C1 Chapter 1: An Angel

“How many times do you want to have this conversation with me?” my brother asks annoyed and again I ask him to lower his voice.

“As often until you realize it. It’s easy for you to talk, you’re not like me!”

“Father would never touch you, believe me.” He walks up and down my room. Cornelius Stoughton, my brother and the biggest crush of women in Salem.

“You don’t know father very well.” I sigh and admit defeat. arguing with my brother is like squeezing water out of a stone. “However. I’m not missing the masked ball. You should come, too.”

“I don’t know. I promised Elizabeth I’d go with her, but …” He trails off. Does he have something to hide? I know my brother too well; he won’t get away with it.

“Elizabeth? You’re still seeing her? She’s … weird, Cornelius. I don’t trust her. Maybe she’s undercover and …”

“You’re so paranoid. What I was going to say: I think I should forget about Elizabeth. Rose is my true love.” I can’t help but be amazed.

“Hear ye, hear ye, my brother is growing up.” I giggle. I never would have thought it possible that my brother would ever decide for a lady. But Rose is nice. And I’m not just saying that because she’s a witch. She’s so much more open and friendly than Elizabeth. She’s a good influence on my brother.

“Emily, please.” He rolls his eyes.

“It’s okay. Why don’t you take Rose to the ball? I’m sure she’d like it.” I try to muster up smile.

“Rose would, but father not. She’s a commoner, after all.” He turns his eyes away and in the candlelight I see him blushing.

“Cornelius Stoughton, don’t say you’re ashamed of her!” I’m seldom angry at Cornelius, we usually get along fine. But I can’t stand for something like that.

“No, no. It’s not like that at all. She’s wonderful. She’s my angel. But Elizabeth …”

“Ah, so that’s the real reason. You’re afraid Elizabeth might be jealous. You need not worry about father in this respect; he will be busy chasing my kind.”

“Back to the subject, huh?” He rolls his eyes again.

“I can’t help it. It’s on my mind.” He approaches me and holds me by my shoulders.

“Emily, I would never let father hurt you.” I’m smiling at him. I know he’s right. Maybe I really worry too much.

I’m going to the dining room to set the table. Father will be home soon. My brother went out again.

I really hope he clears things up with his girlfriends. I cannot approve of this mistake in him. But he is my brother and I’ll always have his back.

“You’re an angel, Emily,” my father says when he comes home and I serve him dinner. “It’s been a tough day, but the streets of Salem will soon be safe again.” I smile and pour him some wine.

My father did bad things. I can feel an evil aura emanating from him. Why can’t Cornelius see it? I have the oppressive feeling that one day our father will be our death.