1 Prologue

My mother warned me of a great power resting dormant under my skin. She warned me of the dangers " magic comes at a price, Ashlynn Maine. That price could be your very soul."

I never believed her until one day I did. The day my white dress was smeared red in blood.

One moment, just one, that's all it takes. The purest of hearts can turn darker than the sky on a starless night under the right circumstances...or tragedy.

I walk down the aisle with no one to give me away, no guest to see my beautiful dress but that's alright.

I've never needed anyone in this town. Not when I was orphaned at nine and sure as hell not now.

"Your mother went mad and drowned herself. Poor thing after your dad left she couldn't handle living, not even for you." That's what the people at the orphanage told me.

Even at nine, I could see through their lies. I always thought my mother was a little mad myself but I loved her all the same and I knew she wouldn't kill herself. She just had conjured up a reason why my father left us without a whisper spoken from his lips.

I never believed her words until she appeared in my dreams. They killed her by fire, the only way a witch will stay dead.

Darkness clouded my heart then. Before my rage could consume me I met my Ryan, the calm to my storm.

I was orphaned at nine, but instead of staying in the orphanage, I left and took to the streets.

I would starve myself to the bone before I let this town feed me, clothes me, primp me to be married to the boy they had chosen for me.

"A woman with power such as yours must be kept at bay with a good man by your side."

My mother couldn't be bought so they lit her on fire and watched her burn.

Ten years later I'm walking towards the only light in my sea of darkness.

The smile fades from my lips as suddenly before my eyes the same fate befalls Ryan. A mob has formed with hatred in their eyes and pitchforks in their hands. I rush forward to grab his body though my skin is burning, I still hold on.

I can barely see through my tears but I hear their laughter and I'm angry. The rage has taken over and the girl I once was is lost. With a roar so loud the windows break, I use my powers.

Killing ten of the forty gathered. And with my last breath, I utter a spell, a curse.

"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

Is it a sin? Or is it lust?

You've taken my love and you've taken him by flame.

A fitting death for yours to end the same,

Your demise by fire,

It's what my heart most desires,

I lost my love but my revenge remains,

This town struck the matchand now they will remember my name."