AN ETERNAL LOVE

It was nearing afternoon when Adira drove their wagon over the worn path along the shore. Her Aunt babbled on about the sermon and the food and town gossip and things like that, but she paid little attention. She could think only of Damien, the way he had touched her. The look in his eyes. His promise that he would not betray her. Adira told herself she was angry with him for implying that her being a witch could somehow damn him in front of God. And yet, she longed for the time when she might see him again. Certainly, her habit of skipping Sunday services would now be a thing of the past.

They were nearly home when Adira saw a woman in the middle of the road. Small and fair with golden hair, she was down on one knee, bending as if to tie the shoelace. Adira drew the wagon to a halt before she spotted the pendant dangling from her neck, that she had intended her to see it. It was very much like the one Adira was wearing.

As Adira caught her breath, she noticed the dagger that lay on the road beside the woman. And this was not only like her own but was identical to it.

The woman was a witch. An immortal High Witch just like Adira. She had known it was only a matter of time before another one came for her. She had known she should prepare herself for this day. But she was not prepared. Not at all.

When the woman's soft brown eyes met Adira's, she shivered. Perhaps she would not escape this time. Perhaps this would be her last day, Adira thought. But she was not willing to die. Not now, when she had just found Damien again.

Adira was even less willing to risk her aunt's safety. So holding the strange woman's gaze, she handed the reins to Aunt Helen. "Go on to the cabin," she told her. "I will come back soon."

"But, Adira... my goodness, girl, what is the matter? Why have you gone so pale?" Aunt Helen asked.

"Nothing. I am fine. I simply wish to speak with... an old associate," Adira replied.

And the woman on the road straightened, gathering her dagger and slipping it into the sheath at her hip as she stepped away from the track to allow the wagon to pass. She had worn breeches and white stockings. Her shirt was white, with laces up the front, and she wore no cap upon her short golden locks.

"You know this person?" Aunt Helen asked in surprise.

promised. "Please, Aunt Helen, go ahead. I will join

of her displeasure, but after she stepped down, her aunt did as Adira said, snapped the reins. Onyx drew

took a step forward, and Adira took an equal step back.

right to be afraid, Adira Thompson. But not of me," the woman

the dagger from its place at her thigh. "You will understand if I choose caution over the trust." Adira held the weapon in

woman looked at it, then at her. For a very long time, she stared at Adira, as if taking her measure. There was also something else in her eyes. "You don't know

on her, Adira said nothing, and it seemed for a moment a great sadness clouded the woman's face. But she quickly dismissed whatever troubled her, chased it away to some dark corner, and lifted her chin once more. And then

it. It landed at Adira's feet, its blade embedded in the black earth. Adira looked down at it, blinking in surprise.

Witches, Adira,"

you want of

be too much

But, Adira was hesitant.

the woman untied the string that held her breeches, and as Adira gasped, wide-eyed, she tugged them low over her right hip, revealing the crescent mark blazed on her skin there. "Now will you believe, I mean you

nothing. We all have the crescent mark,"

of the Moon, you are really as ignorant as a

nothing, only waited for her