Magic and Mayhem: A Collection of 21 Fantasy Novels

by Jasmine Walt

  I leaned against a tree to catch my breath, peering through the dark woods. My breath clouded around me, swirling into the cold air. Goosebumps rose over my arms, and my cheeks were flush from fear. I couldn’t get my teeth to stop chattering.

  My heart was pounding. I’d never been so terrified of anything in my life. Every noise made me jump. I could feel eyes on me. I knew there were more Pricolici lurking. Could they see in the dark? I was at a disadvantage, only able to see a few feet ahead of me.

  I pushed off the tree and struggled up a hill. A thin layer of ice covered the leaves on the forest floor, and I slipped more than once, almost dropping the dagger each time. Finally, I reached the top and looked around. Something felt familiar. I crept past another tree. The moonlight was brighter ahead of me. I took in a deep breath.

  The white barn loomed ahead of me.

  Adrenaline coursed my veins as I raced across the field. I slowed ten feet from the old barn and tiptoed my way through the fallen leaves. My sense of logic screamed at me to get the hell out of this place. Pushing through it, I went around the back of the barn to the root cellar. The heavy doors were open, and the staircase disappeared into the dark abyss of the basement. I extracted the little flashlight from my coat pocket and slowly made my way down the stairs, holding the dagger up.

  The basement was empty. No one was being tortured; no demons were preparing to perform a ritual. There was no one here.

  36

  No, this couldn’t be. This was it. I saw it. Ryan confirmed it. This was it. My friends were here, and I came to save them!

  I blinked back tears and whirled around to leave. I would have to call Julia or David and pray they could make it home in time. I couldn’t do this on my own.

  Then the beam of light from the flashlight dipped. I froze, staring at a dark hole in the ground. I slowly moved toward it and shined the light down. The hole dropped five or six feet into the dirt and gave way to a roughly dug-out tunnel.

  I put the dagger in the sheath and jumped down. My ankle gave way when I landed on hard dirt, and the flashlight rolled away. I crawled to it, snatched it up, and was on my feet in seconds.

  The hole opened to a tall tunnel. My heart hammered painfully against the confines of my chest as I walked down the narrow path. My breath came out in ragged huffs. I put my hand over my mouth, sure my loud breathing would give me away.

  Firelight flickered ahead. I turned off and pocketed the flashlight, not wanting to give myself away. I pressed up against the dirt wall and slowly edged forward. The tunnel turned sharply into a large cavern. Stained and tattered sheets hung on the dirt walls, dividing the large room into little sections.

  I slipped behind one of the curtains, shaking, terrified of finding my friends strung up with their throats slit, blood draining into dirty buckets. A large, rusty metal cage held back a huge dog. My heart skipped a beat, and I ran to the cage.

  “Hunter!” I cried out softly. He wagged his tail fiercely as I stuck my hands through the rusty bars to pet him. I needed to get him out. I pulled on the door, but the cage was locked. If I rattled it too much, someone would hear. I didn’t know the mechanics of the inside of the padlock, but I tried opening it the same way I had unlocked Ethan’s door.

  Hunter growled, and I whirled around. Three Harvesters, the yellow-eyed Pricolici, and a pretty blonde girl stood behind me.

  “Jenny!” I screamed, shocked to see the cheerleader. The demons got her too! She narrowed her eyes and sneered.

  Oh crap.

  “Anora Paige Benson,” she cooed. “How nice for you to come see me.”

  “Jen…w-wh-what?” I stammered.

  She ran a hand over the Pricolici’s head. “Aw, is the little witch confused?” She took a step closer. Hunter snarled, and someone groaned from behind one of the sheets. “I guess I can see why. I am trapped in this, this disgusting vessel.”

  “Asaroth.” My voice shook. Rage burned in Jenny’s eyes. She rushed forward and was in front of me in the blink of an eye.

  “How dare you say my name, you filthy, little witch!”

  She slapped me, extending her fingers and dragging her nails across my face, making three tears across my cheek. She stepped back and licked the blood off her fingers. “Mmmm.” She closed her eyes. “I can taste the power.” Her eyes flew open, and they weren’t the pretty blue they had once been. Cold, black eyes threatened me. “I want that power.”

  “I’ll never give it to you.” I slowly moved my hand to my left side, thinking that if I could throw a Vesta bomb, I could create enough chaos to kill at least one demon. “I’d rather die than let you have my power,” I said, feeling stronger.

  Jenny threw her head back in laughter. “That’s what they all say.” Her Pricolici came to her side. “You know, Annie, you were rather hard to find. I haven’t had power like yours in over a century. When I heard that there was new blood in the Coven, I knew I had to have it.” She put her arms out and spun around. “And to think, I thought your idiot brother was the key.” She spun faster. “I didn’t think a measly human girl could possess such greatness.”

  “That’s sexist,” I spat out, too offended to be scared. She came to a sudden stop. The Harvesters were watching her, waiting for her command. They don’t attack unless she commands them. I swallowed. If I could take her out first, maybe I’d have a chance.

  I thrust my hand forward to send her flying. Her shoulder nudged back, but she didn’t falter. She flashed a smile again before licking her lips.

  “Such power!” she said again and was suddenly right in my face. The pretty purple stone pendant she had on before dangled off her chest.

  Amethyst.

  Amethyst had many properties: courage for travelers, stress relief…and blocking witchcraft. Since she had Ryan’s powers, those properties were magnified. My powers weren’t going to work on her.

  Jenny cocked her head, looking intently into my eyes. “Give me your powers Anora.”

  “No. You’ll have to kill me first.”

  She licked the blood that was dripping down my cheek and shivered in delight. “Well, there’s a problem. Your powers die with you.”

  “Then I guess you’re not getting them.”

  “I knew you’d say that,” she rushed out. “So I brought insurance.” She motioned for the sheet behind Hunter’s cage to be torn down. I almost screamed when I saw what I did.

  Bound and gagged, Ethan was slumped over in a chair, bloody, bruised, and barely conscious. “Ethan!” I screamed and made a move to rush toward him. Jenny threw out her arm, stopping me with unnatural strength. I couldn’t break free from her grasp.

  “Can you imagine my luck?” she said and pushed me back. “I almost thought I missed you. You slipped through my fingers. I was at your house. I don’t know what kind of spell you cast to cloak yourself, but it had to be a strong one. I looked and looked and looked but couldn’t find my witch. The stupid Order’s always getting involved. And then to find that one of their own is protecting my witch!”

  She danced over to Ethan. “I looked all over for you last night. You weren’t home, and you weren’t at your lover’s house. I was deeply upset. So I thought that if I made your pet sick, you’d come out from hiding. But that didn’t happen, did it, Ethan?” She moved in front of him. “But I got a pretty little Order member instead and, boy, we’ve had fun! We played all night, but he wouldn’t tell me where you were.” She turned back to face me. “Now, give me your power.”

  “Don’t say yes,” Ethan yelled, his voice muffled by the dirty gag. Jenny slapped him hard across the face.

  “That’s not all, my little witch.” She waved her hand again and two more sheets were torn down. Harrison and Laney huddled close together, bound and gagged as well, on the dirt floor. Laney was crying, and Harrison looked terrified.

  “So here’s the deal,” Jenny continued, her voice thick with venom. “You can choose one, just one, for me to let live in exchange for your powers.” She ran her h
ands over Ethan’s chest. “So who’s it going to be? Your boyfriend, your brother, your best friend, or your precious dog?”

  Did she say dog? Just dog? Did she not know? “My dog?”

  “Humans…” she trailed off, brow furrowing. “Humans value their pets. I’ve seen you with him. You love this stupid thing.”

  Oh my God, she didn’t know.

  “But Hunter’s just a dog,” I tested.

  Her nostrils flared. “Humans love their pets! Want me to get your horses too, girl? Because I will! Equine blood is a magical thing.” She sprang towards me, hands extended. “Choose!”

  My mind raced. I was getting everyone out, no matter what. I refused to believe only one would live. But I couldn’t do it on my own. Ethan would have been the best choice in the who-can-survive-fighting-demons way, but he was in no condition to defend himself, let alone me. Harrison and Laney wouldn’t know what to do. Hunter, on the other hand…Jenny’s hands closed around my throat.

  “Hunter!” I croaked. She released my neck. Ethan laughed. Laney made a horrible whimper, and Harrison did his best to scream at me though he was gagged. They didn’t know about Guardians. They thought I was choosing my dog over them. Crap…now wasn’t the time for guilt. They’ll find out soon enough.

  Hunter raced from the cage to my side. I bent down and wrapped my arms around him, finding instant comfort in the embrace. He put his head on my shoulder and was completely still for a second, and in that moment, we bonded in a way that transcended time. I saw into his mind, and he saw into mine. Our minds worked as one. He was my Guardian, and I was his witch.

  With a smile on my face, I stood and stared down Jenny. Taking his place at my side, Hunter’s fur was on end, and his fangs were showing. Jenny’s evil grin faded.

  “Be a good Guardian, and kill her,” I said to Hunter. He started forward.

  Jenny’s black eyes widened and she threw her arms up. “Guardian? No, it’s not possible!”

  She took a fumbled step back and hissed an order. The yellow-eyed Pricolici sprang toward us. Hunter moved with lightning speed, knocking it to the ground. Taking full advantage of the distraction, I lit and threw a Vesta bomb at the Harvesters. They hissed and shrieked, frantically running around.

  “Get the witch!” Jenny screamed. I threw another bomb and lunged at Jenny. She caught me around the shoulders, her fingernails digging into my skin, and shoved me into the dirt wall. I fell down, roots and stones scraping at my skin. Before my butt even hit the ground, her foot landed on my stomach.

  I instantly felt a horrible sharp pain in my ribs. She raised her foot to do it again. Expecting it, I grabbed her ankle and pulled her down; it didn’t work to my advantage since she landed on top of me and punched me hard in the face.

  Blinded by pain, I extended my hand and grabbed at anything I could. I wasn’t going to lie there and take a beating. I was going to fight, and I was going to win. I had to. My fingers closed around a lock of hair, but it slipped from my fingers as she hit me again.

  Jenny screamed in anger. The Vesta smoke was beginning to clear, and the Harvesters would soon be able to attack me or start killing my friends.

  I pushed myself up, reaching out, and wrapped my fingers around Jenny’s pendant. I yanked it back until the chain snapped and the stone broke off in my hands. My heart skipped a beat and terror took over Jenny’s face as the gemstone fell to the ground. I looked her right in the eyes and sent her flying as far away from me as possible.

  I scrambled to my feet, madly grabbing a throwing star to throw at the Harvester that was barreling toward me. I threw the star, hitting the demon in the arm.

  The Harvester looked down, annoyed if anything. It was enough time for me to pull the dagger from the sheath and rush forward. I didn’t allow myself to hesitate. I skidded to a stop a foot in front of the Harvester, raised the dagger, and shoved the blade through its sternum and into its heart. The Harvester erupted in bright blue flames. I dodged its smoldering body to run over to Harrison and Laney. Using the dagger, I sliced through the ropes and freed their arms.

  “Are you guys okay?” I asked and helped Laney untie the gag.

  “Define ‘okay,’” Harrison said. His voice was shaky, but that was enough of a yes for me.

  “Get Ethan out of here,” I instructed and gave him one of the throwing stars. “Hurry!”

  I sprang back to my feet. Hunter had gotten the Pricolici to the ground and had his jaws clamped around its throat. Blood dripped down the Pricolici’s muzzle. I looked away as Hunter bit down. With a final yelp, the Pricolici’s body went limp. Hunter galloped back to me.

  “Good boy,” I panted. I sucked in air and watched Jenny and the remaining demons run out of the cavern.

  That was so not good.

  Seeing no point in standing and waiting for her, I raced to Ethan’s side. Harrison was working on getting him untied. Tears filled my eyes as I knelt down in front of Ethan. “Ethan.” I choked back more tears. “I’m so sorry.”

  Ethan put a heavy hand on my shoulder and let out a huff. “It’s okay, Annie,” he said.

  I looked up, ready to tell him no, it was far from okay. I blinked away the tears and nodded. It wasn’t okay, but I could make it right. I could kill Asaroth.

  Howling echoed through the tunnel. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. Hunter growled, edging toward the opening of the tunnel. Why had she gone up to the barn’s root cellar? It’s not like she would run away.

  There could only be one reason. She was summoning the rest of the Pricolici.

  37

  She was calling the other Pricolici from the forest. They would come running and then…

  I sucked in air so quick I almost choked. I had to get her before she got to them. I could head her off and even close the root cellar doors, keeping the Pricolici away from my friends. Hunter and I could take them…and come back here if we didn’t get ripped to shreds.

  My eyes met Ethan’s. I didn’t want to leave him down here while he was under some sort of curse.

  “Go,” he said, knowing exactly what I was thinking. He bent down and picked up one of the throwing knives. He tossed it in the air and caught the hilt. “Kill the bitch.”

  “I will,” I promised.

  Without a second look back, I sprinted away with Hunter close behind. He gracefully jumped out of the hole. If I wasn’t so terrified, I would have taken a minute to be amazed. With much more difficulty, I scrambled my way up and out of the tunnel. I leaped across the hole onto the basement stairs. Chilly night air blew down the basement. Patchy moonlight and a few stars promised the chance of survival.

  I had two steps left to go when a hand grasped around my ankle. If there had been a railing, I might have gotten away. But there wasn’t, and I had nothing to hold onto. Claws tightened as I yanked my foot up. Suddenly, it pulled me down. I cried out as I thumped down the old wooden stairs.

  Hunter stood protectively over me. My body throbbed in horrible pain. I did a quick check: I could still move my legs and my arms. No serious damage had been done. Wincing with every small movement, I tried to sit up. Hunter nudged me, helping push me upright.

  My hand flew to the dagger as I stared into the dark. I couldn’t descry what lurked behind the wooden stairs, but the rattling hiss told me that a Harvester was only a few feet away.

  Hunter, no doubt able to see perfectly in the dark, sprang forward. His growls echoed off the crumbling brick walls. I took a deep breath. My ribs hurt — badly— and my right wrist pulsed with pain.

  But none of that mattered. I couldn’t see anything around me. Soon I would be in even more pain…and so would my friends. I couldn’t let that happen. I wouldn’t let that happen.

  My heart pounded in my throat. I needed a plan. Something—anything—to help me see in the dark. I held my hands out and took a small step away from the stairs.

  Suddenly, my vision changed, and I was looking through Hunter’s eyes. The world was shades of green and gray, and I c
ould see everything. I wrapped my fingers around the dagger, pulling it free, and rushed forward. Hunter dragged the Harvester across the root cellar, right next to a broken wooden shelf. I pulled all the energy I could from the air and directed it to the old shelf.

  Now!

  Hunter let go of the Harvester, and I shoved the dagger into its chest. It threw its hands up to push me away, but it was too late. I twisted the dagger, feeling the heat from the blade. I yanked the dagger out and kicked the Harvester back. It stumbled and crashed into the shelf. Already hot with energy, it ignited when the Harvester burst into flames, lighting up the basement.

  Panting, I whirled around the room. Waiting in the shadows were five Pricolici, Jenny, and the last remaining Harvester. Seven on two; the odds weren’t in my favor. I tightened my fingers around the dagger. Yes, the odds were against us, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t going to try. I locked eyes with Jenny.

  Bring it, bitch.

  They lurked forward, slowly circling us. Jenny crossed her arms and stepped back to watch me get my ass kicked. I pushed aside my fear. Hunter growled and showed his fangs, ready to defend me even if it meant his end. My heart beat a million miles an hour as I tried to see a way out of this.

  Should I throw the Pricolici back and go for Jenny? I doubted she would expect that. How long could I keep a telekinetic hold on them? It didn’t matter; they would defend Jenny like Hunter would defend me.

  Time stood still. The demons paused in front of us, sizing us up. And then, all hell broke loose. They rushed forward, fangs and claws slashing the air. I jumped out of the way, dodging the jaws of a Pricolici by inches. Hunter leapt through the air, colliding with it and knocking it to the ground.

  I scrambled up, turning around to be face to face with the Harvester. I put my hand up, creating a telekinetic shield. The Harvester clawed against it, desperate to get to me and steal my powers.