Sursea

**Sursea** is known as **the First Witch**, or **La Prima Strega**.

## Biography

### Early Life

La Prima is the daughter of the goddess of the heavens and sun and a demon. She was created as the perfect balance between light and dark. She doesn't have light magic or dark magic, just raw power slightly diluted from the goddess who'd birthed her.

There are many stories and legends told about the First Witch. According to the old stories, La Prima predates human La Vecchia Religione, or the Old Religion. At times La Prima was idolized and at others she was feared. She began the first line of witches. Supposedly she is the source of the *streghe's* power and belongs only to herself. She is ancient. Witches say she is immortal, but no one has ever seen her. Emilia has always believed she is no more than a creation myth or legend. One of the stories about La Prima is that before humans roamed the earth, La Prima Strega punished the Wicked by making them unable to bear the sun, forcing them to only venture out in the human world when it's dark.

The First Witch cursed all of the brothers. Wrath's "penalty for not aiding her was steeper." She stole something ver important to him, his wings, which she turned into the Horn of Hades. As part of her vengeance towards the Wicked, La Prima curses Wrath to know only hate and to lose that which he loves. At the time of the curse's casting, this meant his wings. They were turned into the *cornicello* that are worn by Emilia and Vittoria.

### *Kingdom of the Wicked*

Emilia has heard many different stories about La Prima Strega. One says La Prima Strega is rumored to have cursed the devil because her daughter fell in love with him and they refused to give each other up. According to Nonna Maria, an ancient bargain was struck between La Prima and the devil involving a blood debt. Yet other witches believe La Prima cursed the Wicked, while different witches believe the devil cursed La Prima. Either way, all witches have a story with the warning that "when which blood spills across Sicily, take your daughters and hide. The Malvagi have arrived."

Claudia tells Emilia that the dark witches believe the curse was the price La Prima paid for the vengeance spell she cast on the devil. Old stories claim the devil stole La Prima's firstborn's soul. From that day forward the devil was trapped in Hell for eternity. He'd only retain his full powers if a witch say on the throne beside him, wearing the Horn of Hades. Claudia thinks the Wicked are looking for La Prima's grimoire, the first book of spells, which contains the spell to break the curse.

Wrath tells Emilia that the First Witch cursed Pride as punishment for what she thought happened between her firstborn and him. But Pride didn't steal La Prima's daughter's soul. They fell in love despite who they were and she willingly chose to wed him. La Prima believed her daughter should have known better and she was supposed to be a soldier first. La Prima commanded her daughter to give up her throne and return to the coven, but she refused. The First Witch then used the darkest kind of magic to remove her daughter's power and banished her from the coven. This act had unforeseen effects for other witches, too. It's why some give birth to human daughters.

### *Kingdom of the Cursed*

There is a flashback to the creation of the curse by La Prima. Wrath comes to his throne room where Sursea is lounging in his throne. She tries once again to seduce him, but is unsuccessful. They exchange barbed words. She turns Wrath's wings into ash and makes them disappear. In a fit of anger and vengeance, Sursea speaks a curse into existence. She says, "Here is a trick as nasty as the devil himself. From this day forward, a curse will sweep through this land. You will forget all but your hate. Love, kindness, every good thing in your world will cease. One day that will change. When you know true happiness, I vow to take whatever you love, too.” The flashback ends with Wrath telling her that the devil doesn't do tricks, he bargains, and then offering to strike one with her.

### *Kingdom of the Feared*

Sursea arrives at House Wrath alongside an emissary from the vampires, Blade.

## Appearance

Sursea is described by Emilia as looking like a warrior queen. She has long, dark hair that falls down her back, and star-flecked, fathomless eyes.

## Personality

Sursea thinks herself to be the most cunning and lethal one in any room.

## Ability

Sursea can invent and create spells, which are included in La Prima's grimoire. When she speaks a spell into existence, her voice becomes both young and old. She can also create hexed objects. She has made at least three, but the actual number has never been confirmed. As an immortal being, she is ageless and her wounds heal almost immediately. She has supernatural senses, reflexes, strength, and speed.

## Trivia

* The Wicked call her something else than "the First Witch."