Hexed: Tales of Witches and Warlocks

By Sean Benoit

Enter a world of dark magic and perilous spells with "Hexed: Tales of Witches and Warlocks." This collection of short stories brings to life the twisted and malevolent world of witches and warlocks, where every choice can have deadly consequences.

 

From blood moon sacrifices to curses and betrayal, each story will take you on a thrilling journey of horror and suspense. Meet vengeful warlocks and powerful witches, and discover the dangerous spells they use to bend the world to their will.

 

Whether you're a fan of classic horror or a lover of dark fantasy, "Hexed: Tales of Witches and Warlocks" is the perfect addition to your bookshelf. With spine-chilling tales that will leave you on the edge of your seat, this book is not for the faint of heart. Will you dare to enter the realm of the witches and warlocks?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sean Benoit
• Release date: Apr 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223989332

Sean Benoit

Sean Benoit is a rising star in the world of storytelling, bringing his passion for literature and creative imagination to his writing. As a beginner author, he is constantly seeking to hone his craft and deliver engaging and thought-provoking stories to his readers. Sean's unique perspective and ability to craft vivid characters and intricate plots make him a master storyteller in the making. He is excited to share his work with readers everywhere and invites them to join him on this exciting journey.

Book preview

Foreword

Dear Reader,

I am thrilled to present to you my latest work, 'Hexed: Tales of Witches and Warlocks.' This collection of short stories is a tribute to my lifelong love of horror and the occult. As a child, I was fascinated by witches and warlocks and the power they wielded. This fascination only grew as I delved deeper into the world of horror, and 'Hexed' is the culmination of that fascination.

In these stories, you will journey into a world of dark magic, where witches and warlocks rule supreme. You will witness the consequences of their actions, and the horror that unfolds when magic is used for evil. Each story in this collection is a testament to the power of storytelling, and the ability of horror to captivate and terrify us. I hope that you will enjoy reading these stories as much as I enjoyed writing them, and that they will leave you with a lingering sense of unease that only the best horror can provide.

Sincerely,

Sean Benoit

The Curse of the Coven

The small town of Millfield was nestled among the hills, its narrow streets winding around old brick buildings and weathered wooden houses. It was a place that time seemed to have forgotten, where the past lingered in the air like a fog and the present struggled to make itself known. There was something eerie about the town, something that made one's skin crawl and one's heart race.

Timothy Lindsey, a young journalist from the city, had come to Millfield to investigate the strange occurrences that had been happening there. He had heard rumors of inexplicable phenomena, of ghosts and spirits haunting the old buildings and streets. He was a skeptic, of course, but he couldn't deny that there was something intriguing about the stories he had heard.

As he walked down the cobbled streets, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The sky was dark and foreboding, the clouds heavy and threatening. The wind howled through the narrow alleys, sending leaves and debris swirling around his feet. The old buildings loomed over him, their windows dark and empty.

Timothy stopped in front of an old brick building, its facade crumbling and covered in vines. A sign above the door read Millfield Chronicle. This was to be his home for the next few weeks, as he delved deeper into the strange happenings of the town.

He pushed open the door, the creaking sound echoing through the empty office. The interior was dimly lit, the only light coming from a few flickering bulbs overhead. The air was stale and musty, the smell of old paper and ink filling his nostrils.

Timothy made his way to the editor's office, a cramped space cluttered with papers and books. A balding man in his fifties looked up from his desk as Timothy entered.

Can I help you? the man asked, his voice gruff.

I'm Timothy Lindsey, Timothy said, extending his hand. I'm here to investigate the strange occurrences in Millfield.

The editor raised an eyebrow. We don't have any budget for investigations, Mr. Lindsey.

I'm not looking for payment, Timothy said. I'm just curious. I've heard stories about this town, about the ghosts and spirits that haunt it. I want to know if there's any truth to them.

The editor looked at Timothy for a moment before nodding. I see. Well, I suppose you can talk to some of the locals. They might have some stories to tell you.

Thank you, Timothy said, feeling a sense of relief. He had been afraid that he would be turned away and sent back to the city, his curiosity unsatisfied.

As he left the office, he could feel the editor's eyes on him, watching him go. He wondered if the man was hiding something, if there was more to the town's secrets than he was letting on.

Timothy spent the rest of the day wandering the streets of Millfield, talking to anyone who would speak to him. He visited the local diner, the post office, the general store. He asked about the strange occurrences, the ghosts and spirits that haunted the town. But no one seemed willing to speak about them.

They're just stories, the waitress at the diner said, her eyes darting nervously around the room. Nothing more.

Timothy could tell that she was lying, that there was something she wasn't telling him. But he didn't push the issue. He knew that he would have to gain the trust of the townspeople if he wanted to get to the bottom of the mystery.

The next day, Timothy decided to try a different approach. He went to the mayor's office, hoping to get some answers from the town's leader. John Peters was a tall, imposing man, with a stern expression and a no-nonsense attitude.

What brings you to Millfield, Mr. Lindsey? Peters asked, his voice cold and unfriendly.

I'm a journalist, Timothy said, trying to keep his tone polite. I'm here to investigate the strange occurrences that have been happening in town.

Peters raised an eyebrow. And what makes you think that there's anything to investigate?

Timothy felt the weight of the mayor's gaze on him, and he tried to hold his ground. There have been reports of strange occurrences in the town, he said, hoping to persuade the man. People have reported seeing ghosts and spirits, and there have been unexplained deaths.

The mayor snorted. Unexplained deaths? What are you talking about? We haven't had a death in this town that wasn't accounted for in years.

Timothy bit his lip. He could tell that the mayor wasn't going to be helpful. He needed to find another way to get the information he needed.

As he walked out of the mayor's office, he saw a sign for the local historical society. He realized that he hadn't thought to check there yet. Maybe there would be something in the town's history that would shed some light on the mysterious events.

He made his way to the society's headquarters and was greeted by a friendly woman with curly brown hair and bright blue eyes. Hello there, how can I help you? she asked.

I'm a journalist, Timothy said, and I'm looking for information on the history of this town. Specifically, anything related to witch trials or executions.

The woman's face fell. I'm sorry, she said softly, but that's not really something we like to talk about here.

Timothy could sense her reluctance, but he pressed on. Please, he said, I think it might be related to the strange occurrences in the town. I need to know if there's any truth to the rumors.

The woman sighed. Fine, she said, I'll help you. But you have to promise not to sensationalize this. It's a painful part of our history, and we don't want it exploited.

I promise, Timothy said earnestly.

The woman led Timothy to a dusty room filled with books, papers, and old artifacts. She handed him a stack of papers and said, Here are some articles and documents that might help you. But be careful what you do with this information.

Thank you, Timothy said, taking the papers and starting to read. As he went through the documents, he learned about a woman named Agatha Blackwood who was accused of witchcraft and executed in the town square in the late 1700s. He read about how she had allegedly been the leader of a coven of witches who had practiced dark magic in the town for years.

As he read, Timothy felt a chill run down his spine. Could it be possible that the strange occurrences in the town were related to the witch trials and executions? He had to find out more.

Just then, he heard a noise from the back of the room. He turned to see a woman with long, dark hair and piercing green eyes standing in the doorway. She was wearing a black cloak and a silver necklace with a pentagram symbol.

Hello, she said, her voice low and sultry. I couldn't help but overhear your conversation.

Timothy stood up, feeling a strange mixture of fear and fascination. Who are you? he asked.

The woman smiled. My name is Agatha Blackwood.

Timothy gasped. But...you were executed, he said, feeling a sense of disbelief.

Agatha laughed. They thought they could kill me, but they were wrong. My coven and I have been practicing in secret for centuries. We have powers beyond your imagination.

Timothy felt a sense of awe and terror wash over him as he looked at Agatha. He could sense her power, her dark charisma. He knew that he was in the presence of something dangerous.

Timothy stared at Agatha in disbelief, his mind reeling with the implications of what she was saying. Could it be true? Had she really been alive all these years, practicing dark magic in secret?

He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say anything, the room started to shake. Books fell off shelves, papers fluttered to the ground, and the air crackled with energy.

Agatha laughed, her eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. I told you we have powers beyond your imagination, she said. But don't worry, Timothy. We mean you no harm. In fact, we could use your help.

What do you mean? Timothy asked, his voice shaking with fear.

Agatha stepped forward, her hand outstretched. Come with me, she said. I'll show you something that will make you believe.

Timothy hesitated for a moment, but the curiosity and intrigue were too strong. He took Agatha's hand and let her lead him out of the dusty room and down a narrow staircase that he had not noticed before.

As they descended, the air grew colder, and the light grew dimmer. Timothy could feel the hairs on the back of his neck standing up as they reached the bottom of the stairs and entered a large, cavernous room.

The room was dimly lit by flickering candles, and the walls were covered in strange symbols and sigils. In the center of the room was a circle of stones, and standing in the center of the circle was a woman with long blonde hair and a red robe.

Welcome, Timothy, the woman said, her voice echoing in the cavern. My name is Selena, and I am a witch like Agatha. We have been watching you, and we believe that you can help us break the curse that has plagued this town for centuries.

C-curse? Timothy stammered, feeling more out of his depth than ever.

Timothy swallowed hard, feeling as though he had stumbled into a nightmare. What curse? he repeated, looking from Agatha to Selena and back again.

Selena stepped forward, her eyes locked on his. The curse of the Blackwood Coven, she said, her voice low and intense. For generations, our coven has been tormented by a dark force that has kept us from fulfilling our true potential. We have been unable to use our magic to its full extent, and the town has suffered as a result.

Timothy felt a wave of unease wash over him. He had always thought of witches as being the stuff of fairy tales and legends, but here they were, standing right in front of him, speaking of curses and magic as if they were real.

But how can I help? he asked, still feeling completely out of his depth.

Agatha stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. We believe that you have a special connection to the coven, she said. You see, your ancestor, Thomas Lindsey, was one of the founding members of our coven. He was a powerful witch, but he disappeared mysteriously one day, and we have never been able to find out what happened to him.

Timothy felt a jolt of surprise. He had always known that his family had a long history in the town, but he had never heard anything about his ancestor being a witch. What do you want me to do? he asked, feeling a sense of responsibility settling on his shoulders.

We want you to help us break the curse, Selena said. We have tried for years to do it ourselves, but we have been unsuccessful. We believe that with your connection to the coven, you may hold the key to unlocking the power that we need.

Timothy nodded slowly, his mind racing. He wasn't sure what he had gotten himself into, but he knew that he couldn't turn his back on the coven now. Okay, he said, his voice steady. What do I need to do?

Agatha smiled, and for a moment, Timothy thought that maybe everything was going to be alright. We need to teach you, she said. We need to show you the ways of our coven and teach you the rituals that we use to harness our magic.

The thought of learning magic was both thrilling and terrifying, and Timothy felt his heart rate quicken. I'm ready, he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Agatha led Timothy to the edge of the woods, where a small clearing opened up before them. This is where we hold our rituals, she said, gesturing to the area. It's important that you understand the significance of this place, Timothy. This is where we connect with the magic that flows through the earth and the universe.

Timothy took a deep breath, taking in the sight before him. The clearing was surrounded by tall trees, and a faint mist hung in the air, making everything feel eerie and surreal. He had never felt so far removed from the world he knew.

As Agatha began to explain the rituals and the history of the coven, Timothy's mind wandered. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, that there was a sense of danger lurking just beneath the surface.

He was pulled out of his thoughts by a shout from a nearby field. Agatha looked up, frowning. That's David Lee, she said. He's a local farmer. He shouldn't be here.

Curiosity getting the better of him, Timothy followed Agatha as she made her way towards the field. As they got closer, they could see David Lee frantically trying to fend off a group of crows that were attacking his crops.

Agatha stepped forward, her eyes flashing with anger. What are you doing here, David? she demanded.

David looked up, his face pale with fear. I don't know what's happening, he said, gesturing to the crows. They came out of nowhere, and they won't leave me alone.

Agatha's eyes narrowed. This is no coincidence, she said. The curse is behind this.

Timothy felt a chill run down his spine. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. What curse? he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Agatha turned to him, her expression serious. The curse of the Blackwood Coven, she said. It's a dark force that has been plaguing our coven for generations. It's tied to the land, to the crops, to the very essence of this town.

As Agatha explained the curse of the Blackwood Coven, Timothy felt a sense of unease settling deep in his bones. He had come to this small town to investigate strange occurrences, but he had no idea he would stumble upon something so sinister.

Agatha led Timothy back to the clearing, where the other members of the coven were waiting. They all wore serious expressions, and the air was heavy with tension.

What do we do now? Timothy asked, looking to Agatha for guidance.

We have to break the curse, Agatha said. But it won't be easy. It's tied to the land, to the very essence of this town.

Rebecca Davis, the retired witch, spoke up. We need to perform a ritual. A powerful one. But we'll need the help of the entire coven.

The coven members nodded in agreement, and Agatha began to assign tasks. They had to gather ingredients, prepare the ritual space, and meditate to connect with the magic.

Timothy watched as the coven worked tirelessly, their movements fluid and precise. He could feel the power of the magic building in the clearing, pulsing with energy.

As night fell, the coven gathered in a circle, holding hands. Agatha began to chant, her voice low and melodic. The others joined in, their voices blending together in a haunting harmony.

Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through the clearing, rustling the leaves and extinguishing the candles. Timothy felt a chill run down his spine. He could sense a dark presence lurking just beyond the trees.

Stay together! Agatha shouted. We can't let it break our circle.

The coven members held on tight, their bodies swaying with the force of the wind. Timothy could feel his hair whipping around his face, his eyes stinging from the debris carried by the gusts.

Just as suddenly as it had started, the wind died down. The candles flickered back to life, casting an eerie glow over the clearing.

Agatha let out a deep breath, and the coven members released each other's hands. We did it, she said, her voice shaking with emotion. The curse is broken.

There were cheers and hugs all around, but Timothy felt a nagging sense of unease. As he watched the coven members celebrate, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was still off.

He wandered away from the group, his feet carrying him deeper into the woods. He didn't know what he was looking for, but he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this curse than he had uncovered.

As he walked, he heard a rustling in the bushes. He tensed, his hand moving to his pocket where he kept his flashlight. But before he could reach it, a figure emerged from the shadows.

It was a young woman, with long dark hair and piercing blue eyes. She wore a cloak, and her face was partially obscured by a hood.

Who are you? Timothy asked, his voice low and cautious.

My name is Rachel, the woman said. And I'm here to warn you.

Timothy raised an eyebrow. Warn me about what?

Rachel took a step closer to Timothy, her eyes scanning the surrounding woods. You need to leave this town, Mr. Lindsey, she said. There are powers at work here that you can't even begin to understand. You're in danger.

Timothy felt a shiver run down his spine. He knew that Rachel was right. He had stumbled upon something far more dangerous than he had ever anticipated.

I can't leave, he said. "Not until I find out what's going on. Not until I stop