A Witch Hunt

Susanna

"You think I refuse?"

Susanna’ s eyes had been on his, her gaze pleading with him to understand, so she saw The Stranger’s beautiful eyes darken and cover with clouds, she even saw the sudden motion of his rising hand, but she could not react quickly enough. His words had barely left his mouth when his hand rose to catch her by the throat. His strong fingers squeezed into that delicate column of pale flesh, cutting off her next breath. A fear on the threshold of panic flashed in her wide blue eyes, in her life, no one had ever raised a hand to her, and no one had ever hurt her. In a community where minds believed that to spare the rod was to spoil the child, her devoted parents had spoiled Susanna. Having never experienced hurt at the hands of another, she was unprepared for the depth of fright the sudden pain caused her.

In a moment, it was over. The pressure eased and he withdrew his hand, both his gaze and his touch softening as if it had never happened. However, his touch awakened a new fear in Susanna, and the fear lingered even as the pain that caused it faded. She drew her next breath through quivering lips, filling her lungs while trying to empty herself of the fear.

"I have asked forgiveness. I have asked for mercy, but He gives me nothing. My absolution is the shadow; my realm is that which he flings to me. You think I know not what you do? You think I too am some small sinner who feels the Virgin Mary can wash my sins away?"


Susanna felt his hand smoothly move down her side with a gentle grazing of his fingers and coming to play with the bible she held in her small hand. His finger moved along the soft leather cover while she fought the urge to snatch it away from his touch. It was as if it was her strength, her comfort and his touch weakened it as it weakened her. She fought for it, her grip on the book tightened, pinching her nails into the leather and she could still draw reassurance from its presence.

She wanted to speak, to explain the truth to him. It was clear to her that he simply did not understand that asking for forgiveness is not all there is. Forgiveness can only come with repentance, with sorrow and regret for the sins committed but Temperance’s Richard, Susanna’s Stranger, has put his faith in himself, not in God. Her curiosity filled her mind with questions. She wanted to know, to help him find his way she must know, but the memory of his hand at her throat forced her to remain silent. She did not press for answers; she remained silent with her doubts.

"He forces loyalty, I offer choice. He gives you plagues, I hand out promise. In your darkest of hours he is nowhere to be found... but me?"


“No, no.” She shook her head and a single free curl of gold brushed against her fair cheek. Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper, “I find Him in my heart. I can always find him in my heart.”

Even before the door closed, Susanna looked away; her eyes strayed from his and moved to the secret, solitary place where she always found what she sought. His touch drew her back, his fingernails on her skin, his body skimming against hers and a dark contact moving through her mind. She stiffened; fear and tension drawing her tightly within herself.

"I offer so much and ask for so little, he offers nothing yet you give him all you have. That is a great task, nobler even than the highest of martyr."

“I give Him all I can. I give Him my heart, and in return, for so small a thing, He gives Salvation.” She swallowed nervously as she licked her lips. Fear nearly silenced her but Faith pushed a single step farther, “No one can offer so much in exchange for so little.”
 
"You are right about that. Who else could make such an offer? Certainly not me. You know what the end for me is. You know my salvation."

She knew all too well. She had read that book of her forwards and back, studying and preparing, perhaps even for an encounter such as this. So his slippery tongue wouldn't trip over her poor innocent body.

"So high and mighty though. You talk so confidently of God's plan, of his ways. You know what it's like to sacrifice yourself for the greater cause, the greater good. I wonder..."

He paused, looking back. At Temperance. Even further. His eyes stretched beyond wood and wall, to the depths where cells lay filled with more girls, more cries of pain and yes... even pleasure. People found so much pleasure here, people found whatever they were looking for.

And whatever they truly fear.

The good Susanna found it as well. He had to get her, had to trip her up in this. And there was only one way, through her faith.

"Would you sacrifice yourself to free all of these girls? Would you choose go through through what they endure, every day, all day, so they can go home, so they can ask forgiveness, so they can be whole once more? Would you step away from God's grace, in order to give all of these girls a chance?"
 
He came with her. He didn't know why, he wanted to, wanted them to share the experience. It felt so different, he'd never cum without complete control before, without utter dominance. To feel her body next to his, to feel them both joining in the shared ecstacy, to have them ride a single wave, share a single fate...

He was out of breath, his body showered in sweat, shivering as her fingers still wavered over him. He did kiss her, licking the thin sheen of sweat from her body. It tasted salty, good.

"That was... wonderful," He said, curling up beside her. How come it never felt so good with anyone else? Why was this so much more intimate, so much more powerful?

Because it was his mother. She had so much to teach him. He never learned as a young boy, his mother never had the opportunity to be caring and kind and wonderful as all mother's should.

"Teach me more," He whimpered, his lips finding hers, "Teach me, as a mother teaches her son about life. All I know is from my father. I know nothing of your world, of your pleasure."
 
Susanna

"You are right about that. Who else could make such an offer? Certainly not me. You know what the end for me is. You know my salvation."

She looked up at his beautiful face and for a moment, she felt an overwhelming sadness but she tried to shake it away. His destiny was of his own choosing. He set his own feet upon this path; he did not deserve her sorrow and her pity would not help him.

"So high and mighty though. You talk so confidently of God's plan, of his ways. You know what it's like to sacrifice yourself for the greater cause, the greater good. I wonder..."

I wonder…. Something in those words sent a shiver through her; they struck her flesh like a hundred little pins of ice, piercing her skin and stopping her breath. The game, if there had been one, was about to end. She knew he had been toying with her, teasing her into revealing her weaknesses but I wonder meant something entirely different. He was not playing any longer he was thinking. She thought he was looking at her and her face burned pink until she realized he was was not looking at her, he was looking beyond her. He was looking at Temperance but beyond her, as well. His eyes were on things no one else could see. Before she could even begin to understand what he was seeing, his eyes returned to hers. This time she was certain, she could feel digging into hers, searching.

"Would you sacrifice yourself to free all of these girls? Would you choose go through what they endure, every day, all day, so they can go home, so they can ask forgiveness, so they can be whole once more? Would you step away from God's grace, in order to give all of these girls a chance?"

Would you sacrifice yourself? The color drained from her face, gone was the wholesome pink of her cheeks and rose of her lips, only a pale ashen white lingered on her skin. The sole color in her troubled face was the deep blue of her wide eyes, and they cast frantically around the room as if the answer was within her sight. She imagined what he put those girls through and knew she was incapable of truly understanding what they endured at his mercy but the images that came to her innocent mind were enough to send quakes of fear through her body.

But to save them, to rescue them from their suffering, to set them free to find their own paths again? What is that worth? To suffer in their place, to lose what they have lost, what is the cost? What does he want from me? Part of her wants nothing more than to simply say no, if only to deny him whatever he wants but the most terrified part of her heart wants to help the others. She must know what he wants; she must know the price he would make her pay for them.

She drew slow deep breaths, a she tried to control her fear and stop her body from shaking. Her eyes could barely meet his and her voice was little more than a whisper. “To free them, what do you want from me? What will I give, what will I risk and what will you take?”
 
Where had her faith gone? She had been wrapped up so comfortably inside of it, wearing it like some warm blanket as she trudged through his depths. Now, it had grown cold, wet, drawing her down with each step, making it difficult to move, to breathe.

Yes, that is what faith is, isn't it?

"You shiver," He touched the slender curve of her arm, seeing it shake slightly. Not under his touch, although that brought a new ripple throughout her body, but because of his choice. More choices, more confusion. That's all he was, in the end. Still tempting Eve with the apple, still confusing even the most devout.

"Even your eyes, shiver," He saw them, moving back and forth, searching at first the room and then trying to peer into his own depths. She couldn't though, he almost wished she could. If she caught one glimpse of how black and deep his pitted soul delved, she would never be the same.

But, no, he didn't want that. He wanted her the same. The exact same as sheis now.

"I offer you a chance to save everyone in here. Everyone. Everyone who can still be saved... which means only you and I will remain. You will stay here with me, and be mine. You risk yourself, I'm afraid. Everything you've ever known, and loved. You will fall in my shadow, never feeling God's love. But... you know he will love you, because you sacrificed soo much for him. Don't do it for me, or these sad people in here rotting away, being tortured and frightened. Do it for His grace, for His love."

His hands closing in on her, embracing her. Her small petite body pressing into his now. He could see her, feel her tremors as they ran along her. His hands tried to quiet their quakes, but it could do nothing. All he did was lock his eyes to hers, and make her frighten more.

Did he have such an effect?

He bent down, his kiss soft, seductive. Their lips touched, hers so warm, his soo cold, but not unkind. That kiss was out of love, out of devotion, out of jealousy for her having a centered happiness that he could never know.

Kissing an innocent, kissing someone who was so unlike him, it hurt. It hurt both of them, and it thrilled both of them as well.

"You will be mine... and I will take what I want," His finger slipped down the side of her swelling bosom, threatening to go lower.
 
Susanna

"You shiver," His voice almost sounded soft to her ears, as if he had some concern for her. She could feel how her fear shook her and his touch nearly unnerved her as it sent additional little tremors over her skin. "Even your eyes, shiver."

She knew it was true. She tried to look into his eyes, she tried to search them for the truth, but she could see nothing. It was as if the truth was hidden behind two beautiful blue curtains. They fluttered occasionally, teasing her, but they never lifted and the truth remained obscured. The only thing worse than not knowing was not being able to decide. She could feel herself taking the first steps, heading down the path to her decision. They were small tentative steps but she made them with faith.

"I offer you a chance to save everyone in here. Everyone. Everyone who can still be saved... which means only you and I will remain. You will stay here with me, and be mine. You risk yourself, I'm afraid. Everything you've ever known, and loved. You will fall in my shadow, never feeling God's love. But... you know he will love you, because you sacrificed soo much for him. Don't do it for me, or these sad people in here rotting away, being tortured and frightened. Do it for His grace, for His love."

The Heavenly Father loves me. He will continue to love me. As my faith in Him remains strong, I live in His Grace. No matter the darkness in which I dwell the Light remains Eternal. That is the unalterable truth; it is His Covenant. I know why I am so afraid. Can I endure what the others have faced? My Faith is strong but…

She felt Richard’s arms embrace her and pull her body to his. She did not resist him; she was pliable, soft but still in is arms. She was unmoving except for the trembling fear she could not release. His hands moved over her as her body quaked, his touch, even if gentle gave her no comfort. His eyes finally locked to hers but his dark veiled depths were only reminders of the unknown and the unanswered. She knew he was about to lean down to kiss her but she did not try to turn away. She was pliant and yielding in his arms and against his lips. His lips were cold on the warmth of hers, like an unending winter without the warmth of family or Faith. Their touch seemed almost tender.

"You will be mine... and I will take what I want." Her trembling ceased as his finger slipped down the side of her swelling bosom, even the threat of going lower did not cause her to shake again. She knew what she had to do and for now that quelled her fears. She wrapped her hand firmly around her bible and her fingers ran lovingly across the old worn leather. She had made her choice but still took comfort in its familiar feel.

Her voice was soft, she spoke quietly, but confidently, as if reciting a well-known prayer, “Only you and I will remain. I will stay here with you, and be yours. I will risk myself, everything I know and love. I will fall in your shadow…” She paused for a moment and swallowed heavily, clearly what followed was difficult for her to say. “And never feel God’s love. But He will love me, not because I sacrifice myself but because I love Him, because my Faith remains with Him.”

A small sorrowful smile touched her lips. “You can take what you can take but you will never touch that.”

Oh, merciful Lord, let me find Light in Darkness.
 
"Yes... that's all it takes, Susana. And I want you to keep your faith, I want you to have it, hold it no matter what happens."

And his embrace went further now, as his forked tongue ran along her ear. Hiw words soft and gentle, whispered into her, like some gentle lover telling her the sweet nothings of his romance.

"Why do you think I want you Susana? Do you know what makes you different from the others? Once they are touched, tainted, raped, humiliated, they lose faith. They lose themselves. Whatever part of innocence they had is now gone, thrown on the floor with the blood and cum and fluids."

But her? His hands ran down her back, razor sharp fingernails digging at her clothing, rippling across the skin. A small single bead of blood dropped from her, as the dress ripped in two, and fell to her sides, leaving her in only her underthings.

"No matter what I do to you, you'll keep your innocence, your dignity. You'll keep a part of God within you, and as long as I love you, as long as I have you, I have a part of God."

And that... is something she could never take away from him. The pact almost done, the air becoming heavy in the room. Fire crackled with delight at viewing such a sacrifice. He brought his finger to his lips, biting it. A single drop of pure black blood, its oily surface reflecting everything appeared.

"Taste, Susanna. Just one drop, suckle from me and the pact is complete. That is all it takes. That is all you need."

His eyes reflected the fire, and his passion, nothing more.
 
Susanna

"Yes... that's all it takes, Susana. And I want you to keep your faith, I want you to have it, hold it no matter what happens."

She felt him pull her closer to him and as his tongue ran long her ear, she finally had to fight the urge to pull away. He whispered to her, and his tone sounded like a cruel mockery of a lover’s promise, spoken in a gentle voice that made the message they carried even more terrifying.

"Why do you think I want you Susana? Do you know what makes you different from the others? Once they are touched, tainted, raped, humiliated, they lose faith. They lose themselves. Whatever part of innocence they had is now gone, thrown on the floor with the blood and cum and fluids."

His word echoed through her, definitions were lost but the meaning remained perfectly clear. She winced as his sharp nails sliced through her gown and across the skin of her back. As her modest wool gown slid the floor at her feet, she felt the first drop of blood she shed. She lifted her chin; she made her choice she would not weaken now.

"No matter what I do to you, you'll keep your innocence, your dignity. You'll keep a part of God within you, and as long as I love you, as long as I have you, I have a part of God."

Touched, tainted, raped, humiliated… No matter what I do to you… For a moment, it was all nearly too much of a weight for her to carry. She was certain the frantic beating of her heart could be heard throughout the mansion and hoped it would serve as a warning for the others. All of this so he could have a piece of God? It made no sense to her, had he not rejected God? Had he not chosen flesh and sin over Faith and Salvation? She was nothing more than a vessel filled with the love of God and loved by God in return. Ultimately, she knew it did not matter; her Faith had led her to make her choice. She had Faith that God’s love would follow her even into the Darkness, and with Faith she would not despair.

She watched him; her innocent blue eyes wide with growing dread, as he bit his finger then pinched a drop of blood to the surface of his skin.

"Taste, Susanna. Just one drop, suckle from me and the pact is complete. That is all it takes. That is all you need."

The air in the room grew heavy, and she shivered despite the near oppressive heat. The blood, his blood was the color of pitch, dark and slick. Once more, she looked up into his eyes, still searching for the secret she knew he was hiding from her, but she saw nothing except the reflection of the fire. Her heart sung a silent prayer and her eyes filled with tears as she leaned forward and took his finger between her lips. She slid her tongue over the tar-like blood as like a babe she suckled. It was done and she could not stop the tear that fell to her cheek.

May my every cross be sanctified, every loss be gain, every denial a spiritual advantage, every dark day a light of the Holy Spirit, every night of trial a song.
 
abigail knelt on the cold stone floor of her cell. the bone chilling cold of the stone against her knees was a familiar feel. her father, reverend smythe, expected his daughter to be a pious woman. a paragon. even now her skirts were tucked in under her feet as to not be immodest as she prayed. she whispered the prayers she had known since child birth. but they brought her little comfort. she was terrified she would fall asleep. if she fell asleep and the dreams came she would never be able to convince anyone of her innocence.

she should have never confided in her friend about the dreams. she would see such evil things and wander and scream in her sleep. she was afraid of them, and she could see the disgust in her father's eyes when he saw her on the floor in her nightgown when she awoke from the terrible dreams.

even her father being the reverend smythe could not save her now. the desperation started to gnaw at her. she began to cry out, begging for someone to let her out. but all she could hear were hear were distant female screams and her own voice bouncing down the stone corridor.
 
His footsteps clicked, echoing the silence of the halls. For a moment as he walked down the corridor, only the small flicker of torchlight guiding his way, the screaming stop, the torture paused, sighing a moment as something wonderful happened upstairs.

Ned paused, his head tilting slightly. It did feel good, wonderful even. He basked in whatever euphoria it had created down here, and then continued on his way.

The first cell he stopped, peeking inside. His massive frame and bulging muscles gave way as he crept up by his tip toes and looked into the room. What he saw brought him such pride, such joy. His own wife lay with their son, sharing a moment a wife and son were supposed to share together.

Just as it was with him, just as it was with his father. The circle would always continue.

He didn't bother them, interrupting. Instead, he nodded his head and moved to the next cell. This one he did open, no longer scared or curious or cautious. The door slammed into the far rock wall, as he filled the frame with his bulk.

"You've been accused of witch craft," He spoke. The young Abigail, she had been so loyal so faithful, even to her father's works and words. How could such a sweet girl end up in here?

He bent down to her, on his knees he still towered over her, his rough and calloused hands slipping into her small pale ones. The knuckles were bone white, as his fingers massaged her hands, getting the blood to flow once more.

"It's ok... I'm here now," He knew her from town, knew her as a friend and a good person.

"I can make this go easy on you. I know how they are, the questions they will ask you. I can take you through the process, I won't be as hard as they are. I'll be gentle."

His hand slipped up her smooth thigh, pushing her nicely fanned out dress higher and higher. The lust showed in his eyes as her skin revealed, pure raw animalistic urges that took over in the dead of night.

"I'll be gentle, I promise."
 
"i have done nothing wrong i swear it" she whispered, her eyes wide with fright. "please.... take me out of here... take me to my father.... i will be a good girl" she shivered as his hands found there way under her dress. his warm rough hands bringing heat. she was so cold. cold and afraid.

"i will be a good girl" she whimpered, his hands getting stronger. "tell them... whoever they are.... i am no witch...." her hands pushed against his chest. her eyes getting wild with panic.

"you are a married man and i am not your wife... you shouldnt be touching me this way..... please..... is my father here...? he wouldnt approve of this..." abigail's soft voice gave way to tears. his hands would not retreat. she gathered all of her courage and then screamed. screamed in the hopes that someone would rescue her. that maybe God himself would intervene for her soul.
 
Ned stopped as she screamed, pausing with his hand still grabbing at her thigh. Her dress now rumpled up enough so he could see just the faintest touch of her skin peering through. She tried desperately to push him away, but he refused to move. The best she could do is pound uselessly against his chest.

"There is a test," He said, as soon as she finished, "A simple test to find out whether you are a witch. All I need to do is administer the test. Once I do, and you pass, then you are free to go, do you understand?"

He saw the look in her eye. It was the same look so many girls got when they came in here, the first vision of hope, the single false step they took to just endure another moment or two and then they'll be safe. Yes, think that, think down that slippery slope and all will be well.

"I need you naked for this test. I must know if your body is free from chaotic symbols and witchcraft. That is part of the test."

Then, he continued pawing at her, lifting her dress up, seeing more of her thigh now. It came, the small part of her legs. One finger slid up that part, before he moved further.

"Help me take off your clothing or I will rip it off," He spoke harsh now, earnest. Not like before. Before it was quiet, friendly, like a person asking to sit beside her at church. Now, his voice turned cold, foreign to her ears. He needed her to remove her clothing, to be naked before him.

Already, his cock throbbed painfully in his pants, eager to see more of her, to see all of her.
 
abigail



abigail took a deep breath, if she took her clothes off, they would be wearable after the test. if he had to rip them from her, how would she get home? she pulled away from him a bit. and her deft fingers unbuttoned the tiny black buttons down the front of her dress. the buttons started up at her throat and slowly they peeled open. the creamy skin of her throat was exposed and then the tops of her breasts showing over her chemise. the dark heavy dress slid to the floor in a head. abigail had to stand to step out of the dress. she stood there in just her chemise. it was just plain linen. her father would have no vanity in their household. her dark hair was pinned under a cap.

the cold was making her shiver. her nipples hardening in the cool air, visible through the simple shift. one little tress of hair escaped the cap, falling down her cheek.

"is this enough? can you see that i am symbol free now? it is so very cold here." she crossed her arms across her chest. "i want to know who accused me and what exactly i have been accused of....." she was trying to draw strength into her voice. but the look on ned's face. it was frightening. his eyes on her as if she were.... a meal. he looked hungry and his breathing seemed quick.

"please, sir... you know i am an innocent. she watched his face. waiting for mercy, waiting for him to relent. she closed her eyes and as silent tears made their way down her reddened cheeks her chemise slipped to the floor. she stood before him shuddering, crying and bare.

her body was sleek but feminine. a belly still flat from having borne no children yet. her breasts high and tipped with dusky pink nipples. they were the perfect size to fit in ned's rough hands. her legs were trim, elegant, unmarred. and her legs led him to the patch of soft curls nestled between them, hiding her sex.

she felt ridiculous and exposed. abigail removed the cap and undid the pins. her hair streaming down in one long cascade after another. her hair made her feel more covered. but really her long silky hair only framed her nakedness.

she looked at him and implored..."see, there is nothing. i am just a girl. not a witch."
 
He felt her crimson lips, soft and gentle as snowfall upon his finger. She drank that one fateful drop, pouring it into her body. For a moment it seemed as if she had swallowed ice, freezing everything it touched.

He drew away from her, watching, his eyes glued to her. Not the same way as before, not like a lover imagining her naked, but as a scientist, curious what will happen next.

The cold expanded, reaching out to her entire body. It ran down her legs, dropped into her arms, sliding down her skin and creeping into the softest touches of her spine. It took all of her, tainting her, blood, skin, bones, blood and sinew all having some part of this single darkness inside of her, all carrying some soft spot.

Except for one place. One place deep inside that she shared with no other. That place remained unfrozen, remained hers to have and keep. Her last savior, her only remnant, because everything else belonged to her.

"Welcome, Susanna," He greeted her properly, bowing with great appreciation. She wore different clothing now, darker, simpler. It was silk, and it fit her like a second skin. No underwear, just one layer of cloth for her to conceal herself.

Although, it didn't conceal. It ran down her figure, bringing it out, showing such curves and pushing ever so delightfully against the softer more intimate places of her body.

He came up to her, seeing her new body, new face, new eyes sparkling with a hint of himself.

"You are reborn," He said, eyeing her as if she were a daughter, first time looking upon the world, "You are reborn and mine."
 
Susanna

She felt the cold enter her as she took his blood to her lips and move through her as she swallowed it. It was hers now, a part of her like no other; it was a piece of him. It spread its icy fingers over skin and into her flesh. So cold, so cold it burned its way down her throat. It was like a fever and a plunge in icy water. Burning and freezing, as it branched through her.

His eyes were on her, they watched her inquisitively, perhaps he was waiting for something too, she could not tell. She shivered uncontrollably as the cold spread over her. Her legs grew heavy as if they were rooted in deep snow, and her hands felt as if they were made of ice. She felt it in her chest and she struggled to breath, afraid she would crack her frozen lungs. She through back head and moaned as it moved up her neck, she could feel the icy fingers burning behind her eyes. She felt it move through her blood, slowly probing as if seeking something. The one thing the darkness could not take and the cold could not touch.

But it tried. One more test of Faith but Susana did not falter, her Faith was strong and her sacrifice was pure. It was not made so God would love her, it was made firm in the knowledge that He already did. Surrounded by so much cold her Faith seemed warmer, surrounded by so much darkness it only burned brighter.

"Welcome, Susanna," He greeted her properly, bowing with great appreciation.

She simply nodded to him as her mind attempted to sort through the changes. She knew he had changed her in ways she didn’t yet realize, in ways beyond her clothing. The gown she now wore was indecent, ‘though covering her skin it revealed more of her flesh than it concealed. It exposed her in ways she never imagined but unlike Eve she did not attempt to cover herself, unlike Eve, Susanna had not sinned against the word of God.

‘You are reborn," He said, eyeing her as if she were a daughter, first time looking upon the world, "You are reborn and mine."

I have changed but how? What has he done to me? She pushed aside her questions, for now. Having found the Light that remained inside her, the darkness was less frightening and the cold for her flesh easier to bear. She drew a deep breath and exhaled it slowly as smile spread across her crimson lips.

“My body is yours, I gave it to you. What you do with it, I will endure.” She ran her fingers through her hair, “What of the other girls?”
 
"If only it were that easy," He spoke, coming up next to her, his hands running down the sides of her body. He grabbed her arms, forcing her to the one cot in the room. A small piece of stale blanket thrown over old hay. He pushed her down onto it, pushing himself over her. Whatever fight in her could not match his own. He took it, whatever it was, staring her down.

"As an inquisitor, I must check. I must check everything. Every inch, for a witch can be very clever in hiding. Do not move."

He leaned in against her neck, smelling her. The sweat and fear pouring off of her filled in beyond his limits. To feel her as well, under him, writhing and moving the way he remembered so many other girls. Already he was hard for her, already he began grinding his cock against her.

It couldn't start too early though. No, it would have to wait just a little bit more. His tongue came out, licking her ear lobe, moving further onto her neck.

"The taste of a witch as well. They have tastes and smells and sights no normal girl has. We must be... thorough."

He said this as he moved down her body, to the rise of her chest. It swelled as she took in a break, the peaked nipple from the cold standing out.

"To be excited?" He accused, pinching her nipple between his fingers, glaring up at her, "It is one of the signs I was told to look for. A normal woman would not feel excitement running through her, only shame and fear."

He dropped down, licking it. The first time a man touching her as man and woman should, licking her nipple, teasing it, eyes never leaving hers.
 
"Why don't you see for yourself?" He stepped in behind her, arm open, sweeping over the far wall. Nothing stood there, nothing important. It was just a wall, one that adjoined this room to the dining room and then others.

"No," He whispered, kissing along her neck. Such terrifyingly wonderful new experiences now. With his blood running though her, his body was meant for her, he trickled his tongue, looking at the same place she did.

"Look deeper. You can do it now... you have my eyes."

His hand came to touch her brow, pulling down. They covered her closed eyes, one finger touching each of them. A soft touch, yet completely submissive. His body pressed against hers and when she opened her eyes, she could see whatever she wished.

"Yes... my angel, yes. Look down now, at the cells below," All were empty, save for two. One held a mother and son, cuddling in each others arms. Another held Ned as he terrorized a new girl.

The rest were empty.

"I'm afraid Ned won't let go of his girl. He seems... stubborn to the old ways. And Amber is right where she wants to be. She is happy, she is home, she is not part of our deal. Nor Temperance I'm afraid."

Temperance still sat next to the fire, alone with her thoughts, "She made a deal of her own, one we haven't quite finished with yet. It would be... rude of me to send her away now."

Except for the Abigail girl, everyone else had gone. Traversed back to the town, with nothing more than a bad dream of this place. They could sleep well tonight, under their families houses, undert he guile of safety.

"It is as you wished, angel. Isn't it?"
 
His tongue felt warm and cold all at once. Her stomach clenching as he laved his tongue on her skin. "Please...." was all she could get out. Her heart hammered in her chest. She almost thought she could hear his heartbeat as well. "Ned....please." She whispered, calling him by his given name.

When his mouth lowered to her breast, she felt herself stiffen. She felt her nipples getting even harder. The touch stoking the fire building up in her belly. There was a heat inside of her she could not name. Her hips wriggled, her body seeking and attempting to get away all at once.

"I do not have passion for you. I am a chaste woman..." Her voice breaking as he held her. "Please.... if you do this my father will never take me home. I will have no one. He is a proud man and a pious man. He will not have disgrace in his home."

Ned seemed even larger that her. His erection pressing against her through his clothes, an almost unhuman heat rising from his body. "I do not taste of witchcraft do I, Ned?" She whispered in desperation. Her own body betraying her, her arousal making her cheeks burn with shame.
 
"I can feel it," He spoke, her flesh in his mouth. Since his tongue had touched her it refused to leave her skin, trailing down further, between her legs. Each stop sent a tiny quiver as his lips came down, once more kissing, once more touching. He did inspect as well, perhaps that made it so much more unbearable.

He did not go down her body, but rather across. This way and that to make sure nothing was missed, no wonderous curve or flawless piece of her skin went untouched, unglanced.

Down between her legs, that softest patch of fuzz before her pink lips. They were barely visible, nothing more than a single slit, parted like the dawning of some rare flower, petals on each side. He moved down, his hands stretching across to keep her in place.

"Here it is. I can taste the witchcraft now," He said this as his long rough tongue slid slowly up her slit. The softest touches of moisture caught his lip, with her heated core promising more of what was to come. He stared up at her from between her legs, accusing.

"Witchcraft. You can not deny it, that feeling in your stomach, that urge, pulling need inside of you."

He spoke as he licked her again, harder this time, his tongue searching and then finding her clit. Lips descending, suckling on it, taking her into his mouth.
 
Susanna

"Why don't you see for yourself?" His gesture was a grand flourish as if setting the opening dance of a courtly occasion, but as he stood behind her, it led her eyes to a blank wall. There was no window or doorway, no way for to see through to the rest of the manor.

"No," "Look deeper. You can do it now... you have my eyes." His voice was soft and eased into her ear, as his lips laid kisses along her neck. Susanna did not want to see, she did not want to use his eyes but she had to look, she had to know what happened to the other girls. His tongue followed his kisses along her neck; already he was treating her body as his. She had to know that he had paid the price for her.

It was as if he was closing the dead eyes of a corpse. They way his hand softly set on her forehead, before his fingers slid down over her lids, setting them with a gentle pressure. She had seen her father do it more than once and to her, more than anything else, it was the true sign of death. She was shivering as he pressed against her but she could not keep her eyes closed.

She opened them to maddening flash of random images, of pictures moving through her mind too quickly to be identified. She drew a deep startled breath and quickly closed her eyes again. She focused her eyes on what she wanted to see before she dared to open them again.

"Yes... my angel, yes. Look down now, at the cells below."

She saw naked limbs, two bodies, entwined and moving together. There was no resistance, no reluctance, only an eagerness to be joined together. Amber? She closed her eyes, she could not watch. There was something about the image; there was too much intimacy. She looked again, her eyes moving through dirty empty cells and over vacant cots. Tables, chairs… chains and other things, things she did not recognize. And finally…

“Abigail Smythe.” Susanna whispered the girl’s name as she saw Ned move his head between the young girl’s legs. “No.”

"I'm afraid Ned won't let go of his girl. He seems... stubborn to the old ways. And Amber is right where she wants to be. She is happy, she is home, she is not part of our deal. Nor Temperance I'm afraid."

“Are you the master of the manor or is Ned? Abigail could have nothing to justify keeping her here, no more than the others, Lillianne, Rebecca, Sasha, Avalon, Abby Williams, and Lily. She deserves to be set free.”

Then Susanna looked over at the beautiful widow, still like a ghost occupying her seat by the fire, lost in her own world. Occasionally she would gesture as if engaged in a silent conversation but there was no indication she was aware of anything happening in the room. "She made a deal of her own, one we haven't quite finished with yet. It would be... rude of me to send her away now."

Temperance had been alone and lonely since the death of her husband, it was not difficult to see she could be willing to make a deal with him to ease her pain. She had called him Richard, after her husband; simply seeking the return of her lost love was leading her down a damned and dangerous path.

"It is as you wished, angel. Isn't it?"

“Abigail Smythe. I saw what Ned is doing to her, how he is… touching her.” Susanna shook her head. “She should be at home, safe in her little bed. I can accept the choices Amber and Temperance made but not Abigail. I can’t believe she made a deal or wants to be here.” She lifted her hand to her face, distractedly pushing a curl off her cheek and realized for the first time in her life her curling gold locks hang free. Without thinking, she gathers the coils of her long hair and starts to braid it into a heavy plait. Her hair felt good beneath her nimble fingers, comfortable and familiar. It was something well known in the strange new world, something to hold on to while she tried to adjust. It was still too soon for Susanna to think about what the changes would mean to her; instead, she concentrated on the others, on the deal she had made.

“He can’t touch her like that, it is wrong. You must free her too, she can be saved.” Susanna turns and her eyes search his, “You owe that to me.”
 
Her head slammed against the back stone wall before she could even feel his hand against her throat. Such a slender throat, small and dainty. When he wrapped his fingers around it, it was like grasping a tiny twig, feeling the strain under his touch, ready to snap at a moment's notice.

He flared with dark understanding before hissing at her, "I must do nothing. You will never tell me what I must or mustn't do."

Her body, brand new body looked perfect stretched up in this pose. He could see the arch of her back, the strain of her muscles. It was enough to send darkened chills up his spine. He touched her, could feel the intimacy behind it, that lightened corner of her shining through, even passed his own dark taint.

"You have powers now, abilities," He spoke, languidly, casually. The fire gone from his eyes, the burst of brilliance turning now to a dull murmur. His grip loosened, turning into a caress of her neck, feeling the flow down her breast and then to the flat of her stomach. His fingers lingered there, causing a stir of butterflies.

"If you want to set Abigail free, and stop Ned, then do it yourself. Free her, and punish him as you see fit. Many of the girl's suffering here is under his hand. You may do as you wish, you may do whatever you wish."

The door opened behind her, leading down into the dungeons, echoing a cold dripping somewhere deep within. He looked at her, expectantly, ready to follow her.

"Go on... do God's work. Save an innocent life before it's too late."
 
Tears slipped down Abigail's face as Ned's words sunk in. Could this heat inside her really be evil? Was there darkness inside of her?

His tongue was relentless, pressing into her cleft. His tongue tormenting the source of fire within her. Her fingers clutched the rough blanket. Her delicate hands clenched in fists. Her dark hair framed her face. Her eyes closed, trying to close out the sight of Ned, feasting on her. Her mind filled with his hungry sounds. Wet, lapping sounds mixed with grunts and groans.

She found the frame of the bed with one hand. She made a futile attempt to pull herself out from under him. His hands snapped down on her hips. His heavy hands pinning her down against the cot.

With a tiny voice, almost childlike, she began to recite the Lord's Prayer. It was all of the faith she could muster. "Our Father, who art in heaven." Her voice was soft, tender. But there was strain underneath it. Her soul fighting with her body. Her hips were arching up, pushing her sex into Ned's mouth. Her sleek legs parting more and more. She could feel wetness seeping out of her.

Abigail began to wonder if maybe Ned was right. Surely, only a wicked girl would be biting back the sounds that kept bubbling up in her throat.
 
Amber cried out as they climaxed together, her light voice echoing back off of the dungeon walls. Her hand still holding him, feeling him jerk and twitch in her palm along with the wet heat of his seed striking the inside of her thigh. She returned his kisses hazily, her body still trembling and on it's way back down from the dizzying heights it had just visited.
"That was... wonderful,"
"Yes...yes it was..." Amber leant into his embrace, feeling his smooth skin pressing against hers, his arms surrounding her, holding her close, almost keeping her safe.

"Teach me more...Teach me, as a mother teaches her son about life. All I know is from my father. I know nothing of your world, of your pleasure."
Amber's arms curled around his neck drawing him ever closer until it felt as if every inch of their bodies was in contact with one another. Kissing him, caressing his lips with hers, subconsciously pressing her hips against his as she did so.
"I will teach you anything you wish...everything..." Amber's voice was husky and whispering, the voice of a lover. "...but not here...please...this is your father's house and his power hangs in every shadow..." Her blue eyes left his, so very like her own, for a second to glance around the cell.

"...I fear he would not allow us to continue...I gave him to you, an evil deed I know I can only hope to begin to atone for...I fear his reaction should I try to take you away..."
Her eyes returned to him, shining with many emotions, concern and fear, excitement and desire, but most of all love. Love, a desperate need to love him and have him love her.

"Please...please Michael, let us leave...we can go far from here and have a home, a home filled with love and I can teach you...teach you everything your heart desires..." Her hand moved to rest upon his chest. "For you do have a heart Michael, whatever your father gave to you, I gave you your heart...what is it telling you to do...?" She asked gently, pressing her lips to his once more.
 
Susanna

The pain of her head slammimg to the cold stone brought a pointed cry to Susanna’s lips, but his fingers at her throat silenced the sound before it could become a scream. The strong hand wrapped around her neck and without effort held her to the wall. Her body stretched as her toes reached and scuffled on the floor, searching for a purchase on the polished wood floor that would ease the pressure on her throat.

A dark rage filled his voice as he hissed at her, "I must do nothing. You will never tell me what I must or mustn't do." Her eyes were wide with shock as her soft throat, encircled by his hand, struggled to swallow and steal her next breath. She could feel her muscles pressing against his palm as her own actions seemed to tighten his grip.

"You have powers now, abilities," He spoke, languidly, casually, patiently enjoying the sight of Susanna’s struggles as the fire of rage cooled from his eyes. His fingers loosened their stranglehold and her feet set on the floor as she drew a single deep and filling breath. His painful grip became a caress, grazing delicately over her throat and sliding down the curve of her breast to come to rest on her belly. She felt… something, a new type of nervousness, a fear fluttering in stomach. She forced, or tried to force away the unfamiliar sensation as he spoke again.

"If you want to set Abigail free, and stop Ned, then do it yourself. Free her, and punish him as you see fit. Many of the girl's suffering here is under his hand. You may do as you wish; you may do whatever you wish."

“I do not want to punish anyone, it is not my right. I only want what you promised me.”

Did he expect her to fail or succeed, she wondered. On the other hand, did he care at all? Were her efforts to be solely for his amusement, despite the consequences of her actions? She knew Abigail and could not believe the girl belonged in the manor or deserved to suffer at the callus hands of Ned Bunce.

She heard she heard a door open, a door she would have sworn had not been there a moment ago. Before she could turn her head to look, the smell of the dungeon reached her nose. The cold damp stench of fear and blood, of pain and lust rose from the dark pit. She felt the fluttering in her tummy still to a hard knot. Instinctively, she flinched away from the terror of the dungeon, she had witnessed its sinister depths in her mind’s eye, and the thought of entering filled her with dread.

"Go on... do God's work. Save an innocent life before it's too late."

He was waiting for her to decide, decide to overcome her fear or give into it but he was ready to follow her. Despite her fears, and despite his expectations, she had to go.

“You know I must, you give me no choice.” Her voice was a smooth blend of fear and firmness as she turned to the dark steps. Although there was little light, her feet moved confidently down the slick stone stairs as if they had already made the trip many times and knew exactly where they were going. Willingly and purposefully, Susanna entered his dungeon. Her gown flowed behind her like a moving pool of shimmering tar and clung to her skin like thick black liquid as she walked down the corridor and passed unnoticed by Amber’s cell.

Her feet froze and she stopped stock still outside of Abigail’s cell. The door hung open and the interior was plainly visible. What she had only glimpsed before, Susanna saw clearly now. Sweet Abigail, naked, on her back, her pale legs were open wide for Ned. Ned’s head was between her legs, his mouth was her sex. Shocked by what she saw, Susanna did not know what to do. Abigail was moving beneath Ned, her hips were pushing to his mouth. She felt her cheeks flush and blood surge to her skin, the knot in her stomach twisted a kilter and sent faint tendrils of aching through her.

She could feel him standing at her back, looking over her head at the sight in front of them. Suddenly, she could imagine his reaction to the humiliation of Abigail Smythe, daughter of his loyal servant. To have as a victim the devoted child of the man who piously brought him so many others to torture made her abuse twice as sweet to him.

"Our Father, who art in heaven." Susanna heard Abigail whisper the opening words of the Pater Noster and suddenly nothing else mattered.

“Hallowed be Thy name.” Susanna spoke the words with conviction as she stepped into the room.

“Goodman Bunce, move away from Mistress Abigail.”
 
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