Witching Hour Read online

  Witching Hour: Vices and Virtues

  An Anthology of the Seven Deadly Sins and Seven Dark Virtues

  Trinity Hanrahan

  Stacey Broadbent

  Amber K. Bryant

  Cyril Bunt

  J.M. Butler

  Lenore Cheairs

  Alana Delacroix

  Chris Farmer

  Lisa Goldman

  Kristin Jacques

  Rebecca Nolan

  Tammy Oja

  Aria Peyton

  QT Ruby

  Maggie Jane Schuler

  Witching Hour Press

  © Copyright 2017 by:

  * * *

  Stacey Broadbent

  Amber K. Bryant

  Cyril Bunt

  J.M. Butler

  Lenore Cheairs

  Alana Delacroix

  Chris Farmer

  Lisa Goldman

  Trinity Hanrahan

  Kristin Jacques

  Rebecca Nolan

  Tammy Oja

  Aria Peyton

  QT Ruby

  Maggie Jane Schuler

  * * *

  Cover Created By: Covers by Combs

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  * * *

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any written, electronic, recording, or photocopying without written permission of the publisher or author. The exception would be in the case of brief quotations embodied in the critical articles or reviews. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the authors' imagination and are used fictiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  Contents

  Blurbs

  Introduction

  Stacey Broadbent

  Sins of the Flesh

  Amber K. Bryant

  A Million Clay Wolves

  Cyril Bunt

  Confessions of an Honest Man

  J.M. Butler

  Do No Harm

  Lenore Cheairs

  Seven Days

  Alana Delacroix

  Single Minded

  Chris Farmer

  You Made Me

  Lisa Goldman

  Death Throes

  Trinity Hanrahan

  One Forgives as One Loves

  Rebecca Nolan

  The Devil You Know

  Kristin Jacques

  Caveat Emptor

  Tammy Oja

  The Pain of a Kindness

  Aria Peyton

  Hell’s Match

  QT Ruby

  Evelyn

  Maggie Jane Schuler

  A Sorcerer's Road to Temperance

  Witching Hour: Vices and Virtues Playlist

  Other Witching Hour Stories

  Blurbs

  SINS OF THE FLESH (Gluttony)

  BY STACEY BROADBENT

  It was a balmy Spring evening when I first discovered a taste for human flesh. It was a happy accident really. After having my heart broken one too many times, I'd abstained from any type of physical relationship with a man for years, so when one fell in my lap, it came as quite the surprise.

  * * *

  A MILLION CLAY WOLVES (Greed)

  BY AMBER K. BRYANT

  Living in a squalid encampment in the shadows of a towering city, a young woman able to endow objects with magical powers struggles with her brother's growing determination to use her gift for his own selfish means.

  * * *

  CONFESSIONS OF AN HONEST MAN (Chastity)

  BY CYRIL BUNT

  When I was thirteen I took my oath, I never broke it. But apparently, I broke many others.

  * * *

  DO NO HARM (Charity)

  BY J.M. BUTLER

  What if someone offered you exactly what you needed?

  Ethics and vampirism hardly go together, and Aestan has concluded he is trapped between two bad situations. A chance meeting with his neighbor Summer changes everything as she offers the solution to his problems. He can have her blood. She's more than happy to give it if it keeps him from robbing blood banks or killing people. Though at first he is relieved, he soon realizes that even what is freely given may yet have consequences he does not desire.

  * * *

  SEVEN DAYS (Humility)

  BY LENORE CHEAIRS

  What or who is Humility? According to Kingston, he may be something darker than one would expect from one of the seven virtues. Listen as Kingston tells the tale of this year's seven-day lesson to the world.

  * * *

  A SINGLE MIND (Pride)

  BY ALANA DELACROIX

  Neil Clarins is a very important man with very important research. He could save the world. And he won't let anyone stand in his way.

  * * *

  YOU MADE ME (Envy)

  BY CHRIS FARMER

  I envied the time I watched you eat, hoping to taste even a crumb of that sandwich. I envied the time you got to stay warm while, I nearly froze on the street. I envied the power you had to destroy my life.

  Now it will be you who envies me. Your gluttony has come to an end. One way or another, you will feel the agony of want.

  * * *

  DEATH THROES (Sloth)

  BY LISA GOLDMAN

  Born into prestige and wealth, twenty-year-old, indolent Chandler Wentsworth’s biggest worries are working to smooth over his constantly disappointed family and friends. He doesn’t realize how easy his life is until he and his friend go to a carnival, where Roma, an eccentric psychic, delivers improbable predictions and a frightening warning that the eyes are the window to one’s soul. Soon, he not only discovers the true evil behind black oily eyes, but Roma’s atrocious predictions has begun a series of catastrophic events, including soul-shattering death throes.

  * * *

  ONE FORGIVES AS ONE LOVES (Forgiveness)

  BY TRINITY HANRAHAN

  I can have peace of mind only when forgiveness has been earned and granted.

  * * *

  CAVEAT EMPTOR (Diligence)

  BY KRISTIN JACQUES

  Captain Niels Fizarian prides himself on quality product: weapons, rare goods, even concubines. It's one thing to be an unscrupulous scoundrel, another to be a poor businessman. But with early retirement looming, what could cutting a few corners hurt? When it comes to interstellar trade, Captain Niels may just learn the hard way to pay his due diligence.

  * * *

  THE DEVIL YOU KNOW (Lust)

  BY REBECCA NOLAN

  Ivy feels like everything is finally falling in place from her now that she has a new home. To make things even better, her landlord is sexy, caring Drake Hunter. The problem is Drake isn't what he seems. Will Ivy get her happy ever after or is she doomed to end up in tears.

  * * *

  THE PAIN OF A KINDNESS (Kindness)

  BY TAMMY OJA

  Anna works with an appointed psychologist for answers when her mother goes missing.

  * * *

  HELL'S MATCH (Kindness)

  BY ARIA PEYTON

  In my world, too many people are lonely. So out of the kindness of my heart I help them. Those who want someone by their side forever get it. Only they never read the fine print and forever means just that.

  * * *

  EVELYN (Wrath)

  BY QT RUBY

  Dr. Evers says the only way for Evelyn to be free
is to remember her past, but is that really such a good idea?

  * * *

  A SORCERER'S ROAD TO TEMPERANCE (Temperance)

  BY MAGGIE JANE SCHULER

  Temperance Blanco served to bring order to her family and small town. She thought if she practiced her craft and lead the immoral on a path to restraint, life would be perfect. What she didn't count on was her intense draw to her employer, the handsome new night club owner Raiden Spellman. She thought she had tricks up her sleeve until she found herself captivated by Raiden and unaware of her place in the Cards of life.

  Introduction

  Because sometimes, the virtuous are as frightening as the sinful…

  Sins of the Flesh

  Gluttony

  Stacey Broadbent

  One

  It was a balmy spring evening when I first discovered a taste for human flesh. It was a happy accident really. After having my heart broken one too many times, I’d abstained from any type of physical relationship with a man for years, so when one fell in my lap, it came as quite the surprise…

  Perusing the shelves at my local supermarket, we both reached for the same bottle of wine. Our fingers touched, sending a tingle of excitement coursing through my body. I stepped back, apologising profusely. “So sorry, you take it.” I then bowed, tucking my head into my chest so that he couldn’t see my eyes roll at my awkwardness.

  The rumble of his laughter made me pause, my eyes peeking up through my hair. “I think there’s enough for the both of us.” He winked, handing me a bottle then reaching back to grab another for himself. “I don’t suppose you’d be interested in joining me for a tipple?”

  “Ah… I don’t know…”

  He thrust his hand out towards me. “Where are my manners? Of course you don’t want a drink with a stranger. Let’s remedy that. Mark’s the name. And you are?”

  Slipping my tiny hand into his, I inwardly shuddered at the softness of his skin on mine. “P-Piper,” I stuttered, slowly bringing my eyes up to meet his. His grin broadened and I got a glimpse of a dimple in his left cheek.

  “Nice to meet you, Piper.” He nodded towards the bottle in my hand. “And can I say, you have excellent taste in wine.”

  Perhaps it was the ever-present grin on his face, or the sparkle in his ocean-blue eyes that had me letting down my guard. “You may.” I glanced at the basket slung over his arm. “Camembert and crackers. Someone’s letting their hair down tonight.”

  Without missing a beat, he flicked his luscious locks from his face. “You bet I am!” He leaned in close to whisper in my ear. “Wine, snacks and a 1000-piece puzzle with my name on it.” He stepped back, his eyes alight. “Irresistible, I know.”

  The snort that came out of my nose when I laughed took me by surprise, and I quickly brought my hand up to hide my embarrassment. Anticipating my move, he grasped my hand, pulling it from my face. “Don’t hide. You have a beautiful smile.” And just like that, I was putty in his hands. “Have a drink with me?”

  He looked so hopeful, how could I possibly resist? It was just one drink, after all. “Sure, why not?” His face lit up like a kid on Christmas day, and I couldn’t help but grin back at him.

  With our purchases in our hands, we walked out to the parking lot, stopping at the edge. “Where are you parked?” he asked, taking hold of my bag.

  “Just over there.” I pointed to my white Honda Civic just two rows over.

  “I’ll walk you to your car.”

  Nodding, I stepped onto the asphalt, leading the way. What was the correct protocol for things like this? I’d been out of the game for so long, I had no idea how I was meant to behave. Should I ask for his number?

  “So, about that drink?” I’d been so preoccupied with my thoughts, I hadn’t even noticed we were standing beside my car. He stood, staring at me expectantly as I rummaged around for my keys.

  “Ah, here they are!” I said a little too loudly, jingling them in the air. “Let me just open this up…” A beep sounded as I pressed the button on the fob, and the boot popped open. “You can put the bag in there.”

  He placed it down carefully then turned back to me. “Piper?”

  “Mmm?”

  “Drink?” His grin was almost boyish, and I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks as I followed his tongue as he licked his lips.

  “Uh, yeah.” I blinked, forcing my eyes to shift from his mouth. “Sorry, I’m out of practise. How do we,” I gestured between the two of us, “do this?”

  He threw his head back and laughed. “You’re doing just fine. How about you follow me back to mine, and we can get to know each other over a bottle of wine and a box of cardboard shapes?”

  Cocking my head to the side, I wondered if it was a good idea to be somewhere less public with this man I barely knew. He seemed nice enough, but my track record proved I wasn’t much of a judge of character.

  “Or we could go somewhere else, if you’d rather. I understand if you’d prefer to be somewhere less… intimate.”

  The nice girl in me quickly jumped to attention, assuring him that I trusted him. “No, don’t be silly. Your place sounds nice. Lead the way.” You only live once, right?

  Two

  We pulled up outside a modern-looking townhouse with perfectly manicured lawns and gardens. Mark quickly strode over to my car, offering me a hand to climb out, and grabbing the bag, like a true gentleman. He ushered me through the gate with a hand to the small of my back, and butterflies flitted about in my stomach at such a sweet gesture. It had been much too long since I’d enjoyed the touch of a good man.

  When we stepped inside, he took my coat and hung it by the door on one of those old-school coat racks, then directed me through to the kitchen where he set the bags down on the counter. “Wine?” he asked, holding the bottle in one hand, while he reached into the cupboard for glasses.

  “Mmm, please.” I wandered around the room, mesmerised by the artwork on his walls. Streaks of red and black, smatterings of pink and white, such bold colours and vivid imagery. “You paint?”

  “Me?” He pointed a finger at his chest before belting out a laugh. “No, though I’m flattered you think I’m capable of such things. Not an artistic bone in this body, I’m afraid.” Walking round the counter, he handed me my glass. “To new friends.” We clinked before taking a sip of the warm, crimson liquid.

  I closed my eyes, savouring the taste on my tongue. “Mmm. I needed that.”

  “Rough day?” He led me over to the couch, placing our glasses on the coffee table.

  “Busy. Nothing to write home about.” I perched on the edge of the couch, my elbows braced on my knees. “You mentioned a puzzle?”

  “Oh yeah.” He smiled, rubbing his hands together. “Are you sure you don’t mind? I know it’s not something you’d normally do on a first date.”

  “No? You don’t lure women back here to help you slot your piece into theirs?” I wiggled my eyebrows at him, unsure where this sudden bravado came from, but rolling with it anyway.

  His laughter boomed from his chest again, and his eyes twinkled. “You’re funny. I like that.” He stood, reaching underneath us to pull out a thin black suitcase-type thing. “Puzzle case,” he said, laying it on the table. A long zip ran around the outer edge. Inside was a suede lining with two matching boards for putting spare pieces on. I could see he’d made a start on it, having the outside edges already put together. “I started without you, sorry. If I’d known a lovely lady would give up her Saturday night to help me, I’d have waited.” He winked.

  “I think I can forgive you for that. Where’s the box? What picture are we making?” I started grabbing pieces that looked as though they might match. It was hard to tell though, so many looked the same.

  “Ah.” He tapped his forehead. “I prefer to do it without the picture. Makes it more interesting.” He handed me a handful of pieces from a plastic bag he had stashed. “Let’s get some more spread out on the spare boards. I’ll grab us another wine.”
br />   The first glass was already making me feel lightheaded, but I needed the Dutch courage. “Superb.” I was busy trying to slot two red and white pieces together when he came back in carrying a tray with our glasses and an array of snacks.

  “Thought we could use a little nibble while we work.” He set the tray down, on a side table. “You have to try the jerky. I make it myself.”

  “Really? Aren’t you the clever one?” I was suitably impressed. Not only did he have a nice home and great choice in wine, but he could also work his way around a kitchen! What more could you ask for in a man?

  I popped a piece of shrivelled-up meat into my mouth, chewing slowly. “Mmm, this is really good,” I mumbled around my mouthful.