This Curse - By Alisha Basso Page 0,29
‘power’. Then off of the word ‘power’, I wrote down the words ‘wolves’ and ‘Voltaire’.
Further down in their own little circles, I wrote two words, ‘Friends’ and
‘Enemies’. Under friends, I wrote the name, Seth with a question mark. I was never one hundred percent sure with that man. Then under enemies, I wrote Voltaire, Patrick, and wolves.
I sat for a long time sorting items and names. Placing circles around words and then lines branching out, all over until I had what looked like an even bigger mess than I had started out with in my head. But it was organized and gave me a little more clarity.
“If you are practicing your magical abilities, I have to say I am a bit disappointed.” I jumped at the sound of Seth’s voice.
“What are you doing scaring me like that?” I screeched, clutching my chest as my heart raced frantically. I had been at it for hours and must have lost all sense of time. “I’m organizing my thoughts so that we can get a better idea of what our next move should be.” I stood and walked a slow circle around my work. It was pretty cool, actually.
Seth moved closer, his silvery eyes reflecting the thin ghostly lines of my handy work. I flipped on the kitchen light and smiled as he jerked in response to the harsh glow.
“You have done well, Sweet. I see you have lined things up in tidy little circles. Do you feel better now that your mind has been emptied?” He turned and looked a question at me.
I shrugged and sat back down. “Yes, actually, I do. I know that Voltaire is the one responsible for taking the blood and the wolves are working with him. I know that the wolves want me. For what exactly, I’m not one hundred percent sure but I know for sure that it isn’t good.”
“Oh yes, Sweet, of that you can be sure. But one thing surprises me. Lucian isn’t listed here at all? Not under friend,” he cocked his head to the side, “not under enemy. Are you so conflicted?” Seth stepped closer to my stool and I turned it so that my knees became a barrier between his body and mine.
“I’m reserving judgment, Seth. Having some wild sex does not make you a bad person. Yes, it was shocking and hard to believe. I mean let’s face it; I always pictured Lucian as a generous and sensual lover.” I leaned back, bracing my elbows on the counter behind me.
“I am going to ignore that entire sentence, Sweet.” Seth took the seat beside me and turned. “Fix your eyes, Grace. Now.”
“Huh? What?” I stammered, thrown off kilter. “What’s wrong with my eyes? And, um, you called me Grace?” I frowned at him in confusion.
“I know, now, that you must be hiding so much more from me and I am not asking for it all. I only want what you have already given. Please, they are so like my own. We are the same, Sweet. Let me see those pieces that reflect our kind.” He turned toward me. His angelic face was so sincere, almost sad.
“We're not the same, Seth.” I rested my hand on his arm as I tried to make him understand. “I changed you, yeah, but you’re really not a full Madea. There is no ‘our kind’.”
He curled his lip, “You are entirely too arrogant for one being, Grace.” He glared, “You refuse to see that you and I are more similar than you fear.”
“Wow, that was harsh.” I stepped back, annoyed. “What the hell do you want from me? I can’t run around with my Madea parts flashing all over. I’m way too alien. People will freak.” I stood and went to the refrigerator. I grabbed an apple and turned.
Seth was an inch from my face. His breath was warm when he spoke. “You have more power in your little finger than an entire city of witches and vampires put together!” he growled. “The pathetic thing, Sweet, is that you are weaker than the smallest infant because you are terrified to use it! You cripple yourself and drive me to the point of madness!”
He slammed me against the refrigerator and snarled, “You refuse to show your true self and let the opinions of mortals guide your every move. Use your magic. Numb them! Something so small, yet you cringe! Your morals are going to get you killed and possibly me as well! Not to mention the thousands