Sweet Sacrifice: Sacrifice Series Book #1

By N. E. Glover

Set in early Louisiana Caroline was born in a town that lives in fear of witches. Any woman or child with red hair was believed to be a witch and was therefore killed. Desperate to save their baby's life Caroline's parents send her away. While being raised by an old woman in the nearby woods Caroline discovers that she is indeed a witch. She learns how to mask her red crown and live as a witch in hiding among the mortals. Her life becomes full of death, conflict, and sacrifice as a result of the secret she's been harboring.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jan 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781491844519

N. E. Glover

N E Glover has a BA in Spanish from LaGrange College in LaGrange, GA. She has always had an affinity for writing. However, she never tried to pursue it. Now she has written multiple novels, short stories, and poems inspired by her dreams. She is ready to share her creations with the world.

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© 2014 N. E. Glover. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 12/13/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4918-4451-9 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

This book is dedicated to Crystal Newton.

Chapter 1

Childbirth should be an exciting and rewarding experience. Both mother and father wait anxiously for the arrival of the little bundle. When he or she is born there is happiness and celebration. That was not the scene, however, at the home of Victor Cromley. Victor nervously paced the floor in the parlor of his home, while his wife Jane endured the pains of childbirth. Anxiety and fear gripped the pit of his stomach. The servants waited in the hallway, all too afraid to speak. Jane struggled in agony as the maids held her hands. She was too exhausted to have the same worries as her husband.

Victor’s concern was no small matter. He was afraid of what the child’s gender and hair color would be. Victor and Jane stayed in a village that lived in terror. It was a small town just outside of the new colony that is now known as New Orleans. The time was the mid 1800s. The people were kind and accepting until it came to their fear. That fear was witches. It was believed that if a female child was born with red hair, then she was a witch. When the news would spread about the birth of a red headed baby girl, there would be mass panic throughout the village. The town’s people would gather together outside the child’s home in the dead of night. They would break into the home and take the child. The child would be taken to a nearby river and drowned. It was believed that the watery death would cleanse the tainted soul of the baby. Then they would use their torches to set fire to the house. The fire was believed to burn out the unholy presence inside the house. For this reason Victor and Jane kept the entire pregnancy a secret. The servants were all sworn to secrecy. If the child did indeed come out to be a baby girl with red hair they had a plan.

Victor was still pacing the parlor when one of the maids came in. The baby’s here, Sir. You must come at once, she told him. Thank you, Josephine. By the anxiety in Josephine’s voice Victor knew that his fears might be realized this night. He inhaled deeply and walked into the hall. The servants, who were still lined along the wall, stared at their feet. Each of them was too afraid to make eye contact. Soon Josephine was leading the way into the bedroom. The first thing Victor noticed was how soundly Jane was sleeping. Then he noticed how all the maids, except Josephine, were backed against the wall. Victor’s heart thumped vigorously as his eyes searched the room for the baby’s crib. When the baby cried out Victor turned to his right and saw that the crib was nestled in a corner. Slowly he approached the corner, heart still thumping, breathing rapidly, and sweat beading on his forehead.

When he reached the crib he paused for a moment, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. Upon opening his eyes he could faintly see that the maids were staring at him. They were still backed against the wall, seemingly too afraid to make a sound. Josephine was by his side now trying to encourage him, Go on, Sir, and pick her up. Victor continued to hesitate. Josephine reached inside the crib and picked the baby up. She didn’t seem afraid at all. Here you are, she said as she handed the baby to Victor. He looked at Josephine still afraid to look at his child. There there, Mr. Cromley, it’s alright to take a look at your beautiful baby girl. Victor nodded, not able to say anything. With another deep breath he gazed upon the baby. Josephine was right! She was the most beautiful baby he had ever laid eyes on. Her skin was pale but her cheeks and lips were rosy pink. She was so tiny and so perfect. He didn’t even care that she had curly, red locks. That moment he swore that he would do all to protect her.

Josephine smiled then whispered in Victor’s ear, So we are to go through with the plan then, sir? Victor smiled proudly at his daughter. Without taking his eyes off the baby Victor answered, Yes, Josephine, we will stick with the plan. Very good, Mr. Cromley, she said. She then turned her attention to the maids backed against the wall. Come along, she called to them.

They followed Josephine out into the hall where the other servants were still standing. Josephine called out to them as well, Come along everyone. Let’s go to our quarters and celebrate. Everyone followed Josephine down to their private quarters below the house. When they reached the kitchen Josephine pointed to a glass bowl full of red drink. There, she said, I have made some nice punch to celebrate the baby’s birth.

One by one everyone filled their glasses. So the baby is fine? someone asked. No red hair? asked another. One of the maids from the birthing room spoke, She has red hair alright. There were collective gasps around the room. Josephine stood up and clapped her hands together to get everyone’s attention. The room fell silent again. Now we are to have none of that, she said. This is supposed to be a happy occasion. Still no one spoke. It was clear the others didn’t share her sentiment. Josephine spoke again, Well, let us make a toast to the Cromley’s new baby. Everyone repeated, To the Cromley’s new baby. Then they all took a sip of punch.

Josephine, who had not taken a sip, watched as each person fell to the ground and foamed at the mouth. The plan worked perfectly. She hummed to herself as she stepped over all of the bodies to reach the exit. She met Victor on the stairs.

Ah, so everything is in order, then? he asked. Josephine nodded and smiled. Good, Victor replied. They both went upstairs and to Jane’s room. Quickly they got Jane and the baby prepared to leave. When they were done he said, The carriage will be here soon. I’ll have to stay behind to dispose of the bodies. Josephine asked, Sir, are you sure you can find the way? Victor nodded and said, I think I’ll manage. She agreed and awaited the carriage’s arrival.

Soon the carriage arrived. Jane and the baby were