Escape the Covenant || Shawmila [Completed]

Chapter 13

Two days. Two entire days since Shawn broke down in front of me, and I can't think of anything else. I'm not able to erase that image from my mind as a pounding idea doesn't leave my head.

Revenge.

All I want is for Pete Mendes to pay for his sins, whether he is aware of it or not. I want him to suffer, I want him to live a miserable life, I want him to regret the day he was born. Every time I think of his stupid handsome face, I want to slap it again and again, hurt him badly, bring him down to his knees and beg for forgiveness, but I know I have no right to do that. Luckily for me, I have some tricks up my sleeve. I just have to decide what to do.

For the moment, however, I can't focus on that. In a few minutes the members of the coven and I will celebrate the Early Summer Feast. It's a simple ritual in order to absorb the energy provided by the new season, but I have to clear my mind nonetheless. I don't want any bad vibe to possibly ruin the ceremony. Sylvia braded my hair as promised and added littles wildflowers between my locks. I did the same to her, and now we're both ready, wearing fluttering white dresses and walking barefoot.

The first big full moon of the summer shines directly above our heads and I can already feel something changing inside of me. All the witches form a big circle around a few objects that will help to channel the power of the satellite, and we start to recite the words for the ceremony.

« Quand la terre est chaude et mûre
Quand le soir on cherche la fraîcheur
Quand la vallée est pleine d'or
Quand les cigales crient en chœur
Quand la nuit tombe lentement
Quand la lune brille silencieusement
Nous invoquons votre pouvoir
Et exaltons votre gloire »

Then Sylvia, the youngest of the circle, starts a fire at the center of it, and each one of us offers a little sacrifice to the moon. We mostly burn fruits and flowers, but some of the oldest witches throw a few pieces of fresh meat on the fire. They say it'll help them gain more power, but I doubt it. Finally, one at a time, each of us takes a sip from the cup that was placed in the circle before the ritual, sharing its content and acquiring the newest power.

The ceremony ends, and everyone feels regenerated. Every time I participate to this type of rite, I sense a greater power running through my veins and I swear I am invincible. It's like nothing can stop me. We spend the rest of the night dancing around the fire, eating like a proper feast, and just hang out together. I spend most of my time with Sylvia, congratulating her for the success of her first ritual and trying to dodge her burning questions. «Did you meet someone new? Are you in love? Was my tarot reading reliable? »

I don't want to answer that questions, challenging the risk of Estella Cabello hearing some inappropriate gossips. But I also don't want to disappoint Sylvia. «I think it's just too soon to tell it. Maybe it's destined to happen in a couple of years». Or maybe, it has already happened. My heart has already been stolen and I'll have to face my first and hopefully only heartbreak.

When the majority of people begins to leave, I decide to head back home. As I'm walking on the lonely streets of New Poitiers, I start to reflect on what I am going to do to Pete Mendes. I'm aware that it's none of my business, but that man really brings out the worst of me. Seeing how he has hurt his family, his own flash and blood, and how he continues to live unpunished, is something that I can't stand. I have a great power, why don't use it?

I'm not going to kill him or wound him badly, but I can surely scratch him a little. And it just happens that I know how to do it effortlessly. I simply need to stop and collect a few items at his house. Protected by the darkness of the night, I enter through the back door as soundlessly as possible. The house is not that big and I immediately detect his bedroom. I open the door of his room and I see him lying down on his bed, sleeping like a baby. He looks so dumb right now, oblivious of what's happening inside his own house. Without making a sound, I grab one of his shirts then I approach him and stare at him intently. I have to be extremely cautious for my next move. I look for some scissors and when I found them, I cut a strand of his hair. I hope nobody will notice it. Finally, I exit the house and run home.

It's time for some handicrafts! All I need is some cotton, an old cloth, and a needle and a thread. I build a little doll and hide the strand of hair inside it. Then I clothe it with a scrap of the stolen shirt. I draw a simple face on it and that' it. Pete's voodoo doll is ready.

I cannot wait to play.