The Witches of BlackBrook Read online

  “It does. I can see how being a witch here must be hard. Lillian has done a good job at commercializing her store to make it attractive to tourists, but in reality, the need to hide still falls heavy over this land.” Trin’s eyes started to glaze over.

  IPSWICH, MASSACHUSETTS

  1693

  “It’s your turn, I delivered the last batch,” Kenna moaned.

  “Be still, Kenna, I’ll do it. You don’t have to whine like the dog,” Kara snapped.

  The girls finished placing the last of the glass jars full of herbal creams and healing salves into the waiting baskets. Mrs. Bishop was expecting her delivery tonight, and the girls never passed up an opportunity to use their gifts to help those in need, and it didn’t hurt that they’d make a few shillings in the process. Kara took hold of the designated set and started out the door.

  “Just a moment, let me put on the finishing touches,” Karina’s soft voice drifted out the door.

  Stepping into the evening breeze, Karina placed her hands above the wicker basket and muttered softly. “Blessings within, blessings without, created with love by servants devout. Bringing light to ease one’s plight, that is the goal of our gift tonight.”

  A golden glow illuminated the jars as the wind picked up, blowing the girls’ auburn hair towards the night sky. Kenna laughed and Kara smiled at her big sister. “That was lovely, Karina.”

  “Thank you. Now be on your way. We don’t want to keep Sarah waiting.”

  Kara set off, while Kenna helped Karina replace the stocks of lavender, orris root, and camellia back upon the shelves of their small workspace in the back room. Tidying and arranging the herbs and oils for next week’s batch of tinctures and charms always brought a sense of peace to Karina, one that seemed to settle over the entire house.

  Inhaling deeply, Karina smiled at her sister as she moved to take the boiling kettle of cinnamon, cloves, and oranges off the fire, to prepare for this evening’s meal. Kara chopped carrots, potatoes, and cabbage for the pottage, while Karina saw to the bread.

  As she placed the boiling pot above the fire, a knock on the door set their hound alight, startling them both.

  Kenna grabbed the mutt and hid in the backroom, while Karina wiped her hands on her apron and crossed to the door. As she reached for the handle, a loud crack of a boot blasted the wood from its hinges.

  “Witch! We’ve seen your magic with our own eyes. You are now officially accused and claimed in the name of God for your assault on all that is natural in this world,” bellowed the loud voice of Thomas Danforth. Four men rushed inside, grabbing Karina by the arms and legs, while two others looked for anyone else in the house. Karina shook her head at Kenna, who remained hidden from view as a result of her quick spell. “Hold her down,” instructed Danforth.

  Karina screamed and convulsed under their hands, stilling only when they ripped her dress open, exposing her back. They were looking for the ‘devil’s mark’ no doubt, and she knew they would most likely deem her birthmark the tell-tale sign of guilt. But, regardless of where they pulled their truth from, they were in fact accurate in their judgment. Karina was a witch, and deep within her bones she knew the whole town would know it before this night was over.

  “Trin? Are you ready to order?” Caris asked from across the table.

  “I’m so sorry, yes, please.” Trin took the menu and quickly placed her order for a small bowl of clam chowder and a mini meal of the Clam Box’s famous fried native clams. “I think the long drive is finally catching up to me,” Trin confessed as she smiled at Caris.

  Caris made her selections with the waitress, handing back their menus and offered Trin an understanding smile. “I was thinking the same thing. Do you want to get a room instead of driving back tonight, or do you have appointments tomorrow you need to return for?”

  “No. I cleared my schedule until Wednesday, so I’m free, but what about you. Doesn’t school resume tomorrow?”

  “Yes, but I keep a sub-folder in my desk in case of emergencies. If I call in before four, they’ll be able to assign a substitute with no problem.”

  Trin pondered the thought. Would it be wise to remain here after what Lillian had told her? If she was practical, she’d race home to coordinate with Kit to substantiate Lillian’s story. But, Kit was still out of town and if Trin was being honest with herself, she didn’t want to hear how ridiculous Kit thought Lillian’s claim was or have to deal with her jealousy about the time she spent with Caris.

  “Actually, I’d love to stay another night,” Trin announced.

  “Great! If you’ll excuse me for a moment, I’ll go make the call.”

  Trin watched Caris walk out the front door of the restaurant, then picked up her own phone.

  Trin: How’s the show going?

  Kit: Good. How are things there?

  Trin: Fine. Really need to talk when you get back, though.

  Kit: I’m all yours come Friday. :) <3

  Caris returned to the table as Trin returned her phone to her purse. “All set.” Caris smiled.

  “Do you have a specific place you prefer to stay when you’re here, or do we need to hunt down the nearest Motel 8?” Trin laughed.

  “I thought we’d stay at The Inn at Castle Hill.”

  Trin fell back against her chair, lost again in another memory. Daniel Epps had owned Castle Hill during Karina’s youth and had allowed many a pagan celebrations to take place upon his grand lawn in front of the lavish country estate, the last being Beltane, where she and Jeremiah danced around the maypole.

  Trin blinked to find Caris staring at her with genuine curiosity written all over her face.

  “That would be lovely,” Trin agreed, giddy as a schoolgirl.

  “Excellent. I’m glad you’re excited. The Inn is one of my favorite places on earth.”

  Mine too, thought Trin. Mine too.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Wood splintered against the cave wall. “Damn that witch!” He grabbed his cauldron and threw all the shards of wood and glass into it that had gathered as a result of his anger. “I will not be thwarted.” Mixing the potion had required three days, but now as the liquid boiled black, he was ready to cast his most powerful spell yet. “Dark as night, blinded be, seeping into each of thee. Cut their tie, bind their will, sacrifice the one that’s nil.” Black smoke filled the cave, churning and twisting into something very much alive. His maniacal laughter echoed off the stone as the caustic tendrils drifted into the night sky.

  Caris and Trin finished their meal then traveled the eleven minutes down High Street to Argilla Rd, climbing the beautiful hill to reach the Crane Estate. The Castle itself, now a Tudor Revival, boasted twenty-one outbuildings, one of which served as the Inn.

  Trin gazed out the car window, awestruck by the opulence that surrounded her. The mansion and landscape had changed so much since her last true visit, and she couldn’t wait to explore the infamous Rose and Italian Gardens with their fountains, statues, and columns, even under the winter chill.

  “Oh, Caris. This is so beautiful. I wish we had more time to spend here.”

  “We can always come back, you know,” Caris offered.

  Trin looked at her friend, “You’re right of course, and next time we’ll bring Jason and Kit. It would be so much fun exploring together.”

  “Let’s get checked in, then we can light a fire and order some late tea.”

  “That sounds perfect,” Trin beamed. Being back on her native soil was doing wonders for her mood. She couldn’t wait to return when it was warmer and sink her feet back into the sand upon which she played as a child. The now public beaches were private back then, but that didn’t stop a few determined children. Trin chuckled internally at the thought of she, Kara, and Kenna splashing in the waves as they each made a wish upon a seashell, spelling them to glow as they skipped over the water’s surface.

  Check-in was quick and easy and their room was quaint and comfortable. “I can’t believe what a joy this little da
y trip has turned out to be.” Trin turned towards Caris. “Thank you, again, for bringing me here.”

  “It’s always heartwarming to come home,” Caris winked with a gleam in her eye.

  Trin’s curiosity at the innuendo was on the rise when Caris’s cell phone rang from within her pocket.

  “Hey, cuz. What’s up?” Caris asked.

  “What? Oh my god, Jason, are you all right?”

  Trin sat on the bed, waiting for the news as Caris paced the room.

  “Where were you when it attacked?” Caris demanded, her voice rising and full of panic.

  Attacked? Oh no. This did not sound good. Trin’s first thought was an accident relating to his job as a police officer, but something in her gut told her that was not the case. This was magical and Trin could feel it in her bones.

  Darkness speckled her vision, and the room began to spin as Trin fell backwards onto the bed. Her eyelids fluttering as images overtook her.

  Jason was walking back to the house from the shed, when he was suddenly surrounded by a thick, black fog. Fingers coalesced from the mist then closed around his throat. He dropped to his knees, fighting to stay coherent as the life was being choked from his body. Dropping a hand to the ground, he spotted a jagged piece of tourmaline. Digging through the snow with his bare fingers he retrieved the shard and impaled the “hand” that was crushing his windpipe.

  Trin snapped to when Caris cried out. “We’re coming home right now. Stay in the house and we’ll be there as soon as we can.”

  Trin only nodded when Caris finally looked at her.

  Luckily, they were able to explain the emergency to the innkeeper and didn’t have to pay for the brief visit. They were out the door and on the road within minutes.

  “I’m so sorry, Trin.”

  “Don’t you dare apologize. Jason thought something was after him at the pond, and now, with this...we need to get back.”

  Caris drove in silence while Trin spent the next few hours lost in her own head. She was worried about Jason, of course, but suddenly she began to question why she felt invested in something that was happening with people she had only just met? She supposed it could be chalked up to the connection they felt through their magical energy, but Trin now wondered if she wouldn’t be better off distancing herself from the entire situation. Demons, magical curses, and phantom attacks weren’t something she needed to add to her plate.

  Four hours later, resolved, Trin backpedaled and asked Caris to drop her off at her house first, making the excuse of wanting to give the two of them their privacy. Waving goodbye, she unlocked the door and exhaled a sigh of relief when she was safely within the confines of her own home.

  Casting a finger at the fireplace, Trin moved to make herself a much needed drink. No tea tonight, whiskey was called for and very much appreciated once it flowed down her throat and warmed her belly. She slipped into a deep meditation, grounding and re-centering herself while she waited for Kit’s return.

  “Tell me everything,” Caris snapped.

  Jason sat on the couch, staring into the fire with a drink in his hand. “I’d just finished another seeking spell and was returning to the house when a thick, black fog crept out from the edge of the woods.” Jason shivered. “I could feel something evil writhing within it. By the time I’d cast my protection outward, it had me surrounded.”

  “If it was fog, why couldn’t you simply brush past it and run into the house?”

  Jason gave Caris an exasperated look. “Don’t you think I would have done that if I could? Didn’t you hear me say it was laced with evil? The damn thing turned solid and grabbed me around the throat.”

  “Oh my god. Like, the whole thing was solid, like a person?”

  “No, it was like part of the mist became a hand.”

  Caris pulled her knees to her chest and hugged herself tight. “What did you do?”

  “I was gasping for breath and fell to my knees. Luckily, I saw a piece of the tourmaline we’d used in our protection spell lying on the ground, so I grabbed it and stabbed it into the hand. A strange wailing sound filled the air, then the whole damn thing just disappeared.”

  “My god.”

  Jason nodded. “You were right...I think this means we’re finally close.”

  “God, I hope so.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  IPSWICH, MASSACHUSETTS

  1693

  Karina began to kick and scream again, trying to fight her way free from the hands that gripped her. “Here! The devil’s mark.” Danforth spat. Without further ado, the small crowd of men loaded her onto a wagon, securing her hands and feet roughly with ropes.

  Karina met Kenna’s eyes from behind her cloaked position and shook her head. “Do nothing, little one. I will take care of this,” Karina whispered into her mind as the wagon jerked. Karina closed her eyes as she cast the same warning to the absent Kara, “Do nothing. I will be fine.”

  Her insides were jostled and jumbled by the bumps in the road, so much so, that Karina found comfort in being removed from the wagon and thrown into jail where she would await her “trial.” She knew there was no escaping after Deputy Governor Danforth himself had witnessed her magic. She assumed he was hiding in the bushes when she blessed the contents of Mrs. Bishop’s basket, probably tipped off by the young Mrs. Putnam, whom she’d recently helped.

  Karina shook her head. Assumptions weren’t going to help her, nor would anger or blame. She needed to figure out what to do and when would be the most prudent time to act.

  Rats scampered over Karina’s feet as she tried to sleep on the cold stone floor, dragging pieces of water-soaked bread through the bars and back to their babies. She couldn’t fault them for taking care of their families, and after a night of contemplation, she’d be doing the same. She wouldn’t use her magic to break free or to alter the weak-minded prosecutor’s thoughts, no, she couldn’t risk the fall-out, knowing her sister’s would be the next pair on the pyre or hung from the nearest tree. She would stand at the stake and brave their justice, proud and free.

  The metal door creaked open and in walked Jeremiah. This she had not counted on and it weakened her resolve. “Why did you come?”

  “How could I not? I love you, Karina. So be it if I get caught using my magic to reach you. If you’re going to burn, I’ll burn with you.” Jeremiah enveloped her in his arms, holding her close as she sobbed into his chest. “We’ll figure a way out of this, I promise,” he swore.

  “No, we won’t. Nothing I do will keep me from the stake. I’ve accepted it and so should you.’

  “I can’t let them hurt you.” Jeremiah kissed her hair, pulling her tight.

  “You don’t have a choice. But what I do need is your promise. Swear to me that you’ll always look after my sisters. Protect them when I’m gone.”

  “I swear it.”

  Karina placed a soft kiss on Jeremiah’s lips and pulled herself together. “They’ll be here soon, you must go.”

  Jeremiah kissed his beloved again, looking back one last time as the metal door clanked shut just before he disappeared.

  Ripped from the memory, Trin folded the sheets and placed the hot stones back in their basin as her timer beeped. “That concludes our session, Ms. Thompson, I’ll meet you outside with some water when you’re ready.”

  Trin escorted her last client of the day out of the Wellness Center then quickly tidied her room, anxious to get home. Kit confirmed that she should be there no later than three o’clock and it was nearly two-thirty now. Trin had several practiced conversations already laid out in her head, hopeful that Kit’s reaction would be one of urgency. If there was a time they needed their full magic returned, it was now.

  Caris had reported that Jason was recuperating just fine, and that they were setting more protections in place. She asked if Trin would like to join them in their castings, but fortunately she had to work and was able to kindly decline. The idea of working magic with anyone but Kit wasn’t sitting right with her. May
be it was Lillian’s wild tale, or the fact that all her readings indicated there were influences present that couldn’t be trusted, but until Trin had a clearer understanding of what they were facing, she would follow her gut and hunker down at home.

  Kit had the fire lit and two glasses of wine poured when Trin walked through the door. “Welcome home!” Kit joyously announced. “We’re celebrating.”

  Trin laughed and picked up her glass from the table. “Celebrating what?”

  “I sold three paintings this week. It was a huge commission.”

  “Congratulations, Kit! I’m so proud of you.”

  “Thanks. Now come sit and tell me what I missed.”

  Trin set her glass on the coffee table, removed her coat and shoes, then snuggled into her favorite oversized chair. Ten minutes later, Trin had relayed all that transpired on her visit to Ipswich.

  “That’s quite a story.” Kit sipped her wine.

  “I know, right? I couldn’t do any soul searching while Caris was there, so I couldn’t verify if Lillian was truly from our time or not, but have you ever heard of anything like this during our other lives?”

  “No. This is definitely a first.” The look on Kit’s face confirmed the news upset her as much as it had Trin.

  “Do you think we should take a trip to Ipswich together and see what we can find out?”

  “Possibly, but not yet. Let’s just continue to look for Kara, because whatever evil or demon that’s being cited, won’t stand a chance against the three of us once we’re reunited.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.” Trin raised her glass then downed the rest of her wine.

  “I’m beat from my trip, so how about we start in the morning?” Kit suggested.