This Curse - By Alisha Basso Page 0,46

managed to devour not only her share of food, but mine as well.

“It could work,” I confessed. “But how do you propose we get Seth out? I’m pretty sure they’ll have him locked up with all kinds of spells. You’re strong enough to hide from the demons but can you break through their magic?”

“Well, no, that’s when you need to use your power. If I figure it right, they’re pretty damn sure of themselves, especially Lydia. Ever since Voltaire brought her into the picture, things have gone from bad to total hell.”

I sighed. “I’ve met her. She looks like she’d be a lot sweeter than she is. I guess that’s why Lucian is so attracted to her.”

The Chinese food in her hand tumbled onto the ground and she jumped up. “Oh, damn! I’m sorry, Grace.” Jamie ran to the sink and grabbed a sponge.

“No worries,” I waved my hand and the mess was instantly gone. Jamie stood with the sponge in her hand and laughed. “Oh, how handy.”

“Yeah, handy,” I sighed. “So, are you up to testing out a new look?”

She picked up several books and sighed. “Umm... I’ve only been myself for a short time. As a wolf, I didn’t dare use my magic. Patrick would have flipped if he knew.” She sighed, “If it’s alright, I just want to go rest a while and read some of these. I don’t want to be rusty.”

“Okay.” I frowned as a strange feeling came over me again. “Let me know when you’re ready.” I smiled weakly and then zapped away the remnants of her Chinese feast.

I watched her go. Her arms weighed down with several heavy spell books. She was hiding something. I just knew it.

I sat for several minutes staring down the hallway. It was driving me crazy. I stood and slowly walked toward her room. I had to know. If I was trudging into Hell, I wanted to know for sure who was at my side.

I knocked gently on the door. Several seconds past as I heard her shuffling around the room. Then the door opened a sliver. Behind the door, I could see a gentle glow illuminating the room. “Hey, Grace,” she smiled too brightly. “What’s up?”

“Ok, give!” I pushed into the room. No way was I screwing around with this chick, not in my house! “What the hell are you hiding?” I demanded as I looked around the room. “Rusty, huh?” I folded my arms and arched an eyebrow at her.

The room was filled with candles, no doubt produced magically. A glass bowl filled with rippling water sat on the ground. It looked like I had interrupted her attempt at communicating with someone.

“You better start explaining before I rip the information out of your brain along with some healthy chunks of gray matter!” I was getting pissed. I hated secrets. Especially from people who I perceived to be good.

She sat on the bed looking miserable. “Okay, I’m not rusty.”

“Obviously,” I drawled.

“I’m not hiding anything bad, Grace. Honest.”

“Honest?” I screeched. “Don’t use that word. You’re hiding something, that right there isn’t honest!”

“Okay, okay.” She stood, “I’m trying to spy on someone. That’s all!” She knelt down next to the bowl of water. “I just have to know. To see for myself.”

I sat on the bed and sighed. “Who is so important?” I asked, ready to just throttle her and be done with it.

“My brother.” Her shoulders slumped, “He’s been poisoned or something. I don’t know. The things I’ve heard can’t be true.” She looked up and I sucked in my breath.

I knew that look. That pathetic wounded soul look!

“Lucian?” I stood. “Lucian is your brother!” I knelt and grabbed her shoulders. I jerked her to face me, feeling stunned. “Well?”

She sniffed and nodded her head. “Yes. He is.” Her green eyes sparkled with tears that broke free and flowed down her pale cheeks. “I was bitten twenty years ago, Grace. He was always there for me, but I couldn’t bring him into that. Lucian is a good man, Grace. You can’t believe what you see.”

I stared at her in utter shock. “Why didn’t you let him know you were at least alive? He thinks he has no family.”

“I disappeared from his life for a good reason. The wolves crave power and never knew I had any. I was so young,” She was bawling. “And now he’s been sucked in anyway. He’s been tainted by the demon and that horrible woman.” She grabbed my arms. “How can one woman