Curse Touched: A Paranormal Vampire Romance (A Touch of Vampire Book 2)

by Becky Moynihan

  “Huh?” Lounging on my black loveseat, Troy glanced up from his phone, clearly not paying attention. Probably too busy planning his next hookup. I could smell the pheromones coming off him, even from here.

  “She better not be a local,” I warned him, pretending to ignore Everett’s threat while preparing to spring from the bed if need be.

  Troy threw me a smirk. “I’ve been in Rosewood under your nose for over a month, bro. This isn’t my first sip and bang. In fact, I’ve had several.” At my disgusted look, his smile only grew. “Relax. With that trigger-happy sheriff onto us, I’ll do it the human-approved way. Well, besides the choice of beverage part.”

  “No one’s going anywhere until Loch gets his head on straight,” Everett said through clenched teeth, still looming over me.

  “You know it doesn’t work that way, Ever,” Troy drawled, rolling his amber-brown eyes to the ceiling before returning them to his phone. “I’m growing bored of your big bro routine.”

  Everett silently seethed, yet didn’t argue the point. He may have fifty years on us, but that meant nothing when it came to the chain of command in our family. None of us had authority over the other. Only the king could dictate what we could and couldn’t do.

  Which was exactly why Everett so often threatened to contact him. Problem was, his threats weren’t usually empty. The memory of his fingers digging into McKenna’s slender neck as he threatened to end her life awakened my earlier rage. The anger spiked my heart rate and I grunted as the bullet sent agony roaring through me.

  When I was able to wrestle the pain under control again, it was to find Everett’s lips pressed firmly together. “What is this madness, Loch?” he said tightly, the tone softened by underlying concern. “Why are you refusing our help?”

  “Would you have killed her?” I said, my breathing shallow and irregular.

  He frowned. “Who?”

  Still holding my phone, I heard the casing creak and forced my fingers to release their death grip. “You know who. You also know she’s our last chance. If she dies, we’re finished.”

  His nostrils flared. “Is that why you broke protocol? Is that why you attacked me the other day?” he said, his voice dangerously low. “Is that why you lied to me and Troy, your own flesh and blood? Because she’s the last Syphon before the hundred years are up?”

  He gripped the headboard above me in a show of dominance. My upper lip curled back in silent warning, but I wasn’t exactly in top fighting form right now, which he very well knew and took advantage of.

  “Or maybe,” he continued, “you foolishly attempted to break the curse without us. ‘Together or divided,’ right? We haven’t been successful together, so you decided to leave us out. But you had months alone with her and the curse remains, so here’s what I think. I think that pretty little seductress got under your skin.”

  A growl rumbled deep in my chest. My claws shot out, gouging holes in the mattress.

  He ignored my growing agitation. “You said ‘kill her and you kill me.’ I haven’t forgotten the last time you said that. It’s why I let her go, so you wouldn’t do something stupid. She’s utterly bewitched you, Loch. But how? You have a drothen. After everything you went through—after everything we did for you—how could you let this happen?”

  My breath came in ragged pants, causing pain to sear my insides. Everett’s words were like bullets piercing my flesh all over again, dredging up memories I fought to bury on a daily basis. “Don’t ever compare them,” I grunted, grasping at my chest. “It’s not like that.” My claws caught on my shirt, tearing the material.

  “She’s toying with you, Loch. Warping your mind. She grabbed my wrist without using her abilities against me. Which means she must have an agenda. She knows more than she’s letting on.”

  “Stop,” I gasped out, blinking to clear my darkening vision. “She’s innocent.”

  “Innocent?” he scoffed incredulously. “She’s a threat. All Syphons are. You know that more than anyone. She’s got you by the balls, brother.”

  “Back off, Everett,” Troy said sharply, but his voice was distant. Muted. The fire blazed hotter and hotter.

  “I’d rather the curse be permanent than let you become enslaved again,” Everett hissed fiercely over the thundering of my heart. “I’d rather walk the earth as a shadow than see you in the hands of a manipulative witch. I won’t let that happen, even if I have to kill the last Syphon.”

  “No!” I bellowed, sending him soaring back with a shove. Troy barely managed to leap clear as Everett crashed into the loveseat, flipping over the top.

  My heart all but exploded then. Crying out as the pain consumed me, I doubled over, only to tip off the bed. I landed on my side with a thud, barely feeling the impact over the heat roasting me alive.

  My time was up.

  I struggled to stand, but darkness took me.

  I didn’t know how long I was out, but when I regained consciousness, the unexpected sight of sky blue eyes and wavy caramel hair filled my blurry vision. “Kade?” I croaked, fighting against the powerful urge to pass out again.

  “I’m here, my drothen,” he said, clasping my hand.

  “Where—?” I rasped, knowing he’d figure out the rest.

  He looked away, but it didn’t matter. I could feel his guilt through our drothen bond.

  “Kade,” I said, struggling to sit up.

  His hands shot out and firmly grasped my shoulders. I was still on the bedroom floor, a pillow tucked beneath my head. “Stop moving, Lochie. Now listen good, because I’m only saying this once. Kenna is still at the institute, but I was able to speak with her. She’s safe and unharmed. They’ve been telling her things though. She knows who you really are. I can only imagine what else they’ve said, but we will fix this. We’ll get her back. Not until we get that bullet out, though. It’s coming out now, Loch. Right. Now.”

  I bared my teeth at him, hating that I was too weak to do much else. Hating that she was learning about me this way. I should have told her everything when I’d had the chance. “You’re disobeying a direct order then?” A wet cough punctuated my words. I turned my head and spat out blood.

  Kade fixed me with a grim, determined look. “I was given new orders. And she deserves to have them followed.”

  Shock doused my anger. This wasn’t the first time he’d overstepped his position on account of McKenna. Before her, he’d never so thoroughly tested the limits of our bond. She was changing us both, and I couldn’t help but secretly admire Kade for his newfound courage.

  But, despite his recent actions, I didn’t question his loyalty to me. I knew he would protect me with his life, as was his blood-sworn duty. Our drothen bond also afforded me an unobstructed view of his psyche. Unlike the normal sibling bond I shared with my brothers, ours was a connection forged from pain and hardship, where mutual understanding assured our survival and trust was everything. Our blood ties were stronger than shared DNA.

  The ritual that bound us together a century ago had demanded a sacrifice of self, promising in return a connection thicker than blood. Kade, more than any natural-born sibling could be, was my brother. One I could trust with every aspect of myself. Which was why I grasped his sleeve and pulled him close, whispering so low that only he could hear, “If I die, protect her.”

  He jerked back, his expression pained. But after a moment, he nodded, replying just as quietly, “With every breath, I will serve. Even unto death.”

  A sense of peace settled over me then, and I finally, finally, wrestled my fear over McKenna’s safety into submission. Kade was right. We would fix this. And I wouldn’t let a bullet in my heart keep me from getting her back.

  “Then let’s do this,” I firmly said, preparing myself for the inevitable pain to come.

  7

  KENNA

  I was surrounded by witches. And not because they were all clambering to be my friend.

  At least twenty girls crowded in close, some flicking colorful balls of m
agic that fizzled out before they could reach me.

  I’d tried all morning to blend into the background. I’d solely focused on the bizarre class lectures about historical events I’d never heard of before. On books called grimoires that contained recipes for spells, potions, and herbal remedies. On how to safely portal—as in, disappear inside a magical hole and reappear somewhere else.

  Yeah, I was still in denial about that one, even after seeing the teacher do it.

  But although the instructors had treated me as if I were invisible, the students hadn’t. Their initial curiosity had turned into dark suspicion.

  “Just tell us what you are,” a heavy-set girl cajoled, her pierced nose inches from mine. “That’s all we want to know.” No one touched me, but I felt their fear and hostility like nails gouging my skin.

  I’d safely made it through my morning classes, even lunch hour, probably because Malcolm had always been close by. But I’d been instructed to change into a red t-shirt and black shorts for Defensive Arts class—the witch’s version of physical education, I supposed. Taking advantage of the closed locker room door, the girls had pounced, amassing as one to corner and pepper me with questions the second I’d emerged from a stall.

  Worst of all, Jordan and Mei were hovering nearby, fanning the flames with their vicious gossip.

  “She was sedated upon arrival.”

  “Her magic is bound.”

  “Mei had a dark foretelling about her.”

  “She has a guard at all times, probably so she doesn’t hurt any of us.”

  “She’s dangerous. She said so herself.”

  “We should get her cast out of the institute before she kills someone.”

  Each word cut deeper and deeper, but I refused to be cowed. Noah had been right. Trying to fit in here wasn’t going to happen. Even laying low wasn’t working. But surviving this place? I was determined to.

  And maybe the only way was to reveal the truth. On my terms.

  So I reached for the clasp of my bracelet and fumbled to undo it. Despair immediately foiled my attempts, followed by loss and heavy sorrow. Still, I fought to push past the spell, to convince my brain that these emotions weren’t real.

  Growing desperate, I yanked on the bracelet, and a whimper slipped past my lips. I yanked again, only then realizing that tears were trickling down my face.

  The whispers buzzed louder, and I heard Jordan hiss, “She’s trying to unbind her magic. Stop her!”

  Several bodies surged forward, grappling to pin down my arms.

  “Let go!” I yelled, crying out as someone wrenched my left arm behind me.

  “Rigescunt indutae!” a voice suddenly snapped, and everyone froze. Like literally froze, not even blinking. The heavy-set girl with the nose piercing was still inches from my face, her lips pulled back in a snarl. I wiggled an arm free and reached up to poke her cheek. No reaction.

  Hearing movement, I looked up to see Noah pushing his way through the frozen bodies toward me. “What are—? What happened to them?” I stammered, still standing with my left arm wrenched behind my back.

  Noah reached me and pried my arm loose. “Freezing spell. A weak one though. It’ll wear off in a few minutes. You okay?”

  I blinked up at him, massaging my sore arm. “Am I bound?”

  He cocked his head at the unexpected question. “Your magic? I wouldn’t say it’s bound, since you technically don’t have any of your own. More like you’re blocked from receiving magic.”

  I thrust my bracelet in his face. “But this weakens me. I have no way of defending myself against vampires and werewolves, or even my own kind. I want it off. I want—”

  “You wish to defend yourself?” a new voice interjected. “To learn to control and strengthen your abilities?”

  Noah stiffened, turning as Headmistress Mayweather swept into the room, Nautilus on her shoulder and Malcolm at her heels.

  I dropped my arm to straighten my t-shirt, still self-conscious in her meticulous presence. Clearing my throat, I firmly said, “Yes, I want to do all of that. I need to.”

  She arched a manicured brow, replying softly, “No matter the risks?”

  Without hesitation, I gave a sharp nod.

  Her lips twitched imperceptibly in approval. “Then follow me. Noah, bring the rest of your class once they’ve regained use of their limbs.” With that, she swiveled on her heel and departed swiftly from the room. A muscle ticked in Noah’s jaw, but he nodded for me to follow her.

  Curious as to what the headmistress had planned, I trailed her down a long hallway, Malcolm once again bringing up the rear. We walked in silence, even though I ached to tell Clarice how awful the students here were. Seriously, what was their deal?

  When she opened a door at the end of the passageway, light flooded in. Realizing it was outdoor light, all thoughts of oppressive peers fled my mind.

  We were going outside. I was going outside.

  Struck speechless, I slowly crossed the building’s threshold into glorious sunshine. As warmth struck my face, my first instinct was to search for Kade. My eyes tried to take in everything at once: the lush, expansive grounds, the manicured hedges, the birds flitting overhead. In the far distance, a wall of thick, green pine trees circled the perimeter.

  Between me and them, there were no fences. No barriers to the naked eye. The desire to take off running raced through my veins. To find Kade, and . . . and what? Return to Rosewood? To Lochlan? To his insane brothers who wanted to stuff me in a trunk and cart me off to their witch-killing father? To an aunt who had given up on taking care of me?

  Kade probably wasn’t even here anyway. I had no idea what I’d find beyond those trees. My shoulders fell.

  Headmistress Mayweather turned to face me several yards out. Nautilus launched into the air with a short caw, landing on the branch of a nearby tree. They both watched me, as if waiting to see what I’d do. Inhaling a fortifying breath, I marched forward to stand in front of the headmistress. Her smile practically shouted that I’d passed some sort of test.

  Seconds later, I felt the prickle of eyes on my back and swiveled to see the girls from the locker room file outside, plus an equal number of guys. I stiffened, but relaxed a little when I saw Noah bringing up the rear. His expression wasn’t reassuring though. He kept darting glances between me and Clarice, a deep crease bisecting his brows.

  Behind them, the institute rose majestically. Thick vines climbed the light brick structure, and above the impressive four-story height, several turrets sliced at the perfect blue sky.

  “Gather ‘round, class,” the headmistress said, her accented voice ringing with authority. Everyone except Malcolm joined us on the manicured lawn, but the girls noticeably gave me a wide berth. When the shuffling of feet settled, Clarice continued. “Rumor has it you’ve all been wondering what kind of witch our new arrival is.”

  My chest tightened as all eyes swiveled my way, all except Noah’s, whose narrowed gaze remained fixed on Clarice.

  “Although I’m displeased at your aggressive behavior toward Miss Belmont, I understand your concern. Still, she is to be respected, and you’ll soon find out why. Kenna, if you please?” She motioned me forward, and I hesitantly stepped closer. Before I could guess her motives, she lifted my left wrist and undid the clasp of my bracelet.

  A collective gasp went up, including mine, when she let go of my arm with the bracelet still clutched in her hand.

  I immediately grabbed my naked wrist, tucking it close to my chest. I felt utterly exposed as fierce whispers and murmuring rose around me. Nervously, I glanced at the students nearby, then up at the headmistress. “Um, m-maybe this isn’t—”

  “You wanted to learn about your abilities,” she interjected quietly. “The quickest way to spread the truth is with a public display of action. Why not show them what you’re capable of?”

  A chill raced up my spine at the clear challenge in her eyes. I could continue hiding who I was and endure persecution, or stand up for my
self by showing them all. The choice was mine. My heart pounded a furious beat as she calmly waited. The whispers grew in volume until I couldn’t stand the tension any longer.

  “What do I do?” I asked her, lowering my arms and straightening my stance.

  Good, her twinkling brown eyes seemed to say.

  Instead of answering, she looked past me and motioned with her head. After a few beats, bodies shifted as Noah came to stand beside me.

  “As the Defensive Arts instructor,” she began, clasping her hands behind her back, “Mr. Andrews will provide you with some of his Cosmic magic for the purposes of conducting a demonstration.”

  The whispers died completely.

  Her words didn’t register at first. The shock of them was too great.

  “W-wait.” I backed up a step, holding out my hands. Then quickly tucked them beneath my armpits. “Bad things happen when I touch supernaturals. I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”

  The murmurs started up again, louder and more urgent than before.

  “Syphon,” someone hissed.

  “No way,” said another.

  “There’s only one currently in existence. It can’t be her.”

  Ouch.

  “Prove it!” a familiar voice shouted. Jordan. I grimaced, wishing the ground would open up and swallow me whole.

  “Yeah, prove it.” Mei this time.

  Neither the headmistress nor Noah stopped the student’s goading, although the latter’s skin looked paler than usual. When I continued to hesitate, seconds away from bolting like a freaked rabbit, Noah turned to me. My eyes widened as he slowly approached. I backed up another step.

  “Noah, don’t—”

  “I’m a warlock, K-Bug, not a werewolf or vampire,” he said softly, easing into my personal space. “You won’t alter or kill me. Think of it as borrowing. You’re simply taking a little of my magic.”