The winters were unforgiving. Snow fell to the earth’s ground and placed a firm blanket of shivering white over the once green land of the small village. It was almost mesmerizing how such beautifully crafted flakes from the heavens could engage in an elegant dance with the hideous ash born from the stakes of unfortunate women.

You watched in horror as the most recent victim of an accusation was swallowed by flames. She wasn’t a witch—she was innocent. But perhaps this village was more unforgiving than the frost could be. And the crowd dispersed when there was no more to be seen, returning to their lives with their mind sound from dealing with the daughters of the devil.

“Horrible, isn’t it?” You flinched upon hearing a familiar male’s voice, your head turning to look at the owner. Atop a horse sat the son of the village chief, Leon staring down at you as if you were but a pest. A fur cloak was draped over his shoulders, keeping him far more warmer than everyone else. “I warned you it would come to this if you refused me again.”

“And now your little friend’s blood is on your hands. You truly are a danger to these people.” Leon glanced towards the motionless body that you had befriended when there once was life. “You fail to realize the lengths I’d go for you. So I propose the offer once more; be mine, or it’ll be you whom will undergo the same fate as her.”