Witch Hunt

Information may not be reliable

NEW 21st CENTURY EDITION COMING SOON!
Leigh has been married to a Hawthorne for a decade, but never knew the family secret: the Hawthornes are witches. When the dynamic Preacher Cody instigates a new, world-wide witch hunt, Leigh must choose sides. Will she stand with her husband and children, or will she run? This isn't the first witch hunt the Hawthornes have faced, but it could be their last. Will anyone survive?

"WITCH HUNT has a riveting storyline that will keep you turning the pages late into the night." -Rocky Mountain News

"A superb examination of the corrupting influence of power: political, social, economic, religious, and sexual power. WITCH HUNT works well on several different levels, and the story comes very close to being a modern religious and political allegory." -2 AM Magazine

"WITCH HUNT is a satisfying novel, steeped in metaphysical detail and filled with witch and spiritual lore. WITCH HUNT is entertaining!" - Locus

"O'Branagan is a very talented writer, and the only problem with her work is that she doesn't write fast enough! Very highly recommended..." - New Leaf

No! Mommy! Daddy! The yells were coming from the childrens room. Leigh forced herself to consciousness and made her way across the hall. She opened the door and pushed the old-fashioned wall button that turned on the light.
Adrian was thrashing about in his bed, whimpering and talking incoherently. Mom? Kamelias voice was sleepy. Leigh moved to Adrian and gathered him into her arms, closing her eyes to the assault of tiny fists that lashed out at her face.

Hush, baby. Its okay. Mommys here. Adrians struggles quieted, and then he pushed her away with a fierce shove. Theyre going to kill us all. All of us. Everywhere. His voice sounded strangely mature, like it had been that other time. Oh, God, it cant be happening again, Leigh whispered. Who, son? Craig asked. Leigh hadnt heard him come in. Her heart sank. Adrian looked around frantically, as if searching for the enemy. Them. The ones who have always been afraid of us. Craig sat down on the bed. When? Soon. An involuntary sob escaped Leigh. Where? Craig asked. Everywhere. Itll start here, but itll spread. There will be no place that will be safe. Itll be worse than the last time. Itll even be worse than the time before that. Can we stop it? Craig asked. Perhaps, Adrian said, and then he went limp in Leighs arms. Adrian! She began to shake him. Slowly Adrian opened sleepy eyes. Mommy? His voice was small and confused. She clutched him protectively to her bosom. Its okay now. Craig gave her a hard look. This has happened before? Tears filled Leighs eyes. Without really understanding why, she had been afraid of him finding out. But it was too late now. She nodded. The same vision? No, he saw the plane crash. He saw your father and brother die. He spoke their names. He had never even heard their names before. She moaned. Maybe this time it was just a dream? Lets hope so. He paused for a moment before he left the room. You should have told me about this sooner, Leigh. She tried to read Craigs face and tone of voice, but couldnt decipher them. She could only tell that he was disturbed . . . with her, with Adrian, with the message Adrian had delivered, she wasnt sure. She considered her sons words and decided that this time it probably was just a nightmare. As Leigh gently rocked Adrian in her arms, she glanced at the old scar on her finger and thought about nightmaresthose that were only dreams, and those that came true.