The Cursed Girl, #1

by Maria Vermisoglou

  “It’s a door to the secret passage. No one knows about it, so don’t worry. We are a little far from the palace, and after all, who’s stupid enough to enter through a hidden door in the middle of a park?” I pulled him inside.

  “Apparently you and me,” he muttered.

  I guided him through the passage.

  He gripped my hand tightly. “How can you find your way in the dark?”

  I pulled his hand to the wall. “It’s the marks. Can you feel them? They are in the walls and always to your right, so you always find your way even without a light. But you have to know where you are going. This rock on the wall”—I made him touch the solid rock in the wall—“means that here is a house. Don’t worry, I doubt you will need it, but in any case, have a candle and tinderbox with you. This is not the only secret passage in the city, but it’s the closest to the palace, I think. We are close to the house.”

  He held my arm. “And you know every one of them?”

  I laughed. “Almost. Before you move somewhere, you should always know your escape routes, in case something happens.”

  He laughed. “I will keep that in mind. Thank you, Eva.”

  We were almost there. “For what?” Just a few more feet and we would be at the house.

  “For saving me and for doing this.”

  If there was light, he would have seen an incredulous look on my face. “You are my friend, prince or not, and I don’t abandon my friends. I don’t choose them for their status, but for their hearts.” I couldn’t tell in the dark, but I was pretty sure he was smiling.

  “You have a kind heart.”

  I don’t know about that. “You won’t be staying with me. There is a boy and a girl—siblings—who will take in Lex, a friend of mine since he can’t find a settlement yet.”

  “Who’s Lex?”

  I laughed. “That’s you, silly. I didn’t tell them who you are, and it would be safer for you if you kept to yourself. Just to be safe, I used a different name but one close enough to yours so that you won’t forget it. I doubt they will recognize you anyway; peasants don’t know much about the extended royalty from other countries. I know it’s hard, but it’s the only way I can keep you safe.”

  He took a deep breath. “Eva, thank you. It’s fine and I don’t mind being around normal people. I like it actually.”

  “Don’t go to these passageways by yourself. You could be lost for a long time. Use the main door like everybody else does, and make sure no one follows you, and hide if you see something suspicious.”

  Too bad I couldn’t use magic on him. It would be much easier. I pushed the stone in the wall, and the wall turned to reveal a door that I opened. I saw jars and bottles, so I realized we must be in the cellar. We walked up into the main house and saw a girl who couldn’t be more than twenty years old waiting for us. “You arrived. I am so happy you brought him. I am Alexa and my brother, James, is at work, so you will meet him later. What’s your name?”

  I jumped to answer. “His name is Lex. I have to go to work too, so I will leave you to show him around. Have a nice day.” I hugged him and he returned the hug. That was better. A normal hug from a normal person—my friend. I waved and returned to the secret passage.

  The passage took me directly to my shop. The secret passages were faster than walking through the streets, and they stretched for miles. The day went normally, like always, but I was worried for Alec. Was it a good decision to send him there? I didn’t think anyone would check where Alec went as long as he was there in the morning. If anyone went to his room at night and found him missing, I doubted they would come here to look for him because most royals thought of us as pests.

  The days went by quickly until the last day the Spanish would stay in Portugal arrived. Alec would remain in Portugal; it was much too dangerous for him to return to Spain now. Jonathan would say he was going to England to cover his absence until it would be safe for him to return. I was glad. If he was in Portugal, I could keep an eye on him.

  I was in my shop as usual. The door opened, but it was a little early for customers. However, I sometimes had customers at odd hours if there was an emergency. Midnight was with me again, and she seemed to sense that danger was roaming around. I lifted my head, saw him, and almost had a heart attack. “What are you doing here? Are you out of your mind?”

  Jonathan took a few steps as though he was facing a tiger. I couldn’t help but think that maybe a tiger was tamer than me. He held a hand out to me. “We are leaving tomorrow, so I thought—”

  “You thought what? Your friend is in hiding, and I have to do everything to cover your tracks, and you show up in here like nothing is wrong. Where are your guards?” I said the last words in an angry whisper.

  Ashamed, he lowered his head. “You are right. I am sorry. I just wanted to say goodbye, and I told you before, I don’t like having guards around me.”

  I tried to compose myself. No matter how angry he made me, it was kind of heartbreaking. Whenever he said goodbye, he said it like we wouldn’t ever see each other again. The last time we said goodbye, it was really for a long time, and we probably wouldn’t see each other for just as long but never? I doubted that since I had left and fate had brought him to my doorstep again. “You must have them with you. These are dangerous times we are facing.”

  He sighed. “I know.” He took my hand. “Thank you. Goodbye.” Then he did something that I never expected; he kissed me. It was like the running water: soft and like thunder. He pulled away and left while I was trying to piece myself together.

  The day had not started yet and I had no idea how I would get through it now. He was stupid. Stupid and sweet. If he was stupid, then why did I like him? No one had ever kissed me, and I knew I wouldn’t sleep tonight. That wasn’t fair. Why would he do that? So I would know how he felt? I already knew. Or so he could confuse me more? Ritta would have a party tonight if she heard about this.

  I turned to Midnight. “What kind of cat are you?” I put my hands on my hips. “Why don’t you prevent things like this too? They’re dangerous too, you know...” Meow. My cat looked at me.

  “Yes, meow. Let’s get to work, and don’t lick your paws.”

  When I went home, Ritta was waiting. All I told her was that he came by to say goodbye.

  “How sweet,” she said.

  I didn’t tell her about the kiss. I was still confused about how I felt, and some things were private and kept from even your best friend until you felt the need to share them. I didn’t go to bed at the usual time. I wanted to think so I sat near the window and gazed at the moon. Why would he like me? It wasn’t like I was friendly with him. All we ever did was argue most of the time when I wasn’t saving his life. I was more pleasant with Alec than I was with him; did he think that arguing was funny? If he thought that, then he was stupid because I meant the things I said. It wasn’t like I told them for fun.

  The next morning, I saw Alec waiting outside my house. Uh-oh. He knows... what do I tell him now?

  “Hi,” he said.

  “Hi,” I repeated.

  He coughed. “So... I was thinking that now with the Spanish Court gone, I don’t have anything to do. Maybe I can help you in your shop?”

  I raised my eyebrows, but I wanted to exhale in relief. I should have known my dear friend would never put me in an uncomfortable position. “Walk with me to my shop, and we can talk. Why do you hate doing nothing?”

  “Because I want to know that at the end of the day I did something productive.”

  I laughed. “Maybe you were a hard worker in one of your previous lives. You have to change status if you want to work. Royals don’t work.”

  “They don’t but they bury themselves under piles of papers.”

  I wouldn’t want to be in their place—not for all the money in the world. “They didn’t leave you anything to do?”

  He shook his head. “The story circulating is that I am unwell for a journey, so I am staying somewhere that is good for my h
ealth.”

  “Your parents won’t be worried?”

  He shook his head. “My parents are dead. In a way, Jonathan is the only family I ever had. We became friends early and...”

  I lowered my head. “I am sorry, Alec.” I touched his arm, but he just smiled.

  “I don’t remember them, so I don’t miss them. What I always wanted is what I have: friends who care for me like I care for them.”

  We entered my shop, and I turned to him. “I doubt you would like working here. Maybe you can look in the city. There are a lot of jobs out there. You will blend in better in the city than here.”

  “Yes, but I want to help you. It’s the least I can do for all the things you have done for us.”

  Us. Alec and Jonathan. Us. Why did he make me think of Jonathan? “That doesn’t mean you have to do something you don’t like.” I brought a chair over for him to sit in.

  “I won’t know it if I don’t try it.”

  I smiled and explained the basics of the work. He was a quick learner and smart. I was glad to have an assistant. Everything went faster than usual that way. “I should have hired an assistant sooner,” I said.

  He stopped while dicing herbs, looked up at me, and grinned. “You think? I can’t believe you do everything on your own.”

  I shrugged. “I am not very good with people.”

  He pointed at Midnight. “But apparently you are with animals.” Midnight licked his hand, she had liked him instantly, which was a good sign. Animals were good judges of a human’s character.

  The days passed slowly. Every day, Alec helped me at the shop and we walked around the city. Ritta had gone to the White Land for a while to discover if there was any news. Jonathan might not be here, but he was constantly on my mind—day or night and he wouldn’t leave my thoughts.

  The Fight

  After a month, a letter addressed to Lex arrived at my shop for Alec. I watched him while he read it. His expression changed from calmness to worry. It couldn’t be good news.

  “I have to go to Spain tomorrow,” he announced.

  “Will it be safe?”

  “Yes, I don’t think anyone would say no to the king.” He winked. He didn’t say anything else, and I didn’t ask; he never pushed me when I didn’t feel like talking, so it was only right to do the same. “Thank you, Eva, for everything you have done for me. I don’t think I can ever repay you...”

  I scowled at him. “Don’t be stupid. Just do me a favor?”

  He nodded seriously. I could ask for the moon, and he would find a way to bring it to me, but I didn’t want the moon. There was only one thing I wanted. “Stay alive, all right?”

  He smiled. “I think I can do that.”

  I raised my eyebrows. “After healing you so many times, you still believe you can stay alive?”

  “Yes, I can stay alive until you arrive, but I know you will always be there.” How does he know that? His faith was touching. I smiled. “Of course, I will. I am your friend.”

  He laughed and touched my arm. “How about a best friend?”

  I looked at him. “Can I have more than one?”

  He laughed. “Of course, you can.”

  “Then I have two!” Νow I had one human best friend and a witch best friend. We stayed there laughing like everything was all right. But nothing was all right. There was a war in our midst—I could feel it—and if I was right, this would be the worst war ever. Wars were bad, but civil wars were the worst.

  “One more thing. Can you give this to my mother if you happen to pass by there?”

  He nodded and took the letter. “And if you need any help, you can ask her. She can keep secrets. I know it firsthand.”

  “Thank you. I will deliver the letter, but I will burn it if there is any danger. What do you mean firsthand?”

  “There is no need to burn it. The letter is encoded. She knows how to keep secrets—even from me. I still don’t know who my father is.”

  He stared at me sadly. “I am sorry, but why? Do you know anything about him at all?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t know. You would think that I am old enough to know the truth. Maybe it didn’t end well, or maybe he was unfaithful.” I wanted to know. It mattered to me. It might have ended badly for him; however, I didn’t know if he might still be alive. I didn’t even know his name. I suspected he was human.

  Given how emotional I could be, it made sense that he might be human. The emotions of witches were more contained, and they were more focused on battle rather than joy. My father being human might also explain why my mother was alone. Witches couldn’t be with or marry humans; it was forbidden.

  The only interaction with humans that was allowed was protecting the borders so the demons wouldn’t enter Earth. If border protection was all that was allowed, you might wonder how I was living on Earth? We were only a few witches, and if you didn’t attract attention or play a major role in the history of humanity, you were ignored and allowed to remain on Earth.

  Unfortunately, I was being watched. I had played a role in the First War—as they called it now. I knew I was being watched, but I would continue to help my friends, even if that meant that I would change the course of all humans’ history. You might think it was selfish, but I couldn’t stand the thought of them being killed. I had powers so why not use them to protect humanity? It’s what we do anyway, right?

  Alec pulled me out of my wandering thoughts. “Maybe, but something good came out of this.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “You are a gift, a miracle, Eva. God sent you to save us and you did.”

  Not God, my dear Alec, something entirely different. I shrugged and hugged him. I didn’t usually have close contact with humans, but I loved my friend, and I wanted to protect him. I would protect him and other good people with kind hearts.

  “Goodbye, Eva.”

  I waved. “Goodbye, Alec. Remember your promise!” I knew it was impossible, but I hoped he kept his promise to stay alive.

  He nodded and walked out of the door, leaving me alone in my shop. I had to go back to working alone. I had grown used to having a second pair of hands to help. He had only been gone a few minutes, and I missed his company already. What was happening to me? What made me so attracted to humans? Their hearts? Their kindness? Their love? Or was it something else? Was I sick? Why was I the only one who loved them?

  Days passed slowly after Alec was gone. I hoped he had been able to deliver my letter. I had written my mother to leave if things were bad and not to wait for me since I would be fine. I knew my mother would be fine since she had an intuition like mine for things like this, but I worried about her anyway.

  Several months passed and news between the countries kept coming and going. Spain was about to tear herself apart; that was no secret. After all, Portugal was not far from Spain. How could a man be so bad that he would prefer to tear apart his country instead of giving the power to the rightful descendant? Humans and power was something I would never understand.

  I was worried since I hadn’t heard from Alec or Jonathan. I had not expected to hear from them, but I still worried. I had warned them against writing to me, but my mother could write me encoded letters to tell me what was going on. A knock at my door startled me. What could it be this late at night? Nothing good, I suppose. Ritta stood at my door drenched and covered with bad scars.

  “What happened? Are you all right?” I ushered her inside and over to the bed. I put ointments on her wounds and told her to rest while I prepared food and drink. After a good meal and some tea, she was able to talk, and it was worse than I had imagined.

  “Spain is going to have a war, but from the inside; apparently your—” a harsh cough shook Ritta.

  Your what? What she was going to say? Your fiancé? Your acquaintance? Your lover? Or the boy that loves you, but you don’t know what’s going on in your head? I refilled Ritta’s teacup.

  After the cough subsided, Ritta took a sip of her tea. “Jonathan’s u
ncle doesn’t want to give up the right to rule. Although Jonathan already rules, it seems he is a puppet in his uncle’s hands, but he tries to break free.”

  “Tell me something I don’t know.”

  Anger flashed in her eyes. “What? You knew and didn’t tell me? Why?”

  I sighed. “For your and their own safety.” It was true. I had told her some but not enough. I had talked to her mostly about issues of the heart. “That’s why they poisoned Alec. Actually, I suspect that Jonathan’s uncle had someone do it, and that’s why he had to hide.”

  She looked confused. “I thought someone was after him...”

  Maybe I should have told her what was really going on, but I was protecting them. “Jonathan’s uncle was after Alec. Alec received a letter after the army was gone that he was needed and it was safe to return.”

  She tried to absorb all this. “And he hid all this time in the small house?”

  I shook my head. “I created a new identity for him, and he passed for a civilian who worked in my shop.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “And how was it?”

  “It was good and less tiring.” I smiled. The work was finished faster than usual. I miss him and I have no way of knowing if they are all right or not.”

  “And it’s not the only bad thing, I am afraid.” She sighed. “We have a crisis...”

  “Who is it this time?” I rolled my eyes.

  Ritta had a look on her face as if someone had died. “It’s not funny. A grand portal opened.”

  Portals were doors that could transfer you from one place to another, but grand portals could transfer you to different dimensions and you could go anywhere you wanted in the blink of an eye if you knew where to go.

  “Which one?” I asked, fear settling in as I waited for Ritta’s answer.

  Ritta’s eyes widened. “The black one.”

  “No. That’s impossible! Who would open one of the grand portals to the demon realms?” I jumped from my chair and paced the room. It was hard for demons to leave their realm since it took a lot of power to open a portal a crack and allow a few demons to slip through. I held up my hand to keep Ritta from speaking. “What unholy, stupid, sadistic person dared to open a black grand portal and why did no one stop him?”