Read with BonusRead with Bonus

Chapter 8

Savannah’s POV

I had no idea what his problem was with me. I didn’t do anything. Whatever happened between his and Dorthea’s family must have been bad. The car ride was awkward. Nobody was talking and the tension could’ve been cut with a knife. After the man, Jeremy, parked the car I realized that we were at the edge of the town. I watched as the man walked further and further away from us and then he collapsed. I ran towards him while Dorothea was walking slowly. He was in bad shape. Shallow breathing, pale complexion, fever and nausea. I had no idea what to do in this situation. I needed to dial 911.

“Bring him back here child.”

“How? I can’t lift him up by myself.”

“You don’t need to. Drag him.”

I looked at Dorothea in utter disbelief. She wanted me to drag a sick person. She was watching me. I took a deep breath and started dragging the man towards the car. I was out of breath when I managed to drag him to the car. Two or three minutes later he stood up, dusted his clothes and was back to his normal self. This was impossible. Not long ago he looked like he might die any moment and now he was healthy. Normal breathing, healthy complexion, no fever or nausea. This was medically impossible. I was gaping like a fish out of water.

“How is this possible?”

“It’s the curse. I told you child. Do you believe me now?”

“I still need to process all this, but it’s not ordinary that’s for sure.”

“Let’s get back. Everything will be clearer once you see the journal.”

Twenty minutes or so later I was holding an old journal in my hands. It belonged to Zachary Snow. At first everything seemed normal, then the entries became more and more irrational. He ended up obsessed with witches and everything that somehow connected to magic. After the first few executions his whole demeanor changed. According to Zachary, he couldn’t leave Salem without getting sick. The same happened with Jeremy today. The more I read the more I realized that today’s event cannot be a coincidence. Everything happened according to the journal.

*“I did not believe the witch’s words. She cursed me and my family for all eternity. My descendants need to find the person who can lift the curse. I was a fool for thinking that a dying witch’s words cannot be powerful. It is the most powerful tool in the world. Jonah Goldberg warned me, but I did not listen to him. I was merciful enough to grant a last wish for that witch and now my family is bearing the consequences of my actions. They need to find Iris Russeau’s descendant. He or she is the only hope. Find a witch who can help to locate him or her and make a deal. Do not care about the costs.”

*“Zachary Snow died later that day, 25 April 1692, at the age of 35. This is written by his wife, Catherine Snow, a grieving widow. The cause of death was drowning. He made me promise to write down this for the next generations. You need to be careful. His death might be part of the curse.”

That was the last journal entry. Then I realized something. This was exactly what happened in my dream earlier today. The man said Jonah saw something. Could this Jonah be Jonah Goldberg? If that’s true the other man had to be Zachary Snow and the woman who was killed had to be Iris Russeau. This was a lot to take in.

“You recognize the story, don’t you child?”

“Yes, but how did you know?”

“I’ll tell you later. Nobody else needs to know this yet.”

“What are you not telling me Dorothea?”

“That’s not your concern yet Jeremy. We’ll leave now. You no longer owe me. When the time comes you’ll know who’s the person your family has been looking for for centuries. Just pray that it won’t be too late.”

“Dorothea, please tell me what’s going on. We’re leaving tomorrow and I can’t leave with more questions than I came here with.”

“I’ll clarify everything once we reach my house. It’s a few minutes walk. It’ll be hard to believe, but not impossible.”

I was curious why Dorothea was so reluctant to tell me what’s all this. Why didn’t she want others to hear our conversation? It can’t be that bad can it? I was hoping for a no as an answer, but lately that no is mostly a big fat yes. And that big fat yes almost makes me lose my sanity. When we arrived at Dorothea’s house she told me to sit down and listen carefully. Most importantly under no circumstances can I interrupt her until she finishes.

“First of all, I’m not insane. I’m telling you the truth and the truth only. Witches exist. So do other supernatural beings; werewolves, vampires, demons, dragons, fairies, fae and so on. Humans can’t see them and they live in their own realms. They can only cross the veil separating the realms if they find their soulmates in one of those realms. Witches are different. Centuries ago some of them came to Earth. Every other supernatural being had to give up their powers. Witches didn’t. Their power comes from living beings; plants, animals and people. Most of the families found their homes in this region. Everything went downhill when Jonah Goldberg saw a witch experimenting with her powers. She didn’t see Jonah and it was too late. He told the others what he witnessed. Some of them believed him, some didn’t. Those who believed him started hunting witches, hence the Salem witch trials. They didn’t only execute witches. Some of the victims were human. Iris Russeau was the coven leader. She was one of the most powerful witches in history. She gave birth to a child, but nobody knew. Right after she gave birth she gave away her child to protect it, ensuring that her bloodline will continue. She knew that the secret would be out sooner or later. Zachary executed her, but not before she cursed him and his family along with three other families who helped with the executions. I’m a witch and you are too. You are the descendant of Iris Russeau. You’re the person she talked about in her curse. You’re the person who can lift it or decide against it.”

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter