Feeding Frenzy: Curse of the Necromancer (Loon Lake Magic Book 1)

by Maaja Wentz

  “Your parents wouldn’t let me. How was I to know I couldn’t keep you safe?”

  “You used me.”

  “There’s going to be a trial. We should show a united front.”

  “Don’t try to change the subject.”

  Helen sighed. “I got too sick. It couldn’t be helped.”

  “Really? I get the impression this was a long time coming.” Tonya stood, arms akimbo.

  “You weren’t supposed to drain Waldock so fast.

  “Like I had a choice.”

  “A lot of Mods won’t see it that way. A trial will split the town.”

  “Waldock was controlling people’s minds. I think that’s pretty clear-cut.” Tonya gave her aunt a hard look. “Mind control is evil.”

  “Mayor Thornton and the Trads have been suppressing magic for so long, the Mods are desperate for anyone, even someone like Waldock, to bring change.”

  “The Trads will support us.”

  “After using death magic in a public hospital? Not a chance. The Ashton Clan set us a trap in Toronto. We beat their ally Waldock but now no side will support us. We’ll be lucky if they don’t wipe our memories and strip our abilities.”

  “They wouldn’t!”

  “Or, I can wipe your memory and take the blame for using death magic. You can go back to living a magic-free life. All you have to do is sacrifice your powers.”

  “Why?”

  “To erase the traces of death magic on you, I have to absorb your powers and erase your memories since September.”

  “They’ll see my hair.”

  “Dye it. You can walk away from this untouched.”

  “We did the right thing. I’m not ashamed.”

  “And if they put you in jail?”

  “I won’t let you face trial alone.”

  “I knew convincing you would be a problem.”

  “Your problems are my problems.”

  “In more ways than you know. Things are going to come out in the trial that I’d rather you heard from me.” She covered her mouth and turned away.

  “Tell me.”

  “You’ve earned the right to know.” She unfolded a second chair and placed it at the table. “But first, food.” Aunt Helen put on the kettle and started making sandwiches.

  As her aunt worked, Tonya stared at the rickety card table. “Why are you living in a trailer?”

  Aunt Helen set out sandwiches and mugs of tea. She put a cookie tin at Tonya’s elbow and lifted the lid. The heavenly scent of spice cookies made her ravenous. She took a bite of sandwich.

  “You must have suspected something,” said Aunt Helen as she sat down. “We’re so alike, and Barbara married a Mundane so young and so suddenly.”

  “It was a shotgun wedding, so what? My parents love each other.”

  “Tonya, listen to me. You . . . you’re my natural daughter, and Jack Waldock . . .”

  Tonya crossed her arms. “I don’t believe you.” She got up and started pacing. “Jack Waldock is not my father.”

  Her ability to channel energy like her aunt, Waldock’s telepathic link with her, his delight at her inborn ability. It all made (horrible) sense. Blood rushed to her cheeks, but Tonya kept her voice level and her expression calm. “I can’t imagine you falling for him.”

  “I wasn’t even twenty and he was handsome, powerful. I didn’t understand the consequences of his magic. When things went bad he shielded himself from blame.”

  “You’re saying he seduced you and set you up?”

  “I was foolish but not innocent. City Council banished me to Toronto where they could keep me out of sight but under surveillance. I had no job, no prospects, and no friends. I was at my lowest point when Barbara adopted you and took you back to Loon Lake. It was where you belonged.”

  “Bring Mom back right now. You owe her an apology for keeping us apart.”

  “I owe her a million apologies.”

  “So, make up.”

  “I’ll try,” Aunt Helen gave her a little smile, “but it takes two.”

  All these secrets, plus the upcoming trial—it was a lot to process.

  “I’m going for a walk.”

  Helen didn’t try to stop her.

  Outside, Tonya realized where she was. Aunt Helen had set up a trailer in the woods behind her fire-damaged shop. She walked around the chain link fence enclosing the building and headed toward campus. As she passed the cemetery, the sight of trees reduced to ashes made the pit of her stomach drop. Maybe she deserved punishment.

  A rumbling engine slowed and pulled up behind her. Out the window a female voice called: “Hey Blondie, looking good.”

  Priya! Tonya got in the car. “How’d you know I’d be here?”

  “Your Aunt texted me. How do you feel?”

  “Okay.” The short walk had made Tonya’s legs ache like it had been miles. On the drive to the dorm, Tonya stared out the window. “Where are the roadblocks?”

  “Everything’s back the way it was.”

  “As if that could ever happen. I’ll be surprised if anybody’s left on campus.”

  “Nobody left, and nobody’s talking about what happened.”

  “How?”

  “They all have the same blackout in their memories. It happened while you were recovering.”

  “But you remember?”

  “Thanks to your aunt. She shielded everyone in the hospital room who saw what you did. She says you might need us as witnesses.”

  “What about the prisoners who attacked Drake at the station? The police must have reported that.”

  “Nope. The epidemic is forgotten.”

  “What about the grocery store riots? Somebody must have recorded them on a security camera or a phone.”

  “Your aunt brought in the Geek Coven. I think that’s what she called them. Whatever they did, it made all digital evidence disappear. The locals act like nothing happened and the students don’t remember. There’s no hint of riots or epidemics in the media or on the internet. You can stop worrying.”

  “But Drake and his movie, are those pictures gone too?”

  “Yup, and it gets worse. Nobody remembers my art installation.” Priya sighed. “At least you know how shatteringly brilliant it was.”

  “Oh Priya, I’m so sorry.”

  “At least we survived. And as long as I’m living, there’s next Halloween.” Priya pulled up in front of their residence. “I skipped class to get you, but I have to write a test now. Call me later?”

  Tonya went in to wait for the elevator. She caught a whiff of gym bags, men’s cologne, and textbooks. She was home. At the sound of her key in the lock, the door flew open. Lynette was dressed for clubbing.

  She stared at Tonya. “Your hair!”

  “I feel like a new woman.” Tonya smiled.

  “I love it.” Lynette threw her arms around Tonya and gave her a squeeze. “Priya told me you caught some awful virus. I’ve been worried about you.”

  “Likewise,” said Tonya. “How long have you been up and around?”

  “All day.” Lynette didn’t remember being unconscious at all, and when Tonya mentioned her trip down the storm drain, she looked at her quizzically.

  “How’s Roberto?”

  “I’m trying not to care. He dumped me and went back to Peru but he’s fine, I guess. You’re the one who’s sick. Shouldn’t you lie down?”

  It took a while for Tonya to convince her roommate she felt fine, but as soon as Lynette went out, she lay down on top of her bed and closed her eyes for a moment . . .

  When she woke up again, it was dark outside. Lynette sat on the other bed, thumbing her phone. “Finished napping? I have a surprise for you. Wear something cute.”

  Tonya looked down at the t-shirt and track pants she’d worn from the trailer. It still surprised her to look in the bathroom mirror and see her platinum blonde hair, but Lynette was right. It suited her. As she brushed it out, Tonya imagined the look on her parents face when they saw her hair and g
uessed what she’d done. Don’t worry, she would tell them. I’m a real witch now but I’ll never use death magic again. It’s too exhausting!

  Tonya showered and put on her favorite tunic and leggings before she allowed herself to be led to the elevator. Lynette hit the up button. “Let’s go see your BFF.”

  “You’re coming with me, to Priya’s?”

  “She’s not so bad, once you get to know her.” Lynette led the way.

  Priya met them in the corridor, which throbbed with music from inside her room. “You girls look nice.” She flung the door wide.

  “Surprise!” everybody shouted.

  Tonya stepped into an applauding crowd.

  “What’s this for?” Had somebody told them what she did?

  “I did.” Helen stepped out of the shadows. “I told them some of it, anyway.”

  “When are you going to stop reading my mind?”

  “As soon as I can teach you to think in whispers.” Her birth mother laughed.

  “About time you started teaching me.” Tonya’s temper flared, but she took a deep breath. “I don’t understand. I thought City Council wiped the Mundanes’ memories.”

  “I shielded Priya and Drake.”

  “And these others?”

  “I cast a charm on the room. Everyone but Drake and Priya will forget you saved this town by morning, but for now you can bask in their admiration. Have fun!”

  She winked at Tonya, then went to join a cluster of professors.

  Tonya was happy to let her go. Priya’s room was crammed with chatting, smiling students. Tonya recognized two cafeteria ladies out of uniform. Marta wasn’t there, but Tonya smiled at some divers. There were even police officers and ambulance attendants in civilian dress. Whatever Waldock had done to them, they seemed back to normal.

  Shin strode toward Tonya.

  Lynette joined them, grinning. “I’m asking for a friend. Are you still with Marta?”

  “No.”

  Priya joined them.

  “So, you’re with Priya?”

  “No,” Shin and Priya answered in unison.

  Shin sighed in her direction. “She wants me.”

  Priya laughed. “In your dreams. We’re just friends.”

  “How about a hug for your friend?”

  Priya gave him a quick cuddle. When they unclinched, Shin had a big goofy smile. “What did I do to deserve you?”

  “You don’t—yet.” They laughed.

  Priya and Shin getting together? Tonya imagined Priya explaining feminist theory to Shin and smiled. They’d either kill each other or get married.

  Tonya wanted to tell Drake about it, except, she guessed, he would already know. Had he visited her when she was sick? Of course, he had. Drake had been there when she came into her powers and eliminated Waldock. He knew all her secrets, but would he still like who she’d become? Her mouth felt dry, so she headed for the punch bowl.

  Out of nowhere, Professor Rudolph shambled toward her, knees straight and arms outstretched. She backpedaled, trying to find a clear escape route.

  Couldn’t the others see him? Was he a ghost? She turned to flee but strong arms grabbed her from behind and held her in place.

  She broke free and turned to see who it was.

  Zain’s dark eyes glittered. “Don’t go now. We’re just getting started.” He pushed Tonya into the Professor’s open arms. Before she could scream, he crushed her face into his flabby chest, smothering the sound.

  He released her with a smile. “Thanks for everything! Your Aunt told me how you fought Waldock and brought us all back,”

  “But your walk . . . I thought you were still . . .”

  “Still what?”

  Zain drew her aside and whispered, “Lying on the cold ground in the cemetery set off his arthritis, so now he moves like this.” Arms outstretched, he did a Frankenstein walk. “Grrr! Grrr!”

  Tonya grinned but not because of his antics. Beyond Zain, she spied a tall, blue-eyed youth approaching, silent as a ninja.

  Drake wasn’t the type to make a high school girl’s heart flutter. Tonya had never heard him mention football or hockey, or any team sport. He was tall with broad shoulders, but it wasn’t his body that attracted Tonya. She loved his artsy friends, his passion for movies, and the quiet way he’d stood by her in a crisis.

  “Punch?” Drake offered her a cup.

  “To us.” They clinked plastic glasses.

  “That didn’t sound right,” he smiled. “Now that you’re feeling better, I’d like to take you somewhere with glasses that go ting.”

  “Are you asking me on a date?”

  “Are you saying yes? Because . . .”

  Before Drake could finish, she kissed him.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Maaja Wentz is an award-winning writer of fantasy, and mystery/thriller stories. Her latest short story, “Inside of a Dog,” is upcoming in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine.

  For more information, please visit maajawentz.com.

  Become an insider. Join the Loon Lake reading club to get free stories, exclusive deals, and news of upcoming publications. The next two books in the Loon Lake Magic series are drafted and coming out soon. Join the club so you won’t miss out on special launch prices.

  YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

  Thank you so much for reading Feeding Frenzy. This is my first novel and I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

  Books are ranked and listed by popularity, which makes it hard for new authors to get noticed until they have a large number of reviews. Leaving a short review will help more people find Feeding Frenzy. If you enjoyed the book, please leave an Amazon review.

  Your help is much appreciated.

  Happy reading!

  Maaja

  LOON LAKE MAGIC SERIES

  COMING SOON. . .

  LOON LAKE MONSTER

  You never swim alone...

  Stripped of magic and surrounded by friends spelled to forget her, Tonya defies City Council to investigate a rash of missing swimmers. Meanwhile, an occult conspiracy is secretly raising a brood of monstrous reptiles in the sands of Grand Island. When the Digital Ninjas decide to shoot a horror movie in the same location, Tonya must protect her friends from supernatural parasites, and the murderous cabal behind them. Can she save the town and force her enemies to restore her friends’ memories?

  DRAGON TOWN

  Will the hero become the monster?

  Feisty university sophomore, Tonya, finds a woman's body on the beach with its stomach ravaged. Missing persons return, impregnated with dragon's eggs. When medicine and magic fail to cure her, to survive Tonya makes a deal with her inner dragon. As the beast helps crush her enemies, can she outwit this new dragon self, or will a good girl start breaking bad?

  DEDICATION

  For my parents, Ross and Heather.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  This story started as an artistic dare with myself to write a novel in public, posting one chapter a week to Wattpad. This challenge forced me to write a novel I couldn’t abandon in a drawer. About time too. My drawer was getting full.

  Thanks to Sandra Kasturi for editing the novel, and for her support and encouragement.

  I’m grateful to Richard Scrimger for his early manuscript advice.

  I’d like to thank my Wattpad readers and followers, without whom I might not have considered publication. Similarly, I would like to thank the anonymous employees at Wattpad HQ who chose to feature the original version of Feeding Frenzy, and later voted for it to win a Watty Award.

  I’m grateful to Carolyn, Rebecca, and Gunnar who read the entire manuscript and gave insightful feedback. Thanks to my friends from Bloor West Writers in Toronto, and the Anticipation Workshop online. I am grateful for their invaluable advice, encouragement, and critiques. Friends and organizers from Writers’ Circle of Durham Region, Can-Con, Ad Astra, SFContario, Sisters in Crime, the Sunburst Award Society, Worldcon, and World Fantasy Convention, gave me c
hances to read and speak in public, educate myself about writing craft, and develop new relationships. I am also grateful for the 20 Books to 50K group and its positive philosophy.

  Some of the production costs of this book were offset by a grant from the Writers’ Circle of Durham Region.

  Writing this novel would not have been possible without the support of my husband, Gunnar, our son, Thomas, and our extended family. I feel so fortunate to have friends and family who support my mad, artistic schemes. Thank you for all your assistance and encouragement.