I had patients to see after however I was hesitant. What if the very people we grew up with and I cared for came after my family and me? I wanted to be quick and hurry home. Something inside me made me doubt everything I had ever known.
When I arrived at the first house, I greeted them like always, but my smile was strained and my body was rigid. I spilled medicine and my hands shook the entire time. I assured the family I was fine, but I knew it was not a good day for me to work.
I finally finished and as I headed home, George spotted me and gave me a warm smile.
“Good day,” he said.
“Hello.” I could not look him in the eyes. For once in my life, I did not feel comfortable in my own skin. He touched my hand and I jumped.
“Is something the matter?” he asked. I could hear sadness in his voice.
“I am not feeling well. I need to return home.” I wanted to leave, but he stood in my way and I refused to look at him.
“By all means, let me accompany you so you get there safe.”
I shook my head. “That is not needed.” My eyes watered. I could not bear the thought of George hunting me for being an Enchanter. I could not handle the betrayal.
“Savina.” His voice was smooth and calm. “Please, tell me your troubles.”
I met his eyes. Beautiful blue and full of concern. My heart pounded and I gripped my bag so tight that my hands pulsated. Could I tell George what I was? If I told him, would he eventually betray me like Edward did to Veronica? Would he fear me? A tear slid down my cheek. “I cannot tell you. And we cannot see each other ever again.”
His face twisted in confusion. “No. Do not do this, I beg you. Please, whatever it is, we can work through it. I love you, Savina.”
My heart dropped and I hated to hurt his feelings. I had to tell him. “Meet me by the river in half an hour.”
“Will you promise to be there?”
“Of course.”
He nodded and let me pass. I hurried home and dropped off my bag. I informed Colden I would be meeting George. He did not seem to be cautious at all about being around the Ephemerals, but perhaps I was the only one overthinking things.
I set out under the violet twilight sky. The temperature had cooled and the night was calm. My nerves were not, however. As I approached the riverbank, my heart fluttered at the sight of George. Dressed in brown pants and boots and a loose white shirt, he looked handsome.
I took a deep breath. “George.”
He turned with a smile and his eyes brightened. He rushed up to me and took my hands in his. “Tell me what ails you, my love.”
I bit my lip. “If I told you something about me, do you promise not to run?”
He furrowed his thick eyebrows. “Of course. I could never run from you.”
“I have never told anyone. And I fear telling you.”
“Savina, I love you with all of my heart. Never be afraid to tell me anything.”
I looked away, trying to gather the strength. What was I doing? I gripped his hands. “People are raised to fear me, George. But you know that I am not evil. I care so much for everyone in our village.”
“What are you saying?”
“I am a Healer. I have the power to heal people.”
He gave a half-smile and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. “I already knew that.”
I shook my head. “No. I made those medicines, but I can heal with a single touch.”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you trust me?”
“Yes.”
I reached inside my bonnet and removed a small pin. I placed George’s hand palm side up and stabbed the center with the pin. He winced, and then I moved my hand over his willing the puncture to heal.
He opened his mouth and stared at his hand. “Savina, I-I don’t know what to say. If anyone finds out you-you are a witch, they will kill you.”
I could not hold back my tears. “Please do not think I aim to hurt others. Most of us are not cruel. We only wish to live in secret. I would never harm a soul. I am still the same person you have always known. Nothing has changed.”
“Have you always been a witch?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
He tilted his head. “My sister. You gave her medicines.”
“I did. I made them myself. And if anyone was ever near death, I healed them.” I met his hard stare. “I only wanted to show you so that if you wanted to leave me, you could. I beg you not to turn against me or kill me or—.”
George’s lips were on mine, soft, yet firm. His arms pressed me into his body, and my heart throbbed. I moaned and he kissed me harder.
We parted and I could still taste his lips and feel his breath on me. A tear escaped the corner of my eye.
He wiped it away. “Savina, you continue to amaze me every day.” He kissed my neck and my entire body warmed. “I will never tell a soul. I love you.” He held me tight and we stayed like that for a few moments. “There is something I would like to ask you.”
“Of course. Anything.”
He gazed into my eyes with a heavy passion that I had not seen before. “I promise to love you every day and protect you. Will you marry me?”
I was shocked and then I smiled. “Yes!”
George lifted me up from my waist and spun me around. He kissed me once more and looked at me with so much love. George loved me no matter what.
I could not wait to share the news with Colden and Corbin. I arrived home, my stomach in knots, and a smile on my face. Colden repeatedly asked me to tell him what had happened, but I wanted to wait for Corbin.
He arrived late one evening, drenched from the pouring rain with a scowl on his face. I hoped my news would cheer him up from the long and miserable journey. Veronica accompanied him, but retired for the evening.
“I have much to tell you,” Corbin told us, and I brought him a towel and warm soup.
“Savina has news as well,” Colden said.
He smiled and took a seat next to the fireplace. “Please dear Savina share your news, first.”
I could not contain myself. “George asked me to marry him, and I said yes.”
Colden smiled and his eyes brightened. “Sister that is wonderful news.” He drew me into an embrace, but Corbin’s smile faded, and his dark eyes glowered.
“What is it?” I asked. “Why are you not happy?”
“You are to marry an Ephemeral?”
“It is George. You like him.”
He shook his head. “He is an Ephemeral, Savina.”
“I know this. What is the problem?” The way he said Ephemeral made me shudder. It was as though the word disgusted him. I could not tell him that George knew what I was.
“I wish you both could have come with me.” His voice seemed darker, matching the menacing glare that burned into me. “You would have learned so much. They are eager to meet you both.”
“Father, I am confused. I thought you wanted nothing to do with the family.”
“I was wrong. I have neglected my family for too long, but they made me remember the truth. We live among evil and we must end it.” He peered out the window with a hard look and gripped the arms of the chair. Colden and I were at a loss. Corbin would say no more that night.
The following days, he was distant and snapped at us for asking simple questions. He would not tell us what had happened in Caprington. Even Veronica remained quiet. It was as if they were in mourning.
I returned home one day from treating patients, and Corbin met me as soon as I entered the manor.
“You should stop treating those filthy mongrels,” he demanded.
“What?” I dropped my bag. “Why do you say that?”
“They do not deserved to be healed.”
“Corbin, I—.”
“Stop healing them. Leave it for someone else.” Darkness clouded his black eyes and his cold tone sent chills all over me.
“I do not understand.”
“You will listen to me.”
“Please tell me what happened.”
His eyes softened for a short moment.
“Corbin,” Veronica called from the entrance to the room. “Come with me.”
“Just one moment.”
Veronica glared. “You will not make me wait.”
He started to walk away.
“I am to have dinner with George and his family tonight,” I said.
Corbin turned back to me. “You are never to see him again.”
My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach and my legs trembled. The room spun and my mouth watered. “What? No. I cannot do that.”
“You will do as I say.”
“What has happened for you to say such things? Please do not forbid me to see him.”
“How dare you challenge your father,” Veronica said. “George is an Ephemeral and they are our enemy. Did you not hear what Edward planned?”
“My word is final,” Corbin said. “Do not fight me.” He left the room with Veronica.
I hated him in that moment. I felt as if he had taken my heart right out of my chest. How could he demand such a thing? Tears streamed down my face.
“Sister, what is the matter?” Colden pulled me inside his room and closed the door. “Tell me what troubles you.”
I repeated the conversation between Corbin and me.
Colden’s face twisted in confusion and shock. “How could he do that? He encouraged your marriage with George before.”
“I know. I do not know what has changed him. We must find out.”
“I attempted to speak with Veronica, but she stays hidden in her room and refuses to talk.”
“I do not understand his anger. He has become very paranoid.”
“We must find out what happened.”
“Do you think the Ephemerals attacked them?”
“It is possible,” Colden said. “But I should think Corbin’s family could defend themselves rather easily.”
“What about Mary? Do you think they killed Mary?”
He thought for a moment. “Perhaps.”
“Why will they not tell us? They want us to go Caprington and meet the rest of the family.”
“I am not sure. I hope this will pass. And that nothing will happen to the Ephemerals.”
I looked up at him. “Do you think he would harm them? What if he harmed George?”
“He will not. I promise you.”
“If I continue to see him, he could hurt George.”
“Try not to worry, Sister. If things do not change, I promise you that we will leave, with George.”
“You would do that?”
“Of course. You are my sister. I would do anything for you.”
“Perhaps we are overthinking. But he forbade me to see him. I cannot stop. Nor can I stop healing the villagers.”
“Do not let him take that away from you. We will find a way around this.”
Weeks later, a mysterious plague spread through the village, and many feared it was a repeat of the Black Death. It started with a fever, then their stomachs refused to keep any nourishment down, and then arash formed on their skin that took no time devouring the flesh all the way to the bone.
When the villagers came to me for help, I could not save them all for the disease spread much too fast and was lethal. George contracted the illness, and I was able to save him. I did not want to admit that Corbin caused the illness, but deep down I knew. Veronica had to have encouraged him. She was manipulating him.
I returned home late one night, and Corbin knew I had still been treating people. I did not hide it either. I knew he would never hurt me, but I still feared for George and other’s lives. I was exhausted, and the illness kept spreading.
“You cannot save them all, Savina,” Corbin told me.
“Why are you doing this?” I asked him.
“It has to be done.”
“Killing innocent people?”
“These people are not innocent,” he shouted and jumped to his feet, knocking the chair backward on the floor. I flinched. Corbin had never raised his voice to me, not until recently. “They are the murderers. They kill people like us, Savina. And you are out there trying to help them.”
I could not believe people would kill Enchanters for no reason. Unless there were Enchanters who provoked them, like Corbin. I presumed his family did just that. “My mother did the same.”
“She had to do what she could so they would not think she was an Enchanter. They trusted her.”
“And they trust me. I do not understand what these people have done to you.”
“Do you know what your mother told me on her deathbed?”
I shook my head.
“She told me she hoped I would eventually create an army to avenge those who have been killed. And that is what I am trying to do.”
My mouth dropped open. “No. No she would not say such a thing.”
“I do not expect you to understand. You have not felt the pain that many of us have. We have lost so many we loved because of what we are. If it’s a war they want, then they will have it!” he screamed and slammed his fist against the table.
“War?” I inhaled a sharp breath and clutched my chest. My heart was beating so fast. “Why should you start a war? What have the villagers done to deserve this?”
He let out a long sigh and sat back down. “They will never stop, Savina.” His voice calmed. “You cannot be their friends. They will all turn against you.”
I shook my head. He was wrong. “George loves me. Danielle and Graham would never turn their backs on me. They have been my friends since I was a child.”
“Why have you never told them you were an Enchanter? What do you think they would do if they found out?”
I wanted to tell him about George, but I could not. I had to protect him. “Mother and Father always told me to keep it a secret. I do not wish to scare them. I only want to help them. They would not understand.”
“You are right about that. They do not want to understand. You are not like them. And the moment they find out, they will kill you.”
“No, they will not. They trust me.”
“Just wait and see.”
“They only kill those who are dangerous. And if you do not stop this nonsense, they will come after you.”
“They can try.”
“Please do not do this,” I whispered.
“Father, she is right.” Colden’s voice came from behind me.
Corbin shook his head. “I cannot believe you both are defending them.”
“What right do you have to kill them?”
Corbin glared at his son. “I have every right. You do not know the evil they possess.”
“They have done no evil!” Colden yelled. “Whatever happened in Caprington did not occur here. These people are innocent.”
“You are too much like Savina. Too kind to these ridiculous people. You will never amount to anything.”
Colden’s hands curled into fists. “They accept me for who I am. Something you know nothing about. They care for me and enjoy my company.”
“You both are naïve. Just watch what happens when these people you love so dearly find out who you are. They will never accept you.”
Veronica entered the room with her usual scowl. “Corbin, they will never understand. There is no reason to try and explain it. They are too much in love with the Ephemerals.”
“Perhaps if you helped us understand,” Colden said. “But you have given us no reason.”
“And if Ephemerals hurt you in Caprington, they are not the same people in this village.”
Veronica moved closer to me and stared down at me, her eyes cold and calculating. “You are just a child, Savina. You have let them warp your mind. And you will allow them to be the cause of your demise.” She gave a wicked grin.
Then, she and Corbin left the manor.
She was manipulating Corbin and I could not understand why.
“I never wanted to let him down,” Colden said.
&nb
sp; “You are not letting him down. But are you going to let your father do this?”
“I cannot stop him, Savina.” He crossed the room and poked the fire loosening the ambers in the fireplace. “Why are you so against him? Maybe he is doing the right thing. What if Father is only hurting those who are bad?”
I could not believe my brother. “You cannot possibly believe what Corbin is doing is right, can you?”
He let out a frustrated sigh. “I do not know his reasons.”
“You know all about George, and he is not bad. He made him sick. He could have died. And our friends. They would not harm us.”
His black eyes softened and he held my hands. “I am sorry. You are right. But what can we do?” He lowered his voice.
“I do not know,” I said, defeated. “I must warn George. He has to leave this place.”
“What will I tell Father if he returns and you are not here?”
“Tell him I needed some air.”
I left during the evening twilight to meet George at our place by the riverbank. I came to him in tears.
“What is it? Has someone hurt you?” He kissed my forehead and cradled my head between his hands. His worried blue eyes stared into mine.
“You and your family must leave, George.”
His face wrinkled. “What do you mean? What is happening?”
“The disease. I fear that you and your sister will contract it again,” I half lied. “It is very strong this time. Promise me you will leave.”
“I will tell my family but I will not leave without you.”
“Please, George. You must.” I could not hold the tears back.
“Even if I contracted the disease, you could save me again.”
“It is too strong.”
“Then I will stay with you.”
He was too stubborn, and I was not strong enough to lie to him to get him to leave. The truth was I wanted to escape. I needed to, but I could not desert my townspeople to fend for themselves against Corbin. Colden and I needed to stop him and Veronica somehow. But he was the only father I had ever known. I did not want to kill him. I wondered if I could get Veronica to leave, if Corbin would return to himself. There was only one way to find out.
George and I stayed for a little longer by the river. I did not know what would happen to us, but I wanted that moment to last forever. To remain in his safe arms. But as we said goodbye, I had a sinking feeling it would be our last.
When Darkness Fell: An Elemental Enchanters Story Page 2