"Go," I tell her again, more gently this time. "Trust me. I'll meet you back at the cave."
She hesitates for one more heartbeat, then melts away into the shadows with inhuman grace. I wait until I can no longer sense her presence before making my own move.
The village square is lit by a handful of torches stuck into the ground, casting dancing shadows across the faces of the men gathered there. I count seven of them, all elders, all respected members of the community. All planning to destroy everything I hold dear.
I grab one of the torches from its holder as I stride into the circle of light, spark powder clutched tight in my other hand.
"Gentlemen," I say pleasantly, and have the satisfaction of watching them all jump like startled rabbits. "What a lovely evening for a meeting."
Morrison recovers first, his hand dropping to the knife at his belt. "Maris. We wondered when you'd show yourself again."
"Did you?" I tilt my head, studying their faces with the same detached interest I might show a particularly interesting insect. "How thoughtful. Though I have to say, I'm a bit concerned about your plans for tomorrow night."
Hendricks steps forward, trying to look brave. "You should be. We're done tolerating your presence here, witch. You and whatever foul creature you've allied yourself with."
"Foul creature?" I laugh, and there's something sharp and brittle in the sound. "That foul creature has shown me more kindness than any of you ever did. More loyalty, more love, more basic human decency."
"It's not human," Morrison snarls. "And neither are you, anymore. Whatever you were before, you've given yourself over to darkness."
I consider this for a moment, rolling the pouch of spark powder between my fingers. "You know what? You might be right. I might not be human anymore. Because a human woman would probably try to reason with you. A human woman might appeal to your better nature, beg you to reconsider."
I hold up the spark powder, making sure they can all see it clearly.
"But I'm not feeling particularly reasonable tonight," I continue, my voice dropping to something soft and dangerous. "So here's what's going to happen instead. You're going to abandon this ridiculous plan to burn the forest. You're going to leave me and mine alone. And in return, I won't visit upon this village the kind of curse that would make your children's children weep."
For a moment, uncertainty flickers across their faces. Then Morrison straightens, and I see the moment he decides to call my bluff.
"You're just a woman with some herb knowledge and a talent for parlor tricks," he says dismissively. "You can't curse anyone."
I smile, and it's not a nice expression.
"Can't I?"
I tear open the pouch and fling the spark powder into the torch flame. The effect is immediate and spectacular - the fire explodes into a column of brilliant green and silver sparks that shoot fifteen feet into the air, casting eerie shadows across the square.
The men cry out and stumble backward, shielding their eyes from the sudden flare of light.
"That," I announce over the crackle and hiss of the burning powder, "was just a demonstration."
Before anyone can recover, I hurl the torch itself onto the thatched roof of the nearest building - the same one Gray and I just robbed, as it happens.
The dry thatch catches immediately, flames racing across the roof with hungry eagerness.
"There's your curse," I call out as the men rush about in panic, some trying to organize a bucket brigade, others just running in circles. "Watch it all burn, gentlemen. And remember, this is what happens when you threaten what's mine."
I don't wait to see if they'll manage to save the building. I don't particularly care if they do or don't, honestly. The fire will serve its purpose either way; chaos, distraction, and a very clear message about what I'm capable of when pushed.
As I slip away into the darkness, following Gray's path back toward the forest, I realize I'm not even sorry. These peoplewould burn my home, kill my love, destroy everything that matters to me, all in the name of their own fear and ignorance.
If their precious village suffers for it, well, they brought that on themselves.
I have more important things to worry about now. Like getting home to Gray, and finding a way to break a curse. Hopefully, before the world decides to break us instead.
But this chapter of my life is behind me now.
Epilogue
Maris
