AURORE, 1789
"Aurore!" Maman calls.
I'm meditating in the garden. Sometimes the voices get too much, this is the only thing that calms me down
"Oui maman!" I know she wants me to head out to the forest to forage, she has a commission, first one in days.
A simple protection spell. But at least we should get enough coin to afford our meals for the next few days.
We're not always this short on customers. But we're in the heat of witch trials. Our sisters and brothers are being killed for merely existing.
We're almost to summer solstice too. The church and the royal guards are on high alert.
Maman walks into the garden and hands me the basket.
"I'm sorry you have to do this, Cheriè." Her eyes are watery, anxious.
Usually, she would do the foraging herself but she's been under the weather. I know she feels guilty for making me go out in the heat of the trials.
"I thought i had everything i needed but-" Her voice breaks.
"It's okay Maman." I say, trying to put on a brave face.
The guards, on the order of the church have taken to scouring the woods looking for anyone in possession of what they deem to be suspicious ingredients.
It's early evening. If i'm fast enough i should be back before nightfall, when the guards begin their shifts.
"What do you need?" I ask her.
She fidgets, then brings her eyes up to mine.
"Just some rowan berries" she says.
Merdè.
The rowan berries are pretty deep into the woods. That's why she's so nervous.
I have to hurry.
"I'll be back soon!" I run out of the gates.
By the time i get to the entrance of the woods i determine that i have about thirty minutes till the sun sets.
I run into the forest, careful to step over roots and duck under branches. The wood is dense and with the sun setting i can't see so well.
It takes me about fifteen minutes to get to the Rowan berries. I take enough to refill our supply.
Hopefully i don't need to go this deep into the woods for the next one week.
I hum a little song as i head out. I'm halfway through when i hear a whimper.
I pause to be sure, then i hear it again.
I glance at the exit and back to where the sound is coming from.
Merdè . Merdè. Merdè.
I only have enough time to head straight home, to Maman. I'm the only one she's got.
I've taken just one step when i hear the whimper again, louder now.
Hecate help me.
I turn and run towards the direction of the sound.
Maybe i could help it? It sounds like a dog. Or maybe give it a quick death if it's too late.
Better than what will happen if the guards find it.
I stop and look around frantically. When i spot it, i gasp.
By Hecate's locks.
That is either one huge dog, or it's not a dog at all.
I step forward to take a closer look.
It looks almost like...
But it can't be. I've never seen one before.
They're real?
It's a Loup-Garou. A werewolf.
There is no wolf that big.
It whimpers in pain from what i can see is a deep wound in it's side. The knife from the attacker is still wedged in. Silver.
"Okay...I'm going to try to help you." I say, slowly approaching.
"Good garou...just try not to bite me okay? My hands are our only ticket out of here."
I kneel beside it and slowly stroke its fur.
It's dark now and just my luck- the wolf's coat is black.
It'll be much easier to assess his wounds in his human form.
" Why don't you change? Shift? For me. That way i can see better okay?" I ask, unsure if he can even understand me.
I'm thinking about how to ask again when i hear a crack.
I watch, fascinated, as it's bones begin to crack, break, realign.
When it's done a beautiful man is left lying in it's place. Naked. I blush and tear off a peice of my dress to drape over his lap.
He's almost too beautiful, with aurburn locks that gleam in the darkness of the wood and a body worthy of a god.
"I'm going to pull out the knife now okay?" He grunts in response.
I pull it out and his wound sizzles. Their kind have a peculiar vulnerability to silver. Luckily the same can't be said for mine.
Although we do like them to believe so.
I quickly press another strip to his wound which is now gushing out blood.
I should be able to heal him enough to take him back to the cottage.
Oh Maman. She must be worried sick.
"Hecate, guide me" I murmur, pressing both palms to his wound.
"Âme légère, corps blessé,
Par la terre, sois réparé._
Feu sacré, vent du nord,_
Guéris le mal, ferme la mort." I chant softly.
(Light soul, wounded body, by the earth, be repaired. Sacred fire, wind of the north, heal the pain, seal away death.)
I gasp when it's finished. Of all my abilities, healing takes the biggest toll.
"Par l'ancienne flamme, je commande." (By the ancient flame, I command it.) I say finally.
I've done the hard part, but he's still not out of the woods .
"Come on, garou. Let's get out of here."
****
ANITA
I drag my hand out of his, falling to the cell floor.
I look back to see Anthony and Asher banging against an invisible barrier, stopping them from coming to me.
I look back at Devon, still chained in his chair, still wounded.
"What the fuck did you do to me! " I scream, my hands are shaking.
I try to still them. I try in vain.
"What is it Luna? Didn't fancy a little trip down memory lane?" He laughs.
"Who were those people? H-he looked like..." I trail off.
"So glad we've gotten this over with. I was getting sick of this dingy cell." With that, he pulls off the chains and stands.
Anthony yells even louder.
How did he...but the silver?
Devon laughs at the look of confusion on my face.
He grabs my hand and starts muttering under his breath. His eyes turn white and i scream.
"They're coming!" He shouts and his voice carries the voice of a thousand people.
Suddenly he let's go of me. His eyes return to their normal shade, and he laughs.
"See you soon." He snaps his fingers and...
He's gone.