Cleo's Curse

by Allie Burton

  “Since you already know about my powers, no point in not using them. Hold on.” He bent at the knees and jumped.

  My insides leapt with weightlessness. My eyes widened with fear and excitement. We flew out of the dumpster. This felt similar to flying in a small private jet. Fast, efficient, and floaty, with Antony’s arms wrapped around mine.

  We crossed the small driveway and onto the small landing at the top of the concrete steps by the back entrance to Henderson Hall.

  My bones pooled into liquid and I would’ve slipped to the ground if he hadn’t been holding me so tightly. I peered into his emerald gaze, which had softened with desire. My body pressed against his. He leaned his head closer, closer, closer.

  Our lips were an inch apart. I could stick out my tongue and touch him.

  Not that I would.

  I took a big breath and got a whiff of the odor on both of us. I didn’t want to kiss him smelling of old fish and teenage sweat. Whether it was part of his ploy or not.

  Taking a step back, I gave a nervous giggle. “I really need that shower.”

  “Yeah.” His arms dropped from around me. His cheeks flushed. “I mean, you don’t need a shower. I do. I mean I stink.”

  Sweetness flowed inside soothing my fears. Seeing Antony flustered made me want to go back into his arms and give him a kiss, to take the edge off both of our nerves.

  My gaze caught on the dumpster. The dumpster where I knew the Knot of Uset lay. Where I knew the exact location. I couldn’t lie to him by omission and kiss him. I’d retrieve the Knot, take a shower, call my parents, and decide whether I trusted Antony.

  An Antony who really did have powers. My brain buzzed with truth. My tummy tangled with temptation. I believed. Believed he had super-abilities, and the Knot of Uset was powerful. Believed there was magic in the world.

  Believed I had every right to control that magic.

  After a quick goodbye, I used my keycard to open the back door, and watched Antony jump-fly away. His strong muscles carried him across the loading dock and toward the front of the building. His expertise had me wondering how long he’d been performing super feats.

  Letting the door close, I went back to the dumpster. My stomach cramped at the thought of deceiving Antony and at getting back into the trash. Using the built-in ladder on the outside of the dumpster, I climbed onto the edge and jumped inside.

  Dumpster diving twice in one night. None of my friends back home would believe me.

  Hurrying to the corner where I’d hid the rope, I dug deep, trying not to think about the wood shavings lined with hamster poop I was handling. Again.

  I tugged the rope from beneath the shavings and squeezed the silky threads, letting the bumps of the knots slide through my fingers. Success soared in my veins, lightening my body like I was flying. I held the Knot of Uset.

  The tingles started immediately, as if my body was used to fading in and out. The sensation moved up my arms to my shoulders and torso, and then down my legs. My head prickled. I was invisible.

  Now to get out.

  I gripped the top edge of the dumpster, and used the slippery walls to push off with my feet. The need to get out of the slimy, stinky sludge must’ve given me extra power, because the strength of my push sent me sailing over the top. The weightlessness grabbed me again, and my stomach dropped.

  Grabbing the dumpster lid, I pressed my body against its slanted surface, sliding and skidding down the lid to land gently on my feet. After catching my breath and settling my queasiness, I went back to the hall, really needing a shower now.

  The school’s basketball game must’ve ended, because kids hung around the lounge, talking and goofing off. The television was on and a sports announcer gave a play-by-play of a hockey game.

  No one said a word to me. Normally, that would depress me, but I was elated.

  Because no one could see me.

  My mood lifted higher and higher. I smiled a broad, ecstatic grin.

  For fun, I flicked the football sitting on William’s lap and let it fall to the ground. He glanced around, wanting to blame one of the other kids.

  I chuckled, enjoying the power of my, well, power. He couldn’t hear me, either.

  Ellen stood beside the couch holding a spiral notebook. I strolled beside her and slapped on the cardboard cover. The slap made a plunking noise and the notebook fumbled from her fingers.

  Again, I laughed. This was fun. Maybe not being noticed could be a good thing.

  She crinkled her nose. “What is that stench?”

  They couldn’t see me or hear me, but they could smell me.

  Barb, from the reception desk, gave a big sniff. “Can’t be CC’s disgustingly expensive perfume, because she’s not here.”

  Ellen picked up the notebook and spanked Barb on the butt. “Don’t be mean.”

  My earlier glee fled like a model with a clothing malfunction. People thought my hundred-dollar-an-ounce cologne stank? These kids had no taste.

  I swiped a French fry out of Barb’s other hand and chomped on the snack. The fry first disappeared because of my super invisibility power and then disappeared because I ate it.

  “You pig.” Barb hit William’s hand. “You stole my fry.”

  “I didn’t.” He stared at his empty hands and smacked his lips together. “Why don’t you find CC and see if she’ll buy us pizza.”

  “Good idea.” Ellen’s mischievous smirk left a hole in my chest. “CC left the game early, so she should be here.”

  Barb jutted her hip at Ellen with an accusing slant. “That’s the only reason you’re nice to her.”

  Not true. Ellen was the one real friend I had at Exeter Academy.

  “Well, that, and it’s my job as resident advisor.” Ellen fist-bumped with Barb.

  The bump clashed with my heart and bruised. The one person I thought was a friend was only nice to me because of her job.

  My bruised heart swelled, hurt roiling into rage. Nobody liked me for me. Not even Antony. They liked me for my money, or because I bought them pizza, or because they had to be nice like Ellen and servants at home. Or because they wanted something from me, like the Knot.

  My uncontrolled rage exploded with twitching muscles and limbs. I wanted to hurt them as much as they’d hurt me. I hit the television screen mounted on the wall.

  The television crashed to the ground. The screen shattered.

  Shocked at my action, I fell backwards and leaned against the wall.

  The three students screamed and jerked.

  “What happened?” Ellen glared at William and Barb.

  William put his hands up. “I didn’t touch it.”

  “Me, either.” Barb shook her head.

  My body sagged with my self-esteem. I hadn’t meant to break the television. Guilt cut off my anger. I’d barely tapped the screen. My adrenaline must’ve exploded with my rage.

  I ran into my room and slammed the door closed. Tossing the Knot aside, I called my mother.

  I pinched the lampshade between my fingers, trying to control my frustration. Of course, Mother didn’t pick up. She never picked up for me.

  “This is CC. I figured out why Aunty Neffy’s gift is so valuable.” The words raced with my emotion. My parents had to bring me home now. “The package held the Knot of Uset. It’s a magical rope from the ancient Egyptian goddess. I know this sounds like gibberish, but it’s true. I can become invisible.”

  The second I spoke, I bit my tongue. Telling Mother I could turn invisible might not have been the wisest decision. I always felt invisible to my parents, and now I truly was. Would Mother and Father believe me? Or more likely, would they think I was crazy? Insane asylum instead of juvie justice school?

  At least the message would grab their attention.

  I clicked off the phone and firmed my spine. I couldn’t rely on my parents. Or my supposed friends. I had to rely on myself, and come up with a plan.

  I had powers. And I was going to use them.

  * *
*

  After taking a very long shower, I spent all night thinking and planning, and twisting the Knot of Uset into various shapes. The rope changed sizes based on what I was trying to concoct. I finally fell asleep in the early morning in the comforting embrace of a golden hammock.

  My decision made. I knew I couldn’t wait for my parents to call back. I needed to solve at least one of my problems by myself. And I knew how.

  I refused to think about Antony and his Soul Warriors spending hours sorting through the dumpster. He didn’t know I’d found the Knot. I’d thought about sneaking down, or peeking out a window to watch, and decided that was too much of a risk. He could see me even if I was invisible, and he might have super hearing. Best to stay far away from Antony.

  After washing and dressing, I tucked the Knot of Uset into my jeans pocket and headed to the headmaster’s office. Waiting in the outer area by the assistant’s desk, I positioned myself against a wall and watched the comings and goings. The assistant typed at her computer, barely glancing up. A student would wander in, ask a question or pick up forms, and leave. No one noticed me, which was what I counted on.

  Because I was invisible.

  The thrill never left. Edginess kept my plans firm, and adrenaline pricked my skin, making me more alert. Success was within reach.

  Finally, Headmaster Griffin opened his office door. “I’m heading to the library for a meeting.”

  His assistant nodded and returned to her typing.

  I sucked in a breath. This was my chance.

  I strolled past the assistant.

  The papers on her desk fluttered, and she peered right at me.

  Or through me.

  Pausing, I stood perfectly still. I waited until the woman returned to her work. Tiptoeing, I tried not to create a wind and slipped inside the headmaster’s office. With the assistant’s back to the door, I carefully pulled the door closed without shutting it, fearful of the noise.

  Sitting in the headmaster’s cushy leather chair, I swung around toward his computer. Not only was I going to mark myself present in Mr. Bartlett’s class that day, I was getting an A on my presentation. In fact, I was going to get A’s in all my classes.

  I puffed with superiority.

  No way could Exeter Academy expel me then. I’d take my revised school records and send them to everyone on the school board, with a formal complaint of harassment saying Headmaster Griffin had it out for me. That would show him. And Mother and Father.

  Placing my fingers on the keyboard, I hit enter. The homepage came up with a login option. I slammed my fingers on the keyboard. I’d assumed he wouldn’t login and out every time he stepped out of the office.

  Okay, calm down. Think.

  Everyone keeps a list of passwords near their desk, especially old people.

  I opened the top desk drawer, and rummaged through the items. Pens and markers, thumb drives, a pyramid-shaped snow globe, tape, and scissors. No scraps of paper with login information or passwords. No information.

  Opening the second drawer, I flipped through files and notebooks. A stash of candy, electrical cords, and a dictionary. Nothing I could use.

  “Ugh.” I tapped my fingers on the keyboard in an agitated manner. I’d have to guess.

  I knew nothing about the headmaster. No personal photos sat on his desk. No notes in his calendar. It was as if he didn’t want anyone to know about his personal life. If he even had a personal life. Guessing at his password would get me locked out of the computer, and clue him in that someone had tried to gain access.

  I wasn’t a computer expert. I needed help.

  Running through my list of supposed friends, no one could or would be willing to help me break into the headmaster’s computer. But there was someone I could make a deal with for help.

  My sinister-madness started a sweat on my forehead. This was a bad idea.

  The office door pushed open.

  My heart stopped, until I remembered the headmaster couldn’t see me.

  Before he could take his seat, I climbed out without swiveling the chair left or right. I tiptoed around the other side of the desk. From what I gathered from Mr. Bartlett’s class, the headmaster couldn’t see me or hear me talk, but he could hear any other noise I made.

  The headmaster studied the computer screen, and then jerked his head upright, squinting at me.

  I blew out small, shallow spurts of air. Calm down. He can’t see you.

  To prove my bravery, I stuck out my tongue.

  His expression didn’t change.

  Staying around and watching over his shoulder for his password, or for him to leave again, didn’t sound appealing. What if my parents called back? What if he locked his office and I got stuck for the night?

  With a final leer, I pivoted and left the office. I was tempted to slam the door shut. I didn’t. No one could know my secret.

  After exiting the building, I took out my phone and dialed. “Let’s make a deal.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Antony

  “Let’s make a deal.” CC’s first words on the phone lightened Antony’s worry and cheered his soul.

  “CC?” He’d given her his number, not expecting a call.

  Not after the way she’d acted last night after they’d searched the dumpster. He’d almost kissed her, and she’d treated him like he smelled of garbage. As if she wanted to be rid of him. He hardened his defenses even knowing he had smelled.

  He and a couple of the other warriors had gone back to the dumpster late last night and ripped open every trash bag. They’d spent hours searching, and he’d been teased several times about staring at her window. Between the embarrassment at being caught mooning over a girl and the frustration of not finding the Knot, his night had been lousy.

  “Yes.” Her hard tone sounded pushy and firm. “I found it.”

  “It?” His thoughts swung to the Knot of Uset. He was always one step behind her. A slave. A crack opened in his defensive shields. He hated this. He should be the one leading her around on a rope.

  “The Knot—”

  “Where did you find it?” The Knot couldn’t have been in the dumpster. They’d searched every millimeter. Had she lied to him about throwing the rope away?

  But she’d gotten in the dumpster with him last night. No way would Miss High-and-mighty get dirty if something big wasn’t at stake.

  “Does it matter?” She dismissed him.

  Dismissed him like a servant.

  “Yes. It does.” He kept his voice hard, similar to his thoughts. “I spent most of the night digging in the dumpster with the other warriors.”

  “After you left,” she paused, “I realized that when I threw the Knot away there’d been a,” she paused again, “a box inside the garbage can, too.” Her talking speed picked up pace, as if relishing the lie she wove. “And I thought maybe the Knot might’ve been inside the box, so I went back out to the dumpster and found the box and there it was.”

  “Really?” Doubts scratched at his mind. “Why didn’t you call right away?”

  “Well, it was late and I thought you might be sleeping.”

  Yeah, right. She knew his plan was to bring the warriors to search the dumpster again. If it had been in the dumpster, she must’ve gone back before he’d gotten there. Did it matter who found the Knot? She was giving it to him.

  “CC. We can’t talk on cell phones.” Tension stretched his tone to a tight tenor. If she had the Knot, she was in danger. “Are you at the residence hall?”

  “Yes.” Her voice was less cocky and confident. Probably because she knew today was her last day living there.

  Worry for her relaxed his tension. Where would she go? And why did the thought of her moving to New York bother him?

  Because of the Knot of Uset.

  But if she’d found the Knot, his quest was complete, and they’d part ways.

  His heart clenched. No time to think about that now.

  “I’m on my way.” He clicked off the p
hone before he could ask more questions.

  Within minutes, he was prowling through the hallway and into the lounge on her floor. The television lay on the ground, sporting a newly-cracked screen. They must’ve had a wild party last night.

  He knocked on CC’s door, and when she opened it, he asked, “Where is it?”

  He didn’t want to get distracted by the skintight pants she wore, or the patterned blouse clinging to her breasts and nipped in at her small waist. The low-heeled boots were the only sensible thing she wore.

  Letting him in, she closed the door and rested against it. Her secretive and sexy-as-sin smile had his pulse pounding.

  The throbbing increased his body heat, and sweat formed on his back.

  “I have it.” She wasn’t invisible so the Knot wasn’t on her person. Not that she could fit it in those pants.

  “Thank you for finding the Knot.” He held out his hand, wanting to get what he came for and get out. There was something about her today. With the clothes and the attitude she seemed dangerous and reckless. An actress playing a part. “If you’ll give the Knot to me, I’ll be on my way.”

  “Just like that?”

  On the phone, she’d asked about making a deal. He had nothing she’d want. She was a rich girl, and he was only a warrior, bonded by his oath.

  She pushed off the door and stepped right in front of him. Her scent of exotic flowers wove around him. “How do I know you are who you say you are?”

  Shock at her action and her words pulsed through his body. He leaned away from her aggressive stance. “What?”

  “You tell me you’re the good guy and I’m supposed to just believe you.” She placed a hand on his chest, probably detecting the rapid beating of his heart.

  Trapped, he grabbed her hand away. “Of course, I’m the good guy.”

  “How do I know?” She jutted her chin to a jaunty angle. A superior, I’m-in-control angle.

  “CC, we’ve been through a lot together.” He shouldn’t have to explain himself. “I saved you from being kidnapped.”