I was in a deep sleep when someone shook my shoulder. I grumbled and rolled over, ignoring them. “Come on, girl, wake up.” Abigail urged sternly, shaking my shoulder again. “What’s going on,” I asked as I sat up to look at her rubbing my eyes. She had a look of worry on her face as she looked behind her. I leaned over to look behind her. Two men were carrying Samuel into the cottage. He looked badly injured, his leg was hanging at a funny angle and he had cuts all over, blood soaked his clothing. “I need your help, granddaughter.” I nodded "y... yeah" I replied as I quickly stood. Abigail directed them to put Samuel in a small room off the side of the cottage that she used for her patients. I followed behind them, while I pulled on a housecoat that Abigail handed me. I watched closely as they set him on the bed. “What happened?” I asked, looking closer at the broken leg and the cuts and bruises that covered his body, he was out cold. “He walked out in front of a stagecoach that h

I went into the main room and started cutting up more bandages as Abigail poured hot water into a cup and added herbs to it before returning to the room Samuel was resting in. “Can you go pick some blood of Hestia from the garden please, dear?” She asked me before she left the room. I nodded and looked into the reference book she had given me to study to see what the actual plant was. Skimming through the various plants and their code names, I finally found it before heading outside and looking for the chamomile she had requested I pick. I scanned the herb garden looking for the plant, without luck, which meant I’d have to look in the forest for it, referencing the book again I studied the picture Abigail had drawn and headed down the forest path we frequented looking for it. It didn’t take long for me to locate it; I picked a bunch and returned to the cabin Abigail was outside weeding the garden. I went inside the cabin and tied the plant and hung it up to dry, like she had taught

“What do you mean half witch? I have done nothing like that before.” My mind was reeling. There was no way this was real, it couldn’t be. “In your time, magic didn’t exist, so you couldn’t tap into your abilities.” Sin informed me. “Is that why you brought me here?” I asked, my voice getting louder as panic seized at my chest. “I brought you here so you would make a deal with me. Remember? Are you ready to do so?” he smiled hopefully but frowned as I struggled to catch my breath. “Little flame?” My hand flew to my chest as I struggled to catch my breath, Sin placed his hands on my shoulders and looked me in the eyes, worry was written on his face. “You’re having a panic attack just breathe, tears blurred my vision as he pulled me to him. He held my head to his chest “listen to my breathing, focus only on that.” He told me. Slowly my breathing returned to normal, and I went to push him away, but he held me tightly. “So, about that deal?” “No, I’m not making a deal with you,” I to

The week passed in a blur; I spent most of my time taking care of Samuel, changing his bandages, and trying my best to help him stay comfortable. He was a nice guy and was surprisingly easy to talk to. Abigail seemed to dislike him though and Sin constantly stopped in to see how he was healing; I think he wanted to send him away. It was odd to watch the two together. It was as if they knew each other, I couldn’t help but feel that everyone was keeping things from me. When I asked Sin questions, he’d flirt and find ways to distract me, whereas Samuel just refused to answer. It was infuriating feeling like I was the only one not in on the joke. Even Abigail was tight-lipped when I asked her how she knew Sin. Abigail looked over my clothes, assessing me, “that should do it. If we leave now, we should arrive on time for Sunday's service.” I nodded, “What about Samuel, won’t he be put in the stocks if he doesn’t attend?” I asked, looking towards the room where he was resting. “I will s

What the hell was happening to me? I left the cabin, heading to the trees where I couldn’t hurt anyone. I walked down the path heading into the forest, not really paying attention to where I was going. Everything was an assault to my senses, and I felt like every nerve in my body was on alert. I came upon a large maple tree, deciding it was a good a place as any. I sat at the base of the tree. Taking deep breaths to calm my ragged breathing. How was I supposed to control something I have never had before and how did I get this ability to begin with? Awhile later I heard rustling in the trees and looked over to see Abigail emerge from them, a little winded. “Well, it took some time to find you.” Abigail announced as she approached me. She sat on the grass in front of me. “Are you okay?” I shrugged, “I don’t know what is happening to me and how to control it. I have never done anything like this before. Everything is so new, and it is a lot to digest, not to mention the witch hunte