Chapter Nine (Amaya)

The days seemed to blur. We would alternate between making poultices and collecting herbs for healing to tending the vegetable gardens, pickling, and making jams and butter preparing for winter. In the week or so that I have been here, a couple of people from town came to see Abigail with minor injuries. Abigail is amazing and wise and seemed to be a highly respected member of the community. I hadn’t seen Sin in the last few days either, so my hopes of going home soon dwindled.

I was weeding the garden when I heard someone walk up behind me, Abigail was in the house making poultices. I turned and saw Samuel at the edge of the garden staring at me, a smile on his face.

“Hello.” I greeted as I wiped my hands on my apron. “Are you injured? Do you need to see Abigail?” I asked, as I stood and walked towards him. "I can go get her."

He shook his head and smiled, tipping his hat in greeting, “No, actually I came to see you. I was wondering if we could go for a walk.”

“Not without a chaperone.” Abigail declared as she walked out of the cabin, a stern look on her face as she studied Samuel.

“Of course, I would never assume otherwise.” He smiled as her frown deepened.

I looked at them both before looking at Abigail, who sighed and answered, “Give me a minute.” She went back into the cabin and emerged a few minutes later with a basket. “Mine as well pick some herbs while I’m at it.” She huffed as I retrieved the basket from her, she whispered, “I don’t trust him so be watchful.” I nodded as I turned to face Samuel again.

“Shall we?” he asked with a smile. I nodded as I put my arm through his and he led us to a forest path behind the cabin that went further away from town. Abigail walked behind us, giving us a few feet of space as she appeared to be looking for herbs, but I knew better. She was eavesdropping, and I knew it. Sneaky old lady. She was really starting to grow on me, your sense of humor and mannerisms were entertaining.

“So, how long are you in town for?” I asked Samuel, breaking the silence.

He looked at me, eyes shimmering different shades of blue. Is this man even human? I pondered as he answered, “Until I complete what I came her to do.” He spoke without giving much information.

“You mean your business with the pastor?” I queried.

He nodded, “that’s part of it, but I am also looking for someone.” He smiled.

“And who would that be?” I asked, feeling a little uncomfortable.

“They will know when the time is right. There are things that must happen first.” He spoke more to himself, but his voice was laced with a promise that sent a shiver down my spine.

“And where exactly are you leading, my innocent granddaughter?” Abigail accused as she stepped in front of him and raised her eyebrows? Placing her hands on her hips. “You go too far, and you’ll be tempting fate.” She warned.

A look of anger crossed his features as he looked at her. Sensing trouble, I released his arm.

"What do you mean, tempting fate?" I asked her.

"Let’s just say these woods may not be so welcoming to outsiders."

"What am I then?" I asked, worried as I looked around for a threat.

"An exception," she smiled. "The woods like you, but not him." She pointed her old bony finger at Samuel, and he looked uncomfortable.
“I wouldn’t put your nose where it doesn’t belong.” He warned, as if it were a threat.

“Why are you treating her like that? She is my family.” I defended her, playing the granddaughter role I was supposed to, although, to be honest, she did feel like family to me. “She is just trying to protect me.”

He nodded, as he looked from me to her, a look of regret crossed his features for a second then he addressed Abigail. “I am sorry for my rudeness. I will leave.”

He took my hand and kissed the back of it, “Until next time, Little Dove.” He smiled as he turned to walk away. After he was a far enough distance away and out of earshot, Abigail snorted.

“That man thinks you belong to him.” Shaking her head.

“Over my dead body!” a voice snarled from behind me.

I jumped and both Abigail and I spun around to see Sin glaring after Samuel.

"Are you trying to give us a heart attack?" I snapped as my heart rate slowed.

Abigail smiled and laughed again. “You just love to pop up out of nowhere, don’t you?"

“I can sense a threat.” He shrugged with a grin as he walked towards me, holding my hand, and rubbing his thumb over the spot that Samuel had kissed.
“Disgusting parasite should never have touched you.”

I glared at him. “What do you care, you left me here and why? Because I won’t make some shady deal with you.”

“Little flame, you have such a fiery temper, it’s intoxicating.” He looked at me as his eyes flickered orange and red. Without warning, he leaned in and kissed me, I stepped back and slapped him. “Jerk!” I snapped as he laughed, as if amused by my anger.

Abigail laughed behind me, too. I was starting to suspect that these two were working together on some sinister plot. What was their goal, anyway?

Come now, I will walk you both back home. He held out his arm to me and Abigail; She took it right away, and she leaned to look at me, raising her brows with a smile.

“Come now dear, he is not so bad.” She coaxed, with a big grin on her face. I sighed and took his arm as he walked us back to the cabin.

“So, how do you two know each other?” I asked without bothering to read their expressions.

“What do you mean? We don’t know each other.” Sin stated awkwardly.

I looked at him and raised my brows, “You say that, but I am not stupid nor am I blind, you acted like you dropped me here on a whim but in reality, its part of your plan, whatever that plan is.” I stated, hating not knowing why.

“I can’t tell you anything yet, little flame. Too much is on the line.” He frowned.

“You confuse me. Why would you bother to drag me into it, I’m nobody?” I shared looking at them just as they shared a look. I’m going to have to keep an eye on these two.

"You are not a nobody." he retorted, releasing Abigail's arm, and turning to me.

"Sure I am. I am the abandoned orphan found at a fire station with only a name and a cryptic note."

"Abandoned at a fire station?" Abigail asked, looking both hurt and confused as she turned to glance at Sin.

Sin pulled me into a hug against my will, "My lost Little flame, you will never be a nobody." he released me and looked into my eyes, making me feel vulnerable and shaken. Why did his words seem to rip at my doubts about myself?

Sin looked at his watch when we arrived back at the cabin.

“I am sorry ladies; I have to go.” He looked at me, “Don’t trust Samuel. He is not what he seems.”

“The same applies to you.” I pointed out as he chucked me under the chin.

"See you later, little flame... Abigail." He nodded at us, tipping his hat, and with a small frown, the flames enveloped him, and he was gone.