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Dual ravens perched on each side of the main black wrought iron gates that swung open into the cemetery. Known for these ravens and their presence among the headstones, many believed spirits walked the graves often. This was especially true during Samhain.
Another reason people flocked to Rolling Rock and hoped to commune with the dead. Visitors and tourists found the atmosphere festive and spooky. Ripe for ghost hunters and those who believed in the paranormal.
I could say it was unlikely that spirits appeared to humans, but it happened on occasion.
Besides, I spoke to my dead mother when I sought the ancestors. Seemed kind of ridiculous to dispute these claims. Nothing much surprised you when you lived your entire life with magic and the unexplainable. And when society was familiar with supernatural beings, anything was possible.
You’d think that would make people less curious. It didn’t.
The cemetery always appeared different in the light of day. Less intimidating and spooky. As a witch, I was still sensitive to the spirits and their vibrations. As I passed my family crypt, my palm lightly touched the rugged, cool exterior constructed of solid stone. I smiled wistfully, knowing I was luckier than most. My parents may be dead, but at least I could visit with my mother. Non-supernaturals didn’t have that ability. Only witches and necromancers regularly connected to departed souls.
Sitting in the grass a short distance away, I closed my eyes. I often came here during the day to be close to my mother and commune with her spirit. My greatest fear was failure, but it was coupled with the thought of losing anyone else that I loved. A heavy burden rested on my shoulders, passed down from my female heritage. I knew my mother never meant for me to assume the role she vacated, especially at so early an age.
Sometimes life threw us more than we were capable of catching. And sometimes, we rose to the challenge, more fearsome and powerful than anyone imagined.
Brushing off my jeans, I stood and headed toward the front gates. I was only halfway there when I felt the same presence as last night. Foul. Sinister. Undeniably wretched.
Jadis was here.
And she wasn’t alone.
Sebastian’s lip curled into a snarl as he stared at me from beyond the headstones to my left. Jadis appeared in front of me, surrounded by a black cloud that began to dissipate. To my right, a thick line of trees bordered the grounds. Behind me, my family crypt and headstones with row after row of graves blocked any retreat. I was essentially closed off.
“What do you want?” There was no point in delaying. Jadis appeared for a reason. I figured she couldn’t resist making an appearance, and I was correct. Pride was a terrible sin.
Maybe I should goad her with it?
“It appears I killed you too quickly last night,” she hissed.
Shrugging, I didn’t reply.
“Sebastian didn’t have any fun.”
I would think being buried deep inside Jadis would have sufficed, but hey, who was I to judge? “Guess you were less than satisfying,” I smirked, thinking of him thrusting inside her without emotion. “Maybe you need a spell for a tighter twat.”
Her screech of outrage was satisfyingly perfect.
“Of course, you’re already a cunt, so . . .” I drifted off, pleased I riled her up so easily.
“You bitch!” she roared.
Yeah? That was actually a compliment coming from her. “Why don’t you run along and play with your new toy?” I suggested, moving slowly backward as they closed in. “I’m sure you’ve got a lot of spellcasting to master.”
That last remark was a deliberate dig. She always struggled while in school, and I thought it odd a Salem descendant would have any trouble with elemental witchcraft. Unless Jadis wasn’t who we thought. Maybe her bloodline wasn’t pure. Oh, I couldn’t resist bringingthatidea up.
“You know,” I began casually, taking a few more steps, “you sure aren’t a very talented witch. Is your bloodline tainted?”
I swore her shriek of anger and hatred would wake the dead from these graves. “I’m going to enjoy your suffering. It’s time to die, Cassandra Howe, forrealthis time.”
“I’d like to see you try.”
They both lunged forward at the same time. I was no coward, so I didn’t run. Instead, I immediately sent my extra energy to my shields while I mumbled a spell under my breath, one that I used as a child because I enjoyed the rhyme. “Fall and falter scrambled feet, let no harm upon me meet.”
I watched with glee as Jadis stumbled and tripped over a headstone, her body landing in a twist of limbs as she cried out in rage. Too focused on her, I didn’t pay attention to Sebastian. The slam into my side knocked the breath from my chest as I fell onto my back. His hands gripped my throat and began to squeeze before I could move.
Something wasn’t quite right about this. Other than his hands around my neck.
They both should have been unable to reach me, but Sebastian didn’t have any trouble. In fact, he seemed immune to the spell. That shouldn’t have been possible. He was a Salem witch.
