Page 53 of The Book of Unwritten Stories

‘Morana is no longer the owner of the book; she doesn’t have it.’

‘Tell me, Dora, how do you know that?’ Lenny’s voice had an edge to it that meant she was pissed with her.

‘I’m here in her apartment. Hades showed me where to go.’

‘Get out of there now.’

‘I will, I thought you’d be pleased.’

‘Dora, for once do as you’re told, get out. I’ll explain to you later. That damn bird has a death wish.’

The line went dead.

Dora stood up. ‘I need to speak to my aunts about this, but I’ll come back later, okay? and we could talk more about all of this, try to figure it all out. For now, can you please stay inside and try not to do any magic.’

Morana cackled. ‘I will not be doing magic ever again. You don’t have to worry about that. I’m through with this shit.’

Hades looked from woman to woman, then he flew out of the window at the same time that Dora walked out of the front door. She was not sure why Lenny was so panicked about her being here but sure she would find out soon enough.

FORTY-TWO

SALEM VILLAGE, 1676

Lucine left her sisters both sleeping and went outside to tend to May, as she needed milking. Unaccustomed to being so close to a cow, she hovered around the edge of the pasture trying to catch her attention.

‘You look more beautiful each morning.’

She jumped at the sound of John Hadden’s voice, turning to face him.

‘And thou should not be hovering around a woman on her own this time of day.’

He grinned at her and tipped his hat. ‘Good morrow, Goody English, is this preferable?’

Lucine laughed. ‘I prefer beautiful or Lucine, Goody English makes me sound as if I am old beyond my years.’

‘Lucine, I brought you a gift that I want you to have and keep safe.’ As he stepped out of the shadows, she saw that his right eye was swollen and bruised, and she gasped.

‘Pray tell me, John, what happened to thy eye?’ She had a sinking feeling inside of her that she already knew what had happened but wished for it not to be true.

‘I had a run-in with two friends of yours outside of the tavern last night.’

‘Corwin and Putnam?’ Lucine’s fury was a ball of burning white light.

He nodded. ‘It was a bit of an unfair fight, two on one after I’d had a few too many tankards of that dreadful ale Ingersoll has the audacity to sell to paying customers.’

She crossed to him, and lifting her hand she gently stroked his face. ‘I am sorry, John.’

‘Why are you sorry, you did not do this. Do not fear, I gave back to them what I received three-fold.’

Lucine smiled at him, then realised if what he said was the truth they would not let this go.

‘You must leave, John, as they will not let it lie. They are horrid men, with wicked tempers, it may be better for you to continue with your journey and leave Salem village while you can.’

‘I am not afraid of them, Lucine. No matter, I am leaving this morning, but I want to give you something that I think is going to help thee and thy sisters, if things get out of hand around here.’

Her heart tore in two, she had not meant for him to leave. She did not want him to leave.

‘Where are you going?’