Witch's Sorrow: A Witch Detective Urban Fantasy (Alice Skye Series Book 1)

by Taylor Aston White

  “‘How to transmute into a badger'.”

  “What. The. Actual. Fuck. Why would someone want that?” Sam started to laugh.

  “I don't actually know.” Alice couldn't really believe it herself. “Here's another one, 'For the love of your life'.”

  “A love spell?”

  Alice read through the notes. “Seems to be. Also illegal as hell.” What was her mother doing with an illegal spell? “'How to remove a soul from a body.'” Both Alice and Sam just stared at each other, deciding not to comment. “'Eternal happiness.' 'The black mark.' 'Age definer.'”

  “Wait… fold that page over!” Sam leant across to bend the corner of the page himself. "We could use that spell in a few years’ time.”

  She batted him away. “'Illusionarium.' 'Aura feeder…'”

  “Wait, go back.”

  “Okay, it says here...'When the integrity of the aura is compromised, the person will experience draining of energy and magic. This can manifest in many ways, for example, a depleted and sudden energy loss, a sharp change of mood, headache as well as acute pain over the area affected. Other, more unusual symptoms could be nausea or loss of consciousness. Unhealed holes in the aura can often lead to serious and permanent consequences. Moreover, the presence of holes in the aura greatly increases the risk of attachment or invasion of negative entities.'”

  “I have no idea what you just said.”

  “It means I have left my aura open to nasties.” The idea made her feel both ill and dirty at the same time. “The spell seems simple enough. A circle, candles, I can't muck that up.”

  “Suuuureeee.” Sam dodged the tea towel she threw at his head. “It will be alright baby girl, if not Overlord can save the day like he usually does.”

  “We haven't had to call for Dread's help since we were kids.”

  Sam sighed in delight. “And I still remember his face when he saw how many cocktails you had drunk. You threw up everywhere.”

  “It was graduation and I seem to remember you threw up first.”

  “Well, you have a defective memory,” Sam grinned.

  Alice couldn’t help but chuckle back. They had been awful kids, even worse teenagers. “No threats. Like I said the spell is simple enough.” She quickly re-read the instructions. “Okay, I need my candles back.”

  “Candles?”

  “Yes." She narrowed her eyes at him. "You used them last didn't you?”

  “Well,” he said, looking away, “the funny thing is...”

  A bus skidded as it pulled into the bus stop outside Mystic Medlock’s Magic Emporium, splashing them as they walked along the pavement, the torrential rain pretty much killing the open aired high street. Jumping away from the cold water Alice ran into the magic shop, trying and failing to dodge the rain.

  “I don't know why I had to come,” Sam said as he shook the loose rain from his hair, the water droplets showering over the gargoyle guarding the door.

  “Because you're paying for my new candles,” she huffed, still annoyed. She couldn't believe he ruined her candles. That was the last time she'd lend him anything.

  “It was an accident! I didn't realise they would melt so fast!” He sulked behind her.

  “What were you even doing with them?” No reply, just a chuckle. “Okay, I don’t want to know.”

  She shook her head, leaving him by the door as she stalked towards the wall of candles. Browsing, Alice found the soy versions she preferred.

  “SAM!” she shouted in his vague direction, “GET YOUR WALLET OUT!” She heard him snigger, and followed the sound until she found him standing in the corner of the shop. “What are you looking at?” she asked as she stepped beside him.

  “That thing is moving.” Sam pointed to beside the large paradise palm.

  “Moving? What?” Sam had finally lost it.

  Walking over Alice lifted a leaf, revealing a very happy gnome. At thirty centimetres tall, the gnome didn’t make much of an impact in size, but the hollow eyes and creepy smile caused the hairs on the back of her neck to stand on edge. His blue coat contrasted against his luminous green belt and red-capped hat. A fisherman’s pole was clutched in his chubby palms, hidden slightly by his pure white beard.

  “Wow, creepy.”

  “I swear Alice, he moved.”

  She watched the gnome carefully, feeling stupid until she noticed a pair of big, yellow, unblinking eyes staring at them from behind the fern. “Look, it’s just the cat.”

  “I know the cat was there.” His nostrils flared to prove his point. “I swear he moved.”

  “Leave the nice fisherman alone and help me find the chalk.”

  “Hello, can I help you? Oh, Alice isn’t it?” a friendly voice called.

  Alice turned, algae green eyes smiling down at her. “Oh, Alistair.”

  “Please, call me Al.” He touched his fringe, pushing the strands away from his eyes. “You want chalk? It’s by the register.” He smiled towards Sam. “Hi mate, haven’t met you before.”

  Sam smirked.

  “This is my roommate, Sam.” Alice purposely coughed, bringing Sam’s attention to her. Stop it, she warned with her eyes.

  He’s cute, Sam replied back, his amber ovals glinting mischievously.

  Don’t you even think about it.

  “Nice to meet you Al,” Sam greeted. “You got a girlfriend?” He batted his eyelashes, testing the situation. “Or a boyfriend.”

  “Sam,” Alice hissed.

  “Ah, no. I don’t have a girlfriend,” Al answered to Alice, her face flushing at the attention. “I’m definitely available.”

  “That’s interesting, did you know my friend Alice…” Sam squealed mid-sentence as she pinched the fleshy part of his arm. Turning to rub the small mark he scowled before changing subject. “What’s up with the weird gnome?”

  “Oh, you mean Jordan?” Al smiled friendly.

  “You named your gnome Jordan?” Alice asked, bewildered.

  “Well, I didn’t name him. He came with that name.”

  “I think he moved,” Sam said, his attention towards the palm at the corner of the room.

  “Yeah, he does that.” He finished wrapping the last candle, placing all the merchandise into a paper bag along with a single chalk.

  “And that’s normal?” Alice pulled a face.

  Al just shrugged, smiling at her. “Cash or card?”

  “Pay up Sam.”

  With a small growl he handed over his card. “I’m just saying, but being your friend is expensive.”

  “That will teach you not to ruin my stuff.” She grinned as she accepted the bag. “Thanks Al, see you around.” She turned to leave, not wanting Sam to make it any more uncomfortable.

  “Wait.” Al held out his arm to stop them. “You okay?” He jumped over the counter and walked towards her.

  “Excuse me?”

  “You have holes in your aura.”

  “Do I?” She played ignorance. “I haven’t noticed.” Her back spasmed at that moment, making her squeak in pain while dropping the bag.

  “Shit.” Sam grabbed the candles as they rolled away. “You okay?”

  “Fine,” she replied through clenched teeth.

  “Seriously, you have holes all over your aura,” Al said again, looking concerned.

  “I’m fixing it,” she replied as the spasm subsided.

  “You should have used your crystal. It would have stopped your aura from getting this bad.” Al eyed the raw Lapis around her throat. “Have you not activated it?”

  “Activated?” Her brows came together in confusion.

  “It’s a Lapis Lazuli, isn’t it? A protection crystal, you can use it as a source for a protection circle. You just need to do the ritual to train the crystal to react to an incantation or trigger word.”

  “Oh, really?” She gently gripped it between two fingers, the crystal warm. “Is it easy to do?”

  “Well, it isn’t particularly hard, I took a few side classes in protection when I
was studying engineering. I think we could do it.”

  Alice thought for a second, weighing up the options. “Can we do it now?”

  “I haven’t got the space here, you need to draw a protection circle. Besides, your friend has already left.” He nodded to the front where she could see Sam lighting up a cigarette.

  “What time do you close here?” she asked as she spun back to Al.

  “Five.”

  “Did you want to come over to my place when you finish? I have space in my kitchen.”

  “You asking me on a date?” he flirted, eyes smiling.

  “A date?” Alice flustered. “Oh, no. I just…”

  “I can be over around six. But only if you promise me our second date will be something proper.” He patted his apron, finding a piece of paper and writing down his details. “Here’s my number, text me your address.” With a wink he let go, his smile never breaking as she rushed out of the shop.

  Chapter 21

  Alice smiled at her neatly drawn pentagram, happy with the lines and symmetry.

  “Why do you always use salt chalk?” Sam questioned, his legs fidgeting as he sat on his favourite counter by the sink. After an uncomfortable car ride home in which she stared daggers at him at every traffic light possible, he had happily declared he was going to watch and help. Not that he could actually do anything.

  “The salt acts as a catalyst, it controls the chemical reaction without itself being affected, almost like a barrier. If you actually mix salt, on the other hand, it does the opposite, it completely breaks the spell and dissipates the magic. So if you ever get spelled or want to break an amulet just dunk it in a vat of strong salty water.”

  “Is that why you are using the salt-chalk and not actual salt?”

  “Pretty much, if I was to cook with my copper pots I would use proper salt to draw my pentagrams as it has no risk of mixing. I use the chalk when I’m going to be in the centre of the spell as it’s harder to rub the chalk off and interrupt the flow than accidentally kicking over granules.”

  “Is that what went wrong with your other spells?”

  “What other spells?” she frowned.

  Sam lifted his hand. “Protection ward,” he pointed to his pinkie. “Waxing spell,” he pointed to his ring finger. “The one where you…”

  “Okay, I get it,” she scowled. He was always bringing up every time she buggered something up. Sticking her tongue out she reached for the bag of candles, unwrapping them carefully before grabbing a knife. Sam gently tugged her hair, brushing strands through his fingertips over and over again as she carefully carved the first candle.

  The symbol for earth was an equilateral triangle with a line vertically through the middle. Once the carving was finished she blew off the excess wax, placing the candle at the bottom left of the small pentagram’s star drawn in the centre of their kitchen. Earth, as well as fire, were fixed points within a pentagram, with air and water situated towards the top.

  The second sign was fire, an upside down equilateral triangle with two waves on each of the sides. She placed the candle on the bottom right of the star. The third was water, simply three horizontal wavy lines that went on the furthest right point with air being three vertical wavy lines, placed on the furthest left point.

  The last symbol was spirit, a simple circle symbolizing infinity and eternity. Sitting in the centre pentagram she lit a match, lighting earth first, then fire, water, air and lastly spirit.

  “Does it matter which candle you light first?” Sam asked, genuinely interested. This wasn’t the first spell he had witnessed, but probably the most interesting. Watching someone create vanity charms and amulets in an old copper pot was pretty boring compared to a physical circle. She looked down at her pentagram again, hoping it hadn’t damaged the already worn lino flooring so they didn’t lose their security deposit.

  “You’re supposed to anchor the protection circle by lighting the two fixed points which are fire and earth, you then light air and water to flow into the centre and lastly spirit, which closes it.”

  “Why do you even need a circle?”

  “It’s safer. It’s a barrier that protects your aura when you mix it with the spell to consummate.” She shrugged, not actually knowing the exact details why you couldn’t do it without a circle. She wasn’t curious enough to try.

  “Being a shifter is so much easier.” A smile. “It’s also why I enjoy watching you try not to screw up.”

  Alice replied with her middle finger before she let out a breath, concentrating. Once her mind was empty she opened her third eye, checking to make sure the circle was whole. A thin gold and green shimmery film covered the pentagram in a dome, the circle perfect, bigger than she predicted. Pretty impressive for her first try, not that she was gloating.

  “The circle is done,” she exclaimed as her face broke into a smile, her cheeks straining from the excitement.

  “So what’s the next stage?”

  “Shit.” Alice looked at her neat circle, the gold and green morphing into a blue before changing back. “I might have left the instructions by the sink.” Which was outside her circle.

  “Can’t you just go get it?”

  “If I touch the circle it will fall, I’ll have to start all over again.” Once she touched the outside, her aura would rebound back to her.

  “Oh, okay.” Sam jumped down from the counter and grabbed the leather grimoire. “Want me to read the instructions?”

  “Yeah, I’m not sure I should push anything through the circle,” she told him, squinting at the dome.

  “Okay, give me a second… it says to create a salt circle, light the candles, yadda yadda yadda, okay here it is. ‘To realign your aura to its original state, excluding any permanent damage gained, you must quicken the flames with a blood donation.’”

  “A blood donation?”

  “That’s what it says.” He flipped through the pages.

  “Oh, okay.” Alice grabbed the burnt match and broke it in half. Carefully, she poked the pad of her thumb with the sharp edge, a pearl of blood appearing at the tip.

  “Alice?”

  “I need to quicken the flames.” She squeezed her thumb, letting a single drop of blood drop into each candle, ending with spirit. “Right, what’s next?”

  “It says you say the incantation and your aura will just replenish.”

  “Just like that?” That seemed too easy.

  “Just like that.” Sam squinted as he read through the book once more. “Ready to repeat after me?”

  “Ready.”

  “Anima ad animam.”

  “Anima ad animam,” she began, nervous.

  “Ut aura erat aura.”

  “Ut aura erat aura.”

  “Putabas sanare capitii textile.”

  “Putabas sanare capitii textile.” Alice sucked in a breath, her lungs burning as she gasped for air.

  “Alice?” Sam asked as pain ripped through every cell in her body. “ALICE!?”

  “What happened?” A deep snarl followed by an inaudible reply.

  Frowning, Alice opened her eyes, blinking blindly at the light above.

  How can eyelashes hurt?

  “Is she going to be okay?”

  “How am I supposed to know? I felt something was wrong and…”

  Noise assaulted her ears, different pitches, voices that were muffled, almost as if she was underwater. Blinking a couple more times her eyes started to adjust, the kitchen ceiling coming into focus.

  What the hell was that stain?

  She watched as the green hue of her circle changed, mixing with blue like a sea mist, disorientating the suspicious ceiling mark.

  “What do you mean you felt something was wrong? That’s impossible, you’re not even mated.”

  “That is none of your concern.”

  “Who the fuck…”

  Alice rolled her neck, squinting at the two men arguing in her kitchen doorway. It took a few seconds to recognise them through the circle, t
he moving colours making it look like she was viewing them through a smeared window.

  Sam, she realised, was only an inch or so shorter than Rex, his finger angrily pointing at the Alpha’s chest. His mouth was slightly open, his breaths coming in short pants as he tasted the surrounding aggression, his leopard close to the surface. Rex, on the other hand, looked like he was made from granite, his muscles bunched, tense as he snarled at her best friend. They both turn to look at her when she finally crawled to her knees.

  “Wow. That hurt.” She took in a shaky breath, flexing her muscles.

  “Baby girl?” Sam knelt beside her as close as he could get without touching the circle. “Open the circle.”

  “What?” Her head rolled on her shoulders as her neck clicked. She felt… good. Really good.

  “Open the bloody circle,” Rex barked, tension still obvious along his shoulders.

  Sam snarled, his already prominent canines extending. “Don’t speak to her like that.” She could visibly see his skin tremble, fur threatening to break through the surface.

  “Stop it,” she tried to say, but it came out more like a croak. Flicking her hand out she touched the dome, voltage as her aura raced up her arm, breaking the circle.

  “What were you thinking?” Rex crouched beside her, the opposite side of Sam. “You could have killed yourself.”

  “What are you even doing here?” she shot back accusingly.

  “Yeah, what are you even doing here? I didn’t call you,” Sam said, eyes narrowed.

  Rex ignored them. “You could have killed yourself.”

  “Don’t be stupid,” Alice replied as Rex’s eyes flashed arctic. “I know exactly what I’m doing. It’s you who hasn’t got any trust.”

  “Careful.” Rex’s voice was a warning, his wolf close to the edge.

  “I think you should leave.” She stood up, her back feeling great, energised even. Inside she felt whole, her core aura electric. As she clicked her fingers her chi rippled, coating her hand with blue flames. It was effortless, the little power she used barely touching her chi reserve.

  “Remember who hired you.” Rex stared at the flame, eyes still ice.