Cursed Hadley (Lengthened Version) (Cursed Hadley #1)

by Jessica Sorensen

  Or maybe Blaise and Alex are simply wrong about my mom’s death. After all, they are grim reapers, and while they insist they aren’t liars, they’re creatures whose main purpose is to drink souls. Nothing about that screams trustworthy. But I guess I’m kind of a reaper too, so maybe I shouldn’t really judge them. Plus, the Porterson brothers haven’t done anything to harm me. In fact, they saved me from death a couple of times. Although, I wish it didn’t require me having to be here.

  Sighing, I wrap my fingers around the pendant. “Show me my sisters.”

  The kitchen at my house comes into view, showing me Londyn, Bailey, and Payton making dinner. It looks like some sort of pasta. My dad is also there and… he’s helping them and is smiling.

  I clutch the necklace as a wave of sorrow rolls over me. “He never smiles like that when I’m around. And he never helps with dinner…” I swallow hard as he says something to my sisters and they laugh.

  How can they be so happy? Is it because I’m gone? Did my cursed existence make them unhappy?

  I shake my head. No, my sisters were happy when I was around. My dad, though, not so much.

  Maybe he knew what I was…

  I think back to all the times he blamed stuff on me. Keys getting lost. Windows breaking. Our general bad luck. And my mom knew what I was, so…

  “Oh my God, that fucker knew.” I grind my teeth from side to side, anger bursting through me.

  My hands ball into fists and I duck underneath the water, letting out a scream. Bubbles surround my face as I open my eyes and scream again until the anger in my chest lessens. Then I start to push back out of the water, but pause, realizing I don’t actually have to. I stare at the bubbles above me, probably more amused with this than I should be. But it’s sort of cool how I don’t need to breathe.

  I wonder what else I can do?

  Maybe I should go find out.

  Pushing out of the water, I stand up, grab a towel from the wall hook, and step out, quickly drying off. Then I secure the towel around me, step down the stairs and through the curtains, entering into the main section of the bathroom.

  The walls are covered with mirrors, the lighting is low, and a fancy vanity stretches along the far back wall. I’m not a primpy sort of girl, but I’ll admit, my mouth nearly smacked the tile floor when I first walked in here.

  Glancing in the mirror, I take in my reflection; my wavy, long brown hair, the freckles on my nose, my big eyes. I look exactly how I did when I was alive. The only difference is on the inside, in the stillness of my chest and the iciness of my skin.

  “Quit being so vain, Hadley,” I mutter, tearing my attention off the mirror and turning toward the counter where I left my clothes. Only they’re gone. “Did one of those assholes sneak in and take my clothes?” Shaking my head, I march toward the door and crack it open, peering out into the bedroom the bathroom is attached to.

  No one appears to be in there, so I step out and stride for the door that leads to the living room area, preparing to throw open the door and demand they give me my clothes. But I slow to a stop halfway across the bedroom, noting the closet door is wide open and it wasn’t when I came in here.

  Tightening the towel around me, I pad over and step inside. Then my jaw drops.

  It’s filled with clothes and shoes, all in darker colors, except for a few reds and purples. And most of the stuff I would’ve picked out for myself, minus a few dresses and what looks like a pair of thigh-high lace-up boots. Everything is in my size too.

  I chew on my bottom lip as I glance at the shut bedroom door. How did they put all this stuff in here? And how did they know my size? Is this all because of magic?

  I tentatively reach out and run my fingers along the fabrics. It all feels real.

  “Hadley, are you dressed yet?” Jaxon’s voice floats through the shut door.

  I don’t even want to know how he knows I’m in the bedroom. “Um… Not yet.” Holding the towel in place, I move over to the door. “Where are my clothes?”

  He gives a short pause. “Check in the closet.”

  “I already did. And it’s filled with clothes, but not mine.”

  Another pause. “We might be here for a while and you’re going to need stuff. I know it’s hard for you to accept… things.” I think he wanted to say help. “But you might have to, just for a little while, okay?”

  I stare at the door. This is probably the longest I’ve ever heard him talk. “It’s weird, wearing clothes that I didn’t buy or pick out for myself.”

  “I understand. I’m not a huge fan of others making choices for me,” he says. “And maybe, if we have some time later, I can take you to a store and you can pick out some clothes. Right now, though, I need you to hurry up and get dressed so we can go talk to a creature who may be able to help us figure out why this old darkness is after you.”

  “Fine.” I sigh in defeat and start to turn toward the closet, but then spin back around, remembering the question I had. “Jaxon, can I ask you something?”

  “Yeah, sure, go ahead.”

  “What can I do?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, like I just found out I can breathe under water and I can make a cloak disappear and reappear by simply snapping my fingers. But is there anything else I can do?”

  “There’s a lot of stuff you can do,” he says, sounding upbeat. “Do you want to learn some of it?”

  “Yes.” I’m surprised by how excited I sound.

  “Okay. How about tomorrow I start teaching you?” he offers, sounding a bit excited himself. “We can make it our morning ritual. A training lesson every day after breakfast.”

  Every day, after breakfast, because I’m going to be here for a while.

  I try to focus on the bigger picture that maybe I’ll have some super wicked powers or something. “All right, it’s a date. And thanks… for everything.”

  “Hey, that’s not fair,” Blaise whines. “When do I get my date? And my thank you?”

  Jaxon blows out an exhausted sigh. “Hurry up and get dressed, okay?”

  I think he’s talking to me, so I say, “Okay.” Then I walk back into the closet and put my hands on my hips as I eye over my options.

  For years, I’ve had about four to five outfits tops and maybe two pairs of shoes to choose from at one time. There’s at least thirty outfit options in here and just as many shoes. The dresses are definitely not getting touched—I’m not a dress kind of girl. And I don’t even know where we’re going. Does it even matter, though? My cloak’ll probably just cover me up.

  Knowing that, I hurry up and decide on a black pair of shorts and a red velvet, off-the-shoulder top. Then I grab a pair of black velvet boots that reach my knees and have a thick heel. Once I get dressed, I sweep my hair to the side, not even bothering to brush it, and then pin a few strands into braids. I don’t bother checking my reflection in the mirror before I leave the bedroom.

  When I enter the living room, the Porterson brothers are back at the bar. As always, they’re decked out in gothic attire with only slight variations in their outfits; Jaxon with leather bands on his wrists, Blaise has on a couple of chains dangling from his belt loops, Rhyland is sporting a studded belt, and Alex has on a long sleeve shirt with the sleeves rolled up, showing off his tattoos. They’re all drinking too, something they seem to do a lot, and I decide to announce that as I waltz into the room.

  “So, are grim reapers alcoholics or does alcohol not affect you the same way as it does humans?” I ask as I walk up to the counter.

  Alex is standing behind the counter, pouring himself a drink. When his eyes find me, they scroll up and down my body. “I see the clothes fit... Gods, you’re legs are so fucking gorgeous.”

  “Why wouldn’t they fit?” I ask, shifting my weight as Alex continues to stare at my legs. “You guys stole my clothes to check my size, right?”

  Rhyland, who’s sitting on the stool closest to me, lifts the brim of his glass to his lips to take a sip
. “We didn’t go into the bathroom and steal them. We’d never invade your privacy like that without your permission.”

  I glance at the four of them, debating whether to believe Rhyland or not. “Then how did you get my clothes?”

  Grinning, Blaise snaps his fingers and my red cloak covers my body.

  “You can control mine too?” I gripe then snap my fingers, trying to get their cloaks to appear. All that happens, though, is my cloak leaves my body. “That’s not really fair.”

  “I’ll teach you how to do it,” Jaxon offers, reaching for a glass bottle filled with the golden liquid.

  “Thanks.” I smile at him. “You know what? I think you’re becoming my favorite.”

  Blaise, Rhyland, and Alex simultaneously growl while Jaxon grin amusedly.

  “That might be the most daredevil-ish statement that’s ever crossed those pretty lips of yours,” Alex says in a low tone that reverberates across my skin.

  I give a half-shrug, totally getting off on how frustrated their getting. What the fuck is wrong with me? “I was just saying the truth.”

  Alex slants toward me, resting his arms on the counter, his eyes darkening. “Truth or not, you pretty much just started a competition.”

  My brows dip. “For what?”

  “To see who can become your favorite,’ Blaise states, his gaze colliding with mine.

  I glance in his direction. “That’s not something you guys can compete for.”

  “Want to bet?” he says, his gaze unrelenting.

  It takes a lot of effort to unglue my gaze from his, but I manage.

  I glance back at Alex. His eyes are on me as he devours a full cup of golden liquid.

  Curious what they’re drinking, I reach for a half-drank glass that’s in front of Rhyland, lift it to my face, and sniff. By the color, I guessed it was tequila, but there’s no way the sweet scent kissing my nostrils could belong to the nasty crap my dad loves to take shots of.

  “What is this?” I give the glass a little shake and watch in awe as the liquid sparkles.

  Alex rolls his tongue in his mouth, glancing at Rhyland, who bites back a smile.

  “Try it and find out,” Rhyland suggests with a devilish grin.

  I’ll admit, I’m beyond curious, but still hesitate. “You want me to drink some unknown drink that I didn’t pour myself? That’s breaking my main rule of drinking.”

  “I was drinking it two seconds ago,” Rhyland reminds me. “And why would we poison you after going through all of that trouble to save your ass?” His lips tease to a grin.

  I narrow my eyes, but it’s a playful move. “Maybe I’ll taste it if you tell me what it is and let me pour my own drink.”

  “Telling you first will ruin the fun.” Alex nudges a glass and an unopened bottle of the golden liquid toward me. “However, if you’d feel more comfortable pouring your own drink then go ahead.”

  I dither then reach for the unopened bottle and the empty glass. Then I open the bottle, pour a little bit of the golden liquid into the glass, pick up the glass, and sniff the liquid, breathing in the sweet scent of whatever this stuff is.

  “If I die, I’m coming back to haunt you,” I warn. “And I know I can.”

  “Fair enough,” Alex says, beyond amused.

  Lifting the glass to my lips, I tip my head and gulp down the liquid. Then my eyes widen.

  “Why is it… So sparkly…” I breathe out as everything—the room, the furniture, even the Porterson brothers—sparkle.

  “Because faeries are sparkly,” Rhyland says, watching me with an amused grin.

  “Faerie’s…” A lovely calm mixes with the confusion stirring inside me. “Wait… What did I just drink?”

  “Faerie wine,” Rhyland says, pouring himself another drink.

  “You guys drink faerie wine?” My eyes widen. “I just drank faerie wine?”

  Rhyland grins as he nods. “It’s one of our favorite drinks. Right beside soul mist.”

  I pull a face. “That doesn’t taste like artificial souls, does it?”

  “Gods no.” Rhyland shudders. “The artificial stuff is the worst.”

  “I’d agree with you, but I don’t know what the real stuff tastes like,” I point out, spinning my glass around on the counter.

  Alex pries the glass from my hand. “We could always change that.”

  I snatch the glass back from him and pour a little bit more faerie wine into it. “No thanks. This tastes good enough.” I down a few swallows then offer him a sugary sweet smile that’s all bravado.

  The truth is, after seeing my skin flake away in that dream, I’m nervous that I’m going to have to make a decision soon.

  Giving a quiet sigh, Alex puts the bottles away as Rhyland, Blaise, and Jaxon rise to their feet.

  “Are we ready to go?” Alex asks, winding around the counter.

  “As ready as we’ll ever be.” Rhyland snaps his fingers, making his cloak materialize.

  The rest of the reapers follow, putting theirs on, then Rhyland turns to me.

  “You want to put on yours?” he asks. “Or do I get to do the honors?”

  “I want to do it. It’s kind of fun.” I snap my fingers then giggle when the cloak drapes across my body.

  “She’s giggling again,” Blaise remarks, the tail of his cloak swishing across the floor as he walks toward me.

  “It’s the faerie wine,” I tell him. Although, I’m not sure that’s correct.

  Sure, the wine is making me feel all sparkly and light inside, but I’ve giggled a few times while I’ve been with them, as if this world has somehow made me happier. As if I was supposed to be part of this world all along.

  I scrunch my nose and Rhyland more than notices.

  “What’s that look for?” he asks with his head tilted to the side.

  “What look?” I play dumb. “This is just how my face looks.”

  He gives me a tolerant look. “I know, but you look upset.”

  I shrug. “I’m just as upset as I have been since I first found out I’m part reaper.”

  Rhyland strokes my cheek with the back of his hand. I don’t know why they’re so fascinated with petting me or why I never seem to move away, as if I like being pet.

  “You know you can talk to us about stuff,” he tells me. “We understand you’re probably confused about a lot of things.”

  “I’m fine,” I lie. “I swear.”

  “You know what I think she needs?” Alex pops up between Rhyland and Blaise. Then he snags hold of my hand and twirls me around like he did the other day.

  Only the other day I didn’t have faerie wine buzzing through my veins, so the whole room didn’t sparkle and twirl around with me.

  I giggle as he continues to spin me round and round. When he finally stops spinning me, he yanks me against him, grips my thighs and lifts me up, guides my legs around his waist. I start to protest, but since the room is still spinning wildly, I decide maybe it’d be better if he does carry me to avoid tripping into a wall, which I do even when I’m not buzzing with faerie wine.

  Looping my arms around the back of his neck, I clutch onto him. He smiles, hugging me against his chest.

  “Let’s get this over with,” he says as he walks toward the door with his arm tucked underneath my butt.

  “Why do you get to carry her?” Blaise complains as he trails after us.

  “Because I’m her new favorite,” Alex teases, opening the door and stepping out into the hallway.

  A teasing smile plays at my lips. “I never declared you were.”

  He grins. “You were going to, though. I could read it all over your pretty face.”

  “No, I wasn’t.” I smile, studying his features as he floats down the hallway and starts down the stairway.

  Between the faerie wine in my body and the light trickling from off the lanterns, his piercings look shimmery. So do his eyes. In fact, everything about him right now seems to radiate light, but it has to be the faerie wine, right?

>   Curious, I reach up and trace my fingers along the piercings in his brows and then on his lips. His face and eyes sparkle brighter and his grip on me tightens.

  “If you keep that up,” he says in a gravelly tone. “You’re going to make me run into a wall.”

  A soft giggle slips from my lips as I pull my hand away. He shakes his head, his eyes shimmering even brighter. Then he takes one of my hands and guides it back up to his face.

  “You know what? I’ve decided it’ll be worth it.” He urges me to sketch my fingers along his lip piercings as he pushes out the front door of the inn and steps outside into the cool night air. “You might want to give me some pointers, though, on the proper way to walk into a wall. I know you’re a pro at it.”

  I narrow my eyes and pinch his lip. He chuckles then spins around, spinning us into a dark alleyway.

  “What’re you doing?” I whisper, tensing at the darkness encompassing us.

  “Showing you something important,” he whispers, stepping forward until my back is pressed up against the side of the inn.

  Nervousness manages to creep through the sparkling inside me.

  “Don’t worry, Little Daredevil, I’m not going to hurt you,” he promises. “In fact, I hope you realize that in just a second.”

  “Why? What’s about to happen?”

  “Just watch and see.”

  Holding onto him, I hold still, staring up at the stars, waiting…

  “Where the fuck did they go?” Blaise’s panicked voice echoes down the hallway.

  “Calm down,” Rhyland says, but sounds the opposite. “She’s with Alex. I’m sure she’s okay.”

  “But where would they go?” Jaxon is as worried as Blaise. “Alex knows how important our visit with the Weeping Reader is.”

  “What’s a Weeping Reader?” I whisper to Alex.

  “The creature we’re going to talk to to try to find out more about this darkness that’s after you,” he whispers, shifting me in his arms. “Just a little warning. Weeping Readers are fucking annoying. They think they know everything. Which I guess they kind of do, but still, they don’t need to be so damn cocky about it.”

  “You’re cocky,” I say with a grin.