The Last Witch in Space

The Future

"Faith Fey, when the Venus orbital was launched, twelve generations ago, it was made clear to all our inhabitants that witchcraft would not be tolerated. All prospective inhabitants had to undergo strict testing procedures. How your ancestors managed to avoid detection, I do not know." Judge Li broke off and shook her head, almost sadly. "What happened in the virtual grove last night was a tragedy.

"But you trespassed on private property. You took advantage of the fact that it was closed for maintenance on the ceiling display. You attempted to perform illegal activities and when you were challenged, your family members resisted arrest and attempted to harm officers tasked with keeping our facility safe."

The last part was a lie. I knew it, and she probably knew it too, but there was little use in contradicting her. It was the word of a witch against twelve peacekeepers. Even if Bella sided with me, no one would believe us. It was easier not to.

"What's going to happen to me?" I asked. After the darkness of the grove, I was finding it too bright in this room. The bars of my cell glowed fluorescent blue - a warning that I would be burnt if I attempted to touch them. The walls, ceiling and floor were a clinical white. The spotlights overhead had beamed down on my since my arrival, taunting me with their energy and life.

Judge Li shook her head again. "We've never had to consider a punishment for witchcraft, because there weren't meant to be witches on board. There isn't room for your kind in this facility, Faith. You have to understand that."

"So you're going to kill me then?"

A shadow crossed her face. "Nothing has been decided yet. I for one would like to avoid the death penalty at all costs. You're only sixteen, and were under the influence of more senior family members. In a way, it is like you have been in a cult. I'd like to give you a second chance."

It didn't matter anyway, none of this did, but Judge Li didn't need to know that. The ritual hadn't been completed. Without the ceremony, my link to Hecate would fade and I would go with it. Witchcraft was my lifeblood, and I couldn't survive without it.

Her earring emitted a low beep and glowed green, indicating an incoming message.

"We will talk more tomorrow," she said as she turned to leave. "Once the council has had the opportunity to discuss your case in detail. In the meantime, you have a visitor who is very keen to see you."

I didn't want to see her. I couldn't bear to meet her blue eyes - eyes that had shone when she saw me the morning before - or her soft lips - lips that had lied when they told me they loved me, that they would never hurt me.

"Faith, please. You have to believe me - I didn't know he would harm them! I thought you'd be arrested. I thought I was saving you!"

I scoffed. "If you didn't think he would hurt my family, you wouldn't have made him swear not to harm me."

"I-"

"Enough, Bella. You have done enough. I don't need your excuses."

They were gone, each and every one of them. My family, the people I loved. Clem... There was no point anymore.

"Please, Faith. Judge Li is going to fight for your release. You will get a second chance - free from witchcraft."

"There's no point, Bella - I can't live without witchcraft. Without the ceremony last night, I will waste away." I refused to look at her. I stared instead out of the window behind her, at the acid clouds that covered the surface of the planet we were orbiting.

"How long?" she asked, her voice choking with emotion.

"A month at most," I shrugged, still looking for shapes in the clouds behind her. "I can already feel my energy fading." Three moons ago, we would not have been ambushed. We would have had magic strong enough to turn the arrows back against those who had tried to use them against us. We would have fought, and we might have won. But last night we were weak. Last night we were vulnerable.

"Faith, no!" The wobble in her voice brought my eyes to hers. She was truly sorry, that much I could tell, but it didn't make up for what she had done. Nothing ever would.

"It's too late to apologise," I snapped.

"Let me help you, Faith. Even if you can never forgive me, I want you to live!"

I wished I had magic enough to curse her into silence. "The only thing that will allow me to live now is my grandmother's sceptre, which I'm assuming is now in the custody of daddy dearest." My lips paused over the words. I considered them with new interest. "Could you get it?" I asked.

She nodded, eager all of a sudden, wiping tears from her cheek. "Yes! I know where it is. I can get it..." she trailed off, leaving the end of her bargain unsaid. If you'll give me another chance.

"Bella, darling," I began. "If you get me that sceptre, I can survive."

"But you'll still be a witch." I could see the indecision on her face, her guilt warring with her fear.

"I won't use my magic, I swear, I just need to complete the ceremony to maintain my strength. To give me a future."

She bit down on her lower lip and I knew she would agree. "Let Judge Li get you out, and I'll let you borrow the sceptre whenever you need it."

"Thank you, Bella. You don't know what this means."

She didn't, but she was about to. Once I was back at full strength, I would make everyone in this facility regret what had happened to my family, and let them know that witches were every bit as deadly as the inhospitable planet we were orbiting.