WALPURGIA ✔️

Chapter 44 - One less burden!

☽

Strasbourg, France

1846

"Here's the money", Whitlock dropped it in my arms with a cold expression. "Be back before the church clock strikes."
"I'm not running to fetch all the fruit!", I huffed, taking Esme's hand. "Let's go."

"Yes mama."

It had been our typical morning routine - ever since the daemon had appeared, I had been given the task of shopping food for the cooks. Today wasn't any different.

We strode down Artemis Street, then Hecate's Street and finally arrived at Diana's Square when I spotted the goddess's doings.

A few heartbeats later my mind comprehended the situation in front of me.

A portal at the end of the street.

A hole in Genevieve's spying spell.

A crack in time - visible in the air.

The sword I had picked out hung on a wooden shop close to it.

As if I only saw it, they other witches passed by it unbothered.

I took Esme by the hand - now or never.

The daemon had said a year - now was a year.

An opening - just like the daemon had told me.

A path to escape this mess.

A chance to flee.

I hurried towards the portal, trying to stay calm so I wouldn't arouse attention. With every step my nervousness grew. Genevieve doesn't need to know.

If she found out, she would kill us on the spot.

With every step I picked up my haste.

I picked Esme up as she was too slow.

The five-year-old seemed as light as a feather now.

I haven't carried her ever since she turned four, the age she became too heavy for me.

I started sweating as the portal grew smaller.

I wouldn't cry out loud in fear. Not for Esme's safety. Not to miss Baldwin.

The basket held me down, slowed me down. The basket was only an unnecessary weight.

I dropped it around the corner.

"Mama?", Esme whispered, holding close onto me.

I only got faster.

"We are free my angel", I whispered back, tears burning in my eyes.

"We are free."