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Valerie piled rocks into a circle before she collected a large bundle of dead branches from the ground and placed them in the middle. Kaeylyn was collecting smaller ones as they searched. They were mostly useless sticks, but she didn’t tell her otherwise – Valerie was just happy her sister was feeling better. She didn’t want to invalidate her when she was trying to help.

“Kaeylyn, I want to see how well you are able to cast your magic,” she told her before motioning her hand towards what she crafted. “I want you to light this campfire.”

“No.”

Valerie wondered if she fought her just to be defiant, but as she turned, she couldn’t help noticing Kaeylyn looked away from her, as if she was ashamed.

“Why not? We must stay warm throughout the night, and we need to be able to see.”

I cannot light it myself.

She no longer had the power to do so. From this point forward, Kaeylyn would have to be the Witch for them both. It was unfortunate she would have to rely on a six-year-old, one who had recently been harmed, but there was nothing Valerie could do about it.

Kaeylyn gripped the sides of her skirt and pulled, as though she wanted to make herself smaller. “I do not want to use my magic anymore.”

“Excuse me?” Valerie tilted her head before she knelt in front of her sister. “What do you mean, you do not want to use your magic?”

She rubbed her arm, still looking away. “I do not want to use my witchcraft again.”

“Kaeylyn...” Valerie shook her head at the silliness of her statement. She raised her hand and gently lifted Kaeylyn’s chin so she would face her, tenderly stroking her cheek with her thumb. “You are supposed to use your magic. If you do not, it will fester inside of you. If you do not train it, it will grow chaotic.”

“I am scared to be taken again.” Then, like she had many times this day, she began to cry.

The girl had always been quick to tears, but she’d never been this unstable. Valerie hadn’t realised she was so traumatised.It has affected her more than I thought.She brought her in for a comforting hug, wishing there was more she could do to ease her little sister.

“If you do the right thing, you will be fine.” Then Valerie turned her towards the campfire, rubbing her back soothingly. “I am here with you. I will protect you. Use your magic.”

“No!” Kaeylyn pushed her, forcing her to sit back on her heels before running into the forest by herself. “I do not want to be a Witch anymore!”

Valerie watched her go, knowing she would be back.

The campfire suddenly burst to life, sparking quickly from a large impact. She eyed the area, knowing where it came from.Geryon is still with us.

It bothered her she had a witness to their conversations, some of which had been private. They’d spoken of their sisters, their mother, parts of Valerie’s life Kaeylyn unwittingly shared.

It couldn’t be helped. She couldn’t let her sister know they were being followed. She also knew whatever he discovered wouldn’t matter in the end. There was nothing truly damaging Kaeylyn could reveal, only small, embarrassing things.

The child was bored while they travelled. She was entertaining herself the only way she could: with her irritating mouth.

After a short while, Kaeylyn came back with tear-covered pink cheeks and a heavy pout.

“I am sorry I pushed you,” she grumbled when she came closer. “You lit the fire.”

She put her hands out to the warmth it provided.

The air was warm because of the summer heat, but they needed the light to see.

“You were upset. You often act irrationally when you are.” Valerie sat on her bottom and stretched her legs forward. Lifting her hand, she offered it to Kaeylyn while patting the ground between her legs with the other. “Come. I wish to teach you something.”

Valerie was often the teacher for her sisters. She was the oldest and felt it was her responsibility, especially as their mother grew older and more forgetful. She was even more knowledgeable than their mother now, since Valerie also shared knowledge with other Witches. She traded spells if they happened to come through the towns she often visited.

She didn’t care if they were dark or white Witches, as long as they taught her more spells. Their mother was against learning from the corrupted, but Valerie was aware that sometimes, one had to learn of evil in order to shelter themself from it.

The girl sat between her legs with her back to Valerie’s front. They both watched the fire while she hugged her midsection tightly.

“Where do you think this fire came from?” She pointed to it.

“From you?”