Dangerous Magic by Sullivan Clarke Read Free Book Online Page A

not firmly brought into the flock and held there - especially women - are easy prey for the devil when left to their own devices. Does she have a husband?"
    The couple shook their heads..
    "Another problem," Rev. Fordham continued. "Women are, by nature, full of mischief, wanton and deceit. They need male leadership and a firm hand to mold them into their proper place as obedient helpmeets. Why have neither you nor any of the elders of your church not arranged for a marriage for this young woman? From your letter I understand she is quite alone, and has been so from a rather young age. Do you not see how your neglect may have created an open door for Satan himself to enter your community?"
    Reverend Pratt stammered while beside him, his wife was now covering her mouth with her hand, looking a bit sick as she frantically searched the streets in front of her house for signs that anyone walking by heard the comments.
    "We--we didn't know," stammered Rev. Pratt. "She's a healer in the community and, as I said, well liked..."
    "So for the sake of a few tincture and salves for your flock you may have compromised their very souls." Reverend Fordham shook his head, a look of grave disappointment crossing his pale face. Then, turning his dark eyes towards the house, he began to walk towards it while announcing that he expected an early supper after such a long trip.
    Behind him, the couple exchanged stricken and embarrassed glances before hastily rushing to show their guest inside, eager to being redeeming themselves in his eyes.

    * * *

    "You're in danger!"
    Lark, who had been stirring the coals of her fire jumped from the stool she'd been sitting on. But if the sound of a voice in her house had startled her, it wasn't nearly as surprising as it's source. Standing before her was her grandmother.
    "Gran?" Lark closed her eyes and shook her head. But when she looked up again there was her grandmother, standing there with a frightened expression on her face.
    "You can't be here, Gran," Lark whispered in disbelief. "You're dead."
    "I know," said the old woman. "And I don't want you to be alarmed. I'm in a better place, just as I promised I would be. Both your grandpa and ai are here with your parents. But I don't have time to explain. I've come to warn you. You are in danger! Grave danger!"
    The old woman rushed to the window and pointed out. "Look!"
    Lark rushed to her side and looked through the glass. Outside, yards from her door sat the biggest wolf she'd ever seen. She'd spotted wolves in the forest before, and they'd never harmed her, for she and they had an understanding that if they did not bother her she would not tell the villagers where they were. But she did not recognize this wolf, which was solid black and stared directly at her without the usual wolf-like shyness.
    "See, about it neck? It carries the mark of the oppressor!" Lark's grandmother pointed her bony finger at the wolf and Lark narrowed her eyes, trying to get a glimpse of what the old woman was talking about. And then she saw it. The wolf was wearing a large cross hanging from a chain. And just as she figured it out, the animal stood, baring its teeth. It began to advance on the house and Lark's first thought was to protect her grandmother, but when she turned the old lady was gone. The wolf was moving closer, running now. Instinctively, Lark backed away from the window and watched, helpless, as the animal launched itself at the cottage, shattering the window with it massive body as it plunged through the glass.
    Lark screamed and the sound of her own voice pulled her back from the dream and into her own bed, where she was now sitting bolt upright and shaking from head to toe. Rays of light were slanting bright through the Irish lace curtains. The curtains had been made by her grandmother, a grandmother who'd just appeared in a dream so vivid that she didn't doubt for an instant that she'd received a very real warning.
    Standing, she rushed to the window and