don't cry mercy (there's too much pain to come)

by Ariesgirl666

In 17th century Salem the witch hunt begins and Zatanna Zatara, the unmarried midwife who lives on her own, is the first suspect. Meanwhile Artemis Crock, the pastor's daughter, struggles with her feelings for said midwife in a town where being different can get you hung. Historical au!Snaibsel Rating may go up (if you want a specific ship to show up later on, drop me a review!)

1. leave me in chains

Prologue

"You have to do something, Dad!" "There isn't anything I can do, Dick. I'm sorry," Goodman Wayne says, one hand on his son's back.

"Dick. Don't. It's fine." Zatanna puts her arms around the dark-haired boy briefly before the baliff tugged her back, none too gently. Zatanna stumbles as she's pushed up the steps to the gallows. The hangman stands ahead of her, a black mask covering his face.

"I am Zatanna Zatara," she whispers to herself. "I am my father's daughter. I will not cry."

"What is she saying?" shouts a woman from the crowd.
"Is she trying to cast a spell?"

"Gag her!" shouts another man.

"This is ridiculous!" Barbara Gordon shouts, her cheeks pink with fury. "Witches don't exist!"

Mayor Luthor shouts for quiet. His eyes are not unsympathetic as he turns to Zatanna.

"Zatanna Zatara, you have been accused of being a witch, making a contract with the devil, and trying to corrupt an innocent girl. How do you plead?"

She can barely hear herself as she whispers, "Guilty."