Salem's Daughters Read Online Free Page A

too. And I can freeze things.”
    Rebecca blurted out, “Like we have need of that with winter coming.”
    The comment brought a small round of laughs. Emily was quick to diffuse anything that would cause dissension. “That’s quite enough. We should all be thankful we’re not still in that burning barn. Welcome, Jacqueline. I know you will fit in with our lot just fine.”
    Emily looked at the rest of the shivering cats. “Who else do we have?”
    “Esther Lawson. And I’m right heartedly glad to be here than in that barn.”
    “For those new to us,” Emily said to the clan. “Esther can cause small explosions. I do greatly admire her for that.”
    “That’s quite impressive,” Scarlett said. “I feel much safer now. I pity any beetle-headed dog that tries to attack us.”
    Emily stepped up to the last cat. A patchwork of large brown, black, and white spots stood trembling. “Hi. My name is Madelyn Sumner.”
    “You’re also new,” Emily said. “Sorry for such a batty first night. Pray tell, what is your gifting?”
    She paused as she looked at the other cats.
    Rebecca craned her neck. “Yes?”
    “Well, I—”
    “Come on, spit it out. It’s not getting any safer out here in the woods.”
    “I’m great at research,” she blurted out. “I love to read. And I’m really very smart.”
    “Great,” Rebecca said. “Just what we need. Someone who can organize our clan alphabetically.”
    The round of laughter was louder this time. Madelyn shrank back. Emily was quick to brush up against her for support.
    Madelyn looked up and down the circle of cats. “I can contribute. Your abilities, they’re all so amazing. Mine, well, they are harder to see and appreciate. My gifts work internally while you all do yours externally, so it’s hard to see what I can do. But I’m very smart. I remember everything I see and read. And I process information faster and better than anyone and solve incredibly complex problems. You’ll see.”
    The others stared. Emily could almost read their thoughts. That’s it? That’s all you can do?
    “Madelyn, how old are you?”
    “I’m thirteen. Almost fourteen.”
    Emily hugged her with her long, slender tail. “Well, Madelyn, you are the youngest. But I’m sure we can make good use of your brains. Welcome to our clan.”
    Emily strutted back and forth in front of the twelve cats. Her sister, Sarah, was missing. Sarah, the bravest of all, who sacrificed her life so Emily could live. But there was no time to mourn. The fear in her followers’ eyes demanded she take charge. Rally her people. Instill hope and courage. She would cry for Sarah later.
    “Ladies, here we are. Thirteen out of thirty-nine of us survived. Make no mistake, we are lucky to be alive. But our troubles, they are not over not by a long shot. They’ve actually just begun.”
    “Look at us, in the middle of the forest with nowhere to go,” Rebecca said. “Winter is coming fast. And wild beasts abound in every direction. But, I know we can count on your leadership.”
    Rebecca looked at the rest of the cats. “Right, everyone?”
    The unison of nodding of heads was convincing and gave Emily much needed confidence.
    “Thank you, Rebecca. I certainly need your support. I won’t let you down. First things first. We need shelter. Like an isolated farmhouse far away from this wretched place, where people won’t know the better of what happened. This will be easier if we form in four groups of three while we find our way out of this terrible place. We can better defend ourselves if attacked. Tonight, we rest here and leave at daybreak.”
    “What about food,” Helen asked.
    “Mice and rabbits we shall eat, or whatever we can kill.”
    “Ewww,” Scarlett said. “No way am I eating a mouse. Even though we’re cats, I still crave human food.”
    An owl’s hoot caused the cats to close their circle tighter.
    “This is really bad,” Isabella said. “I spy an owl perched in that tree over yonder.