Page 32 of The Noldrin Witch

“What are you doing?” Seth gasped. “You’re not going to gain any favors with that.”

“What?” Elise lifted her gaze to find something close to outrage on the demon’s face. The notion of what he might have concluded struck her at once, and not expecting this kind of prudery from someone from such condemned places, she found the situation lightly confusing.

Seth continued, “I don’t know what the witches have told you, but I’m not like Devon. I’m not here to entertain every witch who takes an interest.”

“I was warmer than I could bear.” Elise raised her hands in defense. “I was just trying to relieve myself of your heat.”

A flicker of what might have been embarrassment touched Seth’s face. He extended the courtesy of letting the misunderstanding pass, and Elise did the same. At least the ice between them seemed to have thinned an inch, not that it made it any more enjoyable to continue at his side.

Seth kept walking, glancing now and then at the more enticing dress Elise wore. She had made all her new designs to suit the Bromheim fashion. This one had a low neckline, trimmed with a ribbon that kept the arrangement just within reason. She was aware of what her thin limbs and fuller curves had provoked in Metz, but this was a supernatural being. She greatly doubted he would take any interest in the looks of a mortal.

With this new resolve, and with Seth inspecting her as if she were a rare bug, Elise set out to understand more about the celebration that was about to take place, as well as the relationship between witches and the lower sort.

“Why do the witches need demons for this?”

“It’s not that,” Seth said, looking away. “Like I already said, we came to witness. Witches are independent magical creatures, but like everything else in the world, magic is a mechanism of many parts. There are functions that need to be performed by others. We reside on the side beyond the shield that separates the two worlds. It’s an arrangement made hundreds of years ago for us to be part of the witches’ rituals. You need us as much as we need you.”

Elise became more and more intrigued with every word coming from Seth’s perfectly shaped mouth. What especially captivated her was that witchcraft and the magic world had been so hidden from her until recently. Many more questions flooded her mind, but not wishing to spoil Seth’s sudden willingness to share, she chose the one that mattered most in the moment.

“Do you have contact with the divinities? The ones that are supposed to claim you before you become a witch?”

“Hmm,” Seth hummed. “So you are looking for favors after all.”

Elise saw an unpleasant expression creeping across his face and she knew this had gone bad. But before she could begin to defend herself, Seth was already walking a few paces ahead, saying something that caught her ear enough to keep her lips sealed.

“When the pentagram is drawn, be careful not to stray too close to the center. I can tell you are eager to be claimed by a divinity, but there are some you’ll wish had never found you.”

Elise nodded, still offended and eager to clarify her standing.

“If you must know, I was not trying to get a favor from you. I’m only trying to learn.”

She wished her words would be enough to convince the demon, but he offered no reply. Had she known the etiquette of Hell, she might have stood a better chance in the debate. But it seemed to her that the firm delivery of her remark had been enough to soften his expression and even tug at the corner of his lips.

They kept circling the bonfire. By then, Elise had counted no fewer than a hundred witches. They all looked, in one way or another, envious of her situation. Seth ignored the attention with ease, as though it were beneath the effort of noticing. If only they knew she was beginning to wish she had never come to this place, they might have spared her the smiles and the gossiping.

“Do I need a hat like everyone else?” Elise asked, noticing the crowd beginning to set pointed hats atop their heads.

“Only witches are allowed them,” Seth murmured, his dark eyes lingering on hers before he strode ahead toward the clearing to join his uncle.

Morgaine and the others greeted them with teasing grins and a loud shriek.

An old witch who had just joined quickly noticed the dress hanging from Elise’s arms and didn’t fail to remark about it.

“I require initiation as well, love. Why don’t you take me for a walk?” an older woman shouted in Seth’s direction, a few missing teeth generously on display. “Though you should know I favor a light manner of dress, and if you take mine off, you may find yourself surprised.”

Seth blatantly ignored the witch and whispered something to Devon. Elise was by Morgaine’s side by now, and she had decided to remain there through the whole festivity.

In an unexpected turn, and after Devon gave him a solemn nod, Seth walked toward Elise and took her hand in his own.

A tremor ran through Elise in a manner that was difficult to contain. It was not so much the heat from the demon, but the menacing sort of sensation that invaded her. It was as if at any given moment the furnace this man was could take her in and consume her in its power. She recoiled out of pure self-preservation. Everyone seemed to have paused, as if to experience the moment along with her.

“A pleasure,” Seth murmured, and Elise shuddered.

He must have felt her body’s reaction, for he allowed himself a mischievous smile.

The witches howled again, and this time Elise felt her cheeks grow warm.

“Enough warming and greetings, my ladies,” Devon cut in. “Morgaine? Would you do us the honor to begin the rites?”