Mrs. Braithwaite, Part IV free porn video

Mrs. Braithwaite, Part IV. By Geneva START The business all began for me one summer afternoon. I had been with my two friends and fellow coven members, Scillia and Liriope, at a monthly meeting of our coven the previous evening. The meeting finished, we were on our way back home. Feeling like a bit of sightseeing on the way, and maybe to take our minds off some of the events at the coven, we spent an afternoon on a tour at an old mansion that had been used in a recent popular TV series, another of these Victorian melodramas. Then, before finally getting on the road for home, we took some back roads and stopped at an inviting looking pub for a bite to eat and a drink. I suppose I should introduce myself. My coven name is Thetis but I have to admit that my real name is the more ordinary Susan Briggs. Our coven, yes, we are witches, meets each full moon at the meeting place, Highfield they call it, up at the edge of the moors. I had been told that Highfield was donated to the coven about ten years previously by a woman called Martha Braithwaite. Apparently she had once been an important member of the coven but had left the coven soon afterwards to get married. It surprised me that she even left with the coven's best wishes. Usually it was a case of 'once in, never out'. I had heard that Martha had done the coven many services, as well as donating Highfield to it. This was a large old farmhouse, originally a bit run- down, but she had made extensive renovations and additions to it, including a large room for our coven's ceremonies. Highfield was high up, nestled in a cleft in the hills and almost surrounded by trees. It was nicely private, away from prying eyes. Two of the coven's members, Dora and Sue, were former employees of Martha, but had remained at Highfield as caretakers and to keep it ready it for meetings. I had been in the coven about five years. About the time I changed from a girl to a woman I became aware that I had feelings and abilities that others, including my own family, did not. After a few missteps that made people wary of me, such as having some prescience, or a keener appreciation of other people's thoughts, I learned to hide my talents. I was about eighteen when I was approached by a woman called Samantha. At first there was a bit of cautious 'feeling-out'- the coven doesn't exactly want to publicize its activities- she showed me I was not alone and persuaded me to join the coven. There I could meet with other women like myself. I still remember the shock when she told me she was a witch. The three of us were all in our early twenties and, even though I say it myself, we were all good-looking women. I have dark auburn hair, with blue green eyes. Lyriope was darker complexioned. Her hair was almost black and her eyes were deep brown, while Scillia was a kind of ash blonde with grey eyes. All of us had good figures, although mine was a little on the wiry and lithe side, a legacy from my mother who had been a circus acrobat and contortionist, whereas Scillia had just a touch of the zaftig. Lyriope was somewhere in between. We had had our share of men interested in us and, while their approaches were often tempting, the lure of the coven was greater. It did not encourage liaisons. However, our good looks were not entirely due to having the right parents. The Martha I mentioned had given a special book to the coven. It was an old spell book, with a number of incantations that healed wounds, removed warts, fixed squints, or club feet and so on, but one of its spells was quite different. Any man hearing it was turned into a beautiful woman, while any woman hearing it spoken, or reading it, became more beautiful. So, of course, most of us in the coven had tried it! I am certainly very happy with its effects on me! There was a reverse spell too, but I don't believe any of the women tried that. I remember the experience quite well. In just a few minutes after the spell was read to me I felt a slightly uncomfortable prickly sensation, dull aches and a little dizziness, and I even had to sit down, but in an hour or so I had recovered enough to start appreciating my new pretty face and trim figure. Scillia and Lyriope told me they had experienced much the same temporary discomfort when they tried the spell. This last coven meeting had been a more serious one than most. Usually the arrangements were that when we arrived at Highfield we started with a bit of gossip and chitchat, with some wine and snacks, followed by something more substantial to eat. After that we moved on to coven business, followed by dancing round our magic blue stone. This is the most important part. The head of our coven is called Persea. She is a stately woman in her fifties, with greying hair. At this meeting there were two things out of the ordinary. The first was an announcement that two of the more senior members had died. One, Claris, had been found drowned in a river near her house. The other, Mara, had been found dead in her garden. We were all shocked, and sad too. Both been very popular and had taken a real interest in younger coven members. Both had also been strong supporters of Persea. The next part was very unusual and troubling. It had given me strange feelings of apprehension. Persea announced that a very serious issue was to be brought up. One of the senior coven members, Eunice, asked to address the coven to explain. Eunice was in her forties, I would say. She was dark complexioned and with black hair, but with brilliant blue eyes. With her dark beauty and forceful personality she had been involved in many of the coven's dealings. She had become an aide of sorts to Persea. I knew her well. She and I had actually been rivals for the position, but I had deferred to her as I had become too busy with various musical gigs. I had heard that Eunice had been a prot?g? of the former leader Dierdre but had switched her allegiance to Persea after Dierdre died in a car crash and since then had worked hard for the coven. We were in our main meeting room. This is a large room. Our blue stone is usually set at one end, but can be moved to the centre for our dancing. Eunice stood before us and asked for the coven to support her in the use of a special spell. She referred back to a time before I had joined the coven. In the past several individualswho had offended or threatened the coven or a coven member had been brought before the coven and punished. Sometimes a certain spell that had belonged to the coven from time immemorial was used on men. It had the effect of making any man who heard it into a woman. I was told this spell was a variant of the one I mentioned, but whereas Martha Braithwaite's spell made all who heard it into beautiful women, this one only worked on men and made them into very ugly women. Eunice particularly referred back to some events that had taken place ten or so years earlier. Martha Braithwaite had used a young woman Simone, formerly a man, in a plot to unseat a previous coven leader. She looked directly at Persea. " And our present coven leader Persea herself knew of this scheme and approved!" Scillia caught my eye and we raised our eyebrows at these Byzantine plots. It was surely all past history. Others were a bit taken aback with this too, but, not wanting to cause open dissention in the coven, held their tongues. Persea made some general comments and I could see she had some reservations, but Eunice had brought up the earlier precedent and she could not really object. Eunice was insistent that one of the coven's main principles was its protection, and we reluctantly gave her permission to use the spell. I was shocked when we were told that it would be done right there and now in front of us. Apparently a young man had given her verbal abuse after a traffic accident and as a punishment she wanted to inflict the spell on him. "I have him prisoner downstairs," she announced. Most of us were even less happy about this. Kidnapping could bring in police investigations. Besides it seemed a severe punishment for a trivial incident. One of the coven, Artemis, a senior member, finally stood up. "I have a question," she asked. "What will be done with the victim afterwards? The woman will have to be kept away from the general population as we do not dare let our witchcraft be public knowledge." Eunice looked up sharply. "She will become my servant. I will keep her under strong discipline. I live in a remote part of the moors." Artemis shook her head vigourously. "No, Eunice, there is too much personal feeling there. We cannot allow that." "Yes, I agree," said Persea. "She cannot live with you." Eunice glared and was about to object, but there was muted approval for Persea's decision. Sue spoke up. "Dora and I have had experience before. We will train her. We have done it before some years ago and she can stay at Highfield." Eunice shrugged. She was trying to hide her feelings. "As you wish," she said huffily. "How long do you want the punishment to last?" asked Persea. Eunice scowled. "As long as I see fit!" She almost spat the words out. "Maybe the rest of her life!" Persea was about to say something but she held it back. I certainly did not like what had happened, and I had had enough. I stood up. "That is unfair," I protested. "I think three years is more than enough." "I agree," said Persea before Eunice could reply and she simply bowed her head and nodded. However, I did not like the way she looked at me. Persea took a deep breath, as if steeling herself. "Then bring in the prisoner," she commanded. The young man was half drugged. His feet dragged and he stumbled as two coven members pulled him to the centre of the room. A post was inserted in a hole in the floor and his arms were chained to it. We formed a circle round him. He struggled feebly against the chain. Persea held up her hand for silence. "Your name is what?" He licked his lips, perhaps beginning to understand his situation. "I am Patrick Somers." "You have offended one of us. That is the same as offending all of us. For that we have a punishment. You will become our servant but, as a woman. We are going to change you into one. You will serve us for five years." He still looked dazed, but there was surprise and skepticism in his face. He frowned and shook his head, as if pitying us. No wonder! What Persea had said would have been difficult to believe. Samantha, a pretty woman in her twenties, was Persea's deputy. She handed Persea a scroll. Persea unwound it and, looking at the figure, began to read, but stopped suddenly. She looked round at the rest of us. "Don't be worried, ladies. I know that most of you have used another spell that made you into beautiful women. For that one, any men hearing it become women too. This is related to it, but I assure you, it does not affect women at all. Your new looks are safe! But this one here," she pointed to the man, "will become, well, rather plain." The young man licked his lips nervously. "But I'm a man." Eunice stood before him and laughed. "For not much longer. Before this day is over you will be a woman." The man gulped and shivered with nervousness. "Where did that come from?" "We have had it for years," said Persea. "Now, we have wasted enough time." Persea unwound the scroll and began to read. Like Mrs. Braithwaite's spell, it was short, and when it was over the man looked round at us cautiously. We all stood silent, but Eunice had an expectant gleam in her eyes "I think we should remove his clothes. Eunice, you can do it," said Persea. It was as if Eunice had been expecting it. She took a long, engraved knife that was lying by the blue stone and, facing the shaking man, she began to cut his clothes from him, ignoring struggles and his shouts of protest. He tried to pull away from her but soon he was naked. I drew in my breath when I saw her hesitate at his genitals. She looked as if she was going to mutilate him. I only let my breath out when she stood back. Suddenly the man gave a shiver, then another, until he was shaking continuously. He slumped unconscious at the post. His body started shimmering, with continuous ripples running through his body and limbs. All parts of his body were changing simultaneously, the body gradually shrinking, and its proportions rearranging, the broader male shoulders narrowing, while the narrow hips swelled. The waist developed more indentation. His hands and feet shrank. The muscles of his arms and legs became less and less defined. His genitalia began to shrink, the pouch with his testicles visibly deflating and the penis shrinking and moving downwards. All at once I felt complete revulsion at the events. Obviously some of the others did too. First I, them others, left the room. I went to the little room that overlooked the valley and lay down, staring at the ceiling. I was too upset. Eunice had shown the nasty side of the coven's power. Some of the other members, including my two friends Lyriope and Scillia joined me. Their faces were white. I just looked at them and shook my head. Persea joined us in a few minutes. Her voice was stern as she scolded us. "Remember, the coven must act together. You may not like what has been done, but we must, if not support Eunice, at least not act against her. Now, I want you all back in the room immediately!" Sighing, we got up and followed her back in. We gaped at the figure on the floor, still chained to the post. It was now a woman, but a horribly ugly one. Her figure was short and thick. Her breasts were large, lumpy and pendulous, flopped over her unconscious body. Her features were coarse, with shaggy eyebrows, a too prominent chin and a large hooked nose. Her legs were bowed and her ankles were thick. Folds of a flabby belly hung over her groin. I was glad that I had suggested on a shorter time. Still, three years, in that ugly body? It was a terrible punishment. "When does he, I mean she, wake up?" Scillia asked Persea. "It will be at least a day, much the same as the other spell. She will be uncomfortable at first and her appearance will be messy. You see, she has already perspired a lot. Her face will be red and she'll still have a man's hair on her chest and limbs, but that soon passes. Most male hair will fall out." She called over Dora and Sue. "In a few days you can start to work with her to get her used to her new body. You'll need to get her tidied up and some new clothes. Oh yes, can you think of a name for her too?" Dora thought for a bit. "The man was called Patrick, then how about Patricia? Tomorrow I'll get out and get her some clothing. She'll need about a couple of changes of clothing, as well as working clothes. I've no idea what size she'll is, but it will be very large. Or maybe it will be better to wait until she 's close to waking up to get her measurements for things like underwear? Can two of you help me lift her out of here?" I volunteered and so did Samantha. Together we carried the unconscious figure to a bedroom. Samantha arranged her into a restful position, covered her with a sheet and we returned to the main room. The other witches were huddled in groups, perhaps discussing the punishment. Persea held up her arm again. "Dora and Sue will now look after the new woman. Now, we should get on with the coven affairs." She started the music, a wailing, shrill Eastern sounding style and the magic blue stone was set on a stand in the middle of the room. It began pulsing pale blue, becoming brighter as we began our dance. It is wonderful being a part of the coven. Young and old, we feel a synergistic exhilaration as we dance and gyrate round the flashing blue stone in the shrill music. As we dance we all shed our clothes until we are completely naked, of course, whether young or old, but age does not matter. Our bodies seem to lose substance and become almost ethereal, semitransparent. We are aware of the mental power flowing from each other and from the blue stone, moving into a kind of ecstasy until we subside in exhaustion, but then awake the next day with a new sense of our powers and purpose. In the dance I was able to push the dreadful punishment to the back of my mind. The next morning, stiff from lying on the hard wooden floor, I retrieved my clothes, had a shower and finally staggered into the kitchen area for breakfast. Eventually, some coffee and two of of Sue's buttered scones inside me, I looked at Lyriope and Scillia. "Ready?" "Tell you," said Scillia, "there's an old mansion about an hour south of us. Why don't we stop there and take the tour? We can look for a good pub to eat at afterwards." Eunice broke in. "Yes, I've seen that place. It's well worth a visit and I tell you, there's a nice pub a few minutes away. It's called 'The Basset and Beagle'. You should try that!" We did as she had suggested. At least seeing round the mansion took our minds off what had happened at the coven. The pub had a nice atmosphere too. One result of our good looks was that quite a few men have tried to come on to us, but we usually brushed them off. The coven preferred women with no outside emotional ties. If some young woman became really determined, she could leave the coven, a change in its policies after Martha. This time, as we sipped our drinks in a corner of the pub, a glass of white wine for Scillia, and beers for Lyriope and me, we were not really surprised when we became aware of three men looking us over. I had particularly noticed their blue van come into the car park just after us as I remembered seeing it in the parking lot at the mansion. I knew the men were looking us over, but of course, we ignored them. Unfortunately, they even sent over drinks for us and to be polite we allowed them to join us at our table. I did this with some misgiving. I could not shake a feeling of apprehension that fluttered through my mind. That feeling had served me well and if I had been by myself I would have rejected their advances. But I looked round. I was in a crowded pub with two friends. They seemed to appreciate the company of the men and I wondered if I was just being paranoid. What could happen? One man was older than the others. He looked as if he was in his forties, with a round face, curly black hair and brown eyes. Phil was his name. I particularly did not trust him. The other two were probably in their twenties. One of them was also dark haired. The other wore his hair very short, as if he had had it all shaved off two or so weeks before. Their conversation was actually quite entertaining and witty. Maybe the others flirted slightly but I was too apprehensive and but we gave no serious hints or encouragement that we wanted any more of their company. So, as we stood up finally, deciding it was time we were on our way, we thanked them, and said our goodbyes, the type that showed we were not interested in pursuing any further acquaintance. They rose too, like gentlemen, and Phil even smiled at us and loudly wished us safe journey. We were outside standing by the car and I was I fumbling with my keys when I was suddenly aware that the three men had come close beside us and I had barely time to react when I felt a prick on my arm. I jerked and barely managed a muffled squeal when I saw Lyriope and Scillia falling over and then I remembered no more. I awoke to someone talking close to me. I was dizzy. Someone was shaking my arms. "Miss, are you all right?" I heard. I opened my eyes to see I was lying on my side on the dirty tarmac of the parking lot. A group of men and women were looking down at me. When I raised my head I saw Lyriope and Scillia trying to sit up too. "What's happened?" I gasped. A man's face came over mine. It belonged to the proprietor of the pub. "I don't know," he said. "A group left the pub a minute or so after you and heard a cry. When they looked round they saw you three lying there, all unconscious. They called me. You must have been out about ten minutes. You all right? You have too much to drink, did you?" "No," I protested. "There were three men. I think they drugged us." An older woman knelt by me and helped support my head. "I saw a blue van drive away. It was going too fast for me to see who was in it. There was just you three lying there." I struggled up to a sitting position and I was relieved to see Lyriope and Scillia do the same. "Do you want us to call the police?" the proprietor asked. "Oh, these must be yours. They were lying there too." He handed us our handbags and purses. They were all open. Getting my wits about me, I shook my head. "No, maybe I'm imagining things. Maybe we did have too much to drink. We'll just come in and have a cup of coffee and sit for a bit," and I struggled to my feet. One older man looked at us and shook his head. "You young women! If you can't hold your drink you shouldn't be here!" "Silly old bugger," I muttered under my breath. The three of us just brushed aside the concerns of the others and, going back into the pub, we all ordered coffee. The landlord even came round later to ask how we were but we just thanked him and he left us alone after that. Lyriope looked at me. "We've had a lucky escape. I think there was an attempt to abduct us." "Yes, we were very lucky that the other group came out when they did. Otherwise we could have been shoved in that van and we'd be away to God knows where." I shuddered. "But why?" Scillia asked. How innocent she was! "Women are abducted all the time," I said carefully. "They disappear into slavery or prostitution. After all, we are young, and if I can say so, we're all good looking." Scillia gave a small squeal of fear, but got herself together. "Now what?" she asked. "You know the coven policy. Any attack on any of us, any threat, has to be reported. And that was a very serious attempt. I think we'd better get back to Highfield right away." "Have you any idea where we are?" asked Lyriope, as my car screeched out of the parking lot. "Yes, just a mile or so west and we'll be on the motorway. I know I want to be as far away from this place, and as soon, as possible." "Are you sure you don't want to report it at a police station?" asked Scillia. "That looks like one over there." I shook my head vigorously. "Certainly not. You know the coven policy! The less any coven member has to do with the police the better, even if we are the victims. After that? These men may have been into our wallets and purses and know our names and our addresses. We need help from our coven sisters. No, we want to warn the coven first about this. And I want revenge! The coven will help us." The motorway ran roughly north-south and we headed back north. We could be at Highfield in less than two hours. I looked at the dashboard. The fuel gauge was reading almost half filled. "We're in luck," I said. "We've enough in the tank to get us to Highfield. We don't have to stop." "Don't you think you are driving too fast?" "Oops, you're right." and I slowed to the speed limit. It could have been awkward if we were stopped by the police. We all looked a bit disheveled. I had grazes on my arms and oil stains from the parking lot and rips in my clothing. The other two were not much better. It was about eight in the evening when we finally rolled back into Highfield. They would not be expecting us, but I imagined we would be expected to stay there until an emergency coven meeting was called. Then I saw there was another car already in the courtyard. I did not recognize it. The others were all for getting out of the car right away, but I held them back. "Wait a bit. Let's just see who owns that car. We look proper sights in these dirty clothes and like we need showers. It might lead to questions." But our arrival had been noticed. Dora stepped out of the door, looked at us with a puzzled expression, then strode over to us. "What are you three doing back here?" Then she gave us a closer look. "You've had trouble? Look at you! Look at your clothes! Better come in!" "Someone else here?" I asked. To my surprise, Persea appeared at the door as we made our way in. I thought she would have gone home. Her face was puzzled too. I gave her and Dora a hurried account of our attempted abduction and escape. I asked again, "Who else is here?" "There's no problem," Persea said. "It's Martha Braithwaite. She's paying us a visit. She arrived after the coven was over. She's taking a brief holiday here to see Dora and Sue. You can trust Martha. She was a coven member in the past. Come in and meet her." So that was Martha Braithwaite! I was still upset over our narrow escape but I took a good look at her when we were introduced. She looked as if she was in her fifties, a slim elegant woman. Her hair was grey, but her face only had a few lines. If she had been a member of the coven, she had probably also used the beautifying spell. She was smartly and stylishly dressed in slim fitting tailored trouser suit over a fine wool sweater. She wore gold earrings with a matching gold chain round her neck. Her shoes were medium heeled, in fine crocodile patterned hide. I felt shabby beside her. My peasant skirt had seen better days, even before I had rolled in it in the parking lot. Later we sat down with some tea. They all listened attentively while we told them again about our intended abduction. Persea had each of us in turn tell about the abduction attempt. "All right, we need some more of the coven here," said Persea. "I'll call maybe Eunice and Samantha and some others to discuss what to do. Are you all able to stay some more days here?" "Yes, a day or so is fine with me." I played guitar in pubs but I had no gigs lined up for a week. "Yeah, I have some time off at work too," said Lyriope. "I can do it." "I really shouldn't," said Scillia. "But I will call in sick." Sue took charge. "Girls, first, why don't you have baths or showers? You need them. I'll make up some beds for you. Unfortunately, you'll have to share a room. Martha has one of the spare bedrooms." "You know, that's all right," said Martha. "I don't mind sharing. Thetis, why don't you share with me?" "Thank's very much, Martha. You sure you don't mind?" "Certainly not!" "Now, about stuff to wear," said Sue. "How are you three set up for a day or so? Do you need more? I'll put your stuff through the washing machine, but some of it looks beyond repair." "Yes, yes, I think we'll need to get some more. Our cases are still in the car and I have a change of clothes there but probably I should do some shopping." "Me too," said Scillia. Persea had been sitting, obviously in thought. "So, I'd better make some calls for a special meeting of the coven to decide what we should do. I expect Eunice and Samantha will have got back home now so I'll call them to come back. You must have revenge, but these men have to be stopped too." She sighed. "I'm beginning to sound like Eunice, but an attack on any one of the coven is an attack on all of us. The power of the coven will be useful." We all washed and tidied ourselves up, but I noticed the skin at my shoulders, back, and knees was a bit red and scraped from the rough tarmac of the pub parking lot. Martha had noticed my occasional trembling while I putting on my nightwear. "You all right? Do you want me to drive you tomorrow while you get some more clothes?" "Oh, but I don't want to spoil your visit," I said. "Think nothing of it. It's my duty to help coven members. Besides, my car's bigger than yours." I felt better the next morning. Eunice arrived just after we had finished eating and she had us tell our stories again. "Did you get a good look at the men? Would you recognize them again," she asked. "If it was the same ones we had drinks with, certainly!" I insisted. Dora broke in. "I think Patricia is now waking up. Do you want to see her?" We all looked around at each other. "Yes," said Persea, glaring at us. "All of us. It was a coven decision, remember? It is the responsibility of all!" I felt slightly chastened, but Persea was right. It was a coven decision. "Do you want to see, Martha?" asked Persea. "No, not this time. Too much like d?j? vu." Her voice caught slightly and I looked at her but she said no more. I knew what to expect, but seeing the misshapen figure stirring on the bed I felt sick. Martha watched us as we trooped back into the room, but said nothing. "Sue, Dora," I asked, "You have an important part. Treat her well!" Eunice just looked at me sharply but I did not care. Martha gave me a small smile. I was still glad Martha had offered to drive to get some shopping. "I gather you were a coven member once, but you left? " I asked, as she started down the road into the city. I was in the front with her, Scillia and Lyriope in the back seats. "Yes, I was in the coven, oh, about ten or more years, but I left. I suppose you're wondering how that came about?" She lifted her eyebrows. I gave shamefaced grin. "Yes, I was." "It's maybe a long story. Let me see. It was triggered by some leadership problems in the coven and I was part of plot to get rid of the previous coven leader. She was called Dierdre, a terrible, vicious woman! Dangerous to the coven too! If she'd carried on the way she was doing some of her actions would certainly have come to the notice of the police! To help make things happen, and I still have twinges of remorse about it, I used a young lad called Simon. Maybe the word should be 'exploited' or 'abused'. He suffered terribly, but preserving the coven was first in my mind." "Yes, Eunice keeps stressing the coven's security." "Does she now? Anyway, I used his young man's curiosity about us, allowed him to be changed him into an ugly girl, a hag actually, by that spell that the coven has. Just as that poor young man was made into that Patricia a few days ago. Anyway, I used her, we called her Simone, to distract Dierdre while we completed our plot. We were lucky that Dierdre was actually killed in a car crash just as we had our plans completed." "So that's what Eunice was referring to!" "How did you feel about what you did to the young man?" "I was not happy about that," I said. Martha nodded in understanding. "Yes, I've seen Patricia as she is now called. She's in for a rough few years. "Anyway, for the time before, I was lucky when I discovered the other spell that makes pretty women, and that is what Simone was changed into when Dierdre was gone. Simone became a very pretty lass indeed. Later she got married and it was through her I met her husband's uncle and we hit it off. Now I'm married as well and we've two daughters, twins actually. We live in Scotland, south of Edinburgh. "I had been at Highfield some years, but I signed it over to the coven when I left, actually to my two friends Dora and Sue. That's why I'm here. I came here to get a bit of a break from the family and see my old friends again. Now perhaps I am needed." "Does your husband know that you were a witch?" She drew in her breath sharply. "No, not at all. I keep that part of my past well hidden. No, now I am a respectable married woman, and happy with it. My attraction to my witch's powers and the coven cost me my first marriage to a good man. I was unfair to him but fortunately he is happily remarried. Then it was later, maybe it was seeing Simone's happiness, that I took a chance with another man and I don't regret it for a minute. "Anyway, enough of me! So you use the name Thetis, and I have Lyriope and Scillia in the back. Fancy names!" Lyriope leaned forward. "Well, it seemed to be the fashion when we joined the coven. Maybe it helps our anonymity too." "I dare say. I was happy using my own name. Same with Dora and Sue. But I don't think Persea is her real name. Anyhow, tell me, I understand you visited an old mansion and then a nearby pub. How did you hear about these?" "Oh, I'd watched the series on TV. The pub, I think it was Eunice who suggested it. Actually the food was good. It's just a pity what followed. It's coloured my feelings about the day." "No wonder! These men that tried to kidnap you. What kind of punishment would you like for them?" "At first I wanted to kill them. Maybe I still do. Thoughts of boiling oil and castration come to mind." I grinned. "No I'd have to think about it." "We'd better catch them first," said Martha. "But these men will now be wondering what they should do. They will be expecting you to go to the police. But you didn't. and they will be wondering why not. If they don't lie low for a bit I will be surprised. On the other hand, you know about them and they may come looking for you all again. Capturing you was their original intention, but now they'd want to remove witnesses. You say they had your purses with your I.D's. They could have looked at them and would know where you live." I got a hollow feeling in my stomach and I heard gasps from Scillia and Lyriope in the back." I wish you hadn't told me that!" said Lyriope. "Then maybe we should all move. I rent a flat from month to month and I could move easily." "Same with me," said Scillia. "I own a flat. I'd have to sell it," I growled. "Anyway," I said, "let's see what's decided when we get back to Highfield. Persea has called some of the senior more experienced members to deal with it." Martha nodded knowingly. "Yes, Persea has a lot of experience, but she is willing to take advice. But first, let's get your shopping done. We're just about there." I only really needed one more change of clothes, but I actually enjoyed some shopping, a kind of therapy, I suppose after the trauma. As I was going to be at Highfield for some nights more I got a dress, a skirt and top, some underwear and nightwear. Lyriope contented herself with a skirt and top outfit and a pair of jeans. Scillia got some T-shirts, some underwear, a blouse and a pair of slacks. Back at Highfield Sue had made a fantastic dinner, a pork roast with an apple crumble to follow. There were even a couple of bottles of wine and I felt the tension leave me, although not the anger. The other coven members arrived the next day. Persea's deputy, Samantha was first. followed by some of the senior members. That afternoon we all sat down at a long table. Persea had even invited Martha to join us. We were asked again to tell what had happened to us. They all listened attentively. "You don't remember seeing the men before?" asked Persea, We all shook our heads. "No," I said. " It was the first time in that pub, but I think I saw their van earlier when we stopped at the mansion." "Maybe they thought you'd be easy pickings," said Eunice. "You'd better write down descriptions of them all. We should get someone to draw composite sketches of the men." "Well, first we have to try to find them," said Persea. "Some sketches may help. Samantha and Eunice, why don't you get in touch with the coven's contacts in the police and try to find if there is some gang operating. Maybe there have been more abductions. But be careful! The police must get no inkling about the coven's existence." "Then, as you were the ones who were in danger, just suppose we caught them? What punishment would you like?" asked Samantha. "Give them a taste of their own medicine! I believe we have spell that makes a man into a woman. Do that, lock them up and send them off to wherever they intended for us!" Persea gave a frown. "Unfortunately that means supplying the slave traders again. I know the trade exists, and I don't approve, but suppressing it is someone else's responsibility." 'I've done something like that in the past," Martha broke in. "It was just a little before I left the coven. A man broke into Highfield. He knocked Sue unconscious then attacked me. A good thing my friend Simone was there. She surprised him and we captured him. I had thought he was going to rape me, so in retribution I just changed him into a woman and sent her to a brothel in Europe. I later found some women had been murdered or mutilated. If I'd known that I would have murdered him. As it was, the woman I changed him to killed herself in the brothel. Good riddance!" "Anyhow, until we have more information I don't think there is anything we can do," said Persea. I had to agree with her so, the next day, Lyriope, Scillia and I drove home again, a bit more subdued than some days before. It did not help that I had seen Sue getting Patricia started on her training. If anything, she looked worse than before. Back in the familiarity of my flat I thought about the events and our escape. I kept thinking on what Martha had said about the men looking for us again. She was either very suspicious or very shrewd. Getting another flat was a nuisance. If I wanted to move, I'd have to take the time to look for one. As a temporary precaution I had extra locks put on my door and, going out to gigs the next week, I was extra careful to avoid situations where I would be alone. I got careless. A month later I arrived home from a late gig. It was dark and I had just pulled my keys out of my bag when I was suddenly aware of someone behind me. Barely thinking, I whirled round and struck out with my keys. They raked across the face of a man and he cried out in pain. There was another man behind him, but the first one, cried out, stumbled and fell back against him, holding his face, and that gave me just enough time to open my door and slam it behind me. There was a brief pounding on my door, and I felt someone hurl himself at it, but it held. I was terrified, I did not know whether to call the police or not, remembering the coven's policy. But the pounding stopped and I heard a car start then race away with squealing tyres. I could barely dial the telephone with my trembling fingers when I called Highfield. The arrangements were that in an emergency Sue or Dora would then forward the message to the leaders of the coven. For my own part the rest of that night, I could not sleep, and I kept by the door with a heavy stick, and a pan of boiling water at the ready. When Persea called the next morning I told her what had happened. "You were lucky. Now brace yourself, Thetis. We have called Lyriope and Scillia but they're not answering. Would you go to their places? You know where they live and you're the nearest coven member to them. Can you check and see if they are all right?" With a sick feeling in my stomach I drove to their places. In an hour I had to call back. "Persea, there's no sign of them. I think they have been abducted. Lyriope lives in a cottage in the country, and I see her door has been forced. There is no sign of her. I rang the doorbell at Scillia's place and there was no answer. I called her and there was no reply. Do you want me to call on her again?" "I think we have to assume the worst. So these men who tried to abduct you earlier have made another attempt, and succeeded with two of you. We need to talk again." At the next coven meeting I discussed what had happened and my near escape with Persea, Eunice and Samantha. Persea shook her head slowly. "The men knew where you were. They were probably eliminating witnesses to their earlier attempt." "I'm angry with myself. Lyriope, Scillia and I had discussed changing where we lived but I for one hadn't even started on it. Now my two friends have disappeared and I've only just escaped." "Yes, too bad for them. It's a large price to pay. Now, your attack," said Persea. "Unfortunately we have only that to go on. You say you probably injured one with your keys? We've put out feelers on that. We haven't heard back from all of our contacts, but there are no reports at any hospitals of a man like you describe with any facial injuries. So, either he has not got help, or he got medical help outside the system." "I'm frightened." I said. "I think I should go into hiding. But," I shrugged, "I can't. I need to earn a living." I made a modest living as a musician, a guitarist. Usually I played solo in coffee houses and pubs, but I would have to think about that with the risks involved. "Yes, for the present, I agree. You should hide. In the meantime let's see if we can trace these men and rescue Scillia and Lyriope." I had hoped for more action from the coven but, as Persea had said, we had little to go on. But a day after I got home I had a call from Martha. She had heard from Persea and was absolutely furious with what had happened. She insisted that I come and stay with her. "Maybe in Scotland you'll be far enough away from danger, and you can get a break." So, a day later, I set off for Scotland. Martha welcomed me when I drove into her place on the outskirts of a small town. I was really taken by its appearance. It was obviously an old house, but it was well maintained and tidy with lots of flowers and shrubs in the large treed garden, and inside it was totally renovated. Her husband James was a doctor. Both he and Martha welcomed me warmly and I felt comfortable with them right from the start. I was actually intrigued by Martha's domesticity while she ran the house and attended to the many needs of her twin girls, and managed her large investment portfolio. I kept thinking how much a contrast it made to her witch's past. Martha and James were a bit older than most couples to be coping with two girls who were not even teenagers yet, but it seemed to be a warm family. We often discussed the coven when James was at work and when her twins were at school. Martha asked me exhaustively about my experiences with the gang. Top in my mind was my own near escape, and that Scillia and Lyriope had disappeared, and had probably been retaken by the men. It was just too much of a coincidence that an attempt had been made to abduct me at the same time. I shuddered when I thought of their subsequent fate. "Why was it you wanted to leave the coven?" I asked her one morning over coffee. "You had been a loyal member, and done a lot for the coven, but you suddenly left it." She grinned. "James had something to do with it. You see, I was pregnant, after a night of passion, but, you know, I was ready too. May be it's...." She started again. "Thetis, the coven gave me a lot. I gave a lot to it, but if I'd kept in the coven, nothing of me would have remained after I died. Now I have two children. I will carry on in them." She shook her head in embarrassment and gave me a weak smile." A biological urge?" "Gosh!" I said. Her answer had staggered me. I loved the coven and my life, but I had not thought that way about my future. I needed to go off and think about it but my thoughts were interrupted by a telephone call. It was Persea calling me with some bad news. Just as before, all attempts to trace the men had failed and there were no police or medical reports of a man with an injured face. Worse, they still had not been able to find any trace of Scillia or Lyriope. Then to top that off, she said that Artemis had been found dead in her house. The police said it looked like she had fallen down some stairs. Martha was shocked when I told her, but there was something else in her expression. "What is it, Martha?" "Look Thetis, three coven members have died. There have been abduction attempts, some successful. You know, I think there is something going on. I think you may have been targeted." "What?" I cried. "For what reason?" "I wish I knew. So just take precautions." After yet another week, deciding that I did not want to stretch Martha's hospitality, I returned to my own place. I lived in a small town and I put my flat up for sale immediately. Luckily I was able to get another small flat, and even found a quick buyer for the previous one. I began to get my confidence back and I again began looking for gigs in pubs and coffee houses. I did reasonably well but, as I was now uncomfortable working alone, I thought about alternatives. I contacted the members of a small band and they encouraged me to try working with them. We soon found we could work together easily. I was still careful in case I was recognized and I dyed my auburn hair a mousy brown. I like to think I am a competent guitar player and I can sing, if not at the standard of a trained singer, at least in a pleasant voice. Liam also played guitar as well as fiddle, Rob was on drums, and Jake played a variety of flutes and whistles but was happiest on a clarinet or pennywhistle. Gradually we got more and more gigs around the area. Of course, when possible, I did not do gigs near the full moons. That was reserved for visiting Highfield for coven meetings .The others in the band actually noticed my absences and jokingly suggested I was really a werewolf but I just laughed it off, even their rude comments about my 'monthlies'. About a month later I had a call from Dora, at Highfield. "Thetis, it looks like we are in luck. One of Persea's contacts in the police has just told us of an attempted abduction of a couple of girls just last week. Fortunately, it was foiled by some bystander, just like happened to you. The girls reported it to the police and the police are watching a warehouse." "I hope they catch them, but I'd like to take my own revenge." "Well, just keep out of it. Remember that we want no contact at all with police. If the police catch the gang they'll get some punishment. Maybe not the type we would inflict, but it would be something." I was skeptical. If they were caught! If they came to trial! If they were found guilty! But it was only another day when I had a call from Martha Braithwaite. After asking how I was she got right down to business." You heard that the police were after some of the men who abducted you?" "Yes, have they caught them?" "No, and that is why I am calling. The police finally raided the building but the gang were gone." "Damn! I wonder if they had warning." "Yes, I was wondering about the same thing and I want to talk about that with you. But first, it means you still have to be careful. The second thing is, how did the crooks know that the police might be watching them?" "And you did mention earlier," I said slowly, "that you thought we were targeted." I let my imagination run. "So perhaps... some traitor in the coven?" "Yes, Thetis, you and I think along the same lines. So, be careful." She sighed. "I have to decide how much I want to get involved. I've spoken to Persea about this a lot and she's very concerned too. Oh well, I'll be in touch." She hesitated. "No, on second thoughts, Thetis, I want to get to the bottom of this. What do you say we take a look at the location where that gang were supposed to be?" "But the police found nothing." "Oh, it won't do any harm for us to have a look ourselves. We have a deeper and more personal interest. I've found out where the place is. I'll pick you up. When would be suitable?' "Uh, I have a gig tonight, and tomorrow. How about the morning after that?' But what about your family? It's a long drive. " "Oh, James and the girls will be fine for a day or so. We've now a housekeeper, Mrs. Patterson. She's very good." Martha knocked on my door almost as arranged and after coffee we were on our way to the site that was supposed to have been used by the gang. The building was on a side road but we had only gone a short way to it when Martha stopped the car. "You know, when I was a witch I often had feelings of premonition. It was very useful. Now I feel them again. I'm sure that is the place. So we better be careful." "Yes, you're right. I feel something too." Closer to the building, Martha slowed the car to a crawl while we looked at it. There was a main building, two much smaller ones, and a few parking spaces. The site looked deserted. "Do you see there, at the front, there are some windows and a door with a small glass panel. That's probably an office of sorts. Otherwise, I don't see any more windows except some high up, at the rear." "Anyone around?" "No, I think it's empty. No cars or lorries by it. I 'll drive by and then come back". We drove on another mile before she turned and we approached from the other direction. "Still no one there. No police either." She drove into the small parking area and stopped the car. "Shall we take a look?" I was fighting my nerves as we got out. The place was deserted as Martha had said, just a corrugated metal clad building in a yard with some debris strewn about and the remains of a fire with some unburned rubbish. She tried the door. It was locked. We both peered into the dark window. "No one around? Then let's see." She pulled out a piece of wire from her handbag and, kneeling at the lock, began fiddling with the lock. She grinned. "In case you're wondering, it's a skill I thought it would be useful to learn. A minute more. Ahh!" The lock gave a click and she casually opened the door. "All right, get in!" "What if there's a burglar alarm?" I squealed. "Then we'd better be quick about looking around, hadn't we?" Martha switched on the lights and we hurried through the place. The main room and all the others were bare, but with the scattered rubbish around it looked like there had been some hurried clearing. "I'm afraid the birds have flown. All right, let's get going! This is the place, but there's nothing in here," said Martha, "but first, let me look at that pile of burned stuff outside. It looks recent." With a stick, Martha poked around the remains of the fire. "Look there, some pieces of charred or partly melted cloth!" she said. She poked at it and found some metal pieces. She raised her eyes. "Look at this. Some buckles and hooks. These look like the remains of the metal parts of bras, yes and some zippers. Somebody has been burning women's clothing." She carefully turned over some charred papers. Most was too charred or so brown it was illegible. "You check this stuff, I'll do half." My lot looked like the remains of business paperwork or invoices for metal supplies and welding stuff, but Martha had pounced on something. "Look at this," she cried. "What's your coven name. Thetis, isn't it?" She held out a fragment of paper and pointed out some writing. It was handwritten parts of two words, '.... etis, and 'Lyr.....' "You know what this is?" she muttered. "It was the same gang and they knew your coven names!" "But how?" "That's what I'd like to know. Let me think!" I was nervous in case the police came by, but we were not disturbed. Once back in the car, Martha drove about ten minutes then, at a quiet place in the road, she stopped and turned off the car engine. "Thetis, I suppose this is what I would have expected if they had been warned. in They'd have shut down the operation as soon as they could." "In a way I was hoping they'd still be here and we could do something about them." "Maybe, but when you were drugged and nearly captured they were skilled enough. I don't think they are that stupid. The real question is what they knew about you and Lyriope and Scillia. I think there is more going on here than I can figure out for the moment. So Thetis, I want you to keep quiet about what we have found. When we meet with any others of the coven we'll just say that the place was deserted and we couldn't find anything." I stared at her. "What do you think is going on?" "I don't know yet, but I'll make it my business to find out." She appeared to be thinking, debating with herself, for a minute. "Look, maybe I should tell you. Actually it was Persea who asked me if I would pay her a visit at Highfield. I could see Dora and Sue again, but there was more. You know that two of the coven members were found dead some months ago. They could have been accidents, but it's too much of a coincidence. I'm getting vague troubled feelings, like many of the coven members do. I 've learned to take heed of them and be careful. "Then your friends Scillia and Lyriope were abducted. You could have been another! And Artemis has died too! That is definitely too much of a coincidence! So, not a word to anyone. I 'll talk about it with Persea, but you just keep your lips closed. If anyone asks, just look frustrated, disappointed and annoyed. Say nothing, not even to Samantha or Eunice. Don't mention this scrap of paper! We'll have to try something else to find the gang." Later we met with Persea and discussed what we had found. "Unfortunately that place is cleaned out. There are almost no clues and as to finding the men, it's like a needle in a haystack." "There must be a record of who owned the building," Persea suggested. "Maybe that would be a place to start." "Good idea," said Martha. "We can check with the local authorities? I'll take Thetis tomorrow and see what we can find out." The next day Martha and I went off. We soon found the local property records, and from these, the owner. I was nervous when we arranged to see him in case he was one of the gang, but it was all for nothing. He had a shifty manner, but I had not seen him before. He complained that he had been already interviewed by the police. Eventually he disclosed that he had rented the building to some men.They had found he owned some vacant buildings and had come to see him. "Well, can you give us their names and addresses?" He moved awkwardly. "Uh, it was a John Brown, he gave his name." "How did he pay? You got a cheque?" It turned out that a 'John Brown' had paid him cash for a year's rental of the building. So there was no paper trail. We left in disgust. "And I don't suppose he is declaring the income either," Martha snorted. On our drive back to my flat we discussed it, going over our options "I'm frustrated. Surely we could do something," I complained. "Difficult, with the little we know. This whole business bothers me! Is it to do with the coven? In which case we'll have to investigate it much more. The coven cannot have a traitor." She grimaced and sighed. "Yes, I know. I actually plotted against a leader, but she really was evil, and it was all coven business. "This time someone in the coven has used outside help and that is very dangerous. I suppose if we were able to get one of the men..... I know ways of applying persuasion, but he might just be an underling. We really have to find out more. Anyway, Thetis, I think it's time I got back to my family, and I dare say you have to get out and earn some money as well. I'll keep in touch with you and Persea. I'll let her know my thoughts. But please, again, keep what we've discussed secret." I was both worried and annoyed but there was nothing I could do until I had more clues. I tried to not let it affect my playing in the band. There the matter rested for some weeks. We had another couple of coven meetings, but there was no fresh word. I did see Patricia on and off at coven meetings. She had been set to maid's work. I was saddened by her appearance. She wore a shapeless dress that hung on her shapeless figure. Her eyes were dull. I shuddered at her plight. I thought we were losing our chance to find the gang until one Friday night I had that feeling of apprehension, a sign that I should be careful. The pub was full of customers and we had been playing some catchy Irish music. We had got on a roll and grinned at each other when many of the customers even stopped their conversation to sit back and listen to us. Maybe the tips would be good. Suddenly I had a shivery feeling, and the hair on the back of my neck rose. I almost faltered in my solo but I was glad when the song was over and Jake took up a lively jig tune on his tin whistle. Sean lifted his eyebrows at me and leaned over. "Something wrong, Susie?" He did not know my coven name. "No, just something caught in my throat. I'll take a little break in a minute." I took a deep breath and counted slowly. I carefully looked over the crowd in the pub. At first I saw nothing then, as some group left, I saw two men in conversation at a table. The light was dim but I saw one had a fresh scar across his cheek just below an eye, the kind of scar that scraping with keys might inflict. I was trembling, but they were watching the band as a whole, not paying me any particular attention. Maybe my long peasant type dress and straggly mousy hair disguised me. One of them, a young man, even came up to the bar to get more drinks. He glanced at the band as he passed. His eyes ran over me, and I could feel them assessing me. He smiled at me casually and gave Jake a thumbs -up, but he moved away. He had not recognized me. I felt the inklings of menace, but he had no particular malevolence to me just then. Right after I got home from the gig I contacted Persea. "You are all right?" were her first words when I told her. "That's great, Thetis! I'll check with our contacts to find out more. We need to try to find where these men operate. " She hesitated. "Look, Thetis, could I ask you to do this? "I have been speaking with Martha Braithwaite. I gather she has been discussing it with you, about a traitor in the coven. She actually tells me not to trust anyone. I think I agree with her, but I trust Samantha implicitly, and I will get her to help you." But the following night she called me. "Thetis, I've decided to have a meeting on this. Can I meet you say, at Highfield?" "Yes, and I can tell you, I saw them again at that same pub, so maybe they are in the area. That would help us catch them." To my surprise Martha was there at Highfield as well. She gave me a hug. "How are you doing, Thetis?" "I'm fine, thanks. You? I see you're taking another break from the family?" She gave a short laugh. "James and the girls have gone on holiday. For some weeks, actually. Gone to visit his brother and family in Perth." "But that's not far from you?" She laughed. "I should have said the one in Australia. It's a bit further away! Anyway, I'll be free for some weeks or so." "So Thetis," said Persea. "You've seen the gang in this area? You're sure it's them?" "Oh yes. I felt. You know, that shivery apprehension, and one had a nasty scar on his face. He must have got it when I raked the keys over it." "Still, we have to find out where they have set up their operation now. I'd like to capture them all and have the coven take its revenge. It would be nice to trap them, obviously. If we can't find them, all we can do is to keep on the watch. I wonder, maybe we could lay a trap with some vulnerable looking young woman or women as bait." She looked at me and I recoiled. "Bait?" I exclaimed. " No thanks! I've done enough!" I had escaped twice. I did not want to tempt fate. "I agree with you, but there is one reason too," said Martha. "We know that some members of the coven were targeted. The gang probably have descriptions of some of us. It would be better to be someone who wasn't in the coven in case they are suspicious. We know that we have leaks in our plans. No, we need someone else." I protested. "There is no way any sensible woman would allow that to happen," I snorted. " To allow herself to be captured and pushed into slavery if the plan didn't work. There's no woman born... " But then I caught sight of Patricia carrying some dishes. I had a sudden idea. "You know, there may be someone who'd be willing. What about Patricia? She was a man, but Eunice made her into a girl by the spell, as a punishment. She's very ugly. She's serving a sentence of sorts here at Highfield. But we could use your spell, Martha, to make her into an attractive girl. Then we could offer to change her back immediately after she does it for us! It would also be away of shortening her punishment." "What about Eunice?" asked Martha quietly. "We can say it was for the good of the coven, After all. Eunice is always going on about the coven taking precedence. Yes, I know it does, but she needn't harp on at it so much!" "I used a young man once," said Martha slowly. "I regret my actions but, if Patricia was willing, maybe. Why don't we sound her out?" Persea, Martha and I called Patricia to the room that night. I actually shuddered when she came into the room. She really was very ugly and, dressed in a shapeless sack-like outfit, she looked dejected and broken. She was trembling. She probably wondered if there was a fresh punishment in store for her. "Sit down, Patricia," said Persea. "Patricia, you were changed from a man to your present state because you offended a member of our coven. You still have some years to go. But I have an offer for you. If you accept, we will change you back to a man and free you much sooner. Are you interested?" The dull eyes flashed. "Yes, I would do anything to get out of this," she croaked. Even her voice was ugly. She spread her arms to show her sack-like clothing then ran her hands down over her lumpy body. "All right, I want you to do something for us." I explained the scheme to her. Her eyes opened wide. "And you know I'll have to use more magic for this?" Martha lifted out a small book from a bag. "This is another magic book," she said, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, "with the spell that will change you. But you will become a beautiful young woman." Persea looked at her. "Many think magic is evil. This is not, or at least we will not use it for evil." Martha broke in. "Yes, we will transform you from your present body. Like before, you will shiver, but you will be unconscious when the main changes take place. The spell affects all who hear it. It affects women, and makes them more beautiful. I am in my fifties and I think I look well- preserved for my age." She gave a small smile. "Once I read the spell to a woman, just like you, a young man who had been changed into an ugly woman. It made him a beautiful woman. I think just about all of the women in the coven have used it." Perhaps Patricia did not appreciate the risks of our plans and the terrible consequences of being enslaved by the men, but after a long minute she nodded. "Yes, I'll do it. But you say I'd be a pretty girl? You think it'd work?" She licked her lips and picked at a fingernail. I took her hand in mine. "Don't do that. You'll want pretty nails. Oh yes, it would work." I reassured her. "You'd be a pretty girl but then again, it would only be temporary. As I said, we will change you back to a man as soon as possible. So, do you want to try it?" We watched her eyes light up. It was the first sign of hope I had seen in her eyes. "Of course! Yes, I want to." Persea took her hand. "It will not be easy, but all of us, and our friends, will help you adjust to your new body." "Thetis said I might become unconscious. Would that be dangerous?" She looked at me and I nodded to encourage her. "Probably not!" We needed to be sure she was committed and all of us questioned her thoroughly again. She went even paler, but she shook her head. "I can't go on like this," she said, gesturing to her ugly body, "and to the slavery I am kept in. I want to get free. Right away!" Martha actually hugged her. "Sorry, Patricia, we have to know you are really serious. Now, if you are ready, it is time to get on with our task! Let's go up to your bedroom. Maybe you'd better remove your clothes before you are unconscious in case you hurt yourself and so that I can check the changes." As Patricia undressed I shuddered at the ugly undergarments, then even more at the misshapen body revealed. The original spell had been a cruel punishment. In a way I was glad she was going to get a pretty new body, even though it would be temporary. I idly wondered what her reaction would be when she finally had her male body back. That would probably be a readjustment. She had been a woman for many months now. Martha pushed Patricia gently back onto her bed and opened her book. It was quite small, with a worn yellow-brown cover. She had given a copy to the coven, but kept this as her own. The hairs on the back of my neck rose as I heard her begin to sound out the words. The spell had been used on me before and the words still made no sense. "That's a strange sounding lot of words," Patrici