Something Wicked

By Kimberly L. Corum

There's a little witch in all of us…

Clementine thinks she's an ordinary girl living an ordinary life. But as she falls in love with the wrong guy, fights epic battles for the greater good and faces off with the man she loves, she begins to get the idea that there is a little more to her than meets the eye.

From Kimberly L. Corum, author of Heartbreaker and The Engagement Ring comes a new novel about a very powerful witch who must sacrifice it all for love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: New Tradition Books
• Release date: Sep 2, 2019
• ISBN: 9781938107740

Book preview

Battle

Hey, Pretty

I shivered. Maybe it was just the cold. I stared out into the darkness, blinking heavily, until things began to form—the shape of the trees, the dark sky which was barely lit with a crescent moon, the leaves as they scattered across the ground. I listened to the sound the leaves made, that dry, scratching sound, then I heard a crunch, as if someone had stepped on an acorn.

It was him.

The crunching stopped and I froze. He was approaching. He was near me, for the first time in years, he was coming slowly, teasing me. I heard him inhale before he spoke.

Hey, pretty, he said. I’ve been looking for you.

His words were like ice in my heart. This was the moment. This was it. It was do or die. For once, for the final time, we would face off. This was not a friendly encounter, such as lovers meeting in the dark woods for a little escapade. This was not even a meeting, though it had been planned. I’d planned for this moment for years, waiting and watching. I was ready for it to be over. I was ready to see what would happen. In the end, I knew, it would be him or me.

I hoped it was him.

The crunching started up again as he circled me. He was moving closer. I felt a sudden urge to run, to be somewhere other than where I was. I wanted to flee as my fear told me this situation was no good, that it as foolish to face off with him, that I had to find another way. Problem was, there was no other way. This was it. I’d tried all the other ways and they’d all failed miserably. This was all I had left after an exhaustive search for a way to obliterate him from my life. Besides, I couldn’t leave. The spell I’d cast wouldn’t allow the coward in me to escape. It was time to finish this, one way or another. I began to chant, Protection from the East, Protection from the West, Protection from Beneath, Protection you bequeath.

He started laughing, which was intended to humiliate me, much like a slap across the face. I ignored him and continued to chant. Then I stopped, pulled the bag from my pocket and opened it. I summoned my courage and began to spread the mixture of ash and herbs I’d concocted earlier. I began to chant again, Protection from the East, Protection from the West, Protection from Beneath, Protection you bequeath.

Then I stopped, ready to face him. I didn’t lift up my head and I didn’t move as he neared me. I felt his presence, so strong, as he came to a halt behind me and the crunching stopped again. His hands were on my arms, sliding up and down. I cringed and felt the panic try to take over again. Stay strong, stay strong, stay—

Uh uh, he said and snapped his finger.

I immediately went flying, somersaulting through the air and landed on my face a few feet in front of him. As soon as I hit the ground, my body began to ache all over and my head throbbed. I’d forgotten how strong he was. And how quick. He was so quick he was beginning to scare me.

He was beside me almost instantly. He looked down on my face, trying to stare into my eyes. Don’t stare into his eyes…don’t stare into his eyes…

What did I tell you about that? he murmured, not as viciously as I’d expected.

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying not to remember how handsome he was. And he was handsome, probably one of the most handsome men on the planet. Too bad he was one bad motherfucker.

Ah, pretty, he said and pushed the hair out of my face. I’d forgotten how pretty you are. How long has it been?

Almost four years, that’s how long it had been. I opened my eyes and stared into his. They were the same eyes I used to look into with love. The same eyes I was once so enamored of. His eyes were icy blue surrounded by pale eyelashes that were thick and matched the dark blond hair on his head. The hair that he’d obviously been growing long and now fell into his eyes in a boyish manner. The hair that went perfectly with his exquisitely handsome face. Once, I’d loved that face just as I’d loved him. Now he terrified me, mostly because I knew what he was capable of.

Remember the first time we were together? he said softly and looked around the woods. It was in a place like this.

I closed my eyes in order to ward off the memory but it came anyway. It was a lovely memory, one I would always cherish. I opened my eyes again and we stared at each other. As we stared, a torrent of other memories came flooding at me. Maybe he was doing that, trying to break my concentration. But wherever they came from, they hurt. The first time we’d met, the first time we’d kissed, the first time we’d made love, the first time he’d gotten angry with me, the hurt and the rage that erupted from him as I made my biggest mistake ever.

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying not to get drawn into all this emotion but I somehow couldn’t help but feel a loss as I remembered what he had meant to me at one time, how he’d been something special, something wonderful, and then… Something wicked.

Yeah, let’s don’t think about that, he said. We have some unfinished business.

I didn’t respond.

I think it’s about time you got up from there, he said. "Now up!"

I found myself on my feet in front of him. I shook my head as it swam. I couldn’t let that happen again. I suddenly felt it, he was coming at me again and this time I’d really be screwed if I didn’t pull my head out of my ass and ward him off. I hissed, Tree.

He went flying and landed in the branches above me. He cursed for a moment then started laughing. Parlor tricks! he laughed. You’re pulling those old parlor tricks.

I cut him out of my mind, closed the door, locked it and threw away the key. He was banished and he wouldn’t be back in my mind again. But he was back in front of me, standing right in front of me again. He shook his head at me and sighed.

You know, he said. I thought we could catch up a little before you started throwing me into trees.

I started to open my mouth but he roared, "Quiet!" and my mouth clamped shut. It was as if he’d sewn it shut. That really pissed me off.

Now shut up and listen, he said and walked towards me. I was beginning to wonder what took you so long. So, what took you so long, pretty?

Unleash! I told myself and my mouth unclamped. But I didn’t say anything. My mind was turned off to him and I told myself to not respond. Don’t respond, don’t respond. Don’t play his game. This isn’t what this is about. Step back. One step back. Don’t get drawn in. Don’t—

He shook his head. How do you live with all that mumbo-jumbo swirling around inside your head all the time?

Don’t speak…don’t say a word. Don’t play his game. Don’t—

Shh! he snapped.

My thoughts raced away like mercury spilling on the floor—all over they ran up and down my body before they disappeared into the darkness. God! He was so powerful, so powerful, in fact, he made me feel weak. And I was, quite literally, one of the strongest witches in the world.

Talk to me, he said.

How have you been? I asked out of nowhere, then gasped. How did he do that? I’d never win if this was the way it was going to go. And I’d prepared for this. I’d studied books and potions and spells for years in preparation for this. He was too damn powerful. I was useless against him. Useless! Damn it! I hissed, Be gone! to myself and to my delight, I regained my senses. At least I still had the ability to do that, if nothing else.

He chuckled to himself and shook his head. We don’t have to pretend anymore.

We don’t? I asked against my better judgment.

No, he said. I already know your big secret.

My heart fell to my knees. I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach. I wanted to throw up. I wanted to kill him. I wanted to get even.

Where is she? he asked.

Don’t speak…don’t speak…

Where is she?! he roared.

Who? I asked.

You know damn well who I’m talking about, he said and stepped to me. My mother.

I stopped myself from breathing a sigh of relief. So, he didn’t know. He’d been bluffing. Phew.

I know what she’s been up to, he said and started pacing. I know what she wants you to do. Well, she can come and do the dirty work herself.

I started to act again, but he was suddenly at me. Then I was on the ground and he was on top of me, binding me, not letting me move. I yelled, Off!

He flew off me but landed on his feet. He seemed slightly impressed. Getting stronger, ain’t ’cha?

I was getting distracted by his words. I suddenly saw that he was a bit off kilter. I saw that my opening was coming up and it was coming quickly. I had to do it and I couldn’t hesitate.

Rope! I hissed.

Ropes came up and tied themselves around him. He almost laughed, thinking this was a juvenile trick, that I was doing parlor magic as he liked to call it.

Steel! I hissed and the ropes became steel, tightening against his chest and confining his breathing. The ropes would soon slither into his skin and bind his muscles so he wouldn’t be able to move at all.

Fuck! he yelled and stumbled, falling onto his back. What are you doing?

Hole! I snapped and a big hole dug itself under him and he fell into it. I ran to it and looked down at him. He was secure. He wasn’t going anywhere.

You! he hissed. What the hell is this? This won’t last! A binding spell never does, didn’t I teach you anything?

Looks like it’s working to me, I said.

"Down, bitch!" he roared.

I found myself in the hole with him, lying across him. He grinned at me. I struggled against him for a moment but soon started to rise back out but he shook his head and I found myself getting covered with roots from the earth. They came up all over me and slithered around me like a snake, pulling me off of him and into a corner of the hole. I screamed before I gained control and the next thing I knew, I was lying on top of him again. We were face to face, nose to nose. Our hearts were right on top of one another’s and they both were beating furiously. I could feel his. He could feel mine. We were too close.

Un—

"Shh, he said and stared into my eyes. Shh, pretty. Shh."

I felt my eyes closing. I shook my head and opened them quickly, ready to fight him more. I was to the point that I could have killed him and I would have if I didn’t need him for something.

Oh, Witch Little, he said. What the hell happened to us?

I shook my head. I don’t know.

You used to call me baby, he murmured and rubbed his nose against mine. You used to love me. What happened?

You know what happened, I said.

He grimaced bitterly and looked away quickly, then back at me. Why couldn’t you love me instead of him?

You know, that was a good question.

I mean, he said. I mean… I don’t know what I mean. All I know is that I was looking forward to seeing you again, though I knew you were out to kill me. How screwed up is that, Witch Little?

He’d always called me that, from the day he’d met me. I’d taken it as an insult as I didn’t know he’d meant it as a compliment. And I hadn’t even known I was a witch then.

I guess it doesn’t matter now, he said. You got me now, Witch Little. You got me now. Ropes of steel, I have to give it to you. I wouldn’t have thought of that. You sure did outdo me this time and quickly, too. Man! You are quick, a little too quick. I thought we’d chat about the past or something. Reminisce, you know?

My eyes welled up with tears, though I told myself that I wasn’t going to feel anything tonight, that if I felt something, he’d get me. But I was feeling something, something so strong it almost made me gag. All the old feelings, that old love we’d had, hadn’t died. Just being this near to him was enough to bring all that back.

We could go back, he said. You wanna go back?

I didn’t know. I had to go forward now. I couldn’t afford to go back. In spite of that, I found myself saying, Sure, we could go back.

He smiled. Go back, that’s a great thing, isn’t it? Maybe we can go back and not do what we did. Get a second chance or something.

I nodded.

I guess it doesn’t matter anymore, he said. I can’t run anymore and I can’t hide. But it was good to see you. You can do what you have to now. I understand. In fact, I was ready to do it to you. Oh, by the way, thanks for digging me this nice grave.

The roots began to fall off me. I shook out my arms, then leaned over and pulled a chunk of his hair out. Once I had it, I was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. Mission almost completed.

Shit! Ow! Why did you do that? Witch Little, if you’re going to kill me, kill me, but do not raise me from the dead! I don’t want to be a fucking zombie!

I put the hair in a bag I had in the back pocket of my jeans and said, It’s not for you.

Huh? he asked, shaking his head. Look, I don’t care, just do it, okay? Get it over with. You don’t want me to get my strength back.

No, I don’t, I said then took out a needle from my jacket and stuck it into his arm, drawing out his blood.

What the hell are you doing?! he yelled.

Shut up, I told him.

You got him, a voice from above came.

I froze then looked up to see her, my accomplice. She wasn’t supposed to be here. She knew that. This could throw a wrench in everything. I glared at her and snapped, What are you doing here?

He stared too. Mother?

She stared at him, then at me. Did you get it?

I got it, I said and started to rise up out of the hole.

"Hold," he said.

I was about halfway up when I suddenly realized I couldn’t move. My feet were dangling in the air in front of his face.

What is going on here? he asked. Mother?

Son, she said coldly.

Granny?

Oh, shit, I cried. "What is she doing here?"

Just then, she came up and stared down at us, her little body grabbing onto her grandmother’s shoulder for balance. I stared up at my daughter and at once felt my maternal instinct kick in. I almost wanted to yell, Get her out of here! But I couldn’t. She had to be here, even though having her here was harder for me than dealing with him. It almost split my focus.

Mommy? she asked me. Is that him?

Who the fuck is that? he asked and glared at me. Oh, I get it. What are you going to do with my hair and blood?

She needs it, I said. She’s sick.

Like I care, he hissed. "Now I’m not playing anymore. You had your chance. Down!"

I fell down on top of him. I felt his strength returning. He was that strong, so strong I could feel him regaining his power. I said, "Wait. Please, don’t. Only you can help her now. She needs you."

He stared at me. Fuck you. Why would I do that for your bastard child?

I stared him dead in the eyes and replied, Because she’s your daughter.

He stared at me and for once, he didn’t have a snappy comeback. In fact, he couldn’t speak as my words hit him and hit him hard. Now I finally had control of the situation. Now I could finally do what I came here to do. But first, as he’d said, we had some unfinished business.

So, I said. I thought you wanted to go back.

He looked from me to her. I think we should. Go back.

Back

Sometimes our mothers are right.

I was in love with him from the moment I laid eyes on him. I was only fifteen, a kid really, a young girl trying to become a woman. He was tall with a lean physique. He was older than me, almost seventeen. He drove a late sixties cool black Mustang which, of course, caught my eye.

Stay away from those people, my mother warned me.

Why? I asked.

They aren’t right, she said and narrowed her eyes at me. Where did they come from? It’s like they just showed up overnight.

I shrugged. I didn’t know where they came from. All I knew was that he was tall, handsome and had a funny name—Knute.

What kind of name is that? Knute? she asked and went to the window of our small house and looked out. I don’t like that boy, not one bit, Clemmy.

Well, what kind of name is Clementine? I asked and crossed my arms.

It was your grandmother’s name, she snapped and glared at me.

Well, I never liked it, I told her.

You don’t have much choice, she muttered and turned back to the window. Who are those people?

It’s just him and his mother, I said.

How do you know?

I swallowed hard and tried to come up with a hasty excuse. Well, someone at school—

Someone at school, my ass! she hissed. Did you ride home with him?

I had. I hadn’t meant to as my mother refused to let me date. But then again, when someone as cool as Knute comes up and asks if you want a ride home, it’s hard to say no, even if your mom is crazy and will surely punish you for your disobedience. And the way he’d said it—Oh, Miss Clementine Hammond, would you like a ride home?—was just so funny and cute. Who could resist? Not me. I didn’t care if I was going to catch hell for it, either. It was worth whatever she was going to give me. I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat. And it sure as hell beat riding the bus.

That’s it, she said. You’re grounded.

For how long?

Until you’re thirty, she hissed and glared at me. I’m telling you, Clemmy, I don’t like that boy one bit.

But I did.

* * * * *

It did occur to me that Knute and his mother stuck out like a sore thumb in our small town of Webster, Tennessee. They were from someplace else but where that someplace else actually was… Well, that was anyone’s guess.

They were stylish and looked like they had money. They had bought the old Farmer house, the mansion that had been sitting empty for decades. It was made of stone and sat all by itself on top of a big hill. It was a huge old house that scared all the local kids because, of course, we believed it was haunted.

They were like something out of a movie. While Knute drove a sports car, his mother tooled around town in an exquisite Rolls Royce. A Rolls Royce! I didn’t even know what a Rolls Royce was then. But it looked pretty. And she looked beautiful. Both of them had enough of an air of mystery to stir up all kinds of gossip amid the locals. I had been told to stay away from them, especially from that boy.

Of course, I didn’t want to stay away from him. He was every young girl’s dream. He was tall, light, and handsome. He was funny and made everyone in school laugh. Everyone wanted to be his friend. Of course, he was a senior and I was only a sophomore, which made me feel a little undeserving of his affections, which he was not hesitant to display.

But I’d been told to stay away from Knute from my over-protective mother and, in order to keep the peace, I stayed away. I hated it, of course, but it was the only thing I knew how to do—follow orders from my mother.

So, I dodged him in the halls of our high school and I ignored him in the cafeteria. As I’d already accepted a ride from him, this seemed to confuse him and he’d try to stop me and talk to me, perhaps looking for an explanation for my erratic behavior. But I’d tell him I was in a hurry to get to my next class and practically run away from him.

What’s wrong? he asked one day.

Nothing, I said and avoided his yes. I’m sick. I have to go.

His mouth dropped as I scurried off and I could feel his eyes on me. I did look over my shoulder at him, but I kept walking.

Not long after that, he stopped pursuing me and started going out with this other girl, which really burned me up. Here I’d had him eating out of the palm of my hand and I threw it all away. All because of my mother and her paranoid delusions! How dare she ruin my life?

I’m warning you, she said. Stay away from that boy!

Damn it!

And I mean it! she yelled after I’d slammed my bedroom door.

In the meanwhile, fall turned to winter and I turned sixteen. Spring came and then summer. Knute graduated high school. I thought he’d be gone soon and the thought was killing me. Why hadn’t I given him a chance? Why hadn’t I given myself a chance? I was more than sure he was sleeping with this other girl and would talk about it any chance I could with my best friend.

Good God, Clemmy, Sylvia said. Get over yourself!

But he was mine, I wailed. "I had him."

And you threw him away, she told me. Besides, all those other boys like you. Go out with one of them.

That was the problem. I couldn’t and I couldn’t because my mother forbade me to go