Chapter 6: Violet

It has been almost a week since I saw Myrtle last. Every time I tried to sneak over to her room one of Eli’s minions intercepted me. It seemed as if they had a tracker on me. I hope Myrtle was doing all right. She was getting weaker and weaker. And I knew that Eli wouldn’t go out of his way to take care of her. She was old and obsolete in his eyes.

It’s the night before my birthday, and I was determined to see Myrtle. Maybe she would have some last words of wisdom before the turning. As the day loomed closer my stomach twisted more and more into knots. So many other witches went through the turning, and it seemed uneventful, it was just something that happened. For me it was going to be different, and I started to get nervous.

I laid on my bed and thumbed through one of the spell books that was hidden in the dark corner of the library. The book itself wasn’t dark, it’s the person who was casting the spell that you had to worry about. It was your typical spell book. Each spell listed the items needed to cast the spell, the proper set up, any runes to mark and the words to chant. Some were in English, but most were in Latin. With most of my days holed up in my room I found time to teach myself Latin. In under normal circumstances, young witches would take a handful of Latin courses. But, after the takeover I had to make do with what I had.

A knock came at my door. “Yes?”

Jeffers opened the door and stepped through, leaving the door open. “Eli is requesting your attendance to dinner this evening.”

His voice was deeper than a normal human’s. If he were amongst anyone else, they would know he wasn’t human, there was something different about him. Something sinister. And it was not just his accent. When he smiled, he had a mouth full of sharpened teeth. It would be intimidating to some, but to me it was just a shitty attempt to be scary. Jeffers wasn’t very powerful; he did have powers and could do your typical everyday spells but nothing really to write home about. His size was the only intimidating thing about him.

“What happens if I don’t want to go?” I said as I looked back down at the book, I acted bored.

He gave a deep chuckle. “You think you have a choice?”

“I could make it really difficult.”

“Of course, you would. If you don’t go on your own, I will force you,” his voice boomed.

“If I go without a fight, can I ask for something in return?”

Jeffers thought for a moment. “Maybe, it depends on what you want.”

“I was hoping to visit with Miss Myrtle tonight. She’s an old woman and I can only imagine the neglect she has been suffering.”

“Hmm. I can arrange that.”

“Then deal. When can I go see her?”

“You may go now and then dinner in thirty minutes in Eli’s office.” He walked out the door; I jumped off the bed and followed him. We made our way down the hall to Myrtle’s door. “You have thirty minutes.” He turned and walked toward Eli’s office.

“Roger that!” I shouted after him. I turned the doorknob and walked into Myrtle’s room. She lay in her bed and looked frail. So much worse than she did five days ago. Her skin looked almost translucent. I closed the door quietly behind me, walked to her and sat down next to her.

She fluttered her eyes open. “Oh, Violet,” she said as if she were exhaling.

“Hi, Myrtle. How are you?” I said gently and took her fragile hand.

“I’m still kicking it,” she chuckled lightly.

“I can see that.” I smiled at her.

“I look that bad?”

“Oh heavens no. I just didn’t want to wake you.”

“Liar.” She smiled at me.

“I tried.” I laughed and shrugged my shoulders.

“It’s alright. I’m getting old and dying. It’s expected that I don’t look as fresh as a daisy.” Tracy slept next to Myrtle. She opened one eye in acknowledgement of my being there, then closed it, and settled back into sleep.

“Don’t say that. I’m sure you have a few good years left of hell raising.”

“My hell raising days are over my dear. I have accepted it.”

I brushed away a tear that escaped my eye.

“No tears. This is a part of life. I have lived a long and happy life. Longer than most and I cannot complain.”

“I know.” I brushed more tears away. “It’s just you are my last family. When you’re gone, I’m going to be alone.”

She raised her hand up to my cheek. “Violet, you have more family within our coven. Even though we are suffering in this dark time. It shall pass and a brighter future will rise. I read my tea leaves and the cards. Both point to a happy future for you.”

“I hope so.”

“The cards don’t lie, my dear. I can see it. But you won’t be here.” She furrowed her brow and concentrated on something that I couldn’t see.

“How am I supposed to get out? I’m a prisoner here like you.”

“I just see a bright light. Then you are gone. I don’t see how though.”

“I will have to trust you. I hope it comes true.” I took a deep breath and looked at the clock. It was time to end my visit and hold up my end of the bargain. “I’m sorry to cut this short but I have to go.”

“Where are you going?”

“In order for our visit today I had to promise to go have dinner with Eli. I’m hoping it doesn’t last long. The very presence of him makes me feel dirty.” I laugh.

“Ok, my dear. Be careful and I hope I get to see you soon.”

“I will see if I can get Eli to let me visit you as much as I want. There’s really no harm in me coming to see you.” I said as I got up and made my way to the door. “I wish I could stay here with you. I like you so much more.”

“I sure hope so,” Myrtle exclaimed.

“Of course, I do! I love you.” I opened the door and was about to walk out.

“Oh yeah, happy birthday Violet!” Myrtle tried to shout but it only came out as a loud whisper.

“Thank you, Miss Myrtle!” I said, I turned around and smiled at her. I closed the door. I didn’t have a chance to ask her about the turning. My stomach was still in knots. In a matter of hours, I would be going through the turning, and I didn’t know what to expect. I was going to be alone for it and I hope nothing crazy happened. I was a familiar witch, which was different than a normal witch. But no one told me if the turning was different for my kind. I only saw normal witches go through the turning. It was beautiful, like a breath of fresh air being breathed into someone.

I made my way down the hall to Eli. A sense of dread washed over me. Having any sort of meeting with him was always awkward. He always came in for a double kiss on the cheek and acted as if we were the closest of friends. He acted as if he didn’t kill my family and friends. As if his being the head of the coven was given to him and people were happy about it. He was delusional. And you could tell there was something off about him. But that didn’t matter to some people, as long as he had his army behind him, he had the power.

I came to his ornate door and knocked three times.

“Come in, come in!” I heard Eli say. I pushed the door open and saw a table with candles lit in the center and two places set across from each other. “Hello, Violet! It’s so good to see you.”

He said this with outstretched arms coming in for a hug. And as always, he held my shoulders and came in for a kiss on each cheek. He held my shoulders and pulled away a few inches and looked into my eyes. He held me for a few seconds too long. I pulled away from him, he reluctantly dropped his hands to his side.

He looked different. More dressed up than usual. He wore an old cloak mostly used by the elders in rituals that required more magic. The robe looked to be too big for him as it was draped over his shoulders, the sleeves reached past his wrist. His long black hair was slicked back, a lame attempt to look younger. It didn’t work. He just looked like a middle-aged man going through a mid-life crisis.

“At least you think so. What do I owe this unwarranted occasion?” I said with disdain dripping from my voice.

“It’s a celebration of course,” he said. He smiled as he turned toward the table and pulled out a chair and gestured for me to sit down. “It’s your birthday tomorrow and it’s a very important one.”

I rolled my eyes at him and sat down.