Sweet Menace Read online

  Her voice was gingery sweet, betraying Jerome’s mind with her subtle gab.

  “There must be something you desire…” -Edora mumbled while stamping kisses in the dark shadow of his soft beard. -“Something you’re not able to get on your own.”

  A thought came to me. Jerome’s old words bounced back to present. He said he had wanted me but he never said a word because he was ashamed of my walking. I promised myself something. If Jerome dared to ask me as the reward, I swear I’ll kill him that very second. Keeping my eyes fixed on them I noticed that their chat had gone far while my thoughts were retorted somewhere else. Seemed like they were making final arrangements to something I didn’t managed to hear.

  While they were busy, Sam moved a little, curling like a helpless baby. His face was close to my feet now and while I wanted to kick him hard in the face, I struggled not to. Everything I had heard of him was so hard to believe. If he hadn’t confirmed it to me, I would be reluctant of every word. Edora and Jerome were busy now, chatting and grossly kissing each other.

  I wished my cousin would be here to see her respected husband. The fine gentleman she claimed Jerome was.

  “This is what you want?” -Edora yelled at Jerome while a heavy knock fell upon me. -“My limp sister is your wish? Have you lost your mind as well?”

  Another hit from Edora’s hand. This time I wanted to clutch my stomach. My body was churning in pain and soreness. A new blow came. This time in my face. I felt like my jaw was breaking and my skin tore easily like tissue paper.

  “Why it has to be her? Why don’t ask me for money or vengeance? Why you too choose my hateful sister?” -She complained.

  No more hits came in my direction this time. Meanwhile, they argued heatedly. I tried to summon my Maghik but I was too scared to create a single easy spell. Bumping my own head against the tree, I blamed myself for not having used my powers more often. My Maghik was apparently useful only as catalyst for delicious desserts and satisfying foods.

  Sam made a grunting noise and I pushed him slowly with the tip of my shoe a few times. He was knocked, like a rock sleeping under a tree.

  With sneaky movements up and down, I tried to loosen the rope already digging in my wrists. It was so tightly moored that I was like a huge ship held in place by a giant anchor. The rope turned slightly tighter, carving deeper in my skin. I made an effort to look behind, trying not to lose sight of Edora and Jerome for more than a second or two.

  Lavender came out of the shadows behind the tree in which I was held. A woman was hidden with her, her eyes gleaming like fire contrasted with the silvery hairs falling over her face. With fast movements they worked on the rope until Lavender found out I was looking at her with ghostly expression. A cry gathered in my throat but the other woman gestured that everything was going to be alright. I wanted to believe so but I couldn’t.

  “Go save yourself.” -Lavender whispered while the knot was turning weak. -“Jerome has gone mad. As soon as you’re free, run away fast. Don’t look back.”

  “I can’t.” -I whispered back through clenched teeth. -“I have to save Sam.”

  The arguments around were turning more overheated. Jerome tried to hold Edora at arm length and now she had armed herself again with both of the twin daggers. Falling to his knees, Jerome’s face was unreadable. My sister stood in front of him, watching him with the wonder of a child. He muttered some silent words but his lips were easy to read. He wondered why she had done such thing to him, such betrayal. Marveled, Edora raised her leg and, placing her shoe sole on Jerome’s chest, pushed him backwards.

  Walking towards me, Edora resumed her kneeling position. Mumbling some faltering words, my sister created a pentagram like the one she made in the candy house. The pentagram of death.

  Behind me, my hands were still moving. Lavender and the woman kept working on releasing me while Edora’s eyes turned blank and words coming out of her mouth turned green tongues of fire licking my powers away. My Maghik was turning weak, weaker with fear and somehow absorbed by Edora.

  Hurried, she stood up and with one of the daggers pierced the inside of my elbow. I felt my vein popping like popcorn in the microwave just before a splash of my blood sprayed Edora’s face and the blade.

  “This will take just another minute. You can say goodbye to this world because soon you’ll meet our parents in hell.” -Patting my face hard, Edora took theblooded dagger and put it close to the bunch of candles gathered in front of her. The candles surrounding my tree were burning tall flames, like Tiki torches. I tried to yell the woman behind me to hurry up but of course I couldn’t give her away to Edora. And I didn’t want to make Lavender aware of Jerome’s fate. Sweat was covering me whole, my clothes sticking to my body like jellyfishes. -“Now, the blood of the innocent.”

  Drops of my blood dripped from the resplendent blade to a cauldron to Edora’s feet.

  “And the blood of sacrifice.” -The other dagger floated from the ground and flew straight to Edora’s hand. Walking away from the cauldron I feared she was going to wound Sam again with it. I felt relieved when I saw her sinking the blade deep into Jerome’s body. Deep inside, very, very deep, I felt bad despite the tranquility of knowing she wasn’t harming Sam. Seconds after, Jerome’s blood was joining my own in Edora’s cauldron. A bubbly substance took shape, growing like a fat shadow.

  “This is bad, Morgan. She’s summoning Ang Maximum Yawa.” -The woman behind the tree said. I understood nothing about what she said. -“I’m almost done here but I’m afraid she’s working this enchantment way too fast.”

  “Hurry up!” -I yelled while the shadow emerging the cauldron was waking up with Edora’s commands. Edora’s yell of pain forced me to look at her. She was falling to the ground, clutching her head between both hands. At first I thought that the maximum yawa had done something to her but I saw Jerome standing up with a piece of trunk in his hand. While he was left to bleed to death, he had managed to stand up and had hit Edora hard. The trunk hit the ground as Jerome opened his eyes very wide and the maximum yawa was surrounding him with fluorescent claws and fangs sticking out everywhere.

  Soon my hands were free but for the first time I didn’t want to kill someone. My cup was so full of wishes of vengeance that it had been spilling evilness for long.

  “Forget that man, Morgan.” -The woman pleaded while breaking the pentagram around us. -“He’ll be your perdition. Is either saving your life or saving his. But if you chose saving the man, your sister will end with him sooner or later. Believe me, he’s not good for you. You’re a witch! Face it, Morgan.” -She told in a higher voice. Lavender didn’t even flinch at the revelation.

  “But I… I love him.” -I confessed at last. The words felt like boulders thrown at my heart. A trench of fire grew deep in me. Swallowing hard with realization hurt so bad and burned my throat worst than while drinking a hot tea of ginger, coarse cinnamon, lemon and a splash of tequila.

  Sam’s eyes opened a gap and his mouth opened almost ajar. I knew he was going to yell or say something aloud. He would call Edora’s and Jerome’s attention to us again, and I couldn’t allow him. Not that Edora and Jerome weren’t busy but yet it was better to take precautions. I needed to keep Lavender safe.

  Shamelessly, I put my foot over his mouth. The frightening surprise avoided him to make another noise. But now he was wide awake.

  “Look, Morgan. I can’t take active part in between your sister and you, but I promise you something. All covens are better with you as queen. Your sister is evil, you should face it, and the best for us all is if she dies.” -The woman advised callously.

  “I’m evil too.” -I dared to protest. It was true Edora was vicious and a ruthless mercenary but this was utterly inhuman. My words backfired at me. Inhuman? Wasn’t inhuman to plan with killing towns? -“If she’s to die, I must die as well.”

  “Why you protect her? She’s been trying to kill you since your conception. One day she’ll succeed if you keep giving her the opportu
nity. Kill her or let her kill you. No more choices available. But I must warn you, others will come as well. Some of them with more skills than your sister. If you want to keep what’s left of your family safe, you better choose wisely.”

  The woman retreated, taking Lavender with her, both disappearing deep into the woods.

  Jerome ran away, stumbling with roots and branches. The maximum yawa- an inconsumable power obedient only to dark Maghik- followed him snaking through the leaves bathed with dew. It was better if I hurry up and disappear before that demon is back to fulfill Edora’s instructions.

  Sam was still unconscious, awake but delusional. His pupils were dilated and the color of his eyes was absent. His body was still vacant as his soul was almost stolen. My powers and my Maghik were almost stolen as well. With Edora unconscious, her spell broke and I felt free.

  Little by little I felt my control coming back, my Maghik taking possession of my being as every normal day.

  I kneeled in front of Edora, feeling pity of her. I wanted to love her like the sister I would never have, but she was too evil. I wanted to feel sorrow for her, to help her be good but I was bad enough myself. As the woman said, I can’t do much for Edora except… killing her.

  No. Killing my sister wouldn’t make me any better. I put my hands in my pockets, incapable to do something against my evil sister. Something burnt in between my fingers and I retreat whatever it was. A piece of paper I had hidden from Edora’s book was now in my hands. I stood looking at it for long seconds while considering if it was the solution to all my problems.

  Edora stirred in between leaves. Tiny stems tickled her neck and ears. Groping the pros and cons of making this spell was a topic for long discussion. Edora and Sam would both be awake by the time I finish considering if I should, if I must. But time was short and the risks were big, and I had so much to lose.

  Better to lose a sister I never loved. A sister who never loved me. Better to help her go away, stealing her suffering and pushing her soul to another edge.

  Chapter 20: Marks in the Sky

  Of all my crazy ideas this one promised to be the worst. As a last resource, my instinct of self-preservation went on, blaring wildly like a fire alarm.

  If I was lucky, which was difficult considering my weird charm to catastrophe and misery, the pages I collected in the crazy candy house were those Edora couldn’t find in the stinky book. Who would have thought that by improvising, my Maghik grew big this time. Maybe it was an advantage having half of Edora’s Maghik tangled to my own. The sensations were brazen and uninhibited, so uncommon on me who always tends to hold back.

  With just thinking on all the sweets I’ll be baking back home-that was considering I manage to make it back- all that power revolved stronger and indomitable. Maybe evil Maghik was much more powerful than my usual kind of Maghik but I was more than keen to try.

  Edora stirred in the ground at my feet; a warning that made me aware than unconsciousness don’t last forever. Sam was somewhere between dizzy and dozed. Soon the spell of numbness would fade away just like darkness. Chirps of birds foretold the upcoming sunrise while soft strokes of color began to take shape in between the darkness. With eyes closed I could distinguish the noises from afar, the cars, the boring news reports, the distant music. Some voices were heard as well, but none of them I could differentiate.

  I fix a place close to Edora, turning the candles on with a blow of Maghik. The paper was crumpled tiny and round like a raising but the words were still legible. The marks in my arms started glowing like glowworms as fast as I started reading aloud.

  This time I wasn’t afraid.

  Make me damsel of night and day

  who can be nobody’s prey.

  My powers grow to full bloom

  and steal more Maghik beneath the moon.

  Erase her soul, that’s my command,

  to fill with fog she can’t withstand.

  Grant me wishes to conquer life

  though I could never be somebody’s wife.

  Trust me the breath of those who hope

  to be their strength to pull the rope.

  Break the heaven above my head

  with curses and spells fit to the dead.

  Make my Maghik triumph with passion

  allow me be merciless, without compassion.

  Suck Edora’s powers and make them mine,

  the Maghik comes to me to aline.

  Part the clouds, sun and the moon

  to earn the respect I deserve soon.

  May I change the solitude of my ovens

  to be respected by all the covens.

  Heaven broke in noisy rumbles. Thunders made the ground beneath me tremble in fear. My skin prickled while a bright pentagram- green and crystal translucent- shone through the woods straight to the sky. Clouds turned green, like infected by some poisonous smoke, and traces of Maghik was expelled everywhere.

  The mark engraved in the black mantel of heaven was a warning sign that could give away my position. The last thing I needed was another trip to the police station with charges of murder attempt, kidnap of a cop and a family man, and witchcraft among others.

  Maghik flew by but in reverse. Power was sucked from Edora’s being, torn with painful strength. She was lying helpless now, her eyes quasi-opened showed the emptiness that was left inside. Her body contorted while tongues of Maghik abandoned her body like ghost sucking her soul. I could see it all. Tiny faces that doesn’t really exist. Evils and demons brought to life from the worst of nightmares. Power beyond control stolen from the dreams of ambitious men. Desires and dreams fractured with shame.

  The ang maximum yawa twirled around me like summoned by my power. I flinched in fear but it didn’t harm me. Its fearful, intangible face stopped inches from mine. I understood it was challenging me, testing my power and my strength. I kept my gaze fixed in its shadowy eyes, those empty sockets with the capacity to break souls and trap minds in a delusional hell beyond rescue. Time passed and its defy was still on. What was it waiting? What was I supposed to do? Should I bow to it? Should I battle it? No. I’ll never bend to anyone ever again. I’ll never let other rule me. I’ll be myself.

  My hands opened wide, floating at shoulder length. Maghik emanated from me, growing like a field of energy. The ang maximum yawa backed up a few inches. I exhaled a breath and took all the Maghik together over my head. The impact sent a fat beam of Maghik through the sky. First, clear and bright as pure light. Then vivid green light, from the Maghik I took from Edora. Just a second later, the display of color broke everywhere. Aurora borealis danced around in a magnificent gala of splendor. The invincible demon bowed to me and dissolved inside the page still held in my hand, creeping through it into the bulging tattoos in my arms.

  I closed my eyes when the power around me seemed to be bigger than what I could resist. Perhaps I would withstand all this and my end was just a few words away.

  “So be it.”

  The wind blew hard and impatient, tangling my hair all over my face. Fallen leaves from an early autumn twirled along with cotton and dandelion seeds. Little pebbles rose inches from the ground, twirling with the inclement wind. All the Maghik and energy ricocheted to me in an agreed attack. Soon after, I dared to open my eyes. The marks in the sky were vanishing alike the tattoos in my arms. Everything dissolving like a bad dream. The pain abandoned my body while a fire blazed through my eyes.

  I collected the dagger covered with drops of drying blood and soil and went to check on Sam. A rattling noise behind me warned of unwanted company. What if the spell hadn’t work? What if Edora was standing inches away from me, waiting for me to turn around to kill me and steal my unlimited Maghik? My hand moved on self-impulse, furiously rising the dagger at head level. A second later I turned around protectively.

  “Whoa, is okay. Is just me, Viktor. We met at the wedding. Remember me?” -Viktor asked with hands raised. His presence consternated me. The sharp blade was touching his jugular vein with enough pressu
re to make the flow of blood stop.

  “What are you doing here?” -I asked with distrust.

  “I saw your van close and started looking for you. I heard noises and went this way. Until now I found you. I needed to know you were okay.” -His appearance forced me to consider that he was a potential witness of which I had to get rid of. -“No need to worry. I won’t say a word.”

  I considered his words but my trust in the rest of the world was somewhat null. Nobody has been truly loyal to me, not even to their words.

  “Officer Whilhey needs to go to the hospital.” -Viktor said checking for Sam’s pulse. -“Lets get him to your van.”

  I shouldn't be doing this but Lavender is my only family. I needed to know what was in her mind. When I climbed the steps to her house I told myself what a bad idea this was. I should just disappear from her life forever, but my heart was so weak to continue hurting myself the hard way. Sam was in the hospital and officer Evo was watching over him. I apologized for having to go but my cousin needed me. Family first! I waited a few minutes after knocking the door but Lavender didn’t show up. I knocked again just to make sure I made the attempt to peace with her.

  To my displeasure, Gregor- the messenger- opened the door after my last knock. He stood looking at me with a disgusting expression, like if I had somehow given him a kick in the manhood.

  “Is Lavender home? -I dared to ask when he didn’t pronounce a single word.

  “Nope.” -Gregor answered with a false tone. -“She’s out doing some grocery shopping.”

  Gregor stood with his uni-brow arched, looking fixed at me.

  “Grocery shopping? But it’s dawn!” -I said with concern. Lavender is not that early riser.

  “And?” -Gregor asked as if I was dumb. I tried to set the worry aside.

  “Sorry for my intromission but… What are you doing in her house? Is Jerome back home?” -I asked with curiosity.

  “None of your business, limp.” -He answered right before slamming the door in my face.