Wanted Witch (Daughter of Darkness Book 1)

by Val O. Morris

  "Then don't throw yours on Mother Nature's," then I flicked the lit cigarette into the guy's lap and sped off. I don't know what amused me more- the frightened look on the guy's face when the lit cigarette hit his lap or the fact that the chick in the truck 'bout swallowed hers laughing.

  I turned onto my street. My house was the one at the end of the cove, to the left of Mrs. G's. There were several cars parked in front of my house. Jeremy must've invited the whole crew over to hang out. He has been living with me for the past several months since Alexa burned down his house trying to kill Gaylin and anyone who got in the way.

  Gaylin was my third life scar. Unfortunately, Jeremy's house couldn't be saved.

  Even Spratlin's truck was there, which I thought was unusual. I certainly didn't mind. I parked my bike in the garage and went inside.

  Dirty dishes were piled in the sink and empty pizza boxes and beer cans were scattered around. The place looked like a tornado had cut a path right through my living room. I gritted my teeth; I could feel my blood pressure rising. My keys hitting the table couldn't even be heard over the loud gun shots blasting through the speakers. I had walked into a war zone.

  Spratlin immediately noticed I was home and jumped up from his seat. "Hey there. Been wondering when I'd see your pretty face again."

  I smiled and walked closer to the couch. Jeremy, Creep, Ivy, and several other gamers were hanging out. "Hey, guys."

  Jeremy, without ever taking his eyes off the TV said, "Oh, hey. Wish I'd known you were coming home. I would've asked you to bring that new party game."

  Creep, in his nacho cheese stained shirt said, "Yeah, and more beer." We gave him that nickname not because he was creepy, but because he literally creeps at a snail's pace through games. He takes his time walking down hallways and never busts in, guns a' blazing like yours truly.

  My jaw flinched and I cut my eyes up to Spratlin who was standing next to me. By the look on his face, I assumed he could tell I wasn't in a pleasant mood. I tapped Jeremy on the shoulder. "Can I talk to you in the kitchen, please?"

  "Yeah, this match is almost over."

  I took the controller from his hands and handed it to Spratlin. "Here, you finish."

  When Jeremy entered the kitchen, I let him have it. "Would you like to tell me what's going on?"

  "What? We're just hanging out."

  I waved my hand at the mess around the counter and sink. "What the hell is this?"

  "Uh, sorry, you've been gone so long, I guess I let things get outta hand."

  My head spun around like in The Exorcist. "What does me being home have to do with you cleaning up after yourself?"

  "Uh... I didn't mean it like that."

  "Well, that's sure as shit how it sounded." I rubbed my temples. That headache just wasn't gonna leave any time soon. "Look, I know we're friends, but when I offered you a place to live while your house was being rebuilt, that didn't mean I turn into your babysitter. Dude, you're grown. Clean up after yourself and your guests."

  Jeremy moved toward the sink, "Yeah, of course. I will. I'm sorry."

  I rubbed my head again. "So, how's the new house coming along?"

  Jeremy turned around, a look of fear and sadness on his face. "It's hit a snag."

  "What kind of snag?" My voice was low and dry.

  "Seems the insurance company doesn't want to cover me for accidental damages caused by misuses of magical elements and abilities."

  "What does that mean?"

  "Means I'm out of a house."

  Oh, dear lord. I would be stuck with him forever. Deep breath, Zee. "Why aren't you at the store today?"

  Spratlin appeared at the entrance to the kitchen.

  "It's Sunday. You wanted to be closed today."

  "Oh shit. I totally forgot." I gave him the day off to unwind after a long week.

  Spratlin touched my arm. "Good news. Jeremy fixed my bike. How 'bout we get some fresh air?"

  "Thought you'd never ask."

  That sounded absolutely heavenly, and I needed to get out of there before I broke something, or someone.

  We turned off the main road onto a dirt path into the woods. After a few minutes we entered a clearing that sat on a cliff overlooking the ocean on the southwest side of town. I hopped off his bike and ran to the edge. "Wow, this place is amazing!"

  "It's been in my family for years." He took my hand, "Come on. I wanna show you something."

  I'll bet.

  We walked along the edge of the cliff for a few yards and then the wooded area gave way to a beautiful meadow. On the other side, opposite the trees, was a steep cliff that overlooked the ocean.

  "This is all yours?" The sunsets there would be absolutely breathtaking.

  He shrugged. "It will be one day." He pointed off in the distance. "I've always wanted to build a house over there."

  He spread out a blanket on a huge rock on the cliffside and offered me to sit. I laid back and closed my eyes letting the sun warm my face. It had been a stressful forty-eight hours.

  "I like to come here to relax and clear my mind."

  I sat up on my elbows. "Do you bring all your ladies up here?"

  "What makes you think there've been a lot of ladies?"

  I cocked my head. "Look at you. You could bring any chick up here you wanted and a different one every week."

  He leaned in close and whispered. "Not interested in a different one." He sat up straight again and looked out over the valley below. "This place is special to me. Never wanted to share it before now."

  "Dude, that's like the lamest line ever."

  We laughed. "I speak only the truth. So, what's going on? Jeremy said you haven't been home in two nights."

  Oh, I dunno, a little thing called being investigated for murder. "Just had a lot on my mind."

  "You know I don't think you did it, right?" I nodded. "And you have my full support. I'll do whatever I can to convince the Council otherwise."

  "Tell me about them. Tell me about all of it. The magical world."

  "Well, there's a lot to tell. I'm not really sure where to start."

  "Start with you. Did you always know you were magical?"

  "Yes. All of my family is. I've been officially practicing magic since I was eight."

  "When I was eight, I lost my dad. Isn't it interesting how different people's lives can be?"

  "Yeah. I'm sorry to hear that. Do you remember him?"

  "Bits and pieces. I remember him being very likable. An honest, hard worker."

  "Was he a mage?"

  "I don't know. Unfortunately, I may never know. No real family left to ask."

  "What about Mrs. Gonzales?"

  "I haven't talked to her much since all this..." I waved my hand around. "I think she's always known, though, about me. Our last conversation was right before the party. Truth be told, I guess I've been kinda peeved that she didn't tell me more when she had the chance."

  "Perhaps she didn't feel it was her place to interfere." He tapped my finger. "I see you're still wearing your mother's ring."

  Sometimes I wished she was still alive. I shrugged. "Makes me feel closer to her. I have a lot of questions I'd like to ask her."

  "I bet Mrs. Gonzales would love to fill you in if you'd let her."

  "I'll go see her soon." I wasn't intentionally avoiding her. There'd been a lot going on lately, mainly with getting the store open.

  "What was your mother's name?"

  "Elizabeth. My middle name."

  "Mackenzie Elizabeth. It's pretty."

  "So was she."

  He stared at me, his deep blue eyes boring into me. "Then, you must take after her."

  "Again with the lines," I playfully slapped his arm.

  He blushed. "I'm not feeding you lines, Mackenzie. I genuinely like you. You're smart, pretty, and you don't take shit from nobody." He winked. "It's a good quality."

  It was my turn to blush. "Yeah, I guess I do have a way with people."

  He laughed. "Yes, you
do. How's the soreness today?"

  "Other than having slept in my office chair last night, I feel pretty good."

  "Good! Feel like a walk?"

  "Around this beautiful meadow? Absolutely."

  We walked along the cliff laughing and talking, and simply enjoying each other's company. It was nice. And if I was being honest with myself, I was really falling for him. How could I not? Not only did he look after me and care about me, but he had a body that would make a nun sweat.

  "I want to apologize about the other day. I honestly didn't know that it would turn out like that. I'll understand if you'd rather someone else take over."

  "Train with someone else? No way! You're not getting out of this that easily."

  He was even sexy when he squinted in the sunlight. "Good. I was hoping you'd say that."

  We walked upon this area that had been cleared. Old, dried out tree trunks were laid out in a circle as makeshift benches. There were ashes in the center of the circle. "Looks like someone's been having a bonfire on your property."

  "Unauthorized bonfire." He knelt down and touched the ash. "My family hasn't been out here in a few weeks, but this is fresh."

  Suddenly, I felt lightheaded. A jolt of electricity shot through my whole body. I wasn't trying to cast any magic, but it felt like I was about to explode with a Level 3 Electric Bolt.

  "Are you okay? You don't look so good."

  "I liked it better when you say I'm pretty."

  "You are. But..."

  "This place. It feels familiar. Something bad happened here."

  "You're turning pale. Come on." He picked me up in his arms and carried me. "I'll take you someplace safe."

  5

  We turned into a long winding driveway that lead to a big two story brick house with beautiful flowers and a well manicured lawn. It looked like a mansion right out of a Prince Charming story.

  "Where are we?"

  "Home. Well, my family's home."

  I careened my head around to get a better look at the huge white columns as Spratlin pulled into his spot. "It's... big."

  "I was hoping you'd say that."

  I popped him on his shoulder as I hopped off his bike. "You live here?"

  "Occasionally. Mom insists on keeping a room available to me. I also have my own place in town."

  "You know, it just occurred to me I have no idea what you do. Other than being a Magic Mentor. Is that your day job, or do you also have to schlep to a soul-sucking nine to fiver like the rest of us?"

  "My nine to fiver is done at the Council headquarters. Having a dad on the Council has its perks."

  "No shit?"

  He laughed and took my hand. "Come on." We walked over to the stone fountain in the center of the circular drive. Everything was so beautiful and seemed so exotic.

  I shook my head. "You have all this, yet your bike's been broken down and you drive a piece of shit truck."

  "My parents have always made sure I worked hard for what I have. Sure, this," he waved his hand around at the huge mansion, "may one day be mine, but until then, I schlep to and fro with the best of 'em."

  We walked up to the entrance. "Your folks must be something."

  Before he could even touch the handle, a man and woman appeared in the doorway. "Mom, Dad, I'd like you to meet Mackenzie."

  His mother was breathtaking, like Milla Jovovich beautiful, who I loved in the Resident Evil movies. "We've heard so much about you, Ms. Mackenzie," she said as she offered her hand. "Our son just lights up when he talks about you." Her words were nice, but her tone was cold. I got the feeling she already had a negative opinion of me.

  "It's so good to finally meet you," his father said. When I looked into his father's brown eyes and felt the warmth of his handshake, my knees literally touched.

  Goddamn. Talk about sins of the father.

  I smiled. "The pleasure's all mine. I see now where he gets his good looks and friendly nature, Mrs. James."

  "Please, call me Jonathan, and this is my wife Judy." His dad was warm and welcoming. His mother seemed reserved.

  I was welcomed inside, and after a few minutes of pleasantries, Spratlin turned to me. "Would you join us for dinner?"

  There was so much food. Surely they didn't cook a feast everyday for just the three of them. "Did they know I was coming?"

  Spratlin whispered, "I don't bring home many guests. They go all-out when I do."

  Mr. and Mrs. James both served us. We had pork loin, mashed potatoes and gravy, and various other vegetables. It reminded me of the tasty meals my mother used to make.

  "This is delicious. Thank you."

  "Dad would've made a great chef."

  "But my job at the Council is never ending."

  "What about you, Mrs. James? What do you? If you don't mind my asking."

  "Not at all. I'm an Enforcer."

  Spratlin leaned close. "It's like the police in the magical community."

  I nodded.

  Mrs. James said, "I'm sorry. I did not mean to assume..."

  Had Spratlin told them about my newfound abilities? Although, I suppose it wasn't a big deal. After all, apparently I was around my kind. Whatever that kind really was.

  "Oh, it's okay. There's still a lot I haven't learned."

  His mother looked at me. "But you are..."

  "Mom, of course. She'll complete her training in a few weeks."

  While I appreciated him taking up for me, I suddenly felt like an outcast. It was one thing to talk witches and magical spells around my gaming buddies. After all, spell casting and fighting imps and orcs were commonplace in the RPGs we played. But in real life, it felt a lot like high school all over again. Does he like me? Can she and I be best friends? Ugh, if I angle it just right, I could stab myself with this butter knife.

  "Spratlin tells me you've opened your own store. That's very impressive. Having goals outside of the magical realm will help keep you grounded."

  I realize he was only being supportive, but I didn't even have any goals inside the magic realm. "Thank you. It's been my dream to help bring the gaming community together without the restraints of corporate rules."

  "Sometimes rules are in place for good reason," Mrs. James said.

  "Mom."

  "And sometimes those rules are made to be broken." I winked at Spratlin to tell him, 'I got this'.

  Mr. James sat down his fork and clasped his hands in front of him. "We're real sorry to hear about your recent infraction. Detective Bartlett is a good man. He'll get to the bottom of it."

  "Thank you, sir. I sure hope so. Don't think having a murder suspect running a game store will be good for business."

  Mr. James replied, "No, I suppose not."

  "It's weird enough referring to myself as a witch."

  Mrs. James' eyes darted up at me. She made a disgusted look and shuddered. "We don't refer to ourselves with such derogatory words."

  Spratlin leaned close. "The Council prefers mage."

  Pardon the fuck outta me.

  "Dad, has the Council found any leads on the necromancy book we found? I have some thoughts I'd like to run by you."

  Before his father could answer, Mrs. James cut in with a stern tone. "While I'm sure the Council appreciates your eagerness to help, let the Enforcers do our jobs. We'll find the culprit, whomever he, or she, may be."

  I didn't like the subtle implications being tossed my way. "I hope so. I'm guessing it would look bad to the magical community if they found out it was one of their own, huh?"

  Just a hunch, but I'd bet that his mother's knack for being a stickler for the rules was why he didn't bring many friends over. The fact that I just held my own against her hopefully earned me a few brownie points.

  "No, son, I'm afraid not. You know necromancy isn't something dignified mages take lightly. There've been a few rumblings lately, eh, nothing I can speak about, but it would be wise to keep your eyes open and your guard up."

  "About that. Mackenzie and I were at the meadow
this afternoon and saw fresh ashes at the fire circle."

  Mrs. James' fork clanked as she set it down. "I think that's enough shop talk in front of our special guest."

  Even though her tone was that of June Cleaver, her intentions were that of an actual cleaver. Mrs. James clearly did not like us discussing the subject of witchcraft. Was it just frowned upon at the dinner table, or was there more to it?

  She offered a vegetable dish to me. "Mackenzie, would you like more squash and zucchini?"

  I wiped my mouth with my napkin. "No, thank you. It was delicious, but I've had enough."

  After dinner, Spratlin and I took a walk outside in the garden. There were more flowers than I'd ever seen in one place. It was so pretty and serene. I wasn't blessed with a green thumb or a singing voice. Two things I always wished I had. I once killed a fake plant. Knocked that sucker right over and it broke. Now, that takes talent.

  "Hope my mom didn't intimidate you."

  "Nah, mama bear is just protecting her family. Your dad helps make the rules, your mom enforces them. Must be weird getting it from two different angles."

  "Growing up was... interesting. But I'm lucky. Not everyone still has their parents in their lives, especially both under the same roof. You probably won't believe this, but my dad has only ever been with my mom."

  There goes that idea.

  Wait, did that mean Spratlin was a...? Ya gotta shake those ideas out of your head, Zee. Sleeping with the son of a Councilman wouldn't look good while be investigated. Not that there would be much sleeping. There I go again.

  "Does that mean your dad is some sort of shifter mage?"

  He looked surprised and laughed. "What? You mean like a werewolf?"

  Don't werewolves mate for life? I didn't want an answer to my silent question. One supernatural snafu at a time. I didn't want to know if another mage could turn into a growling, snarling beast and bite me.

  "No. He's not." Then he reached for my hand and asked, "Wanna see something cool?"

  I shot him a smirky smile. He must've caught my intention because he then laughed and asked, "Is your mind always in the gutter?"

  "More often than not."

  We walked down a narrow gravel path shaded by several trellises covered in vines and flowers that enveloped us like bony fingered hands. The early evening light cast a orange hue through the openings as we made our way toward a lake. The path opened up to a gorgeous vista with green grass and more flowers. Birds chirped, a chipmunk even scurried under my feet. I had stepped into a Disney movie.