Poison and Potions: a Limited Edition Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Collection

by Erin Hayes

  He stood there in the fog that hovered over the black asphalt in dark jeans, a white T-shirt, and a leather jacket. His eyes widened as she ran past him and got into the car.

  He followed suit and got inside. “What happened?”

  Her life would be forever changed. That’s what happened.

  Swallowing, Allyn glanced out the back window, hoping that she had a chance to escape.

  “Just drive,” she said in between labored breaths.

  Chapter One

  IT ALL STARTED with a rumor.

  “I heard there is a witch in this village. You know that the Wolves are still hunting and executing them, right?”

  Allyn didn’t want to believe the truth her boyfriend spoke. Such danger had threatened her since the night of her birth. But, if she hid her ability…she would survive.

  That’s what she’d thought.

  Byron had grabbed Allyn by the arm and made her face him. “Tell me. Are you the witch?”

  “No,” Allyn said, hoping her green eyes didn’t reveal the truth. She wasn’t lying to him. Allyn wasn’t a witch. She was something else. But try to tell that to the hunters searching for anyone with magical powers.

  She’d kept her secret this long. Why reveal it now? Her people were a dying breed, and she was not ready to offer herself up as the next tabloid villain—the next public disgrace to be executed for all of Elastria to see.

  “Don’t lie to me. I know everything. You can trust me to protect you.”

  “Quiet,” she’d said, glancing back at the wooden cottage where she’d been born and raised as a swift wind blew her black skirt up around her slender, white thighs. “My father is home and he will hear you.”

  She’d tried to break free from his grasp, surprised that he had learned her secret, but he held tightly, his brown eyes looking at her with love and not the fear or judgment she’d always expected.

  “They will find you. And they will kill you.” The stern look that filled his eyes had sent chills through her body as he held her hands out behind her house in the woods. “Let me take care of you. Let’s leave and start a new life together,” he’d said.

  That was last winter when she still thought he loved her more than any girl in the world—before he gambled all of her life savings away.

  That was before the Wolf sniffed her out at the festival and she’d fled for her life. As Allyn cleaned her tiny apartment, dusting her bookshelves and sweeping the vinyl floor, she tried to forget the fear of being hunted. The same fear haunted her at night, warning her that the hunt was not over.

  She remembered the first time she’d heard of a young woman being sniffed out by the Wolves and how that woman ended up publicly executed.

  Exhausted from lack of sleep, Allyn wiped her brow and caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror over the short bookcase. There were tears in her green eyes. Her wavy red hair was a stark contrast to her porcelain white skin splattered with freckles.

  She squeezed her eyes shut and turned away from her image. She hated her face and the red hair that was so rare that she’d suffered constant teasing as a child. The only reason she didn’t dye it another color was because it reminded her of her mother, and how much she loved it.

  A knock on the front door startled her. She froze, her face paling as she held her breath.

  She didn’t move a muscle, afraid that one tiny squeak of the wooden floor would make the landlord aware of her presence. They were behind on their rent and any day now they would be forced out onto the streets.

  “Allyn,” a muffled female voice called from the other side.

  Relief washed over her when she realized that it was just Aude, her closest friend.

  Allyn exhaled.

  She crossed the room and unlocked several bolts on the door, then threw it open.

  Aude’s big blue eyes widened. “Goodness gracious. You look like a freaking ghost!”

  “Shush, Aude,” Allyn said, pulling her in by her hand. “I do not.” She shot a glance down the dark hallway outside before closing the door, pleased that the landlord was nowhere to be seen.

  “Yeah, you do. Are you eating? Sleeping? Why haven’t I heard from you?” Aude asked. She was dressed in a black coat and jeans, her blonde hair tucked in a green beanie Allyn had knitted for her.

  She took it off and rushed to warm herself in front of the meager fire. Allyn watched her, not sure how long the wood would last.

  “I’m fine,” Allyn murmured.

  “Whatever. Liar. I can see it all on your face that something is wrong. Have you left this awful apartment since I last saw you at the bakery?”

  “I told you that I’m fine. I’ve just been staying inside and trying to stay warm.”

  “Sure. I can’t blame you for not going outside. It's damn cold out there,” Aude said. “I think the Winter Winds might be coming early this year.”

  Allyn chewed her bottom lip. She knew that to be a fact, but she couldn’t tell Aude that she could feel the change in the air. Though they’d been friends for the past nine months, she still wasn’t sure she could trust her with her darkest secrets.

  “I need more firewood,” Allyn said, opening the closet to get her coat out. “I think we can make it to the shops and find some on sale.”

  “I’m not so sure. They like to raise the prices for last minute shoppers. It might be too expensive.”

  Allyn’s shoulders slumped. “I have to try. The power was cut off last week and I don’t know how I’ll survive without a fire in the middle of the winter.”

  Aude took her hands. “Come stay with Khia and I. Our electricity is paid for the rest of the year. You can even sleep on our bed. We’ll make a comfy spot on the floor in the studio. It will be cozy.”

  Chewing her lip, Allyn considered it. It would be nice to be somewhere warmer for a while, but she feared that as soon as she’d leave, Byron would return and wouldn’t know where she was. Even though he had hurt her numerous times, she still loved him.

  “What do you say?”

  Allyn shook her head and slipped on her coat. “But, what if Byron returns?”

  “Come on, girl. Get over that scum. You know he’s probably sleeping in another woman’s bed right now…drunk or drugged to oblivion.”

  That stung. Allyn’s cheeks turned red as she fought to disbelieve Aude’s accusations.

  “And, you won’t be stuck. One of the designers Khia works for has passes to leave during the winter curfew. For once, we get to go to parties and events that only the wealthy go to. Maybe you can meet a man…a real man. With money.”

  “Enough,” she said, feeling like an idiot as the words escaped her lips. She knew that Aude was right, but what would she do without Byron? Allyn crossed her arms over her chest. “Are you coming with me to get firewood or not?”

  Sighing, Aude nodded, putting her hat back on. “Let’s go before it gets dark.”

  Outside, the bitter cold assaulted Allyn’s face. She wrapped her red scarf across her mouth and around her head. The wind roared down the black streets, nearly knocking her over.

  She braced herself as she stood on the bottom step of the front entrance, and pulled her navy wool coat tighter to her body as her hair blew around her face. She stepped onto the icy sidewalk, careful to avoid slipping.

  Allyn looked down at her gloved hands, feeling heat radiate from her palms—heat that could warm her and Aude—but too afraid to chance it.

  She had enough to worry about with an eviction notice stamped to the door to the flat she shared with Byron. With a witch hunt plaguing Elastria, she had to be especially careful.

  “Let’s hurry before the shop closes,” she said, taking careful steps. Her black boots crunched salt that had been sprinkled along the roads and sidewalks of the inner city. No amount of salt could keep the onslaught of snow that would soon fall from the perpetually gray sky, though. Winter in the magical kingdom of Elastria was a time of darkness and frost.

  “Good idea,” Aude said, as the
y walked down Gilded Street toward the largest indoor market in the entire kingdom.

  When Allyn and Aude reached the market, the crowds were already lined up outside the golden doors, prepared to buy everything they’d need to survive the cold winter. Allyn checked her brass pocket watch that hung from her waistcoat. Like the others, she’d waited until the last minute to do her final shopping. In just a few days, all shops and centers would close, and the city would enter a form of hibernation. If she hadn’t had to wait for her last check of the season to arrive, she might have been able to avoid the long lines.

  She stood there at the back of the queue, anxious to get in and get out. “This is going to be fun,” she said with a sigh.

  Aude looked around, scanning the two separate lines that filed into Grand Castile Plaza.

  “I don’t see anyone that we know.” Her shoulders slumped. “So much for cutting line. Could have saved us some time.”

  Allyn shrugged. “It’s fine. I’m in no rush. I’ve been stuck in the house all day, cleaning, and trying to keep my mind off things.” She put her hand to her forehead as all of her worries flooded her mind. With a sigh, she forced a smile. “I’m lucky to have such an amazing friend.”

  Aude hugged her. “Of course. You’re literally the nicest person I know. You hold onto good people like you.”

  With a smile, Allyn pulled away and looked down at the ground. Such compliments were rare. Within such a short time, they’d become close, closer than Allyn had been with anyone back home. Back home she didn’t have friends, just painful memories. There were good ones too, up until a point. She scratched a scar on her lower back through her clothes, wishing she could forget what caused it.

  While the memories she fought to repress continued to haunt her most days, Allyn was determined to look forward.

  “Everything is going to get better, sweetie,” Aude said, smoothing Allyn’s hair. “You have Khia and me and we both love you like a sister. There’s no way we will let anything happen to you.”

  “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

  They stood under the red awning as fat snowflakes continued to cascade from the sky.

  Allyn glanced back at her house, her heart dropping when she saw a black police van pull in front of her apartment building. She clutched Aude by the arm.

  “Oh, no,” she whispered and Aude followed her gaze.

  “What’s wrong?” Aude asked, narrowing her eyes as she looked from the police to Allyn.

  Tears burned Allyn’s eyes as she watched another truck pull up behind the police. Four big men jumped out and followed the officers inside the building. She knew what was happening and there was no longer any use shopping for supplies.

  “They’ve come to put me out of my home and take my things.”

  Chapter Two

  KHIA OUTSTRETCHED HER arms to Allyn, her pretty heart-shaped face saddened by the news of Allyn’s eviction. Khia wiped her eyes of tears. She was almost a foot taller, with perfect brown skin, waist-length brown hair and hazel eyes that made her one of the most sought after models in the city. Khia’s earning potential alone paid for their lavish apartment in the Heathrow area.

  “Come here, honey,” she said and wrapped her arms around Allyn. “It’s going to get better. I promise. Aude and I are going to take good care of you. Don’t you worry. We have enough to get all of us through the season.”

  Aude waited until they parted to kiss Khia on the lips. She took off her hat and coat and hung it up on the coat rack by the door before going directly to the fireplace to warm her hands.

  Allyn remained by the door and sucked up tears. “You’re too kind. Thank you,” she said, hating herself for crying over Byron. It was because of him that she was now homeless. If she hadn’t given him her savings to start his band, she might have a good life. Just when she thought she had no more tears to shed, he ushered them forth once again. “I’m really looking forward to better times.”

  “Khia is right. It will get better, especially now that Byron is out of your life,” Aude said. “When the season starts up again, you can actually save your money and not have him spend it all on stupid shit.”

  “I don’t want to hear his name. I really don’t,” Allyn said, pulling away from Khia. She held out her arms. “Let’s just stay warm and try to make the most of this season.”

  “Good. That’s the plan.”

  Allyn scanned the studio apartment. A king-sized bed was at the far end beneath a large window, separated by a half wall just before the office space. Shelves lined the entire wall from the floor to a few inches below the ceiling.

  The living space was the biggest portion of the studio, with black sofas and a red coffee table, a flat screen hanging on the wall, and a piano that Aude played on when they had parties.

  It was a beautiful home, but Allyn hated charity. She sighed. At least she would be warm for the winter. With nowhere else to go, she’d have to do what was necessary to survive.

  So, she shrugged off her waistcoat and put it on the coat rack.

  “Make yourself at home. Like I said, Khia and I are happy to sleep out here and you can take our bed.”

  “There is no way I’m taking your bed. I’m completely fine with the sofa. It looks comfy, anyway.”

  “Okay,” Aude said. “I’ll make sure you’re comfortable. We have plenty of pillows and blankets.”

  Allyn smiled. Was this what a sleepover was like? She’d always wanted to stay up late talking and laughing with girlfriends. Her childhood days were quieter, spent alone in her room or by the bank of the river with a bag of books and her favorite music.

  “Thank you.”

  “Would you like a drink?” Khia asked, heading over to their kitchen to the right of the front door. Her hips swayed as she walked as if the world was a runway.

  Allyn nodded and took her hair from its ponytail so that it hung to her mid-back. “Yes. Whatever you have.”

  Khia held up a clear bottle, her thinly arched eyebrow lifted. “How about a shot of Chronos?”

  “Make it a double,” Allyn replied, as she crossed the room to the window that stretched from floor to ceiling and looked out onto the city.

  “Babe,” Aude said. “How do you feel about me dyeing my hair red?”

  “Do whatever you want. I hear it’s going to be the hottest trend in the fall.”

  Allyn knew nothing of fashion or trends. She couldn’t afford to follow such things. Her heart soared with books and art, two things that Byron never understood. Dating a musician whose idea of a fun night was drinking and throwing darts or playing video games, Allyn had lost sight of what she truly wanted. She was supposed to be a teacher, not a waitress. Sometimes she wished she hadn’t fallen for Byron when his band came through her small town.

  From that high up, she could see the entire city, all the way to the Briar Woods that separated Elastria from New Prussia, the next kingdom over. The sun was setting, and the city was blooming with color and light that were enchanting, hypnotizing Allyn as she imagined what life would have been like if she’d never met Byron.

  She sighed, pressing her forehead against the cool glass.

  “Here you go, love,” Khia said, tapping Allyn on the shoulder. Aude stood beside her, two shots in her hands.

  Allyn took her shot glass and together, they prepared to toast.

  “Cheers to a new beginning,” Aude said.

  “And saying goodbye to trifling men,” Khia added.

  Forcing a smile, Allyn nodded. “Cheers to that.”

  They tapped their glasses together and drank down the potent liquor that burned Allyn’s throat.

  She winced at how strong it was.

  Khia looked up from her phone. “You guys aren’t going to believe this,” she said, a grin spreading across her face.

  “What is it?” Aude asked.

  Khia jumped up and down, her bangs bouncing. “I was approved for a curfew pass! I can bring three guests with me to the Pre-Season Party.”


  She ran toward their bedroom area and threw open the wardrobe.

  “What does that mean?” Allyn asked as Aude tossed several shiny, glittering dresses onto their king-sized bed. “Won’t everything be closed?”

  “No, girl. We will get picked up in half an hour and taken to the secret location where the party is being held.”

  Allyn sat down on the sofa. She knew they were looking at her, but she intentionally averted her eyes and turned on their TV. She wasn’t going anywhere, least of all a party where she’d be surrounded by strangers. “You guys have fun. It has been a stressful day. I’m not going.”

  “Like hell you’re not. You get your skinny butt off the couch and get in here. We are dressing up and ending the season with a bang.”

  With a groan, Allyn turned to her. “I can’t. I don’t really feel like being around a lot of people.”

  Aude approached and knelt down before her. “Sweetheart, that’s why you need to come with us. I know that Khia and I are fun and all, but after tonight we will all be stuck indoors for six weeks. Even if you don’t feel like it, you need to take advantage of this opportunity. Who knows what will happen? You might actually thank us for persuading you.”

  When Aude gave her a smile that highlighted her dimples, she knew there was no more use resisting. So, she stood, and with a sigh, she nodded.

  “Fine. But, you’re going to have to let me wear one of your dresses.”

  Aude clapped her hands and then nudged her along to the bedroom. “I have the perfect one for you,” she said, her grin widening. “Someone might find a new man tonight.”

  Chapter Three

  CONALL BARAN STOOD on the balcony, looking out into the dark forest as white snow fell from the sky. He gripped the slick ice-covered railing with his bare hands. His jaw clenched as Hannah stormed into his private chambers behind him, her high heels clicking against the marble floors so loudly that he almost cringed at how much the sound was intensified by his ultra-sensitive ears.