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CHAPTER ONE

Saint Andrews, Scotland

1715

Even as she urged her aunt dwelling where those who practiced witchcraft gathered under the protection of their leader It was a dangerous undertaking, and when she caught sight of the building a shiver ran through her Stone built and covered in ivy, the houseas the forest itself

“I pray thatherself for what she ht encounter Chloris approached with a mixture of wariness and determination, for it was both a last resort and a terrible risk The people who gathered there practiced forbiddenover their kind Who wasJames VI of Scotland over a hundred years earlier, or her for willingly seeking them out?

A breeze swept up around her, stirring the tall trees that surrounded the dwelling Early spring leaves and blossoms were more abundant at this spot, whichin shadows as they swayed in the breeze Evening was on its way A candle set in a smallto one side of the heavy wooden door was the only welcon she saw

Dis, she looped her horse’s reins around the branch of a tree then approached the house Now that she was closer she saw the barns and wooden outhouses beyond, nestled deeper in the trees It was there that the coe construction The work that proved a respectable mask for the other practices that went on there Over the door she saw that a word had been carved into the wooden plinth So, but neither was she clear on its

When she rapped on the door a young woman appeared The woman lifted the candlestick from the , held it aloft and eyed Chloris with caution “What or who is it that you are seeking?”

Was she a servant, or was she one of the the wo loose about her shoulders Her eyes were unusual, being a ray color In all other respects she appeared none other than a nor woman

“I have been advised that a” Witch Chloris paused She knew she eable one abides here Soht be able to advise me on an intimate matter”

“What inti wo she was alone