The Broken Curse

by Taylor Lavati

  "We've got your back," Lisa agrees, taking my other hand.

  I look at these two girls beside me and want to burst into a fit of tears. The support from them means the world to me, and the fact that they're both here by my side tears me apart. I never thought that I even deserved forgiveness, but the fact that they support me means so much I can't even put it into words.

  We enter the student center. Unfamiliar faces stare back at me. Ari stands beside Cristos, speaking to a group of men that I don't recognize. They're huddled beneath a basketball hoop, Ari leaning against the brick wall. I look between the two new faces he stands with, both dark and shadowed, but friendly nonetheless.

  My eyes travel to Ollie. Dimitri stands behind him in the back of the room near the far bleachers. It's almost like he's afraid to bring Dimitri anywhere near me, with the way they huddle in the back. I shake my head at Dimitri, even though he's not looking, wanting to get a rise out of him.

  Professor Onassis sits on the bleachers, in what seems like the front of the room. A few women speak with her in hushed tones, laughing. Their demeanor throws me off. They seem like they're at a high school reunion, whispering and giggling. Not a war recruitment meeting.

  I look behind us as we stand in the doorway and notice that the guys aren't here yet. The three of us walk towards the middle of the room. I look around, trying to understand why these people came to help when my eyes catch Professor Onassis. She waves, her trial hand in the air. I excuse myself from the girls and walk over to the bleachers.

  "Darling, I'd like for you to meet my sisters, Mimi and Lee. Girls, this is Eurydice, the wonderful young girl I've been telling you about." I look between the three women. It's painfully obvious that Cece is the oldest.

  The two other women don't look a day over twenty. It's clear that they haven't begun to age yet. They share the same violet eyes, filled with worry and passion. They also share a small stature. I can tell by their warm eyes that they're friendly. It's the same type of feeling I got when I first met Cece, not too long ago.

  "It's great to meet you both." I hold out my hand and shake both of theirs. They smile at me, quiet, but reassuring.

  "We're honored to meet you, Eurydice. You have our support."

  "Thank you," I say, cutting my eyes to Cece. She nods, a proud smile on her face.

  "I have a little surprise for you," Cece says, smiling like she'd holding onto a big secret. "Go into the hall. Be back in ten minutes, because I'll introduce everyone."

  "A surprise. What?" I mentally try to figure out what it could be.

  "Just go, dear."

  I nod, lean forward to hug her, and run into the hallway. I push through the metal double doors and look both left and right. I see him standing against the wall of windows, just a few feet down the building wall. I jump into his arms, and he easily catches me, grunting with my weight.

  "I missed you so much, baby girl."

  "I missed you too, Dad. What are you doing here?"

  "Your lovely professor may have called me and told me what was going on since someone hasn't called in over a week. So, I thought I'd come for a visit and we could talk."

  "Thank you. I needed this," I tell him as he leads us over to a bench. We sit side by side; for a moment, we're silent. I bask in his presence, his comfort, his familiarity. I don't want to have to go back inside.

  "What's going on in that head, Ryder?"

  "I don't know. I'm so confused. I know that this is the right thing, but it doesn't feel right."

  "What feels wrong?"

  "I'm leading these people to their death."

  "You don't know that."

  "Don't I?"

  "Listen," he says, grabbing onto my shoulders and turning me so I face him. His wrinkled eyes are full of love. They always are. "These people love you and support you. They're making the choice to go into the Underworld with you. That's on them. If I could, I would go with you."

  "I wouldn't want you to."

  "But I still would," he says, a knowing look on his face.

  "I've killed demons."

  "Were they attacking you?" I look at him and nod. "Then you're fine. It's self-defense. Don't lose yourself to the anger you feel inside. Remain Eurydice Mason and nothing you do can change that."

  "It's just hard sometimes."

  "This is all going to be hard. And guess what?" He pauses. "It's only going to get harder. The next few weeks are going to be the hardest of your life. But don't you think the payoff will be worth it?"

  "If everything goes well, then yes."

  "But even if you fail, you tried." I frown, thinking about what might happen if we don't contain Hades—if we don't find my mother. If we don't break the curse. "For the record, I know you'll succeed."

  "Thanks, Dad. I love you."

  "I love you, too. Now, let's get back in there and start this thing." I nod and take his hand in mine. We walk into the training center together. I notice the boys standing together beside Kara and Lisa.

  Shane.

  My eyes land on him and widen involuntarily. He came. He came for me. He looks up, as if sensing my arrival, but he doesn't meet my gaze. Instead, he steps backwards behind Mikey and looks away. My heart sinks.

  Professor Onassis spots me and waves me over again. I sneak a final glance at Shane. He's not looking at me. He's now talking to Carter and Mikey behind the girls. I turn and move back over towards Cece.

  "I'm scared to go up and talk. What if they don't want to help? What if people leave?"

  "I'm sure some will, but the ones who matter will stay."

  "Eurydice Mason, please don't tell me you ditched again!" Kara yells, calling attention to us both, as she walks towards me.

  "Trust me, you don't want to piss her off," Dad says, smiling between us.

  "I know," I say and let go of him finally. I sprint, and I'm across the room beside Kara in a blink. She flinches back, startled, and I giggle. You'd think by now she'd be used to this. I flaunt my speed like it's a brand new designer purse.

  "You ready?" she asks me, becoming serious.

  "As ever," I tell her, nodding.

  "Go ahead," she says and pushes at the small of my back. Professor Onassis nods to me and folds her hands on her lap. I stumble forward a little, but right myself easily. I clear my throat and then speak from my heart.

  "I have to ask for your help. I'm sure Professor Onassis or Ari or Kara have called you here and told you why." I stop to take a much-needed breath. My mouth feels like a cotton ball was stuffed inside. "In order to prevent Hades from gaining access to Earth, I have to create an army to take into the Underworld. And I'm asking you all to be a part of it."

  After my last word, two things happen. Hysteria breaks loose and everyone starts talking all at once. White noise vibrating in the high training center ceilings. And then some people leave. They're out of the gym in a flash, and I'm left feeling empty—hollow. I never even got to meet them.

  My heart races in my chest like it's running a marathon. I knew that this would happen. My dad warned me it might happen. But I guess I thought because people traveled all this way, that they knew what they were in for. I didn't honestly think people would go.

  "It's okay," Kara tells me as she places her hand on my shoulder. She stands right behind me, offering her support, but it doesn't help. I stand and watch as people make their decisions and debate whether to stay and possibly die or leave. I can't say I blame those who leave, but it doesn't hurt any less. We needed them to help us.

  Before all this, I would have gone too. I wouldn't have risked myself for another. I would have run as fast as my scrawny legs could take me. All of a sudden, the room quiets, and a circle is formed around Professor Onassis, who stands in the center of the training center.

  "Quiet please," she asks everyone, looking around the room at each person. She doesn't yell, but it seems like every person hears her and immediately obeys. "I know this may seem like a lot to ask, but let me explain something. By not f
ighting alongside Eurydice, you're basically signing your death certificate anyway. Hades will be free to roam Earth. Do you think for one second he will let those with gods' blood live? Do you think he'll have mercy on teenagers and young gods like yourselves?

  "I understand that this seems like a large task. But we do not even know if this will escalate into a war. If he sees a group like this, it will intimidate him. He'll be scared. And that's exactly why Eurydice has chosen you all.

  "She trusts you—this group of young Nephilim and gods—beside her at probably the most difficult time in her life. She trusts you to stand by her and support her.

  "But not only will you end her curse, you'll keep Hades's curse intact. You'll save Earth and countless humans from his followers running rampant. You'll save the Nephilim who are just children from being brought up in a time of war and constant fear.

  "I know it may seem like a lot to ask, but we're not asking for an answer now. We're just asking for you think about it. We're just asking for a chance at saving humanity. So, don't say anything. Don't commit. We have about a month of time. Demons are already roaming the Earth, attacking innocents. On Friday of this week, we'll meet here again and those who show up, we thank you. Those who don't, we thank you for considering. No questions asked. No grudges.

  "But know that if you say yes and agree to support Eurydice and Aristeus and Orpheus, and possibly fight alongside of them, we will be forever grateful. You may all leave, and we'll see you Friday for your decision. Be safe in your travels."

  The room remains quiet after Professor Onassis's speech. I don't think I've taken a breath since she began, her words enough for me to live on. I fight the urge to cry in appreciation. Professor Onassis may have just sealed our fate with her wise words. If there's anything I'm grateful for, it's her being with me.

  Slowly, people trickle out of the room until there are only a handful of us left. We all congregate around Professor Onassis—Kara, Mikey, Ollie, Ari, Lisa, Martin, Shane, Carter, dad, and I. Cristos and Dimitri remain on the outskirts of the training center, but they don't leave. Not yet. Cece's sisters are sitting on the bleachers, watching us.

  None of us speak.

  "I had to say it, or they would've all went running," Cece says, and I laugh. She's way too modest. She probably just saved our fate with that short speech. She probably just saved the world with her wise words and charming nature.

  "I just want to say that I'm definitely down. I'll be right in the front line next to you, girl." Mikey swings his arm around my neck and kisses me right on the forehead.

  I glance over to Ollie, who's watching us closely. He's smiling, but I know that smile. He's upset. I can feel the jealously radiate off him in waves. I move over towards him without being too obvious and stand beside him for reassurance. The last thing I want is this to escalate.

  "So, pizza and drinks at our dorm?" Kara asks us all. A unanimous yes sounds through the room, and the group laughs with nervous energy. We all begin to walk towards the doors when I notice Professor Onassis hanging back, trailing behind the group with her sisters.

  "Are you okay?" I ask her, worried that something has gone wrong.

  "Of course, dear. Would you mind walking me back to my house?" she asks. I smile down at her and nod, happy to take her home. She takes my arm and holds onto me, most of her weight resting on me.

  "We'll stop by Friday," one of Cece's sisters says.

  "I'll make sure your rooms are ready," Cece answers, smiling at the two. They both lean forward and hug Cece, their arms loosely around her frame. I nod at them and say goodbye.

  "Hold on," I tell her when I see my dad branch off from the group in front of us. I run up to him and hug him from behind. "When are you going to be back?"

  "Friday. I'll come and see how it's going, bring some food. Professor Onassis has offered to let me use her spare bedroom, so I'll bring my things and stay a while."

  "That's great!" I nod, smiling that he'll be close to me. "I'll see you Friday." I push onto my tiptoes and kiss him on the cheek.

  "Love you," he says and then gets into his car just off the lot by the training center.

  I return to Cece and take her arm again. I look around and see her two sisters retreating where my dad just left. We turn the other way and move towards her house. We're silent as we walk. When her yellow-lit house comes into view, she breaks the silence.

  "You did a great thing in there," she tells me.

  "I didn't even do anything. You did."

  "No, I mean your final decision."

  "It was always going to be yes."

  "You still had to make it."

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  the river

  We all pass out in a heap on the floor of the dorm room. Junior and Kara share her bed, while Lisa and Carter share mine. I'm sandwiched half under my bed and half on the tile with a pillow shoved under my head. It's fine, though, because I've never felt more loved by my friends than I do right now.

  Mikey and Shane sleep beside me, but head to foot, because they said it was too weird that they had to be touching one another. Martin's already gone when I reach up to my bedside table to grab my phone, checking the time. It's only six.

  I decide that since I'm up, and very uncomfortable, I'm not going to be able to sleep anymore. I quietly grab my gym bag and retreat to the bathroom to change into more appropriate athletic clothes before I take off.

  After hanging out with everyone last night, my brain is more confused than ever. I love that they've come to help and support me. But, on the same page, I still want revenge. And I want it in the sweetest way. But I want revenge. And nobody will get in my way. Not even my best friends.

  I realize that I forgot to do my laundry as I rummage through my closet, which means I have to put on a still wet with sweat sports bra and a pair of leggings that are way too hot for this summer weather. I'm sure I'll break into a heat rash before the day is over, but I can't give up my morning run. I think I'll go crazy.

  "Can I come?" Kara asks, her voice still full of sleep. She peeks her head into the bathroom, her blonde hair falling over her shoulder in a tumble of waves. She looks as tired as ever, deep bags sinking under her eyes, so I'm not sure how or why she's up.

  "You can. Not sure you want to, though," I tell her, shrugging my shoulders.

  "Will you wait for me?"

  I nod in response and take my time brushing my teeth and my hair. I throw my brown, boring hair into a ponytail on the top of my head. Before I know it, Kara's in the bathroom, ready to go. She's getting good at getting dressed quickly. I grab the handle on the bathroom door when Mikey teleports into the bathroom, knocking me backwards.

  "What the hell!" Kara screeches, jumping back when he appears in front of us. She slaps him on the chest while he laughs quietly. My heart is still jumping and I lean against the counter, trying to calm it down. "What if we were changing, you perv!"

  "Sorry," he chuckles, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Where are you guys going?"

  "For a run," I answer.

  "Want an escort?" He leans into the sink and sprays some cold water on his face. When he looks back up, his eyes are alert and sparkling. He looks like he's been rejuvenated by an elixir of life.

  "If you get downstairs in two minutes, you can come."

  "I'll do you one better," he says, before teleporting out of the room. "Ready," he answers when he almost instantly teleports back in. I look him up and down and see that the only change is that he has a pair of sneakers on. That was fast.

  "Want to teleport down?" Carter asks, appearing beside me. This time, I'm the one who jumps in fright and almost busts my butt on the rug. My heart catapults into my throat, and I almost scream from the suddenness.

  "What is wrong with you people?" I yell, throwing my hands up in the air and shaking my head. I lean against the bathroom sink and have to catch my breath again.

  "Sorry." Carter and Mikey high-five and chest bump each other, nodding their heads with pride
. Boys. God, this is starting to get a bit too crazy.

  "Anyone else?" I ask, peeking around for another teleporter or something. This place is getting crowded. Before you know it, there's going to be a pack of us running down the streets.

  "Can we go now? I'm losing my interest," Kara says, and I grab her hand as fast as I can. She's the important one here, and I need her to start training. If we only have a month before we need to make a move, I have to have her protected and as ready as possible.

  "Let's go," I say and let Mikey hug me. I wrap my arms around his torso, rooting me to him. Kara goes into Carter's arms and shuts her eyes tight. The boys look at each other and, in a split second, we're outside of the dorm.

  "You guys are getting good," I tell them, proud.

  "Hell yeah, we are. We're going to kill it in the Underworld." I shake my head as I let go of Mikey.

  I lead the run since I'm the only one who knows the area. We run in a group instead of a straight line since there aren't any people around. It's still early enough that there aren't many cars driving by us, so we take up the entire right side of the road.

  Every couple of feet, I check behind me to make sure I haven't lost anyone. I'm super edgy and paranoid today, and I'm not sure why. Maybe it's the promise of what's to come. Maybe it's just me being a freak. Either way, I'm on high alert and in no position to lose another friend.

  I bring everyone to the rest stop overlooking the canyon and mountains. I'm not sure why I'm revealing my special place, but I think these guys will appreciate it. Plus, it'll still be mine on the days they don't come running with me. I nod for the guys to hop on the bench, and we stop for a break. We pile onto the small bench and all catch our breaths. I look to my left at Carter, who stares out at the landscape in silence, his chest rising and falling fast.

  "I need to run more often. This place is gorgeous," Kara says, panting as she looks over the canyon. I look at her and notice her admiration at the rising sun casting its rays from behind us. The way the deep yellow creates shadows in the forest below is mesmerizing. I could sit on this bench all day and just watch the different times come and go.