A Secret History of Witches

by Louisa Morgan

“Because men believe it’s their right to tell women how to live. They tell us who to marry, what to wear, when to go out and when to stay. Some men beat their wives, and no one speaks a word about it. But despite all the power they hold over us, they feel powerless against our kind. We resist. We cause things to happen. We interfere with their plans, with what they think is the natural order. That frightens them. Men hate being afraid, so they hate

“Morwen, you’re old enough to understand something about men! They like women to look beautiful, to have good manners, to bear their sons. They don’t expect them—they don’t want them—to have minds of their own. Women must never argue, never cause scenes, never—never feel.”

Your father, like most men, is terrified of a woman who doesn’t fit his ideal of womanhood, because he doesn’t know how to control her. You need to remember that any frightened man is a dangerous one.”

“Morwen, this is the way life is. It is both too long and much too brief, sometimes sweet, often bitter. Try not to feel bad about it. Remember that we women of the craft have more power over it than most. And remember that there is power in words. Power in ritual.”

apartment. Morwen stood gazing after her, thinking that her mother was a terrible disappointment. That she was ashamed to be her daughter.

Olive taught Veronica that her ancestresses were connected to the stone, that they had developed its resonance over the centuries, creating a portal to their descendants, the women of their line who would practice the craft after them. She showed Veronica how to concentrate, and trained her to listen with her mind’s ear. She explained that the craft was both a tool and a practice, a religion of sorts, though without the dogma attached to most organized faiths. She taught her how to wield her power to influence fate, and to accept failure when it came.

“They’re afraid of us, Veronica. Never forget that. They’re afraid, and that makes them dangerous.”

Olive never bothered with rhymes. Her only rule was to pronounce what she wanted three times three times. No one could argue with her method.