by B. T. Narro
“I’m going also,” Remi said quietly and hurried off.
The rest of us walked farther down the hall to get away from the racket. It sounded as if Aliana was tearing apart her room.
“I could understand one of them getting angry, but both?” Kataleya said. “I really believe something happened.”
“What do you mean by something?” I asked.
“Like a curse.”
“What?” Reuben exclaimed. “Oh come on Kataleya, you can’t expect us to believe that.”
She rolled her eyes. “God above, Reuben, would it really make more sense to you that they’ve suddenly become different people before our eyes? That is not Aliana or Eden’s usual behavior. The things they were saying about me didn’t even make a lot of sense. Yes, I didn’t mention my age or much about my life because imagine how it feels to be the oldest, the richest, and know the most about mana. I don’t like it. Of course I’m not going to bring it up if I can help it. But that’s no reason to react like that.”
“I agree,” Michael said.
“So do I,” I said.
Reuben rolled his lips together as he eyed Michael, and then me. “There must be other explanations for their behavior besides a curse. Don’t you know how rare it is to be cursed, Kataleya?”
“I healed someone who was cursed not long ago,” I said. “So I don’t think it’s very unlikely at all.”
“You did?” Reuben asked. “You’re always off doing things without telling us! How do you expect us to help you if we don’t know what you are up to?”
“First of all, Leon mentioned it in the courtyard when Kataleya was accused. Second of all, I have to figure out who among us is trying to get me killed before I can divulge everything.” I tried to tone down the aggression in my voice. “If Kataleya’s right, and they are cursed, then I should be able to feel it and put an end to it.”
Michael clenched his teeth. “That means going in one of their rooms.”
“And you’re coming with me.”
“Why me?”
“Because the sight of Kataleya might make this curse worse, and Reuben…well, you know.”
“Yeah, all right,” Michael said.
“Reuben what?” he challenged.
“You’re not good at pacifying such situations,” Kataleya explained. “Just let them go. Come with me to fetch Barrett. He should see this.”
“Can’t you fetch him yourself? I want to see what happens.”
“I can’t,” she said. “I’m not allowed to walk around right now without a chaperon.”
“Fine.”
Michael and I went back down the hall as Kataleya and Reuben went the other way.
Michael looked nervous. “Can we try Eden first? She seems less…uh…insane.”
“Good idea.”
I let Michael take the lead. He knocked on Eden’s door. There was no response. I didn’t hear anything from Aliana’s room, either.
Michael and I shared looks of worry. These curses were dangerous as far as I knew. Something could’ve happened to them.
Michael tried the handle. The door opened.
Eden lay on her bed, on her stomach in a twisted position that looked extremely uncomfortable.
“Eden?” Michael asked as he approached.
She didn’t respond.
He shook her shoulder and tried her name again.
She grumbled something unintelligible, but she didn’t wake.
Michael glanced over at me with an eyebrow lifted curiously. “This is definitely not right.”
I took my place next to Michael and put my hand on Eden’s back. I closed my eyes and let my mana search for something amiss within her body.
I was just starting to notice something when I was interrupted by Barrett.
“She can’t wake up?” asked the councilman as he entered the room with Kataleya and Reuben behind him.
“Doesn’t seem so.” Michael snapped his fingers twice near her ear. “Eden!”
She didn’t reply, but we could hear her breathing steadily as if she was deeply asleep.
“Are she and Aliana in danger?” Michael asked with growing concern.
Barrett put his hand on her back and tried to shake her awake. When he was done, he said, “No, this doesn’t seem like a dangerous curse.”
“But it is a curse?” Kataleya asked.
“Yes, I believe so. Jon, what were you about to do when we came in?”
“I’m sure I can cure it,” I informed him.
“I don’t believe that’s necessary,” Barrett said. “It’s probably gone now.”
“What?” I put my hand on Eden’s back. “Yes, it’s gone. I don’t feel anything anymore. How did you know?”
“Because I don’t think Eden would’ve been able to fall asleep if it was still active. Either it expired on its own because it was weak or the witch who set the curse drew it out.”
“The witch doesn’t have to be near the curse to remove it?” Reuben asked.
“Not in most cases. It is connected to their mana. But I believe this curse was just too weak to live for long.”
I wondered, “What about the one in Aliana?”
“I imagine it’s gone now, too.”
Eden awoke and sat up with a swaying head. “What? Why are all of you in my room?” She had one eye closed.
“Eden, what do you remember last?” Barrett asked.
She wore an awkward grin as she looked at Michael. “It’s no surprise to see you here with the others.” Eden winked, then wagged a finger at him. “I know how you feeeeeeel.”
Michael’s face fell as his cheeks turned red.
“Eden,” Barrett said. “Are you the traitor?”
“Psh, no, but I wouldn’t tell you if I were. If I was?” She started counting something on her fingers. “If I…I wouldn’t tell you…which is it?”
“Was,” Reuben answered. “What is wrong with you?”
“What is wrong with you!” Eden laughed.
“Stay here, Eden,” Barrett said as he gestured for us to follow him out.
“Aw, where are you all going?” she whined.
He led us into the hall and closed the door.
“Why does she seem drunk?” Michael asked.
“That’s just an effect of the curse leaving her body,” Barrett explained. “The curse was designed to poison her, lowering her inhibitions while causing extreme anger and aggression. The effect on her body will last a little while even though the curse is gone now. She might still show some anger as well. Everyone reacts differently.”
I asked, “Why didn’t the curse in the woman I cured give her a reaction like Eden’s?”
“If a curse doesn’t affect the victim’s emotions very much, it’s not going to affect their emotions after it leaves their body. Could that be the case?”
“Oh, yes.” Pamela’s curse made her weak, capable of passing out at any moment, but it never affected her emotions.
“Curses that cause anger or glee will make the victim especially groggy as well as lower their inhibitions, even when the curse ends,” Barrett said. “It’s best to let Aliana sleep after we check to make sure the curse is gone from her as well, but I will take this chance to question her.”
“She’s incapable of lying?” Reuben asked.
“Not incapable, no. The lack of inhibitions does make it more likely for someone to speak the truth, however.”
Michael asked, “Shouldn’t someone make sure Eden doesn’t do anything to harm herself accidentally?”
“Yes, watch over her as we check on Aliana.”
“Me?”
“Would you like Jon or Reuben to do it instead?”
I wanted to hear what Aliana might have to say without inhibitions. Even if she was cursed earlier when she announced I was stupid and only wanted to bed Kataleya, she could’ve meant what she said.
“No, I’ll go,” Michael said begrudgingly, then went back into Eden’s room. He left the door open.
&
nbsp; “Come to flirt with me some more?” Eden asked with a giggle.
“Just try to go to sleep,” I heard Michael telling her sternly as the rest of us entered Aliana’s room.
Unlike Eden’s room, this place was a mess. There were many items on the floor, including a lamp which thankfully didn’t break. But like Eden, Aliana hadn’t made it under any covers before passing out on her bed practically facedown.
“Oy,” Aliana said with a long breath, gingerly sitting up as we approached. “Oh, Kat. I’m soooo sourry,” she said with a drunken slur.
Kataleya grew a huge smile. “Thank you.”
Aliana looked as if she wanted to get out of bed and hug Kataleya, her arms outstretched, but she had trouble finding balance when her feet touched the floor.
“Whoa. What’s wrong wid me?” She seemed to be in worse shape than Eden.
Kataleya caught her by her hands and steadied her. “You were cursed, and now you’re going to feel drunk for a little while. It’s best to sleep.”
Aliana got her arms over Kataleya’s shoulders and squeezed her firmly for a long hug. “I’mm so sourry,” she repeated. “I didn’t uh mean wad I said.”
“I forgive you,” Kataleya replied.
Aliana gasped as she saw me. “Jon, I’m sourry!”
“I forgive you,” I repeated Kataleya’s line, though my tone wasn’t as heartfelt.
“I just wanted da hurt you, both yous. I dunno why. I really didn’t uh mean what I said.” Aliana’s eyes were squinted as if it was difficult for her to stay awake.
I was glad to hear that. I would forgive her after all.
“Aliana,” Barrett said. “Are you the traitor?”
“Of course nah!”
“Do you have any idea who is?”
“I saw maybe Kata-ley, but I dunno really.”
There was a long pause as Aliana swayed while Kataleya held her. Her eyes were devoid of awareness. She might’ve already forgotten it was Kataleya keeping her on her feet.
“I wanna speak wid my mother again, Barrett.” Aliana spoke tiredly with squinting eyes.
“You will soon.”
“Why can you tell me what ya ask her?”
“Aliana, we’ll speak about this later. You must sleep now.”
“No. Was I cursed?” she asked no one in particular.
“Aggression, anger, lack of inhibition,” Barrett commented. “It’s a common curse, but it sounds as if it was short-lived. Therefore it was a weak curse. The witch or warlock who gave it to you is not very powerful. They must’ve had some contact with both you and Eden today. Neither of you left the castle, however.” He let out his breath. “Hmm.”
Aliana grumbled sleepily as she wiggled out of Kataleya’s hold on her hands. She half fell and half crawled onto her bed. “Jon, will you fine out who curse me and…and make dem stop?” She settled on her pillow, her eyes closing.
“We will together,” I answered.
“Kata-ley…uh, Jon, I’m sourry. I hate they did this. They want all of us to fight. Kata-ley, Jon?”
“We’re here,” Kataleya answered. “Go to sleep, Ali. We can talk tomorrow.”
“No, I want to tell ya something important!”
“What is it?” Barrett asked.
“You’re both so beautiful, Kata-ley, Jon. So beautiful.”
Kataleya chuckled as she stroked Aliana’s hair. “So are you, Ali. Good night.”
We headed out of the room in an attempt to respect Aliana’s privacy, as it seemed like she would divulge anything right now.
“Really! So beautiful.”
Reuben turned around and cleared his throat.
I pushed him. “Keep going.”
But he fought against me and cleared his throat louder.
Aliana didn’t respond.
I pushed Reuben harder. “Come on.”
“What about Reuben?” he called out as he held his ground. “Isn’t he handsome, Aliana?”
“Reuben? He could be beautiful, but he…he…” It sounded like she was dozing off.
“He what?” Reuben asked.
“This is not fair to Aliana,” Kataleya said through gritted teeth as she grabbed Reuben’s hand and yanked him out.
“But he’s too Reuben,” Aliana mumbled softly.
Reuben let out a squeak of insult.
We made it out into the hall and closed Aliana’s door.
“What the hell does that mean, ‘too Reuben’?” he exclaimed.
“It means just that!” Kataleya said. “You have to stop getting all twisted up about everything and start thinking about others more. That was unfair to Aliana. Would you want us questioning you if you were in that state?”
“It wouldn’t matter because I am always honest and upfront, unlike the rest of you!”
“Maybe you’re too honest and upfront, then!” Kataleya replied.
Michael came up to us. I assumed Eden was asleep, her door closed.
“Sounds like it went well in there,” he commented sarcastically.
“All of you to bed,” Barrett ordered. “It is very late.”
“Don’t we have to figure out who cursed them and how?” Kataleya questioned.
“The king and I will discuss that. Off to bed. Kataleya, you first. I will lock you in.”
“You still think I could’ve done this? I was the one who figured out they were cursed.”
“Kataleya, we’re not having this conversation right now.”
She gave a long sigh. Then she promptly composed herself, told us good night, and dragged her feet toward her room.
“Getting really tired of this,” she muttered before she entered her room and closed her door.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
The next day, I would begin working with Charlie after breakfast. I woke up distracted, wondering what might be happening with Aliana’s mother and who had cursed Aliana and Eden. I didn’t appreciate the king and the councilman keeping things from us, but I had to understand that there was nothing I could do about that.
I hoped they were using Leon, at least. I had seen him less in the last couple of days. Perhaps he was helping them in their investigation.
Charlie and I met in the courtyard. Each week was colder than the last. The sun was hidden behind the clouds, a gentle yet chill wind in the air. Charlie and I both wore our cloaks, as did Kataleya and Aliana. Michael and Remi, however, had on thick coats instead. As usual, Eden was nowhere to be seen.
Aliana looked as if she hadn’t slept very well. Her effort was sloppy and halfhearted as she shot her bow. She was still a good shot, though, striking the target every time even from thirty yards out. I was glad to see how quickly she had improved, even if she lacked power today.
Charlie’s messy mop of blond hair had been trimmed recently by Eden, I found out after a short conversation with him. It sounded as if they were becoming closer friends, as they did work together closely with him being a metal mage and her an enchanter. His hair was still long enough to droop down and cover his forehead, but it was no longer in his eyes.
I hadn’t known he was seventeen until last night. I didn’t know that Kataleya was twenty, either. Looking at everyone, it was clear we were all similar in age, so I never really wondered too much until recently. I guess I didn’t care. There was a big difference between seventeen and twenty, like Charlie had mentioned, but I was glad for Kataleya’s wisdom. She had taught me a lot about not only water but mana in general.
“Have you spoken with Leon about what you’re planning today?” I asked Charlie before we began.
“Of course. I have also spoken with the king. Leon said he will join us later to make sure you don’t kill yourself.”
I wasn’t sure Charlie knew just how scary that sounded. “All right…”
“Leon tried to help me with these experiments, but he can’t reach the notes we need to really test my theories. This won’t take long, Jon. You should’ve found the time to do this earlier. Soon you’ll see why.”
/> “I’m ready now,” I said.
“If you had read more of the book you borrowed from the library, I wouldn’t have to explain much of this.” He sounded irritated.
I thought of reminding him that it wasn’t as if I’d been lounging around. All of my time had gone toward a purpose. But I didn’t want to start the day with an argument.
“I’m sorry, Charlie. Go ahead.”
“Leon explained to me that he already proved to you that adding uD to a spell hardens it. He did this with Waterwall, correct?”
“Yes.” He’d showed me the spell Water and then casted the same spell while adding uD to it, changing it to Waterwall. It was easy to remember, because he’d dropped all that water on Michael shortly after.
“But what we’re going to do now is figure out exactly what D does, and which octave of D is strongest.”
“Why?” I wondered.
“You will see,” he said slyly.
There were two Charlies I was wary of. One was an angry Charlie, who was likely to throw a tantrum like a child. The other was this Charlie, the excited Charlie who was keeping a secret from me. This was the Charlie who’d pulled a dead bat out of a bag while we were eating supper. This was the Charlie who had been working on a curse without most of us knowing. And now he was testing theories by using me.
“I don’t understand something about this,” I told him.
“Because we haven’t even begun.”
“No, not that. I don’t understand why you think these experiments will help the others if Leon can’t even reach the notes required.”
“Because. Rrgh.” He fisted his hands in his hair. “I can’t explain it! You will see!”
“As long as you’re sure this isn’t going to kill either of us.”
“I’m sure,” he answered without taking a moment to consider it. Charlie wasn’t exactly known for being cautious, except when it came to avoiding physical altercations.
“Now you need to cast lD, D, and uD at the same time.” He spoke of this as if it was as simple as snapping my fingers.
“Three octaves? Why?”
“You will see!” he replied with anger.
“It’s not that simple.”
“Rrgh, it should be for you!”
“Just because these notes are within my range doesn’t mean I’m familiar with them.”
