Paranormal Word Series Box Set (Books 1-3 and Novella)

by CC Solomon

  Erik looked down at his feet. His shoulders rose and fell from exhaustion. When he looked up, his eyes were those of a jackal. With a speed I’d never seen from him, he grabbed Donte’s hair, forcing his head back, and slashed Donte’s exposed throat with his claws. I looked away as the blood began to pour.

  I honestly expected the crowd to cheer, but no one did. The room went silent. When I assumed Donte took his last breath, I heard Seth speak. “We have a winner. Erik Bennet is now my third in command,” Seth announced, slapping Erik on the back in a less than friendly way. “We will celebrate Saturday. But until then, we mourn the passing of our brother Donte. He was a good man and will be missed.”

  The crowd agreed. There were cries of anguish and sobbing. A woman, maybe a wife or girlfriend of Donte, was being consoled by Carter, Raya, and a third Hispanic man who appeared to be in his late thirties. I was guessing he was the fifth in command.

  I let out a deep sigh, feeling suddenly exhausted as the adrenaline from the battle subsided. I couldn’t let anyone see my state. If I fell now, it would be a giveaway that I had used magic. I looked to Erik, who had dropped to his knees and fallen to his side. He looked like he was hanging by a thread. I had to heal him, but if I did, I wouldn’t be walking out of here. Yet, another giveaway.

  Felix linked his arm with mine and led me to Erik as if knowing I was not strong enough to move on my own. I looked up at him and smiled before leaning heavily on him, thankful that the massive guy could take my extra weight.

  When we reached Erik, I fell to my knees and touched his slashed cheek. He winced with ragged breath.

  “I’m sorry,” I said.

  “I can heal myself, Mina,” he said in a hoarse voice.

  “I know you can, but you’ll be covered in ugly scars. I can keep you pretty,” I replied.

  He gave a faint chuckle before coughing.

  I then closed my eyes and pushed my magic down through my fingers and into him. Since I was weak, his healing was slow; I wasn’t going to be able to heal every part of him.

  “Hey,” Lisa said. I opened my eyes and saw her sitting down on the floor beside me. She laid a hand on Erik’s hand, closing her eyes. I soon felt her magic beneath my fingertips. It was cool and feathery. Vastly different from my own heated magic.

  I looked back down to Erik and felt another layer of magic, and then another surrounded us in a small cocoon. Waves of coolness, warmth, soft feathers and even a gel-like touch waved over me as the differing magics mixed and combined. Even my own low energy level began to rise. The magic wasn’t just healing Erik but me too. Felix sat a few feet from me with his hands hovering over Erik’s feet, and Charles sat across me, hands over Erik’s chest, muttering a healing spell. Faith sat on my other side and touched Erik’s shoulder. I didn’t even know she had healing powers. At least not the type of power to heal others. I smiled at them. We really were a team. Maybe there was something to this connection that Mae thought we had. More than ever, I was thankful that she insisted I come.

  Chapter 21

  When the morning alarm blared through the town that Saturday, I rolled my eyes. The monthly mind control seemed a bit early. I hummed a tune in my head, planning to ignore his words.

  “Good morning citizens of New Silver Spring, I am here to tell you that I care about each and every one of you and I am here to protect you and make sure we thrive as a community. There is nowhere else that will be as safe and as prosperous as New Silver Spring. While I am a merciful and wise leader, sometimes I have to make uncomfortable decisions,” Phillip’s voice blared through the speakers.

  This was new.

  “It has, regrettably, come to my attention that during a challenge for the seating of third spot for our local pack, magic was used.”

  I paused my humming. Shit, Phillip knew. But why hadn’t he confront me before?

  “The perpetrator of this magic broke the rules and assisted one of the fighters. As you know, in order to maintain a peaceful and successful community, we must abide by rules no matter how big or small. Therefore, today at noon, at the town center, we will have punishment. Everyone over the age of seventeen must attend. Thank you.”

  I lay frozen. Why didn’t I tell the others and have us all get out of here when we could? Mae said I didn’t have to fear Phillip. Could she have been wrong?

  I showered, dressed, and later made my way to the town center. Since no one came to the door to drag me away, I could only assume that I wouldn’t be the one punished. But the thought that they were going to yell out my name when this thing started like the Price is Right didn’t escape me, so I wasn’t exactly breathing easy.

  When I got to the town center, it was packed with people. Turns out, the town center was in the middle of the entertainment area. A stage was set up in the middle of the pedestrian-only street bordered by shops, restaurants, and a movie theater. We were standing way in the back, facing the stage where the spectacle would take place. Although we couldn’t see anything, Phillip made sure the large TV mounted to a brick wall of one of the shops farthest from the stage showed the event.

  “This is bullshit,” Felix said, crossing his large arms and shaking his head. “Why are they forcing us to watch some poor dude get punished?”

  “Haven’t you learned from the pack fight?” Faith began. “This place seems to like outdated practices.”

  Phillip decked out in a tailored black suit and blue button-down shirt and tie, walked onto the stage and stood in front of a microphone stand. Seth, Blake, Mae, and another older Asian man whom I never met, stood beside him. I was soon coming to believe that they were his top advisors.

  “Good afternoon, I’m sorry that we have to be here for this on such a beautiful afternoon so I will be quick. As you know, we lost our brother Donte earlier this week in a fight for pack high position. No matter how we may feel about such things, these are part of the natural being of many were-types and are instinctual. Therefore, when such fights are interfered with by those outside the pack, we take that very seriously. Someone was helping Donte through magic the evening of the fight.”

  Whispers broke out in the audience.

  “I understand everyone’s concern. Yet, even with this assistance, our brother, Erik, was able to succeed and win. However, it is with a heavy heart that I must say that Wilfred Flannery used magic and must be punished.”

  I looked to the right of the stage as we saw two pack members bring to the platform a short, white male, appearing to be in his 40s, with glasses and a receding hairline of brown hair. The witch from the pack fight.

  I turned around to face Grace, who was watching the screen, a hand to her mouth.

  “Who’s Wilfred?” Erik asked her.

  “Wilfred is a witch and was a huge fan of Donte’s when he played football. Practically worshiped him. Think it just made him feel normal to have a celebrity around. He’s a good guy. Harmless. Guess he didn’t want to see his hero die. Or Donte could have asked him to help. He wasn’t a very honest man,” Grace explained.

  “Wilfred,” Phillip began, staring down at the man who was now on his knees. “Do you admit that you helped Donte with your magic in the fight?”

  Wilfred, who did not look the least bit scared, nodded. Odd. I would be petrified.

  “The punishment for such assistance can be as high as death. But I try to be a fair leader, and I don’t take killing anyone lightly. Therefore, Wilfred, your punishment shall be the loss of your left hand, and you may not use magic for a year unless requested by a town lead.” Phillip nodded over to one of the pack henchmen, a large, bald, white male, who held a machete in his hand. The other henchman, a black man with a low fade, placed a large bucket in front of Wilfred on the ground.

  I looked over to Erik, who was staring at me. He leaned in and placed his hand on the small of my back. “We don’t do anything,” he whispered. He knew from the look on my face that I was getting antsy. “We have to accept this.”

  I held my breath as a henchma
n brought Wilfred’s arm out over the bucket. Wilfred closed his eyes tightly and bared his teeth. Then the machete came down, and in one swift motion, the hand was removed from the wrist and fell into the bucket. Wilfred cried out in agonizing pain. Blood dripped from the severed opening into the bucket.

  The henchmen dragged the crying Wilfred off the stage, while the crowd remained silent and in place.

  Phillip began to speak. “Let this be a reminder that rules are in place for a reason. If we break them, this society cannot work. The consequences are swift and real. Follow the rules, and this town will continue to be an excellent place to live.” Phillip looked over to me and smiled. “Please enjoy the rest of your day and look out for each other.”

  The crowd then began to disperse, recovering too easily from the maiming they just witnessed. I, however, remained standing, still in confusion and shock.

  “Maybe I can help reattach his hand,” I said.

  “If you do, Phillip will remove it again,” Grace stated, walking closer to me.

  “Has Phillip done this before?” Charles asked.

  Grace shook her head. “The prior leader did, though. You break the rules, you get broken,” she said solemnly. “They’ve taken people’s eyes, fingers, toes, feet, ears. Branded people. We can’t afford to have people be unproductive and sit in a prison. So, he does the punishments. It doesn’t happen often, though.”

  “Mae wants us to meet her at her place in an hour,” Lisa stated, suddenly. “Apparently, she is telepathic, and she just sent me a message.” She shook her head in surprise.

  “Well, does she want to meet about leaving this place?” Faith asked, hands on her hips, and face frowning with anger. “For me, living in a town that chops off people’s hands seems like a place I don’t want to live.”

  I was beginning to agree.

  We met in Mae’s apartment, and there was a face I had never met before already there, along with the six of us, Carter and Grace. It was a packed house.

  Mae, being Mae, had coffee and tea available and oatmeal cookies sitting on her wooden dining room table.

  “Hi, everyone, so glad you all could make it,” she announced. “Please grab a cookie or something to drink and make yourselves at home. I know you all are wondering why I asked you to be here.” She clasped her hands together and smiled at everyone. There was some excitement in her eyes and considering we all just witness a man lose a hand, I couldn’t figure out what it was about. “But first, let me introduce you to my partner, Bill. He’s the head med mage, so if your own magic doesn’t work to heal, Bill can fix you up as well. He’s the best there is.”

  I looked over to the older man, drinking a cup of tea or coffee, sitting at the dining room table. He was in his late 60s, Native American, with short, gray hair, and kind-looking, almost-black eyes. He had a bit of a stomach threatening to hang over his jeans but was otherwise in decent shape. Bill wore a brown leather vest over a white T-shirt that stated, “Keep Calm and Carry On.” Around his neck was a long silver chain with a turquoise feather pendant. He had a pleasant face. I liked him.

  Bill gave a nod to all of us with a smile. I had no idea Mae had herself a boyfriend.

  Mae grinned at him proudly before turning to us. “I’ll bet y’all were a little unnerved by today’s events,” she stated.

  “Grace explained that this is your form of crime control here,” I stated.

  “This is true. It’s not as awful as it seems.”

  “I beg to damn differ,” Faith spat. “You have a prison here, put his ass in there.”

  “And how productive to the community would that be?”

  She shrugged and crossed his arms. “Or he could make people do forced labor to pay off their crimes like in Hagerstown.”

  “Maim them or enslave them for a period of time. I suppose it’s all unwelcome.”

  I wanted Mae to share with the group what she’d told me. Phillip was a bit more sympathetic if you understood his history with being out of control. Having a witch break the rules without punishment would offend his sensibilities. He hadn’t had justice for the death of his brother or mentor, but he would get it in other areas. I was surprised about how much I understood him.

  “So, people are all cool with Phillip doing this?” Charles asked.

  “It’s been this way for a while,” Mae replied. “And Phillip has a gift that allows him to keep people in control. Similar to Amina’s magic. He uses it from time to time to maintain control. It works on most living paranormal beings that don’t possess any mind control powers themselves. Like myself, Amina, or Lisa as a fairy.”

  I looked to Lisa, and she waved at the rest of us. I’d forgotten that the Fae could make others see things that weren’t there, as well as cause people to sleep and be confused.

  “Or me,” Grace chimed in. “I’m a siren if anyone didn’t know.”

  “Sweet. Wait, sirens control minds? I thought you just sang well and crashed ships?” Charles asked, faced confused as he shook his head and grabbed a cookie.

  I eyed Charles with a look of disappointment. I didn’t know much about sirens either, but I certainly wasn’t going to disrespectfully brush her off as just being someone who sang songs.

  Grace lost her smile momentarily and then smiled again, looking to Charles. “You’re allergic to cookies, Charles,” she said in a sing-song voice that was actually quite sweet and soprano like.

  I squinted my eyes. Charles was far from allergic to cookies. I don’t think he was allergic to anything, especially if it was edible.

  Charles frowned at the cookie and put it back on the plate. “Why am I picking this up? I’m allergic.” He shook his head. “What do I have, some type of death wish or something?” he muttered.

  We all stared at him. He looked around at the room with wide eyes. “What? Miss Mae, did you make any cake or pie? That was really good last time.”

  Mae smiled and walked to the kitchen. She was holding out on us.

  “You aren’t allergic to cookies, Charles,” I stated. I crossed my arms. “Ha, Grace made you think that!” I was impressed.

  I looked back over to Grace, who looked like the cat who ate the canary. “Beyond what the fairy tales say, sirens are much more than women hanging off cliffs, sending sailors to their deaths. Admittedly we aren’t high on the folklore pyramid; therefore, most people don’t have a clue about us. Basically, I can sing very well and when singing, what I want someone to do, they do it. Or I can kill them with the sound of my voice. I can even narrow the sound of my voice only to those I want to hear it. And since I have that control, like Mae, I can’t be controlled by others who have similar mental powers.”

  “Does your power trump Phillip’s?” I asked, still standing.

  She tilted her head back and forth. “Not so much trump but rather works alongside. I can’t compel you not to be controlled by Phillip, in general, but if Phillip tells you to do something specific, like sitting down, I could sing to you to never sit down when Phillip tells you. I have to be specific.”

  “So, we just let Phillip do whatever?” Erik asked.

  Mae looked to him, bringing back two plates holding slices of peach cobbler. One she gave to Bill and the other to Charles. “We don’t let him do whatever. That’s why we are here. And with Lisa and Amina, you both can also make sure he stays on the straight and narrow. And I have faith that you will help us do that. Phillip is a good soul. With the six of you here, I think we’re going to all be okay.”

  “What exactly about the six of us is so special? You alluded to it before, but is there more?” I asked. “I’m assuming that’s why you asked us to come? Is there a new vision?”

  Mae nodded, sitting down at her dining room table. “I thought you were special. It’s why I reached out to you, Lisa. But I didn’t want to lead you astray. I’ve been having visions of the six of you displaying power in a way I’ve never seen, only read about. You have a connection that’s meant for something great.”

  �
��Even how you worked together to heal Erik after the fight was very impressive,” Bill added before taking another bite of his dessert.

  “I understand that magic is new to us all, but it was here even before the world changed. And when it came and took over the world, the magic that was hiding in us all came to exist. Your life is what it is because of the special connection you have,” Mae explained.

  Erik shook his head. “How do you know this?”

  “I’ve had a weaker version of my current power all my life. I’ve seen things and connections in the world and studied to understand them. The literature, as I’m sure those with witch gifts are aware, was already out there because of others sensitive to magic knowing of it. After the magic hit us, my curiosity only grew with my visions. I had to understand. There are patterns in history. Special groups of six have changed the world behind the scenes and sometimes in the spotlight. They’ve ended plagues and wars. They are brought to the world to help humanity survive. And this time is no different.” She looked around at the group, her eyes pleading with us to understand. “I just don’t know what your purpose is specifically yet. But something dark is coming. You must ready yourselves. What I know now is that magic is ever growing. No matter what type of magic you have, you will be better as time grows. Erik, you are a stronger werejackal than you were years before. Never doubt your powers. That would have been an easier fight for you if Wilfred hadn’t helped Donte.”

  “Right,” I said, throwing out my hands in exasperation. “That’s why I helped Erik. To even the playing field.” I hadn’t told them before because the week became busy after the fight, and it didn’t seem like information that needed to be shared, especially since Erik had won anyway.

  The group murmured in surprise.

  Erik looked down at me with shocked eyes, an incredulous look on his face. I’d never seen that look on him before. “Mina, I wish you hadn’t. I could have won that fight on my own,” he said a tightness in his voice. “I didn’t need your help.”