Witchling (Curse of Kin)

by Ari Harper

  “I thought I had killed you.” The anger I felt toward Bones was nothing like the relief I was feeling now.

  “How could you? We weren’t even here,” Brie replied. Jasper came over to stand beside me.

  “No, you were. You followed Roman and me into the forest. We were just about here, and I had a feeling something was wrong. You know that chill I get.” I rubbed my arms, the goose bumps rising on my skin at the memory.”When I looked around, the two of you, well, something had you. You were not you, if you know what I mean. You looked like you but you were just, well, kind of evil. You tried to take Roman off me, and I had to fight back. I honestly thought you were dead.” I looked at Jasper for an explanation.”Why are they still here if I killed them?”

  “It was not them, Nera. Not fully anyway,” he said. “I would say that because they were possessed by the Others, you couldn’t kill them. Once you forced them back, they had no use for Brie and Sully’s bodies. Wouldn’t you agree, Bones?”

  “Yes, you are more than likely correct. I would like to say, though, that I was rather impressed by your power, Nera. Quite controlled, I think. You are learning well.”

  “What do you mean? How could you possibly know what I did unless you were here? I didn’t see you here. Where were you?” I walked toward him with hands on hips, my temper simmering again.

  “I’m your shadow, remember,” he replied, giving me a haughty look. “Where you go, I go.”

  “Well, if you were there smartass, why didn’t you help? That was my little brother, once again that they were after.”

  “It’s not up to us, Nera. You know that. How many times do I have to tell you? We can help you plot and learn, but ultimately it is up to you. You know you have to do this on your own.” He glared back at me.

  “Now, now, children, calm down,” Jasper intervened. “How about we collect the firewood and get this young man home. He’s looking just a little dazed.”

  “Oh, Roman, I’m so sorry. Are you okay, little buddy?” I reached down and picked him up on my hip, holding him close.

  “I’m thirsty, Nera. Can we go home now and get a drink?”

  “Sure. Let’s just grab enough firewood for your marshmallows tonight; then we will get going.” I tried to focus on normal things to keep me calm.

  “I might come back with you, Nera. I could use a cup of tea,” Jasper said, “and I think Sully could use an aspirin or two.”

  “I’ll go back to the house, Jasper.” Bones turned away from us.

  “Good idea,” I said. “If you can’t do anything to help us, you might as well run back to your hidey hole.” And here I was, almost ready to give him a break.

  Why did Bones bring out the worst in me?

  “Nera, there’s no need for that,” Sully retorted looking slightly embarrassed.

  “No, it’s okay,” Bones said, looking at me from under the dark hair that hung over his eyes. “I know how she feels.”

  “How could you possibly know? It’s not like you ever had to save the world,” I shot back at him.

  Bones looked at me with a chilling glance. Saying nothing he turned away once again toward home.

  Jasper looked at me, shaking his head. “That girl dear, was uncalled for. Even from you it was below the belt,” he said. “All Bones wants to do is keep you safe.”

  “Does he have to be such an idiot about it?” I asked.” I mean, if he was supposed to keep me safe, why didn’t he? He left it up to me again. Jerk.”

  “He is nothing of the sort. He was or is one of our most trusted soldiers.” Jasper shot a hard glance at me. He was rarely cross at all, but I could tell he was getting to that point now. “He would lay his life down for me or you for that matter. You know he can’t end the curse. That is up to you, as we have repeatedly told you. You have to accept that, Nera. There is nothing he can do about it. Please curb your attitude toward Bones. If not for him, do it for my sake.”

  “Sorry, Jasper. He just gets my back up without even trying. I’m sure he enjoys doing it too, like it’s his lifelong ambition or something,” I muttered to myself.

  I lifted Roman back into the wheelbarrow and headed for home, stopping along the way to gather firewood with Brie and Sully. Sully tried to get more information out of me on the walk home, but I cautioned him to wait until we were away from Roman’s hearing. We parked the wheelbarrow in the garden so Dad could unload it for the fire when he was ready

  “Mom, we got the firewood,” I said. “We left it outside for Dad to sort out. We’re just going upstairs for a while. By the way, we met Jasper. He’s coming over for a cup of tea.”

  We grabbed our drinks and raced upstairs to my room.

  “I thought you guys were right behind me,” I said, throwing myself on the bed. “I know you were there just before I felt them in the clearing.”

  “How do you know it was them?” Sully asked.

  “It’s just a feeling I get. It sort of creeps down my neck like a really cold chill and I think that’s only happened when I have those dreams or when the Others are involved.”

  “Well, what did we do?”

  “You both lurched up behind us and threatened me. Tried to scare me into letting you take Roman. And boy, were you two evil.” I laughed, lightening the mood.

  “Well, I kind of wish I could have seen us, but to tell you the truth, I don’t remember a thing,” Brie said shaking her head.

  “Me either,” Sully said. “And I feel okay too. You would think that I would feel something if you burned me to a crisp.” He seemed to be amused by the whole thing as he lounged back on my bed listening to me tell the story.

  “Yeah, I suppose,” I replied. “But it probably just as well or you would be toast by now.”

  We stayed upstairs discussing the last few weeks and then headed back down to the kitchen. Mom was in the middle of making salads and asked us to go out and help Dad. He was in the garden, talking with Jasper. They both looked up as we joined them.

  “We have everything under control here,” Dad said when I asked what we could do to help.

  “Let’s go and help Mom in the kitchen, Roman,” I said pulling him along with us. “Come on, Brie, Sully. Let’s help finish up dinner.”

  I converged on the kitchen, my friends following. The usual noise erupted, and we fought for turns to talk and stir each other up.

  ***

  Later that night, we sat under the stars, wrapped in blankets in front of the fire and talking quietly. Roman was asleep on Dad’s knee, and Mom was puttering around in the kitchen, happily singing to herself. Dad turned toward me and put a hand on my arm, indicating that it was time to put Roman to bed.

  “I think it’s time we hit the sack,” I said getting up from the ground. “Come on, little buddy.” I took Roman from my father’s arms. “Let’s get you to upstairs and snuggled in.”

  Sully and Brie followed me, calling out good nights as we went. Upstairs in my room, I tucked Roman in my bed and arranged our sleeping bags on the floor. I settled down and everybody made themselves comfortable in their sleeping bags. I tried to sleep but I wastoo keyed up. Instead I turned to my friends and talked quietly in the night, until one by one, we dozed off.

  CHAPTER TEN

  I awoke the next morning with a headache, which made me feel grumpy and unsettled. Sully, Brie, and Roman were still asleep. I could hear my parents downstairs talking already, so I crawled out of my sleeping bag and changed into my running pants and shoes. I quietly closed the door behind me and ran down the stairs to the kitchen with Hugo by my side.

  “Morning, Nera, dear,” Mom said from the kitchen table.

  “Hello, dear parents.” I grabbed a drink of water. “The others are all asleep still. Can you keep an eye on them, Father of mine?” I looked over at him. “I want to go for a quick run to clear the cobwebs from my brain. Won’t be too long. Come on, Hugo.”

  I headed down my usual route. I jogged past the newspaper stand and around the corner, through the par
k, and over the River Laigin to the forest beyond. I refused to hide from Widows Lake after my close call there. Not because of that, but because legend or not, I could not allow myself to be spooked by evil spirits. I was coming into the realization that I was stronger than any of them and had to shrug off my scared little girl shell. The more I learned, the stronger I became.

  Even Bones was making a difference in how I held myself. Not that I would have admitted to it. The last training session I’d had with him was intense to say the least. Things only I needed to know about, and that was all well and good. If I had to do spend the time to learn properly with Bones I would. The lesson today was going to be the same apparently.

  He was teaching me some powerful spells, and I found myself glad. That last run in with the Others had me using fire a different way from when I was throwing it at Brie in the library. I would never have known if it wasn’t for Bones that my fire could come from inside my whole body, not just my fingertips. It was such a strong element that it had scared me at first. Funny, though, how I was getting used to things.

  I reviewed the other spells and abilities through my head as I ran. Being able to change and block minds had become pretty easy once I got the hang of it. It was what had made it possible for me to ease Roman to sleep the day before, keeping him safe while I fought the demons that had taken over my friends. It had been a shame I couldn’t get through to Brie and Sully the same way when they were possessed by the Others. There must be something that they can do to stop being used that way. I must ask Bones. No, maybe I’d ask Jasper first. Don’t want Bones to get too up himself just yet. The more I can do without him, the better, I thought as I made my way around Widows Lake and back toward home.

  By the time I crossed the river again, my head felt much clearer. Magic sure took it out of a girl.

  I could hear the noise in the kitchen before I even got into the house. They were all talking at once. I took off my shoes at the door and ran upstairs, calling out that I would be down after a quick shower.

  Brie came into my room while I was getting dressed.

  “Morning, girlfriend.” Brie flitted around the room. “I feel ready for another magic lesson. How about you?”

  “Can’t wait,” I said. “Another round of Battle of the Bones is just what I need to cheer up my day.”

  “How could you be so mean, Nera? He’s just trying to help, you know. I really can’t believe you would do this to him after all he has given up for you,” she said, leaning back against my dresser with her arms crossed and her nose in the air.

  Brie was starting to get my back up trying to protect Bones and his motives. “How do you know what he has given up, Brie? Are you so friendly with him all of a sudden that you have little heart to heart chats with him?” I snapped, hands on hips.

  “Whoa, girls, chill,” Sully soothed, coming into the room. “They can hear you downstairs. What’s the problem now?”

  “Nothing, I need food. Come on, Brie. Let’s eat.”

  Poor Brie. What a sucker for a handsome Irish face. First Jasper and now Bones is the object of her latest fantasy. Funny how my best friend was so into romance and I was the total opposite.

  “Someone didn’t get out of bed on the right side,” Brie whispered to Sully, following me down the stairs to eat.

  I heard her and chose to ignore it.

  “What are your plans today, kids?” Mom asked as she dished up pancakes for everyone.

  “We’ll probably just go over to Jasper’s, Mom. We might take Roman for a walk, and that way you can get some rest.” I reached for the maple syrup, poured it over my pancakes, and then handed it to Brie.

  “That’s very thoughtful, dear. I might do that, but I think I should go and visit Fiona,” she said talking about her best friend. “She is still worried about me, and I need a girly chat. What about you, Jack? What are you doing today?”

  “Well, my love, I still have to finish the plans for the Websters’ house. That will take most of the morning. Then I might go over and pick up young Roman in case the kids want to stay over at Jasper’s a little bit longer. How does that suit, Nera?” He took the cup of tea that Mom poured for him.

  “Fabulous, Dad. Okay, little buddy. Are you ready to go to Jasper’s house with us?” I asked.

  “Yes, I guess so. Can I stay all day too, Nera? I’ll be good. I promise.”

  “We will see, Roman.” I dug into my breakfast.

  “You be on your best behavior, young man.” Mom cleared our plates away after breakfast. “And don’t get lost in any of those secret tunnels that Jasper has.”

  “Mom, how do you know about the tunnels?” I was stunned. “We only found out a few weeks ago.”

  “I know lots more than you think, Nera. I’m your mother, remember. I’m supposed to know things.”

  Dad looked on uncomfortably, his face going a pasty color. “How long have you known about the house, Hannah?”

  “Long enough, my dear. Now let’s get you guys moving so I can visit Fiona.” Mom put the last of the plates in the dish rack to dry.

  I put on my shoes and left the house with Roman between Brie and me, Sully trailing behind us..

  “How weird is it that your mother knows about the secret passages and didn’t tell you?” Brie said, holding onto Roman’s hand as we walked out into the lane.

  “Yeah, isn’t it? I really don’t know what to think. I wonder how much else she knows?”

  “Do you think she has any idea about you, Nera?” Sully asked. He had his hands in his pockets, and the breeze had blown his hair over his forehead. He flicked it back and kicked at a pine cone on the path.

  “No way. She would have said something by now. Sully, did you find anything about any more diaries or books that could have any meaning for us?”

  Roman ran over the old stone bridge ahead of us and waited patiently on the other side until we caught up with him.

  “Well, yeah I did.” He glanced quickly at me. “I don’t really know if any of it will have bearing on what’s happening with you, though. I thought we could all talk about it when we were with Jasper. Then I don’t have to go over it any more than I need to.”

  “That sounds a little bit mysterious, Sully.” Brie laughed at him. “I can’t wait.”

  It took quite a bit longer to get to Jasper’s with Roman in tow. I loved him too much to rush him. Innocent childhood did not last for long. Bones was in the garden with Jasper when we arrived. Roman ran squealing to Jasper to be picked up and swung around in his arms. He squeezed Jasper tight as they spun, laughing as they went.

  “Well, young man, you seem very happy this morning. What are we going to do today?” Jasper asked.

  “Hide in the secret tunnels,” Roman replied.

  Jasper looked at me, his head tilted to one side and a question in his eyes as he put Roman down. “Somehow, Mom knows,” I shrugged my shoulders. “Don’t ask me how. Dad was as surprised as I was.”

  Jasper watched Roman walk over to Bones and hold out his little hand. “Hello, dream man,” he said smiling up at him.

  “Well, Roman. It is nice to meet you in person at last.” Bones leaned down and shook his hand.

  The blood drained from my face. “What do you mean, Roman? Do you know this guy?”

  “He comes to see me when I’m asleep,” Roman replied. “He keeps the bad dreams away.”

  I looked at Jasper uncertainly. “Is this true, Jasper? Why didn’t I know about it?”

  “There was no need, Nera,” Bones said before Jasper could answer. “You don’t think you are the only one who is important, do you?” He had a smirk on his face.

  “No, I don’t. I know that I’m not the most important person. But why are you looking out for him? And if you are, how come he’s been attacked so many times?” I shot back at him.

  “If I hadn’t been looking out for both of you, he would be dead by now,” Bones said, his voice rising to match mine. “Don’t you get it yet, Nera? As much as you may dislik
e me, I am your backup. At the end of the day, the only backup you have. Don’t forget it.” He turned away from me and stormed over to the bench in front of the herb spiral, kicking at the ground.

  Everyone stood still, stunned by what Bones had said.

  “Well,” Jasper finally said. “Give me a hand in the house will you, young man.”

  Roman followed him into the kitchen, leaving Sully and Brie outside in the garden with me.

  I looked over at Bones. I felt I had no choice. “I’m sorry,” I said, walking up to him. “I know I have you to thank for a lot. I didn’t realize how much you had done. Roman means the world to me and to lose him would be the end of our family. Thank you.”

  I held out my hand. Bones looked at me before taking it, his eyes still hard and cold, his expression stony. “I will accept your apology for now, Nera, if only to keep things going smoother than they have been, but be warned: there will come a day when you will have to face facts and give me more credit than you have up until now. I hope that doesn’t choke you.” He let go of my hand and walked away from me to toward the kitchen.

  “That mongrel. How dare he? Just how much groveling do I have to do to please him? Bugger him. I am so sick of his attitude.”

  Now it was my turn to storm around the garden, mumbling and ranting to myself while Brie and Sully quietly watched me from the shade of the old oak tree. They were used to my moods and knew I would moan and rave for some time before calming down and working things through logically.

  Jasper and Roman came outside with the tea tray between them and settled down to watch my tantrum slowly work itself down to a mild rumble. “Tea is ready for anyone that wants it,” Jasper said.

  Brie and Sully made their way over, giving me a wide berth. Jasper handed them their cups, and they settled down on the grass until I decided to join them, still muttering to myself.

  “What right does he have to treat me like this, Jasper? It’s just so unfair. I said I was sorry, didn’t I?”