Salem Falls

A large bonfire roared behind Lucie, its flames nearly licking the leaves of the dark woods and casting an eerie glow on the robed figures surrounding it. She stood, the elders circling both her and Zayn as she prayed for something, anything to happen to put this ceremony off just a bit longer. She pressed her lips together, knowing she had to be strong as one of the elders entered the circle, a book in his hands and his face hidden by his hood. As he started talking Lucie closed her eyes, letting her mind drift back to the best day of her life to escape the worst.

Lucie sat, her lips pressed together as the trees above her dropped their leaves, crying along with her as a tear slipped over her cheek. Finally a snap of a branch alerted the young girl to someone else’s presence and she looked up to see her best friend. She ran into Liam’s arms, burying her face in his neck.

“Lucie what’s wrong?” He asked, hugging her tightly.

“I told my parents I didn’t want to marry Zayn and they blew up at me.” She whimpered, gripping him tightly. “They said if I didn’t they’d kill everyone I care about.” She pulled back as Liam looked into her eyes, the warm brown of them calming her instantly.

“Well I think it’s a good thing you don’t want to marry Zayn.” He said, reaching up and cradling her face in one of his hands. The simple contact made her shiver slightly, and she hoped Liam hadn’t seen. She couldn’t see anything but his warm gaze as he started into her eyes.

“Why’s that?” She asked, finally finding her voice. He pressed his lips together, his eyes not leaving hers.

“Because I’m in love with you Lucie Willow Delacroix.” He finally choked out. Her face turned scarlet as he leaned down, pressing his lips softly to hers. As he pulled back Lucie couldn’t help but smile.

“That’s good I guess.” She whispered. She could see the fear in his eyes, but quickly drove it away as she hugged him, gazing into his perfect eyes. “Because I’m in love with you too Liam James Payne.” He grinned, pulling her closer before he crashed his lips to hers, and Lucie knew she’d never love another.

She let her eyes slip back open, wishing that it could be Liam standing beside her and not Zayn as the man before them droned on, starting to go into Latin. As one final word left his lips a circle of black fire burst up, trapping Zayn and Lucie inside. She swallowed nervously, knowing she had nowhere to run now. She and Zayn slowly turned to face each other, pulling down their hoods. She tried to fight the tears in her eyes as she prayed for Liam to somehow come save her, for them to just run away together and never look back. But all her prayers fell on deaf ears as Zayn looked at her, obviously as nervous as she was.

“Now, in front of the dark master himself and your clan, vow your lives to each other.” The older man said, his words almost being drowned out by the black flames. Zayn let out a long breath.

“I, Zayn Malik, pledge my life to Lucie Delacroix.” He said.

“I, Lucie Delacroix, pledge my life to Zayn Malik.” She said, fighting back tears. She wanted to be in Liam’s arms, to feel him hold her and love her like only he could. She wanted nothing to do with the raven haired boy before her, and it was clear by his expression he wanted as little to do with her as humanly possible.

“Now, place your hands together so you may be sealed as one.” The man said. Lucie licked her lips nervously, and it was clear both of them were terrified as they slowly placed their palms together. The black flamed grew even higher, bursting into the trees. And as Zayn slipped his fingers between Lucie’s, both of them bracing for the pain that was about to be inflicted on them, a small light caught her eye.

A firefly sat on a tree branch, and Lucie knew it was Liam telling her everything would be alright. She couldn’t help but feel a tear slide down her cheek, and prayed no one had saw it as the man spoke again.

“And now, be sealed!” As the words left his mouth the black flames wrapped around Lucie and Zayn’s hands like snakes, causing both of them to bite back screams of agony as pain shot through their bodies. Her forehead fell against his as they both struggled to stay standing; feeling like every inch of them was on fire. Lucie kept fading in and out of consciousness, her body trying to black out so she wouldn’t have to deal with the pain, but the agony of the fire waking her right back up. It was a sort of Hell she would never wish on anyone, and it felt as though it may never end.

Finally after what seemed like a painful eternity the flames vanished, and Lucie nearly collapsed into Zayn’s arms. They slowly let go of each other’s hands, wincing as they pulled them apart. They both saw a matching seal, one that let any magical being know that the person was meant for the one with the matching symbol. Lucie looked down to see a circle with dots and lines through it, and as the man approached, pulling both their hands to his face, he grinned wickedly.

“The dark one approves of this match highly.” He said, running his thumb over Lucie’s palm and causing her to wince. “Congratulations.” With that he dropped their hands, turning to the circle of elders and clan members. “They have been sealed.”

With that the clan broke formation, all walking over to congratulate Zayn and Lucie on the engagement. She simply pressed her lips together, looking to see that the firefly was still there, its small light flickering in the darkness. “You’re not going to start blubbering are you?” Her eyes snapped over to see Siren, who was chuckling.

“I might, this thing hurts like a bitch.” She snarled, cradling her hand that was an angry shade of red.

“I figured, you and Zayn looked like you might pass out.” She could see Siren wanted to say something else, but with all the elders around both girls knew whatever it was might be meant for when they were in private. Siren put a hand on Lucie’s shoulder, promising whatever it was she was holding back, Lucie wasn’t going to avoid answering. After their years of friendship the two could practically read each other’s minds, and Siren knew that Lucie wanted to be alone.

As Siren slithered off into the forest Lucie’s attention was drawn by her soon to be husband’s voice. “Are you alright Lucie?” Zayn asked, looking at her.

“Yeah, you?”

“Yeah.” An awkward silence surrounded the two before a voice rang out.

“Come now Zayn, give her a kiss!” They both looked over to see Naveed smiling wickedly at them. “Come on nephew, you just got engaged and you’re not going to kiss your soon to be bride?” Lucie couldn’t help but blush as Zayn turned to her, both of them awkward as they leaned towards each other like children playing spin the bottle. Finally Zayn’s lips pressed gently against her own, causing their hands to stop hurting for that one short instant. But as Zayn pulled away Lucie’s hand started burning again. She looked over to see Naveed, as well as her parents, smiling wickedly. She felt sick as she looked back for the firefly, and felt her heart fall as she saw that it was gone.