Deadlands (The Healer Series, #2) Read Free

face turned down into a frown. “Hey, boys,” Finley called over to the Warlocks surrounding the table in the middle of the room. “Want another player?”
    The W arlocks looked up from their game towards Willow. It was obvious they were completely drunk off of some concoction, because their eyes were hazy as they nodded stupidly towards Finley. They were half coherent at best. Willow knew of some serious potions that could make magic casters act this way. It wasn’t the typical wine and alcohol that humans use. No. What Warlocks used to feel euphoric and wasted was something much, much stronger, and all with varying effects. Warlocks and Witches could make themselves feel whatever they wanted to feel with the dozens of potions available to them.
    Willow followed Finley up to the table near the couches. She grew more and more frustrated with Finley and was about to go search for Declan herself when she recognized a few of the Warlocks gathered around the table. Camden and Tucker, who were also friends with Declan and had been at her talisman ceremony, were kneeling around the table with silly smiles on their faces. In the center was a rotating wooden plate with five plastic cups. The cups were all filled halfway with a blue liquid.
    “Guy s, you know Willow Rose, right?” Finley asked them.
    “Heyyyy,” Camden addressed her lazily, “Stand and seat, I mean, have…a…seat…or somethin’, right?” he asked looking at his friends confused when he slurred his words.
    The W arlocks around him cracked up laughing. “Dude! He’s got the roofie!” A Warlock pointed and they all watched avidly as Camden attempted to stand to his feet. He swaggered and swayed as if drunk, but stood to his full height off the floor. Turning to Willow, he brought a hand to his forehead saluting her, and then blacked out cold on the leather couch, plopping heavily into a deep sleep. The Warlocks around him hooted in laughter.
    Willow crossed her arms and turned to Finley. Her mood had darkened watching the Warlocks having their little fun, if fun was what you called it. “If you don’t go get Declan now, I’ll find him myself, and then I’ll go get Headmaster Dorian and bust you guys. So go. Now!” 
    Finley was n’t fazed by her threat. “How about we make a deal, Willow? I’ll go get Declan while you play one harmless game of roofie roulette with the boys.” Finley gestured to the swiveling board on the coffee table. A strange look passed between Finley and Tucker that Willow didn’t miss.
    “No,” Willow said adamantly. They were planning something. She was sure of it.
    Tucker spoke up. “I knew she was too good to play with us! Stuck up, prissy little Willow Rose can’t even let loose and have a little fun with us Warlocks!”
    “Yeah,” another one spoke up beside him. “Now that she has her talisman and special powers, she thinks she’s better than us!”
    Tucker nodded and sneered at Willow. “She probably doesn’t even know how to have fun!”
    Willow stood there taking the insults, and was getting more and more upset. She hated when people degraded her or thought little of her. Ever since she discovered her healing powers, the people around her judged her and acted like she was insignificant and incapable of being a great Witch. Yet time and time again, she had proven her value and was worthy of healing those in need. It was only after she displayed her powers that the respect came. If they only knew just how insecure she was about it, they wouldn’t be in a position to taunt her. “I just need to see Declan,” she gritted though her teeth.
    “Come on, Willow,” Finley urged. “Don’t be such a wuss y. I’ll go get Declan as soon as you play one round. We promise nothing bad is going to happen.”
    “You may even like it,” Tucker chimed in.
    “Ugh! Fine! Just go get him now, Finn,” Willow relented and sat on her knees at the edge of the coffee table. She was a sucker under peer pressure.
    “See?