Salem's Secrets

By Helena Shaw

Annie expected the town of Salem to be filled with secrets, but the secrets hidden within her own family are far more dangerous than any of the village's mysteries.

Annie's moved across the country to do graduate work in New England with Professor Nathaniel Wright. She’s determined to uncover the truth of the witches of Salem and what really happened to them. Though she’s not a believer in the supernatural, not yet at least, her mind is open to the possibilities.

She soon learns that Professor Wright is not what he seems, but there’s something about the handsome young professor that draws her in. Annie denies her attraction to him, but she can’t help but fall under his spell. The closer she gets to him, though, the more she begins to see the things he’s worked so hard to keep hidden from her.

When Annie learns of her own personal connection to the Salem Witch Trials, she doesn’t know whether to fight or flee. She knows she needs Nathaniel’s help to figure out her past, but can she trust him after he’s kept so much from her?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Helena Shaw
• Release date: Jun 28, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386114185

Book preview

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Chapter One

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The airport was bustling with people coming and going from all around the world. Annie gripped the handle of her small suitcase so hard that her knuckles turned white, but it wasn't the crowd that got to her. Being back in Boston was scary enough on its own and she hardly noticed the crowds of people who rushed by her as she made her way to the exit.

The autumn air was a shock against her California tanned skin as she stepped outside. She and her family had left Boston when she was eight, but that was a lifetime ago. Her mother had been happy on the east coast, Annie had friends, and her dad was still alive. None of those held true anymore, but Annie hadn't come to Boston searching for any of that. At least that was what she told herself.

I should have brought a heavier coat, Annie told herself as she clutched at the zipper of her light jacket. There wasn't much of a selection for warmer clothes in San Diego. It still felt like summer there, but October had a strong hold on New England and she needed to do some shopping if she planned on surviving the winter in Salem.

Annie hopped from one foot to the other in an attempt to keep warm while another chill rolled over her. Her advisor had told her to watch for his car outside, but he drove a silver Toyota and it seemed like the expansive airport parking lot was filled with cars that fit that description.

Lillianna? a voice called over the din of airport noise. Ms. Leavold?

Mr. Wright? she said as she turned, relief washing over her. She was starting to worry she'd been abandoned by the man.

Hey, sorry, he said as he approached. Couldn't get close to arrivals. We’ll need to walk.

That's fine, she said. Really, she was cold and only wanted to be warm, but she was afraid her new advisor’s first impression of her would be negative if she complained.

Here, he said as he reached for her bag. Let me carry that for you.

Annie almost didn't hand over her suitcase, but as his fingers brushed against her own, something changed. As she looked at him, it was like she was seeing him for the first time. Sure, they'd spoken over Skype video calls, but as she looked at Mr. Nathaniel Wright, something seemed different. He was tall, at least six-foot-two, with brown hair that fell just past his ears. His eyes, hidden behind a pair of dark framed glasses, were bright blue and his chin and jaw line were covered in a fine layer of stubble.

Thanks, Mr. Wright, she said, suddenly unsure of herself. Sure, he was attractive, but there was something else. She was drawn to him in a way she couldn't explain.

Please. He smiled at her as their eyes met. As she gazed into his blue eyes, she no longer felt cold or nervous, simply calm and at ease. Call me Nate. Mr. Wright is so formal and no one has ever called me Nathaniel.

Sure, she said as they walked toward where Nate had parked his car. His legs were long, but so were Annie's, and though he walked quickly, she was easily able to keep up with him.

Annie was starting her field research earlier than most, but she had hopes of obtaining her PhD and it was only smart of her to take the opportunity when it came to her, even if she had her doubts. When her Early American History professor told her that he knew a professor looking for someone to assist in his field research, Annie hadn’t exactly jumped at the opportunity, but she had agreed to speak with the man who was now loading her suitcase into the trunk of his car.

They'd spoken briefly over Skype, but Annie still hadn't been sure about the move. She had no desire to return to the east coast, but Mr. Wright—Nate—had talked her into it. It meant putting her current semester on hold, save Early American History, but it would be worth it. If she got published before even earning her Bachelor's degree, no grad school would be able to overlook her application come spring.

As she sat in the passenger seat of Nate's car, she finally felt like she had made the right choice. Besides, it wasn't like she was actually going to be in Boston. They were headed for Salem, a town that was the center of both of their field research.

So, Lillianna, Nate began, but she stopped him.

Please, she said. Just call me Annie. Everyone does.

So, Annie, he said as he pulled out of the parking lot. I've got to say, I'm really glad you decided to come out here.

Me too, she said, and she meant it. She hadn't been sure right until that moment, but she was excited to explore Salem and the history of the infamous town.

It'll be nice to have someone to help with my research, and vice versa, Nate said. There is so much to go through and I hate to admit that I've been struggling to keep on track.

What exactly are you working on? Annie asked as the highway gave way to the streets of Salem.

Well, I wasn't exactly honest with your professor. The book I'm working on is fictional, but it's all based on fact. The plot's a bit muddled and I'm hoping having someone to work with will help me get it sorted out. That and the research, of course.

What's the book about? Annie asked. Nate had mentioned before that he was working on a book, but he hadn't said it was fictional. It didn't bother her; she was going to get her credits either way.

That's a secret, Nate said. But I promise you'll be the first to read it.

Cool, Annie said with a light blush. She was tempted to play coy and flirt with him, but the rational side of her brain told her to keep it professional. He was her advisor and a professor. She'd never been the type to act foolish just for the sake of impressing a boy and she wasn’t about to start now.

Here's the place, Nate announced as the car rolled to a stop. Out the window, Annie could see a line of shops in what used to be a row of townhouses that screamed Salem, each one decked out in gothic imagery, jack-o-lanterns, and ghosts. Halloween was only a week away, but she had a feeling the shops looked like that all year round.

Which one? Annie asked. Nate had rented an apartment for her and promised it would be both clean and furnished.

Above the apothecary, Nate told her as he pointed to the one storefront that didn't look like Halloween had exploded out the front door. You lucked out. The owner doesn't rent out to tourists. She told me she doesn't believe in the commercialization of a once sacred day. It was the only place available, but I checked it out. It's safe.

Thanks, Annie said, smiling as she tucked a lock of her dark chestnut hair behind her ear. I'm sure it's fine.

Want me to help you up? Nate asked as he popped the trunk for her.

I'm good, she told him. She didn't want to be rude, but inviting him upstairs sounded like an excuse for one of them to do something she might regret later. I'll email you when I'm settled in and I'll get directions to the archive off you then.

Okay, he said as he watched her get out of the car. Here's the key. It's still early. If you want to get something for dinner, I can recommend a few spots.

She smiled again. Thanks. I'll talk to you later.

Annie stood and watched Nate's car as he drove away, but as he turned out of view, she began to feel the cold again. It wasn't so bad now that she was out of Boston, though. Something about the bright orange and red leaves on the trees and the jack-o-lanterns lining the street made the chill more bearable. It almost felt like she belonged there in that town with its spooky atmosphere and the hint of cinnamon and cloves in the air.

The door to Annie's temporary home was nestled in between the apothecary and a tattoo shop advertising a Halloween flash sale. The door itself was small and the only thing that