Broken witch

  Kiesha Thomas

  Contents

  Blurb

  1. Cosima Arko

  2. Zarin Goldbach

  3. Cosima

  4. Zarin

  5. Cosima

  6. Zarin

  7. Cosima

  8. Zarin

  9. Cosima

  10. Zarin

  11. Cosima

  12. Zarin

  13. Cosima

  14. Zarin

  Epilogue

  Also by Kiesha Thomas

  About the Author

  Acknowledgments

  Blurb

  Broken Witch is a story about a witch named Cosima Arko, who must overcome the wounds that broke her and embrace and master her magic to stop the Shadow Mage or everyone she loves will die.

  Kiesha Thomas

  The blood sacrifices have started again and the gods are angry. When Cosima’s sister is the next to be sacrificed, she must stop the Shadow Mage or her sister and everyone she loves will die.

  1

  Cosima Arko

  There was a legend in my village about an archer with the truest aim anyone had ever seen. He was blinded by love and the wicked witch shot him in the heart. She watched him bleed out. I thought about this as I lingered in my bed a few minutes more. I got out of the bed and crossed the bedroom to the closet to dress quickly. Glancing at the clock, I squinted as it flashed five o’clock.

  I hated Monday mornings with a vengeance. It didn’t help that my twin sister, Chaniya, was snuggled deep under her duvet snoring louder than an asteroid hurtling into a planet. Rolling my eyes, I slipped into my tennis shoes, and slung my bow over my shoulder. My hand on the knob, my body stilled when I heard her soft voice.

  “Where are you going at this ungodly hour?” asked Chaniya. She sat up, thrusting the covers aside. Her pink pinstripe pajamas sparkled in the light as she walked toward me.

  “There’s no reason for you to get up. I’m just going to practice using my bow, since time is of the essence.” Opening the door, I rushed down the steps, careful to avoid the squeaky floorboards. The smell of cinnamon and sugar filled the air, and I went into the kitchen to grab a quick bite to eat.

  Chaniya bounded down the stairs, her blonde hair in a high ponytail. “I’m sure you’re hungry. You didn’t eat last night. Dad brought us meatloaf and it was really good.”

  My hand froze on the refrigerator door. “You mean he brought you meatloaf.”

  She closed her mouth. “I saved you some of it.”

  “I didn’t ask you to. He only cares about you and you think it’s ok for him to treat me like he does.”

  Her mouth opened but nothing came out. Spots of color entered her cheeks. “I don’t want to argue with you. Every time I try to talk to you, everything circles back around to this mess,” said Chaniya.

  My hands balled into fists at my side, and I forced myself to brush past her, out the front door. I lost what little appetite I had. The Realm of Ashburg was the most beautiful place, yet danger lurked around every corner. It was where I was from, it was the only home I knew, but sometimes I wished I could run away. I needed a do-over button, because my life sucked.

  The morning sky was dark, and I clutched the bow closer to my body as I headed into Fairfield Forest. There were several wind-damaged trees leaning drunkenly against one another. Inhaling deep, breathing the scent of pine trees, I rushed through the fog-filled forest. Closing my eyes, I listened to the sounds of Saysquam running.

  A Saysquam was a large hairy animal with large claws, very sharp teeth and large round eyes. It was almost the most vicious animal here in the city of Clovertown. However, they weren’t a threat for the witches of Overlay. I should’ve been scared, since I hadn’t mastered my powers, but that ended today. I refused to be the weakest witch here. I needed to make my family and coven proud.

  The ground thundered under the Saysquam’s large feet. It picked up speed and broke away from its pack, heading toward me. My breath hitched in my throat as my heart fluttered in my chest. Gripping the bow in my hand, my quivering fingers closed around an arrow readying it, to protect myself. Steadying my breath, I focused on the animal barreling toward me. I sent the arrow flying.

  It lodged in a hollow tree trunk. My eyes flew open wide and I stepped back, yanking another arrow free and sending it flying into the air. The Saysquam dodged to the right and the arrow disappeared in the fog. I turned and ran. I held back a scream as my muscles quivered with adrenaline. Jumping over loose tree logs, I ran faster ignoring the dull ache in my muscles.

  The ground was covered with multicolored orange and yellow leaves. I sprinted through the forest trying to put distance between the raging beast almost upon me. The Saysquam snarled, with saliva running from its mouth and I picked up my pace.

  Facing forward again, ignoring the tightness in my chest, I ran faster. Just then, my foot caught on a large uprooted tree and I sprawled forward. The ground vibrated as the beast trampled through the compact dirt barreling toward me.

  Sharp pain shot through my face, as my head cracked against a large jagged rock. A bit of mud flew inside my mouth as I winced and rubbed my head. The warmth of my blood spilled on my hand, making my hair cling to my scalp. I searched frantically for my bow, my fingers clenching around me, but I felt nothing but cold damp mud. Valcrum have mercy. Am I going to lose my life out here covered in mud and grime? A sudden urge to urinate had me gripping my legs together and clenching my muscles so I didn’t soil myself.

  Chaniya ran past me straight toward the Saysquam, her arms moving in a circular motion, and her voice rang out. The birds flew high from the trees, as a purple beam of light flashed and engulfed the Saysquam. It bellowed a shrill shriek before bursting into flames. Blood splattered on the nearby trees and left a crimson puddle on the ground.

  The color drained from my face. If Nara was here, we would both be dead. I stumbled to my feet, feeling like I swallowed lava, as acid scorched up my throat. Panting, I quickly looked around making sure nobody was here with us.

  Nara Hollingsworth was the high witch priestess and she didn’t play around when it came to initiating spells. She was mean, rude, and every moment in her presence felt like a thousand knives being stuck in my eyes. There was no pleasing her. She tolerated Chaniya, but she hated me. Every witch in the coven mastered their power, but me. Suddenly, I became the black sheep. The friends I once had abandoned me and everyone else seemed to feel grateful that I was the social outcast instead of them.

  My chin lowered to my chest and I flopped down in the mud. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, as I swallowed the lump in my throat. Today had been an epic failure, and my sister had to come to save me.

  Closing my eyes, I felt warmth flood my face.

  “What were you thinking?” asked Chaniya.

  Opening my eyes, I stared at the mud covering my clothes. Turning away from her, I swiped at my cheeks. “I had it under control. You didn’t have to save me.”

  Chaniya placed her hands in her pockets and kicked some large rocks out of her way as she stomped passed me. “Are you kidding me?”

  A sharp pain sliced through my chest. This was my future. I was never going to be able to protect my family or myself. She was right. I almost died. Inhaling in a tortured breath, I relived what had just happened.

  Chaniya was comfortable using forbidden magic. How long had she been doing that? “I can’t believe you chanted that forbidden spell. You know if Nara was here, she would end our lives for sure.”

  “What was I supposed to do, let it kill you?” asked Chaniya. Shaking her head, she walked back toward the house.

  My bow thumped against my back as I walked home. The weather had changed. There was moisture in the air and the wind picked up through the trees as leaves covered ground. A hard knot formed in my lower belly, my breath quickened, and I knew something was going to happen.

  When the first drop of blood fell from the sky and landed on the top of my nose, I knew there would be another sacrifice tonight. This would be the third sacrifice between full moons. Not a good omen.

  2

  Zarin Goldbach

  I had a bad feeling about this. The sun warmed my face making me squint against the bright light shining in my eyes. I looked at Maximus Ward, the alpha werewolf who ran the Georgia pack. How did he find me? The city of Atlanta was big, but I guess I couldn’t escape my fate. I looked past Maximus to the other werewolves accompanying him. The beautiful blonde with him made my body tense as her green eyes stared into me.

  I backed out of the sunlight and into the shadows on the Hollow Lane alleyway. “How did you find me?”

  “I always knew where you were but I was giving you time to do the right thing,” said Maximus. He gripped my chin and yanked my head toward him forcing me to break eye contact with the goddess behind him.

  She was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. I was also sure that she wasn’t one of us. She wasn’t a werewolf.

  “Who is she?” My gaze darted past him to the girl standing behind him. He had my chin gripped so tight I was unable to move my head.

  His fingernails dug deeper into my flesh. “Look her way again, and I’ll end your life right here.”

  “It’s only natural that he is curious about why I am here,” she said.

  Her hand touched Maximus’s arm, and his grip loosened on my chin, but he didn’t let me go.

  “I’m Claire Sands. I’m sorry we popped up on you unannounced but we need your help.”

  Maximus reluctantly let me go but he blocked my path to the gorgeous girl behind him. “She thinks we need you, but I have yet to make that determination.”

  I gritted my teeth. How could I be so stupid to let him find me? I knew all the werewolves were required to sign the pact with the vampires, but I didn’t do it. I’ve always been a loner and I wanted to remain that way.

  Maximus’s face tightened. “You forfeited your life when you refused to sign the pact, and this is your last chance to save your miserable self.”

  Claire had a profound effect on Maximus. Any toughness that was on his face when she touched him had disappeared. She seemed to soothe his wild beast.

  “We are going to the Realm of Ashburg, to seek out Vance Hursh. You know him well and that’s where you come in.”

  My heart raced in my chest but I held my composure. If he was going to kill me, he wasn’t going to do it now. “If I tell you where Vance is, why do I need to go?”

  Wiping the sweat from my face, I leaned my back against the cold brick, while I mentally tried to will my beating heart to cease beating in my chest.

  Maximus took a step toward me, but Claire pushed him out of the way. She rolled her eyes, as he grunted.

  “Things have changed since the pact, and things are very different now. We need you there because we need the witches.” She gazed up at me with expectant eyes as she held Maximus back from me.

  She was beautiful but that didn’t change how I felt or the promise I made to myself many years ago. “I’d rather die than go back there.”

  The short man, built like a tank, standing behind Maximus spoke. “We aren’t asking you. You will go with us to Ashburg,” he said.

  I hated this vampire-wolf pact crap. Just because I was a werewolf didn’t mean I’d play nice. I wanted to be left alone. I didn’t care about the consequences. I narrowed my eyes at him, then at Maximus. It was a nice day to die and seeing a beautiful girl before taking my last breath was more than I could have ever hoped for. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  Maximus leaped toward me, but Claire’s eyes turned a stormy green, and she spoke fast. Maximus’s lips curved upward.

  I tried to move but my body was frozen in place. My heart thundered in my chest, and my muscles became weak. The darkness closed in and I collapsed.

  Twenty minutes later, Claire had transported us to Ashburg, and she was caressing my cheek. “Wake up Zarin.”

  All those years and I still managed to be attracted to a witch. I guessed the organ in my chest wasn’t shredded to pieces years ago. It appeared I liked pain; maybe I was a masochist.

  “I hope whoever you came here for is worth it. We probably won’t get out of Ashburg alive.”

  Maximus snorted. “Speak for yourself.”

  He pushed me in front of him and I debated transforming right there. Why not fight him to the death? I’d been begging Valcrum for solace and he’d denied me but now Maximus was offering me what I’ve longed for.

  3

  Cosima

  A piece of me died on the inside while walking home, knowing I failed today. It was bad enough that dad only cared for Chaniya, but now it looked like she was the only one who had powers. Why couldn’t I master my powers? Glancing at her, I shook my head. What was she thinking chanting out in the open?

  “I didn’t need your help back there. I had it under control.” I kicked a pebble across the street. I felt like an elephant was on my chest.

  “Before or after the beast killed you? I know you’re focused on trying to master your powers but it won’t do any good if you get killed.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Whatever. You don’t understand.” I bit the inside of my cheek to keep the tears from falling again. I was so tired of being weak, and unappreciated. How could they appreciate me when I couldn’t prove I was worthy?

  Unlocking the front door, my heart sank as I saw dad relaxing in the chair with a beer in his hand. Over the years, I learned to not make eye contact with him and to hurry out of his sight.

  Chaniya came inside after me. “One day I won’t be there to save you,” she mumbled.

  Rolling my eyes, I hurried around the corner heading up the stairs to the bedroom.

  “Cosima, come here. What happened?” He sat up placing the beer down on the table.

  My lips closed. I walked back to the living room, and glared at her, a stare that promised retaliation. “She thought I needed her help, but I didn’t.”

  His eyes appeared dead as they raked over me from head to toe. “I’m sure you needed help. Look at you.”

  “I have to use the bathroom.” I turned on my heels. The only time he talked to me was to point out my short comings. That conversation would’ve ended like all the others; with his tongue dripping venom, killing me softly. I sucked, and how come I couldn’t be more like Chaniya, yada, yada yada….

  Taking the steps three at a time, I reached our bedroom in record time. Slamming the door shut, I crossed the room to my closet to get a change of clothes.

  “What is your problem?” Chaniya shut the door behind her with her hands on her hips.

  “You live to make me look like a loser in front of dad, but that will stop. I’m going to show all of you.” I jerked the dresser drawer open and yanked out my pajamas.

  She flopped on her bed and smirked. “How do you plan to do that?”

  I smiled. “Don’t worry. Watch and see.”

  Sun flowed into the bedroom window warming my face. I opened my eyes and flung my legs over the side of the bed. Chaniya was snoring, softly cocooned in her duvet. Grabbing my clothes, I tip-toed out of the room to get ready. Nara, as high priestess, called a meeting to let us know what to do next.

  Two hours later, Chaniya and I had front row seats inside the meeting hall. Everyone was here, and judging by the somber expressions on their faces, I knew this wouldn’t be good.

  Chaniya elbowed me in my side. “It seems like a funeral is about to take place.”

  “There’s probably going to be another sacrifice.” I shook my head as stiff fingers fumbled with the number attached to my shirt. Everyone was assigned a number and nobody knew what that meant.

  Nara came on stage and grabbed the microphone. Her pale skin marred with deep scars along her jawline. “You all have a number attached to your shirt. Number ninety-five, you are the next one to be sacrificed. We thank you for the blood you will shed for your coven.”

  Trish looked down at her fuchsia polka dotted blouse and burst into tears. “I am number ninety-five.”

  A group of four mages, wearing black and gold battle armor, dragged Trish away. She screamed and resisted as they dragged her from the room.

  The hair on the back of my neck stood. How could they just kill Trish like that? I closed my eyes, even though I could hear her screams long after she had left the building.

  The crowd erupted with loud voices and conversations. Large groups of people jumped to their feet to leave but were stopped by the armed mages. My breaths came in pants as I realized we were trapped here with no control over whether we lived or died.

  Chaniya’s lips thinned as she whispered. Off to the side, near Nara, part of the ceiling caved in and collapsed, nearly killing her.

  “Find out who did that and bring them to me,” said Nara. She pushed her personal mages off stage to search through the crowd.

  “How can they just call a number and kill us like an animal?” asked Chaniya.

  I pinched her. “Shut up before you’re next.”

  Peeping down at my shirt, I looked at the number on my right shoulder. The number was ninety-four. A chill ran through my body as I realized how close I’d come to being sacrificed.

  Nara put both of her hands in the air to silence the crowd. “The gods are upset with us. We must continue to do these sacrifices to appease them.

 

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