𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐊𝐢𝐝𝐬

Prologue

December 1st 1820, Middleton

~

She strode quietly through the forest, her cloak sliding over fallen leaves. She brought out a velvet sack, peeking inside to make sure the mushrooms and various rare items were still there. She would need them all for the ceremony by moonlight. Even though it had taken her months to collect all of materials, it was all worth it. After all, it wasn't everyday that a girl was chosen from a village to join the witch coven. Finally she could escape from the tedious life she had been born into. The war, the pain, the pure bloodshed, the innocent lives thrown away. . .

She had finally reached the place where the witches were said to stand. A circle infertile to breed any kind of tree. Darkness had fled once the moon hit the ground. She knew they watched her every move as she placed the sack of the rare things onto the ground. She looked about, her heart thumping against her chest while all her energy rushed to the tips of her fingers. They were watching her, only one chance to prove herself.

However, what she didn't know was that something else was watching her. Someone else was watching her. One of the most powerful, dangerous entities existing that was destroying their village. He had found her. . .

She hesitated, sensing his cataclysmic, lingering essence slowly inhance her lungs like a thick blanket.

Her mother was right with the tales she would tell her when she was a young girl after all. He truly did have visions like the eagles, hearing like a wolf, speed like a cheetah, and stealth like a mouse, but in reality, he was almost like some grimn reaper. Nobody had ever seen his face, which was obviosly what made it so hard to figure out his true identity. In fact, some even say he has no identity, because he is a dark shadow that lurks about in the darkest of places, waiting for his perfect moment to pounce. . .

She felt frozen, as she was in the mist of his powerful presence coming closer and closer to her by the second. She only had such an amount of time before possibly being swooped away by his ghostly cape, or having what was important to her snatched right out her arms in a flash. Overall, the point was, whatever that was going to happen, wasn't going to be good. At all.

She felt absolutely hopeless. She knew she was getting herself into something stupid. She knew she should have listened to her brain, but her heart was to heavy and full of gold for her to do so.

"What is your name?" He spoke, his deep, broad voice sent chills down her body, but she would rather attempt to believe it was the wind rather than it being him lingering closer to her.

"H-h-huh?" Was all that could slip out of her shrill but tender voice.

"I said-" He repeated, to the point where he was in the fairy circle and only a few inches away from her. "What is your name?"

She looked at her flower amulet that was always balanced neatly on her corset, before locking her sapphire eyes once again on his amber ones.

"Daisy. Daisy Boutell." She finally answered.

"Ah, what a fine name for a fine girl." He compliment but in a sly manner that made Daisy feel uncomfortable rather than appreciated. "Well, Daisy, I think you know it's obvious why I'm here. . ."

"Oh. . .it is?. . ."Daisy's voice started to wobble as he made his way closer to her.

"Yes. . .and I know you're just trying to play little miss innocent with me. . ." He become so close to her to the point that they were technically breathing in the same oxygen. "You snuck into my lair, thinking you were playing the hero and saving the day by stealing some very precious. . .possessions from me. . ."