Page 24 of Spell Ya Later

When Elizabeth was seventeen she met James Lawson, who was a traveling merchant. Their courtship was a quick affair and they were married within the year. Elizabeth describes him as her “true love” in her journals and their connection as “like the buzzing of bees.”

Around the time Elizabeth was nineteen, whispers about witchcraft were growing. Elizabeth was unaware of anyone else in Salem having powers, but never discussed them with anyone. It has been revealed by looking at other journals from the time that there were, in fact, other witches. It’s unsurprising they did not reveal themselves—presumably an attempt to protect their lives and families.

At the same time, Elizabeth became pregnant with her only child, a daughter she would name Abigail. Because of the growing fear and resentment of witchcraft, Elizabeth had her daughter in secret and swore James to an oath that if Elizabeth were to be arrested, he would take Abigail and leave Salem forever.

It was this oath that saved the Pruitt line.

Elizabeth was formally charged in 1692; her accuser was never revealed. Because of the promise James made, he left immediately with the infant Abigail, and Elizabeth was able to spin the tale that he left her because of the accusations against her.

No one ever learned of Abigail’s existence.

Elizabeth was burned at the stake in 1693 Upon her stake, she swore that with each woman, her line would strengthen. This oath has held, as each generation has built upon the foundation she laid.

James and Abigail learned of her fate a few years later when James came through looking for news. He never remarried.

Chapter 9

Opening the Floodgates

I’m a ghost as I go about the rest of my day.

Elizabeth wasmurdered, her child ripped away from her, and James was forced to live the rest of his life alone.

Raise a child alone.

And what of Abigail? She never even got to have any sort of relationship with her mother. I may be livid with my mother, but at least I have memories of her. I can go yell at her right now if I want to.

I kind of want to.

Elizabeth would never treat Abigail this way. Dad would never treat me this way. I hiccup as a frustrated tear slips down my cheek.

“The past is the past. All we can do is learn from it,” Grandma says, taking the book from where it rests on the countertop.

“I suppose.”

She sighs as she places the book back in its original spot on the shelf. Rosie jumps onto her shoulder from her perch. “It’s an awful thing that happened. There are other awful things that happened to our family, and there are beautiful things that happened to our family. Just like every other family in the world. If anything, sweetheart, remember that. Remember that we havea limited time on this Earth, and we can’t always control how our stories turn. All we can do is try to do our best to enjoy the time we have. Spend time with the people we love. Do the things that make us happy.”

She’s right. As usual.

That’s what I’m doing now. Spending my time learning magic, spending time with Laura and Grandma, and hopefully spending time with Noah. Compared to spending all my days and nights catering to Laura, catering to my mother’s emotions, and sketching? It’s not even a contest.

“Do you have questions?” she asks. “Now that you’ve gotten a small taste of magic, and of our family history?”

A frustrated chuckle forces its way out of my overstimulated body. “Only about a million.”

“Come. Let’s go sit down in my office and discuss some basics, so you’re ready for your first magic lesson tomorrow.”

I follow her lavender- and smoke-scented, muumuu-clad form through the curtains into her plant sanctuary. She gestures to one of the plushy armchairs and I sink into the green paisley one.

“Okay, first.” I sit as straight as I can, unleashing the bottled-up rambling. “What in the heck is the deal with the elements thing? I keep seeing it referenced everywhere. Are we talking about the periodic table or what?”

“I’m surprised you remember the periodic table, considering how you did in chemistry.” She eyes me over the lip of her teacup. “No, not those elements. The basic elements of life: fire, earth, water, and air. Every witch connects with one element, and that is how the majority of their magic is harnessed.”

“How do you find out what your element is?”

She places the steaming cup on its matching saucer. “Usually after puberty the element will reveal itself. If a witch is beingnurtured and properly trained this can happen quickly; if magic is being repressed it can be a lot more difficult to connect.”

Add that to the list of things I’m fucking pissed at my mom about. “Mom’s element?”