Confessions of a Black Witch

Twelve

The building before me seemed abandoned. If I was passing by it I wouldn't think twice about going in. The windows were dark, covered with black curtains. Faint music could be heard from the sidewalk letting me know the building was occupied. Was this really where they stayed? It put the word creepy on a whole different level. The goosebumps didn't stop me, though, from tapping on the old wooden door. It remained silent for another minute or two before the door creaked open. "Nevaeh!" Velvet greeted me. "Come in." I stepped inside and was hit with a cloud of sage smoke. Kelsie danced in front of me with a bundle of sage, not really paying attention to my presence.

Melonie waved at me from the other side of the room and Velvet and I joined her on a couple zen cushions. She took a hit from a joint and held it out to me. I shook my head. "Glad you could make it," Velvet said, taking the joint from Melonie.

"I was out anyways." I shrugged.

"How's life treating you?" Velvet had a coldness to her today. I couldn't put my finger on it but it made me uneasy.

"Great! Greg proposed."

Velvet's eyes grew wide and a smile creeped across her face. Melonie blew out a cloud of smoke and sat forward. "What! Already? That was fast!"

"I mean we've known each other since we were kids. I was just as surprised though. It's all happening so fast but I couldn't be happier!"

"That's so nice your life is looking up." Velvet's tone worried me. Did I do something wrong? "We wanted to speak with you in person about something important." Kelsie finished her cleansing and plopped down between Melonie and I. They all seemed so relaxed. It was probably the weed. "We wanted to warn you about the dangers out there. People don't care for witches, especially black witches. You understand the stereotypes, the misinformation out there..."

"Of course. A little research goes a long way," I said.

"Problem with today is people they don't want to believe what they read. They don't want to believe facts," Kelsie commented.

"You could show them real magick to their face and they will call you fake. Devil worshipers," Melonie said, mostly to herself.

"All this leads people to be afraid of us. Witch hunters evolved with the times-"

"Witch hunters!" I exclaimed.

"Yes. There are people out there that think they are doing God's work. They still murder us at the stake, drown us and some even torture our kind. Have you read up on the Salem Witch Trials?" Velvet asks.

"Yeah. It's the most barbaric, sadistic stuff I've ever read." And it was. What they would do to innocent people who weren't even practicing witchcraft was sickening. Men, woman and children died because they did not follow these Christians. "So, you're telling me that there are still hunters out there that will kill us for practicing the craft?! Have you ran into one of them?"

They shared a silent glance between each other. I groaned, dropping my head in my hands. "Don't worry, Nevaeh! There hasn't been any word of hunters in the city. They expect us to be hiding in caves or hobbit holes," Kelsie reassured. It did nothing to ease the tightness in my chest. I was starting to contemplate if this was a good idea. Was coming to the coven house putting a target on my head?

"We just want to make sure you know the code," Velvet continued.

"The code?" I raised an eyebrow at her.

"We do not give up our sisters and you, Nevaeh, are officially a sister. We protect each other at all costs from these dangers. We need to be in contact at all times. Email. Calling and texting. If you need us we will be there. We expect the same in return. You are safe with us." Velvet pulled out a small double bladed knife and pointed it at me. "We are bound by blood." She dug the knife into her hand until blood filled her palm. She barely winced. Velvet handed the blade to Kelsie who did the same. Then Melonie. They held their bleeding hands over a bowl so the blood dripped inside, filling it at a quick pace. Melonie held the knife out to me and I froze. "Do it, Nevaeh, and you'll have our protection. Nothing can touch you."

I took in a deep breath, my fingertips touching the emerald blade. Careful not to cut myself, I took it and pressed one of the sharp ends to my palm. Was I really going to do this? My heart raced behind my chest. My hand became sweaty under the blade and for a second I thought about dropping it and running. But I didn't. As terrified as I was, this was who I was now. The fear. The excitement...The beautiful unknown and the thought of finally getting everything I ever wanted and deserved...

I clenched my teeth as I dug the knife deep in my skin. Blood pooled in my hand and I quickly dumped it into the bowl before it splashed onto the floor.