Crowns and Curses

by V. B. Marlowe

  "She devours impure hearts. Ammit stands by the lake of fire where unworthy hearts are cast. If she chooses to devour you, you will have restlessness for all eternity."

  Molly sighed, handing the book back to Isleen. “Anything else?”

  Isleen took a bite of a brownie. "And last but not least, the place that's just right. Baralku. It's an alter-realm of Australia. It never gets too hot or too cold. It's also known as the island of the dead."

  “Oh, that’s pleasant,” Molly said.

  Isleen continued. “The three siblings who created the island of Australia live there. There’s the number three again.”

  Molly would look more into that later. Australian mythology was a topic she had never tapped into.

  "The Yolngu Tribe believe that their souls return there after they die. That's why it's called the Island of the Dead. The Barnumbirr resides there. She has something to do with astronomy so Ori may know more about her. You can ask her yourself because I'm not speaking to any of those morons." Isleen grabbed her Mad Libs book from where Molly had placed it on the edge of the desk. "She's not the thing we have to fight though. She's good, so I don't know what or who the enemy will be. That's all I got."

  "Okay, good job," Molly said as she stood. "I'll take this information to Ms. Bea, and I'll speak to Oriana."

  Isleen said nothing as Molly made her way to the door, but she spoke just as Molly grasped the doorknob. “You know I’m right, don’t you?”

  “Right about what?” Molly asked.

  "The heroes and villains thing. What I said in class. No one will admit it, but you all know that I'm right." Isleen paused to read something to herself and then chuckled. "You can even see it in the Goldilocks story. People might assume that the bears are the bad guys because they're animals, but it's really Goldilocks. Even if the bears ripped her apart as they do in some versions, she shouldn't have been in there home in the first place. It's all about perspective. People have been taught what they are supposed to see in fairy tales instead of looking at things from both sides."

  Molly thought about what Isleen had said earlier in class. Although she got her point, she didn’t agree with her entirely. "While I may not condone all that Ms. Bea does, she's not a villain, Isleen. She means well, and she's doing the best she can by you girls."

  “Even at the expense of innocent people. Like you.”

  Molly swallowed hard because that was a sore spot, but the last thing they needed right now was dissension. That wouldn't help them accomplish anything. "Yes, even at the expense of people like me, but this is temporary. I'll be out of here soon."

  Isleen scoffed. “Ms. Pruitt said the same thing. She got out of here all right. Her bones are decaying in the forest as we speak.”

  Molly’s heart raced at the reminder of the girls’ previous teacher. According to what she’d heard, Ms. Pruitt had come to Everly when she was the same age as Molly. Unlike the girls, she grew old and eventually passed away without being about to break the curses. Molly felt sorry for her and her family, but she vowed that it would not be her. She was willing to devote a few months, but not her entire life to defeating the Moonhaven Coven. “I know you don’t care for her,” Molly said, “but she’s not a bad person.”

  Isleen shook her head. “Like I said, it’s all about perspective. Anyway, you’ll talk to her about the Internet, right? We could really use it to make things easier.”

  Molly nodded. “Yes. I’ll definitely do my best to convince her. Goodbye.”

  Isleen sighed, engrossed in her book.

  Molly found Bea in her office staring through the window. “Isleen has found the three locations.”

  Bea turned with an eyebrow raised. “She did? Wonderful. What are they?”

  Molly took a seat in the armchair before Ms. Bea's desk and told her everything Isleen had told her. "She doesn't know who the final enemy will be though. This seems a lot more extensive than our last journey," Molly said. "We only had to go to one place and defeat a giant wolf."

  “Yes,” Bea said. “It’s expected that each journey will be more difficult than the last and each enemy will be harder to conquer. Still, I stand by the same rule as last time—not everyone goes. The girls who didn’t go last time will go this time.”

  Molly nodded in agreement. Although she would prefer for all the girls to go, she knew there was no way Bea would budge on that. “Isleen mentioned how much easier it would be to research and find locations if she had access to a computer and the Internet. I agree.”

  Bea shook her head fiercely. "Absolutely not. The Internet is a connection to the outside world, and every connection to the outside is an avenue for the witches to find us. It would put everyone in danger.”

  That was a good argument, but Molly wondered how she might be able to change her mind. “That may be so, but we really need it. The books in the Great Study and the library are not enough. Even though you may fill the shelves with updated books from time to time, information changes daily and the Internet is the only way to keep up.”

  Bea was quiet for a moment. "For now I stand by my decision, but I'll consider it. I'll discuss it with Ms. Halifax."

  Molly already knew that Ms. Halifax would be against it, but she would keep asking until Ms. Bea gave in.

  Bea slid open the top drawer of her desk. “Everyone will meet first thing in the morning in the War Room for training. And as for the next enemy . . . Tress made another tile this afternoon." She slid the ceramic square across her desk.

  Molly leaned in for a closer look. On a royal blue background that Molly figured was supposed to represent water, was a giant green crocodile baring bladelike teeth.

  Molly found Oriana reading out by the pool with Gretchen and Scarlett. The three of them were stretched out in the pool chairs engrossed in their various tales.

  Molly shielded her eyes from the sun. “Hey, Ori. Can I speak to you for a minute?”

  Ori looked up and closed her book. “Sure. What’s up?”

  “I just spoke to Isleen about our last location. She says we will encounter a being called Barnumbirr and that I should talk to you about her.”

  Oriana’s face lit up. “Oh, yes. Barnumbirr from astrological mythology. Shall we go to the Great Study?”

  "Sure," Molly replied, leading the way. Inside, Ori climbed the rolling ladder to reach a book on the second shelf from the top. "Ah, yes. This is the one."

  She brought the book down and over to the desk where she opened it between herself and Molly. "The Barnumbirr is so fascinating." She opened to a page showing the portrait of a tall, brown-skinned woman wearing a top and skirt which appeared to be made of wicker. "She's known as the creator spirit," Ori said. "She's actually the planet Venus. She guided the first humans to the continent of Australia. When she rises in the sky before the sun, the Yolngu tribe holds a ceremony. They believe that she brings a rope of light attached to the island of Baralku on earth."

  Molly pointed to a long, thick cube the woman in the portrait held to her mouth. “What’s that?”

  “It’s known as the morning star pole,” Ori replied. “People can use it to communicate with their ancestors. It’s also believed that when she flew across the land, she created all the plants, animals, and natural features of the continent.”

  "Hmmm," Molly thought to herself. "This is all very interesting, but I wonder what she has to do with us and our journey."

  Ori shrugged. “Maybe she’ll give us a word from our ancestors that would be useful. Only time will tell, I guess.”

  18

  MOLLY

  THE FOLLOWING MORNING EVERYONE gathered in the War Room straight after breakfast. Located on the bottom floor of the estate, the vast, open room had a swimming pool in the center of it and plenty of space for the girls to practice their various skills. A large cabinet held the girls' weapons. By Bea's magic, it remained locked at all times. She didn't want them using the weapons on each other, and she had strict rules about what would happen if they were
to misuse them.

  As soon as they entered the room, Marina dove into the pool and did several flips in the water. The other girls took seats on benches, waiting for the cabinets to be opened. Ms. Bea and Ms. Halifax entered a few minutes later.

  The head and assistant headmistress stood before the girls. "Before we discuss the journey, there is something I need to share with you. I think it's only fair that you know."

  The girls’ faces were etched with concern. “What is it?” Tress asked.

  "I don't want you to worry, but I do have to take further actions to preserve my magic. I won't treat you as if you're dumb or blind. You all know that my magic isn't as strong as it used to be. It's still strong enough to create portals and to keep you safe, but there are some unnecessary things that I'll have to stop using my magic for."

  Isleen moaned. “Like what? As if this place wasn’t bad enough.”

  Ms. Bea ignored her. “I’m sorry, but at least for the time being, there will be no more Everly Balls.”

  Whines and complaints filled the room, and Molly felt terrible for the girls. Molly had attended one Everly Ball, and it was the stuff dreams were made of. Ms. Bea had created holograms of handsome boys for the girls to dance with, an orchestra, and butlers at the door to formally announce everyone who arrived. Everyone, even the staff got all dolled up to attend. There was a huge buffet table filled with delectable foods and never-ending drinks.

  The Everly Ball had been a morale booster. Something for everyone to look forward to. Molly understood why Ms. Bea was doing what she was doing, but she hated it. These were teenage girls who had been trapped in a house for centuries with such few opportunities to let their hair down and have a good time. Now that was being taken away from them. She also felt bad for Ms. Bea, whom she knew had to feel guilty about putting a stop to such an anticipated event.

  “I’m sorry, girls,” Ms. Bea told them. “I really am.”

  "It's okay," Gretchen said. "Sure, we'll miss the balls, but the most important thing is for us to focus on getting out of here and then we can go anywhere we want."

  The other girls muttered their agreement.

  Ms. Bea clasped her hands together. "Exactly. Thank you for being understanding. It was already decided on the first journey that whoever didn't go that time would go this time around. That means Isleen, Gretchen, and Oriana. Marina will not go. You will no doubt be gone for longer than two hours, and she will have no access to salt water. Allison is still not mentally fit to partake in such a journey."

  At that moment Allison stared at Bea with wide blue eyes, showing no emotion. Molly wondered how Allison felt about not being able to go. Maybe if her condition continued to improve, she’d be ready to go the next time.

  “Of course, Ms. Dillinger will again accompany you.”

  Isleen frowned. “So, the three of us and Ms. Dillinger? This is going to be a big challenge.”

  Molly thought the same.

  Ms. Bea nodded. “Since Marina and Allison are not going, I will allow two of you who went last time to go again.”

  Scarlett’s hand shot up immediately. “I would like to go.”

  “Me too,” Lily added.

  Bea looked around the room. “Does anyone have any objections to Lily and Scarlett going?” Everyone shook their heads except for Isleen who raised her hand. Bea clapped her hands. “Great. Then we shall pull out the weapons and prepare. Those of you who are not going can help the others practice.”

  This was going to be interesting, Molly thought. Scarlett and Oriana were weapons in themselves since they could shift into animal form. Oriana had the magical compass that could guide them along. Lily's weapon was a bow and arrow that always hit its mark. Isleen had a special powder that she could blow on anyone and put them into an immediate slumber. Gretchen could create a recipe for anything—even one that could kill something. Molly wasn't sure how that would work out in the field, but Grethen was also given a sword identical to Molly's. The last journey had been Molly's first time using a sword, and she could definitely use some more practice.

  The last time they prepared, Drusilla had been her teacher. This time Scarlett, Lily, and Oriana offered to help, taking turns sparring with her. The War Room was busy with activity as everyone worked on honing their skills. Several girls ran the distance of the room, jumping over hurdles Ms. Bea had created. Scarlett and Oriana dodged Lily's quick arrows as they sailed through the air. Molly only hoped the practicing would pay off. Hopefully, they would be a match for a giant crocodile.

  19

  MOLLY

  SUNDAY MORNING AND AFTERNOON the girls spent the majority of their time in the War Room. Molly had been in a three-way sword fight with Lily and Gretchen. She was about to take a break when one of the housekeepers brought her a message. Ms. Bea wanted to see her.

  When Molly entered the office, she found Ms. Bea and Ms. Halifax seated on Ms. Bea’s purple couch. Molly closed the door behind her. “Uh, training’s going pretty well. I think everyone is as good as they’re going to get.”

  Ms. Bea smiled tightly. “That’s wonderful. I wouldn’t expect anything less from you and the girls.”

  Molly sensed something was wrong. There was worry in Ms. Bea's eyes—even more than usual. Molly took a seat in an armchair. "What's the matter?"

  Ms. Bea shook her head and smiled even bigger. "Nothing, dear. I'll be turning in for the rest of the day. I need my strength if I'm going to create a portal in the morning. This one will have to be even stronger than the last since you will be going to three locations and the journey will be much longer."

  Molly remembered what Ms. Bea had said about canceling the Everly Ball. "Are you okay? You don't have to put on a brave face for me like you do for the girls."

  Ms. Halifax placed her hand on Ms. Bea’s. “She’s been worried about having enough strength to create the portal. That’s why she needed the extra day to rest up. After a good sleep, we are certain she’ll be strong enough to do it.”

  Ms. Bea nodded. Molly wanted to sound encouraging. “Oh, I’m sure she will.” Molly couldn’t help but wonder though. Creating the portal was one thing. Being able to keep it open until they were ready to come back was a different story. What would happen if they got stuck in one of the alter realms with no way to get back?

  “Ms. Dillinger,” Ms. Bea said, “I want the girls to relax tonight before their journey in the morning. You too. Ms. Halifax will show a movie in the cinema for everyone—the house staff and the Glam Squad included.”

  “That will be nice,” Molly replied. She hadn’t been able to watch TV or movies since she’d arrived at Everly so this was exciting news for her.

  Ms. Bea rose slowly and moved toward the door. “They’ll have an early dinner and then the movie. I want everyone who’s going to hit the sheets early tonight.”

  “I’ll make sure they do,” Molly said as Bea left her office. Once Molly was sure Ms. Bea had gotten too far away to hear her, she asked Ms. Halifax. “Is she really okay?”

  Ms. Halifax’s face was stern and expressionless. “Between you and me, no? After this, I doubt she’ll be able to whip up another portal.”

  “Wow,” Molly said. It was worse than she thought. That was the only way they could continue to retrieve the pens.

  “As far as breaking the curses,” Ms. Halifax said, “if we’re no longer able to collect the author’s pens, we’ll have to find another way.” She rose to her feet. “Now I should go pick the movie for tonight. I think it should be something funny and lighthearted.”

  "Yeah, that sounds great," Molly said. The truth was, it could have been anything, and Molly would have been happy. She needed a mental break. She just wanted to zone out and not think about witches, or pens, or curses.

  ***

  Just before the movie was scheduled to begin, Molly left the house to find Owen. She located him on the west lawn tinkering with the sprinkler system. His father wasn't too far away pulling weeds from a flower bed. "Hey," Molly said,
calling for Owen's attention.

  Owen froze and turned, surprised to see her. “Hey, Molly. What’s up?”

  Molly tugged on the end of her sweater nervously. She had never asked a guy on a date before, and this was kind of what she was doing. "We're taking a little break tonight before our journey in the morning. There will be a movie showing at the cinema, and I wanted to invite you."

  Owen’s lips curled into that perfect smile of his. “Oh, movie night. I haven’t seen one of those in a long time.”

  Molly raised an eyebrow. “You haven’t? Aw, they should invite you.”

  Owen bent down to examine a sprinkler head. "Izzy always invites me, and I always decline because I know she's going to want to sit next to me and the whole thing is just going to be awkward and uncomfortable."

  Molly could totally picture that. “Well, I’m inviting you so you can sit next to me. I’ll protect you from Izzy.”

  Owen stepped closer to Molly, his green eyes sparkling even more than usual. “Now that just might be an offer I can’t pass up. This would be our second date.”

  “It’s a date?” Molly asked even though she knew it was and she fully wanted it to be.

  Owen took her hands into his. “It’s a date.” Then he called over his shoulder. “Dad! Movie Night!”

  Donald waved to them. “Okay. Be there in a little bit.”

  Owen motioned toward the house. “Shall we?”

  “Yes,” Molly said, taking his hand and following him. “Is your dad really going to come?”

  Owen shrugged. “Maybe. I hope so. I’ve been trying to set him up with Ole Halifax for a couple of years now.”

  The thought of the two of them dating made Molly chuckle out loud. She couldn’t picture Ms. Halifax dating anyone, especially not Donald who always seemed to be laid back and relaxed. “Are you serious? You want Ms. Halifax to be your stepmother?”