This Curse - By Alisha Basso Page 0,43

and tried to leave my body and search, but nothing worked. Nothing!

“I’m sorry I took so long” I heard her speak behind me. “The food didn’t sit well with me and I sorta got sick before my shower.”

“What?” I snapped, and then I stopped myself. “Shit, I’m sorry.” I sighed and flopped on my couch. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. My worry over Seth’s whereabouts was making me crabby. “You got sick?” I tried to convey concern. “Are you alright now?”

“Yeah, but I was able to keep most of what I ate. Maybe next time I’ll eat a smaller amount.” She sat next to me. Her long hair was clean and shining and her cheeks looked a little pinker. She was wearing one of the outfits I had zapped into her room a dark blue Juicy tracksuit and thick socks. It was hard to dress a complete stranger so I stuck with comfort and elastic.

“You look good, how do you feel?” I asked.

“Better, but you don’t have to do that, I know you’re anxious to hear what happened. You’ve been more than patient with me.”

I let out my breath and sat back. “I can’t reach him. He’s gone. It’s like he’s been blinked out of existence.” I pulled my feet up and wrapped my arms around my knees. I felt sick. He had to be alive.

“It all happened so fast,” she began. “I was chained to the wall in the dark. Everything felt so hopeless and then I felt something.” She looked up. “I feel it now, sitting here with you.” She eyed me and for the first time, I saw a spark of fire in her eyes. “It was you, wasn’t it?”

I smiled and shrugged my shoulders. “Just go on, please.”

“Well,” she stared off as if seeing it unfold all over again, “one moment I was alone and the next, he was there. At first, he frightened me. He was so sleek and dark. Like some dangerous cat. Then he knelt next to me and I knew he wasn’t there to hurt me. I felt goodness in him. Which is crazy because I sensed vampire as well.” She looked at me, “What is he Grace?”

“Irrelevant,” I frowned and waved my hand for her to continue.

“Alright then. Anyway, he managed to free me and collect the blood that was stolen. He must have sensed that they were coming because all of a sudden he dropped the blood and grabbed me. One second I was standing in the dark and the next I was laying on the floor in your house. He must have gone back for the blood. I can only assume that Voltaire has him. He is very powerful you know. I’ve seen his powers.” She looked at her hands. “I’ve felt his power.” She looked over at me. “I’m sure he lives. Voltaire can block the power from others, and so much more.”

I stood and began pacing. “Voltaire? So he has been around this whole time?” I looked at her. “Patrick led me to believe that Voltaire was on some mission.”

“Oh, I’m sure he’s around. His scent is everywhere, believe me if he had ever left I would have known it.” She frowned, “Don’t misunderstand me, I haven’t seen him, or anyone, really. They always dope me up when they take me for testing.” She made little quote marks with her fingers. “They’re afraid I’ll fight back I guess.” She shrugged and I raised my eyebrows in question.

“I heard they took your wolf,” I said. “So you no longer change? That can’t be useful. What other weapon could you possibly have?” I had serious doubts that this skinny little hen had the ability to threaten a hamster.

She pulled the blanket off of the back of my couch and inhaled the fluffy fabric. “This smells like home.” She sighed and wrapped it around her narrow shoulders. “I love your home, Grace.” She beamed at me.

“Thank you, now answer the question.” I watched her closely, waiting for the answer.

“Oh, I figured you could tell.” She took her attention off the blanket for just a moment. “Before I was bitten, I was a witch.” She smiled and curled onto her side.

My mouth opened in surprise. Patrick never said she was a witch.

“I figured that devil, Lydia knew. She was pretty quick to snatch me out of the pack. She’s a cruel one.” She yawned loudly and snuggled deeper into the sofa. “She knew it would be ironic