Bonded

Chapter 1

"No, no!" A young woman screamed sitting up in bed kicking with her legs trying to free the blankets, which had tangled around her legs. "Don't hurt me!"

The young woman raised her arms to shield her face from the invisible attacker with red eyes. She tried moving her legs, but they felt trapped. She continued to scream as she slim young body heaved beneath her woolen nightgown. She breathed heavily with sporadic shuttering breathes as she kept her arms in front of her face with her eyes closed. Sweat beaded her forehead and rolled between her firm breasts.

Opening her eyes, her hazel colored eyes scanned the dark room for the evil that haunted her dreams. She rubbed her cheek in frenzy, trying to remove something, which is not there. Kicking off the blankets, the young woman swung her slim legs over the side of the small bed. She lowered her face into her hands and cried.

"Sarah, my dear," spoke a female voice.

Sarah looked up from her hands with tears in her eyes. She saw a tall woman with long raven hair standing at her door illuminated by a candle. The woman walked over to Sarah's bed, placed the candle on a desk, sat down on the bed, and held her arms out. Sarah fell into her arms crying. The enfolding arm made Sarah feel safe.

"Hush my dear child, it was a nightmare." The woman soothed Sarah stroking her golden hair, "It cannot hurt you."

"Mother," Sara cried in a muffled voice against the woman's breast, "It was another one of those nightmares. Those red eyed people." Sarah shuttered and felt the arms tighten around her.

"Sarah," the Mother said softly, "the nightmare cannot hurt you. You are safe."

"But... But it felt so real," Sarah whispered looking up with red-rimmed eyes and tear stained cheeks, "I felt the man breathing, crying, and then the blood." Sarah swallowed and continued, "The blood hit my cheek as he held me in his arms. I was a baby in the nightmare."

Sarah still felt the blood on her cheek. Her hand involuntarily rubbed against her cheek as she tried to rub it off. Sarah's mother kissed her forehead and ran her fingers through her slightly damp golden hair. Sarah laid her cheek against her mother's breast again and closed her eyes. In the darkness of her closed eyes, she saw the red eyes. Sarah opened her eyes immediately and stiffened in fear.

"Make it stop," Sarah whispered as he cried again, "I cannot stop seeing those red eyes." She shivered pulling herself closer to her mother.

"You have to tell yourself it is just a nightmare." Her mother repeated.

"They are so real, but this one was worse." Sarah replied.

"I know they feel real, but they are just a figment of your mind, child."

"I just want them to stop."

"They will stop soon enough." Her mother said, "I promise. Now would you like something to help you sleep?"

"No, just hold me, please." Sarah said wrapping her arms around her mom.

"Yes my dear." Her mother said rocking the young woman gently and humming.

Sarah felt comforted by the rocking and the humming. She felt her body relax and he eyes started to feel heavy. She looked up through half-lidded eyes into her mom's dark blue eyes.

"Why do I keep having these nightmares mom?" Sarah asked, "Is there something wrong with me?"

"No dear," her mom replied, "You are perfectly normal woman who needs to go back to sleep."

Sarah laid her head back down on her mother and took deep breaths. As her eyes were closing, she heard her mom whisper something into her ear. She could not make out what her mom was saying, but she felt her body relax. Her mother looked down at her daughter sleeping against her and smirked. Gently, she laid the young woman down on her bed and pulled the wool blanket over her. Stroking her daughter's cheek, she smiled widely.

"Soon my dear child," she whispered, "You will not have any more nightmares."

The woman stood up and stretched her back. Quietly she picked up the candle and walked out of the bedroom. Outside in the stone passageway a woman waited in the hallway. The other woman was short with wiry red hair and she looked up at the other woman coming out of Sarah's room.

"Is the child okay, Headmistress Celestia?" The red haired woman asked with concern.

Celestia looked down at the woman in disgust.

'How dare this thing ask me such a thing?' She thought.

"What does it matter to you, Sister Danna?" Celestia stated.

"I mean no disrespect Headmistress, it is just..." However, Celestia cut her off.

"Just what," Celestia asked, "Afriel will discover the truth of who she really is?"

"She sees things in those nightmares, Headmistress." Danna said lowering her eyes to the floor with a shiver of fear.

'That's right creature.' Celestia thought with satisfaction, 'fear me.'

"Afriel is not your concern, Sister Danna." Celestia commanded. She grabbed the Sister Danna by the chin and forced her to look up at her. "Am I understood?"

"Yes Headmistress," Danna said in a rush, "I mean no disrespect."

"I would hope not, Sister." Celestia spat out. "Now leave me."

Danna saw the Headmistresses eyes flash red and she felt fear course through her body, "I am sorry Headmistress. I have overstepped my boundaries." Danna bowed as Celestia let go of her chin.

Celestia watched the other woman scurry away down the dark hallway. She stroked her chin thinking.

'The child is almost of age.' She thought, 'It will be over very soon.'

With a sigh, she too walked quietly down the stone passageway towards her rooms. The candle was the only light in the dark passageway as she walked. She loved the feeling as the darkness enclosed her, she felt free and full of power. Once she reached her rooms, she stepped inside, closed and locked the door. From a secret compartment, she withdrew an ancient looking book. The cover of the book bound in dark leather, had strange geometric symbols and words written upon the cover.

She gently caressed the cover feeling the evil power that radiated from it. The book hummed under her and she felt warmth from beneath its cover. She opened the book and carefully turned the brittle pages until she found the page she was searching. The page displayed a drawing of a person lying upon an altar made of black stone. There was a full moon drawn above the person with a beam of light shining on the person's heart. The drawing showed the person lying on the altar surrounded by twelve figures and a thirteenth standing in the center. The thirteenth person stood above the person lying on the altar, holding a knife above the person. Below the drawing, words in an odd language instructed the user how to perform the ceremony.

Celestia studied the diagram and the instructions for a few hours at her desk. Her mouth moved silently reading the text, understanding what she needed. She rubbed her eyes and stretched her back. With a satisfied smile, she closed the book carefully and stood up. Celestia placed the book back in its secret location. Yawning lightly, she made her way to the bedroom to sleep.

Morning light flooded the small room through a small window. The sun's rays fell upon a young woman with golden hair. The young woman opened her hazel colored eyes slowly. She stared into the warm light that warmed her face from the small window and smiled with sweet kissable red lips. Closing her eyes again, she moaned lightly at the pleasure of the warm light and snuggled deeper into her pillow. She heard the birds chirping in the distance and figured it was time to get up.

Sarah sat up and stretched upward with her hands pointing toward the ceiling. She enjoyed the feeling of her body as it stretched. She lowered her arms and ran her fingers through her long wavy hair. Her delicate fingers combed out any knots and snags from last night's restless sleep. Afterwards she rubbed her eyes with the heel of her hands to clear out the sleep.

Glancing around the small room, she saw her small desk in the corner with a stool as a chair. A small wardrobe sat against the wall near the door. All the rooms in the Sister's Covent were small. The Headmistress preached that 'One could do a lot with small things.' Sarah loved the window in her room, which let the sun come in each morning to kiss her with the warm rays.

Sarah stretched upward again as the wool nightgown pressed against her firm rounded breast. Her n*****s rubbed against the wool nightgown and Sarah shivered a bit. She lowered her arms as the door to her room opened. She glanced over and saw one of the Covent servants enter the room. Sarah smelled the sweet smells of breakfast.

"Good morning Daisy," Sarah said brightly with a smile.

"Good morning mistress," Daisy replied.

"How are you doing this morning?" Sarah asked looking at the girl who was fourteen, with red hair and green eyes.

The young girl was of Irish stock. Daisy's parents left her on the doorstep of the convent a few years ago and the Sisters took her in and trained her as a servant for Sarah.

"I am well mistress," Daisy responded placing the tray on the desk, "I have brought your breakfast and your bath will be ready shortly."

"Thank you, Daisy," Sarah said, "Would you mind sitting down for a bit for a talk."

"I'm sorry mistress, but I must prepare your bath." Daisy replied in a sorrowful voice.

Most times Sarah could get Daisy to stay and talk. Sarah enjoyed the company of the younger girl. It was like having a friend. Sarah did not have any friends in the Convent. The Sisters ignored Sarah or looked at her like an annoying child. Sarah stood up with sighing to see what her breakfast might be today.

To her disappointment, Sarah saw the same breakfast that she received every morning, Milk, a slice of bread and oatmeal.

"Thank you, Daisy." Sarah said.

"You are welcome mistress." Daisy replied lowered her head and bowed. Then she left the room, closing the door behind her.

'Same breakfast every morning.' Sarah thought blowing a lock of golden hair from her face.

She sat down on her stool and ate the breakfast, thinking about what she would do this day.

'How long have I been here?' Sarah thought.

The Covent was located on a hill outside of Salem, Massachusetts. First established by the English government as a fort, the settlers designed it to protect the first settler's in the area from the unknown dangers of the new world. The fort was made of high wooden walls and most of the inner fort was made from rough stone. When the town of Salem established itself with the wooden walls, the fort was no longer necessary since it was too far from the harbor. A group of thirteen women arrived in Salem from England a month later.

The leader of the group, Celestia had a letter from the King of England. The document proclaimed as the rightful heir to the fort and established as a Sister's Covent for lost women. The crown ordered the citizen's of Salem to make the fort habitable for the women, but instructed them once it was finished to stay clear of the convent. The women wanted to lead peaceful lives.

Sarah remembered herself brought to the Covent as a baby. This is the story Celestia told her. Sarah had not been born at the Sister's Covent, but instead born in a cabin in the open plains hundreds of miles away. Celestia told her that savage Indians that roamed the plains had killed her parents and left the baby to die. Celestia said by the grace of God that she had been exploring that area when she heard the baby crying. For the past twenty years, Celestia raised Sarah in the Covent and in a few more days, she will be twenty-one.

Sarah took a bite of bread thinking about what it meant when she turned twenty-one. She would be ready for the rite of sisterhood and would become a full member. She would learn from the sisters and possibly be Headmistress one day. Sarah shrugged eating the last of her oatmeal.

'I will be a great Headmistress one day.' Sarah thought.

After her cold bath, she dressed in a simple wool shift with a white bonnet that was required of her. She hated the bonnet, because she had to keep her hair up in a bun. She really enjoyed leaving it unbraided and flowing freely down her back. She walked down the cold stone hallways smiling at each servants as each one bowed.

"Good morning." Sarah said in a cheerful voice to each servant she past.

Sarah always said good morning to the servants and asked them how they were doing. Sarah talked to the servants in garden or in the stables. They all had interested lives and were always willing to share a story about the new world, the sisters in the Covent thought otherwise. They gave shocked or disgusted looks when they saw Sarah treating the servants as equals or friends. Sarah on the other hand did not care. She loved the servants and enjoyed their company.

"You really should not encourage them, my dear." Spoke a stern voice from behind Sarah as she asked a boy about his morning.

Sarah turned around to look up into the deep blue eyes of the Headmistress Celestia, "Mom," she smiled and then threw her arms around her in a tight hug. Celestia smiled slightly as she hugged her daughter back.

"I only do it, because they are nice people and fun to talk to." Sarah replied looking up into her mom's face.

"My daughter," Celestia explained holding Sarah at arm's length and shook her head, "They are nice, because they are servants, and it is required of them."

"They are good people mother." Sarah replied with a bright innocent smile. "Plus they have wonderful stories."

"You spend too much time seeing the good in people. This will be your downfall, child." Celestia scolded.

Sarah frowned at this information, "I thought you taught me to be friendly and kind to everyone?"

"Being friendly is fine," Celestia explained, "but you show them your heart. This will only hurt you in the end."

"Well I like showing them my heart and being kind to everyone." Sarah smiled one of her radiant smiles, being sure to show her perfect white teeth and full lips.

"I see you do not comprehend the lesson I am trying to teach you." Celestia sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

Before Celestia could explain again, a sister in a red wool dress appeared from another passageway.

"Good morning Eve," Sarah greeted the Sister cheerfully upon seeing her, "How is your morning? I hope it going well?"

Eve gave Sarah a strange look and then rolling her eyes at her. She turned to the headmistress not saying anything to Sarah, "Headmistress, I'm sorry to bother you, but may I have a word."

"You may Eve, I was just instructing my daughter on her overfriendly nature." Celestia explained.

"I understand," said Eve slowly glancing at Sarah and then looking back at Celestia, "We are low on supplies and I need a few items from town."

"Why are you asking me?" Celestia asked giving Eve a quizzically look, "As the Quartermaster you may leave the convent whenever needed."

"I have other things to attend to and can not leave at this moment." Eve explained.

"What about the other Sisters?" Celestia inquired. "Are they busy as well?"

"They too are indisposed at the moment and have other things to attend too." Eve answered.

"Hmm, I cannot very well sent the servants by themselves..."

"I can go Mom." Sarah piped in, "I have not been to Salem in a while and would love to be helpful."

Celestia narrowed her eyes, "Why so eager, child?"

"I enjoy the town, the smells of the ocean and the townspeople..." Celestia cut her off.

"A young blacksmith perhaps," Celestia finished her sentence and raised an eyebrow.

"No." Sarah replied quickly, looking down and blushing slightly.

'Does she know about him?' Sarah thought, 'I have to remain calm.'

"Fine child go to Salem," Celestia sighed and looked at Eve, "Give her the list, a horse and cart. Also send Jason and Thomas to assist her."

"I can do it on my own, Mom." Sarah pouted and stamped her foot.

"If you want to go to town Sarah, you will be escorted." Celestia replied sternly

Sarah wanted to protest, but noticed the stern steely look in her mom's eyes. She knew what that look meant. She knew her mom could change her mind at any moment. Sarah really wanted to see Salem again.

'She could change her mind at any moment.' Sarah thought.

"Yes mom." Sarah said disappointed and gave a small bow of her head, "May I prepare for the trip."

"You may go." Celestia replied.

"I will prepare the servants and the cart, Headmistress." Eve bowed and walked off towards the stables.

"What are you up to, Child?" Celestia ordered grabbing her daughter's arm tightly.

"Nothing...I...I want to be helpful and I overhead the servants talking about one of the big ships arriving from England." Sarah said quickly trying to look innocent.

"Hmm, Ships from England." Celestia repeated.

"Yes mom and I do want to help." Sarah replied trying to give a serious look. "I wonder what treasures the ship has brought from England."

"Fine, child," Celestia said after a pause, "Please be careful."

"I will mom." Sarah answered, and then she left down the other passageway. She felt her mother's eyes on her back. She swallowed, but did not look back.

'What are you really up to child?' Celestia thought rubbing her chin and watching Sarah walk down the passageway.

"I want you to watch her." Celestia spoke when Sarah was out of sight.

"Yes Headmistress," a malicious voice spoke from the shadows. "And if she does something else?"

"Bring her back here at once," Celestia replied coldly, "She must be watched at all times."

"I will do as you command." The voice spoke.

"Very good," Celestia said and then walked off down the hall. A few servants bowed as she walked pass.

A shadow detached itself from the corner and down the candle lit hallway in the opposite direction. The servants shivered as they felt an evil presence among them. They noticed a shadow gliding down the passageway along the walls. They quickly crossed themselves and left the area fearing for their lives. They knew that shadow and did not want to cross its path.