The Curse Within Me: Book Two Of: the Wizard Within Me

By Arnie Grimm

Even though `The Wizard Within Me' had a happy ending, there were some in the magical world not very happy. `The Curse Within Me' continues the story of Agnes and Harriet along with the town of Broomstick. The day Zimmer Wardcrystal the ghoul drove into town, darker forces than black magic itself cursed Broomstick.
You can enjoy reading this book without reading the first book. However, once drawn into this world, you'll want to know every little secret that the town of Broomstick has to hide. You'll be asking, "Where is Book Three?"
Comments from readers:
I have just finished reading your book. It was fun to follow along with the adventures and plot twists in your magical creation
Loved your book! Say hi to Penelope for me.
It made me feel like a young girl again
I really enjoyed your book. I think Agnes was probably my favorite character.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 30, 2011
• ISBN: 9781463452605

Arnie Grimm

Arnie Grimm and Wazoo the Wizard have conjured up a thrilling tale of dark magic that has a lasting effect over time, better known as a lingering curse after death. Arnie Grimm is once again listening to his imaginary friend Wazoo the Wizard tell stories while sitting in the Poison Apple Tavern. Does that mean Arnie Grimm is sitting there in the Poison Apple Tavern listening along with the other patrons of the Tavern while Wazoo spins his tales? Of course the Poison Apple Tavern and the town of Broomstick only exist in Arnie Grimm’s mind, says Arnie Grimm. Ha ha ha ha, laughed Wazoo the Wizard in the background knowing the magical world really exist and Arnie Grimm is drowning deep in the middle of it.

Book preview

Chapter One

Interactions

There are always two sides of every story. In the story of Broomstick there are two sides to the town. The two sides are not divided by cross streets or train tracks as in the usual way. The division was something that really went unnoticed by most of the town’s people. It was Magic. And this particular one side, on occasion, took on two sides of its own as well. At times it may seem blurred. In the end, one could always tell the difference between white magic and black magic.

In the middle of these divisions was a magical potion shop called The Hidden Quiddity. In this shop, a witch or wizard purchased almost anything they needed to do their magic. However, you would not find any Voodoo or Black magic stuff as it was forbidden by magical law.

The owners of the Hidden Quiddity potion shop are two sisters, Agnes and Harriet Candlewick. Agnes is the older of the two sisters. Harriet is younger by a year and a half. Did I forget to tell you? Agnes and Harriet are witches.

Agnes is a solitary type of witch that honored the old ways. She is always direct and to the point with anyone she talks to.

Harriet is a mischief maker and prankster with a purpose type of witch. Harriet’s form of witchcraft seemed to have good intentions, but with bad timing. Her magic at times caused problems that Agnes would have to fix.

Those who had come in contact with Agnes and Harriet certainly had stumbled into the center of the whole magical community of Broomstick.

Now Agnes and Harriet had a cousin. She was without a doubt a very distant cousin by a long stretch of a family tree branch. She is also distant because she lived across the Atlantic. Her name is Penelope Candlewick, and she lives in the magical town of Dragonstep.

Her auburn hair swayed gently past her shoulders with a combed part on the left side. Penelope’s green eyes stared right at you with such drama and magnitude no one could resist her charm. During the summer, while visiting Broomstick, she fell in love with JayCee Münter, and wanted to be his one and only true love.

JayCee is the son of Jay and Cindy Münter, who can do magic. This would be normal if Jay and Cindy were a magical family, but they’re not magical at all.

With all that said, sit back and relax as I tell you my tale. Oh, who am I you ask? I’m your story teller. I am Wazoo the Wizard.

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It was the beginning of the hot August month when JayCee and Agnes disappeared into the night to confront the witch’s council. A couple of days had passed since that night, and Jay and Cindy were getting worried.

Cindy fumbled around her office trying not to think of the witch’s council. She wasn’t getting anything done on the technical reference of the new Whitewing robotic vacuum system. She walked out of her office into the bathroom where JayCee had shown them in the mirror the two wizards that had possessed him with their magical powers.

Cindy stood there for the longest time looking in the mirror at her long blonde curling hair, her plain pale face and soft Hazel eyes. She stood five feet ten inches barefooted at age of thirty four.

Cindy thought as she gazed into the mirror, Will I still have a witch as a friend when JayCee is back to normal, or will the magical side of Broomstick fade away?

Jay Münter was six feet tall, strong but relatively thin built with medium length hair groomed and styled. He had a square chin and fairly thin lips. At age thirty seven he was the chief financial officer of Whitewing Brooms.

Jay had taken the week off from his job at Whitewing Brooms after Agnes had shown up in his office totally unannounced with information that he rather had not heard. Magic was a scary subject to Jay after he figured out about who ‘those people’ were. Everywhere he turned, he noticed that they were all around him.

Jay was attempting to find some kind of yard work to keep his mind occupied while waiting for his son to return. Because of the gnomes, there wasn’t a leaf out of place or a blade of grass not trimmed to proper length in his yard. He was walking back into the house when Agnes, Harriet and JayCee slipped out of thin air onto the walkway to the porch from Jenny Lind Island. They all had on heavy hooded robes that were fur lined inside.

Jay called to Cindy with a loud voice. JayCee is home.

Cindy came running out the front door and grabbed hold of her son and hugged him tightly. She peered over JayCee’s hooded head and asked, Is he back to normal?

JayCee has always been normal, stated Agnes as she magically changed from her robe to lighter weight summer clothing.

Well what I meant was he no longer can do… you know, said Cindy.

Harriet burst into the conversation after she’d changed into a plum jumpsuit with wide legs straight from a high fashion model catalog and said. Congratulations are in order. JayCee has been accepted as Franklin McDermit’s wizard apprentice. JayCee will be starting a new magical bloodline.

Harriet hugged Cindy and JayCee knowing how thrilled Cindy would be to hear that news. Cindy didn’t return the gesture.

Jay turned to Agnes and asked, What does that mean exactly? Jay had a steamed expression on his face.

Agnes grabbed Harriet’s arm and pulled her back. JayCee has new magical powers. They’re from a whole different source this time.

New magical powers? said Jay. What or who has control of my son now?" questioned Jay with a tempered expression.

No one has control of JayCee. I gave JayCee my grandfather’s amulet of magic powers as a gift. These magical powers are now his own and no one else’s. Franklin, Harriet and I will tutor him on the proper ways of using magic. Your son will make a great wizard when he grows up, declared Agnes as she stood next to JayCee with her hand on his shoulder.

I thought you said this would be all over after this witch’s council, exclaimed Jay, getting a little more heated.

Cindy interjected with, And you failed to tell us about what happens at the altar of blood. Thanks to all the new ‘friends’ we met at the Poison Apple tavern, we got a full gruesome description of a witch’s council right down to hacking of body parts to pieces.

Harriet jumped in to cool the down conversation, You wouldn’t want JayCee to marry Penelope without having magical abilities, do you?

My son is not marrying a witch! said Jay loudly.

And what’s wrong with marrying a witch? asked Harriet as she tilted her head and look at Jay Münter with her hypnotizing eyes.

Well, there’s… Jay hesitated.

Harriet walked up to Jay and placed her left hand on his right shoulder. There are a few magical tricks we know.

Cindy jumped between them and said, Back off sister!

Actually Cindy, we would be cousins, said Harriet as she walked away.

JayCee is not going to be anyone’s apprentice. He is going to a normal school and then to college, stated Jay, angered at the situation.

Agnes interrupted Jay’s outburst, I didn’t say JayCee wasn’t going to go to school. However, he will need to learn to control his magical ability to prevent harm to himself and others."

Look at it this way, JayCee will have a special talent other people wish they had, suggested Agnes with a smile. Let’s get together tomorrow for an early supper and discuss this between Franklin and I, you and Cindy. Then Agnes turned to Harriet, And you’re not invited.

Jay agreed, We’ll discuss this matter further, on neutral ground, not at the Poison Apple Tavern.

That’s sounds fair, you name the place and I’ll be there, said Agnes agreeing just to stop the animosity between them. Then Agnes and Harriet walked down the path away from the house and slipped away.

Without a word JayCee just walked into the house and up to his bedroom. Unfortunately, the rest of the day and evening for him was spent up in his bedroom alone. He heard his parents as they discussed the subject. JayCee’s dad had the louder voice.

She had no right to give him magic powers without asking us what we thought, said Jay loudly. It’s crazy enough that this magical stuff happens at work.

Cindy punched in between with, It could be a good thing for JayCee. After all he has been part of their world all his life.

Oh, here we go. Their world, what about our world? Why can’t we live in peace without magic in our world, complained Jay. Tomorrow I will demand that she take back that magic power and give it to someone else to torment their lives instead.

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JayCee laid there on his bed while he twirled things around the room with his new acquired magic wand. JayCee felt the same way as he did when his dad told him to never do the paper bag trick again.

What’s wrong with magic? JayCee asked himself out loud.

Nothing is wrong with magic, said Penelope.

JayCee jumped up from his bed and everything he twirled fell to the floor. Penelope! exclaimed JayCee with heightened excitement. JayCee wrapped his arms around Penelope and gave her a hug. He tried to kiss her. However, like their first kiss it was awkward. Still, Penelope liked it.

I can only stay for a minute. I don’t want to be found missing. I came to let you know that father and mother will be coming tomorrow to meet your parents, and discuss your future, explained Penelope.

Your father is coming here tomorrow? They want to meet my parents? I’m dead, said JayCee.

I’ll see you tomorrow also. Father is allowing me to come along, stated Penelope. She quickly hugged and kissed JayCee, then disappeared from his room.

The door to JayCee’s room opened. Who were you talking to? asked Jay with a loud argumentative voice.

JayCee looked right at his dad and said, I was talking to Penelope.

Jay looked around the room, not sure if JayCee was lying. He stared at all the things on the floor, and then he said, Clean up your room.

JayCee pulled out his newly acquired magic wand from his back pocket. He looked directly at his dad and twirled it around. The stuff from the floor went back to where it belonged.

Jay took one step forward toward JayCee and then stopped. Jay remembered how his hand was burnt to a crisp by magic once before. He backed out of the room without saying another word and closed JayCee’s bedroom door.

Chapter Two

The Early Supper Meeting

Early the next morning JayCee came down to the kitchen to fix himself breakfast before he headed off to the Hidden Quiddity, where he worked until the school semester began.

Both Jay and Cindy were sitting at the kitchen table already eating when JayCee came in.

I need to tell both of you something very important, started JayCee.

Cindy asked, What is it JayCee?

Yes, speak up, what is so very important that you had to interrupt our conversation? asked Jay speaking sarcastically.

Penelope’s parents are coming to meet you today to discuss my future as a wizard, explained JayCee.

Let me call Agnes, Jay. I’ll make dinner here, said Cindy as she tried to avoid an argument.

This is turning into a regular Halloween party. Let’s break out the fine china, and don’t forget to set the table with your best silverware and serving set, said Jay, still talking sarcastically.

Both Cindy and JayCee said in unison, No, not silverware!

After Jay went to work, Cindy called Agnes. JayCee in the meantime went outside away from his mom to disappear.

JayCee reappeared at the Hidden Quiddity’s front door. As he walked in Agnes was already talking to Cindy.

Yes, I just got the note from James Candlewick this morning, said Agnes. She looked as though she was talking to herself.

Of course a formal dinner is in order. At your house would be perfect. Listen. Let me call in a caterer to prepare all the food. No, nothing strange. Trust me Cindy, it will all be just fine, explained Agnes. Just the eight of us. I’ll come over early to help set up.

Agnes used her magic with the phone system and called Robert Brown at his office. Hello Robert? This is Agnes. What was the catering service that you used for the company party? Do you have a contact person? Thank you very much. No, everything is running smoothly.

JayCee went to do his morning routine. He swept the floor, wiped the freshly spun spider webs off the potion bottles, and caught the dust bunnies to feed the Carnivorous herbal garden plants.

On the counter was the note from James Candlewick. JayCee looked at Agnes, who was still talking on her magical phone and gestured towards the note. Agnes nodded her head. So JayCee picked up the note and read it.

Dear Agnes,

We are coming to Broomstick today to meet with the Münters. We will be discussing Penelope’s and JayCee’s future. The acquisition of your grandfather’s magical power and the beginning of a new magical bloodline has presented a unique opportunity for us to transform magic in a different direction.

My full proposal will be presented this evening. Please make the necessary arrangements that would allow all of us to get together at five o’clock, your time. Stephanie and I will arrive at the Hidden Quiddity at one o’clock. Accommodations have already been arranged with the Whetstone family for our lodging.

Sincerely,

James Candlewick.

JayCee looked at the clock. It was just a few minutes after eight in the morning. JayCee’s heart pounded a little faster with the thought of Penelope coming.

Agnes completed the catering transaction. She called Cindy to let her know the caterers will be at her house at four o’clock. Finally, she turned her attention to JayCee.

Penelope came to see me last night and told me her parents are coming, said JayCee. She said they were coming here to plan my future. It almost sounds like Mr. Candlewick already knows what my future is.

James Candlewick is a Clairvoyantologist, explained Agnes.

JayCee asked, What does a Clairvoyantologist do?

Here is the best example I can give you. When James left with Franklin’s journal and the two magic wands, he researched the time line and determined what can be changed to get the required result, to save Franklin, keep you safe, and to stop Oozar completely. After the witch’s council James may have studied your future and has come up with a course of action that works best for everyone, explained Agnes.

JayCee asked. Mr. Candlewick studies the future for a living?

More like specific time lines of people, clarified Agnes.

Penelope did an alternative timeline trance to see if we would still have met if I didn’t have any magical power. But she could only see what would have happened up to the present, described JayCee.

She is still young. Penelope may have her father’s talents. However, they may not yet be fully developed, said Agnes.

Harriet appeared in the potion shop at this time and looked a little frazzled.

Where have you been all night? asked Agnes.

Watching the sunset to collect this, said Harriet, as she showed Agnes and JayCee a clear bottle with an emerald liquid in it.

You collected a bottle of condensed sunset flash! exclaimed Agnes.

Winston and I collected an entire drum of it, stated Harriet.

JayCee asked, What is it used for?

You know how Sunshine uses her pixie dust? Well, one drop of this would make an ogre dance a jig with joy and happiness, explained Harriet.

Agnes showed Harriet the note from James, and told her what has been arranged so far.

Am I invited to this party if Winston is allowed to accompany me? asked Harriet.

Provided you keep on your best behavior, said Agnes.

Before Penelope gets here, can you teach me some magic to impress her with? requested JayCee.

You don’t need to impress Penelope, said Agnes.

Harriet said, I got one, when she gets here, look her in the eyes and hold your magic wand across your eyes and whisper to yourself ‘Time plus five’.

What will happen? asked JayCee.

It will give you five minutes. You’ll know what to do, teased Harriet.

Agnes started the magical calls again with one to the caterer and another to Cindy to let them both know the number for dinner was up to ten, and Harriet was not a participant in the discussion at hand.

Cindy called Jay at work and caught him just before he headed into a board meeting.

We’re up to ten for a dinner party? questioned Jay.

H.G. White happened to hear Jay say ‘dinner party’. You’re having a dinner party?

We’re having a family from England that is…

H.G. White interrupted, What time should I be there?

It’s at five, but they are a…

Great, I’ll be there, said H.G. White, as he walked away to attend the board meeting.

. . . wizard family.

Agnes went over to the production building to see Franklin and ran into Winston.

Harriet would like for you to accompany her to the Münters for a small dinner party, said Agnes. That is if you’re not busy tonight collecting sunset flash.

I am always available for my Angel, said Winston.

Agnes walked away mumbling to herself. My Angel… ?

Other wizards overheard that there was a dinner party for Winston and Harriet at the Münters.

By ten