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Boston, Massachusetts
1689
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	[color=MediumPurple]”I am truly sorry dear, but I have had a vision of events to come . . .”[/color] Hekate descended upon the Boston home under the cover of night, melding with the shadows, dancing with the dark chill of the wintry season. Through an open window she crept, herself a shadow clinging to the walls of the minister’s home. [color=MediumPurple]”And your husband shall be at the center of the great tragedy.”[/color] Her eerie whispers stirred the woman of the house, Elizabeth Eldridge Parris, whose shrill crying was hushed by Hekate’s will. She placed a hand over Goody Parris’s mouth smothered the minister’s wife, her lifeless form replaced by shadows. 

	The next morning, Samuel awoke to his sleeping wife, whom he kissed upon the cheek. Hekate stirred at his touch, having assumed the guise of his wife. [color=MediumPurple]”Hmm. . . Good Morrow my love,”[/color] she uttered sweetly in a tired groan.[color=MediumPurple] “Shall I make haste to the kitchen, or perhaps you’d prefer a spare moment in bed together to breakfast.”[/color] 

	Samuel blushed, then smiled devilishly, kissing her upon the cheek once more. “I’ll not have that talk so early, Elizabeth. Best to enjoy this day God has delivered rather than indulge such sinful urges.” He stood, throwing on a pair of trousers and boots. Hekate turned her head to roll her eyes. 

	[color=MediumPurple][i]Such a handsome man. ‘Tis a shame he’s been taught against the baser instincts. Filthy Puritans.[/i][/color] Hekate thought as she rolled out of bed, clothing herself in Elizabeth’s rich garments. She marveled at the expense of her dresses and adornments. [color=MediumPurple][i]But perhaps posing as his wife will offer certain privileges.[/i][/color]

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	Hekate walked into the lower room of the house, where Samuel’s children were seated, eating a meal prepared by the servant, Tituba. She nodded and smiled at Tituba, who looked at her with horror filled eyes. Hekate brought her index finger and thumb together to silence Tituba, whom she ordered to the next room. The children, Betty, Susannah, and Thomas, ran over to hug Hekate’s skirts. She laughed and patted them all on the head, shooing them back to their breakfast and sighing internally. 

	Samuel came down behind the image of his wife, greeting his children in a similar fashion. “Tituba!” He called, “Bring me my coat.” Tituba emerged from another room holding his coat. She averted her gaze from Hekate and placed the coat on Samuel, quickly exiting the room once she was done. 

	[color=MediumPurple]”Surely you will spend a moment with your wife and children? Tituba prepared a fine breakfast. Where could you be off to so early?”[/color] Hekate eagerly questioned, in her mind already knowing the reason for his departure. 

	“I’m afraid there isn’t time. The selectmen asked for my presence this morning, though they would not say why.” 

	[color=MediumPurple]”Well, may it be some good news for us.”[/color] Hekate replied.

	“God willing.” Samuel said as he kissed his wife’s forehead. He turned, gave a slight wave to the children, then wandered out into the streets of Boston to meet with the board of selectmen. 

	Hekate waved to Samuel as he left, then turned her attention to Tituba, who sat idly in the next room as ordered. Hekate sat next to her, extended an arm, and caressed Tituba’s chin, turning her head and staring into her eyes. 

	[color=MediumPurple]”You may speak,”[/color] Hekate whispered in a gentle voice, [color=MediumPurple]”but should you scream or give way to erratic emotions, I shall give you reason to fear me.”[/color] Hekate snapped her fingers, unbinding Tituba’s tongue.

	“Y-you . . . you are not my mistress!” Tituba exclaimed in a hushed voice. “You are not those children’s mother, you are not Mr. Parris’s wife, and yet they see you as the same.” Tituba continued in a distressed voice. “Who are you, why are you here?”

	[color=MediumPurple]”My dear, perhaps you are unfamiliar with my image, but you know well my infernal husband.”[/color] Hekate waved a hand, causing a bucket of water to move down from a table, across the floor, and position itself in front of the pair. Tituba jumped, but Hekate’s other hand held her in place. The water in the bucket turned to black tar, and from it appeared a goat, with red eyes and a candle fixed between his horns. Tituba gasped, looking from the bucket to Hekate. 

	“You are His wife?” she questioned with awe. 

	[color=MediumPurple]”Indeed. And did He not promise you liberation? Did He not grant you the world when you signed His book? Tituba, I have come to see that you are given what you were promised, but you must swear to me that you will not speak a word of this to anyone, not even me. When the time is right, we shall know each other as friends and allies, but not a moment sooner.”[/color] Hekate kept a stern look, tightening her grip on Tituba’s shoulder, who nodded in agreement. [color=MediumPurple]”Good, now return to your chores, and revel in the thought that one day, you’ll take no such orders from anyone ever again.”[/color]

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	The door to the Boston cottage creaked as Samuel came rushing into the house. “Elizabeth!” He called to his wife, who was sat at the dining table, knitting. She looked up with a half smile, trying to conceal her excitement until after he had revealed the news. “Oh Elizabeth, I have wonderful news!”

	[color=MediumPurple]”What is it, husband? Please, do not keep such a joyous secret to yourself.”[/color]

	Samuel ran over to the table, took up her knitting needles and set them on the table, bent down on his knees and held her hands in his own. “The selectmen have named me the new minister of Salem Village!” He exclaimed, gripping her hands tighter. “You shall not only be the most beautiful woman in Salem, but the richest, and our children will never be left wanting. Thomas can go to Harvard, Betty and Susannah can be married to selectmen’s sons, we will make something of ourselves in Salem. Oh Elizabeth, I’ve never been so happy.”

	[color=MediumPurple]”Nor I, Samuel. You are the finest candidate. I am glad the selectmen saw in you what I see every day.”[/color] She kissed his lips and took on his infectious grin, hers more sinister than his own [color=MediumPurple]”We must tell the children when they come home. Tituba and I shall make a fine supper, we’ll make it a celebration.”[/color] 

	Samuel kissed her hands then stood up. “Thank you, love. Yes, we should celebrate. We’re to leave Boston in two days time, so let us celebrate tonight and gather our belongings tomorrow!” 

	That evening, the Parris family dined on rich food and shared in stories of Samuel’s triumphs. The following days were spent packing what belongings the family deemed most necessary, though Hekate coveted as many of Elizabeth’s fine dresses as she could. The family set out on a carriage a few mornings later, the weather kept clear by Hekate’s magic under the guise of God’s grace, the roads free of banditry and Native attackers all by the same force. Salem Village came into view, a clearing in the dense forests of New England. The inhabitants greeted the richly adorned carriage and its passengers with harsh looks. Hekate reveled in their hostility, she drank their disdain for Samuel. 

	[color=MediumPurple][i]Loathing, sweet loathing. There is no better force than loathing to stir up a witch-hunt . . .[/i][/color]