Something Wickedly Sweet This Way Comes (Preview)

Regardless, JD asked, “So, what are you seeing today?”

“Actually, before we get to that, let's talk about that special discount.” There was a glint in Vinny's eyes, an excited, gleeful one if there ever was one.

JD looked at him oddly. “Special discount?”

“Mhm!” The brown-haired man nodded confidently. “Heard about it online and wanted in. It's the Wicked Special Saver.”

At that moment, JD's expression shifted, a frown starting to form. “Oh, that one.” He leaned in. “Ummm, you do know you can't use that, right? You're kind of…” He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, as if he was struggling to find the right, polite words to say. “Kind of not… green, magical, or… a lady.”

Vinny chuckled, confidence never wavering for a second. “Oh JD, you underestimate me so much.” He reached into the side pocket of his sweatshirt and pulled out an amulet on a chain. It was gold and black, a mystical-looking symbol on its front.

“I believe this will fix that problem.” Vinny held it up.

“…you trying to bribe me?”

The friend only laughed, shaking his head again. “Nope! I'm just showing you a little something I bought from our witchy friends that’ll be just what you're looking for.”

“Witchy…” JD flinched. “Wait, you aren't-”

Vinny grinned and held up the amulet like he was He-Man holding up his sword. He spoke, the tone of his voice more magical and whimsical in how each word came out, “Grant thee green and beauty, for I shall be a cutie!”

There was a slight breeze that went by, leaves and old trash blowing about and Vinny's hair shaking. He closed his eyes as a green aura emanated mysteriously from the amulet. The light green haze brightened by the second, flowing down his hand and across his body.

“Oh boy,” his friend sighed, both tired and unsurprised by what surely should've been a shocking development, “This is-”

“Witch time!” Vinny finished, his voice coming out in a charmingly cute, feminine pitch.

The green aura faded as his eyes opened. They were strikingly yellow, his irises positively glowing and seeming to sparkle. He smiled proudly, bringing down his hand and looking at the amulet. It had begun.

His fingers clutching that mystical jewelry had already started changing. His fingernails were looking long and manicured, painted glossy, elegant, and black. Around the edges of the nails and the tips of his finger, a shade of yellow-green was appearing. The pigment crept down his digits and flooded onto his hand.