The Evil Within: Book One in the Witches of Blackstone Series

By Karen Kasey

Ever since Matt was born, Tasia has been close with her younger brother. She has a deep desire to protect him. Their mom is the coven’s head witch in the small town of Blackstone, Ohio. Their dad is supportive of the family practicing the craft but has no supernatural gifts himself.

In the sixth grade, Matt thinks puberty is difficult. Combined with struggling to find his skills as a newbie witch, life is even more challenging. Things get dire when the school bullies play a horrible prank on him, which results in consequences more far-reaching than Matt can ever imagine. When he finds out the haunted house next door has released a demon into the town, he has to fight harder than he ever thought possible to keep his loved ones safe.

Tasia is in the eighth grade. She’s a witch who thinks she has plenty of time to hone her craft. But when strange things start happening in Blackstone, she realizes she needs to master her skills now if she wants to defeat the demonic forces that are at work. With the help of her brother and her best friends—Riana, a vampire-witch hybrid, and Courtney, a witch and vampire hunter—Tasia must form a plan to rid the town of the diabolical power that threatens to destroy them all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Karen Kasey
• Release date: Jan 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463564066

Karen Kasey

Author BioKaren Kasey graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science in Technology. She lives in Ohio. She is a member of Wright Writers of Dayton. She loves to write, read, cook, and spend time with Jay, her boyfriend, and Lucas, their rescue dog—a Great Pyrenees/Alaskan Malamute.

Book preview

THE EVIL WITHIN

Book One in the Witches of Blackstone Series

Karen Kasey

Copyright © 2019 Karen Kasey

Published by Karen Kasey at Smashwords

Cover by Vibrant Designs

Witch Coven Star by Vibrant Designs

Back cover copy by Neila from Red Adept Editing

Edited by Red Adept Editing

E-book formatting by Maureen Cutajar

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This book is dedicated to

anyone who has been bullied.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I am lucky to have the support of several people. Jay Worthen has played the part of editor and my biggest fan. Thank you for being patient when I go into my office and write for hours. I love being able to take breaks and sit with you and Lucas, our rescue dog, a Great Pyrenees/Alaskan Malamute. Thank you, Jay, for being my assistant during book-signing events and most of all for loving me and encouraging me to keep writing. Sandy S., thanks for being my fan, friend, and editor. Mark, thanks for being my big brother and advising me on police procedure. Emily Weidner, Jay Worthen, Sarah Hubers, Anja Hubers, Sarah Monroe, Dawn Rasmussen, Holly Phillippe, and Shauna Brunner gave me helpful feedback during the revising of this book. Red Adept Editing polished my words until they shined. I am proud of this book, which will provide both teenagers and adults with an escape from reality into the paranormal world of Blackstone, Ohio. It has been a labor of love filled with many hours of imagination and determination.

PROLOGUE

Tasia had longed to meet her baby brother ever since her mom said the bundle of joy that was coming would be someone Tasia would connect with for the rest of her life.

After her brother was born, Tasia and her dad paused in the doorway of her mom’s hospital room before entering.

Her dad held his hand out for Tasia to hold. You can see him now. His warm smile spread across his trimmed brown beard. Finally.

Taking his hand, she looked up at him and grinned. Before they reached her mom’s bed, he picked up Tasia. She held on to him, excited to finally see what a brother looked like. Her dad walked over to the newborn.

Look, Tasia. He smiled at her before looking at the infant.

The baby peeked out from under the blue blanket. Mom pulled it back to reveal more of his face. He wiggled his legs and arms, squirming around. Dad bent over so Tasia could get a closer look.

Her brother’s blue eyes opened and locked on hers. In that second, something magical and bizarre happened. Her ability to see didn’t come from her eyes. She saw through his and was staring at her own honey-colored eyes and blond hair that framed her face. She shuddered. Her connection with her brother was so intense, she couldn’t feel Dad’s arms holding her. She wondered if her brother was looking through her eyes.

The weight of her body returned as she no longer saw through his eyes but through her own. The longer she gazed at her brother, the more she tapped into his emotions. He noticed shapes and colors while being fascinated with Tasia’s face. A deep sense of devotion filled with everlasting love radiated inside of her, filling her heart with joy.

In that moment, Tasia and her brother held mutual admiration for each other. She would love him forever. She wasn’t scared of being a big sister anymore. She was determined to watch over him.

Dad put her down. Tasia hopped up on the edge of the bed. Her feet dangled as she gazed at her brother in awe.

You bonded with him. Didn’t you? Mom asked.

She nodded.

You’re going to love being his older sister, Mom said.

Tasia smiled at her mom then looked lovingly at her brother.

Among the life-changing revelations, Tasia sensed that they were meant to do great things. What, exactly, she didn’t know.

Tasia’s ability to see through her brother’s eyes only happened on the day Matt was born. After that, she could only sense his emotions if he was near. Their love was not diminished because of that. It grew stronger year after year.

CHAPTER ONE

Years later, when Tasia was fourteen and Matt was twelve, the family sat at the kitchen table to have breakfast. It was a school day during late September. The scent of bacon filled the air as Mom fixed breakfast, smiling while humming a tune. Her blond hair was pulled back into a braid, which she would only take down once she finished preparing the meal. Everyone had already showered and was dressed for their day except Tasia, who was still sick with mononucleosis. She sat in her flannel pajamas, with her long blond hair tangled from sleeping.

Miniature rainbows were reflected sporadically on the white walls from the early-morning light hitting the prism hanging in front of the window. One always glistened on the center of the table. Matt took his hand and moved it across the rainbow so it shined on him.

He loved the bright hues. They added a splash of color to the dark-wood paneling and white kitchen. Not that he minded the décor. He admired their Dutch home because of its natural beauty. The house displayed wood paneling throughout and beamed ceilings made of oak. For some reason, he found the natural elements of the house soothing.

Hot stuff coming at you. Mom took the pan full of meat and went around the table, serving hearty helpings of thick bacon onto each plate, next to the eggs she’d already dished up.

Matt loved the mornings because the family got to spend time together. They talked, ate, and connected before beginning their day. The kitchen was Matt’s favorite room because of that, and morning was his favorite time of day.

Mom sat down after serving herself and placing the empty skillet back on the stove. She undid her loose braid, letting her hair cascade down the center of her back. Dad looked at her with love radiating from his eyes.

Mom took her cup, which contained her usual tea bag and cold water, and held it in her hand. Like every morning, the water came to a soft boil as she held it. Then she set the cup down and dunked the bag in it, steeping the tea.

As a witch, their mom had the ability to create heat and somehow not burn herself. Matt loved to watch his mom use her powers. It gave him hope that one day he would find out what he was capable of because she was his mother. From an early age, the children were aware of their family history of witches on their mother’s side.

Matt and Tasia knew Mom led the Blackstone Coven, which consisted of two other members, who lived in their neighborhood. Tasia and Matt were friends with Riana. Riana’s mom, Grace, was a vampire-witch hybrid and part of the coven. Tasia and Matt were also friends with Courtney, whose mom, Lizzie, was a vampire hunter-witch and part of the coven. Since Grace only drank animal blood, Courtney’s mom could tolerate Grace being a vampire. Mom trusted Matt and Tasia to keep Grace’s secret of being a vampire. Matt respected their mom for being honest with them, and he could tell Tasia felt the same.

Dad folded his paper and sat it beside him. He took his reading glasses off and put them in his shirt pocket. Matt always saw his dad as an older, better-looking version of himself. They both had thick brown hair and wore glasses. Unlike Matt, his dad had a thinner, more sculpted jawline. One day, Matt hoped his face would grow into one like his dad’s and that he would lose all the stubborn baby fat that never seemed to leave him.

How many more days does she need to miss school? Dad asked Mom while coming over to Tasia and feeling her forehead.

Just a few more days should do it. The doctor recommended she stay home for at least three weeks.

She’s not warm anymore, Dad said.

I’m better, but I’m still weak.

Matt missed having his sister at middle school for many reasons. The main one was she was his protector against the school bullies. Even though she hadn’t developed her witch skills yet, she’d started the rumor about her being a witch. That rumor had made the brutes stay away from Matt as long as his sister was around. After all, they didn’t know she hadn’t mastered any witchcraft.

Does that mean you’ll come back to school for sure like Mom said? Matt asked Tasia.

Probably.

Definitely, Dad said before sitting down and drinking his coffee.

Tasia picked up her cup of water and held it in her hands. Everyone watched her staring at the mug. After a minute, she put it down.

Guess today’s not my day. She shrugged before taking a sip of her orange juice.

Did you think of something that is hot like we talked about? Mom asked Tasia.

Of course. Apparently, the heat of the sun wasn’t enough. Tasia grimaced as she added salt to her eggs.

You may have tried to go overboard on your heat source. Next time, use something that you actually have felt warmth from before. Mom held Tasia’s hand briefly. It’s sure to be any day now.

Why do you keep saying that? Tasia asked. How do you know?

Mom finished sipping her tea then put the cup down on the table. It’s based off history. You’re almost the age I was when I started to find out about my powers. Besides, you’ve already begun connecting with Matt’s emotions. You’ve sensed his feelings even when he wasn’t in the same room as you. That in itself is using your powers as a witch.

Tasia wiped her mouth. I suppose. But you can create heat, something useful that could save someone depending on the situation. If you pass your skills on to me, shouldn’t I be doing the same thing?

You will. Our powers have been passed down for generations. It takes time and practice.

Do you think Matt will have the same powers as your brother? Tasia asked Mom.

Maybe. We eventually could talk to each other without saying a word.

Matt finished chewing his eggs. Like telepathy? he asked, wide-eyed.

Mom nodded while continuing to eat.

I better get going. Dad stood up and took his dishes to the sink. When the conversation turned to the supernatural, Dad found a way to exit the room. Before he left, he looked at Matt. Good luck in your math class today.

Thanks. Matt had engaged Dad to help him practice his pre-algebra the night before in preparation for the day’s quiz. Sixth-grade math was a challenge for the boy who was more creative than logical.

Matt looked at Mom. You were saying…

It would be a long story. She looked at her watch. Better save it for later.

Can you tell us at least what other powers he had and how old he was when he got them? Matt asked.

Mom sighed. I could, but there are no guarantees that you won’t have different ones. He got them when he was thirteen, even before I got any of mine. The only people in our family who pass down their powers are the females.

Matt’s eyes lit up. I’m almost thirteen.

You sure are. Mom smiled and tousled Matt’s thick brown hair.

Matt readjusted his hair with his fingers and straightened his glasses. He knew Mom meant the gesture to be a loving one, but it frustrated him since his hair was the one thing he actually liked about his looks.

If it is something that’s inherited, shouldn’t it come to me naturally? I still think I should have gotten my powers by now, Tasia said before taking another bite of eggs.

I didn’t get mine until I turned fifteen. Don’t be too worried about it yet. It’s possible that this sickness is keeping you from discovering your gifts. The next time we go to Nana’s cabin, I’ll show you our book, and you can see all the things the women in our bloodline can do.

Tasia beamed. Can we go soon?

Yes, when you feel better. Mom got up and cleared the dishes then left the room.

Soon, Matt would be walking to Lawrence Junior High, but Tasia wouldn’t be joining him since she was still sick. Usually, she went with him on the mile-long journey, and when they arrived, they went their separate ways. Matt was in sixth grade, and Tasia was in eighth. For the past three weeks that Tasia had been sick, her classmates and friends, Courtney and Riana, had walked Matt to school. Depending on what activities they had afterward, they sometimes could walk him home.

Matt got up, grabbed the backpack hanging on his chair, and slung it over his shoulder. He readjusted the strap while cringing. His shoulder was still tender from the school bullies’ rough treatment. Rest up, sis. Maybe tomorrow you’ll be joining me.

Tasia smiled. I hope so. Hang in there. When I come back, they won’t touch you.

I know.

* * *

Later that day, during sixth-grade pre-algebra, Matt watched Mrs. Moore write an equation on the chalkboard. He admired her curvy body and how the fabric clung to all the right places. Just a few years ago, he didn’t care about girls, but his hormones had kicked in.

When she finished, Mrs. Moore turned around and picked up a stopwatch on her desk. Clicking it, she said, Start.

It was another one of her drills in which the students needed to solve the equation in three minutes. The other kids feverishly wrote answers on their paper. Even though Matt wanted to be able to solve the equation, he couldn’t—just like all the other times he had tried to understand the homework and couldn’t. He didn’t have mathematic skills like his dad. Matt gripped his pencil tighter, frustrated that his brain couldn’t make sense of what to do with the numbers and symbols. He pushed up his glasses, which had slid down his nose from perspiration.

Matt was on the verge of failing pre-algebra. If he did, then he would have to retake it the next year. Darrin, a bully in Matt’s class, was also in danger of failing the subject. Darrin was a seventh grader who had not been able to pass pre-algebra the previous year. If Matt got stuck in the same math class as Darrin again, it would be awful.

Matt glanced back at Darrin sitting in the last row. Darrin wore his black leather jacket, which matched his black hair. He appeared to be doodling on his paper until he looked up and sneered at Matt. Matt whipped his head forward. As scary as it was to make eye contact with Darrin, he couldn’t help but want to keep an eye on the boy.

After a student who was picked on by Darrin and his brother, Sam, had moved to a new school district, the brothers had started bullying Matt. Tasia could usually keep them from bothering Matt because she was rumored to be a witch. Unfortunately, the bullies were relentless since she had been absent from school for the last three weeks.

Tick. Tick.

The teacher looked at her stopwatch.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

The ticking was nerve-wracking, counting down the seconds.

Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.

Sweat poured down Matt’s face, dripping onto his blank piece of paper. Some of the other students sat with their pencils down, waiting for the teacher to say stop. He wondered how they made sense of those numbers.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

Stop ticking!

Tick.

You damn–tick–watch–tick. Wait–tick–don’t stop. I haven’t solved it.

He started to write down the beginning of a solution.

Tick.

He started to erase part of his answer.

The teacher tapped the stopwatch. Stop.

Determined to learn, he concentrated on Mrs. Moore writing the solution on the chalkboard while explaining each step. As she wrote, he felt something tap his head. Muffled snickering from behind continued as the sensation happened again, harder. He placed his hand on his hair to try to figure out what had hit him.

The teacher turned around. What is so funny? she asked with her forehead creased and her hands on her hips.

When Matt pulled his hand away from his hair, the gum stuck to his palm. Wide-eyed, he held his hand in front of his face. Chuckles grew louder from behind until the bell rang, ending the class.

Darrin, you can stay a minute, the teacher commanded with a scowl. You can be late for your next class.

Whatever, Darrin’s gruff voice muttered from the back of the room.

Matt heard books being put down on a desk He glanced back, and Darrin locked eyes with him. Darrin stood three desks back from Matt with a smug expression plastered on his face.

Still horrified from what had happened, Matt sat, unable to move. He didn’t know why the teacher bothered keeping Darrin, the principal’s son, after class. Darrin couldn’t be punished. His record had shown that.

No matter how many times Darrin or his older brother, Sam, had picked on him, Matt never could get used to it. He always felt helpless, unable to defend himself against the stronger and meaner kids. Only Tasia could get them to stop. Without her, he was lost and doomed to be the bullies’ punching bag.

Matt tried to hold back the tears as he stared down at his hand that had broken free of the gum and rested, palm up, on his desk. The students snickered while passing him to go to their next class. A tear escaped his eye. He didn’t know what he hated more, the bullies or the fact that he’d never been strong enough to stand up for himself.

Emma, Darrin’s younger sister, stopped by Matt’s desk on her way out of class. She leaned over to Matt and whispered, I’m sorry Darrin is such a jerk. I think I hate him as much as you do.

Matt nodded at her and wiped away his tear with his clean hand.

Darrin shoved Emma’s back, pushing her forward. Get lost, troll!

Emma stumbled but quickly regained her balance. She sighed deeply.

Not one more word, Darrin. The teacher raised her voice. Sit down!

Darrin narrowed his eyes at the instructor as he sat next to Matt, crossing his arms.

With slumped shoulders, Emma started to leave the room.

Emma, are you okay? the teacher asked her.

Emma turned around, glanced at Mrs. Moore, and nodded. Before she walked out of the room, she looked at Matt.

Matt felt a connection with Emma as their eyes locked for a second or two. Her blue eyes were glazed over and radiated defeat. Matt flashed her a look of sympathy because he too knew what it was like to be picked on by Darrin, a boy who loved to bully others and didn’t care that he made them feel like they were weak and small. Emma looked away from Matt then walked out of the room.

Matt stood up and walked past Darrin and the teacher as he left the room. He immediately shuffled to the bathroom. Normally, he would tell his sister what Darrin had done to him. Then Tasia would make sure Darrin behaved the rest of the day. But that wasn’t an option since Tasia wasn’t at school.

The next year, Tasia would be in high school and not around to protect Matt. The thought caused a lump to creep up his throat, rubbing against his tender neck, which had been hurt by Darrin. A few days ago, Darrin had held Matt in a headlock so tight, it made his neck sore.

His only hope to defend himself against the brothers and their gang would be if he got his witch powers before the next school year. At least his mom was confident Matt would gain his supernatural abilities by then. Matt wished he could be as sure as his mom was about that.

As he continued walking to the restroom, he kept his eyes down. He turned the corner and ran into Riana, Tasia’s friend and classmate. Since he was shorter than her, his face crashed into her chest.

Hey, kiddo, she said.

He looked up at her as he felt his face becoming flushed. Riana was beautiful, charming, and treated him like a friend. When he looked into her lime-green eyes, he got lost in them. Usually, he could stare into them forever or at least until she noticed. But that morning, he could only glance at her because he didn’t like her seeing him with gum wads caked in his unkempt hair. Between his messy appearance and running into her chest, it felt like an epic fail on his part. And all in front of the most attractive girl in the school.

He tried to go around her, but she held him back by the shoulders as she cocked her head. What happened to your hair? Which one was it this time?

Darrin.

She frowned. Don’t worry. I have just the thing to get that crap out of your hair.

As kids passed them, heading to class, Darrin bumped into Matt’s shoulder, throwing Riana’s hand off of him.

Watch it, loser, Darrin said under his breath, slowing his stride as if he wanted Matt to hear him.

Matt cringed as Darrin’s constant name-calling and abuse stripped another protective layer away that was guarding his low self-esteem.

Riana snarled, and a slight hiss escaped her lips. Hate radiated from her eyes as she stared in Darrin’s direction while he walked away from them. She took a step forward.

Riana, don’t! Matt’s voice cracked, desperate to stop Riana, a vampire, from hurting Darrin.

Riana stood, frozen, with her muscles tense. She appeared ready to pounce on Darrin at any moment. If she hurt Darrin, his brother, Sam, would make Matt pay.

She looked at Matt, and her eyes softened at the same time her muscles relaxed.

Matt exhaled, relieved that he had her attention. You said you could help me get this stuff out of my hair, and I have to go to my next class.

She went to take his hand, but Matt pulled it back. Better not. I’m all sticky.

I see that. It’s going to be all right. Follow me. Riana headed down the hallway.

Matt followed her into his favorite classroom, which was full of paint supplies. Riana took out scissors from the teacher’s desk. Matt looked at the door, expecting the instructor to walk into the room.

Relax. The art teacher only works half a day, so we don’t have to worry about her seeing us.

He raised his eyebrows. How did you know what I was thinking?

She smirked. It was written all over your face.

Matt came over to her, wishing his emotions weren’t so apparent. If he could be more confident around her, maybe someday, he would have a shot at being more than just a kid to her.

Sit in front of me. Riana motioned for Matt to sit in the teacher’s seat. She dragged the plastic trash can behind him. She began snipping the wads of gum out of his hair.

He considered asking Riana to walk home with him after school. It was a bold move to ask an older girl to do him such a favor, especially one as attractive as her. Darrin and Sam would be walking home the same way. Darrin would be pissed that he had to stay after class, even though it was his own fault for throwing gum into Matt’s hair. Matt was sure to get it from him later.

He’d feel safer with Riana around since his sister had told him that Riana was a vampire-witch hybrid. Matt could tell that Tasia looked up to Riana. Tasia had mentioned to Matt that Riana, as a hybrid, had the potential to become the most powerful witch among her friends and perhaps, someday, the neighborhood. According to Tasia, Riana had already developed strong witchcraft skills. She could cast spells and move objects, plus her lightning-fast reactions and vampire strength were impressive.

Finished, she said.

Matt stood and faced her. Could you walk me home after school today?

She sighed. I would, kiddo, but I have plans, and I have to be there. I’m sorry.

Matt looked away, wishing he hadn’t been so bold with the older girl.

Riana tousled his brown hair. It does look better.

He smiled warmly at her. Thanks.

Riana got some wet naps from the teacher’s desk and handed them to Matt. He wiped his hands clean then threw the trash away. He ran his fingers through his hair, relieved the gum was gone.

His faint smile barely had time to form before he realized how choppy the strands seemed. So short. His grin faded. His hair was the one part of his slightly chubby body he liked.

It will grow back in no time, she reassured him. There’s something else we need to do, Riana said as the bell rang, signaling the students were to be in their next class. We’re going to go see the principal.

He shook his head. "He won’t do anything! Darrin is his son."

He better! She locked eyes with him. What kind of example would he be setting to the administration if he let his sons continue to harass you?

He held her gaze. I don’t think this is a good idea. The principal has never punished him before. Riana was being Riana, always his protector and passionate about it. Then again, as a vampire, she was passionate about everything. Besides, I have to get back to class.

I’m going to the principal with or without you. Riana walked away.

Matt followed her, wishing she wasn’t as stubborn as she was beautiful. It was going to take every ounce of courage for him to listen to Riana tell the principal about his children’s bad behavior. But with Riana by his side, Matt felt empowered, maybe even enough to find the words himself if it came to that.

Riana moved in long strides down the empty hallway, covering a lot of ground within seconds. Matt caught up to her, panting from being out of shape with a pudgy belly and lack of muscles. They walked beside each other. Her long, dark hair blew back from her quick movement. Determination radiated from her lime-green eyes, and her red lips pursed. She looked like a tall angel gliding on air.

They entered the room where the secretary, Mrs. Jones, sat at her desk, talking on the phone. Behind her, the door to the principal’s office was closed. Riana walked past her. Mrs. Jones’s eyes grew big as she watched Riana open the principal’s door and enter his office. Matt stood watching Riana take charge, which only made her more attractive to him.

I have to go, Mrs. Jones said. She hung up the phone and entered the principal’s office.

Matt followed her. Mr. Wilcox, the principal, sat at his desk, holding papers. His eyes shifted from looking through his reading glasses to peering over the rim. His steel-gray eyes narrowed and locked on Mrs. Jones.

I’m sorry, sir, she muttered as she took