#twntedit

“All my life,” she said, “I have been told ‘go’ and ‘come.’ I am told how I will live, and I am told how I must die. I must be a man’s servant and a mare for his pleasure, or I must hide myself behind walls and surrender my flesh to a cold, silent god. I would walk into the jaws of hell itself, if it were a path of my own choosing. I would rather die tomorrow in the forest than live a hundred years of the life appointed me. Please. Please let me help you.”

In the priest’s soul was a desperate mourning. I prayed -- all the years of my life, I prayed. But you were silent, Lord. If I am making bargains with devils it is only because you abandoned me.

“Have no fear. I stand with you, and you will never again be alone. The world will fall to your feet, and know my wonders through your lips, because you have been loyal... Be faithful,” said the voice, “and I will never leave you.”

There are no monsters in the world, and no saints. Only infinite shades woven into the same tapestry, light and dark. One man’s monster is another man’s beloved. The wise know that.

Come to me now, children of my people’s hearths, for my need is very great.

Witch. The word drifted across his mind. We call such women so, because we have no other name.