White Witch (eBook)

Accursed Blood

Asma Emami (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2025 | 1. Auflage
408 Seiten
Publishdrive (Verlag)
978-0-00-100908-0 (ISBN)

Infos

White Witch

Accursed Blood

by Asma Emami

A dream of fame. A war of shadows. A witch that time forgot.

David, a rising model with fierce ambition, never imagined his path to stardom would lead him into a centuries-old war between two rival cults. At first, it all seemed like a desperate chase to destroy an ancient witch-powerful, immortal, and vengeful. But as the layers peel away, David discovers the true stakes are far more terrifying.

This is no ordinary hunt. It's a battle that shakes the foundations of belief, where forgotten gods stir and myth bleeds into modern reality. As dark secrets surface and ancient magic returns, David must choose between the life he dreamed of-and the destiny he never asked for.

Perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman, Leigh Bardugo, and dark fantasy thrillers, White Witch: Accursed Blood delivers an unforgettable tale of ambition, betrayal, and awakening power.

Textauszug

Chapter One

What the Crows Knew

A haunting female voice echoed in his mind, urging, "David... David... you must run, David, run... I'm coming for you... you are mine… Hide, David... RUUUUUUN." Upon awakening, David jolted upright, drenched in sweat and gasping for air, as though he had just run a marathon in the dead of night. The oppressive weight of the nightmare still clung to him like a shroud, leaving him disoriented and yearning for clarity. His anxious gaze swept across his cramped, cluttered apartment, which bore the trademark chaos of his life—a pile of unwashed laundry in the corner, stacks of old magazines and empty takeout containers littering the coffee table. The perpetual stench of cigarette smoke clinging to the stale air reminded him of nights spent in a haze, trying to numb the unease that had settled into his bones. As he rubbed his weary eyes, willing himself to dispel the remnants of sleep, the haunting voice from his dreams echoed once more, relentlessly calling his name with an urgency that felt palpable. "David... David... you must listen!" Night after night, the same nightmare tormented him, and with each passing evening, the voice grew louder and closer—as if it were some malevolent forces encroaching on his very existence. A cold shiver ran down his spine, the mounting fear gnawing at his nerves like a ravenous beast. Who did the voice belong to? Why did she urge him to flee and hide? What did she want from him? These questions consumed his thoughts, their weight pressing heavily on his mind like a storm cloud threatening to unleash its fury.

The clock struck 8:15, an unwelcome reminder that time continued to slip away from him. He sighed deeply, dragging himself out of bed and shuffling toward the bathroom, defeated by the routine that had become his life. Late for work again, but he couldn’t bring himself to care—he felt like a shadow drifting through the motions, lacking the energy to truly engage with the world around him. Standing before the mirror, he stared at his reflection with a mix of frustration and disillusionment. How had he ended up here—in this dingy apartment, working a dead-end job at a store that barely paid the bills? His striking features stared back at him: a tall frame that was both imposing and elegant, fair skin marred only by the occasional imperfection, piercing blue eyes that had once sparked interest and intrigue, jet-black hair that cascaded down perfectly, full red lips that seemed to promise charisma, a chiseled jawline that accentuated his masculinity, and high cheekbones that offered a sculpted allure. He had poured every penny he earned into perfecting his appearance, dedicating hours at the gym to sculpt his physique into something magazine-cover worthy. Yet, despite his relentless efforts, the modeling career he dreamed of remained tantalizingly out of reach, like a mirage disappearing the closer he got. The rejection baffled and infuriated him, leaving him to wonder what more he could possibly do, if only he could figure out how to silence the voice that tormented him both in his dreams and in waking life.

After lingering in front of the mirror longer than necessary, he finally left the bathroom and began picking through the chaos on his bedroom floor in search of a clean shirt. One by one, he lifted T-shirts, giving each a quick sniff, only to grimace at the staleness clinging to them. His laundry had been neglected far too long. Eventually, he unearthed a navy-blue T-shirt that seemed tolerable and paired it with black jeans, throwing on a black hoodie to complete the look. The bedroom floor was a battlefield of clutter—empty bottles, takeout containers, crumpled chip bags, and random jars scattered everywhere. He didn’t even glance at the fridge; he already knew it was barren. Instead, he relied on the convenience store where he worked to keep him fed. Expired food destined for the trash often became his sustenance. Occasionally, his co-worker Lucy would share her lunch, and sometimes, women he casually dated would treat him to meals, even gifting him clothes. He played along for the perks, but the moment they hinted at wanting something more serious, he’d cut ties without hesitation.

Stepping out of his apartment, he locked the door behind him. His elderly neighbor, Mrs. Smith, was sweeping diligently outside her unit. Her eyes narrowed into a familiar glare as she paused her work to address him.

“You should clean the front of your apartment, young man. You’re completely irresponsible,” she scolded, her voice sharp.

David gave her a wry smile. “Sorry, Mrs. Smith, but maybe you should mind your own business. It’s my space, and I like it messy.”

Her face flushed with indignation. “How rude! I told Harrison he shouldn’t rent to a young single man like you. You lot are all the same—rude, selfish, and irresponsible.”

He shrugged nonchalantly, already turning to leave. “Tough luck. I’m off now. Bye.”

Without waiting for a response, he walked away, leaving Mrs. Smith fuming behind him.

He could hear her anger echoing as he moved away, her voice sharp and cutting even as he descended the stairs. Taking all four flights in a rush, he burst onto the street where the rain was pouring relentlessly. He sighed, pulled up his hood, and jogged toward the bus stop. A small group of students had gathered there, each looking as miserable as the weather. Some chatted in hushed tones, others were absorbed in their phones or music, and the mood was palpably dreary. With no empty seats available, he stood near a student and waited in silence. The bus arrived quickly, and he climbed aboard, settling into a spot as he slipped in his earbuds. His favorite songs played softly, providing a comforting soundtrack as he gazed out the window. The rain-drenched streets were alive with hurried figures—commuters rushing to work and students trudging toward school. He hated the rain, the dampness clinging to everything, and especially the people who seemed to enjoy walking in it. To him, it was all an unnecessary inconvenience.

The store was located on one of the busiest streets in downtown, its chaos amplified by the downpour. Entering through the backdoor, he hoped to avoid his boss noticing his tardiness. He slipped inside, quickly donning his vest before heading to punch in his time card. To his surprise, it was already punched. He knew immediately it had been Lucy. She always covered for him, her crush on him as obvious as the rain outside. For weeks, she'd been dropping hints, trying to get him to ask her out. But he had no interest in her. She was just a cashier, a hopeless romantic, and he had bigger ambitions. He dreamed of dating someone wealthier, someone who could open doors to a better life. A girl who could spend money on him or introduce him to influential people. Lucy, for all her kindness, didn’t fit into his plans. He couldn’t afford to waste his time.

David made his way to the registration area, determined to thank Lucy for her kindness. It was the least he could do to keep her happy and, perhaps, secure her help in the future. When he arrived, Lucy was tidying up her workspace. Her face lit up with a big, warm smile as she spotted him. Lucy was a sweet, unpretentious young woman from a hardworking but modest background. She was petite and slim, with short dark hair and striking green eyes. Dressed in blue jeans and a black blouse under her vest, she waved at David, who returned the gesture. Just as David started to approach her, the manager stepped in, blocking his path with his usual disdainful expression.

"Well, well, look who decided to show up for work," the manager sneered. "Mr. David Miller. What’s the excuse this time? Mugged? Or did the bus break down?"

David clenched his jaw, resisting the urge to retaliate. Instead, he replied evenly, "If you check the employee clock, you’ll see I punched in on time."

"Oh, really?" the manager shot back, his tone dripping with skepticism. "Then where have you been since?"

Before David could respond, Lucy stepped in to defend him. Her voice was steady, though a hint of nervousness crept into her smile. "Mr. Ronald, hi. David was cleaning aisle nine. A child broke a jar earlier, and I asked him to take care of it since Sam was nowhere to be found."

David couldn’t help but smirk at Lucy’s quick thinking, which only seemed to irritate the manager further. The man scratched the back of his head, clearly frustrated but unable to argue. "Fine," he grumbled. "Since you’re so eager to clean, Miller, take out last night’s trash before it stinks up the store. And don’t dawdle."

David didn’t wait for him to add more to his list of tasks. He turned on his heel and headed toward the trash. As he walked away, he could hear Lucy and the manager parting ways. A moment later, Lucy caught up to him.

"That was close. Phew," she said, exhaling in relief.

"Thanks, Lucy," David replied sincerely. "I really owe you. Without you, I’d have been fired a long time ago."

Lucy smiled warmly. "It’s no problem at all. I like working with you."

David met her gaze, his tone resolute. "I’ll make it up to you someday. I promise."

"I’ll hold you to that," she said with a playful grin.

She left him to return to her work. He exhaled sharply, relieved he hadn’t been caught. Spotting two trash cans that needed emptying, he grabbed them and headed toward the back door. The rear of the store opened into a square area designated for receiving shipments and disposing of waste. Surrounding the space were apartment complexes, mostly quiet and empty at this time of day. After setting the trash outside, he glanced around, ensuring...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 13.8.2025
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Fantasy / Science Fiction ► Fantasy
• ISBN-10: 0-00-100908-7 / 0001009087
• ISBN-13: 978-0-00-100908-0 / 9780001009080