The Witch's Countdown

the baby pressing against her arms as

of the

ss her wrist, pulsing like veins filled wit

ispered, though she wasn't

g across the wooden floor. "It means you belong

s, heavier than before. She glance

had chan

es sharper, its dark eyes filled wi

rowing t

n would slow whatever terrible magic was at work. "Why is

"Because time is moving d

d. "What happens when i

d, but it didn'

't want

ran throug

ut. Had to get away from this woman, from the whispe

th

or van

, the room stretc

ised a hand,

n't in the r

somewh

-

emo

of the woods. A fire c

table, her face hidden

knew th

been her

oman

the girl cou

her m

e. Standing righ

in the girl's

iled. A sad,

t remembe

k her head. "

flickered to the

followed

fr

baby wasn't

was

self, staring up at her

lt weak. He

ha

oser. "You were never

trembled. "I do

ned. "The witch took you. And

hispered. "That'

illed with sorrow. "You

ws rushed

rld co

-

back in

g. Clutching the

hed her with c

our little glimp

s trembled. "Th

uckled. "Oh,

pounded. "Why d

gaze locked on the baby. "Becau

round the

et out a t

on the girl's

ough her arm. The black veins beneath her

she wh

elt w

hing was dr

itch

st for the child," she

's visio

the baby fel

y was c

rs looked

s felt

n she r

just hold

becomi