Magic and Mayhem: Witch With An Attitude (Kindle Worlds Novella) Read online

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  WITCH WITH AN ATTITUDE

  Jodi Vaughn

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  About Witch With An Attitude

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Amazing Magic and Mayhem Authors

  About Jodi

  Other Books by Jodi

  WITCH WITH AN ATTITUDE

  “I’m not a good witch. At least that’s what I’ve been told all my life.”

  Ella is a witch on a mission. She has to get to Missouri for a concert and she refuses to let anything or anyone get in her way. But when a wrong turn and a car accident detours her plans, she’s forced to rely on a rabbit shifter named Roger.

  Roger can’t help but be drawn to Ella but he also senses there’s something more than meets the eye with this sexy witch. He can’t let her hitch hike to Missouri on her own so he offers to drive her there himself.

  Ella doesn’t trust Roger but she decides to use him to get her to her destination. But when a coven of evil witches captures them, her goal of reaching her concert slips further out of her reach.

  Backed into a corner, will Ella save herself and get what she wants or will she make the sacrifice and save Roger instead?

  A witch, a rabbit, and a whole lot of laughs.

  CHAPTER ONE

  “Where the hell am I?” I cut my eyes at the overweight truck driver with a thick thatch of black hair whose name had escaped me. I glanced out the window as we pulled off the highway and into a brightly lit truck stop.

  I managed to catch a ride with the truck driver a few states back. My ass ached from sitting too long. It seemed like we had driven for hours, only stopping to refuel.

  “We’re in West Virginia, Ella.” He smiled, revealing a mouth full of teeth as he spoke my name. He scratched his red and black plaid belly, his eyes twinkling as he continued to stare. “You sure are pretty. Like an angel from heaven itself.”

  “I’m no angel, I assure you. Quite the opposite, in fact.” A witch was the farthest thing from an angel but I wasn’t about to tell him that. I hardly knew the guy.

  I shot him a dismissive look and ran my fingers through my straight red hair. I flipped open the visor above me to check my reflection in the mirror. I cringed. There were bags under my green eyes and I was paler than usual.

  I looked like shit on a cracker.

  “I thought we were going to Missouri.” I flipped the visor back up and turned my glare on him.

  “No ma’am. I told you West Virginia is where I needed to drop my shipment.” He nodded slowly and continued to smile.

  “I know ...ah …what’s your name again?” I waved my hand in the air for him to supply his name. I never was one for recalling names. People didn’t stick around so there was no need to make the effort for remembering names.

  “Dudley. My name’s Dudley.” His smile grew wider.

  “Of course it is.” I gathered up a smile and focused my attention on him. I could glamour a man into doing anything I wanted with a smile as I looked into their eyes. I knew it would work on Dudley. “Dudley, I didn’t want to go to West Virginia.” I spoke a little slower this time. There wasn’t anything to do in West Virginia. I did however, hear there were things to do in Missouri.

  “Yes ma’am.” He grinned again. “I have to pick up my shipment in Ohio. Maybe you’ll like Ohio better.”

  “Ohio?” Usually my witch powers of glamour could not be resisted by any mortal man. But it wasn’t working on Dudley. Which meant he was either a powerful paranormal creature or my power was fading.

  I leaned over toward him and inhaled. I wrinkled up my nose as I eased back in my seat.

  He didn’t smell like a shifter or a fairy or any other paranormal creature. He smelled like beanie weanies and root beer.

  “I’ve got to fuel up my truck. Want something from inside? A hot dog? A honey bun? A burrito?” Dudley’s eyes glazed over. “This truck stop has the best bean burritos you’ve ever put in your mouth.”

  I had the good graces to keep my expression neutral. Dudley and a bean burrito was a natural gas disaster waiting to happen. I stifled a gasp, thinking about being trapped in the cab with no escape.

  A few hours after Dudley first picked me up, he’d offered me his sleeping bag in the back and told me to nap while he drove. I’d reluctantly crawled in the bag only to be surrounded by the stifling smell of old farts and dirty socks. I’d scampered out like a scalded cat and decided I wasn’t that tired after all. I ended up falling asleep in the front seat with my cheek smashed against the window.

  “You know what, Dudley. I think I’m going to just get out here.” I reached for the door handle and pulled.

  His face fell. “But what about Missouri? How will you get there?”

  “I’ll be okay. I’ll find a way.” I smiled, opened the door, and slid to the ground.

  “I always find a way.” I mumbled to myself and slammed the door shut.

  I watched his taillights as he drove over to the diesel pump. I didn’t miss the sadness on his face as he got out of the cab.

  Keeping people at a distance was for their safety as much as mine. Leaving Dudley now was probably for the best.

  I glanced around the dark parking lot. It was late at night and there weren’t many people outside. A couple of trucks sat at the pumps, a few cars were parked off to the side, and some people were making their way inside for a bathroom break and late night snack before continuing on their way. I glanced around, making sure no one was looking, before I walked away from the brightly light station.

  I preferred the shadows to the light. I’d been that way all my life. It was best to stay in the dark and avoid people.

  I pulled the cell phone out of my pocket and hit the map button. I glamoured a high school boy into giving me his cell phone. From the looks of the expensive car he was driving, I knew his parents would quickly replace the phone.

  I had basic knowledge when it came to cell phones: how to make a call, download apps and navigate the maps. I also knew how to download music.

  I loved music more than anything. Music, to me, was like medicine. I’d heard there was a lot of music in Branson, Missouri.

  I glanced down at my jeans and short sleeve shirt, both stolen from a human who I’d followed to her car from a mall. Since we were about the same size, I glamoured her into giving me the clothes she’d just bought, and the tennis shoes off her feet.

  I preferred shoes that were dressier, but I also knew that I might have to get away quickly, so the tennis shoes were a good idea.

  Walking away from the truck stop and down the side of the road, I was grateful for the comfortable shoes.
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  A few fat raindrops plopped on my head and soaked into my scalp. I shivered and wrapped my arms around my chest. A flash of lighting stretched across the inky sky, followed by booming thunder. I quickened my steps.

  I needed to find shelter and I needed to find it fast.

  CHAPTER TWO

  When the bottom fell out of the sky and the rain pelted my skin, I began to think I’d made a mistake in getting out of Dudley’s truck.

  The further I walked the harder it rained. Cars whizzed by, splashing me every time they passed. My clothes were soaked through, and I felt like I was carrying an extra ten pounds. My feet stung with each step. I knew there were blisters on my heels from where the tennis shoes were rubbing a raw spot on my skin.

  A chill darted up my spine. I had the strangest feeling someone was watching me. I strained to hear footsteps or heavy breathing, but I didn’t hear a thing.

  I was losing it.

  I regretted not going with Dudley. I missed the warmth of his truck. Maybe burrito farts weren’t too bad compared to being soaking wet with no shelter in sight.

  It seemed fate was, once again, conspiring against me.

  I’d never been more miserable in my life.

  I blinked back the rain streaming down my face. In between passing cars, I cautiously found my footing, unsure of what I might be stepping on in the darkness. My body ached, my footsteps were heavy, and I wanted nothing more than to find somewhere dry to sleep.

  Maybe this was it. Maybe I was going to walk forever and never find shelter. Desperation and despair settled in my bones.

  I spotted the soft glimmer of lights twinkling ahead in the darkness. Resolve welled up in my chest. I wasn’t sure if it was a home or business. But whatever it was, it would offer shelter out of the rain.

  I broke out into a jog, despite the protests of my aching body. I was tired, and all I wanted to do was to get out of my wet clothes, lie down, and rest.

  I got closer to the lights and realized that it wasn’t a gas station. It was a motel. For once my luck was turning.

  I hurried up the driveway, my footsteps making a wet plopping sound against the concrete.

  The brick building was old and worn and there were only a few cars parked out front. There were two floors of rooms accessed only from the outside with a pool off to the side. A fence around the pool had a sign announcing the pool hours.

  It was a typical nondescript motel that you passed on the highway all the time. The kind

  Motel for those who wanted to blend in and not stand out.

  My excitement and relief lasted only a second.

  It had everything I needed, yet I couldn’t get a room. I had absolutely no money.

  Salty tears welled and stung behind my eyes, before rolling down my cheeks to mingle with the rain. I was within arm’s reach of paradise, yet was once again locked out.

  “Story of my fucking life.” The bitter words slipped out as I swiped at my eyes with my wet arm.

  I knew I couldn’t glamour the desk clerk into giving me money for a room. I’d seen that I had no effect with Dudley and it wouldn’t be any different now.

  I’d never felt more powerless.

  The door to the motel office opened and a large burly man with an unkempt beard stepped out. He had tattoos that wrapped around his large arms and up under his short sleeves. He wore jeans and dark boots.

  Chills ran up my spine.

  It wasn’t the tattoos or how large he was that made my stomach hurt, or the hair on my arm stand on end.

  No, it was the way he looked at me. The look I’d seen before on men who didn’t give a shit about rules, and who took what they wanted.

  His fat lips curled upward into an evil sneer. “Hey there, beautiful.”

  I avoided his gaze and spun to head back to the highway. My heart beat like a dog thumping its tail on the ground.

  “Where are you going?” He grabbed my arm, halting my escape and pulled me around to face him.

  Nausea washed over my stomach and mingled with fear.

  “I said hello.” His gray eyes narrowed. “It isn’t polite to ignore someone talking to you.”

  “Sorry. I’m late. I’m meeting someone.” The words tumbled out of my mouth and I forced my gaze up to his. I knew that showing weakness would not work in my favor.

  “Nice Southern accent you got there, sweet pea. You said you are meeting someone, here?” His eyebrow shot up and then that evil smile was right back in place. “I see. Well, someone as hot as you must make a lot of money.”

  Anger, vengeance, and fear mingled and burned in my veins. I wanted nothing more than to turn his ugly soul to dust. But I wasn’t that kind of witch and the magick that I could do, required a spell and ingredients. I didn’t even have the luxury of glamouring the asshole..

  “I’m not a hooker.” I snatched my arm out of his grip. I could feel my green eyes flame with anger. If I could harness the power of a look, his ass would be a greasy black spot on the sidewalk.

  “Riiiiggghhhtt.” He stepped closer. “I don’t believe you. I’ll give you fifty bucks for a blowjob.”

  My rage overrode my fear as my lips curled up into a smirk. Images of castrating the asshole ran through my head. I wanted nothing more than to tear his dick off and shove it down his throat.

  I turned to walk away but he tightened his hold on my arm.

  “Wait a second pretty lady. I’m not done with you.” He leaned close. His rank breath smelled of cigarettes and beer.

  Panic swelled in my chest and I looked around for someone, anyone to see me.

  The parking lot was empty and thunder echoed in the sky. A black cat meowed as it emerged from the side of the building, then darted for cover from the rain underneath a nearby truck.

  There was no help nor would there be anyone coming to save my ass.

  I was on my own.

  I raised my foot up and came down hard on his boot.

  “I wear steel toe boots” he laughed in my face.

  “Yeah well this ain’t steel toed.” I hissed and brought my knee up hard and fast right in his crotch.

  He screamed like a girl, doubled over cradling his twig and berries. I’d always heard that men throw up when they’ve been kicked in the jewels. I didn’t stick around to see if he was going to throw up or not. But I prayed he did.

  I hauled ass away from the motel and back to the highway. I glanced over my shoulder to make sure he wasn’t following. He was kneeling on the wet ground, trying to catch his breath.

  A smile broke out across my face but didn’t last.

  My body slammed into something hard and suddenly I was flying backwards. I hit the asphalt hard and my head hit the ground. Pain exploded through every recess of my body and I wanted to curl up in a ball and cry. Darkness descended. I tried to hold my eyes open as panic and horror set in, but I was losing the battle.

  I was fading fast.

  I blinked trying to fight it and stay awake, but I was much too weak. Pain overtook me until I slid into unconsciousness.

  CHAPTER THREE

  I blinked open my heavy eyes as nausea swept across my stomach. I clutched my stomach and fought back the urge to vomit and tried to get my eyes to adjust to the yellow light in the room.

  I froze. I was in a room. A motel room.

  Holy shit. The big burly guy had chased me down and had taken me to his motel room, and was now going to do god knows what to me.

  Fear slipped into my veins and I tried to push myself up on my elbows. Pain shot through me like an arrow, hot, fast and sure.

  “Shit,” I hissed through my clenched jaw.

  “Easy, easy. You’re not well enough to sit up.” A tall man with blonde hair and big brown eyes stared down at me. He shoved his glasses up on the bridge of his nose with one finger and walked over to my side of the bed.

  “Don’t touch me.” I warned. I knew I couldn’t do much to fight him off but I wouldn’t let a man touch me without at least putting up a fight.


  “I’m not going to hurt you. I’m a doctor.” He held his hands up in a defensive posture and spoke softly, like someone speaking to a frightened animal.

  He was different than the other man. He wasn’t as big and didn’t have any visible tattoos. He didn’t wear jeans, but dress pants and a crisp, white button-down shirt. He looked like he just stepped out of a meeting.

  I couldn’t imagine him to be in cahoots with the other man. Their vibes felt too different.

  “Well, you just keep your distance right there, buddy.” I shot him a warning look and he stilled. When I was confident he wasn’t going to try to hurt me, I took the opportunity to glance around the room.

  I was lying on one of the two beds in the room. The paneled walls had been painted to brighten up the dingy atmosphere. There was a dresser against the wall, a TV that was playing an eighties movie, and a small desk near the window. The light from the bathroom was spilling out onto the once cream colored shag carpet.

  “I’m in the motel?” I looked at the man and waited for him to confirm my question.

  “Yes, you are.” He nodded slowly.

  “What the hell happened? I feel like I was hit by a fucking truck.” I wanted to sit up but the pain in my stomach was too much to handle.

  “Well actually… ” he rubbed his hand on the back of his neck and grimaced, “you were hit by a car. My car.”

  “Well that figures.” I couldn’t catch a damn break. One mishap after another.

  “I’m terribly sorry. You ran right out in front of me. I tried to stop but with the rain…” Concern creased the corners of his mouth and eyes as he waved his hands around while he spoke.

  “Enough. I get it.” I held up my hand. He was talking too much and it was giving me a headache. “So why am I here in this room? Why didn’t you take me to the hospital?” I began to get creeped out all over again. What did this guy want from me?

  He frowned. “You’re a witch. I figured you didn’t want any human intervention. I figured you could heal yourself.”