Curse Breaker

by Karina Espinosa

  He gave me his signature smirk and I realized it wasn’t over. Far from it. “You might be physically strong, Mackenzie. But how about mentally?”

  “Give it your best shot, Isaac, but nothing in this world will force me to tell you where it is.” I shrugged. “I’ll clue you in on a little secret.” I scooted closer to the bars to get near him and winced so he thought the silver still bothered me. I waved him over so he’d get closer, and was secretly pleased when he hesitated for a moment before taking a step closer and squatting down to be at eye level with me.

  “That cure was made with the sacrifice of a man I loved very much. If you think I would give him up to you, you’re insane. I would die before I ever did that. Your efforts are futile. You can’t break that kind of love. But what would you know about that? You’re a cold-hearted bastard. I pity you.” I leaned back, regarding him with disgust.

  His face contorted in fury as he took me in. He had a horrible poker face. I, on the other hand, reveled in it. I only spoke the truth. Yes, I was doing all this for Amy so she could be human again, but I was also doing this for Jonah. Jonah’s sacrifice was embodied in that cure. And even though we were never together romantically, I loved him more than he ever could have known.

  That pure love for Jonah was what would get me through this. I knew it.

  “You think you have it all figured out, don’t you? Think again, Mackenzie. You don’t stand a chance against a Reaper.” At that, Isaac stood and banged on the door twice. It opened, and in came a woman with long, black hair and intense, violet eyes.

  I shuffled to my feet as quickly as I could without giving away that I was at full strength. My eyes widened as I took in the Reaper. They were no joke. Finn—one of my teammates at SIU—was a Reaper, and he was our secret weapon. The things they could do would bring a grown man to their knees. How the vampires got one in their pocket made me question the city’s alliances.

  “Let’s get this over with,” she said in monotone, as if bored. In a flash, the woman turned into a cloud of black smoke and drifted into my cage, reappearing again beside me. It always tripped me out when Finn did that. “Before I do this, I’ll give you an out. Tell them what they want to know.”

  I shook my head stubbornly. “Not a chance.” I stood straighter and steeled myself for what was to come.

  “Your funeral,” she sighed, and then placed her hand on top of my head.

  The minute her palm touched my forehead, my eyes rolled to the back of my head and my eyes closed. The room around me disappeared and I was falling into a pit of pure darkness. My stomach dropped and I screamed as I felt the icy wind blow past my cheeks from the speed of the descent.

  Instead of landing on the ground, I landed on a mound of scurrying rats, their high-pitched squeaks filling my ears. I shrieked and jumped to my feet as they crawled over me. I kicked and brushed them off my legs as I ran and tried to get away.

  I dug deep within me, trying to wake the wolf, but she was noticeably absent. I hated rats, but my wolf had no fear of the rodents. I needed to shift. I kept running until the rats were just a memory, finally coming to a stop in front of a door. My heart was pounding so hard, I thought it would burst out of my chest. My skin crawled with the memory of tiny, cold, rat feet scurrying across my body .

  How the hell did I get here? One minute I was in the cage and the next …? I shook my head sharply, trying to remember.

  Frustrated, my hand went to the door knob, eager to find a way out of this maze. I twisted it and pushed, letting in a gush of frosty air as I walked into another room of darkness.

  “Hello?” my voice echoed in the vastness. “What the hell?” A shiver ran up my spine and I wrapped my arms around my middle to fend off the chill.

  Suddenly, hands came out of the shadows and started to claw at me. Dozens of hands. I slapped them away, but there were too many. No matter where I ran, more hands darted in, grasping feverishly. One of them grabbed my foot and tripped me, and I fell flat on my face. I turned onto my back and then hands became arms and they pinned me to the ground.

  “Let me go! Stop!” I gurgled as a hand came up to cover my mouth. Struggling in their tenacious grasp, I noticed a sudden shift as the ground beneath me began to liquefy. My eyes became as wide as saucers as I realized I was sinking.

  No. I can’t drown!

  I thrashed violently in their clutches, but it was futile. Their grip on me was iron tight. The liquid was up to my ears and I could no longer hear. As sound became muffled, the panic really set in. I blinked back tears as I sank deeper and deeper, until I was completely submerged.

  I held my breath, holding my eyes tightly shut against the thick, gooey liquid. I didn’t know how long I would last, but I couldn’t panic anymore. That wasn’t how I would spend my final moments.

  Struggling to relax, I eased my mind and made my body languid. Floating, I flipped through memories and thoughts of my family and friends. I never got to say goodbye. I would die here, and no one would know where the cure is. No one would know …

  Wait a minute.

  I thought about that for a second. Why would they kill me now? It didn’t make any sense. They still didn’t have the cure. No, this had to be a trick. My body tensed as panic tried to claw its way up again and I had to force myself to relax. I took a deep breath, which was when I realized I hadn’t suffocated yet. I didn’t inhale liquid and there was no burn in my lungs. I moved my arms and they pushed against the thickness, but it seemed like I was free of the roaming hands.

  This is all in my head. It has to be.

  Slower than I wanted, I reached my hand toward the surface and tried to pull myself up. I had nothing to hold onto, but I gritted my teeth and kicked with my legs. It didn’t propel me up or anything, but it brought me up an inch. I kept kicking—slowly, might I add—until my hand shot up and above the surface and I felt the delicious rush of cool air. I kept going until my head popped up, and I gasped for air as if I hadn’t breathed in eons.

  My eyes opened and I realized I was still enclosed in darkness, and half my body was still submerged.

  “No,” I muttered. “This isn’t real. None of this is real!”

  I started to shake. I felt the foundations of wherever I was tremble, and I knew it had to do with me. With what I was coming to terms with.

  “Show yourself!” I yelled at the darkness. “Whoever you are, fight me!”

  Everything shuddered and the liquid sloshed around my ankles, the viscous fluid dissolving and turning into actual water. Lights flickered around me and then I fell back, my eyes rolled to the back of my head, and everything went black.

  I gasped, sucking in a large amount of air as I stumbled backward and fell on my ass. In front of me stood a woman with long, black hair and a fierce, angry stare. The Reaper.

  I looked around and realized I was back in the silver cage with my grim friend. Isaac was just outside of it, staring at us with a confused look.

  “What just happened?” he asked. “Why is she awake?”

  The Reaper snarled, “Because she kicked me out.”

  “Stay the hell out of my head, you freak!” I spat, glad Finn wasn’t around to hear me say that. I should have known it was her digging her claws into my brain.

  “I wish I could,” she mumbled. “But the pay’s too good. Now, let’s see what you’re afraid of …”

  She reached for my head again, but this time I was ready. I kicked her between the legs with all the force I could muster, and when she hunched over, I kicked her in the face—hard. I quickly stood and backed away, meeting the wall. I was cornered, which was a very uncomfortable place to be.

  “You bitch!” she grumbled as she held onto her bleeding, broken nose.

  “Come for me again and see what I do to you next,” I threatened. “That pretty face will be unrecognizable when I’m through with you.”

  The Reaper was torn. She looked to Isaac first, and then back to me. I flashed my silver eyes. Try me, bitch.

 
Her eyes widened. “You didn’t tell me she was a MacCoinnich,” she gasped, still staring at me.

  “Does it matter?” Isaac all but rolled his eyes.

  She swung her shocked gaze to him. “Yes, it matters! Are you planning to start a war?”

  He grunted and narrowed those navy blues. “She’s a throwaway. They don’t care about her.”

  Isaac was either stupid and hadn’t done his homework, or he was playing it smart and hoping he could play her. I betted on the latter.

  “If she’s who I think she is, she’s no throwaway,” the Reaper interjected. Smart girl. “Our deal is off. I’m not fighting the Lycans.”

  She morphed into a cloud of black smoke and glided through the bars, materializing in front of Isaac. “If you were smart, you’d release her.”

  Before I knew it, Isaac’s fangs were out and in her throat. She screamed and blood splattered everywhere, but it was pointless. He drank her blood so fiercely that within seconds, he’d snapped her neck. She fell limp in his grasp and I couldn’t hear her breathing any longer. He dropped her like a sack of potatoes.

  “That, Mackenzie, is how you tie up loose ends,” he mused, his mouth covered in crimson. “Remember that.” Isaac reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a silk handkerchief, dabbing his mouth and chin fastidiously.

  I stood there, practically vibrating with hatred for this piece of shit. I didn’t know that Reaper –hell, she tried to mind-fuck me for a dollar –but damn, the minute she learned who I was, she stopped. If she’d been allowed to leave, she might even have sent word to Alexander. Not that it would have been a good thing, but still.

  I calmed my racing heart and took a couple deep breaths before I spoke. “You’ve tried hurting me physically and mentally, but I won’t break. And that pisses you off.” I stepped toward the bars and got closer to him. “Admit it, Isaac. You don’t like being on the bottom,” I smirked.

  He rushed the bars as if to attack. I could smell the copper in his mouth. I didn’t flinch, much less blink. I only stared into those navy blue eyes.

  “Testy,” I said with a glint in my eyes. “Girl on top not your favorite position?”

  “Shut your mouth or I’ll shut it for you,” he sneered and I visibly tensed. I had to tread carefully.

  “My lips are sealed.” I pretended to zip them with my finger and throw away the key.

  That sneer turned disgusting and my eyes narrowed. He was up to something. “You didn’t like that, did you?” he said, eyeing me with curiosity. “Interesting.”

  I kept quiet, not wanting to put my foot in my mouth. I had a tendency to do that, and had a feeling I would do just that if I said anything.

  Isaac reached between the bars and caressed my cheek. My face heated and I slapped his hand away. “Don’t touch me.”

  He laughed. “My, my, my! Now this is quite a development. Personally, I abhor men who push themselves on women. It’s distasteful.”

  “I feel a but coming …” I mumbled.

  “But,” he smiled, “I finally know what you fear.”

  “You don’t know jack shit,” I snapped with so much venom, I could have been a rattlesnake.

  “If that’s what you think …” He winked at me. “Sleep well today.”

  After dropping that little nugget of wisdom, he spun around and left the room.

  I slept like shit during the day.

  When they say sleep with one eye open, it was the truth. Now that Isaac knew what I truly feared, I worried he’d send someone in the middle of the day when I thought it was safe and was sound asleep. The thought alone kept me up. The fear drove me insane.

  I wanted to believe that maybe that was all it was: fear. That he wanted me to be paranoid, but that he wouldn’t really do something so depraved. But I honestly didn’t know, and was too scared to take the chance.

  I was so sleep-deprived that when Lucian came into the room, I had a migraine.

  “Pet, are you alright?” he said as he squatted down by the bars.

  “Just peachy,” I murmured. “Why, whatcha got?”

  “The team is ready when you are. Do you have your strength back?” he asked, eyeing me with concern. I was sure I looked like shit right now. Lack of sleep would do that to a girl.

  “Don’t worry about me,” I offered, standing up. “If they’re ready, then I’m ready. Let’s get this over with.”

  Lucian nodded, standing up as well. “I’ll let the others know.” He bit his bottom lip and I saw worry in his gaze.

  “What is it, Luce? What’s wrong?”

  He straightened and blew out a breath. “Once this happens, I’ll need to go into hiding. The vampires will want to seek their revenge for the death of the Elders. I’ve spoken to Alexander …”

  “You’re going to Scotland, aren’t you?” I finished for him.

  He nodded again. “It’s the only place I’ll be safe.”

  I closed my eyes and let my forehead fall on the silver bars. “No, Lucian. This can’t happen. You’ll lose your title.”

  He reached over and grabbed me by the back of my head, bringing his forehead to mine. “It’s all worth it, Pet. This was long overdue. The Elders … we’ve needed to be rid of them for some time. It’s just that no one has ever stood up to them before now.”

  I shook my head, still in his grasp. “The vampires need you. I need you.”

  “I’ll always be here for you, Pet. Always. And when you take your rightful place on the throne, I will be by your side. I believe in everything you are, Mackenzie Grey. And you need to believe it, too.”

  I didn’t realize I was crying until I licked my lips and tasted the saltiness. Lucian was my guardian. Losing him was like losing a parent. Since entering this supernatural world, he’d been a constant in my life. I couldn’t fathom not having him around.

  “I must go before they come looking for me.” As he pulled away, I sniffled. “But be ready, because tomorrow, we go to war.”

  I couldn’t sleep after Lucian’s visit. He left me with so much to think about, such as the choices I’ve made thus far and what I could have done differently. But in the end, I realized it all would have led me back here. To this moment. I just had to accept it.

  The door swung open, but this time instead of Isaac, it was Stella. I tilted my head to the side as I warily watched her approach the cage. She wore a tight, short dress and her long nails were bright and sharp, scraping the bars of the cage as she came closer.

  “Hello, birdie,” she said sweetly. “I see you survived the night.”

  I shrugged. “This bird won’t stay caged for long.”

  “If you say so. You have so much spirit. Hope. It’s going to be fun crushing it.”

  I chuckled. “And it’ll be fun watching you try.”

  Stella unlocked the cage and reached for me, digging her nails into the back of my neck and dragging me out of the room and into the hallway.

  Her heels clicked against the concrete floor as she marched us toward her destination. I shuffled alongside her, trying to keep up while her nails dug deeper into my skin. It was not a comfortable position.

  We weaved through the murky underground tunnels, passing by many doors with vampires who watched us stomp past. I was surprised they didn’t put a hood on me this time. They were getting complacent.

  This was my opportunity. I counted how many turns we made and memorized our steps. I looked into each room and saw who was in them. I observed everything.

  We made it to a polished wooden door with a golden placard mounted in the center. I didn’t recognize the symbol etched into the gold, but it must have been a house crest or something. Before I could get a good look, Stella kicked the door open and tossed me inside.

  I fell onto my hands and knees right inside the doorway. Blood dripped from my neck from the puncture of her sharp nails, but I didn’t even wince. I felt no pain.

  I slowly picked my head up and a chill ran down my spine as I realized I was surrounded by a circle of va
mpires. But I wasn’t afraid of being beaten. No, that wasn’t what bothered me. I feared the look in their eyes, the hunger for something other than bloody violence. Then I noticed the bed on the other side of the room.

  I looked back at Stella, who stood there grinning like a fool, and felt sick. Isaac was nowhere to be seen, and for a second, I thought maybe he didn’t know. Maybe this wasn’t something he’d do. Or maybe this was just something he couldn’t stomach. But she could. The fact that a woman could do this to another woman made it a million times worse.

  I stood on shaky legs and got to my feet, spinning and eyeing each man who stood before me. I silvered my eyes and growled. I wouldn’t go down without a fight, and if I had to take my own life, so be it. But this wouldn’t end the way they wanted it to. I wouldn’t allow it.

  “Isaac told me what you fear the most,” Stella said almost cheerfully, “so I found some … volunteers who wouldn’t mind keeping you company.”

  I stopped caring. I reached inside for my wolf and she didn’t hesitate to answer my call. I extended my claws and canines, and let out a thunderous roar that shook the foundations.

  Stella’s smile faltered a little. She was afraid. She should be.

  A hand reached out and grabbed my upper arm, but I slashed it with my claws. When he released me, I dug my other claws straight into his throat, making blood sprout everywhere. I lifted him up a few inches off the ground and flung him toward two other vampires, making them fall like bowling pins.

  Another grabbed me from behind, pinning my arms behind me, but I slammed the back of my head into his, causing his grip to falter. I twisted out of his arms, dug my hand in his chest, and ripped his heart out.

  There were three more left in the room, but they were wisely hesitant now. They circled me like a feral animal. Maybe they were right. They rushed me together, two of them going to grab each arm, while the third pushed me back toward the bed. I thrashed against their hold, but they were vampires and impossibly strong.

  But I was angrier.