Wicked Is As Wicked Does: Magic and Mayhem Universe: Wicked Hearts, #1

Acknowledgements

Cover by Renee George

Edited by Teresa M.

My family is an amazing support! Thank you for giving me the time to devote to this book instead of feeding you and reading classic novels aloud to you. In my opinion, Dickens is overrated.

Dedication

Robyn Peterman, you are good people. Thank you for letting me play in your world. I had a blast, and I hope I didn’t break anything. You are one of the most generous people with your time, energy, and caring heart. I can’t thank you enough!

Foreword

BLAST OFF WITH US INTO the Magic and Mayhem Universe!

I’m Robyn Peterman, the creator of the Magic and Mayhem Series and I’d like to invite you to my Magic and Mayhem Universe.

What is the Magic and Mayhem Universe, you may ask?

Well, let me explain...

It’s basically authorized fan fiction written by some amazing authors that I stalked and blackmailed! KIDDING! I was lucky and blessed to have some brilliant authors say yes! They have written brand new stories using my world and some of my characters. And let me tell you...the results are hilarious!

So here it is! Blast off with us into the hilarious Magic and Mayhem Universe. Side splitting books by fantabulous authors! Check out each and every one. You will laugh your way to a magical HEA!

For all the stories, go to https://magicandmayhemuniverse.com/. Grab your copy today!

Chapter 1

Somewhere along the Mississippi River in rural Mississippi, 1986

Iopened my mouth to scream, and my stomach twisted at the sight in front of me, but no actual sound came out. They had my mother tied up. They were killing her, and all I could do was watch from the forest as my world turned black.

If they’d just untie mother’s hands and free her from the heavy, wooden pole she was stuck to, she’d show them with the flick of her fingers just who was in charge. She was on a wooden platform above their heads, and she looked down on them like they were bugs she could squash in a fast second. I couldn’t wait until she got free, as I knew she would, and gave them what they deserved.

My mother’s voice filled my head as if she were right beside me instead of on the other side of the clearing beyond the bushes behind which I was hiding. Don’t make a sound, Evelina! I would be very displeased with you if they discover you are near.

It was her not-to-be-messed-with voice, and the message was clear that I should stay hidden and not use my abilities to flatten the people hurting my mother right then, even though I really, really wanted to. Could feel the power, hot and electric, surging into my hands. Would take them all out like dominos falling down on top of each other.

No!

Definitely not-to-be-messed-with voice, and I didn’t want to displease mother.

Oriona Hale, you have been accused of practicing witchcraft. What do you have to say for yourself?

Mother’s eyes could say so much with just a look, and right now, these people should be very afraid. She was about to send them running like mice. But they wouldn’t get away from her. She’d find every one of them, pull them from their hidey-holes, and turn them into dust. I had seen her do it before, and the anticipation of seeing it again began to build in me.

Finally, my mother spoke. Seriously? What is this? The fifteenth century? No, you idiots. You aren’t Puritans, and this isn’t Salem. Do you really believe you have any power over me? Accuse me, tie me up, hurtle insults at me. It doesn’t matter. In the end, you will beg for mercy, but like so many before you, you won’t get a drop from me as I jack...you...dafuq...up.

Gasps filled the air, but I smiled. This was it. This was when mother would fill the air with her magic, and the people would shake with fear of her. No one could scare my mother. No one would ever break her.

One woman with a slick, brown bun at the back of her head stepped forward and shouted at mother, You’re the fool! Maybe you’ve escaped in the past, but you won’t be so fortunate this time.

I wouldn’t be so sure of myself, Maggie.

I was surprised that my mother used the woman’s name like she knew her. Did she know all these people?

Oh, I have every reason to be sure of myself. I’ve invited an old friend of yours. Someone who will know exactly how to handle you.

Though mother’s expression never changed, I felt fear rise in her. Often, I could sense her emotions, and for the first time, I felt uneasy. My mother was the strongest and most in-control person I knew, but in that moment, I picked up on her building doubt. That was a bad feeling, and I didn’t like it a bit.

The forest grew eerily quiet as a tall, thin man emerged from the tree line. His hair was black and combed with a part down the middle, every hair perfectly in place. He was dressed up all church-like. Like he was going to work in an office, and for just the slightest second, he seemed to glance in my direction, and a shiver rolled down my back. Without stopping though, he switched his focus onto my mother, and I only saw his back. It was her reaction that made me worry. Her eyes widened, and her lips parted. She definitely knew him, and her fear filled me up like a glass under a water faucet.

Oriona, it has been so long since we last met.

Even with the distance between us, I could see her lips tremble as she rasped, Jethro.

Ah, you remember me.

Impossible to forget.

He didn’t speak for a moment, seemed to be gathering his thoughts before he announced, Yes, I’ve been told I have that effect on people.

You’re a sad excuse for a human being! Why are you here? What are you planning to do with me?

Again, he didn’t talk, as if he were trying to make everyone around him get more and more uncomfortable. It worked. He turned, and I could finally see the side of his face. He was pale and looked sick to me, but he wore a smile that seemed dangerous.

Believe it or not, I could not care less about you. I’m after different prey altogether, but you sure do make nice bait, witch.

He won’t come for me. If he hasn’t in seven years, he won’t tonight.

I had no idea who they were talking about, but I wished he’d hurry up and get here, so they’d leave my mother alone.

No, probably not. You burned that bridge long ago, didn’t you? He dropped his chin to his chest before snapping it up and turning his head in my direction. I knew he didn’t see me, but I suddenly felt like they all could. But there is someone he would come for.

The wind picked up in an instant, and my mother’s hair began to whip wildly around her head. Her mouth tightened and her eyes turned hard as she shouted, Don’t even think about it.

Then, tell me where I can find him. I know you know. Otherwise, I’ll have to draw him out of hiding with the right incentive—say, one that’s about six years old, with a sweet, little face, and the nasty influence of a mother who’s a wicked, wicked witch.

This time, there was no doubt in my mind he was looking right at me, but I still didn’t move. I couldn’t make my feet do what my brain wanted them to. Though I knew I should, I couldn’t run at all.

Sweetie, don’t be afraid. Come out here, so we can help you, the man shouted.

The wind continued to swirl in great gusts, carrying my mother’s words to me, Leave my daughter alone!

Tell her to come out, Oriona. It will be much easier on us all if she does.

My mother’s voice echoed in my mind. Don’t move. He doesn’t really know where you are, child. Stay put. Help is on the way.

She’s gone. I’ve sent my familiar to carry her away. You’ll never find her now.

The man chuckled evilly, and I hunkered a little tighter to myself, wrapping my arms around my stomach. I really didn’t like him.

Something you should know about me, Oriona. I’ve grown more powerful since we last met. I can still sense her nearby. Could probably find her without much effort at all. But I would prefer you call to her, so she’s not so afraid.

Yes, you’re powerful—with stolen magic. No way am I going to hand her over to a monster like you.

A tsking sound came from the scary man, and I squeezed my hand over my mouth to hold in the squeak trying to slip from my throat. He turned and spoke to my mother once again. I’m the monster? That’s rich indeed, witch. It is your monstrous behavior that has led us to this point. You cursed my family and left us for dead. My son will never be the same in the head because of you, and yet you call me a monster?

You know what you did to earn my special attentions. Perhaps I should let your followers know just what kind of man they give their loyalty to.

Let me assure you that you’ll find no sympathy from this group of people. They’ve all been wronged by you and your kind, and despite the lies you tell them about me, they’ll continue to do my bidding in order to exact their own revenge.

The magical wind died suddenly, but something must’ve been blown into the bushes where I was hiding because I felt a repeated brush against my leg. When I finally pulled my gaze away from the scene before me, I nearly jumped back and almost gave away my hiding place. Yet, the sight of the scraggly-furred, squinty-eyed cat at my feet had been completely unexpected.

You scared me, Clooney.

To make things even more unbelievable to anyone who happened to be watching, it opened its mouth and whispered, Evie, time to go. Your mother sent me to get you somewhere safe, but we have to go now.

But his ability to talk didn’t surprise me at all. Clooney was mother’s special pet that could talk and even had his own set of powers. I’d known him all my life, and I knew what he could do, but I didn’t have to do what he said.

I kept my voice small as I said, No, Clooney. I’m not leaving my mother. They’re going to hurt her. On cue, the sky began to darken even more and the clouds began to swirl. I’d never seen anything like it, and it scared me.

"And then they’ll come for you and hurt you. Do you want that? Your mother doesn’t, so she sent me to take you somewhere