“I saw a jabberwocky,” I said, trying to get it all out in a hurry. “Last night. It was right outside my window and stared up at me.” I swallowed hard, shuddering at the memory. “It could turn its head almost all the way around. The thing looked like a mix between Freddy Kruger and a hairless bear. Whenever I close my eyes, I can still…” I let my voice trail off as another shudder ripped through me.
Tula crossed herself, her eyes wide. “Those are a bad omen.”
“Right.” I rubbed my hands down my short skirt. I wished I could have worn pants to this thing. I felt silly, to say the least. “So can we get on with this?”
“Don’t rush me or I could translate the passage wrong and we chose incorrectly,” Tula snapped, turning towards the paper.
I glanced down the five trails. One was a dirt path, the other overgrown with grass. The third was lined with red roses on either side and the one next went through a boulder that had been carved out. And the last way had trees that dotted either side for at least a mile.
“It’s probably the one with the roses,” Vivian nodded. “Red ones, the queen’s favorite.”
“No,” I said as every instinct in me shouted. I didn’t know how my instincts knew this, but they were so strong, I couldn’t doubt them even if I wanted to. “That would be the quickest death.”
“How do you know that?” Vivian placed a hand on her hip, looking over at me. Again, there was suspicion, like I was someone she couldn’t trust.
“Think about it.” I stared past the winding paths to the bluish-purple mountains beyond. And we were supposed to climb that without gear and in our dainty school uniforms? That was a joke. I pulled my stare away from the mountains and focused on Vivian. “She wants us to lose. She wants us to have to join her zombie army.”
“Girl’s got a point.” Tula flipped a page back in her notebook.
“We’re losing time standing here,” Vivian threw up her hands and paced. “If I turn into a zombie guard, I’m coming after both of you.”
“Give me a minute.” Tula placed the pencil in her mouth, flipping through more pages.
“We’re in this together, right?” I stepped in front of Vivian, forcing her to meet my gaze.
She sighed, but forced a smile. “Yes. Okay, I can wait.” She put up her hands as though she was surrendering.
I gave her a side hug. “We can do this,” I said. “We’re stronger together and we can beat the queen at her silly game. We just have to be patient and we have to work together.”
“God, I hope you’re right,” Vivian pressed the side of her head to mine. “Otherwise I’m going to kill you both myself.”
I laughed, dropping my arm from her shoulder. “How are you going to do that if we’re all dead and ghosts?”
“I don’t know.” She lifted her head. “But I will find a way.”
I didn’t doubt her even for a second.
“Got it,” Tula spun, putting her pencil back behind her ear and her notebook in her boot. “The grassy path.” She nodded at the one she meant so we were clear where we had to go.
Vivian did a double-take, pulling away from me. “Wait, the overgrown one?” she asked through a yelp. “Like no one has gone there in a hundred years?”
“Exactly.” Tula beamed.
“Why would that be the right path then?” I asked eyeing the unappealing route.
“Think about it.” Tula pointed to the paths. “All of them are clear and open. This one looks ominous because of the overgrowth, but that’s exactly what we want. The runes say to follow the path few have tread.”
“You’re sure?” I didn’t want to say it was too easy or that she might have misinterpreted the symbols.
“Yes. How many tributes have won each race?” She waited for me or Vivian to answer. “One if that many. Every race, every decade for two hundred plus years has always had only one winner. What if it’s because none of them took the right path?”
“I don’t know.” Vivian grasped the end of her blonde braid and tugged on it.
“You guys don’t believe me?” Tula asked, shifting her gaze between the two of us. “You don’t think I can decode?”
Tula was right. I just gave a speech on trust. The last thing I needed was to start questioning one of them right after. What kind of person was I if I couldn’t take my advice?
“Let’s try it,” I said.
“You think she’s right?” Vivian asked, not doing anything to hide the doubt.
“It’s the best chance we have.” I stared out at the five different paths, hoping that one would speak to me, but my head pounded just trying to make out which way to go. I had no idea. They could all lead to disaster, but something told me one was the right path and to follow my new friend’s instinct. Once I decided, I felt the rightness of my choice. “Tula knows languages. I trust her.”
“Thanks.” Tula gave me a small smile and I returned it with a nod.
There were no guarantees. We weren’t alone, we had each other. And I was ready for whatever the queen and the trials had to throw at us.
“Besides,” I took off down the path, the high grass tickling my thighs. “They all lead to the same place, what harm can it do?”
About the Author
Cheri Winters got hooked on Urban Fantasy through Kim Harrison, Patricia Briggs, and Laurel K. Hamilton. Now Cheri writes her stories with kick-ass heroines battling their way through adventure and mayhem.
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When not writing, Cheri practices Muay Thai and Karate or catches up reading her favorite authors.
Also by Cheri Winters
I double-checked the info on the bag-n-tac assignment into accepted folder on my cell and pocketed my phone. Then I narrowed my magical scope to this individual based on his photo, birthdate and blood type. He would be in hiding so his name wouldn’t connect my scrying to him that way.
I was a half-breed of both a witch and a wizard. My magic had been enough to hold my own against paranormal creatures which is why the bounty hunting agency gave me the tougher jobs but I didn’t care. It paid the rent and I didn’t have to work a boring desk job. Win-Win. I pulled out my amethyst pendulum necklace from underneath my shirt, concentrating on locating my target. The gem swung wide toward a shoe store. Gotcha. I tapped my baton strapped to my hip, its magic humming under my fingertips.
A few moments later, the dude stepped out of the store with a shoe box under each arm.
“Hi handsome!” I made my voice super sweet. “Mind taking a photo of me?”
He narrowed his eyes, his nostrils flaring like he scented something in the air.
Shit! Did he sense my magic? Maybe he wasn’t human after all.
Instead of fighting like I’d expected, the guy flung the boxes of shoes at me, which I dodged, then he tore off down the street.
Why do the guilty always run? Doesn't matter if the mark is human, vamp or were or even fae, they all take off as soon as they realize I’m there to take them in. Their response should fuel my ego, right? Nope, it just pissed me off. For once, why couldn’t a person acquiesce and let me do my job: turn them into the authorities so I could collect my pay and get on with my life.
I hadn’t finished binge watching Dexter for the third time when this bounty hunting order popped up on my cell. Should’ve known there was more to it than a quick pick up.
My human target dashed into the crowd. Under the rising sun, business people shuffled down the sidewalk in a rush to get to work. A taxi driver had hit another vehicle and both drivers were standing outside their cars, yelling.
Crap, where had the dude fled? If he thought he’d gotten away, he was too late; I’d already thrown a tracking enchantment on him. But I couldn’t risk him discovering it and paying a black arts wizard or witch to break it. Time to move. And I’d worn my heeled boots today thinking a human target, even one with an expensive dollar sign on his head, would be easy.
As I ran, I fingered the baton at my hip. I couldn't use my dual magic to fr
eeze him with all these civilians in the way. With my luck, if I tried, the humans would turn into ice sculptures and stay that way for weeks.
My boots clicked across the cement as I chased after my mark. He barreled into an old woman, knocking her down, and her bag of groceries scattered across the sidewalk. Apples and a grapefruit tumbled out into the street. Bastard kept running.
“Here, let me help you up.” I paused and held out my hand to the older woman. “Then we'll get your food.” And I would pick up the dude’s trail from the magical tracking spell that had landed on his back. Wasn't like I didn't know his crimes. The order was to pick him up for skipping bail and shoplifting. Hardly hardcore stuff, and I should have him bagged, tagged, and delivered before my morning coffee craving hit. Was he too fast a runner to be bagged by the human bounty hunters? Is that why ASH had given me the case and placed a six thousand dollar price tag on him? Should’ve known something was up when I read the order. Too easy - and nothing in my life was ever easy.
“Thank you, sweetie.” The old woman’s eyes widened when I touched her arm, and she began to shake.
What the hell? My magic had siphoned out of me and… into this woman. Why? Had I triggered a wormhole spell that had laid dormant right here all this time? Whatever it was, it was draining me like I hadn’t eaten or slept in weeks. I jerked to get away, but my hand wouldn't budge off her arm. My French manicured nails turned blue. Sparks shot out at our connection. People around us screamed and ran, some ducking into shops and businesses, others jumping into taxis.
The elderly female glanced up at me, the corners of her wrinkled mouth curling upward. “That boy you're hunting is my nephew.”
“What the fuck are you?” I tried to yank my hand back, but it didn’t move. It felt like I was superglued and sewed to her arm. If I got out of this, it might be useful information for when I tried to apprehend him. Did the dude have any talents like hers? From the neck down, I was a statue. Was she emptying my magic? How?
“A Terin.” She grinned and her teeth were serrated and black. “And after I finish feeding on your power, I'm going to enjoy devouring your flesh and bones.”
Nice. A shiver skated down my back. Wouldn’t be the first time I’d been in over my head. “Crime scene cleanup must be a breeze then.” I swallowed, fighting the urge to close my eyes. Something told me if I did, she'd win, and I wasn't giving in that easily. My whole life had been a struggle and I wasn't gonna let some monster get the best of me. Was it a creature like this that had killed my parents? All I knew was I’d come home from high school to find them gone. No trace. No blood. Not even a smidgen of a backfired spell.
“Wingetta Meuion,” I said.
She slapped her other hand down on mine. “Not so fast, my little witch.
Double speed, my power flooded forward and into her. I opened my mouth for another spell, but the words stuck in my throat like barnacles. Fuck!
My witch side was useless, along with my wizard power that wouldn't work without a focal point: a staff, a stick, a wand, or, in my case, the used police baton I’d picked up at a garage sale. If I could reach the thing…
Spots paraded across my vision. I didn’t want to die, but my energy was fading fast. My thoughts turned sluggish. Soon I'd be this ghoul’s dinner.
“Hold it right there!” a voice shouted, but I couldn't move to see who’d spoken, couldn’t warn them.
“Step away with your hands up.”
Must be a cop and a human one. Anyone else would see her aura slurping up mine. I struggled against the fatigue crashing into me to shout a warning, but I couldn't even get out a squeak.
“I said, hands up.” The voice came louder this time. Over the Terin’s shoulder, a cop held up a pistol. I seriously doubted that would even leave a scratch on her, but I hoped it would distract her enough if he did fire, for me to throw out a spell and bind the bitch.
She laughed and waved out a hand. Instantly, the guy convulsed. Smoke rose from his body. He screamed. His eyes bulged and his skin changed to a sunburned red. With a bang, his body combusted, leaving fragments of blood and guts steaming on the sidewalk.
Damn, how in the world did she tap into my fire spell? Wait, what else could she do?
Shit, shit, shit! This creature not only absorbed magic, but reused it? And the dead officer had my magical signature all over him. If the Terin didn’t kill me, then ASH-Aligned Supernatural Human task force –would lock me up and throw away the key. Like I didn’t have enough problems.
Rage shimmered across my flesh. I drew into my fading energy, but it slipped through my fingers, like trying to weave spider silk.
I ground my teeth until my jaw cramped. If I could reach the baton, even touch it with my pinkie finger, then I could blast the Terin away from me. It was right there on my hip, an inch at most from my freaking hand. I strained, pulling all the reserves I had left into a central spot on my finger. Move, damn you! Sweat trickled down my spine.
The Terin’s eyes transformed to a crimson color. Not just the iris, but her whole eye. Probably not a good sign.
Come on! I strained to lift my finger, and the nail grazed the baton. Yes. Just a little bit more. My pinkie brushed the cool wood. Yes! I let out a breath and charged the weapon. Or tried to, but my magic didn’t flow into the baton as it should’ve, instead sparks leaped from it and into the Terin.
“Oh, you surprise me little witch.” She grinned, revealing her black jagged teeth and making the Grinch look like Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick. “Or should I say witchard.” She spat the last word like an insult.
Yup, that was me, half-breed and lucky to have both halves of magic that warred within me like two neighbors who hated each other.
But if this Terin was going to end me, I was going to take her to hell with me. I just had to do it without being able to move or use my magic. Otherwise, I’d have to figure out how to haunt her as a ghost.
I couldn’t move my body or use my magic or even kick this bitch to the curb. Wait, I was able to move my head a bit. I reared back as far as I could and slammed my forehead into the side of her head. She blinked as if I had whispered something to her while my skull vibrated from the impact. No way was I giving up, I’d give myself a concussion before I stopped fighting. Again, I smashed into her, making stars zip past my vision. At least this way, she wouldn’t be able to kill me… I was doing a damn fine job of that myself.
A siren sounded in the distance, but ASH would be too late. Already, my life essence was trickling away from me. My breaths and pulse crawled from one to another. I screamed inside my head as a burning pain, feeling like lava coursed through my body and melted my bones.
Also by Cheri Winters
A Witch's Blood: A Reverse Harem Prequel (Negre Clan Book 1)
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Everything about my life is about to change…
I thought that my life was boring, my grandma told me that on my eighteenth birthday she would tell me a secret.
I find out that I’m a witch, my best friend’s a werewolf, and the quiet boy who just joined school is a vampire. Oh and to make things even more complicated, and my other friend just happens to be a smoking hot demon.
Author's Note:
This is the prequel in the Negre Clan series. An introduction to A Witch's Fate, book two in the series.
A Witch's Fate: A Reverse Harem Romance (Negre Clan Book 2)
One vampire. One demon. One werewolf and I’m in the middle of it all.
One minute, I’m eighteen and thinking about getting out of this small town and going to college, the next I’m being taken by a vampire and told that I’m the key to stop the demon and vampires taking over the world.
They say that we’re mates.
They say that I’m to help their kind.
Stop the war.
Stop the destruction of all mankind.
Oh, and there’s one secret that my family has been hiding for years….I just found out that I’m a witch. My best friend turns out to be
a werewolf and my friend a demon. My world couldn’t get any crazy. College life has nothing on me right now.
Author's Note:
A Witch's Fate is a full-length standalone reverse-harem fantasy novel.
Wonderland Academy: Book 1 Page 10
