The Wicked Series Complete Boxed Set Read online

  Wicked

  • The Complete Boxed Set •

  The Wicked Series

  Blaire Hammond

  The Wicked Series

  By Blaire Hammond

  Text Copyright © 2019 Blaire Hammond

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or, if real, used fictitiously. All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in fan works, critical articles and reviews. For more information please contact the author.

  Wicked

  • Book One •

  The Enchantress

  Blaire Hammond

  The Enchantress

  By Blaire Hammond

  Text Copyright © 2016 Blaire Hammond

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or, if real, used fictitiously. All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in fan works, critical articles and reviews. For more information please contact the author.

  Map of Corin Manor

  Prologue

  July 19th 2013

  ‘There’s been another death.’ Stella’s voice was blunt; defeated, and she watched silently as her husband read over the email sent from the Minor Courts.

  Taking a seat, he nodded grimly and removed his glasses from where they sat upon the bridge of his nose.

  The two of them had quietly assembled in their office so to ensure not alerting the other residents of the Manor. They didn’t want to cause an uproar.

  ‘What are we going to do about this?’ Stella questioned, her blue eyes searching his face for an answer. A moment later she lifted her gaze to the office window, staring beyond it at the slowly setting sun.

  ‘Keep investigating. It seems that is our only option.’ Leo plucked his glasses from their case, returning them to their previous position. He read over the email again, scrolling down the screen until he reached the bottom of the report, ‘they are sending over the autopsy results now, so the best we can do is hope for new evidence.’

  Leo raised his eyes to his wife’s face. She was still watching the sun, her hands resting in her lap. She was perched atop the oak desk opposite his own.

  Stella’s frame was small, though not terribly short, but that had never made much of a difference. She was quick on her feet, sharp and accurate in her movements and graceful beyond ones belief. Growing up in the home city of the Grand Courts has its benefits.

  Swiftly, she turned her head to him, her bob of ash blonde hair sweeping over her shoulder. ‘But we have been investigating for months and haven’t found anything. Every time the autopsy report comes, it’s always the same. Death by child-birth.’ Leo could tell that she was growing more frustrated by the minute.

  ‘It’s all we can do, Stell.’

  She sighed, ‘I know, I know. I just don’t think I can cope with any more deaths. It’s out of control. Who is doing this? And why?’

  As the wind rustled through the trees outside, a flurry of thoughts passed through Leo’s mind, and as he grasped a hold of one, he exhaled with fear. ‘What if they have found out about her?’

  That particular thought clearly hadn’t crossed Stella’s mind because her eyes widened with shock. ‘But surely not! They know that it has only ever happened once, that every other time has ended in death.’

  ‘Well, it does make sense. It would explain these deaths.’

  An eerie silence settled around them.

  Finally, Leo spoke. ‘It’s the only explanation we have.’ Taking care to keep his voice even, he continued, ‘she could be in danger.’

  Although he spoke calmly, he had always known that one day someone would come for the girl. Her. They’d both known it. They just hadn’t been prepared for it to happen so soon.

  Crinkles of worry were already appearing in Stella’s forehead as she stumbled on her words ‘you think they have found her already?’ Though she was both brave and determined, Stella had a kind, gentle nature that often led to her worrying more than she sometimes needed to.

  However, it seemed that in this situation, her concern was warranted.

  She jumped down from the desk and started pacing, something she often did when she was nervous.

  Leo watched her, attempting to ignore the awful thoughts that were clouding his mind, ‘I don’t know. If they can’t replicate her then they will have to take her. And by the looks of things they aren’t having much luck with the first.’

  ‘But she has been hidden for all this time; gosh she must be seventeen by now! And she has never known of her abilities, if she is taken then imagine what would happen to her! She won’t know who she is… will she?’ Stella was frantic now. ‘She probably won’t know anything about us or the Spirit World. Her parents took her away for a reason, I doubt they would have told her who she is; what she can do. We don’t even know what she is capable of ourselves!’

  All of a sudden Leo knew what was required of them, ‘we must get word to them, and soon.’ He had already pulled a piece of paper from his draw and was scribbling down a note. ‘I’ll get Drew to deliver it. It will be safer by letter, we can’t be certain that their emails are secure. Drew is a fast rider. He is our best shot.’

  Stella stopped pacing, ‘yes, good idea. I’ll go get Drew.’

  She left the office at a run as a bundle of emotions consumed Leo, making him sick to his stomach. Nerves. Worry. Fear. He tried to keep them at bay as his wife dashed down the hall to collect the boy from his training.

  ~

  The dagger hurtled through the air like the wings of a helicopter, travelling straight towards its target.

  However, Drew was quick, dodging it just in time, and the blade imbedded itself into the wall behind him.

  ‘Better luck next time,’ he baited Caspian, wiping the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand

  ‘You’re an idiot,’ Caspian muttered.

  Drew grinned ridiculously and gripped the hilt of the blade, tugging it from its place.

  ‘Hey, you asked for best out of three. Still, I won.’

  ‘Well, you’d most likely be dead if you didn’t.’

  ‘Probably. But we’ll never know. I’m too good.’

  Drew threw the blade into the air, watching wistfully as it somersaulted three times before beginning it’s decent. He caught it by the handle, repeating the motion.

  ‘You know,’ Caspian said, jumping forward in one swift motion and snatching up his dagger mid-fall. ‘I have been thinking a lot about the Ceremony.’

  ‘Yeah, me too.’

  Spinning the dagger in his hand, Caspian allowed his eyes to wander around the training room. Really, he only did it to avoid Drew’s thoughtful gaze, and Drew knew it.

  ‘Do you think we will be all right?’ Caspian finally asked.

  The expression on Caspian’s face was one that Drew didn’t immediately recognise. Gradually, he began to realise that it was fear.

  He’d made an asserted effort not to worry about what was to come after the Ceremony. Mainly because he only had one plan for afterwards, and he’d never factored in any other possibility. But now, seeing level-headed, brave, strong, Caspian showing just how terrified he really was, it dawned on Drew that maybe the Ceremony wouldn’t necessarily go how he initially thought - and hoped - it would.

  Caspian turned to him, ‘I’m being stupid, I know,’ he laughed gingerly, and arched an eyebrow.

  Drew saw it coming and ducked as the dagger struck the wall behind him, trembles vibrating down the hilt. Once again, it left a nice neat mark in the wooden board.

  ‘Drew, we need your assistance please,’ called Stella from the bottom of the stairs.

  Both Caspian and Drew could hear the note of agitation in her voice and they locked eyes for a moment, concerned.

  Drew shrugged, ‘this isn’t over, your turn next time!’ and with that, he descended the stairs, leaving a chuckling Caspian alone in the room.

  ~

  ‘So you want me to deliver this to the Harmers but you won’t tell me why, or what’s in the envelope?’ Drew asked, his face slowly twisting into a look of frustration.

  He absolutely hated being out of the loop, and Leo knew it, however informing him of the situation was too dangerous at the present time. Perhaps sending him on a mission completely blind was bad, but if he was caught? That would be worse.

  ‘Please Drew, it is very, very important we get this to them,’ begged Stella.

  The irritating ticking of a nearby clock served as a prominent reminder that time was running out; that Drew needed to leave now.

  Drew groaned, ‘alright, I will be back by ten.’

  ‘Thank you, Drew,’ Leo said, almost sighing with relief.

  With that, Drew snatched up the letter Leo had hastily written, forced it into his jeans pocket, and was gone.

  ‘Do you think we are too late?’ Stella asked Leo as they watched Drew kick start his motorbike, click it into gear and roar off down the dirt road.

  Leo flinched at the thought, ‘I hope not.’

  Part One:

  The
Enchantress

  To give up is to show weakness.

  Remain strong.

  Chapter One

  The Inevitable Life

  Laura struggled to keep a firm hold on her books as she weaved through the musky, crowded corridor. The end-of-week bell had just chimed and she was looking forward to getting home. She didn’t particularly like school. Then again, that’s what most people say.

  The smell of rain and body odour was thick in the air as she reached her rusty grey locker, hurrying to punch in her code and unhook the lock. She shoved her books onto their shelf, then slung her bag across her back.

  Grimacing, she watched as Rad Tyler, (a ridiculous nickname thought up by none other than himself,) thumped his girlfriend against the locker five doors down from hers in a sloppy make-out session. Teens cheered him on as they passed, voicing filthy grunts and shouts of approval.

  She rolled her eyes, adjusted the bag on her back and slammed the door shut, sending the vibration rippling down the row of lockers. The two paused long enough to glare at her before resuming their passionate display of ‘love’.

  More like lust, Laura thought in disgust.

  She tried to ignore the rush of students leaving for home as she made her way outside to the bus exchange, but she wasn’t quick enough for the hand that reached out and stopped her.

  ‘Laura, what are your plans for the weekend?’

  She turned, coming face to face with the fanatical red-head she considered her only friend. Beth.

  Beth did have a group of friends of her own, but she and Laura had known each other in primary school, and their friendship had continued on into their senior years.

  ‘Oh, you know. Reading. Working on the farm. The usual.’

  Beth rolled her eyes, ‘you’re so boring! Come with me to Rad’s party tomorrow night!’

  Laura snorted, ‘yeah as if any of those guys would want me there.’

  Laura certainly wasn’t popular. She never did quite fit in, not that she necessarily went out of her way to do so in the first place. For some bizarre reason, she’d always felt different, preferred different things, resulting in her keeping very much to herself.

  Although, her mother always made out as if it were a good thing.

  ‘Come on, they wouldn’t care.’

  Laura shook her head, ‘no I think I’m going to stay put. Remember the last party you dragged me to?’

  Beth laughed, ‘oh yeah, that was a good night.’

  ‘What, you consider passing out on the bathroom floor, leaving me all alone to find a ride home, a good night?’

  Beth screwed up her nose, ‘well, maybe not for you but it certainly was for me!’

  Laura couldn’t help but laugh, ‘all right then Beth. If you say so.’

  ‘So will you please come? Please?’ Beth said, exaggerating her words.

  Laura sighed, ‘I-‘

  Suddenly, she was flying forward, the sound of ripping material echoing in her ears, and she watched her books sprawl out across the ground before her. Beth and someone behind her managed to grab a hold of Laura’s arm before she, too, fell. Laura spun around in horror and her eyes locked onto Rad’s with a glare.

  ‘Oh, sorry. Didn’t see you there.’ He said, holding a football in one hand and her elbow in the other.

  She tugged free, straightening her jacket and scowling at him. He smirked, and she knew the whole incident was intentional. She turned back to her books, regarding them miserably. With a sigh, she bent down and did her best to shove them back into her ruined bag.

  ‘Yeah, Beth I think I’m going to have to pass on the party.’ She said with a huff.

  Beth passed her a book she had collected, ‘Rad didn’t mean it.’

  ‘Yes, he did. He’s a jerk just like the rest of the kids in this school.’ She stood, carrying her bag carefully, ‘I’ll see you later Beth. Have a good weekend.’

  Beth sent her a look of sympathy as Laura hurried off to catch her bus. She dropped down into one of the back seats and glanced out the window while more students clambered aboard. The bus driver slid the doors shut and pulled away from the curb, beginning the hour long route.

  Laura heard a giggle and looked up in time to catch a girl a few seats down whispering to her friend. Then, trying but failing to be discrete, she looked back at Laura and giggled again. Laura sighed as she realised that the girl was Rad’s make-out buddy.

  Usually it didn’t bother her when people talked about her, but on this particular occasion, she felt annoyed.

  ‘Blond bimbo,’ she muttered.

  She whipped her blond head around and glared at Laura, ‘what was that?’

  Laura rolled her eyes, ‘you heard me.’

  Blondie flipped her extensions over her shoulder and deepened her glare. For a minute it looked as if she was going to insult her, but eventually she turned her head back to the front.

  Laura smiled with satisfaction and picked up a book, opening it to the marked page.

  Soon, her mind began to wander, and so did her eyes. She glanced up at her reflection in the window and found herself wondering if she was considered pretty. Maybe if she was popular like Blondie she would be? Her hair was long, reaching nearly two thirds of the way down her back and it was a thick, chocolate brown. She was grateful for her olive complexion, passed on from her father, but she’d managed to inherit her shortness from her mother. Her eyes were a deep hazel brown, tinged with gold flecks. Her mother was adamant about pointing it out whenever she got the chance.

  ‘Gold, like the colour of angel wings,’ she always said. Laura never quite understood the saying since she’d always imagined angel wings as white.

  She watched as they passed through the back streets of Corin, making their way to the very edge of the city. Then, she settled down in her seat and lost herself in her book.

  She barely noticed when the bus arrived at her stop and the doors opened. Someone called her name and she glanced up. Registering where they were, she rose from her seat, collected her bag and made her way down the aisle.

  ~

  There was a noticeable buzzing coming from behind her as she wandered along the dirt road, and she peered over her shoulder to see her dad heading towards her in his grey Ute.

  He slowed to a crawl and she moved to the side of the road, allowing him to pass. He made a face at her though the window and she grinned, poking out her tongue in return. He laughed and waved, speeding up, leaving a swirl of dust behind him. Laura picked up her pace, reaching the front door the same time as him.

  ‘How was your day, Kiddo?’ He asked, holding the door for her.

  ‘Same as always,’ she shrugged and they wandered into the lounge room.

  The TV was on and her mum was reading the newspaper, evidently not paying attention to the news that was actually on the TV.

  ‘Cara,’ her father said, leaning over the back of her chair and planting a kiss on his wife’s cheek.

  ‘Good day at work?’ She asked, not looking up from the paper.

  He straightened up and loosened his tie, then pulled his jacket from his shoulders. ‘Bill made a big sale today. His first one since joining the firm,’ he said proudly.

  Bill was an ex-farm hand worker, but when the family couldn’t afford to keep him on any longer, Laura’s father hurried to recommend Bill to his Boss at the car dealership he worked part-time for, and his Boss decided to give Bill a chance.

  ‘That’s excellent, Oliver!’ Cara, exclaimed, finally putting down the paper and looking up at her husband.

  He grinned widely down at her, his sandy hair falling into his eyes, ‘he was very pleased.’

  ‘I’m so happy for him. Tell him congratulations from me when you see him next!’ Cara said, reaching up and brushing the hair from his face affectionately, and something appeared to pass between them.

  Oliver stepped away. ‘I’m going to wash up for dinner.’

  Laura’s father left the room and she settled down into the couch, reading once again.

  ‘And how was your day, sweetie?’ Her mother asked, reassuming her own reading.

  Laura shrugged, ‘same as always.’

  ~

  Laura broke off a piece of bread from the roll in front of her and dunked it into the bowl of tomato soup.