Chapter Fifteen
Memories of Salem

Cassandra nodded in agreement. “I did say at the time I thought the curse was too strong a measure.”

Tichiba however, did not share their remorse. “Strong measures were needed then or maybe you two have forgotten Salem and the rest of our sisters who lost their lives at the hands of mortals?”

Seeing the confused look on Samantha's face she took her hand and gently brushed her cheek. “You were too young to remember how the world was when Rebecca Anne came to us to ask for our blessing in her marriage to a mortal. The flames from Salem still smoldered in our hearts. Mortals were then and still are… lying savages with hate in their hearts. They fear and hate anything or anyone different. Look at their history! It’s littered with it! They cannot be trusted and any attempt to coexist with them in the mortal world will end in death and destruction which is why we forbade her to marry and why we should've forbidden you.”

“I take it Rebecca Anne didn't share your opinion of mortals?”

Tichiba shook her head. “No…like you she was strong willed and too much in what she thought was love to listen to reason. She couldn't see he would only break her heart and expose her as a witch, starting the Salem craze all over again.”

Samantha could see the pain in Tichiba’s eyes which touched her own heart. “She didn’t have her powers stripped did she? She gave them up freely, just as I would for my love so I understand why she did what she did but I still don't understand why the account in The Book doesn't tell the true story or why this Council cursed Rebecca Anne’s descendants.”

Tichiba let out a heavy sigh, “What you don't know is that Rebecca Anne was not alone. There were others who sought our blessings to join with mortals and others who were sympathetic to her choice. We had to act strongly and …we decided to alter the facts and leave a few out of The Book lest she become a martyr. The locket and curse were kept secret so that any witch reading the accounts of her descendants would think fate had punished them for her transgressions and dissuade any other witch from making the same mistake. And .. it worked for nearly three hundred years…that is… until you came before us wanting to marry….ummm…what’s his name? Dorian?”

“Who…oh you mean Dillweed?”. Endora couldn't resist.

“It’s Darrin”, Samantha gently corrected her. “And…I admit, three hundred years ago, many mortals were frightened and prejudiced and maybe you all did what you thought was best, but…well…I think you were wrong then and wrong now. Mortals don't burn witches anymore. Mixed marriages of all types are commonplace and most mortals aren't fearful and prejudiced anymore…but even if some still are …it wasn’t Rebecca Anne’s fault then and it's not Jenna’s fault now.”