Come One Come All

“Back to defend her crown, Corrine Landry, everyone!”

Bright lights flooded the stage as the curvaceous young black woman stepped into view. WitchCon typically climaxed with the Halloween cosplay competition, and the crowd erupted at the sight of one of the most anticipated contestants. After all, she was a two-time defending champion. Corrine didn’t disappoint her many fans, moving confidently to the center of the stage. A long dark red wig had replaced her usual black frizzy hairstyle and tumbled down her shoulders. Almost everyone in the crowd immediately recognized her choice: a far more scantily dressed and grown up version of Moira Morgan, the main character in the Spellwork series. While Harper Gray’s character was spellbindingly beautiful in a wholesome way, Corrine had always thought the character had a spiciness to her that she could embody. Corrine’s take brought a far more sexual allure to the witch. After all, Corrine had the body and she used it. Moira’s iconic black dress was shortened dramatically on both ends, revealing her legs as well as her ample cleavage. Moira was mostly a good girl, but Corrine left her tattoos exposed to suggest the witch was bad all along. I’m a work of art, that’s what the fans paid to see. Corrine thought, turning to expose the inked twin dragons grappling up her right thigh. She slid her broom prop between her legs and leaned into it suggestively, then tipped her witch’s hat and smiled perfect teeth to the crowd as the cameras flashed.

“Flashy and beautiful, I like this one,” Horace cawed over the noise of the crowd.

“Horace, you’d like all of them if you’d stop bitching for two seconds. They all have tits, that’s usually enough for you,” Eris said, her voice perfectly clear to the bird without her having to raise it over the volume of the crowd.

“Maybe back when I had hands,” The raven admitted, peeved at the reminder of his current inadequacies.

“It’s been a hundred years, Horace. You’d think you'd get over it..” Eris said, her tone unempathetic.

“It’s not exactly something you get _used _to, Eris. Not that I'd expect you to under… Squaaaa!” Horace jerked into the air as he turned to look at the witch and instead found he had been sitting on the shoulder of what appeared to be a massive troll of some sort. The next words from the contest presenter told him exactly where the aggravating witch had gone however.

“Ladies and gentlemen! It seems we have a last minute arrival!” The man said into his microphone as he stared at the introduction card in his hand that hadn’t existed a few seconds before. “The Lady of Ash, the Priestess of Shadows, Eris!”

Corrine stood unmoving at center stage, her huge smile covering her newly boiling rage. I’m supposed to be last, I was specifically promised more time Someone is going to get fired over this. She clenched her hand around her broom in anger, ready to tear into whoever dared to step on stage with her. When Eris did in fact ‘dare’ to join the young woman, however, Corrine was just as silent as the rest of the crowd. Shit. She’s good. Eris walked casually towards Corrine, very visible to all. Her hair twisted and floated in a dark mass around her with her dress following suit, the cloth flowing over her curves, showing even more of her skin than usual. The fabric of her dress seemingly devoured any light that touched it creating a strong contrast with the milk white of her skin.

Eris winked at the would-be witch and stepped up beside her, posing herself in a similar fashion on heels that certainly weren't that high a moment before and letting her dress slip away from a perfect thigh. The crowd burst, the cheer shaking the stage itself. Corrine felt suddenly small and silly beside the intruder. The costume and makeup she had spent weeks putting together were just nerdy props, a childish game, beside the dress and the woman. Corrine could hardly get herself to look at the newcomer for more than a moment, the insecurity she usually kept buried deep showing a bit through the cracks.

“Who the hell are you? Eris? I’ve never heard of her or her stupid titles,” Corrine growled through her clenched smile as she built up some courage. Eris waved to the crowd and stepped close, wrapping an arm around Corrine's waist and pulling her salaciously close.

“You have now.” Eris said sweetly into her ear before kissing the girl's cheek and ramping up the horny nerds in the crowd even further. Corrine shivered and nearly dropped her broom as a shiver ran down her spine. Somehow she kept her smile in place and didn’t bash the bitch. It’s probably what she wants, a video of you like that spreading all over social media.

“There you have it, folks! The last two competitors. Make sure to cast your vote soon, we will announce the winner shortly!”

Corrine pulled away and made for the far stairs in a huff, walking as confidently as she always had. Seeing some of her diehard followers already waiting for her at the bottom of the steps did a little to cool her steaming temper. She glanced back only once to see where the bitch had gone and not seeing her **** her out of her mind. You still got this, babe. Corrine let herself sink into the comfortable routine of taking selfies and signing photos for a while.

“What was that?” Horace snapped, landing on the once again invisible witch as she watched the schmoozing cosplayer. “Couldn’t you have just made her strip or something? You showed yourself to the whole damned place. I knew you were competitive but this seems a bit much for even you.”

“And? I’ve done far more in the past. When it fits with my plans. And if you think I felt any sort of threat from Miss ‘Grammer here then perhaps you’ve lost more of that mind of yours than I realized.” Eris said as she slowly circled behind Corrine while the unsuspecting woman filmed herself and a Hermione Granger dressed fan on her arm. For a heartbeat Eris allowed herself to be seen by the camera and laughed as Corrine twisted quickly around, nearly tossing the other girl aside. “If you disliked that little show, birdy, you’re going to really hate my plans for the end of the night.”

“Plans? I was under the impression you were allergic.” Horace said flatly, having exactly zero hope the would-be host would deign to share said plans with him. Eris winked and Horace sighed.

“I… I thought I saw… nevermind. I’m sorry. Here.” Corrine let her smile return, putting on the mask of pure confidence her fans always expected to see and took another picture with the girl before handing back the phone. Inside she shuddered, that woman, Eris, creeped her out. The last thing she wanted was to start hallucinating the bitch. _Seeing things now, hon? Get a grip. _She shook her head and turned back to the crowd. “Who else wanted a quick pic?”

“Sure. I’ll take one.” The man who pushed past the others was easily almost thirty, older than her average fans and wore no costume at all. He wrapped an arm around Corrine’s waist and pulled her towards him, a shit eating grin on his face. Corrine stiffened but didn’t pull away as he lifted his phone to take a selfie. She still didn’t move when his hand dropped from her hip and squeezed her ass. Fucker. God damnit! Do something, Cee. She did nothing but smile and let him take his pictures, her mask firmly in place. He gave her ass another hard squeeze just as he took his pic. Still Corrine smiled and posed, her face heating and fear of losing face keeping her from reacting. If you don’t have this, what do you have?

The guy left as quickly as he had come, shoving his way past her real fans. Corrine watched him go. Coward.

“I will be taking more photos after the contest winner is announced” Corrine said numbly. She pushed through them towards fresh air. She just needed a break to collect herself. She knew just how to get her mind off Eris and the bastard both. She drew more eyes as she made her way across the convention to the shops and stalls but politely brushed them each off with a wave or blown kiss.

“Okay. Where is DS?” Corrine asked as she reached the set up display for Witchwood Tattoos. Lori Black, owner and proprietor, grinned as she looked up from the sketch she was working on depicting a crumbling tower and lightning strike. Corrine grinned back, the stress of the last half hour immediately starting to dissipate in the presence of her friend. Corrine envied the forty something year old. Lori just was. She was exactly what she appeared to be, a bad ass take no shit tattoo artist. The woman owned her own shop, had a waiting list months long, and Corrine was certain anyone who pinched the tatted up blonde woman’s ass would regret it instantly. Not that many would risk such a pinch, her tattoos alone were scary enough most would think twice.

“The next link I take it? A bit old for the rest of them but she would certainly fit your theme…”

“No. Not her.” Eris said dismissively, the lack of even a hint of magic in the woman obvious at a glance, pentacle and tarot tattoos notwithstanding.

“No luck today I’m afraid, babe. The little snot begged off. You give a girl a job and this is how she treats you, skipping out on day two for a football game for god’s sake.”

“Fire her immediately,” Corrine said with mock affront. “She promised me the work ups of the next tat for my sleeve today! That bitch!”

“Ah. Those I have. She left them here, just a sec.” Lori turned and started to flip through a portfolio of sketches while Corrine bounced in anticipation. Finally, Lori pulled out a few pages and handed them over. Corrine took them eagerly and was instantly in love with the bright new school horror movie characters they contained and cooed over the somewhat morbid art. “Right? New school isn’t even her style but fuck if Dylan can’t draw.”

“I have three from DS already,” Corrine said, deciding that the cute chibi Jason Vorhees was her favorite. You’ll almost match, Corrine thought, picturing the more realistic portrait of the same character her friend had done on her own thigh. “You will not regretting hiring that girl.”

For the final time the bright spark of Eris’ magic lept from one girl and into another. This time however, as the circle closed, every woman felt the unmistakable burst of power and pleasure that ripped through them.

“There.” Eris said smiling, feeling the pull from her own magic as the chain completed.

Corrine dropped her broom with a clatter and fell hard against the table, gasping with the **** of the feeling.

“Jesus! You okay, girl?” Lori asked, helping Corrine stand again once the feeling seemed to abate.

“I… I think so?” Corrine said. She was dizzy and warm and felt… something. She turned one way and then another looking for something she couldn’t name but could feel. After several long breaths she spoke again. “These… These look amazing. I can’t wait to get them on me. Just, tell Dylan she’s amazing when you see her? I have to get going, the contest winner will be announced soon.” When she had said the name Dylan it had… buzzed on her tongue. Corrine pursed her lips in confusion and in growing anxiety as she handed back the sketches with a quick thanks before rushing away to the restroom. Lori watched her go equally confused and with worry on her face.

“We are done? That was the last girl? Thank the gods.” Horace said with a relief that was promptly tempered when the witch continued to follow the young black woman. “Don’t tell me. You are waiting for the contest announcement for some reason that will likely involve more ‘humorous’ witchy shenanigans?.”

“Got it in one, have a cracker,” Eris said, patting her companion patronizingly on the head.

“Fine.” Horace conceded. They had a little time now with Eris’ cast topping out at close to the minimum though the lack of a master still set his nerves on edge. The ‘hotel’ wouldn’t be quite ready but Eris was capable enough she could likely make it at least passable. With an effort he **** himself to relax somewhat for the first time that day.

Get a hold of yourself!

Corrine lightly splashed her cheeks with cool water, being careful not to disturb any of her painstakingly done makeup. She still felt something in her skull. A pulling sensation, like strings in her mind tugging at her attention and seeming to amplify her feeling of confusion. For several minutes she just stood at the sink and breathed, calming herself. She ignored the eyes of the other women who were in and out of the stalls around her, though she was sure some of them would recognize her and spread that they had seen her cracking. Fuck ‘em. You’re golden.

Corrine's glitter-covered phone beeped as her alarm went off. She grabbed it and switched it off without bothering to check her usual dozen or more notifications. Swearing under her breath, she headed back to the stage, feeling anything but confident.

Eris exited with her and made herself once again visible. Within seconds nearly every eye in the hall was on Eris, including Corrine’s, who scowled and picked up her pace towards the stage where the other contestants were beginning to gather. Eris kept her slower pace, drawing more and more people to her in a stream of mortals that followed her like mice following the piper. They followed her towards the stage and left the entire room packed with people by the time she stepped up the last stair. Corrine pointedly ignored the witch as Eris bypassed the line of dressed up witches and monsters and headed directly for the podium, but the other contestants openly gawked at her.

“Welcome back, we will be announcing our awards shortly including our overall winner in just… a…” the man at the podium trailed off as Eris approached.

“Take a hike.” Eris said, jerk a thumb backward. The man nodded as his eyes glassed over, and he left the stage without a word. Horace shifted side to side on her shoulder as the humans stared at the pair in near silence. The man had left with the microphone, but Eris seemed to have no need of it. Her voice suddenly filled the hall. “Good evening, Boston! Tonight is quite the special night!”

“Errrrrisss! What are you doing?” Horace squawked both expecting and receiving no answer.

“First though, it will come as no surprise I’m sure, the winner of your best in show! CORRINE LANDRY!” With a clap of power Eris broke the hold her presence had on the crowd and again the mortals erupted into raucous applause. Corrine watched her perceived rival with apprehension for a long moment before slowly stepping forward into center stage. Eris joined in clapping and smiled broadly at the confused winner. “Yes! Another marvelous showing from Corrine.” Eris said, stepping once again alongside the shorter woman.

“Best in show is last, what is going on?” Corrine asked as quietly as she could while still being heard. She was both relieved and even more confused that she was suddenly no longer competing against the strange beauty.

“You’ve won something much better.” Eris smiled back, then turned to the crowd. “And that brings us to an even larger announcement! Our Corrine here has landed a very important role on the next season of HAREM HOTEL!” Eris continued. She reached down and pinched Corrine’s ass, causing the woman to jump forward to center stage in surprise. The crowd cheered again even louder as if what the witch had just said and done weren’t completely inappropriate and insane.

“Excuse yourself! I’ve got a role on what? Harem… Oh hell no. I’m not on any…”

Eris continued right over top of her, the witch’s voice easily drowning Corrine’s protests. “This season she and our other contestants will compete for both power and standing in an all-witch harem. And in a Harem Hotel first, all of this will be set right here in your human world, just up the road in your very own Salem!”

Our human world!? What in the holy fuck was that supposed to mean?

“You are all welcome! Come see Miss Landry compete with six other very lucky ladies in salacious magical fuckery, each one vying for the top spot of Mistress!” The witch continued while the bird on her shoulder- Where the hell did that thing come from? - seemed to be having an apoplectic fit. The lights flicker and then flashed bright enough to nearly blind Corrine and everyone else in the crowd. When her vision cleared Corrine saw the hundreds of slips of paper that were fluttering in the air and falling down to the waiting mass of people.

Shaking with a storm of emotions she couldn’t begin to define Corrine Landry bent and picked up one of the pieces of paper just as it fell at her feet and read the writing scrawled across it in spidery calligraphy.

“Salem’s Harem Hotel: Admit One”