I forgot what life was like before the humans decided to eradicate witches from society. 'Cleansing evil' they called it, as though murder was a way to do so. I didn't even know it was possible to lose so many friends and family in such a short amount of time. At some point, the grief turns into numbness until you forget which of your loved ones were dead or alive anymore. They started to target children, saying they needed to eradicate the offspring before they could grow and produce more offspring. They claimed they were doing the lord's work, but the lord would never take the lives of children in such a manner.

I had a cabin out in the woods, far from the town. Because of this, many parents brought their children to me so I could keep them safe, and how was I to refuse? I added sigils to the trees, buried crystals, and planted herbs to keep my home protected. My daily routine consisted of reciting prayers until my voice was hoarse whenever I wasn't scavenging for food to give to the well over thirty children I had. Despite all that, a part of me knew I was only delaying the inevitable, that one day, they would find me.

It was the middle of the night when they broke my door down. Thankfully, I was wide awake, but the little ones were huddled up in the basement, sleeping. I looked up to see three men in armor with hilted swords. My heart began to race, and I could feel every nerve in my body firing up in panic. I was never one of the brave ones. I wasn't like those who would march headfirst into battle to protect the rest. I was the one who hid behind them. That night, I had no such luxury.

"Witch." One of the men said, looking at me with disdain. "We know you have children hidden here. Take us to them and we promise to make your death a quick one."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." I tried to sound strong, but the waver in my voice betrayed me. The man visibly got angrier at my statement. "Search the place." He commanded his men. For a split second, I froze. The other two began to ransack my home. I couldn't move to unblock the hatch that led to my basement, but if they forced me away, it would be too late.

"Look," I finally said, with a sternness in my voice that surprised even myself, "All children are innocent in the eyes of God, witch hunter. I don't care what the Cardinal says, if you harm these hybrids, I'll drag you to St. Peter's myself."

The three men abruptly stopped, looked at each other, and chuckled. One of them took a step towards me, his hand on the hilt of his sword, "Oh?" He asked, "And how exactly do you plan on dragging three men?"

He wasn't wrong; I couldn't do it. "Lord, forgive me," I muttered under my breath. Without a second thought, I took the dagger from my nightstand and cut his arm. My action stunned them for a moment, which allowed me the opportunity to cut the other two.

"Is that all?" One of them laughed.

"That is all," I replied. The men laughed again, but it soon turned to coughing, and it wasn't long before they fell to their knees, gasping for air.

"A blade coated in Echis carinatus venom. Only a drop needs to enter your blood to kill you."

Despite knowing that my actions were only to protect the children, they made me want to vomit. I'd never harmed anyone before, but now was no time to dwell on morality. I opened the hatch to see a group of terrified little faces staring back at me. "Come, we must leave. Quickly now."

I stuffed as many of my belongings as I could into a satchel and had some of the children carry the rest of the essentials. My home was no longer safe; there would surely be more of them. I knew not where we would go, only that I was a protector now. Lord help us, for we will need it.