C R E AT I V E & C U LT U R A L
Creative Writing MALEFICAE They met at night. Three maleficae, ‘witches’ as the mud men called them, huddled close to each other, their indigo cloaks shrouding themselves, and their intentions. Vanessa grinned at the others, a conspiratorial baring of teeth; red eyes glinting with intent; her malachite hair clashing unabashedly with her cloak. Belladonna said nothing, her acorn hair falling in front of her face, concealing her painted black lips and her indifference to the world around her. Ursula was about to explode. Her fair hands were clasped in front of her face and her blonde pixie cut bobbed up and down with excitement. Sapphire eyes shined in the dark. “Are you ready?” Ursula almost squealed with anticipation. A twitch of black lips from Belladonna and Vanessa swept her cloak over the three maleficae. Dark. The usually elegant Belladonna managed to land, albeit awkwardly, on her feet. Ursula did not have the same ability. She screamed as she plunged towards the charcoal soil, colliding with Belladonna, who at last lost her balance and tumbled to the spongy earth. As they lay there, Ursula howling with laughter, Belladonna stared knowingly at the grey sky. Vanessa flew: her cloak billowing, hair streaming behind her like living water, she circled them. She’d always been able to travel to In-Between. It was what made her so valuable among maleficae. She howled, an unfettered spirit. Belladonna often worried about that spirit. Worried how much leash the High Maleficae would give Vanessa. Until they regained their country, Portentum, Vanessa was essential for opening portals to the In-Between. But Vanessa’s life was under threat, and only Belladonna, born mute, seemed to understand this. A flash of azure hailed the arrival of another coven. Ursula wound her arm around Belladonna. “Let’s go - my aunt will strike me if I’m late.” Ursula’s aunt was a High Malefica, one of thirteen blessed with potentia – power. Ursula was lucky that her aunt had taken her in after her mother abandoned her to live with a mud man. She was a half breed – she had mud running through her veins.
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Vanessa disappeared, and Ursula, having hugged her best friend tight, practically skipped to take her place at her aunt’s left side. It was degrading, a reminder of her blood, but Ursula bore the disgrace quietly. Belladonna felt a twinge in her dark heart and pushed it away. Ursula had never seen a Chronos Incanta before. Bella wished she could celebrate with her best friend when the sky lit up… Vanessa appeared once more, grinning. And why not? This was one of the few times that being a malefica was beautiful. Ursula’s aunt, Adamina, stood, smiling, her lips crimson. Her hair rippled, a sheet of silver flowing down her back. She was ageless. Belladonna could see Ursula on her wooden stool and smiled slightly at the thought of the girl squirming in her seat with excitement. High Malefica Adamina rose silently, her smile razor sharp, as she surveyed the blood tribes present. “Friends,” She swept her arm towards the assembly, the universal gesture of amity among maleficae.
