Page 65 of Haunted Hearts

“Yes,” agreed Minerva. “There is no time for that, Blaze. They’ll just have to wait until we’ve finished giving thanks to the earth and making our sacrifice. Time is a crucial element if we want to expect a good harvest next year. Go ahead, Blaze.”

“Sacrifice?” Lillith’s eyes flashed over to the bleating goat and then back to Blaze again. “Nay. Please don’t kill the goat, Blaze.”

“It is part of our ritual. Now sit down and be quiet, all of you,” said Minerva.

“Blaze, please. Don’t do it.” Lillith looked terrified. Not only of Samhain and witches and the night in general, but also of him. He didn’t ever want to do something that would make her afraid of him. It would haunt him for the rest of his life if he did.

“Mother, tonight, we’ll make an offering of fruit, grain, and vegetables instead.” Blaze waved his hand through the air, looking over at the man holding the goat. “Get that goat out of there and bring some of the baskets filled with our harvest from this year,” said Blaze.

“You really shouldn’t go changing tradition,” warned his mother.

“On the contrary, I like change,” said Blaze, handing his dagger to his mother. “By the way, I don’t want this anymore, so you can keep it.”

“I don’t want it,” said Minerva.

“I’ll take it,” said Orvyn, surprising Blaze.

“You?” asked Blaze. “Whatever for?”

“I suppose this is as good of a time as any to let you know my secret.”

“Which secret is that?” asked Blaze, thinking the man was going to tell him why he’d been meeting with the villagers in secret and exchanging missives.

“My late wife used to be a witch,” said Orvyn.

“What?” gasped Lillith.

“Who was your wife?” Minerva wanted to know.

“Her name was Daisy. She was a cook for the Earl of Birmingham where I used to be kennel groom. That’s where I met her.”

“I know her. She was part of our coven,” said Minerva. “She was a fine woman. When did she die?”

“Four years ago, my lady.”

“I’m sorry,” said Minerva.

Blaze cleared his throat. “So, Orvyn. You mean to tell me you’ve kept a secret as big as this? I didn’t think it was possible.”

“Well, as Lady Lillith says, sometimes people are not what they seem,” Orvyn told him. “There is something else I need to tell you as well, my lord.”

“Lady Minerva, the moon is full and it is midnight,” said one of the coven members.

“It’ll have to wait,” said Blaze. “Go ahead and start the ceremony, Mother.”

“Will your dead wife be coming back tonight as well, Orvyn?” Milo whispered.

Blaze glanced over his shoulder at the boy. He was the only loose end now. If he opened his mouth and told everyone what he saw here tonight, it could ruin Blaze forever.

Lillith was excited to be witnessing the ritual of Samhain, yet she felt a little frightened too. She wasn’t sure what to expect, especially when it came to summoning the dead. That is, if that was what these people did.

“Lillith, I don’t have to stay.” Blaze took her arm. “Why don’t I take you and the others back to the manor?”

“Nay. I want to stay,” said Milo, overhearing him.

“Me too,” agreed Orvyn. “My wife never let me attend one of your bonfires and I am curious as to what happens.”

“None of you are scared?” asked Blaze.