The Wild

By Patti Larsen

Syd has what she's always wanted. Thanks to her demon's sacrifice, she is finally normal. Why then does she want her magic back so badly? Her loss couldn't come at a worse time. A storm is brewing, one that could devour the entire world. Syd refuses to accept she will never be a witch again, doing everything possible to rescue her demon.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Patti Larsen
• Release date: Jan 2, 2012
• ISBN: 9780987897640

Patti Larsen

About me, huh? Well, my official bio reads like this: Patti Larsen is a multiple award-winning author with a passion for the voices in her head. But that sounds so freaking formal, doesn’t it? I’m a storyteller who hears character's demands so loudly I have to write them down. I love the idea of sports even though sports hate me. I’ve dabbled in everything from improv theater to film making and writing TV shows, singing in an all girl band to running my own hair salon.But always, always, writing books calls me home.I’ve had my sights set on world literary domination for a while now. Which means getting my books out there, to you, my darling readers. It’s the coolest thing ever, this job of mine, being able to tell stories I love, only to see them all shiny and happy in your hands... thank you for reading.As for the rest of it, I’m short (permanent), slightly round (changeable) and blonde (for ever and ever). I love to talk one on one about the deepest topics and can’t seem to stop seeing the big picture. I happily live on Prince Edward Island, Canada, home to Anne of Green Gables and the most beautiful red beaches in the world, with my pug overlord and overlady, six lazy cats and Gypsy Vanner gelding, Fynn.

Book preview

Chapter One

Two pairs of judgmental brown eyes rimmed in wrinkles glared at me where I sat. The weight of their stares pinned me to the musty fabric of the stiff and uncomfortable antique wingback. I wanted very much to squirm, to work my way free from the feeling I’d been jabbed through the abdomen like an insect on a corkboard.

Estelle—or was it Esther?—Lawrence lifted her gaze from me long enough to flicker her attention to my mother. At least Mom hadn’t abandoned me to the un-tender mercy of the powerful twin witches. Though tiny, bony, and almost birdlike, I refused to underestimate them. Known for their ability to strip away the unseen and uncover even the deepest secrets, the Lawrence twins were a force to be reckoned with.

Mom sipped her tea from the ancient china cup, the bottom clinking against the delicate saucer like a tiny bell. As you both are aware, she said, drawing their attention, much to my relief, Sydlynn has lost her magic.

My whole body twitched when she spoke. See, after six weeks after losing my demon, I actually had moments when I forgot she was gone. It was as if my mind was trying to protect me, to keep me from breaking down completely. Until the reality of my loss returned, sometimes so overpowering it was all I could do to keep from collapsing to my knees and bawling my eyes out.

Okay, so not always. I was creeped out enough by the twins this wasn’t one such time, but it was still a bone deep and aching emptiness. And it’s not like my demon just went away. It was much more than that. I’d been stripped of her, had her torn away… Correction. She left me. On purpose. My demon half saved us from Demetrius Strong and his Chosen followers, sure. But she left me. She knew what she was doing. And whatever power drove us apart in the first place, forcing that wedge deep and allowing us to split after years of struggling physically and emotionally with my magic, wrapped me up so tightly when she left I couldn’t even use my regular witch power.

I might as well be normal.

Esther—or was it Estelle?—nodded, her beak-like nose dipping up and down in a pecking motion, dark button eyes returning to me.

We warned you against such a union.

I shuddered. They’d spoken in tandem. Magic or no magic, I wanted out of their house. Not only were they quite possibly the creepiest people I knew, in their matching plaid skirts and lace-trimmed lavender twin sets, I wasn’t in the mood to listen to them give my mother a hard time for marrying Dad. Yeah, he’s a demon. Big deal. That particular alliance just happened to save their butts a time or two.

Not that they were willing to show much appreciation. One more crappy thing about the coven amid a bunch of crappy things? When it came to gratitude they all had very short memories. The twins were no exception. Without me and Dad, they would still be long lost, their minds gone to wherever the Moromonds sent them when they attacked our coven.

Anger was good. It kept the soul crushing loneliness from eating me alive.

Instead of showing her temper like I was, Mom smiled instead. What’s done is done, she said. For now, Syd no longer has her demon power.

Both women fixed me with their beady, horrid eyes again, the imprint of their large, straight teeth showing clearly behind their thin lips. My right knee started to jiggle from the stress of their attention. Any minute now, I was sure their heads would start spinning and then all bets would be off.

As it should be. Again with the echo. Yikes. No wonder they lived as recluses. Refusing to act the part of average little old ladies in favor of their witch heritage, there was no way, even in this strangely tolerant town of Wilding Springs, they would ever pass for anything but abnormal.

Mom inclined her head. We’ve discovered there was a reason for Syd’s hesitancy to use her abilities. That was a subtle way of describing my need to throw up almost every time I tried to use magic. Someone or something has attached itself to her and is even now blocking her witch power from emerging.

I may not have been sensitive to magic at all anymore, numb to it in fact, but in that moment I was sure I felt them fluttering around in my mind like nasty little insects, looking for a place to burrow deep and lay their evil eggs. Only Mom’s calm voice kept me from screaming at the sensation.

It’s my thought your combined power may be able to uncover the truth. Mom finished her tea, the cup and saucer settling on the small table between us as she sighed. I’ve tried everything I can, but to no avail. She looked very tired all of a sudden. For the first time since I lost my power a month and a half ago, I actually stopped my endless mental whining and paid attention to someone else’s needs.

Why was Mom so worn out?

My answer would have to wait. The twins sat back as one, even steepled their thin fingers together under their sharp noses at the same time in the same precise way. My own twitched, close to a sneeze from the heavy scent of the air. The dark room was full of old furniture and dust, the curtains drawn against the setting sun. Everything about their house screamed scary old witches. Picture Halloween at their house, only they lived it 24/7. Even the odor of old food smells, eau de boiled onion and cabbage with too much garlic had a haunted feel.

We will try. Because it is for you, Miriam. And for the girl. Nice of them to use my name. Still, at least they were willing. Mom didn’t run the kind of coven where anyone had to obey her. She preferred open cooperation. I guess I understood that, for the most part, though there were a few times when a well placed order or two would have saved us a world of hurt.

I was about to ask them what I needed to do when I felt them in my mind for real this time. Honestly felt them, just like I remembered when my magic was open. My excitement burned so high I almost leapt out of my chair. Was it that easy? Really?

I should have known better. The feeling of them lasted a moment before the magic in my head, the protective net I’d grown to despise, lashed out at them with a double whip of power. Two visible lines of pale blue light whipped out of me and slammed into them.

Dazed from the backlash, my body jerked without my consent as the twins were physically thrown back in their seats. They both cried out, hands raised as if to defend themselves from whatever guarded my mind. Mom instantly wrapped her shields around me, but there was no need for that. Not anymore. The magic inside me retreated at once, coiling tightly around me and smothering my power again.

I’d never seen the twins so shaken before. They actually looked terrified. Mom stood and went to them. I could only guess she offered her energy because within moments of her touch they both perked a little, though their fear remained.

Please, Mom said, tell me.

Whatever is in the girl’s mind, one said while the other held a trembling hand to her mouth, has taken total control.

More than that, the second said around her fingers, eyes locked on Mom, it has possession of her magic, uses it to feed its own power. I sense…

What? Mom returned to her seat. What, Estelle?

How could she tell them apart? As irrelevant as the question was at the time, I couldn’t help but wonder.

The magic itself isn’t so strong. She shook her head as if baffled by it. Instead it’s like a leech, devouring the girl’s power to feed it. And it’s very old, older than she is, much more so. Estelle shuddered and fell back into her chair while Esther rubbed her hand. One thing is certain, if you are able to lift this parasite from the girl’s mind…

Her power will exceed even yours. Esther finished for her sister while they both looked at me with awe. As to how it can be done…

We don’t know. Estelle sat forward again. There is something familiar about its touch, she said. Though why, again, I do not know. Whatever it is, wherever its source, it means her no harm, at least.

Rage surged inside me again and I wrapped my misery up in it. Meant me no harm? I was paralyzed magically, useless and empty. I might as well be dead. And it meant me no harm.

Mom must have felt my fury because she reached out and took my shaking hands. Is there anything you can do?

The twins shook their heads, matching bobble headed witches.

Nothing, they said. It’s not for us to do. They said it like it was my fault.

Oh no they didn’t.

Mom hurried me outside after a quick thank you, practically shoving me out the front door and onto the walk.

Watch your girl, Miriam Hayle, they said as they hovered in their doorway, two apparitions straight from a B horror flick in comfortable shoes, eyes now sunken pits of shadow in their withered apple faces. She’ll bring us more trouble, that one, before this is done. The heavy door slammed shut on us before I could offer my favorite rude hand gesture.

Mom slid her arm through mine and pulled me down the street toward our house. It was only a few blocks, but felt like miles. It was as if each step led me further from my power and deeper into normal while the hold I had on my anger slipped away and left me with nothing all over again.

I’m sorry, honey. Mom squeezed my arm with her free hand. I know we’ll figure it out.

It’s been so long. Not even the whine in my voice was enough to shake me out of the darkness inside. A lifetime of gaping emptiness stretching out forever. Six weeks since my demon left, since Quaid abandoned me now that I was powerless. Six weeks of absolute and utter loss. Six weeks of short moments of forgetting punctuated by absolute despair as understanding and realization returned.

I thought I might get used to it. Hadn’t happened yet.

Mom nodded slowly. I know, she said. I wish things could be different. That we’d seen this earlier. I wish I’d listened to you rather than assuming you were being difficult.

Okay, I was as eager as the next person to know I was right, but this wasn’t Mom’s fault.

Any news on Demetrius? If we found him, at least we’d have my demon back. Maybe my other half and I could figure it out together, now that the other half of me was on the outside and we could clearly see what stood between us.

I wasn’t that lucky. Mom tried a smile, but it was sad. Not yet. Her eyes drifted over my shoulder and she frowned, just a bit. I glanced back to see what she was looking at. A large bank of clouds moved in from the east. A flash in the distance followed by the distant roll of thunder preceded the rising wind. I shivered a bit at the cold in the air and sudden darkness the clouds brought.

Storm coming, I said as I looked back to Mom.

She was still frowning. Yes, she said.

Was it just me, or did she hurry us the rest of the way? Probably worried we’d be drenched if it rained. I wanted to talk some more, desperate to see if she would be willing to explore the magic in my head again, but the moment we reached the kitchen, she kissed my cheek and went for the basement stairs, the door swinging shut behind her.

So much for that. Thanks anyway, Mom.

Miserable and cranky, I went up to my room. I fumbled around for the switch in the falling black as a gust of wind blew my curtains wide, the white sheers billowing in the near darkness. The sight gave me goosebumps. I flicked on the light before closing my window, letting the fabric settle. Just in time. Rain slammed against the glass in a rush, flooding my view of the back yard in a wavering stream of water.

I collapsed on my bed to think and instead fell asleep.

***

The entire court stood before me, their beauty flawed by the accusation in their eyes. Even my beloved, my truest dear, stared at me in hatred. His glowing blue gaze told me what I needed to know.

She pointed her finger at me, jealousy so clear in her face I wondered how they did not see, did not understand it was her they needed to judge.

"Death," she hissed. The others swayed, the ethereal lights dimming in response.

"Death," they said, melodic voices a chorus of anger.

"My love." I reached for him but he pulled away.

"Death," he said, and in that moment, shattered my heart forever.

Thunder shuddered above as the very elements fulfilled my sentence.

***

I jerked awake, heart pounding, a roll of heavy thunder vibrating right over the house. My bones rattled with it, an echo of the dream. Panting, I fell back into the mess I’d made of my comforter, wiping at tears I cried in my sleep.

What the hell? I’d had some vivid dreams before, but that was a trip. And as much as I tried to tell myself it was safe to go back to dreamland, I found myself sliding out of bed to sit in front of my computer, the compulsion too strong in the wake of the dream.

For the gazillionth time, I did a search for the Chosen. Demetrius Strong. The name Annick. My Google search of sorcery was about as productive. And yet I couldn’t help myself. I had to keep looking.

I’d tried everything, done everything, to find my demon, aside from a physical search. Without any kind of guidance, going out to look for her was impossible. Despite the momentary flashes of need from my body, the nearly overwhelming jerks of longing as memory came back and I missed her all over again, there was nothing I could do.

I returned to bed at last, sleepless into the wee hours, knees clasped to my chest as I watched and listened to the storm’s retreat.

***

Chapter Two

The morning dawned fresh and lovely, the sunrise stunning. I only knew so because I was there to meet it. I was almost startled when my alarm went off. A sense of peace had settled over me through the night, something I’d been missing. But the injection of real life was enough to shatter that illusion and slam me right back into the truth.

Remembering I was powerless wasn’t nearly as bad as realizing it was prom day and I had to pretend to be happy I was normal.

No, not all bad. After all, in about twelve hours I would be escorted, in a fancy dress and shoes, to the dance by the stunningly handsome Brad Peters, my boyfriend. Things could have been worse. Then again, they could have been much better. I could instead be spending the evening with the guy I was meant to be with. But Quaid chose to drop me like I’d offended him. I hadn’t heard a word from him since my demon left. He’d even avoided me at school and coven functions. Not that I’d been invited to the coven functions. Used to be I wanted a pass on them. Now I just wished I could take all of it back.

Of course it was Friday. And a school day. We underclassmen still had to go to class. Which meant I found myself trudging the few blocks as the morning glowed happily around me. Birds chirped in the playful breeze while I yawned over and over again. I swore softly as I splashed myself after stepping in a big puddle left over from the previous night’s downpour.

Classic Syd.

My posse waited for me, as usual, in the sunny nook by the front door. Beth’s shining brown bob bounced as she spotted me and waved with her usual innocent enthusiasm. Simon’s glasses flashed as he turned and smiled, badly cut dark hair falling over his eyes. Blood towered over him, Goth makeup and jet black locks always reminding me of Frankenstein. His equally emo girlfriend, Pain, hovered next to him. She met my gaze with her crystal blue eyes. Instantly, I could tell something was wrong with her.

Before I had a chance to single her out, Alison, my former cheerleader-bully-now- turned-best friend, rushed forward and grabbed me in a big hug, spinning me around in her excitement.

I gasped for breath as she stopped and grinned at me so wide I worried about her sanity.

Prom day! She giggled, a decidedly wicked sound. Aren’t you totally jacked?

I shrugged, noticing the dreamy look on Beth’s face, the flush of embarrassment on Simon’s. Neither of my Goth friends seemed terribly impressed. I guess.

Alison rolled her eyes and winked. Yeah, me either. The others were already retreating deeper into the school to get ready for exams so Alison linked arms with me and led me after them.

Seriously, I’m so happy you’re going to be there. She made a face like all of this was beneath her. I went last year and let me tell you, it sucked being the youngest. And I know, I know, she maneuvered us cleanly through a pack of giggling girls, "it’s not our prom or anything. But we’ll still have fun, right?"

Sure, Al. I managed to smile. I know we will.

Got to run. I’ll see you at lunch. She hugged me quickly before moving off, smiling at me over her shoulder.

She was right. I could have fun tonight. And if Alison attended, at least I’d have someone else to talk to besides Brad. And it was prom.

So why the feet dragging?

I dumped my stuff in my locker, freed my English book so I could return it after my exam and headed to class. I rounded the corner at a trot, actually on time, when I ran right into Brad.

He caught me before I could do too much damage to either of us, his easy smile lighting me up more than I expected it to. Hey, Syd. He let me go once I was stable. In a hurry?

Homeroom, I said.

He laughed. Your favorite.

Yeah, right. Ms. Fiat hated my guts. One more detention with her and I’d set a school record.

Ready for tonight? He didn’t seem concerned I was in a hurry. Brad leaned his wide shoulder against the wall and grinned at me, green eyes still amused.

I guess. Wow, way to waffle. He leaned forward and kissed me softly, once. When he pulled back, he was frowning a little. He did that a lot these days whenever he touched me. I knew it was because I no longer had any magic to trigger his latent talent. But he still wanted to be with me, so at least I knew it wasn’t just my power holding us together.

More than I could say for Quaid.

Speak of the devil, as Brad leaned back, my eyes flickered to the left and right into the chocolate brown gaze of the guy himself. For a moment my heart stopped, wanting to be anywhere but there with Brad, under Quaid’s watchful eyes. But those same eyes flickered away from me as if they didn’t recognize me, like I didn’t exist or matter.

My