Almost Wicked: Chapter One

Prologue: An Introduction to Alesbury and Its Residents

Alesbury, Illinois, located just over an hour north of Chicago, was home to some of the richest people in the Midwest. With it’s lakefront views, and proximity to the city, it was always a prime location for Chicagoans looking to get away from the city. The streets were lined with old Victorian houses, cute little shops, and way too many white picket fences for my tastes. It was basically the Chicago equivalent of the Hamptons. But behind all the perfectly restored houses and perfectly manicured lawns, was a secret that they don’t mention in the brochures. Alesbury was a hub for the supernatural.

Which brings us to me. My name is Tandy Bright, and I am a witch. Yes, a real witch, but it’s not all brewing potions and flying around on broomsticks, like in Harry Potter. And I don’t carry a wand around or hang out dragons or send messages via owls (Though I did try that once in middle school, it ended with a very angry owl and stitches. I do not recommend.) My magic required a lot more studying, spells and well, mostly instinct.

This town was home to quite a few different types of supernatural beings. There were other witches like myself, some werewolves, vampires, fairies, and of course a shapeshifter or two. Pretty much every creature you could think of made it’s home in Alesbury.

Chapter One: The Breakfast Crowd

“Order up, table eight!” Adam yelled from the kitchen more dramatically than necessary. It was a typical Saturday morning for me, three hours into my four hour shift at Hansel’s, the local diner. It was peak breakfast time, bringing out the locals and the out of towners alike.

In my section I currently had six tables going. The Wilsons were at table one, they were a lovely old elf couple, and when I say old, I mean old, they’re pushing their 700s. They were always super sweet to me and tipped well, so no complaints there. An out-of-towner family was sitting at table two. Their youngest was making quite a mess of the booth, I felt bad for the mom as she tried to wrangle all three children to sit in the booth.

Table three was currently housing what can only be described as the Plastics of the witch community; Courtney, Allison, and the ringleader Melanie. They made sure that everyone knew just how much better they were than everyone else. They didn’t bother me too much, though they clearly disapproved of well… everything about me, from my normal jeans and a t-shirt wardrobe, to my less than fit physique, to the fact that I didn’t use my powers to up my status. But my family’s name did still hold some status in this town, and fear. The Bright’s have produced some powerful witches, and people knew better than to cross one of us. The worst I got from them now, was just the occasional comment like, “You should really join our running group,” or “You should join us on this diet we’re doing, it would do wonders for you,”, yeah, hard pass.

Table four was occupied by Callie Rose (another fellow witch) and Rayna Pierce, nymph and town sweetheart. Rayna was the kind of girl that was so perfect you want to hate her, but so genuinely nice you can’t. Her family was swimming in cash, but she didn’t show it at all, and worked with more charities than I could name. She was probably the prettiest person in Alesbury, and she acted nothing like Melanie. I really wanted to hate her, but she was just too nice.

Rowan, my neighbor was seated alone at table five. Rowan was a vampire, and like most stereotypical vampires, he looked straight out of a gothic novel, aside from his modern-day clothes. He was drop dead gorgeous, and a bit of a loner, but he and I got along quite well. Brandy, one of the other waitresses, was convinced he had a thing for me, and it had become a running joke at the diner, but I knew there was no way that was true. Besides, even if it was, vampires weren’t really my type. I was a bit squeamish around blood.

And finally, table six, my least favorite table at the moment. Jake Walker and Connor Perkins, two werewolves that peaked in high school. They were the human embodiments of white male privilege. They came in every Saturday morning, and luckily usually stuck to Brandy’s section, but this was one of those unfortunate mornings where they ended up in mine. I was avoiding that table as much as I possibly could, which was hard since I had to walk past it to get to any of my other tables.

“Some one just sat down with Rowan. I’ve never seen him before, but he was fine. If I was into guys, I’d be all over that,” Sage says, sneaking up on me like only a half-pixie can. Sage is one of my best friends. She and I grew up together, and she got my sister and I into a fair amount of trouble with her antics back in the day. She was a little mischievous, but we loved her all the same.

“He said he was expecting someone, but I didn’t think he was serious,” I reply, looking over, but I couldn’t get a good look at this newcomer from where I was standing.

“Well, I guess he was. It appears he has friends to talk to when he’s not busy pining over you,” she winks at me before we are interrupted by Adam.

“What are you two standing around for, I don’t pay you to sit around looking pretty.” He complains.

“You don’t pay us,” I reply.

“Oh, you know what I mean, Cuz. Get back to work,” Adam really knew how to cut out all the fun when it came to work. He was family, and I loved him, but boy, did he get on my nerves sometimes.

“I better go check on Rowan’s table anyway,” I say to Sage, grabbing a coffee pot, before turning to do just that.

Rowan’s booth was just past the werewolves’ table, which I made a point of not looking at while walking by. When I got to Rowan’s booth, I could finally get a look at his mysterious friend of his, and it was a good look.

The man was the type of handsome that could only be fairy. I couldn’t see his ears to tell for sure, as his hair was just long enough to cover the points I was sure were there. He was too perfect to be human; I couldn’t have dreamt him up in my wildest dreams. I had to stop myself from stuttering as I greeted him, and I hadn’t even made eye contact with him yet.

“Welcome to Hansel’s. Can I start you off with some coffee?” I motion to the empty mug sitting on the table in front of him. He’s too busy staring off at something behind Rowan’s head to respond to me.

“Uh, yeah, coffee would be great,” he says when he finally comes out of his trance, still not looking at me. I look past Rowan to see what he was staring at. And what I find is Rayna, of course. She had that effect on people.

I pour the coffee into the mug, trying to get over the fact that this guy couldn’t even take the time to look at me.

“Refill?” I look to Rowan, but before he can respond, we are interrupted by the obnoxious wolves in the booth next to them.

“Oh waitress! We need refills over here!” Jake hollers at a louder than necessary volume.

“Excuse me,” I say to Rowan and his friend, before turning to the neighboring booth.

I don’t make eye contact with them as I refill both mugs, but I can feel their eyes lingering in places they shouldn’t.

“You know, sweetheart, you’d make better tips if you smiled more,” Jake suggested, and I had to rein in my anger, so I didn’t accidently lose control. But then he continued, “and wore a lower cut top. I mean it’s just a shame, you keeping those cans locked up like that,”

The whole restaurant shook, not enough for any of the humans to notice, but it made all my fellow supernaturals go still. I took a deep breath before replying.

I will not commit murder. I will not commit murder. I say it in my head like a mantra.

I smile, not the genuine kind, the kind a woman makes when you know you’re in for it.

“Okay,” I take another breath before continuing, “I’m going to give you a chance to retract that statement before I have to cause a scene in front of all these nice tourists,” I motion around me.

“Come on, sugar, no need to play hard to get with us. We know you ain’t a prude,” He winks suggestively at me, and I can actually feel the bile in my throat. My reputation preceded me, all because of one mistake, that mistake being Jake’s brother.

The whole restaurant shook again, this time a little harder, even the humans were affected. I knew I had to rein myself in before I did something I’d regret like accidentally setting the place a flame, that would really put a dent in my income.

I start to walk away before my temper got the better of me, but Jake stops me by grabbing my wrist and says “Caleb told us everything, so how about you take the better Walker brother for a spin?”

“Jake, let go,” I warn.

“Come on, sweet cheeks. I don’t mind having my brother’s sloppy seconds.”

“Don’t, she’s got this,” I hear Rowan say behind me. His friend probably wanted to play the hero to impress Rayna, but he didn’t know who I was.

I focus my energy, and the skin that he is touching burns hot, and he yelps letting go.

“B*tch,” he says

“I think the word you were looking for is witch. And it’s never going to happen. I’m not going to make the mistake of sleeping with a dog again. I think it’s time you leave, before I do something worse, to a part of your body you hold near and dear.” I threaten, my eyes glowing red.

“Oh and make sure you tip generously,” I add.

They quickly throw money on the table and quickly exit, but not before Jake says “You’ll regret crossing me,”

“I’m more afraid of my neighbor’s Pomeranian,” I throw back at him. Too be fair, the Jenkins’ Pomeranian was a monster. There has to be a demon possessing that little fur ball. And it’s true, while he did make me incredibly angry, I didn’t fear him. Even in his wolf form, I was much more powerful than him. Everyone knows not to cross a Bright witch.

I turn back to Rowan’s table, still a little angry, but my eyes are back to their normal grey/blue color.

“More coffee, Rowan?” I ask again, changing my demeanor.

He chuckles a bit before nodding his head.

I pour the coffee into his mostly empty mug. Rowan didn’t need to eat or drink human food (he survived on a different form of sustenance), but he liked the taste of coffee, so he’d usually drink a few cups when he came into the diner.

“What just happened?” his friend asks.

“I think it’s time I properly introduce you two. Will, this is my dear friend, Tandy Bright. Tandy, this is William Draconi, we’ve been friends for centuries.” Rowan introduces us. So I was probably right about the fairy thing, if they’d been friends for centuries.

“Bright?” he asks in interest. Like I said, that name holds power.

“Yes,”

“Well that explains why that wolf ran off with his tail between his legs, impressive.” here we go. It was always like this with newcomers, especially the power-hungry kind. They usually try to befriend me, so I’ll do something for them. A spell of some sort that’ll solve all their problems, as if that existed.

“It’s not all that hard to scare that asshole away, all you have to do is threaten his private parts and he goes off running like the scared little pup he really is.” I say, resentfully.

“I’m sensing some animosity.” Will is paying his full attention to me now, which is kind of unsettling if I’m being honest.

“That’s the understatement of the century.” I mumble. In order to avoid any further questioning, I say, “Anyways, if you all need anything else, Sage will help you. I’m going to cut out a little early,”. Most of my other tables did seem to be finishing up, and I really needed to get out of there after all that drama with Jake.

I turn away before they can say anything else.