This Curse - By Alisha Basso Page 0,47

change a man so much?” She clung to me, desperate for the answer.

“I wish I knew,” then a thought popped into my head and I smiled. “Wait a minute, maybe I do!” I leveled a look at her that stopped her wails instantly. “What do you know about possession?”

“Possession?” she sniffed and wiped her nose with her sleeve. I smiled and nodded.

“We have a lot to talk about!” I raced from the room, “Grab those books and follow me.” I yelled as I entered the kitchen. I could hear books tumble and fall to the floor as Jamie rushed to catch up.

“Lucian kissed me!” I rushed on as she dropped the books onto the table.

“I knew something was wrong the second he did it! He never kisses me. But then, Oh but then,” I slapped the table, “I couldn’t read his mind!” I shouted.

Jamie stared at me blankly, as if I had suddenly started speaking Latin. “My brother never kisses you, so that must mean he’s possessed by a demon? What, he never got up the nerve to do it before? Damn, what’s wrong with you two?” She frowned.

I glared at her, “We’re friends.” I said dryly. “But, no, that’s not it at all. See, when he kissed me I got a nose full of smoke and ash. Well, not actual smoke and ash, but the smell. Like the fires of Hell and like I said, I couldn’t hear his mind.” At her disapproving look, I smiled. “No, I never actually read it, but his mind always gave off a comforting hum. Now, there’s nothing.”

“So you’re saying that only a demon would be ballsy enough to kiss you?” She slumped onto a chair at the table.

“It’s not about the kiss, James, it’s everything Lucian has done so far. See? You said so yourself that Lydia was working with Voltaire, but Patrick told me she was working with Lucian. You could smell Voltaire, but you were always drugged, you never saw the face of the people torturing you!” I was buzzing with adrenalin, bouncing on the balls of my feet.

“Let me get this straight” she leaned forward. “You’re saying that my own brother tortured me? Pulled my wolf out slowly while watching me writhe in agony? No way, Grace! No way! Lucian wouldn’t let that happen!” She folded her arms as new tears flowed, only to bond with the big wet spot already staining her shirt.

“You’re absolutely right; Lucian wouldn’t do that but Voltaire in Lucian’s skin would.” I sat, amazed. Convincing her had convinced me. God, the violent sex! The crazy, dick head attitude! No wonder Seth was leery of him. He must have had an idea. He tried to warn me. Shit, again with the total stupidity!

“Okay,” she sniffed. Looking completely defeated, “What can we do?”

I watched her, shocked that I never realized her relationship to Lucian before. Her skin was pale and her eyes were green, but her face had the same shape, her hair was the same pretty blonde.

“Lucian Alexandre,” I whispered. “I’m going to kick Voltaire’s Ass!”

A strange wave of certainty flowed through my body. I felt so completely sure of myself, so entirely confident.

“I want my brother back, Grace.” Jamie’s voice cut through my euphoria. “I want my life back. Tell me what to do, I’ll do anything.”

“We’ll do it together, and we’re doing it now!” I started pulling a bunch of food out of the fridge. “Let’s feed your tape worm and then get our Asses to Hell.”

SIXTEEN

“You look ridiculous!” Jamie let a small snort escape as she tried not to laugh. Her ability to find humor in horrible situations was diverting. “No one will want to look at you.” She bent over as strong bout of laughter assaulted her.

I stood in front of the full-length mirror regarding my reflection with an unrecognizable frown. When we cast the glamour, Jamie had told me to focus on a picture in my mind and I swear all I could think of was Yoda from Star Wars.

“This is a disaster!” I garbled passed shriveled lips. “No one is going to believe this isn’t a total glamour.” I gestured wildly at my reflection.

“Well, at least you’re not green. If you were green then I’d agree. Right now, though, you just look like a really ugly old lady.” She started laughing again. “With bionic hearing.” She flicked one of my huge ears and then fell onto the bed clutching her sides with laughter.

I glared at her. “Wonderful,” I muttered