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Chapter 7
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Shadows In The Fire Chapter 8
The English Coast,1794 ‘Tobias, I beg you, ’Mathilda implored, ’stay here with me and the children. . . . do not go to watch Bess burn.’ Anger flashed in his eyes at the mention of Bess and he pulled Mary closer to him as if trying to protect her from her own mother. ‘The sacred blood of Christ compels us to bear witness to the destruction of evil, ’he said hoarsely. ’I do not understand you Mathilda. I fear for you.’‘Do not fear for me, but for yourself and our daughter, ’Mathilda replied, close to tears. ’Mary has been seduced by Magnus and his teachings which are so very wrong.’‘Sacrilege and blasphemy! ’Mary spat. ’Father, I fear she has been tainted by evil, by Bess.’ ‘Mathilda, ’Tobias said, his tone firm and cold. ’Until such time as you repent, you are never to leave this house again. ’ . ….………‘You’re playing with me, right? ’Faye, said as the bus slowed down due to the rain coming down more intensely. Deb just to
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 9
The rain was coming down in torrents, forcing the bus to pull over to the side of the road. Faye was annoyed. It was such a tedious and long journey to Kirkwood and now they could be delayed by a few more hours. She consoled herself with the fact that the trip wasn’t a total loss, barring their unscheduled stop. She mulled over everything Deb had told her as the other woman took a nap. Faye toyed with the idea, the completely absurd idea, of sneaking the file out of Deb’s backpack, but she didn’t want to risk losing her trust if she were to suddenly wake up and find her going through her things. She was sure that file contained much more information about the witch hunts, information which could lead to an explanation for all the dreams and visions she had had for as long as she could remember. The only person who had ever shown sympathy and some understanding was Sybil and mostly because she was a fan of anything that hinted at the supernatural. She had once even tried to get Fa
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 10
The sun was shining through the remnants of the storm clouds, when Faye came down for breakfast, after spending her first night back in her childhood home.It gave her a sense of peace to some measure, being back in the place where she had spent the happiest days of her life. It surprised her that Sybil kept her room exactly as she had left it. It felt almost as if she had never packed up to move away in the first place. It was wonderful seeing Sybil and Mark again. They had never really gotten along with Nolan, so visits during her marriage had been few and far between. Most of the time they had kept in touch by phone and e-mail, so seeing each other was quite an experience. She still hadn’t summoned the courage to tell Sybil about the baby. She wasn’t ready to share that bit of info just yet. All that concerned her now was finding out as much as she could about the witch hunts and how that had any relevance to her dreams and visions, if any at all. Deb had booked into th
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 11
‘The doctors say its something called early onset dementia, ’Eli said softly. ’He forgets a lot and he doesn’t speak much anymore. Sometimes he cries and sometimes he just bursts into laughter and some days he doesn’t even remember me.’Faye and Deb passed a look between them and then focused their attention on the man sitting in the wheelchair in the garden at the back of the house. He had a newspaper on his lap, but all he did was stare into the distance. It seemed as if he didn’t even blink. Faye could hardly believe this was the same man who had shared so many dinners at their house while she was growing up. He had been so full of life. His dark hair was almost completely grey and the lines on his face made him seem years older than what he was. ‘I’m so sorry, Eli, ’Faye said. ’I had no idea. How long has he been like this? ’ ‘About a year now. Its gotten progressively worse, especially after my mother passed on.’‘Its tragic, ’Deb said. ’Does he remember muc
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 12
Faye hated to see his handsome face composed in such bitterness, as she wiped at her tears with the back of her hand. Eli showed no sympathy, just utter contempt for her and the way she had treated him. I deserve this, she thought to herself, all of it. In the seven years since she had left Kirkwood, she had not once contacted him, thinking it would be for the best if he could just forget her and move on with his life. Obviously her strategy had been dead wrong. He looked every bit as miserable as he probably had, when he had read her letter all those years ago. ‘Why was it so easy for you to forget me, Faye? ’he asked, ’when I spent days and nights thinking only of you?’‘I convinced myself you would be okay, ’she answered honestly, ’I thought in time you would forget me and find someone else. Did you? Find someone else? ’ Eli could barely look at her. He turned his face away, his mouth set in a thin line of anger and hurt. ‘I dated, ’he answered, ’it just wa
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 13
The English Coast,1794 Mathilda paced anxiously up and down the cold floor. The others were late, and the sleeping herb she had mixed into the soup would soon wear off and Tobias would wake up. He was a light sleeper and since he had forbidden her to leave the house, this was the only way for her to meet the others. Right now he was sleeping soundly, along with Mary and Esther and none of them should know what she was planning. She opened the door. The night was pitch dark and already it was drizzling. She loved the smell of the rain mixed with that of the ocean. It always calmed her senses and brought her closer to nature. She could barely see anything in the dark for a few minutes and then she saw the glow of an advancing lantern. Finally, they were coming. They would have to be quick in getting to the church, the only place they could meet in secret.She closed the door and pulled her cloak tighter around her as the advancing figure reached her, out of breath
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 14
‘Is he still in the garden? ’Faye asked, as they walked into Eli’s house. The entire way there, they had barely spoken a word to each other. It was the most uncomfortable ride of her life. There was a time when even their silences had been filled with unspoken words. Now, all there was, was regret and misery. ‘I left him in the kitchen when I went to your place, ’Eli said. ’When he’s like this, he likes to sit there and do crosswords in the newspapers.’‘Like the old days, ’she added. For the first time she saw Eli break out in a genuine smile, although it was tinged by sadness. ’Yes, like the old days. The only time I have a glimmer of the man my dad once was.’Pastor Evans’ face lit up when he saw her. He dropped the pencil he was holding and reached out with both arms towards her. ‘Faye, how lovely to see you, my dear, ’he said. ‘ It’s been too long. Let me look at you.’His embrace was warm and tender, bringing a fresh wave of sadness to her heart. It was so d
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 15
‘Where am I? ’Faye asked. At the sound of her voice, candles flared into life and she saw she was in a church, standing at the altar. Not any church, but the one which had burnt down so long ago. She was wearing her wedding dress and when she reached up to touch her hair, it was styled as it was the day she married Nolan, pulled back in a simple, tight bun. ‘This church has seen much through the years.’Faye spun around. The woman who had spoken to her was tall, with beautiful emerald eyes. She came closer to her and Faye wondered why she was not recoiling from this stranger. She felt so familiar, as if she knew her. ‘I am Mathilda, ’she said, reaching up to caress Faye’s cheek. ’You have never seen me as this before.’‘Never. . . . ’Faye replied, ’always you are burnt in my dreams. Why am I seeing you like this now?’ ‘Because your life almost ended, ’Mathilda said. ’If it had, I would be here to meet you for your journey into the next world.’ ‘Almost? ’Faye a
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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
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 48
Whisper positioned herself comfortably, in the centre of the kitchen counter, as her spellbound audience of four, circled her with curiosity and a good measure of trepidation, amongst three of them.‘The cat you’ve been feeding…talks?’Faye couldn’t help but be amused at Eli’s incredulous tone. Granted, it wasn’t the easiest thing she ever had to tell him. After her conversation with Whisper, she’d left the garage in a state of pure wonder and shock, as what happened, finally had a moment to settle in her mind .‘Yes,’ Faye answered. ‘She talks and she’s a magical creature, known as a familiar. She guides and protects witches. She has lived for thousands of years, moving all over the world, to fulfill her duty in the grand design. She was there, in 1794, living with Mathilda's coven.'Eli and Mark, who’s jaw was practically on the floor, glanced at each other, both unable to believe what they were hearing.'And here I thought our news of getting the stun guns was huge,' Mark drily not
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 47
The English Coast, 1794Clarissa hurried inside her cottage, as the excited jeers from the crowd, watching Bess burn, reached her ears. She closed the door behind her, latching it shut and sank down to the floor, allowing her tears to run free. It felt as if her heart was being crushed within her. Slowly, piece by piece. Another sister had been lost.Bess had burned. Magnus had wilfully taken her life and there were people in their village, who supported him and cheered him on, as he lit the kindling, to take her life.What sway did he have? How did he manipulate the weak and desperate, to the point where they could watch their friends and family die at his hand? All while cheering him on and believing he was doing God’s work.She had not the strength to get up and crawled to her little bed. She pulled the blanket up to her chin as the heartbreak inside her, threatened to consume her very being. How many more had to die in the flames before they found a way to stop this demon? Every t
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 46
There was a chill in the air, as Eli and Mark made their way across the parking lot, to Eli’s pick up. They’d gotten a few supplies. Mostly food for themselves, August, and Whisper, as well as the most important items they had come for, stun guns.Being able to protect themselves was high on their list of priorities. They still didn’t know when the next attack would come, and when it did, they wanted to be ready. Luckily, the house was relatively safe, so that was one less thing to worry about.‘You okay?’ Mark asked. ‘You’ve been a bit quiet since we left the house.’Eli inhaled deeply, savoring the cold air before answering.‘I’ve just had a lot on my mind. Losing my dad, reconnecting with Faye and now this whole business with Magnus and Mary. It’s just making me question a lot of things.’‘Are you worried about Faye? I think she can handle it, and we’re all with her in this.’Eli smiled, but it did not reach his eyes. Truth be told, the last while he felt as if Faye were slipping a
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 45
The following morning, the rain somewhat subsided, but the threat of more, was evident in the dark clouds forming on the horizon. Eli and Mark were heading into town, but first, they made sure the house was completely secure. They double checked all the doors and windows, leaving strict instructions for Faye and Sybil, to not leave the safety of the house and to always stay together.The previous night, Eli had fetched August as well, but for some reason, he refused to go inside. He stayed on the porch the entire night, and occasionally growled at something, none of them could see. This obviously just made all of them feel more on edge. Animals were in tune with the supernatural, so clearly August was aware of something they were not. The only time he calmed down, was when Eli gave him some food and water and left a blanket for him, under the swing seat.‘Please, don’t open the doors for anyone, even if they sound like they’re dying out there. I doubt August will let anyone through th
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 44
They’d found an abandoned old cabin in the woods, falling apart but it provided some measure of shelter. They withstood the cold, knowing it would help slow down the decomposition of Nolan and Anna’s bodies. They knew they had to conserve their strength. The bodies were weak, and just agile enough to get them around. Mary stared at the hands which now belonged to her, lined, with age and lacking youthful vigor. It would take time to get accustomed to it. Precious time, which they did not have. The bodies would decay soon, and they had to strike before that happened. The longer they stayed within these vessels, the more vulnerable they would become. The strength they had fed on, with the deaths of Pastor Evans and Deb, would not sustain them for a substantial amount of time. It had taken a lot to end their lives, more than what they had expected. She glanced at Magnus, who stood by the remains of the window, savoring the icy chill from outside. ‘How much time do we have?’ His
Shadows 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 steaming
Shadows 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
