Cleo's Curse

by Allie Burton

  Mother spoke into the phone about designers and sizes. Father changed the channel on the television screen in the sitting area and focused on the news.

  Not on me.

  I let the hurt soak beneath my skin, seep deep into my psyche, used the pain to force me to realize the truth.

  It was time to stop weeping and moping and hoping my parents would change. If they loved me, they didn’t know how to express it. I didn’t need their attention. That would only last while the news about me lasted. They only cared because I was news. Once my notoriety waned, they’d forget about me again.

  And I didn’t care.

  I had to become invisible to be seen and to find myself.

  I didn’t need my parents’ approval. They’d never approved of my choices, my interests, my grades. They’d never approved of me.

  And it didn’t bother me anymore.

  I knew who I was, and who I wanted to be. And it wasn’t a poorly-constructed copy of my mother.

  I didn’t need my parents’ money. The almighty dollar was all they cared about. Financial wealth was more important to them than me.

  And I was done caring about what they thought.

  “I’m not doing a television interview.” Crossing my arms, I planned to make it clear to my parents how I felt about them, and how they tried to control me. “And I’m not going home with you.”

  With a scolding expression, Mother hung up the phone. “Don’t be ridiculous, Cleo.” She ignored my protest as she always ignored me.

  I wouldn’t be ignored any longer. “I’m tired of being treated like a slave or a possession. Trotting me out to show off to your friends, or in this case, news reporters.”

  Unless I was behaving badly. Then, they hid me away and acted as if I didn’t exist.

  “Fine. We can do the interview without you.” Father clicked off the news reports. “Tell us where you’ve been. What they’ve done to you.”

  He wanted a list to check off to the reporters. He didn’t worry about the effects these supposed things might’ve had on me. If I’d been harmed.

  I staggered back and my mouth dropped open. “Like you care.”

  “Cleopatra, be reasonable.” Mother used her you’re-beneath-me tone. The voice saying she was right and I was wrong.

  Normally, I listened to that voice. Not anymore. Mother was wrong. About me and about everything.

  “There will be no interview. I won’t tell you anything.” I crossed my arms tighter, giving myself a comforting hug. The only kind of hug I’d receive in the future.

  “We’ll cancel the interview.” Mother’s expression appeared serene, yet her eyes connected with my father’s, communicating something. “Why don’t you at least get washed up? Take a shower. When you’re comfortable we can talk more.”

  Finally, she made sense. I was filthy, and taking a shower would soothe my anger toward them. They were my parents, and I wanted to have a civil relationship. A relationship better than our current one. Nodding, I headed into the bathroom sporting a full jet spa, shower stall, a toilet and bidet, and a couple of gold-rimmed sinks.

  Of course, they’d stay in a place where they could shower in splendor and poop in private.

  The lock clicked.

  The noise set me on edge. I whirled toward the door and tried the knob.

  It wouldn’t budge.

  Panic shot through me, causing my muscles to twitch. I pounded on the door. “Mother! Mother, let me out!”

  “Once you’re cleaned up and calmed down and the reporters arrive.” Her words were a dagger to my chest.

  A dagger that delivered poison. The poison spread through my bloodstream and oozed throughout my entire body. My muscles and joints gave way. I slid down to the cold bathroom floor. I was stuck in a cage of marble floors and gold-plated faucets. A prison where my parents were the wardens. A different kind of prison.

  No one would try to rescue me, because I was in a prison where Antony believed I wanted to stay.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Cleo

  I’d rescue myself.

  The thought drummed through my head—a call to war. The bonging reverberated in my soul. My inner strength snapped to steel. I wouldn’t beg or mope or whine. I was my own person, answerable to myself.

  I had super powers.

  I might only be sixteen, but I’d been on my own emotionally forever. I’d go back to the Soul Warriors and ask to be part of their group. To fight for goodness and light and…love.

  My thoughts stumbled. I could deal with Antony not loving me, if the other warriors accepted me. I’d have to.

  A knock sounded at the hotel suite’s exterior door.

  The reporters must’ve arrived. I had to make my escape before they trapped me inside.

  Taking a step back, I firmed my neck and bowed my head. I charged at the bathroom door. My shoulder connected with the hard wood. The door splintered and flew off its hinges. My momentum took me forward. I crashed into something…

  Someone.

  Hard, muscular arms wrapped around me. Whoever stopped my uncontrolled flight was strong. And warm. And about six feet tall.

  “CC?” And spoke with a deep, familiar voice.

  My body melted. I wanted to curl into him and appreciate being in his arms again. I couldn’t.

  I stiffened and tilted back to study Antony’s lovable face. “Antony? What’re you doing here?”

  “Why are you breaking out of the bathroom?” One of his dark eyebrows rose in a cute-confused expression.

  “My parents,” My gaze swiveled in a panic searching for them. The hotel suite door had been left open. The foyer and main living room were empty. “Where are they?”

  “Your father let me in and told me to wait.”

  “They locked me inside the bathroom. They want to talk to reporters and tell them what happened the last few days. Then, they want to take me back east.” My lungs concaved with the pressure from my parents. I didn’t know how much time I had to speak freely. They could come back at any moment, and I needed to confess the truth. To tell Antony what I wanted. “I don’t. I want to stay here in San Francisco, stay with the Soul Warriors and fight for goodness and light.”

  I purposely left the last part off, not wanting to pressure him. If we spent more time together, maybe he’d discover he loved me.

  “And love.” His arms tightened around me. “We fight for goodness and light and love.”

  His deep timbre rumbled through me. He said the words with such conviction and emotion. With such purpose. My midsection tightened with hopeful anticipation. My ribcage tightened and I swooned.

  “It took me a while to realize if I wanted to fight for your love I’d have to tell you I love you first, so…” His green gaze softened, staring into mine. His mouth shaped into a serious and sincere-slow-sexy smile. “I love you, CC.”

  My heart burst with joy. The joy spread, warming my body and making me glow with happiness. Antony loved me.

  He took my chin in a gentle hold. “I love your loyalty and your determination. Your brain and your bravery. Your smile and your fashion style.”

  He leaned in. His lips touched mine in a gentle, coaxing caress. And I responded, opening for him. Opening my lips, my heart, my soul. I felt closer to him than any other person in my life. We were connected. Our kiss went soul deep.

  “What’s going on here?” Father’s furious tone cut the sensual haze. “Who is this? What happened to the bathroom door?”

  Antony broke off the kiss, and dropped his arms from around me. He acted like a normal teenage boy, not an ancient warrior with super powers.

  Letting go of the disappointment at being interrupted, I refused to be embarrassed at being caught kissing. This was the guy I loved, who loved me back. We had nothing to be ashamed of.

  My father stood in the foyer, only feet away. His disapproving and prudent expression cut at my happiness.

  I hunched my shoulders and prepared to face dear old Dad. “Father,
this is Antony.”

  “Sir.” Antony held out his hand.

  Father ignored the gesture. “Get away from my daughter.” He marched forward. At the hard expression on Antony’s face, Father stopped short. “You must be one of the ruffians who kidnapped her.”

  I stepped in front of Antony, protecting him from Father’s wrath. “No, he’s one of the guys who saved me.”

  Antony grabbed my hand and tugged me back so we were aligned. “You saved me, too.”

  Fresh oxygen wafted into my chest, filling with his love. With our love.

  I smiled, a secretive grin for him. “We saved each other.”

  “What happened to the bathroom door?” Mother came out from her bedroom. Of course, she worried about appearances first.

  “This ruffian broke Cleo out of the bathroom.” Father sounded agitated. He didn’t know what to do about me or Antony.

  “I broke out of the bathroom. On my own.” I clung to Antony’s hand, needing his support to hold back my anger at my parents. “You never should’ve locked me in. I’m going to stay in San Francisco with Antony.”

  Could I even tell my parents about the Soul Warriors? I glanced at Antony to get confirmation.

  “You will do no such thing, young lady.” Father mussed his perfect hair.

  Antony squeezed my hand back, totally understanding my turmoil. “The professor I live with will take care of her.”

  “If you even think about doing this, we will cut you off financially, Cleo.” Mother swiped her hand like a knife cutting air. Cutting connections.

  Money was all Mother thought about. It motivated her and she believed it motivated me.

  She was wrong. “I don’t need your money.”

  “Except it isn’t their money.” Aunty Neffy flounced through the hotel suite door. Her lined face was devoid of dirt and make-up, and her bruise faded. She appeared confident and happy and healthy, and a sigh relieved a little of my pressure. “Antony brought me from the professor’s house to the hotel, and I was waiting down the hall until you and Antony got a chance to talk. When I heard raised voices I knew it was time to intervene.”

  “Neffy. You’re back from Egypt.” Mother kissed the air by both cheeks.

  “Unexpectedly.” Aunty Neffy winked at me. “And just in time.”

  Mother and Father looked at each other and then gaped at Neffy.

  “While working hard on my research, I’ve been paying for your lavish and ridiculous lifestyle for years.” Aunty Neffy picked up a porcelain vase off the table by the hotel suite door. “You’ve been living luxuriously, donating my money to charities in your name, and ignoring your daughter.”

  My jaw dropped. Mother and Father never mentioned it was Aunty Neffy’s money they lived off of. They’d made me believe the money was theirs to do with as they pleased.

  “Not any longer.” Aunty Neffy snapped the vase back in place. “I will be putting you both on a budget.”

  My parents sucked in a large, shocked breath. They acted like being put on a budget was as bad as wearing second-hand clothes.

  I covered my mouth, trying not to laugh.

  “Neffy, no.” Mother wrung her hands together. “You wouldn’t do that to your only sister.”

  “If you want the budget I assign you to be generous, you will not object to CC staying here.” Neffy nodded sending me a message. “And, to monitor my very generous donation I’ll be granting to a local group of young warriors and their handsome professor—” Her smile grew into a happy, knowing, satisfied expression. “—I will be staying in San Francisco as well.”

  Struck by happy surprise, I couldn’t stop my smile. I was glad she’d be close so I could spend more time with Aunty Neffy.

  My parents continued to argue with her, but I knew Neffy’s mind was made up. She’d seen the good the Soul Warriors could do and had experienced the sinister effects of magical relics. She was in the fight for goodness and light and love.

  And so was I.

  My smile grew into a huge grin. Happiness bubbled in my veins. I couldn’t wait to get started on the next adventure.

  Squeezing Antony’s hand, I tugged him out of the hotel suite and down the hall. We didn’t need to hear the adults’ argument. Aunty Neffy would get her way because she held the money. She would join us in our fight against evil. A fight I was in with Antony and the other Soul Warriors.

  I was now independent and on my own, but I’d always be part of the warriors’ close-knit group. I had powers, but I’d learned there was nothing stronger than being seen for who you truly are. I might be able to turn invisible, but I’d always be seen by Antony.

  Antony and Cleopatra.

  An old story with a fresh start. A new tale beginning today.

  A Note from Allie Burton

  Thank you so much for reading. If you enjoyed CLEO’S CURSE please consider giving it a positive rating or review at your place of purchase. In this brave new book world, the only way for a good story to find its way into the hands of other readers is if the people who loved it let others know. We authors appreciate any little bit of help you can give us.

  The first book in the Soul Warriors series, SOUL SLAM, is free at most major retailers. And if you sign up for my announce-only newsletter, I will send you the second book in the series as a gift. You can join here http://www.allieburton.com/contact.html I only send out newsletters a few times a year, so it won’t be flooding your inbox on a weekly basis but will keep you aware of what’s upcoming.

  I love to hear from my readers! If you have any questions or comments, or just want to say “hi,” please feel free to email me at allie@allieburton.com or connect with me on www.twitter.com/@allie_burton and www.facebook.com/AllieBurtonAuthor.

  I hope you enjoyed CLEO’S CURSE!

  Allie

  Egyptian Gods and Goddesses

  There are many names for the individual Egyptian gods and goddesses. The goddess Uset is also known by Esi, Astarte, Auset, and Isis. Based on recent studies, the reconstructed pronunciation of her name is Uset (ooh-saht) which means “she of the throne.”

  Uset is one of the most prominent goddesses of Egyptian mythology. Her most important functions were motherhood, marital devotion, healing the sick, and the working of magical spells and charms. Because of the association between knots and magical power, a symbol of Uset was the Tyet or Knot of Uset. For the sake of entertainment, in Cleo’s Curse I’ve taken liberties with the powers bestowed by the Knot of Uset, as well as twisted some of the symbolic meanings.

  Excerpt from

  Soul Slam

  Soul Warriors Book 1

  by Allie Burton

  An ancient Egyptian amulet.

  A pharaoh’s soul inside demanding she obey.

  A double cross that ends with a curse.

  On her first heist to steal an ancient Egyptian amulet, sixteen-year-old Olivia inadvertently receives the soul of King Tut…and the deadly curse that comes with it. And Olivia’s not alone at the museum.

  A member of a secret society, Xander believes it’s his place to inherit King Tut’s soul and justly rule. He knows nothing about the society’s evil plan to control the world or the curse. Now, he must deal with the female thief who stole the amulet.

  When the two teens find themselves up against the secret society, they reluctantly join forces and must figure out how to end the curse before it turns deadly. On the run and unable to touch because of the curse, Olivia and Xander develop a connection during their quest.

  As the mystery surrounding the amulet unfolds, Olivia and Xander fall for each other. But is love enough to save them and the world from destruction?

  “If you are a fan of Rick Riordan books about a quest with love and history thrown in…this is for you!” –Hooked In A Book Review

  Excerpt:

  Crawling ninja-style out of the sarcophagus, my black gym shoes hit the ground without a sound. But inside, a screech built up in my lungs and released on a heavy exhale, the scream so loud it so
unded like an alarm. “Aiyeeeeee!”

  Xander and the old man froze.

  I lunged at the case, swooped in, and grabbed the amulet.

  A jolt rocked my body. Pain rocketed up my spine, but I held tight to the prize. Clutching the piece in both hands, I hit the concrete floor like a football player making a catch, and kept rolling.

  “A girl.” Xander’s surprised voice rose on a high note. “What the…Tut.”

  “Grab her!” The old man spoke in English.

  “Touch her?” Xander sounded horrified like I was the slime of the world. “I can’t.”

  “She’s got the amulet.”

  I tried to get to my feet, but the pulsing inside threw me off balance. I crashed back onto the floor. Pain seared my fingers and heat rushed my veins.

  My body jerked. My head spun.

  Something slammed into me from the inside, like it was in my body trying to get out. Back and forth I jerked. A powerful energy thumped from my ribcage to my stomach and back again.

  I trembled from head to foot. My vision blurred. Images swam before my eyes—a blue river, golden statues, Egyptian pyramids, deceit, and death.

  “What’s going on?” The sound coming out of my mouth warbled. “Am I dying?”

  This felt worse than the time I had pneumonia with no medicine, or the time I broke my arm and Fitch duct taped it…

  Fogginess seeped into my consciousness. If I blacked-out they’d steal the amulet, leave me to be caught, to go to prison, to face Fitch’s wrath.

  Whatever was inside me ignited like a nuclear bomb. My skin could no longer contain my insides. I’d explode into tiny pieces and scatter across the museum floor.