The Cursed Series, Parts 3 & 4 (Cursed #3-4) - Rebecca Donovan Page 0,129

week. She’s a vision in a strapless turquoise-ombre dress made of sequins, accented with ribbons of blue floating from her waist, sweeping the lawn like the ocean waves they’re meant to depict. The side of her black hair is pinned up by a seashell.

“I’ll be right back,” I tell Grant, leaving them at the sushi bar, where chefs are chopping and rolling dead fish in seaweed. No thank you.

“Sophia,” I beckon as I get closer, causing her to turn at the sound of my voice.

She smiles wide at the sight of me.

“Lana! You’re here!” she says jubilantly, throwing her arms around me. “I’m so glad.”

“Uh, where else would I be?” I ask, patting her on the back more like I’m consoling her than greeting her.

When she pulls back, her eyes are glassy and unblinking. “You are my friend, right? We’re friends.”

“Of course,” I say cautiously. Trying to get her to focus on me. “What’s going on? Are you okay?”

“I’m so okay. I’m a mermaid.” She spins, glints of light reflecting off her dress. “And I shouldn’t have a voice. Nope. I traded it for my happiness. But it’s a lie. I really gave him my soul.”

“Um, Sophia, you’re kinda freaking me out.” I lean in closer and ask, “What did you take?”

“The green ones,” she says, smiling proudly. “They make everything go away.”

I dart my eyes around us. “Let’s go over here.” I reach for her arm, but she grabs my hand instead. We walk into a corner by the ship, away from prying eyes and curious ears. “Look at me.”

Sophia blinks away from gawking at the grandeur of the ship’s helm to me. “Lana! My friend. Please don’t hate me. Please don’t ever hate me.”

“I don’t. Why would I?” I ask gently, wishing Grant were here to take her pulse or something. Or mine. She’s scaring me … reminding me too much of Allie the night at The Point.

“I would never hurt you. I wouldn’t. I swear.”

“I know.”

“Good. I’m glad. Because you’re my friend.” Sophia digs around in a purse shaped like a pearl. “And that’s why I want you to have this.” She hands me a white key card. “If you can’t find me, or need me for any reason, this will get you in my room. I’ll be there.”

“Um, okay, I think,” I say, taking it from her and slipping it into one of the pouches on my belt. “Why don’t you come join us?”

I turn to indicate the group I’m with, but they’re not there. My heart skips a beat. I step farther out and exhale in relief when I notice them standing around a table that’s actually a wooden barrel with glass on top.

“There they are,” I say to Sophia, but she’s no longer behind me. I spin around, searching for the mermaid. But she’s gone.

“Everything okay?” Grant asks, appearing beside me.

“Uh, I think so?” I say more like a question than knowing. “I was talking to Sophia. She’s a little out of it, and I’m not sure if I should be worried our not. I mean, I’ve seen her loopy before, but she’s a little more manic than usual.”

“Want to look for her?” Grant offers, setting a hand on my back.

“Just keep an eye out,” I say, returning to the group.

“According to the secret map,” Ashton shares excitedly, “there’s an actual gingerbread house on the other side of the ship that you can eat. We have to go there next.”

“How can you eat any more?” Arden asks her, setting a hand on her stomach.

Brendan chuckles. “That is the wrong question to ask.”

“What’s the right one?” Arden inquires with a tilt of her head.

We all look at each other, not knowing how to respond.

“Let’s find this edible house,” Lincoln declares, prompting us to move.

While Ashton takes inconspicuous peeks at the map to lead us down the right corridors, I linger to walk with Lincoln.

“Printz-Lee, huh?” I say, smiling up at him. “I never thought of you as the private-school type.”

“Lana, you never thought of me at all,” he says playfully. “You were too busy causing trouble.”

“What?” I say in mock offense. “Trouble finds me.”

He laughs. “True. Apparently, it’s followed you all the way to Vermont.”

I sigh. “Yeah. Guess it has.” Quieting my voice and becoming serious, I say, “You didn’t have to be a part of this. You could just enjoy this crazy ball without having to deal with any of the drama.”

“I want to do what’s right,” he responds with conviction. “And he needs