Wicked Wishes

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

There was something about being rebellious. Rebellious without the consequences.

I sat on the edge of the bottom step that lead into the living room, flipping through the pages of my late grandmother's grimoire. I'd inherited it from her when she passed away many years ago, though I'd never really opened it. She practiced magic that was forbidden by the coven and if they even knew I had it they would probably shun me. Or destroy it.

It was one of the last things I had from her.

What magic could be so bad, though? The only magic the coven had taught me was how to use herbs to protect myself or others, cast stones or read cards to clarify things that were going on, or how to interpret my dreams to really understand what was going on.

But there had to be something more. I smiled as I ran my fingers over the raised ink of the runes she'd drawn on the pages. I'm not sure what drew me to opening it today, maybe it was boredom. With my free hand I twirled a strand of brown hair between my fingers.

"Summon a demon to do your bidding," I whispered under my breath as I reached the page. She'd listed all the steps to do it, all the ingredients needed. I'd need to be willing to give something up, but I didn't really have anything that was too important to me. "It can't really work, right?"

A chill ran up my arms, goosebumps rising from the skin. Might as well start off with something big. I deposited the opened grimoire onto the coffee table before I started making my way around the house to get everything I needed.

I walked through the apartment toward the kitchen, my bare feet cold against the vinyl floor. Different pots of herbs sat on the counter waiting to be plucked and used. I grabbed a few that I knew were good for protection before wandering into my room and getting a few more items. Some candles, different crystals, and a ring. If I was going to summon a demon, maybe they'd take a ring in exchange?

Hmm, but what was I going to ask for? What bidding would they do for me?

I glanced around my messy apartment. Getting a demon to clean up around here wouldn't be too bad of an idea. I chuckled at the thought of a horned monsters walking around my apartment doing the laundry and sweeping and mopping the floors.

This wasn't going to work, though. It was unrealistic. This level of magic wasn't real – it was something made up in stories to scare kids in the coven. No one could actually summon a demon, not even Grandma for all the power the coven acted like she exuded. This was just for fun, to waste something time, nothing more.

With all my ingredients I felt necessary bundled up in my arms, I padded down the stairs and into the living room. Very carefully I started sitting everything meticulously in a circle, placing the different colored candles at the five points in an invisible star, each sitting in the spot association with a certain element and direction. Next, I sat in the middle of the circle, crossing my legs as I carefully started combining the herbs. Some rosemary and parsley for protection, and a handful of lavender for some more protection... and because I loved the smell. I sprinkled it carefully around the invisible circle, brushing my hands over my arms once there were only a few crumbs left.

Taking the black obsidian that I'd gathered from my room, I sat three towers in a careful triangle around the center of the circle.

A few steps away from the circle, I admired my work. From an outside perspective, the circle looked perfect.

I slipped the ring onto my finger, trying to not admire how pretty it was. I'd got it from an old lover – that was the only memory I was willing to allow myself to associate with it. None of the heartbreak that had ensued once the giver had decided I wasn't good enough anymore. Because he was wrong, I was always good enough.