Blood Moon (Silver Moon, #3) - By Rebecca A. Rogers Page 0,49
at me. “And then tomorrow . . .”
“We’ll use this stupid crystal somehow to save ourselves and Lavenia.”
Chapter Twelve
The following morning, a majority of Colchester’s citizens have congregated around a stake placed in the center of the town’s square. Fiona thought it best to leave Francine at home, because she didn’t want her exposed to the horrifying execution. I can’t say I blame her; if it was my kid, I’d want the same.
A town crier leads the death procession, ringing a bell and calling for everyone’s attention. Lavenia is shackled and walks down the middle of the lane. The guards pause at the steps of the church, where, I’m guessing, Lavenia is supposed to repent her sins. Instead, she spits on the church door. Members of the community gasp, repulsed by her actions.
Glancing to my left, I notice Ulric and Daciana are in attendance. I nudge Ben and point toward them. He frowns, but doesn’t comment on their presence. Fiona seems anxious; she squeezes and wrings her handkerchief, and chews on her bottom lip. I lightly touch her arm, and she flinches.
“You okay?” I ask her.
She nods. “Aye, I just wish to see my husband’s death avenged.” Uptight, she hisses through clenched teeth, “My gut tells me she is behind many innocent lives lost, and I wish for her to rot in hell.” There’s a fire behind Fiona’s eyes, a burning ember I’ve never witnessed before. She’s normally so calm and caring, but this is a completely different side of her.
The executioner, who is wearing nothing but black, guides Lavenia to the stake. A priest stands to the side, overseeing the ceremony, although I don’t understand why; Lavenia obviously doesn’t believe in his religion. As soon as she’s fastened to the post, the executioner leans forward and whispers, “I shall make this painful for ye, witch,” for Lavenia’s ears only.
Asshole.
To the crowd of onlookers, he announces, “The witch’s final words shall now be heard.”
In my peripheral vision, I notice Ulric and Daciana leaving. I also notice that Alaric is here, giving his brother a disgusted look. When he turns back around, all of his attention is directed at Lavenia.
“May ye never know love again,” she cries out, locking eyes with Alaric. The crowd follows her gaze. “May ye remember every day that ye caused my death. No matter how much time passes by, thy every waking thought will be consumed by me. I curse the day I met ye! I curse thy offspring! Ye shall forever remain a monster outwardly as ye have always been inwardly. Ye shall walk this earth alone, for all of time. Ye shall instill terror into the hearts of men, women, and children,” she shouts, now focusing on Alaric, Ulric, and Daciana. “A curse upon thy houses!”
Ben and I stare, wide-eyed. Well, at least now we know where the curse really came into play. Lavenia scans the crowd once more, searching. As soon as she sees me, though, her exploration ends.
“Did ye bring it, Candra? Do ye have the crystal?” she inquires.
Unsure what’s going on, the people gathered around us become worried, restless. Gasps and chatter immediately begin, as people speculate our involvement with the accused.
“I did,” I respond.
“This better work,” says Ben. He’s talking about the plan we designed last night, upon our return to Fiona’s. We knew we couldn’t just walk up to Lavenia and hand over the crystal, so we devised and schemed and concocted, until our ideas made sense. We planted our modern clothing at Lavenia’s cottage early this morning, and in the pocket of my jeans is where the blue crystal rests.
Without further ado, Ben and I shift. The townspeople scream, and chaos ensues as everyone runs in all directions. People are knocked over and trampled on during the confusion. I can only imagine how terrified these people are, knowing the very creature that haunts the forest at night is right here in front of them, on their doorstep.
Ben leaps onto the stand where Lavenia is tied, while I guarantee nobody touches either of them. Snapping and growling at anyone who passes by, I catch a short glimpse of the fear behind Alaric, Ulric, and Daciana’s eyes; they’re mesmerized by Ben and me. Maybe they’re curious about the creatures they’re destined to become. Maybe they’re awestruck by the fact that Ben and I have been masquerading as normal human beings this entire time. Or maybe they’re furious we’re freeing Lavenia after all the harm she’s caused.
What they don’t know is