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

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Renée woke to a knocking on her door. Disoriented as she had been in a deep slumber, she did not respond and took a deep breath to steady herself.

“Renée?” Hannah spoke low, trying not to wake anyone else in the house. She knocked again softly. “May I come in?”

“Yes, do so.” Renée rubbed her eyes and had difficulty seeing because of the dark. The sun had not yet begun to rise.

Hannah hurried in and said, “I am sorry to disturb your sleep, but a man is at the front door. He is asking for you.”

Renée slipped into a comfortable dress. “I am not expecting anyone. Who is he?”

“He says his name is Jeremiah and that he must speak with you about a matter of great importance.” The flame flickered from the candle she carried and added. “I detect magic in him.”

Renée pulled her hair back and quickly tied it. “Bring me to him now. Something is amiss.”

Hannah led the way downstairs to a sitting room. Renée pushed past her friend to confront the man and asked, “Are you the witch hunter?”

His dark curly hair was disheveled and he rose quickly. “Yes, I am. Cinderella is in grave danger.”

Hannah went to leave but Renée held her back. Renée faced him and asked, “How is she in danger?”

“La petite Reine hunts for her. The queen has charged me with finding her and to bring her back to England.” Jeremiah saw the look of disbelief in Renée’s face and reached inside his bag.

Renée pointed her finger at him and said with firmness. “Hold.”

Jeremiah waited and turned to show the bag he reached into. “I have a letter of introduction from the Queen of England. I will show you proof of who I say I am.”

Renée lowered her hand and Hannah came closer, prepared for any misdoings on Jeremiah’s part.

He pulled a letter out of the bag and handed it to Renée. The queen’s seal clearly marked the letter. She held it for a brief moment and gave it back to him. “Tell me your story quickly and how we can best help her. I am in no mood for tricks.”

“La petite Reine has searched for me as well. She found me in a dream and knew my plans. The next morning I used my tracking spell to find Cinderella but I sensed fairy magic with her as well.”

Renée gave the letter back to Jeremiah. “How do you know all this?”

“In my dreams, I visit Cinderella and converse with her. But last night I could not get through to her. Another’s magic blocks me. I have sensed the fairy’s magic that is with her. He prevents me from reaching her.”

“You bring ill news in the dead of morning.” Renée turned to her friend. “I do not know what to do.”

“I will help you all that I can,” Hannah said.

Jeremiah stood still and said not a word.

Renée walked past Hannah and touched Jeremiah on the forehead. He did not flinch or back away. “Do you tell the truth?”

“You have seen my letter of introduction from the queen.”

“Letters can be forged. Speak the truth to me!” Renée stood firm with her right fist clenched and her left on his forehead.

“I speak no lies.” Jeremiah remained steady. “I believe she is in grave danger and I wish to go to her to help.”

“I have seen similar tricks before. You feign needing help and then we find Cinderella and bring another type of danger to her.” Renée pushed him back and lowered her left hand.

“It is true that I bring no good news and that I am a witch hunter.” He put his hands before him and pleaded. “Yet I speak the truth in that I intend no harm to her. She is far and fairy magic blocks her to me. Without your help, I will not find her and then all is lost. Please, I need your help.”

Hannah looked at Renée and asked, “What do you want to do?”

“I must go back.” Renée turned away from Jeremiah. “And he must come with me.”

***

I woke up having dreamed of Renée. But the dream was unfocused in my mind as I tried to see her. The images I saw resembled looking through a glass bottle, being distorted and unclear. And I could not hear her voice. I missed her and wanted to see her again.

I tried to move and noticed that I rested in a bed on the second floor of the house. I could hear children downstairs, but no laughter. Outside the sun still shone and I could see far out across the cornfield to the thick forest beyond. My right arm hurt and I could see that bandages now covered the wound. I did not know how long I had been unconscious, but I could hear lots of discussion downstairs. For a moment, I thought to move, but decided that rest would be my best option.

I heard footsteps on the stairs and a few moments later the door to my room opened. Mrs. Radley came in and on seeing me conscious rushed to my side. “I am thankful to God that you are awake. How do you feel?”

“Weak and a bit lightheaded.” I tried to sit up and she helped me.

“Just rest and do not worry too much. All will be well.” Mrs. Radley put the water down on the table and then took a cloth, dipped it in a basin and then put the cool cloth on my forehead.

“Where is Bebe?” I closed my eyes to stop the room from spinning.

“She is helping downstairs. The men have gone to check out the lands that surround our house for more natives. We have also lit the signal for assistance and we expect the local families to send help soon.”

“I am sorry to be such a burden on you and to have brought such hardship to your home.” I adjusted the cloth on my forehead.

“We live in a remote area and have seen some trouble over the last few years. Worry yourself not.” She poured me a cup of water and offered it to me. “Here, have some.”

I took small sips and then said, “Can you send Bebe up so I may see her?”

“Of course.”

Mrs. Radley went downstairs and in a few moments Bebe came running into the room and hugged me tightly. “Mama!”

I kissed her disheveled hair and held her close to me. “When I am better, we must leave here and head east. We must leave as soon as I am able.”

Mrs. Radley left us alone and Bebe continued to hold me close. “Can you call Aunt Renée to come back to us? I am scared.”

“I wish I could send her a message, but I cannot do that with my magic powers. I wish for many things.” I closed my eyes and tried to hold back tears. “When Jeremiah returns, tell him that I would like to talk with him. I need to plan with him our leaving. If we stay here, we are only bringing danger to them. We have to leave.”

“I will send the witch hunter to you when he returns.” Bebe started to let go of me but still held my hand tightly. “I am scared, Mama. I do not wish to leave you.”

“I will be fine. Just let me get some sleep tonight and in the morning I will feel fine.”

I lost track of time and held Bebe in my arms, drifting off to sleep. A knock on the door woke me and Mrs. Radley peeked in. “Jeremiah has returned and he would like to talk with you.”

I heard him running up the stairs and he came to the door and took in my condition. He tried, but could not hide his frown. “How do you feel?”

Mrs. Radley scooted Bebe from my side and out of the room. Bebe thought to protest but I nodded at her and she allowed herself to be led along. I turned my attention back to Jeremiah. “I am weak.”

“You were cut with a blade made holy by the people on this land. Healing will be slow for you.” He came closer and he sat down on a chair next to me in bed. His thick, dark hair unkempt and his pistols reloaded. I could smell the powder still on him.

“How are we going to leave here?”

He thought a moment. “Neither of us are healers. Your wound will take days to mend. The natives in the area have pulled back and the farm will be protected by the Radleys and their neighbors. He has sent for help from the local militia. I need for you to decide if you wish to stay here or if you want to leave to head east.”

“I wish Renée were here. She is a healer and could help.” I closed my eyes and tried to focus.

“But she has left and headed back east.” Jeremiah leaned forward and said, “You need to make your own choice. She cannot help you now.”

I opened my eyes and turned to him. “I fully understand what my decision has caused.”

Jeremiah chuckled. “Fully understand? I doubt that you do. I tried to warn you and gave you all the information necessary to convince you to come back. You should have followed Renée back east. La petite Reine will not stop until she has you.”

“Has she such a reach that she has been able to control the natives and they do her bidding?” I wondered aloud.

“Does it matter? The Indians in the surrounding area wish to capture or kill you. Maybe they sense your magic, maybe la petite Reine does control them, truly I do not know.” He leaned back in his chair and remained silent a moment, choosing his next words with care. “I have been sent by the Queen of England to bring you back and bring you I shall. I need to know if you believe you can travel. Your daughter’s life and those of the Radleys are at risk.” He took a breath and then leaned forward and asked, “Would you like my advice?”

“You are a coarse man, sir.” I sat up from bed and leaned over to him, trying to keep my voice low. “A stranger you are, who has come out of my dreams, and you expect too much trust from me. I need time to think.”

“And that, you do not have. The natives gather and they will plan to come to this house and kill all who are here. Does it matter who they work for? They will come and we will not be prepared. All of us should leave.”

“You expect that all the Radleys have built here to be left?” I leaned back on my pillow for my head ached. “They have spent years building their home here.”

“Homes can be rebuilt. Lives cannot.” Jeremiah stood up and said, “We should go. Tonight. We have not the luxury of time. Now I will give you my advice. Take it for what you will. If you want to save the Radleys and your daughter, then we must all leave tonight.”

“And if I decide to stay and fight? Will you leave?” I judged his demeanor and wondered his response.

“Yes, and you with me.” He came close to me and looked me right in the eyes. “I am a hunter of witches. And have been paid handsomely. I will bring you back to England.”

“Do not threaten me.” I raised my hand and focused my power.

He grabbed my arm and bent it back toward me. My concentration lost, my power seeped away. “No, I do not threaten you, but I need you to stop running and to face this challenge.” He let go of my arm and tried a different tact. “I need your help to save many lives here. If you choose to stay, many may die and I will not be able to protect them all. But if we all leave, then we can work together to stay alive. I sense a storm coming. A storm of great destruction. We need to be gone before it arrives.”

“I do not like you.” The words slipped from me before I could stop them. “But you speak wisdom. Send Mr. Radley to me and I will talk with him.”

“There is no need for that. He already packs and expects to be leaving tonight. I told him already of your wish to leave so preparations are in order.” He paused before leaving and said, “You do not think it, but you are selfish and see not the full battlefield and your role in it. For too long, no one has stood up to you. You think me greedy and arrogant, but I care only for your and your daughter’s safety.”

“You’re an ass!” I looked to throw something at him but he had already reached the door.

Turning back around, he gave me his most brilliant smile and said, “I have been called worse. We will come for you when it is time to leave. Be well.”

He left the room and I had hoped that my anger would leave as well, but it did not. I tried to rest, but could not. He had spoken cutting words to me that I would remember. I saw his colors and now knew more of his character. Next time, I would be better prepared. I took a deep breath, held it and tried to let my frustration seep out of me, but the task could not be easily done. I reached out to Renée and begged her to hear me, but I doubt she could.

***

Renée rested against the rock and used it to steady herself. Bird feathers still fluttered all around her after she had changed back. Jeremiah came to her side and asked, “How do you fare?”

“I will survive.” Renée pushed back away from the rock and looked out along the long trail ahead. “We can go no further today as birds of flight. I am spent, but we can walk.”

Renée headed out along the trail headed west and Jeremiah followed her. “I have never been changed before.” He held his arms out like wings. “The feeling remains and I can still feel the wind through me.”

“If I were alone, I could make the trip in two days, but together three is more to the truth.” Renée stretched a bit and started walking. “We will need to find shelter for the night soon and get …”

Renée stopped and sniffed at the air. She froze in place and reached out her hands trying to catch what she sensed.

Jeremiah ran up to her and searched around but saw nothing except the open trail. “What is wrong?”

“She looks for me.” Renée grabbed at her right arm in pain. “She is hurt and is calling out to me for help.”

“Can you see where she is and what she sees?” Jeremiah stood back from Renée and watched as her eyes glazed over and then rolled up into her head.

Renée opened herself up to the vision and reached back for Jeremiah’s hand to steady her. “I see trees around a big, white house. Many children running around in fear. There is blood and I see Bebe being pulled into a house, screaming for her mother. And I see …”

She stopped and turned her head back east. A change came over her and she tightened her grip on Jeremiah. “She sees me and knows my name. She is …” Renée’s body went rigid and she turned on Jeremiah. “Here. I am here now. Your little flight did not stop me from finding you. I can follow the dreamline as well, Hunter.”

Jeremiah pulled away from Renée. “It would be wise of you to leave now.” He drew one of his pistols and pointed it at Renée. “You will not find her through us. Do not test my resolve.” His pistol did not waiver.

Renée jerked forward and then stopped. “I have only come to give you a warning as I have other matters to attend. Yet when I do arrive in this country, I will find you and you will pay for running away from me. Remember that.” Renée closed her eyes and then fell to the ground.

Jeremiah ran to her side and waited. She started coughing and then reached out to him and gasped for breath. “Relax and rest a moment. I believe she has gone.”

Renée sat up and took a deep breath, holding it for a moment. She accepted Jeremiah’s help and waited until her heart steadied. “I will be ready to move on in a few moments.” She took another deep breath and stared up at the late afternoon sky. A solitary hawk flew high above, searching for its prey. White, puffy clouds hung low on the horizon. It would be a beautiful sunset. She faced Jeremiah and fought a wave of dizziness that washed over her. She held off his help for a bit and after she settled herself she allowed him to help her to her feet. “We have to keep moving.”

“I would recommend that we rest.” He handed her his water skin and she took a long draught to quench her thirst.

“You are right, but I am worried.”

“I have had la petite Reine find my dreamline as well and the experience is rather unpleasant.” He put his pack down and pointed off to an area off the trail. “We can eat, rest, and then start early in the morning. Overtiring ourselves today will only make us weaker for when she returns.”

Renée looked off to the horizon and thought a moment. She started to speak and then stopped, unsure of what she wanted to say. The sun had gone down behind a hill and the long shadows of trees stretched out across the landscape. She heard Jeremiah pick up his pack, waiting.

“A long time ago, when I was a young girl, la petite Reine came to my family. She possessed my sister and drove her to the depths of despair, filling her with insanity.” Renée watched the sun set with its light changing the clouds to a fiery orange. “My sister lived in suffering for years after la petite Reine had killed the rest of my family. I became an orphan and have always feared that she would one day come back to me.”

Jeremiah shifted his pack and asked, “Did she recognize you just now?”

“No, she simply caught onto the thread of the dreamline that connects me to Cinderella. The bond runs long and tight between us.” Renée started walking and Jeremiah followed at her side. “She is the only family I have now and I fear for her.”

“We will get to Cinderella in time.” He walked along a bit faster.

Renée kept up with his pace and asked, “How long did she possess you?”

Jeremiah stopped and did not say a word.

“The time for truth is upon you.” Renée waited and then asked again, “How long?”

“Four years.” He looked at the ground when he spoke and then kicked at the dirt. “It is not a story I like to tell.”

“And yet, we are alone on the road with la petite Reine desperately trying to find us. Now might be a good time to tell your tale.” She waited a moment and then added, “Or maybe she possesses you still and I am bringing her to my friend. Do you think I have not wondered?”

“I am not possessed any longer. If you do not believe me, I have no more than my words to speak. Use your magic on me and see I speak the truth.”

“I have tried but you are blocked from me.” She faced him with her hands on her hips. “We are far from the city and I suspect that if you wished me dead I would have had a pistol in my back by now. So, what say you?”

“You have no need to fear me. I will not harm you and I have spoken the truth. I search for Cinderella to bring her back to the Queen of England.”

“I do not doubt that. I have seen the seal and the letter, but there is more to your tale than you say.”

“Yes, but I am also tired and tonight is not the time for me to tell the story. Let us eat and rest.” Renée did not move, blocking his path. “You will not move until I speak?”

“I have no time to trifle with faeries and of their minions. Tell me your tale.”

Jeremiah shrugged. “There is not much to tell. La petite Reine took me in after my family had died of a sickness. She raised me as her own and when old enough to want to leave she forced me to stay.”

“How did you escape?”

Jeremiah kept his gaze steady and did not look away. “I did not. She let me go, taking pity on me.” Seeing her disbelief, he went on. “You have no reason to believe my tale, but the truth it is. I hide nothing from you. Use your magic now on me. I will let you see into me.”

Renée came up to him and took his hand. He allowed her to do so and stood still, keeping his eyes on her. He opened himself up to her. Renée closed her eyes and allowed her magic to flow into him. She sensed no barriers this time. One thought remained clear and she gathered it close and the thought grew in her mind until it blossomed like a flower, smelling sweet and true.

“She loved you.” Renée let go of his hand and wondered aloud, “I can sense it.”

He turned away from her and shielded his eyes. “Yes, she did. And for a while, I loved her as well, but the story is long and complicated and I have told you enough. I would like to eat and settle for the night.”

“True enough. Follow me.” Renée led the way off the trail and headed toward a small clearing. She rubbed her hands together and, with a stick, drew a circle large enough for the two of them to rest and to put down their packs. “This ward will protect us while we sleep from most harm and hide us from any prying eyes. The moon will be up soon and we will have her light.”

Jeremiah opened his pack and began preparing a light meal from dried meat and some bread he had carried with him. The meal looked unappetizing, but it would sustain them. Renée shared some dried fruit she had tucked away in her pack and together they sat down and ate in silence. “Tomorrow we will fly near a town and pick up fresh supplies. Today I wanted to travel as far as we could before dark.”

Jeremiah nodded and remained silent for a long while. He ate and drank some of the water that he shared with Renée. The moon rose and he spoke, not addressing Renée, but wondering. “What if Cinderella does not wish to return to England?”

“She will.” Renée began to clean up from the meal, putting away her bowl and spoon in her pack after cleaning it out.

“Are you so sure?”

“She had changed her mind before I left, but I refused her.” Seeing his dismay, Renée looked up at the moon and said, “I had to leave on my own. There are some things I needed to do on my own that she could not be there for.”

“You speak in riddles and I sense you have more to tell but hold back. It seems we are even.” Jeremiah stowed away the rest of his meager scraps of food. “If la petite Reine finds Cinderella’s dreamline and can possess her, all will be lost.”

Renée turned away from staring at the moon and said, “Trust me, I know that. I have already decided that I will do whatever is necessary to prevent that from happening.”