Chapter 11

August 27th, 1654

Mother has predicted a blood moon in the skies tonight, which means I'll shortly be leaving my old life behind me. By sunrise tomorrow, I'll be the high priestess of Spells Hollow.

The townspeople are giddy for tonight's ceremony. I've never seen them this way outside of our seasonal celebrations, nor had this much wine available since the summer solstice. But Mother insists this is a time for merriment.

My nerves say otherwise. After all, Spells Hollow is a truly special coven.

Before Mother became high priestess, it was my grandmother who founded our little town. Unwilling to deny her magic and live in fear of persecution, she fled France with her newborn daughter. She used to say this land called to her like a siren, and so she built her home here, adopting the name Nightshade.

More witches joined her over the years. Powerful families from all over England, Ireland, and Spain who felt unsafe in their homes. They all were welcomed by my grandmother. Even humans settled with them, part of the secret and protection of the new coven. All led by my family.

As the first of the Nightshade line to be born in Spells Hollow since the founding of the town, expectations are high. My connection to this land is the strongest in the coven. They truly believe I will lead us into a new era of light.

I fear they have misplaced their faith.

Despite preparing for this day my whole life, I never thought it would happen this quickly. I'm only in my sixteenth year. If it were not for Mother's condition, I would insist on continuing my training first. Leading the coven is a sacred duty. I do not take the calling lightly, nor do I feel ready at this time, but it seems the fates have their plans. Mother does not have long left, and she wishes to induct me into the role herself, before it is too late.

It is an honor to have her support, even for a short while. I'll covet every scrap of knowledge from her and use it to guide me as much as possible. Truthfully, I envy my mother. She had my grandmother as her advisor for twenty years. We only returned her to the earth three years ago, and the memories still pain my heart and the hearts of the many who treasured her.

I don't know how I'll fare when Mother succumbs. I'll have the town elders, but none of them has truly led the coven. They've never had the future of the town resting on their adolescent shoulders. Verity and Royce think I can handle it, but doubt creeps into my mind and spins its twisted web. I find myself trapped in thoughts of failure, destroying the legacy of the Nightshade witches before me.

I'm haunted by dreams of the town in flames, curses consuming my people as my loved ones scream for me. They should have been safe here. I should have been able to protect them.

How can I shoulder this burden alone? Without my mother or grandmother to guide me, I'll need people I trust. Not just the elders, but people I choose for qualities I value. If I'm to bring about an era of prosperity, I shall embrace the changes necessary to grow this coven.

After tonight, Spells Hollow will be my town. I can feel the sun setting, giving rise to the blood moon, calling me to my power and my people. I don't feel ready for this, not at all, but I believe in the guiding hand of the land my ancestors chose.

It's time for everything to change.