Witchling (Curse of Kin)

by Ari Harper

  I glanced at Bones, who was looking at me with a smile tugging his mouth. He obviously found this amusing. Great. I tried to appear unconcerned by this news, and I asked Jasper to explain what Bones was supposed to teach me.

  “Most of your magic training will come from Bones,” Jasper said. “Although I can help and it will give me great pleasure to do so, his magic is stronger, and he will be able to help you reach your potential much faster.”

  “Jasper tells me that you had an incident in school this week that had you testing out your skills,” Bones interjected.

  “I don’t know if that was it.” I looked at my feet before meeting his gaze. “It happened so fast.”

  Bones smiled and brushed his hand through his black hair, pushing it out of his eyes. “Why don’t we test you here and now and find out?”

  I glared at him. I couldn’t figure out if he was trying to stir me up or if he genuinely wanted to teach me. “What do you want me to do?” I got to my feet. I could never resist a challenge.

  “Over here, Nera.” Jasper beckoned me to a table. A crystal bowl sat on it. “Just block out everything around you, girl dear. You can do it. You used to do it as a small child when you wanted something. Things would always come to you when you wanted them, but as you grew up, you went to them. Natural progression I suppose, but this is so much more fun.” Jasper watched me; his eyes twinkled, and a grin lit up his face.

  I sat down on the floor beside the table with my legs crossed in front of me. I put my hands together on my knees and concentrated on the bowl. It sat still on the table ,and I shrugged my shoulders. This didn’t look like it was going to work. Breathe deeply. Try one more time. There was the smallest movement. I can do this.

  A quick glance at Jasper revealed his encouraging smile, and I focused on the object again. The table trembled under the force of energy that was building, and the bowl skimmed the polished surface as it shot in different directions. I had no control over it.

  “Nera!” Brie screamed, clapping her hands together. “It’s moving!”

  I jumped as the bowl shattered into a thousand pieces on the hard, slate floor. “Oh shit!” I turned to face Jasper. I was horrified at my incompetence and the destruction of his precious antique. “Jasper, I’m so sorry.”

  “I’m not.” He laughed at me. “That was great, girl dear, just great. We will have you up to speed in no time. I’ll just go and get the broom.” He left the room, chuckling to himself.

  I looked over at Bones. He was still sitting in the chair by the fireplace. His hair had fallen over his eyes again, and a small smile played around his mouth while he watched me. The chill crept down my neck again as I looked into his eyes, but this time I returned his stare, refusing to look away.

  Jasper came bustling back into the library with the broom, still chuckling. “What do you think, Bones? She packs a powerful punch, doesn’t she?”

  “Indeed she does, Jasper,” Bones said dryly.

  Brie jumped up and bounded over to Bones. Putting one hand on the back of his chair, the other on his arm, she leaned down speak to him, her lips almost touching his ear, her hair falling over his shoulder. “Do you think I have any powers?”

  He threw Jasper a glance and tried to get up, but Brie moved to the front of him, blocking his escape.

  “I, um, really, Brie,” he stammered, “I don’t know anything about you.”

  My uncle finished sweeping up the broken glass, a little smile of amusement crossing his face as he watched Bones try to get away from Brie. He lay down his broom and strolled over to casually drape his arm around Brie’s shoulders, then drew her away from Bones and talked to her quietly.

  I watched the tension fade from Bones face as Brie was led away. He looked up and saw me watching him. A flush rose up on his pale skin. I think he realized that his emotions were unguarded enough for me to see. I raised my eyebrows at him, then smiled, lifting one finger up to show I had scored a point against him. The blush on his skin faded quicker than it had risen, his mouth now set in a grim line.

  I felt Sully come up and lean against me. “Wow,” he whispered into my ear. “It would seem that your protector is scared of our Brie.”

  “Wouldn’t you be if you didn’t know her?” The thought did amuse me, though. Bones looked so untouchable and strong, and Brie’s advances had scared the shit out of him.

  Jasper had managed to move Brie’s focus from Bones to the bigger picture, and she was listening to him talking of the curse and the involvement of the gods. I heard him mention the word “secret” more than once and noticed how attentive she had become.

  “What about the Others?” Brie asked Jasper. “That’s the part I find really exciting.”

  “You are just plain weird,” Sully retorted, joining in the conversation. “This isn’t a bloody game like your tarot cards, you know. This is serious stuff. People’s lives are at stake.”

  “Get a grip. You know she doesn’t really mean it.” I jumped to her defense.

  “How do you know?” Sully tilted his head in her direction but looked at me.”She’s always going on about covens and spells and hanging bloody crystals everywhere. What makes you think she won’t lose the plot and blab to someone?”

  Brie glared at him with her hands on her hips. “For God’s sake, Sully. I can tell the difference between good and evil, you know. I just wish that I could be the one with the power.” She quickly added, “Not that I mind it being you, Nera. It’s just that I wish I had something.”

  I gazed at Brie, my friend from the day we were born. I looked at her dismayed face and wondered why it was me that had the power and not someone like her who reveled in magic and spell books. “Oh, Brie, you are special! You and Sully are two of the most important people to me, you know that. You always do the right thing and are always there for me. I couldn’t ask for better friends. You guys are here with me now, and you know how Mom always says things happen for a reason.”

  “Be nice if we knew what it was,” Brie mumbled, dropping her head to her chest with a sigh.

  Jasper placed his arm around her shoulders and gave her a hug. “How would you kids like to read some of my dear wife’s diaries? You might learn a little about what life was like back then. I have had the diaries scanned, and they’re all on disc now.”

  “Oh, Jasper.” Brie turned her face up to beam a sudden smile at him. “That would be so interesting. Don’t you think so, Nera?”

  “If that’s okay with you, Jasper, we’d love to read them.” I wanted to talk to Jasper alone but that would have to wait until another day. Maybe I would run by tomorrow morning and chew on his ear. That’s if his new friend wasn’t around. “It’s getting late, so I suggest we get the discs and head back to my house.”

  ***

  We found Mom at the table with a cup of coffee and the paper. Her face lit up when she saw us walk in. “Hi, guys. There’s cold juice in the fridge and chocolate cake in the tin on the counter if you are hungry.”

  “Thanks, Mom. Where’s the serial pest?” I asked, throwing my bag in the corner. “Not in my room I hope.”

  “No, dear. He’s next door with Mrs. Freeman. He thinks he is helping her in the garden, pulling out weeds. I think that she just likes the company, even when he pulls out her seedlings. They are good for each other, and I get to read the paper in peace. Win-win all around.”

  She smiled, laid the paper down, and watched as I took the cake out of the tin and cut three big slices. I reached for a plate from the overhead cupboard and then found some serviettes to add to the tray. Brie grabbed the juice out of the fridge, and Sully took the glasses out of the cupboard. He passed them to her to fill, and I turned to Mom. “We are just going to kick back in my room.”

  “Okay, honey. Do you kids want to stay for a barbecue tonight? I was going to call Jasper too. Jack can run you home afterward if you like.” Mom looked at Brie, then Sully.

  “Sounds good, Mrs. O. I’ll ring Mom soon,” Brie said.

&
nbsp; “Count me in, Mrs. O’Reilly.” Sully was totally hooked on my mother’s cooking and rarely turned down food.

  We headed out of the kitchen and up the stairs to the bedrooms on the first floor. This was my space to decorate however I wanted. Posters of my favorite sports stars lined the walls. I wasn’t much into music like kids my age. My main passion was sports. Anything to get me outside and physical, I would give it a go.

  I loaded the first disk into my computer as we all got comfortable on the floor.

  “Oh my God,” I said when it loaded. “It’s written in old-fashioned script.”

  “Does that surprise you considering how long ago it was written?” Sully leaned over my shoulder to get a better look.

  ***

  The smell of burned sausages finally broke our concentration from the pages of Lady Leona’s diary. We had had enough for the day and decided to follow our stomachs instead.

  My mom was playing in the back yard with Roman, and Dad was busy at the barbecue while talking to Jasper. “For God’s sake, Mom. Can’t you stop him from burning the food? It’s not a requirement for a good barbecue you know.”

  “Nera, enough. You don’t have to talk like that. Your father’s doing fine. Just leave him be and go and help get the rest of the dinner ready please. Brie and Sully can help you.”

  When the food was ready, we all opted to eat out in the garden. I sat on the grass with Brie, Sully, and Roman, and the adults sat on the garden chairs. We all talked over one another and the conversations were varied and fast. We butted in on one another’s stories and added our own opinions. But that was the way it was in the O’Reilly household.

  “Thank you for dinner, Hannah. That was excellent as usual.” Jasper stood and looked at my friends. “How about I walk you and Brie home on my way, Sully?”

  “Oh, that would be wonderful, Jasper. Thank you so much.” Brie gazed up at his smiling face.

  Sully and I exchanged a long-suffering look.

  “Thanks, Jasper. That would be great. Thanks for dinner, Mrs. O’Reilly.” Sully waved goodbye.

  ***

  I tried to settle down to sleep, but my mind kept wandering. There was something Jasper had said that had me troubled. Others had tried but failed. Who were they and why had they failed? Would I? It was more than possible if this curse had been going for more than 800 years. What would happen if I did nothing? Was Jasper bordering on the ridiculous and slightly insane? Or was this real? The journal seemed authentic. Sully was going to do some research on old books and promised to give me the heads up on what he found.

  Oh God, I thought snuggling under my covers, what if…

  I could smell the smoke and hear the sounds of the battle rage around me. Women and children ran from the soldiers screaming while their men folk were dragged to the gallows. They tried to retaliate but were soon overpowered, their small numbers making it impossible to fight back. Their wives wept uncontrollably, watching them swing in the breeze. The cold crept down my back, dragging me farther under.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  I woke the next morning with the usual pounding headache, something I was getting used to. I dragged myself out of bed and into my track pants, whistling to the Hugo. “Come on, boy. Let’s go for a run to clear the head.”

  Mom and Dad were already up when I went downstairs.

  “I’m going for a quick run.” I dropped down into a chair at the table, still grumpy from my headache and reluctant to go outside suddenly.

  “She loves her running, our Nera,” Dad said to Mom, leaning over and giving my hair a pat.

  “Yes, I much prefer that to her sitting in front of the television.”

  “Uh, hello? I’m right here.” I looked at both of them in turn. I was in no mood for this. I don’t even know why I bothered to sit down.

  Dad continued, ignoring my snappy comments. “How could two outdoor people like us ever breed TV nuts?”

  “Do you remember when we met?” Mom asked, her face going all dreamy, her gaze on my father.

  Here we go again. My folks were true romantics. I, on the other hand, couldn’t be bothered. None of the boys at school really took my fancy; they all seemed so young, so immature, and only out for one thing. Sure, I was testament to that now.

  “How could I forget?” Dad smiled at her. “There you were, trying to start a fire with damp wood, smoke in your eyes, and a look of frustration that had me helpless in minutes. It was the best camping trip I’d had in ages.”

  “We have been lucky haven’t we, Jack? Two healthy children, a home, and each other. I do wish we could add to the brood, though. You know how much I would like another baby.” She reached over the table and grasped his hands.

  “My love, I know. Let’s just wait a little longer. I would like to give Roman the same amount of one-on-one attention we gave Nera. Let’s at least get him into first grade before we do anything. I think it made all the difference to Nera, don’t you? It’s not long till his birthday, and then we can talk about it again.”

  I had heard this conversation before. I knew Mom wanted more babies, and I couldn’t understand why Dad was holding back. We had enough room, money, and love for an addition to our family. I knew Dad loved kids, so why wait?

  It was time for me to exit. I jumped up from the table with Hugo at my heels. Their conversation was left behind me. I made my way down the street, waving to Mr. Blain who was watering his roses and past the newsstand where Mr. Jakes was bravely hobbling around with his leg in plaster, putting out the magazine advertisements and getting ready for a busy day.

  My gaze found that of Bones where he was loading more papers into the back of the van. Why Mr. Jakes hired him was anybody’s guess. He didn’t seem to fit the mold to me. He was moody, overbearing, objectionable, and just a little bit too good-looking. No wonder he got my back up.

  I broke our gaze and ran to the lane that would take us across the river through the forest, around Widows Lake, and back around Jasper’s house.

  I loved my early morning route, peaceful and calming with few people around. Brie got the spooks going through the forest, but to me it was the best way to clear my head and sort through my issues. My brain always worked better when I was out by myself. Running always had a calming effect on me anyway, and Hugo would go with me anywhere.

  I still had doubts about what Jasper had told me but so much of it was starting to make sense. But then again, so much didn’t. How could I explain the powers that I already knew I had? God, it was just so weird. Too much information at one time—especially weird information!

  I rounded the bend heading to Widows Lake, and the forest seemed to cool off. I slowed down to get a quick look around, but saw nothing that could account for the sudden case of jitters. Just in case, I upped my speed again. As I got closer to the lake, I could see a mist hovering over the water and the daylight faded, an unnatural darkness descending around me.

  Hugo pulled up short at the edge of the lake, and a low rumble came from deep in his big chest.

  “Whoa, boy, what is it?” I grabbed at his collar.

  The mist swirled closer, and the light sky darkened even more. There was a strange hum in the air. Hugo’s ears flattened against his head, and his hackles went up. I started to get spooked.

  “Who’s there?”

  No one answered. The hum got louder and closer. The air chilled, and I tried to drag Hugo from the lake. “Come on, Hugo, let’s go.” Panic was starting to set in.

  His growl deepened. He pulled away from me and began to pace back and forth at the edge of the mist.

  “Hugo, let’s go!” I cried and grabbed him again, trying harder to get him away, but he was standing his ground, frozen in place.

  “Who are you? What do you want?” I yelled out.

  “I want you, Nera,” a strange voice whispered in the fog. “You belong to me.”

  Hugo lunged, disappearing into the mist. I screamed. Cold fingers closed over my ankles, pulling my feet from under me. I was b
eing dragged toward the water. “Let me go!” I cried. Fear was rising in my throat. “Piss off, you freak!”

  I could vaguely hear Hugo in the mist barking ferociously. I clawed at the earth and grabbed clumps of heather near the shoreline trying to gain a hold. I kicked, and screamed, and fought until I felt myself break free of the icy grip. I lunged back to the path. I ran as fast as I could, convinced my life depended on it, with no other thought than to get to Jasper’s safely.

  By the time I made it to the walled garden, I had almost stopped shaking. My body was drenched in cold sweat. Hugo was still growling, his hackles up.

  “Jasper, where are you!” I called racing through the kitchen door.

  “Nera!” He turned from his breakfast and looked at me. “What’s wrong? Has something happened?”

  “I don’t know.” I gulped some deep breaths and held onto the kitchen chair for support until my shaky legs felt better. “There is something out there.”

  “Take a few more deep ones, girl dear. The kettle is on. We will start at the beginning.” He took my arm and ran his hand over my head. When my breathing was more settled, he pushed me into the chair and got a cup from the cupboard and sat beside me.

  He poured me a cup of tea and pushed it into my hands. “Now, what is where?” he asked. “Did anything hurt you?”

  “No, I’m fine now, I think.” I paused to take a sip of tea, and then continued. “Hugo and I were doing our usual run from home around the lake, same as always. We were almost to the lake when things started to get really weird.” I could still feel my panic just below the surface.

  “One minute everything was normal, and then it started to get dark and foggy over the lake. There must have been something out there because Hugo got his hackles up and started growling. Everything went really cold and spooky and I started to panic a bit, I suppose.”