Salem Moon Read Online Free

waist of his sister, shielding her from the lecherous looks and touch of the common thieves. They were filthy. Their fingernails were so caked with dirt as to appear black and their hair was tangled and matted, giving them the look of madmen.
    The voice that had gone round and round in Gabriel ’ s head had disappeared , and although he feared it, he wished it would return. The power he ’ d experienced was both intoxicating and libe rating. Although he was sure it was an unclean spirit (why he thought this, he did not know,) he didn ’ t care anymore because it might be of help to Abigail. He was less concerned for himself than for her.
    She could not endure this fetid place much longer and he knew that the complaint against them was already deemed credible . The carcass of the deer had been unearthed by the local magistrate ’ s office. They would be held here until their trial could be arranged and then they would be sent to the dreaded court of Oyer and Terminer .
    As the day began to wane and the early evening twilight began to turn the cell darker, a peculiar thing occurred. Abigail was taken from the cell by one of the jail keepers, a quiet, solemn young man of about Gabriel ’ s age.
    Gabriel rushed at once to the door of the cell, but it was of no use.
    “ Where are you taking her? I must go with her…please she is but a helpless innocent, a child . ”
    There were two men standing guard on either side of the gate and they pushed him roughly away. The door closed with a loud and ominous clang.
    Gabriel was desperate . Where was this entity that told him to “ have no fear? ”
    He called to it, silently, through his thoughts, but there was no answer, only the sound of the moans of those who awaited their fate with him and occasionally, the gate opening and closing, releasing the thieves and other riff raff back into the night.
    He ’ d been brought up to believe the world was a just place for those who believed in God, but even He seemed to have deserted him.

Chapter 6
     
    W hen Thomas Snow came to the small room without windows, his heart was beating as fast in anticipation. He unlocked the door to the room where Abigail was being held. And, just as he ’ d promised, he ’ d come to visit her on this night. When the door closed behind him, it was pitch black. He could hear the sound of his own breathing and that of hers as well.
    As his eyes adjusted to the dark, he saw the glitter of her eyes resting full upon him. He felt his heart beat even faster.  She was backed up into a corner . As he drew closer, walking in a swaggering manner, she cowered. He knew full well she understood what his intentions were toward her. He was sure she could read his lustful thoughts, but he didn ’ t care. In all actuality, Thomas was quite nervous around Abigail . He tried to hide it with masculine bravado. He would not, could not turn back from this chance. He must have her . She would be his and his alone, if only for this one night .
    He stood within mere inches of her and leaned in to smell the sweetness of her hair, her skin. Ah, but the very urgency of his need called for her to look at him. He needed to see her eyes to make the moment truly intimate , to pretend for this one moment in time that she wanted him.
    No matter that her desire for him was but an illusion, it made no difference . Even as she shrank away from him, her head down and her arms tightly crossed over her chest, slouching down into the fetal position.
    He felt a small twinge of guilt at what he was about to do, but he knew deep down that he was not a bad person. After all, he loved her.
    “ Come, Abigail and take my hand . ” He extended an arm toward her, speaking in a calm, gentle voice. “ I shall not hurt you. I will be gentle if you will come to me willingly. ”
    Finally, she looked up at him, her eyes pleading with him not to do that which he meant to do. And yet, she rose of her own accord and stood facing him, her eyes looking into