18

The sleepy village was already bustling by the time the coffin maker's wife and the apothecarist's apprentice ran out of the inn.

Merchants were gathering in the town center, selling their goods, and the scent of fresh baked bread and ripe apples filled the air. Jasper wanted to stop, to take it all in, perhaps even indulge in a hot bun, but Bella was on a mission, her eyes only on the path ahead of them.

"Mistress," Jasper said, wishing to slow down her small but swift steps. "Where are you going?"

Bella glanced back at her young companion. "To find the boy," she said. "We're going to get more answers."

Jasper was not sure exactly how she planned to do that, but he daren't speak his mind against her. Instead, he followed behind, dutifully looking after her.

Bella cut through the town center deftly, as if she'd walked the path many times. Her eyes scanned, her mind racing ahead as she plotted.

She was determined that there would be no more nights without her husband by her side.

She spotted the boy leaning against a low stone wall, his knees to his chest as he rested on the cobbled ground. He had a stale bun in his hands, and when he brought it to his mouth, Bella saw that the boy had to gnaw on it. It must be very old.

"Jasper," she said, stopping and pulling coins from the purse at her hip. "Go buy some fresh buns. Apples too," she directed, pressing the coppers into his palm. He looked surprised but nodded, immediately taking off to find the vendor. Bella turned her attention back to the boy.

She made her way toward him, and he looked up at her as she approached, wary.

"May I sit?" she asked, motioning to the ground beside him. The boy's eyes widened in surprise, but he nodded.

Bella took care to arrange her skirt under her as she sat on the dirty ground.

"I 'aven't more messages, lady," the boy said, looking nervous.

Bella shook her head. "I know," she told him, hoping her voice was reassuring. "That's not what I want to talk to you about."

At this, the boy's eyes widened. When he didn't bolt away from her, Bella continued. "What have you heard of the graves?"

The boy let out a shuddering breath and reached up to cross himself. "It ain't right," he muttered. "What they doin'. Ain't right at all."

Bella nodded in agreement. "No, it's not right," she said softly.

"They unburied me mam," he said, his dark eyes burning with unshed tears. "Tore her out, desecrated her grave, and left her broken behind 'em."

Bella brought a hand to her mouth, horrified. "I'm so sorry," she whispered, anger flooding through her.

"I go to visit her," he said, his eyes dropping to his hands. "Every day. We only had each other, me mam and me." His eyes shut, and Bella could imagine he was fighting back tears. "When I found her that way…" She saw him swallow. "I did the best I could," he said softly. "I put her back, said me prayers, and put flowers on her grave. But it ain't the same, 'cause I'm no priest, and now…" His voice was shaking. "What if me mam's been kicked outta heaven on account of this?"

Bella wound an arm around the lad's shoulders, offering him comfort. He leaned into her embrace, letting out a few sobs against her shoulder.

"God's mercy is great," she murmured. "Your mam is in good hands, even if her body has been abused this way." She rubbed circles into the boy's back as he cried.

Jasper appeared before them, his purchase in his hands, his eyes unsure. Bella motioned him over, holding out her free hand for a bun.

"Here," she said softly, offering the fresh bun to the boy. "Eat up. It's no good wasting away. You've got to live a life your mam would be proud of. Grow big and strong," she said, giving him a smile.

The boy's eyes widened, but he nodded, taking the bun eagerly. He eyed Jasper as he settled with them, but the boy was clearly too hungry to care much about the newcomer.

"This is Jasper," Bella said, motioning toward him. "I'm Bella. What's your name?"

The boy sniffed, his mouth full of fresh bread. "Seth, mistress," he said around the food.

"Thank you, Seth," Bella said softly. "For all you've done, delivering my husband's message, taking care of your mother." She paused when she saw an intensely vulnerable look come over Seth's already tender face.

"He found me when I were covering Mam up," he said softly. "I thought he were one of them robbers. I tried to fight him. If I were bigger, I would have tried to kill him," he admitted, looking ashamed. "He told me to look for a beautiful lady with eyes the color of sunlight at dusk," he said, giving Bella a sheepish, shy look. "Bade me to tell you his message. I think there were more, but then the men came. They knocked me out and dragged him off."

Bella's heart was thundering in her chest, her breathing tight. "Do you know which direction?"

Seth shook his head, looking forlorn. "No, mistress. I'm sorry."

Bella let out her breath, trying to curb her disappointment. "It's okay, Seth. You've done much for me, thank you." She plucked an apple from the small sack Jasper had procured and offered it out to Seth. He took it eagerly.

On her other side, Jasper was chewing his own bun, looking thoughtful.

"Seth," he said, leaning forward to see the boy around Mistress Masen. "Have you heard any tales of the Dead Witch?"

Seth immediately crossed himself. "Yes," he breathed, his eyes wide and terrified. "Yes, she lives nearby."

Bella's heart leapt in her chest. "She's here?" she demanded, trying to temper the desperation in her tone.

"Aye," Seth said, shaking his head. "She's in the woods. Not many know she's there, but…" Seth looked off, his gaze distant. "I see her," he said quietly, his voice haunted.

Bella couldn't fight the chill running down her spine. "Will you show us?" she asked, her voice tight with her barely applied control.

Seth looked at her in surprise. She could see him starting to deny her request, and she reached a hand out. "Seth, please. She has something to do with my husband's kidnapping. I need answers," Bella said, tears burning her eyes.

"It's unholy," he said, his voice a whisper. "She's a shadow of death."

Bella smiled ever so softly. "I've never feared the dark," she answered him. "Nor death."

Seth let out a tense breath, his shoulders slumping.

"Aye, mistress. I'll show you the way. But pack lightly, it's a long descent into Hell."