Deceptive Casting: Rouzan Coven, #1

By Nancy Chastain

Within the heart lies darkness.

Tabitha is set to have another birthday without a father, without a coven, without the answers she's been longing for, but this year, it all changes. When the head of the infamous Rouzan Coven shows up at her doorstep, claiming to be her father, Tabitha voluntarily leaves with him, abandoning the ones closest to her.

With a flick of her hand, she closes the gate on her old life and embraces a life she had been deprived of for nearly eighteen years. At the exact hour of her birth, her new role as the next coven leader will begin, and she'll have more magic than she has ever dreamed of.

But her power comes at a dark price, one an innocent heart should never pay.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nancy Chastain
• Release date: Feb 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393399834

Book preview

Chapter 1

I stroll out into the yard. The wind gently blows through the trees, the occasional bellow of the crocodiles sunning their leathery, lumpy hide or the splash as they descend into the marshy bayous soothes me.

As I approach the marshes lining the back of our property, I hear the familiar screech of my raven, Octavius, before he lands on my shoulder as I walk.

Good Morning, Octavius, I greet him.

Octavius screeches his response.

What has your feathers in a ruffle this beautiful morning? Reaching up, I allow the majestic bird to step on my hand, making it easier to talk with him. Oh, Octavius, I wish I could fly with you. The ability to fly with the wind sounds wonderful. The things you must see from above. I stroke my hand over his glistening black feathers.

His eyes ping as he rubs his head against my cheek.

You are my dearest friend, Octavius. You must go now, though, as I have to gather plants and herbs for Gran and Mom.

Octavius spreads his wings and flies to the nearest tree.

I stand still and concentrate, remembering the words the two women quickly rattled off. First thing is chicory. The beautiful purple flowers stand tall as if to say, ‘Here I am, pick me.’ I carefully pluck the leaves of the plant and slide them to the pockets of the apron I’m wearing.

The wind whispers the sound of my mother’s voice in my ear, Basil.

I walk to the raised herb beds. The smell of all the plants mixes and fills the air. I could sit out here for hours, breathing in the intoxicating aromas floating through the breeze. I gently pluck the basil foliage. Before placing them in my pocket, I hold the bunch in both hands and inhale the heavenly aromas.

I continue until I fill my pockets with lemon verbena and garlic chives. Do I have everything, Octavius?

He squawks his confirmation.

Tabitha, are you finished? Mom asks from the back porch.

Just finished. I stroll toward the house as Octavius once again lands on my shoulder. Did you need something else? I ask as I enter the house.

I need you to help Gran for a while. I’m going to go into town.

Yes, Ma’am. Is everything all right?

Her forehead is creased, indicating she is worried. She doesn’t respond, just turns to walk back toward the kitchen.

Mom? I reach out and gently touch her pale silky arm.

Her head turns toward me, eyes glassy and dark. Gram! I yell out, not letting go of Mom’s arm.

Child, what are you yelling… She stops midsentence. "Tabitha, hurry and get her gris-gris!" Each witch has an amulet of their own to keep them safe from evil. Mom’s gris-gris is a small leather pouch filled with herbs and a protection spell. She usually wears this at all times. For some reason, she doesn’t have it on today.

I run for the stairs, stopping to look back at the scene below. Hurry, child! Gran urges me. Mom stills as if frozen in time.

I grab the small pouch from the dresser and hurry back downstairs. Gran takes it and places it in Mom’s palm, gently closing her fingers around the small satchel.

My beautiful mother’s features, now hardened like a granite statue, soften and turn rosy as the blood flow returns to her.

What the was that? I ask, terrified.

Mom reaches over and, in a dismissive manner, pats my arm. It was nothing.

Gran’s back straightens as she looks between Mom and I. Agata, she needs to know the truth. She is no longer a child. Gran reaches for her, He’s close.

No! My mother jerks away from Gran.

Mom, what’s going on? What just happened? She doesn’t look at me, just glares at Gran.

Octavius flies to me from the stair banister where he has been sitting, shrieking over and over. What is it, Octavius? I place my hand on his back to soothe him just as a knock sounds at the door.

Octavius spreads his wings wide and hisses at the unknown person.

Tabitha, go upstairs. Do not come down until Gran or I come get you.

Who…? I snap my head, looking between Gran, Octavius, and the front door.

Child, do as you’re told, Gran scolds me.

I hurry to the stairs, slowing to glance back as Gran wraps her arms around my mom, whispering something only she can hear. I’m seventeen years old and still being treated as a small child. I stop again when I reach the top of the stairs to listen.

I have grown living in the shadow of my family’s history. I’m not sure how much is true or how much has been exaggerated by others. We are the oldest family on record in New Orleans.

My father, mother, grandmother, and I are witches. Mom and Gran make a modest living growing herbs and selling them. Mom also helps people with problems that can be solved with a quick spell.

She is extremely busy helping her clients with