory of her body, reacting with Eli firmly inside her, quickened her pulse once more. She’d forgotten what an amazing lover he was, or how b
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 52
The English Coast, 1794‘She has left us,’ Mathilda whispered, into the cold silence of the darkness. ‘And soon, my Esther, will too. Tell me Bess, for what was it all? The suffering, the pain and the immeasurable heartbreak?'Bess pulled her closer and Mathilda took a measure of comfort in her friend’s closeness. Watching Clarissa leave had been difficult, but knowing she had to say goodbye to Esther too, was tearing at her very soul. The Goddess had decreed Esther would sleep, until such time she was needed. There would be no rebirth for her, just yet.‘The difference, though,’ Bess interjected, ‘is that Esther will sleep until she is ready. Our sister, must begin again, without a moment of respite.’‘As will you, dear friend. I will be alone to keep watch, until the time comes.’‘The Goddess knows best, Mathilda. If I must go down the path of rebirth, I shall not question it.’Mathilda led Bess away from the gruesome sight of Clarissa’s remains, down the path towards the beach wher
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 51
The English Coast, 1794The village square was shrouded in darkness, and all the excitement had passed, when Mathilda and Bess found Clarissa, close to the stake where her life had been taken. The smell of burning human flesh, still permeated the air, and some of the dogs from the village, were cautiously circling the still smoldering pyre.She was huddled close to her body, rocking back and forth, with tears streaming down her face. She had burned. Her mortal life was over and all that remained of it, was the heap of crisp flesh and bone, discarded where she died. Magnus had instructed the guards to leave her where she was, only to be removed in the morning. He wanted her remains to serve as a grim reminder to anyone who indulged in witchcraft, what the ultimate punishment would be.Clarissa looked up at Mathilda and Bess. It felt as if her heart was breaking inside her as she remembered the pain, as the flames lapped and feasted upon her. She could not forget how it felt, as the sm
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 50
The English Coast, 1794The day Clarissa died …‘I imagined you would show more fear in my presence, but it appears you are much stronger than what I originally anticipated. The other witches have taught you well.’Clarissa spat at Magnus, through the iron bars of her cell. A laugh of victory escaped her, as she watched him tend to Mary, who was still a trembling wreck on the floor, after she enacted the curse upon him.She felt no fear whatsoever. If anything, she pitied them both. He thought he would feast on witches for all eternity, but the ancient curse she cast upon him, with the help of all her sister and brother witches who died at his claw, would ensure that in one of her future lives, she would destroy him for good.‘How pathetic you are,’ she proudly retorted. ‘The light of my kind, all but turned you and your devil wench, into rats, scurrying at dawn. Tell me demon, do you expect me to cower?’Magnus growled savagely, reaching for her through the bars, but she was too quic
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 49
The storm that erupted a few hours later, was strong enough to knock out the power again. This time, it lasted longer than during the night and just added to the tensions in the Bennet home.After August’s earlier display, everyone was on edge and completely focused on security around the house. The dog refused to go out again and made himself comfortable next to Whisper, on the couch by the window in the living room, while the rain came down unabated. Night would fall soon and with the power out, one question remained unanswered amongst them. Would the darkness give Magnus and Mary the incentive they needed, to attack?Eli and Mark checked the doors and windows at regular intervals, and none of them were without their stun gun. It had a clip, and easily hooked onto the belt loops of their denims. Having it with her, helped Sybil , in particular, to feel a bit more relaxed. ‘If they come, we fight,’ Eli said, as they gathered in the kitchen for sandwiches and ice tea. ‘We don’t back
