The Necromancer by Kevin Read Free Book Online Page A

not?”
    “They are.”
    “And is not that guile the most threatening of their powers?”
    “It is.”
    “Perchance there is a manner of course which can be taken with grace, though I have yet to discover it.” He turned back toward the window. “I have no more desire for spilt blood than you. It is regrettable we must deal in such disdainful matters, but the Lord has seen fi t to hand us this lot, and we must employ the best of our wits to do right by Him.”
    Hathorne turned back again to Ambrose.
    “I shall consider the matter most profoundly,” he said.
    “Perhaps there are wiser ways of grappling with the Devil.”

    *****
Late the next morning, Reverend Parris visited Tituba in Boston Prison.
    “Tituba,” he said.
    She stirred.
    “Tituba. It is I, Reverend Parris. Awaken, so that I may speak with you.”
    Tituba opened her eyes and stared through the bars at her previous master. He was solemn but looked graciously upon her.
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    “I have come to further discuss with you the crimes for which you stand accused. I do not believe you have spoken the whole of your testimony.”
    “Oh, but Master Parris, I have.”
    She looked nervous. Her eyes darted back and forth.
    He knew she was lying.
    “Tituba,” he said insistently.
    “Master Parris, please...”
    “I need to know. What has you so fearful that you shall hold your tongue?”
    “I beg you, Master Parris, do not make me say it.”
    “You must. If you fail to make a full confession, you shall most certainly die and be damned.”
    “Master Parris...”
    “Say it!”
    Tituba looked up at him meekly, then dropped her head like a scolded child.
    “Say it!” he barked again.
    Tituba relented.
    “It was late in December,” she said. “I was in the wood, returning from Goody Hibbins’s cottage with the candles Mistress Parris sent me for, when I heard a scream. I stood still. It was a windy evening, so I thought mayhap it was the wind. I was not sure it was a scream, so I kept walking.
    Then I heard another scream. It was surely a woman’s scream I heard. I stopped again. I was affrighted, but I ran toward the woman’s voice. I thought mayhap I could be of some aid to her.
    “‘Help,’ she screamed. ‘Mother of God! Help me!’”
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    “I ran as fast as I was able, but I still had no sight of her. Then I saw a young maiden running and screaming between the trees. A man in black robes was after her. He was fast at her heels and he sprang on her. They fell behind some bushes, and she went quiet.”
    Tituba’s head dropped. She sulked silently on the fl oor, her chest heaving in spasms.
    “Go on,” Parris goaded.
    “I gasped, then shut my mouth with my hand. I feared mayhap he heard me. I could see nothing now but the maiden’s hand. I stared at it. It was so white and smooth. I stood there for a spell. She did not move. I knew she was dead, but I was so affrighted I did nothing.”
    Tituba remembered that moment vividly. It had
    seemed much quieter now that it was over and the woman was dead. The winds, so dry and cold, continued to whistle and howl as if Death were reveling in the claiming of one more soul.
    “I raised my eyes from the fl oor of the wood and the maiden’s hand. Then I saw him, and he saw me. He had eyes like ice, but a strange fi re burned in them also. I could feel them on me, and I thought I would surely die.
    “He walked to me. For a long time I could not move.
    I tried to look away, but I could not. I do not remember what happened after that. My mind was touched. I only remember running back through the wood...running home.”
    “Who was it?” Parris asked. “Who did you see?”
    “Don’t make me say it. I wish not to say it.”
    “You must.”
    “He will hurt me. He is strong. He has powers.”
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    “Powers? What kind of powers?”
    “Wicked powers. Evil powers.”
    “A warlock?”
    She nodded.
    “Who is he? Tell me his name.”
    She remained silent.
    “Tell