The Blood Maker and the Witch's Curse

By Jaromy Henry

They say what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. But for Kaden Cartwright, somehow what happens in Vegas has a way of winding him up in a Salem Witch Trial.

Discovering that he possesses a "sick-sense," as he calls it, that enables him to alter and control anyone’s body and its functions, Kaden uses these talents to become a successful doctor and highly sought after diagnostician.

After being pulled over by the Las Vegas police, he immediately senses that something is also different about the beautiful blonde officer ticketing him. Unlike in times past in his effort to get out of the citation, he realizes his powers are not working on her. And it's all downhill from there.

This chance encounter catapults him into a dangerous chasm of the occult. He faces everything from vampires and werewolves to organized crime!

Discover why Las Vegas is really called Sin City and how everything goes back to the Witch's Curse!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Nov 26, 2017
• ISBN: 9781387369546

Book preview

Curse

COPYRIGHT PAGE

Copyright © 2014 by Jaromy Henry

Lulu.com

Front Cover Design Copyright © Marcus Pizaro

Back Cover Art Copyright © Shutterstock.com

Death Tarot Card and Gypsy Tarot Reading © Jef Thompson

Blood Splatter © Jannoon028

Bloody Mary Recipe © Anna42f

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted without the express consent of the author.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication

Henry, Jaromy

The Blood Maker and the Witch’s Curse / by Jaromy Henry

Summary: Dr. Kaden Cartwright discovers that he has incredible powers, but he isn’t the only one. He must stop the werewolves from getting the cruxes and creating the God Stone.

ePub ISBN: 978-1-387-36954-6

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-387-37013-9

Printed in the U.S.A.

First American Edition, 2015

Author’s Note

I’ve always enjoyed crafting stories and telling tales. It probably all started with LeVar Burton and Reading Rainbow, but Stephen King definitely had an impact on me. That also goes for countless others that I’ve read through the years, including J.K. Rowling.

I hope that you enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed crafting the characters that fill it.

I would like to personally thank my wife, Myrna Rose, who doesn’t care for vampires and werewolves, but read it anyway as a Beta Reader. I love you. I would also like to thank Katrina Seay for her blunt honesty, excitement, and love for the characters that she experienced and shared with me during her time reading.

And last but definitely not least, I want to thank Dana McDougald for all of her invaluable help! She helped me bounce ideas off of her and continuously encouraged me.

Myranda and Madyson, this is for you! I want you to know that you can do anything that you put your minds to. I love you both!

"With his long sharp nails, he opened a vein in his breast. When the blood began to spurt out, he took my hands in one of his, holding them tight and with the other ceased my neck and pressed my mouth to the wound so that I must either suffocate or swallow...

Some of the...Oh my god…my god

What have I done?" 

― Bram Stoker

The Courtroom

A portal opened in the middle of the lobby, and two Warlock Overlords stepped into the room. They were dressed in traditional black robes, and both carried ruby-tipped wands. They side-stepped a reporter who was interviewing a vampire.

How do the Order and the rest of the vampire community feel about being involved in a Salem Witch Trial? the reporter asked.

The Order has always been accommodating to the Fellowship. As far as their trials go, I’d rather be sunbathing.

Inside of the courtroom, Kaden Cartwright stared at the werewolves he helped capture. They were each responsible for the deaths of innocent people, some of which were loved ones. They appeared to be calm. Their blood pressure was average, and their heart rates were reasonable. It was as if they knew something he didn’t, which was an anomaly in and of itself.

Kaden was nervous. He knew the four defendants were bound in silver-shackles with four of the mightiest Warlock Overlords positioned across from them. This should have put Kaden at ease, but it didn’t.

They say all roads lead to Rome. At least that’s what my best friend Roman Craft says, but his nickname is Big Rome, and that’s his signature pickup line, Kaden said and turned to the elderly man in the purple robe sitting beside him. I’ll be honest. I don’t even know what that means. Do you?

The older man was Kaden’s attorney. He was also a warlock. However, his magic abilities were nowhere near the offensive power of an Overlord. Compared to them, he did parlor tricks.

The warlock counselor was using his wand to separate files which floated in front of him. He glanced up from a few of the documents and ran his hand through his long, gray beard. I think it’s another way of letting people know that just like the various roads one could travel to Rome, there are a lot of different ways to accomplish the same goal.

Kaden nodded. For the record, if I had thought I had any other choice than traveling down the road to the Salem Superior Mystic Court, I probably would have turned around, moved to Florida, and worked on the art of being a beach bum.

The warlock laughed. I hear Florida is nice this time of the year.

Kaden loosened the full Windsor knot on his red tie and said, Even if I didn’t go to that extreme I would have at least looked for a detour to avoid being chased by werewolves, bitten by vampires, and scrutinized under a microscope by the entire magic community. I guess that’s why they also say hindsight is twenty-twenty.

Kaden, just relax. You’re not on trial here. All you have to do is present your visions and answer any questions the judge asks you. The warlock paused, Easy peasy.

That’s easy for you to say, Wyclef.

The reporter could be heard from where Kaden and Wyclef were sitting. He was still outside of the courtroom.

This is history in the making for the magic community. It is going to be a monumental case, one which will go down in the archive section of your spell books. For the first time ever, the Fellowship is allowing werewolves and vampires to spectate a Salem Witch Trial. We will have live, up-to-the-minute coverage. The reporter said all of this into something resembling a giant hand mirror which was being held by another man in a robe. Instead of glass, there were hundreds of tiny balls of molten silver, like mercury, that filled the center.

The old Essex County Superior Courthouse has never been this packed. He moved over to the large open foyer near the entrance.

They were standing inside of the tall brick building. It was the shade of a rustic red sunset and was initially constructed in 1862.

This is where today’s hearing will take place. These large, arched windows and bright-red double doors are still the most striking features of this great court. In fact, if you look hard enough outside, carved into the stone above the doors are the words, ‘Superior Court.’ It’s located right beside the Old Granite Courthouse in the Federal Street District of Salem, which, as most of you know, is where the vampire trials take place.

He walked back to the doors of the court as a man dressed in a black suit with a large gold pendant appeared from a mist and walked into the room.

In the courtroom, the gallery is already crowded with a mix of pale-skinned vampires, fur-covered werewolves, and wand carrying witches and warlocks. The Fellowship had to actually institute a lottery to create some fairness on who could attend. The reporter motioned to the various seats where the different groups were talking privately amongst themselves.

The werewolves, he continued, who are new to this type of legal proceeding, but still wanted to have a presence at the trial, were initially reluctant to appear. They petitioned the court until a motion allowing this trial to be held on a half-moon night was approved. This puts them on a level playing field with the vampires and witches. I understand the Fellowship was warned about the potential consequences and are certainly hoping nothing will get out of hand. Is this safe? Let us know your thoughts by conjuring our News Brews on the topic. Keep in mind, security is completely covering the premises.

An image of a cauldron appeared in the center of the reflective surface held by the other man. The words, By bringing vampires and werewolves into our court, they have disgraced our customs—Selena Brightlighter, appeared inside of the cauldron.

The reporter read the quote aloud. Selena doesn’t seem to happy about this. Thanks for letting us know how you feel, and keep those comments coming.

Kaden stared at the jurors, but before he could ask about what he was thinking, his attorney instinctively said, In a Witch Trial the jurors are not a jury of your peers, like in a human trial. They are some of the most powerful mavens in their classes. This jury box consists of, he started pointing, two Prime Casters, three Chancellors of various magical arts, two Elder Vampires, one Ancient Vampire, a Queen Witch, a Warlock Overlord, and two Sires— Werewolf Kings from different tribes.

Another man, this one in a dark blue robe, walked out in front of the court.

Hear ye, hear ye! the Salem Court Marshall said. All rise, Mystic Court of the Black Arts and Divination are now in session, the Honorable Judge Meekim Waterhouse presiding. Please come to order.

The gallery quieted, and everyone stood as the judge entered the room. Dressed in the time-honored garb of a pointed hat and a silver robe, he carried a crystal ball. He walked to the center of the courtroom, where a table was sitting by Kaden’s request. He placed the crystal ball on top of a small stand in the middle of the table. It was the size of a bowling ball and sat perched atop three jade dragons with ruby tongues, which stood on top of a silver stand adorned with various jewels. Engraved on its base was a lower case g. 

All eyes were on the judge, but Kaden’s eyes and powers were focused on the defendants. He controlled them as best he could. The Fellowship felt like they had the situation under control, and perhaps they did, but Kaden wasn’t taking any chances.

The warlock attorney tapped Kaden on the arm. It’s time, he said, nodding to the judge.

Kaden slowly stood to his feet and walked to the table, taking his place behind the crystal ball. Turning to the faces in the gallery, he said, "Ladies and gentlemen of the court, allow me to introduce myself. Many of you have heard mention of the Blood Maker, the Moon Taker, and the Spell Breaker. These names come straight from an ancient prophecy well known by each race represented here today. Whether or not I am one of the ones this prophecy refers to is not relevant at this time. Besides, the name I prefer is Kaden Cartwright.

I’m a doctor—a general practitioner—with my own family practice. I live in the fabulous Las Vegas, which is rightfully known as Sin City. This seems especially appropriate these days considering most of the crimes being tried in this case took place there.

The crowd stared at him, but Kaden was used to addressing large groups as he was often a keynote speaker for the American Medical Association.

I’m going to try to be as transparent as possible during this pretrial, Kaden continued. I’ll start with a few of my own secrets.

The room perked up as he said this. Most of the spectators knew who he was, but there was still a lot of confusion surrounding his abilities.

"I discovered I had powers enabling me to control the human body’s functions at a young age. I can also read minds. Because of these abilities very few people who see me at my clinic die from anything but natural causes. And no one stays sick for very long. This is especially true for children.  However, as crazy as it may seem now, I do try to stay off the grid. I wouldn’t want to ever be sensationalized as some miracle doctor who can heal anyone—even if that’s true. Like I said, I’ve tried to stay as far off of the radar as humanly possible. And I suppose as far as humans go, I’ve done a pretty good job. I’ve only just discovered that humans were the least of my worries. 

When I was a kid I had recurring nightmares about being locked away in some sort of laboratory. I was poked and prodded as science tried to explain and perhaps recreate my phenomenon. This was another reason I tried to keep my abilities secret. As an adult, I realized there are a lot scarier things in life. Things dreams could never duplicate. Unfortunately, despite my best intentions for a private life, I would learn, unlike the slogan, what happens in Vegas does not always stay in Vegas. Sometimes what happens in Vegas lands you in a courtroom in Salem, Massachusetts.

A few members of the gallery chuckled, but mostly everyone remained silent. Kaden knew he had some admirers, but there were plenty of people in this audience who would rather be at his funeral.

I am a scryer. I know there are several of you who don’t understand what this means. Which is okay. It’s very rare. Most of the magic community is unfamiliar with the term. I didn’t even know what it was called until recently. Thanks, Wyclef. Kaden nodded to his attorney.

Several witches and warlocks looked at each other with puzzled looks.

Scrying is the ability to gather secret knowledge from the past, present, or future through the use of a crystal ball. In layman’s terms, I can watch your lives as easily as you watch television—knowing things about you which haven’t even taken place yet.

The gallery shuddered and gasped as thoughts of Big Brother and invasion of privacy ran through their minds.

Kaden continued, This is an incredibly unique talent only documented in the divination archives two other times, once by a witch and once by a warlock—both deceased. The really extraordinary part is I am neither of those things. Or at the very least, I’m considered a half-blood.

Kaden placed his hands on the crystal ball sitting in front of him. It began to cloud into a purple haze.

I have spent the last several weeks cataloging various visions into carefully prepared scenes for everyone to watch. These images will be shown from different perspectives as unmodified events and presented by the crystal ball. Some of these views will contain backstories I believe are necessary to put everything into perspective. Including events from my own experiences. Judge Waterhouse wants everyone to stay up-to-speed on what is going on in each setting.

The purple light was now emitting onto the floor.

  As I stated, the visions will only tell about what is being observed by the court. However, if I talked to a witness after the fact and actually obtained information from them on what they were thinking at the time, then the crystal ball might reference those occasions.

Judge Waterhouse interjected, We have these occurrences signed and documented. The court has taken every measure to avoid false testimony. Mr. Cartwright has been briefed on the consequences of perjury. All living witnesses will be available to be examined for further accuracy if this goes to a full trial. Other than that, everything else should be pretty self-explanatory. These visions will recreate every action which had to take place to bring us to this very moment. It is my ruling that these visions will serve as testimony. If at the end of this pretrial presentation, there is any doubt by the jury, then I will proceed to a full trial. However, if a unanimous decision can be reached based on the evidence, then a verdict will be rendered at that time.

Kaden ran his hand over the crystal ball again. The heliotrope vapor constructed and projected a four-dimensional image into the expansive space between the witness stand and the counsel tables.

An image of a thin, young boy in glasses appeared as a life-like hologram.

Kaden sat down in a chair behind the image and said, The handsome young man you’re looking at was me exactly twenty-seven years ago. And interestingly enough, the reason everyone is here today starts with my family and me.

Vision One

Jacinda Cartwright wore loose, flowing clothes and tons of jewelry. She had rings on almost every finger, and several bracelets lined each wrist. However, Jacinda only wore one necklace. It had a sizeable amber stone and was more unique than anything else she had on today. She was standing beside Kaden. The bus they had been riding drove off from behind them.

Mom, can I please wear your necklace today?

Kaden, you know I never take this off. It’s very old. She placed her hand on the antique pendant that hung from a silver chain and rested on her chest.

Please, Mom. I’ll take care of it. After all, it is my birthday.

She stared at him for a moment and smiled. You heard me. Now get to school. You don’t want to be late.

Jacinda bent over and kissed Kaden on his head. Then, she too turned and walked away in the opposite direction.

A woman wearing a floral-patterned designer dress walked down the street with her equally well-dressed husband. Upon noticing Jacinda, the woman stopped. Her face lit up. She looked over at her husband and said, One moment, Sweetheart.

She stepped aside and raised her arms in the air.

Do my eyes deceive me? It’s Jacinda Cartwright. I haven’t seen you in ages.

The woman was also wearing a large diamond necklace with matching earrings.

Hello, Delores. How have you been? Jacinda asked, casually.

Well, let’s just say your love potion did the trick. I want you to officially meet my husband. She turned and motioned for her husband.

Gerald, say hello to an old friend of mine. This is Jacinda Cartwright.

He smiled and walked over. Pleasure. And how do you know each other?

Delores winked at Jacinda. She owns a little boutique I used to shop at.

Oh yeah? Tell me about it, he inquired.

Jacinda shifted her eyes to Delores for a moment before saying, It’s called, ‘The Gypsies Caravan.’ I sell everything from clothes and jewelry to books, lotions, and homemade candles. The candles are my most favorite items, but I do well with the creams too.

Gerald glanced over at his wife with a puzzled look. I don’t mean to sound disrespectful, but I can’t imagine you shopping in a place like that, Honey.

Delores’ eyes and mouth opened wide. Oh Gerald, there’s a lot you don’t know about me. And Jacinda is the sweetest person you will ever meet. She has a huge heart. Delores leaned in until her cheek touched Jacinda’s and she kissed the air. It was so good to see you, Darling.

And to meet you, Gerald interjected.

Jacinda smiled. The feeling is mutual.

They all resumed walking again. Gerald could be heard asking Delores, You actually shopped at a store like that?

Jacinda continued a little further before she came to an alleyway. Reaching down, she petted a stray cat. It was a striped tabby with a swirling bullseye pattern on its side. She proceeded to pull out a can of cat food from her purse. Opening it, she placed it down in front of the feline, then she continued on to work. Leaving the cat to, thankfully, devour its chicken and tuna feast.

Inserting her key into the shop’s lock, she twisted it and walked inside.

As she stepped into the shop, she yanked a chain on the large fluorescent open sign and walked over to a glass display case. She picked up a large black book sitting beside the register. Then she turned the pages to the day’s date and scanned over her appointments.

She picked up a deck of tarot cards and walked back toward the rear of her shop.

The vision of the shop suddenly shifted, transforming into a small bedroom.

A skinny, nerdy kid with red hair sat beside Kaden, who was wearing a paper happy birthday hat. The boy was Tyler Nall.

Kaden, there’s a birthday card on your dresser. Did you see it?

No. Pass it to me, Kaden said, content on plugging up controllers to his gaming system.

Tyler reached over and picked up the card. Then he handed it to his friend.

Kaden opened the card and began reading his mother’s mix of cursive and print writing. Dear Kaden, Happy 11th Birthday! I have something extraordinary for you. I can’t wait to give it to you when I get home. Love, Mom.

Cool. I wonder what she got you. Tyler said, leaning in to read the card too.

No clue. You know how my mom is. It could be a new lotion or something. She loves to give me that kind of stuff. Kaden pressed the power button on the game console and handed Tyler one of the controllers.

Sitting in front of the small television, Tyler started pounding the buttons as he spoke. Did you hear what the seventh graders started calling me today?

No, what? Kaden asked, concerned.

Some douche bag is calling me Tylenol. Real original, huh? I guess it could be worse.

Yeah, I hate bullies.

They played for a few minutes before Jacinda suddenly appeared in the doorway of the bedroom interrupting their conversation. She said, Tyler, I just got off the phone with your mother. She asked me to tell you to come on home.

Tyler dropped the controller and started gathering up his stuff. Yes ma’am, Ms. Cartwright. He looked back over to Kaden and said, I’ll see you tomorrow after school. Maybe you can look into that one thing for me?

Yeah, maybe. See you tomorrow.

Tyler waved and proceeded to walk out of the room, headed home.

Apprehensively, Jacinda held out a box and said, Here, I have a present for you. It’s actually a present from your father. He wanted me to give you this when the time was right. I was going to hold onto it until you were a little older, but I decided you would enjoy having something that belonged to him. He said it was his lucky charm. Happy Birthday, Son!

Thanks, Mom, Kaden said, taking the gift and slowly tearing the paper away to reveal a box containing a red-beaded, amber necklace with a mosquito sealed inside of an ornate brass case. This is awesome! I love it! It’s almost just like yours!

You need to take good care of it. It’s ancient, just like mine. It’s also a priceless relic. It meant a lot to your dad.

Kaden placed the necklace around his neck and heard his mom say, So far so good. At least Xander made sure he wouldn’t be cursed. Oh, I hope I’m doing the right thing.

What did you say, Mom? Kaden asked.

With a strange look on her face, she said, I didn’t say anything.

The vision morphed into an empty school hallway.

A bell started ringing, and children flooded the halls. They flocked to their lockers in droves.

Kaden walked out of a classroom and headed over to his own locker. Grabbing a few books out for the last three classes of the day, he hurriedly placed them into his book bag. Tyler walked over to where he was standing and said, So what are you doing tomorrow? Cartoons and video games? I like your birthday gift, by the way.

Thanks. And yeah, probably. Mom doesn’t make me work on the weekends.

Out of nowhere, a seventh-grade bully walked by and slammed Tyler into the wall.

The bully started laughing and said, Tylenol, you’re actually giving me a headache!

Kaden’s heart was beating a mile a minute when something inside of him snapped. His face turned red with anger as he stared at the bully.

The bully spastically threw his hands around his own neck, gasping for breath. Then he collapsed to the floor. Kaden continued to stare at him. His new amber necklace dangled from his chest proudly on display.

Am I crazy or did that look like that one scene in Star Wars? The one where Darth Vader choked the captain at the table for insulting the Force, Tyler asked.

Kaden snapped out of his trance and looked over to Tyler as a teacher broke up the crowd.

Hurry! He’s having an asthma attack, the teacher yelled.

A vision of Kaden appeared in the same time period standing in a parking lot.

Vision Two

The next event wouldn’t happen for almost two months later. It was Kaden’s awakening.

Kaden stood in the mall’s parking lot.

It was a typical, crowded weekend. Jacinda had asked him to run out to the car to grab some kind of coupon she had forgotten. It was for more scented oils for the lotions and candles she makes.

One might think she was part of the extreme couponing movement if you saw how much of this stuff she had. She literally had a closet full of her lotions and candles at the house and shelves full of them at the shop. Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to stop buying the ingredients every time she got a coupon. It was her strange addiction. Not to mention, she forced Kaden to use her lotions too. At any rate, Kaden was going to the car for what he considered, a lousy $2.00 off coupon.

A lady with two small children began to get out of a dark green minivan. After unbuckling the