The Five Cursed Witches: Volume 3 - Morana, the Witch of Life

Sneak peek: Volume 4 - Mirai, the Witch of Sight: Chapter 7

"You two! Out," the Priestess broke the silence that had echoed. My hold on Redmond tightened. He let out a low snarl.

"No," Richmond said, and his body heat left mine. Immediately the coldness ten folded and my body started shaking again. I burrowed my head more into Redmond's chest as his hold on me tightened.

"No?" the Priestess repeated. There was poison in her voice.

"We're not leaving her. You already almost killed her. We're staying to make sure you don't."

The sound of a slap came, and I moved around a bit to look over my shoulder. Richmond's body blocked my view of the Priestess. His head was slightly bent, though he quickly straightened it again.

"How dare you speak to me in that way! Who do you think you are! The only use you have is following orders. If you can't do that, I'll just dispose of you," the Priestess said in a low voice.

"It's okay," I said. I tried to say it in a clear and loud voice, but it didn't come out as more than a whisper. I knew I anyway had everyone's attention. That all had heard me. "I'll be fine. I promise."

"We'll not leave you," Redmond told me, and his already tight hold became even tighter. To the point of starting to hurt.

"It really is alright," I went on because I knew perfectly well that the Priestess' threat wasn't a mere threat. She wouldn't have any qualms about killing both of them. "Go and get the cake. We didn't end up eating it. We'll eat it in the evening instead."

I felt myself being completely turned, and I came face to face with Richmond. His eyes looked right into mine. There was a glassiness to his. I had never seen him or Redmond cry, and briefly I wondered if today would be the day that would change.

"We're not leaving," he repeated.

"Yes, you are," I stated and my voice was still low, still weak. But it also carried a conviction and strength. I refused to have them die for my sake.

Richmond's eyes left mine, to look over my head, at Redmond. Then his eyes fogged over for a short instance before returning to normal. He leaned in and kissed my forehead. Then the hold Redmond had on me lessened so Richmond could hug me to him.

"Scream if you need us," he whispered so low I barely heard it, definitely so low that neither the Priestess nor Mom could hear.

Then they left and took all warmth with them. I was freezing, but I knew it wasn't due to a physical type of coldness.

I looked at the Priestess. Her lips were in a thin line, her head held high.

"I'll call for some more and we'll try to rid you of this curse," she said in a detached voice and hurried off.

"Are you alright, sweetie? You look so pale," Mom said and went over to me. She put her arms around me and I felt slightly warmer, though not as warm as I had felt in Redmond's and Richmond's embrace.

"I'm fine, Mom," I said, though I felt anything but. Even though I had told Redmond and Richmond I would be fine, I felt quite the opposite. I knew that whatever plan the Priestess had, it would likely end up harming me. The reaction I had when both Mom and the Priestess had used magic on the mark was enough evidence of that. But even if her plan wouldn't end up harming me, even if she managed to rid me of it, I would be harmed if it was indeed a curse that lessened my abilities. Her musings regarding it had been enough to tell me what would happen next if that were the case. If my sight suddenly improved.

A while later, I kneeled on the floor naked. My hair was in a bun, so the mark would be visible. Around me stood six of the coven's witches as well as the Priestess. Mom had been told to leave, and she had without putting up a fight. They had placed candles in a circle around me that one of them walked around to light. As soon as all candles were lit, they started to chant.