The Witches of Marble Falls

XX

Emilia ran through the forest, her feet bare and her hair wild and tangled with the ephemera of the trees. She fought the urge to turn around, to go back to her sisters and her brother and her aunts. She fought the urge to stop, catch her breath, rethink her decisions—but there was a little part of her that had grown over the past few weeks that drove her forward, pushed her limits, and convinced her to give Harvey and his way a chance.

The ruined stone cottage sat silent in the clearing. She stopped in the crumbling door-frame, taking in deep breaths, trying to steady her heart. Her feet were cut and bleeding, and a few branches had grazed her cheeks leaving red streaks in their wake.

Leaves crunched and twigs snapped—Emilia looked up from her feet and saw two figures approaching from across the clearing. One she knew—her Uncle Harvey, dressed in his ragged and tattered clothes—but the other she did not recognize. The figure was clothed in a strange outfit, too revealing to be appropriate attire for any regular occasion—a ribbon of material covered her breasts and the same material had been used to make the skirt that hung low on her hips. Emilia was entranced by her appearance, her pale skin and black hair and eyes that seemed to glow with a white-blue light.

'She has come.' Harvey announced, stepping away from the woman. She held her hand out to Emilia, beckoning her to join her on the other side of the clearing.

'I am Daeva.' The woman spoke, her voice both loud and quiet, a single voice yet one that held many different pitches and dialects. She spoke as if the whole of the Universe spoke through her. Emilia was enthralled by her beauty, by the power she put off into the air around her, by her presence. She closed the gap between them and stood before the woman. Daeva reached out her hands and cupped Emilia's face—she took the final step, their bodies touching, and her movement was fluid as if she was not truly physical but only gave off the illusion of a physical form. 'You have much to learn, Emilia, but you are the one.'

Emilia opened her mouth to speak, but Daeva stopped her. 'Harvey, you have fulfilled your need. Your service to me is complete. Your sacrifices will be rewarded.'

The look on her uncle's face was one of gratitude and relief. She could feel the peace settling over his soul, and the darkness that had corrupted him began to recede. Emilia watched as his body began to decay—his hands began to decay, his skin sagged, and he began to cough. Water flowed from his lips and he choked on his breath. Emilia closed her eyes against the scene, wishing she could plug her ears and run home.

He was gone soon after it started, and Emilia and Daeva were alone in the clearing.

'He is at peace, child. No need to fear for his soul. Though he was corrupted and performed dark deeds, he has been pardoned.' Daeva explained, but Emilia did not understand any of it. Harvey had refused to explain anything to her except for his past and what had brought him to this point. 'You will learn everything in time, Emilia. For now, return home and proceed as usual.' She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath, a look of sadness falling over her face. 'You are needed now, child. Your aunt Kittie has recently passed.'

Emilia opened her mouth in horror—she had run off, away from her family, and wasn't there to comfort her sisters and brother. She was abhorred with her own behaviour.

'Go.' Daeva moved her hands to shoo her away then turned to the forest and disappeared into the darkness. Alone, Emilia looked at the sky above her and tried to piece everything together. She needed to be with her family, but she felt unwelcome in the house. She had made the choice to follow Harvey instead of working to help Kittie. She had allowed the darkness to corrupt her instead of protecting herself.

She couldn't return, not now and perhaps not ever. She had made her choice, though she still questioned herself about it. Emilia said a silent prayer for her family and walked away from the ruined cottage, after Daeva.