A girl stood in front of a roaring fire. Her long silver locks braided tightly, so not to catch aflame. She tossed lavender, sage, and rose petals onto the white hot kindling. The flames jumped in excitement. The young woman chanted inaudibly while the light danced eerily across her face. The rags on her thin frame made her ghostlike, as she swayed back and forth. While in her trance, she pulled a silk purse out of nowhere. She closed her eyes, her movement halted. She held the pouch close to her heart. “I’ll be with you soon, my love.” She tossed the precious bag into the flames.
The next morning a young man lazily lied in bed. His pillow held over his head. A fluffy tabby cat jumped up next to him. She mewed happily, rubbing up against him. He sat up, letting the pillow flop into his lap. The cat stared up at her master with icy-blue eyes. “Seline, you are the only woman in my life who isn’t a pain in the ass.” He laughed. He patted the feline on the head.