Chapter 1: Bound by Blood
Louisiana
September 11, 1847
An elderly African American woman swept her short graying hair securely under her night cap and rolled up her white linen sleeves now stained crimson with blood. While she washed her hands in the large water bowl another slave dabbed the sweating brow of her employer, Mrs. Fondly.
"Alright now Mrs. Fondly you have to push hard. Push hard and strong." The elderly woman moved in between the woman's legs and pulled the newborn out; its cries immediately filled the room.
"It's a girl!" She announced happily as she cut the umbilical chord and swaddled the child.
Mrs. Fondly gently took the newborn into her arms and began to cry tears of joy; her long black hair was plastered to her face with sweat.
"She's beautiful. Victoria, I'll call her Victoria. She's perfect-" Her words soon became painful screams.
"Mrs. Fondly? Miss Margret what's happing?" The other slave's eyes became wide with fright.
"Take the child Liza! She's having another! Mrs. Fondly you're having twins!" Miss Margret returned to her position and Liza grabbed the baby as instructed.
"Push for me again Mrs. Fondly. Push real long; with everything you have."
Mrs. Fondly screamed in agony as her hands clenched the sheets beneath her for dear life.
"Keep on pushing. You're doing real good Mrs. Fondly." Miss Margret guided the baby's head. A joyous smile curved her lips when the sweet sound of the newborn's cries joined its sisters.
"Another girl…it's another precious baby girl." Miss Margret wiped the blood from the little one's squirming body.
"My beautiful Aurora…" Mrs. Fondly's voice faded.
"Miss Margret! Miss Margret she won't open her eyes!" Liza screamed as she tried to shake Mrs. Fondly awake. Her arm fell limply off the edge of the bed.
Miss Margret jumped up; the child still cradled in her arms, and felt for her heart beat. When she closed her eyes tight and shook her head Liza began to cry.
"Wash the little ones off Liza. Mrs. Fondly has passed on; there is nothing more we can do."
Seventeen Years Later
Louisiana
August 3, 1864
"Miss Margret, do you believe in black magic?" Victoria asked suddenly. Her sleek black hair cascaded down her back in waves, while her peaches and cream skin was flawless under her lilac colored dress.
"Never speak of such things child. Black magic is nothing to be muddled with; it's dangerous. Now go on back to your lessons." Miss Margret raised her brow causing Victoria to huff in defeat and open her book.
"Where is that sister of yours?" She mumbled as she began to hang the damp clothes on the wash line.
Silence surrounded them.
"Will father ever forgive us?" Victoria's voice was bitter.
Miss Margret frowned.
"Deep down your daddy knows that neither of you killed your mama. He loves you girls; he just has a hard time of showing it."
Victoria looked to the sun set in front of her; her eyes glossed over.
"He told me that he wished we were never born. I won't let him speak so cruelly to Aurora; she would be devastated if she knew he thought such things."
Miss Margret's frowned deepened.
"I know one thing child, your mama loved both of you more than anything in the world, and I love you two just the same."
Victoria set down her studies as the sound of musing laughter became audible.
"I win!" A breathless young woman came from within the forest.
Right behind her was a black boy no older than seven. His thin little fingers tugged on her blue dress.
"You cheated!" He yelled; trying to hide his giant grin.
"Henry! Now what would your mama say if she saw you running around here!" Miss Margret scolded him with a warning eye.
Henry snapped his mouth shut and darted back into the woods without another word.
"Aurora that is the last time you will be sneaking off in the middle of a lesson! Now get back to work. You two are making me fit to be tied." Miss Margret scowled.
"Yes Miss Margret." Aurora sighed as she sat down next to her sister on the garden bench and fixed her long black hair into a bun at the nape of her neck.
Both of them were said to be the most beautiful women in all of Louisiana. They were the spitting image of their mother; or so everyone told them. The only difference that separated the girls was their eyes. Victoria's eyes were the most striking shade of green, while Aurora's blue ones could light up an entire room; both were equally breathtaking.
Suddenly someone cleared their throat causing all three of them to turn their heads.
"Victoria, Aurora, I want both of you in the house immediately." Mr. Fondly's icy tone caused Miss Margret to flinch.
"Yes sir." Both of them replied simultaneously before they walked away.
"Miss Margret, you are relieved of your duties this afternoon. Go home." He glared at her.
Miss Margret bowed her head. "Yes sir."
"Miss Margret! Miss Margret wake up!" Liza screamed.
Miss Margret's eyes flew open.
"What in god's name is going on?!" She yelled as her eyes adjusted to the darkness.
"It's Mr. Fondly! He's set the house on fire! He's going to kill the girls!"
Victoria awoke to the sickening smell of smoke. As she opened her eyes they began to water.
"Victoria!" She heard her sister yell from the opposite side of the room.
She quickly jumped off her bed and covered her nose and mouth with her hand. She staggered across the hardwood floor.
"Aurora!" Victoria almost screamed when she saw the scorching glow of flames sweep over the curtains and engulf them completely.
"The door is locked! He locked us in!" Aurora's voice was hoarse and raw from the fumes.
Both of them began to cough violently as the thick black smoke made it impossible to see or breathe.
Victoria blindly felt for the door. When her hand made contact with the door knob she screamed; her flesh sizzled and burned. As she pulled her arm away from the red hot metal Aurora's coughing turned to endless hacking.
Victoria collapsed down to the ground next to her sister and wrapped her in her arms; with every breath she became more dizzy and nauseous.
Aurora's sobs were muted by the deafening sound of the house crumbling beneath her. She began to shriek when the end of her night gown caught fire.
Victoria desperately tried to smother the flames, but joined in her sister's cries when her own night gown ignited. Their hopeless weeps began to fade away as the agonizing pain was too much to bear. Before Victoria gave into the darkness that threatened to consume her she saw the outline of a person approach them.