Cinderella's Secret Witch Diaries Box Set: Lost, Stolen, Found

Chapter 3-2

“Thank you.” The words were thick in my throat and I brushed away the oncoming tears. I had traveled far and had much to go.

***

For dinner, Mrs. Radley and I set two tables outside in the back. Mr. Radley had slow cooked a pig through much of the afternoon and the children brought in corn in the husks that we put by the side of the fire. The heat cooked them perfectly. Bebe helped with the potatoes and Mrs. Radley and I had made fresh bread and she taught me her mother’s recipe for apple pie.

I called Bebe over to me and said, “Go wash your face and hands then come sit for dinner.”

“Thank you, Mama, for bringing us here.” She wrapped her arms around me and kissed my dress. “I have had such fun today.”

I hugged her back and she ran off to clean up. Mary walked up to me and said, “Where would you and Ma like for the children to sit? I can get them all seated.”

Mrs. Radley and I had discussed the seating arrangements and I showed her the plan at the table. In minutes, the food had been served and we took our seats. Mr. Radley sat at the head of the table and in his quiet voice bowed his head and prayed. “God, thank you for the bounty you have given us. Thank you for each other and watch over our new friends.”

Sarah, one of the six-year-old twins, shouted out loud, “Amen!”

Bebe passed the corn and I took an ear and passed the plate on to the eldest daughter, Mary, who sat on my right. She accepted and turned to me and asked, “What is England like?”

Mrs. Radley shot her daughter a look. “Mary, let our guests eat in peace.”

“No, I am fine.” I thought for a moment and replied, “The weather is not as extreme as in America. The thunderstorms and tornadoes I have seen or heard tales of here in America are not so violent in England. Often, we would have a gentle, dreary rain that would last for days.”

“Did you live in a big city in England?” Mary saw her mother’s stern look and then lowered her eyes. “I apologize for my curiosity and will eat now.”

I shook my head and said, “My father was a merchant and we lived in a small town away from London.”

“But when you were older, tell them how you lived in the castle.” Bebe blurted out her thought with a piece of pork dangling from her mouth.

I turned to her and gave her a stare that would rival one of Renée’s. Bebe bent her head down and remained quiet, knowing she had said too much.

“You lived in a castle?” eight-year-old Martha asked. She jumped out of her chair and then leaned on the table, addressing Bebe. “Are you a princess?”

“Child, sit back down and fold your hands in your lap.” Mrs. Radley pulled at her daughter’s dress to get her back into her seat.

Sarah took up the questioning, “Bebe, was your father a prince?”

Bebe’s face flushed and she kept quiet and I said, “Her father was not a prince but he did have noble blood.”

Mr. Radley coughed and directed attention to him at the head of the table. “I would like to propose a toast.” He raised his glass and all talking stopped. “To our guests. May they find their way home safe.”

I smiled and then drank deep, thankful that Mr. Radley had stopped the questioning from his children.

Then, from the front of the house, we heard a shout of greeting. “Hello?” The voice boomed out and I saw a man with thick, dark curly hair, dressed in tattered clothes and carrying a rifle slung over his shoulder headed to greet us. He glanced over at me and I then knew I had been found. The witch hunter had arrived.

Mr. Radley rose quickly to meet him and the man waited, staying away from the rest of us.

Bebe tugged at my dress and whispered, “Is that him?”

“Yes, I believe so.” I left the table and Mrs. Radley did her best to quiet the children, asking them to finish their meal.

When I came to the men, they stopped talking and the witch hunter smiled and put out his hand. “Good afternoon. I am Jeremiah.”

I took his hand and shook it firmly. “I am glad to be able to make your acquaintance.”

Mr. Radley asked, “Jeremiah, would you like to join us for dinner?”

“Thank you for your kind offer, but I would like to settle my horse for the night. I hope to beg of you to allow me to sleep in your barn overnight so that in the morning we can take leave of you.”

“Fine, fine. There is water for your horse and fresh straw. Come see me when you are settled and you can try some of my wife’s apple pie.”

“Thank you.”

Mr. Radley glanced at me and I nodded at him to let him know that I felt safe. He took his leave and headed back to the table to help settle down the children. Some of the younger ones had climbed on top of their seats to get a better glimpse of Jeremiah and me talking.

“You look younger in my dreams.” I realized the stupidity of my words after they had left me, but I knew not what else to say.

“Dreams can be tricky things.” He looked back over his shoulder and said, “Are your wagon and horses up for travel back east?”

“We are low on provisions, but the wagon is in fine condition and my horses will be well rested after today.” I paused a moment, unsure of how he would take my words. “I regret resisting you and not allowing you to find us sooner. I apologize for that.”

“I am a hunter. You wanted to protect your daughter. I understand.” He leaned in closer to me and lowered his voice. “We must leave early tomorrow and I do hope that tonight we could have time to talk. There is much to discuss and I would rather we had some privacy.” He glanced over my shoulder.

“Of course.” I turned around and saw Bebe running toward me with Mrs. Radley chasing after her.

When Bebe arrived at my side, she put out her hand to Jeremiah and said, “Nice to meet you.”

He crouched down to her level and shook her hand. “Pleasure to meet you.” He held her hand a moment and said, “I am here to protect your mother and you. I want you to know that.”

Bebe shook his hand firmly. “Good. Now that Aunt Renée is gone we could use your help.”

Mrs. Radley arrived out of breath and took Bebe’s hand. “Come back to dinner and let your mother talk.”

Jeremiah stepped forward and bowed to her. “Nice to make your acquaintance. Your husband has raved about your amazing pie. After I tie my horse up, I would love to try some.”

“Surely. Come in the back here when you are done.”

I took Bebe back to the table with Mrs. Radley following and went to sit back down to finish dinner. And then I saw them. I shall never forget their ferocious faces, painted in bright red, blue, and yellow. A half dozen natives ran at their fastest from the trees left of the house. They were clad in their animal skins, holding their knives but made no sound.

Mary saw them first. She pushed away from the table and pointed, screaming. Mr. Radley turned to see them running toward his family and acted quickly. He jumped up from his seat and grabbed Sarah and Teresa, dragging them to the house. He would not reach safety in time. The first natives would be upon them in seconds. From behind me, I heard the first shot fired. Jeremiah’s aim was true and the closest native crumpled to the ground, but still the remaining five kept coming. The second shot came from another pistol and the shot went wide, missing its mark.

I stood frozen and watched Mary scoop Ruth up into her arms, knowing that I needed to act. I raised my left hand and it glowed bright and hot. Magic flowed through me and the passage of time slowed and I heard the oncoming rush of power pound through my veins. Piercing bright colors filled my field of vision and I walked forward with my hand a beacon of light and power.

The first two natives slowed and then stopped. I walked past the dinner table and heard the commotion of Mrs. Radley carrying Bebe into the house and the rest of the family making it to safety. I did not know if they saw me use my magic and I did not care. My distraction had slowed the natives’ attack and now they would feel my wrath. Walking with deadly purpose toward the natives, the first two broke off and fell back away from me. A third continued to rush at me and he made an attempt to swing at me with his axe, but I held my arm out and released my magic. His weapon melted before his eyes, and startled, I placed my palm on his bare chest. The heat of my magic surged into him and I closed my eyes, focusing. The source of my strength burned into him and he fell to his knees clutching at his chest.

A third rifle shot came from Mr. Radley who took down one of the two still attacking natives. The final one stopped and then rushed at me. His axe melted away from my power but the force of his attack knocked me off balance with him falling on top of me. He rolled off quickly and then scrambled up off the ground and ran at me. I tried to get away but he came at me again with a knife pulled from his belt. He lunged and I screamed, releasing my magic at him in terror. His blade glanced my arm and then vanished from my magic. I heard a shot and the native collapsed before me as Jeremiah had fired from the rifle he had strapped to his back.

Still glowing white and hot, I stared at my hand in shock. The world flowed true and pure and I could feel the energy in the ground, coming up into me. I lowered my hand and the rush of power ended. My world turned back to normal and I could hear the children crying and Mr. Radley telling us to get inside. Jeremiah came to me and helped me off the ground. I accepted and could see that the remaining natives had turned and fled. Yet where there were natives, more would be close by.

I saw the blood on the natives who had been shot and had to turn away to remain steady. Jeremiah held me by the arm and asked, “Are you hurt?”

“I do not know.” My heart beat fast and I had a difficult time concentrating.

I allowed him to guide me and went inside the house. Bebe rushed to me and I held her close, feeling her arms wrapped tightly around me. Mrs. Radley tried to calm her children while Mr. Radley continued to load his rifles. Bebe pulled back from me and cried as I could see the blood dripping down my arm. I had been cut and I could now feel the blood flowing out of me. Like my magic and all its source, the blood flowed, my vision blurred and I fell back into the chair and remembered no more.