Chapter Seventeen (Amaya)

The week passed in a blur; I spent most of my time taking care of Samuel, changing his bandages, and trying my best to help him stay comfortable. He was a nice guy and was surprisingly easy to talk to.

Abigail seemed to dislike him though and Sin constantly stopped in to see how he was healing; I think he wanted to send him away. It was odd to watch the two together. It was as if they knew each other, I couldn’t help but feel that everyone was keeping things from me.

When I asked Sin questions, he’d flirt and find ways to distract me, whereas Samuel just refused to answer. It was infuriating feeling like I was the only one not in on the joke. Even Abigail was surprisingly tight lipped.

Abigail looked over my clothes, assessing me, “that should do it. If we leave now, we should arrive on time for Sunday's service.”

I nodded, “What about Samuel, won’t he be put in the stocks if he doesn’t attend?” I asked, looking towards the room where he was resting.

“I will speak with Pastor Gideon about it, I am sure he will understand.” Abigail frowned.

I nodded as we left the cottage and headed towards town; we followed a group of people heading in the church's direction.

The crowd filed into the tall white building, the bell ringing and echoing throughout the village, signalling the beginning of the service.

The minute I entered the church nausea hit me in a wave fighting it back, I followed Abigail and sat with her in the back row. I was never a fan of churches, always feeling anxiety whenever I stepped foot inside one, Abigail patted my shoulder as a man walked to the front of the room and addressed the crowd talking, sharing town news, people's engagements, deaths, and births. Abigail said his name was Pastor Gideon. He was an older man with grey hair and dark and beady eyes. Something about him gave me the creeps.

I glanced around the room at the people seated. Salem had a larger population than I had originally thought.

Abigail elbowed my side as Pastor Gideon continued saying, “The town of Salem has come under siege by the devil, witches are amongst us,” My stomach dropped and my heart raced, what if they find out what I am. Abigail squeezed my hand as Pastor Gideon continued, “and thanks to my dear Samuel, we can find them and cleanse them from their sins, everyone who is suspect will be tested."

"Samuel was gravely injured recently hexed by witches, which Is why he is not attending today, I have given him permission to take leave today, our lovely healer Abigail," he paused as he gestured to Abigail who silently nodded her head in acknowledgement, “Is tending to his wounds and he should be up and about in no time.”

This man loved to hear his own voice. He went on forever. At some point I zoned out and when someone grabbed my hand, I almost jumped out of my skin.
In alarm I turned and looked at Sin, I was about to say something when he whispered, “No one can see me, little flame,” as he smiled down at me, covering his mouth with one finger, reminding me to be quiet. I glared at him but said nothing as rubbed his thumb back and forth over the top of my hand. Every time I tried to move my hand; he tightened his grip.

After what felt like hours, the service ended, and we were allowed to leave; I got up to follow Abigail and almost ran into her when she was stopped at the door by pastor Gideon.

“Why didn’t you and your granddaughter attend the last service?” He asked her, frowning.

With a confident tone, she replied, “I apologize pastor, I was tending to a patient and my granddaughter was helping me. It was a life-or-death situation. I hope you understand.”

He nodded, “Of course you are a busy woman. I might remind you of the consequence of missing service.”

“I am aware it won’t happen again.”

"Very well." He nodded and walked away.

The moment I left the church I felt a pressure lift off me and the nausea feeling left as well, I glanced at Sin who had followed silently behind me. He looked relieved as well.

As we walked through town, I noticed women pointing at us and whispering.

“Grandmother, why are they talking about us?” I asked.

“I wouldn’t worry, dear.” She replied, looking around a little uneasily.

When we got to the forest path, Abigail turned to me and Sin, who had walked silently with us and smiled, “I will see you two later. Have a nice walk.” Before turning and leaving.

“What?” I asked, moving to follow her.

"Please walk with me, little flame." He asked.

I sighed. " Ok, a quick one."

Smiling, Sin laced his arm through mine and led me away from the path and into the forest, he led us around trees seeming to zigzag through the thick brush until we came to a clearing filled with red flowers, surrounded by close knit trees and brush.

“Sit with me for a while.” He said as he moved to sit against a thick tree trunk.

I sighed and sat down in the long grass across from him, “is there a reason why you wanted me to come with you?” I asked, curious.

“I want to spend time with you alone, get to know you.”

I nodded, “What’s there to know?”

“Well, for one, you said you were abandoned, so who raised you?”

“I was in an orphanage until I was five. Then I was adopted by two wonderful people. My mother was an author and an English teacher, my father was a musician, and he taught music. They passed away a few years ago… wait, I guess it hasn’t happened yet.” I shook my head, “A few years before you brought me here.”

He nodded, smirking at my confusion as he studied me with his chilling beautiful red, orange, and yellow eyes.

“What about you?” I asked uncomfortably.

“Hmmm. Let’s see, my mother was executed by my father when I was a baby, and my stepmother killed my father a couple of years ago.” He answered nonchalantly.
“How can you be so casual about it?” I accused.

“My mother I never knew, and my father was stupid enough to be brainwashed into killing his wife, my mother, when my father was murdered in a way it was justice, I never forgave him for what he did to my mother.”

I gaped at him, “that’s a little cold, do you care about anyone? He might've had his reasons.”

He moved too fast for me to see and, without warning; Trying to put distance between us, I leaned back, losing my balance, and ended up laying in the grass. Smirking, he leaned over me. He gently titled my chin up, so I was looking into his eyes as he whispered, “I care about you, about knowing you and being with you.”
He finished as shivers erupted throughout my body, He stared into my eyes, making me feel vulnerable like he could see everything in my mind, reading my very soul.
Swept up in the moment I pushed myself up on my elbows and kissed him, he pulled away surprised before smiling and returning it; he rubbed his hand up my calf lifting my skirt and rubbed my thigh as he continued to kiss me, pulling away from my mouth his kissed along my jaw and down my neck and I wanted so badly to get lost in it, Samuel's Face flashed in my mind and a feeling of guilt overwhelmed me and I pushed Sin away.

“What’s wrong?” He asked as he moved away from me.

“I can’t do this.” I replied as I stood up and moved to leave.

“Why not?” he questioned, as he grabbed my wrist, turning me to face him.

“I’m confused, and I need to sort my feelings.” I replied.

“It’s Samuel, isn’t it? You have feelings for him.” He stated more than asked.

“I don’t know, I feel pulled to him,” I replied as he frowned. I reached up and cupped his cheek, “As I feel pulled to you.”

He leaned down touching his forehead to mine, “I understand, I can wait, my Little Flame.” He whispered with a hint of sadness in his voice. Quickly masking it, he asked, “So, you want to make that deal yet?”

I shook my head and smiled as he held my hand, and we walked back to the cottage.