Charms & Demons

by Kim Richardson

  If the court were to discover my secret—that I had the ability to borrow magic and use it as my own with a simple touch—they would kill me.

  I had one choice. Let them think I was weak or die.

  And I hated it.

  My mind was a turmoil of emotions. I didn’t even remember making it to the front door. With a shaking hand, I yanked it open and rushed out into the street.

  And then the tears fell.

  6

  By the time I’d left the theater and stopped by the local witch pub for two glasses of wine to clear my head, it was nearly five in the morning. I was surprisingly awake, high on adrenaline and emotions. The thought of a large peperoni pizza and being curled up on the sofa with a soft blanket and the latest Netflix series to binge-watch had my legs on overdrive as I strolled up the streets of Mystic Quarter and headed towards Witches Row, my neighborhood.

  The night was warm and humid, smelling of rain. I could almost feel the water in the clouds, the electric charge of the lightning waiting and contemplating where to hit. The sky was completely covered, and I had to rely to the sporadic street lights in the quarter to help me see. Tires whispered on the pavement and light appeared in the street opposite me, resolving into headlights.

  My jaw hurt, and I unclenched it when I realized I was grinding my teeth. Damn the dark witch court. Damn them all to the Netherworld.

  My blood pressure spiked, making me dizzy. Screw them. I’d been in worse situations than this. Hell, I’d been in plenty. And my experience had taught me that no matter how bad things were, they could always get a whole lot worse.

  Whatever emotions I felt about the dark witch court meeting, I pushed them back. I wasn’t about to have a meltdown because a few witches thought me weak and frail. There’d be time to think about all that tomorrow—specifically, how many hexes and dark curses I could use on Tran. I had a few of my favorites in mind. I’d discovered Casual Castration and Forever Impotent three months ago in my aunt’s dark grimoire collection. Yeah, my aunt had an awesome dark hex collection. Love her.

  Right now, though, I had a date with whatever new hottie was on Netflix.

  Thinking of hotties, Logan’s lips emerged in my mind’s eye and my pulse increased. I couldn’t help it. The angel-born did that to me.

  My stomach fluttered—actually fluttered, as though butterflies and moths were fighting over my guts—at the thought of his soft, warm lips on mine. It had only been a kiss with no real feelings behind it except my own selfish pleasure and my uncontrollable hormones. And yet I’d seen the desire in his eyes that had matched my own. He’d wanted something from me at that moment. But it had been just a moment, instant bliss, and had lasted but a few seconds.

  Still, it had been some damn good seconds. I wondered what he looked like naked...

  “You okay?” came Poe’s voice suddenly, yanking me out of my thoughts about Logan’s fine imaginary front.

  I halted and looked to both sides of the street. “I’m fine.” The wind was warm, blowing up and against my back as my blood hummed in my ears. Pulling my head up, I crossed the street and stepped onto the cracked sidewalk.

  “No you’re not.” The raven shifted on my shoulder, beating his wings for balance. “I felt your heart rate increase. It does that when your emotions spiral out of control.”

  And when I’m thinking of Logan’s hot ass.

  “You can’t let that group of witches get you down, Sam,” said the bird, and he rubbed his head against my ear. “Let them think what they want. As long as you get paid for it, who cares. Right?”

  “I care,” I said, my boots clanking loudly on the sidewalk. “Maybe I’m too proud. But I don’t like anyone—especially witches—thinking I’m weak. You heard them. They only gave me the job because they think I’m a useless moron. I can’t live with that. I’ve got my pride, you know.”

  “I know,” agreed the bird, and I felt his hot breath on my neck. “So what are you going to do? Quit?”

  “Yes,” I answered, surprising myself at how quickly I’d made that decision, and how right it felt. “That’s exactly what I’m going to do. The hell with them.” My heart hammered at the thought. I knew it was the right thing to do. Especially after what they’d pulled, they probably expected it. I couldn’t work for people who didn’t respect me. How could anyone?

  “What about the vampire?” the bird insisted, a hint of worry in his tone. “You told them you’d look into it.”

  A faint warning stirred in the back of my thoughts. “I know I did. I was there.”

  The bird chuckled. “You lied to your own court? I’m impressed.”

  “Don’t be. I didn’t lie,” I said, looking sideways at the raven. “I’m still going to find the vampire. He—because I have a feeling he’s a he—is killing witches. I can’t just let that go. Even if I despise every witch on that court.”

  “Even Oscar?”

  My breath escaped me in a huff. “Yes. Even Oscar,” I said, twisting my sigil ring on my left index finger with my eyes focused on the sidewalk. “He started this. He conned me into thinking the court needed me in the first place. He went on and on about how I was helping them keep our community safer.”

  “But you were in a way,” informed the bird. “Even if they don’t see it.”

  “It doesn’t matter anymore.” I shook my head, my tension growing. “I’m doing this last job for me. Not the court. And after that... I’m done.”

  The bird was silent. “What are we going to do for money? You know I can’t live without my sunflower seeds.”

  My gut tightened with worry but I pushed it away. The utility bills were a huge amount of cash—half my pay actually. “I’ll think of something. Maybe I’ll open up a shop like my aunt.”

  Poe made a sound of disproval in his throat. “That’s never going to work,” said the bird.

  I let out a frustrated breath. “Why not?”

  “Have you looked around lately? There are at least twelve witch shops alone in Mystic Quarter. There’s way too many.”

  “I’ll be lucky number thirteen.” Yeah, that sounded lame.

  “I hate to rain on your parade, but it costs money to open a business. Do you have savings? No. You don’t. So who’s going to lend you the money? A human bank when you have no record of employment? Not going to happen.”

  Right. I hadn’t thought about that. “I’ll figure something out. I always do.” Which was the truth. I always got myself out of sticky situations. “Maybe I can work for the angel-borns. I’ve heard they’ll hire witches sometimes. And they pay well. They’re loaded.”

  “Sure,” cawed the bird. “You’d like that. Wouldn’t you? Being so close to Logan. Admit it. You have the hots for him.”

  “That’s not the reason.” Damn that bird. “And I don’t have the hots for him. I barely know him.”

  “Uh-huh,” said Poe, a smile in his voice. “You go ahead and tell yourself that, witch. I saw the way you two kissed. You wanted to jump his bones. Admit it.”

  “Don’t start with me, bird,” I warned. My boots thumped dully on the sidewalk as I slowed my pace. “I’m not in the best of moods. I might do something crazy,” I added with wide eyes.

  Poe laughed. “You going to tell your gramps?”

  “I’m not sure.” I was embarrassed enough. I didn’t want to see the expression on his face when I told him the dark witch court hired his granddaughter only because they pitied her.

  “I think you should,” Poe said lightly. “I think he deserves to know if he can’t afford to eat anymore.”

  Right. I was the main breadwinner in the family. “It’ll be fine, Poe. Stop worrying.”

  I clenched my fists as I walked, a fierce determination filling me like a shot of adrenaline. I could do this. I knew I could. I would find the bloody vampire, vanquish him, and then make plans to take care of my family.

  I was in control of my life. I was strong. Nothing could stop me.

  And then something from the sh
adows jumped me.

  7

  Everything happened at once.

  There was a hissing sound, a thump, the scent of rot, and then I pitched forward onto the pavement. An instant later, the sound of Poe’s wings told me he’d flown away before I hit the ground.

  No more than three seconds went by before I rolled on the cold pavement and pushed myself to my feet to face my attacker, a spell forming on my lips as I tapped into the power of my sigil rings. I felt a gentle whisper and an effort of will as the power of the rings answered back.

  I was ready.

  A darkness spread around me, thickening swiftly as it pressed in like a thick black mist rolling with a gust of wind, until I could barely see maybe twenty feet around me. Beyond that was just a murky vagueness, shutting out all the light. Not so much as the soft yellow light from a street lamp or even the light from the neighboring buildings pierced through. The black mist began to press in closer, and it became an effort not to panic and bolt as the air grew colder.

  He’s back.

  “Come on, you bastard vampire!” I growled, readying my spell. “Show yourself!” I wasn’t about to let this bloodsucker dry me out like a thousand-year-old mummy. I was going to fry his ass.

  The soft scuff of shoes on pavement was my only warning.

  And then out from the darkness stepped three men.

  No, not men, but humanoid demons by the smell of rot that rolled off of them. They were all dressed in the same expensive-looking gray suits, like they’d just stepped out of a high-end lawyer’s firm.

  I raised a brow. “Okay—not vampire.” Crap. Where did they come from?

  Heart thrashing, I struggled to ignore my sudden panic and focused on these demons. A smart witch always knew it’s best to know your enemy if you wanted to defeat your enemy. It was the first rule in the Witch Club—not really. I just made that up.

  With my pulse racing, I took in all their details. Broad shouldered, they were all the same height and build, maybe six feet with lean and agile bodies under their expensive suits. The same short white hair topped their heads, their faces gaunt and eerily identical like clones. At first glance they looked human, but the grayish-blue skin and faint black mist that emitted from their bodies were all demon. Black midnight eyes glared back at me with so much hate and promise of pain the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

  Oh. Shit. I knew what these baddies were.

  Higher demons.

  Though I’d never faced one before, I knew only one demon race paraded as clones, as doppelgangers, because well, in some sick demonic way, they felt like it.

  Higher demons were a race of humanoid demons from the Netherworld. They were demon lieutenants, leaders of demon troops and high in the demonic army rank. They were also powerful bastards with the authority over lesser demons like ghouls and imps.

  I also knew they had supernatural strength, speed, and enhanced endurance. Adding in the fact that they were highly intelligent left me with an extremely dangerous combination. Double crap.

  My gut clenched. I should have stayed home.

  “If I had known this was a costume party,” I said, happy my voice was even. “I would have brought my broom and pointy hat.”

  Higher demons were usually out for angel souls. Something about the thirst for their angel essence, kinda like a vampire’s thirst for blood. So why were they all looking at me with that hunger in their eyes? I ain’t no angel.

  One of the higher demons broke free from his brethren and stepped forward. “It is a party,” he said, his voice disturbingly human. An evil grin flashed across his face. “A fête for your witch soul. The celebration of your death.”

  Figured he would say that. I looked to the sky, saw only black shadows and mist and shouted, “Poe! You all right?” Damnit. Where was that bird?

  “Right here,” answered Poe, making me jump. His voice was just a few feet behind me, though I couldn’t see him. “Sam, I don’t like this one bit,” said the raven from the darkness.

  “That makes two of us,” I answered, squinting through the dark haze while trying to find his shape.

  “Uh, Sam? I’m not feeling so hot,” he added, his voice low and tired, like he was about to pass out.

  I froze, alarmed. “What do you mean?” I tried to look for the raven while keeping my focus on the higher demons in case they did something stupid, like lunge at me.

  “There’s something in the black mist,” I heard the bird say, and my pulse hammered. “It’s making me... dizzy.”

  I felt the blood leave my face. “Poe? Poe! Answer me.”

  But I only heard the blood pounding in my ears. Oh my god, Poe!

  I glared at the demons. “What did you do to him, you bastards!”

  Together, the higher demons laughed, sounding like a pack of hyenas, and my anger skyrocketed.

  “Sam,” breathed Poe, his voice barely a whisper, “I think I’m going to take a little nap.”

  “Poe!” I took a step back towards his voice. “Poe, where are you?” I scuttled backward, straining to see through the mist and trying hard not to step on my familiar. That’s all I needed—squishing my raven to death.

  Was he going to die? Fear was sharp and hit deeply.

  The higher demon’s low, mocking laugh grew in depth but then faded with a bitter sound. “Don’t worry,” he purred. “Either he’ll wake up just as he was in an hour, or he’ll die.”

  Keep it together, Sam. “You did this on purpose. Why? What the hell do you want?”

  Fear slid through me, but I pushed it away. Hatred nearly dripped from me through my pores as I eyed the demons. If they’d killed Poe, I was going to repay the favor.

  My gaze rested on the closest higher demon. “You higher demons are a long way from home.”

  The same higher demon smiled, his gray teeth matching his skin. “We’re here to collect your soul, little witch.”

  “You already said that.” Reaching my awareness to my rings, I tapped into their magic, readying the power I was going to use if they moved another inch.

  My shoulders stiffened. It was three against one, and with odds like that, with a different kind of opponent, I wouldn’t have given it a second thought. But with three higher demons, things just got a lot more complicated. I knew if I shot a spell at the first one, by the time I’d even thought of conjuring another—I’d be dead.

  I was so screwed. Why were these situations always happening to me?

  “Vorkol says hello, by the way,” said the nearest higher demon, a snicker in his voice. He was so very close now, he only had to leap, and he’d be on top of me.

  Vorkol? “Never heard of him. Is he a black-eyed bastard like you?” At that, all the higher demons laughed, and a chill dropped down my spine. Damn, they were creepy.

  The higher demon flashed me his teeth. “I haven’t tasted the soul of a witch in a very long time.” He lifted his chin and sniffed the air, as though he was trying to catch my scent. “Not as sweet as the angel-born,” he commented, his black eyes on me, “but we’ll make an exception tonight.”

  “We’re here on business,” said the higher demon on his right.

  “Nothing personal,” added the higher demon on his left. His hard body was poised in anticipation.

  So, the bastards wanted my soul, eh? Not going to happen.

  “Too delicious to pass up,” intoned the closest higher demon, and with a flick of his wrist, a dark dagger slipped into his hand. Black mist emanated from the shaft, the blade as sharp as a scalpel.

  My pulse thrashed at the sight of two more blades appearing in the hands of the other two higher demons. Death blades.

  Death blades were believed to have been forged in The Black Wastes of the Netherworld. But that wasn’t what had bile rising up in the back of my throat. It was the fact that their demonic power was derived from the souls the blades destroyed. That’s what the black mist was—the remains of previous victims’ souls.

  The blades were also poisonous to an
gels. Again, I wasn’t an angel. But that didn’t seem to matter to them.

  If they thought I’d just stand here and let them kill me, they were even more stupid than they were creepy.

  The higher demon in the middle brought his blade to his face. His gray tongue flicked along the blade in a suggestive way, licking it slowly while keeping his black eyes on me the entire, disgusting time.

  Cold seeped up my back. “Yikes. Now, why the hell did you do that? You think that’s going to turn me on? You sick, creepy demon.”

  “Perhaps,” he intoned. “Perhaps we’re going to have a little fun with you before we kill you.” He gave me another deviant smile that put me on edge and had my head screaming—run!

  “I haven’t had the taste of a woman’s flesh in quite some time,” he sneered. “The pleasures of humans can be the pleasures of demons as well.”

  I threw up a little in my mouth. “You’re never going to touch me,” I growled, my blood pounding in anger.

  The higher demon just smiled, showing a slip of teeth. “But we will, little witch.” Watching me, the demon rolled his eyes slowly over my body from my breasts to my groin.

  “Never,” I said, my voice final.

  “We’ll see about that,” answered the same higher demon.

  Tension pulled me stiff, and hearing the pleasure in his voice, I felt a snarl escape from me.

  I’d rather die than be raped by a gang of higher demons. Nothing male touched me without my permission.

  And then something inside me snapped.

  A slow burn of fury took root. “I’m having a really bad day,” I began, all the emotions from the court meeting rushing back into me. “So, if you don’t want me to fry your ugly, rapist asses, you should get the hell away from me. Cause I’m feeling a little crazy tonight.”

  The middle higher demon chuckled, and his eyes took on a satisfied glint. “Let’s play, little witch.”