The Rites of Spring — Ronnie G. Anderson

The Rites of Spring (51,159 words) In this short Elvin fantasy the consequences of a four thousand year old virgin sacrifice in ancient Scotland is put to rest. Cassandra Andria was a sixteen year old small girl chosen by the twelve Elvin Elders to be sacrificed within a circle of stones to the winter god so that spring would return to the land again. The problem for the Elders came when she escaped from the stone burial pile and survived. Cassandra set about to rid the land of the barbaric sacrificial practice. The dozen Elvin Elders were caught in the wrath of the young girl. She and her mother and grandmother were far more powerful witches than the Elders had ever counted upon!