Cursed

by Evangeline Anderson

  “Ugh! That’s horrible! It’s so bitter—like somebody crushed up a whole bottle of aspirin and condensed it down to a pasty ball of chewy goop!”

  Across from her Stavros was still chewing his own ball but from the look on his face, he didn’t care for it much. He swallowed with some difficulty and frowned.

  “I don’t know what aspirin is but…that was not pleasant.”

  “Not pleasant?” Charlie looked at him incredulously. “That’s the understatement of the year!”

  “It’s because you are eating them incorrectly,” Ssstha said and popped another bright blue ball into her husband’s mouth.

  “How are we supposed to eat them—does it have something to do with wrapping your tongue around them?” Charlie asked, mystified. “Because I’m afraid we’re at kind of a disadvantage there—at least compared with you guys.”

  “No, I don not think you understand.” Hsssthnk selected another ball—this one as crimson as a berry—and placed it gently between his wife’s lips. “The idea of the cha-chas is to feed them to each other.”

  “Why would we want to feed each other little balls of crap?” Charlie asked flatly. “I mean, not to be rude but—”

  “Taking the food from your lover’s hand changes the flavor completely,” Ssstha assured her. “Go on—try it.”

  “Seriously?” Charlie looked doubtfully down at her plate and then back up to Stavros. He shrugged.

  “We might as well try it.”

  “Fine. Open up.” Charlie selected the biggest ball she could find—a pea green one a little bigger than a golf ball—and held it out to him. She couldn’t help a little twinge of satisfaction as she chose it. This would teach him to grab her foot and massage her under the table!

  Stavros looked distinctly nonplussed.

  “Why must I be the first one to try?”

  “You afraid, big guy?” Charlie raised an eyebrow at him tauntingly.

  He frowned. “I am not afraid of anything you could do to me, Charlotte…not physically anyway.”

  Charlie frowned back. What the hell was that supposed to mean? She wasn’t about to ask.

  “All right—put up or shut up,” she said, holding out the pea-green cha-cha and leaning across the table.

  The big Kindred leaned towards her and opened his mouth.

  Triumphantly, Charlie popped the weird alien food between his lips. But before she could withdraw her fingers, Stavros closed his mouth over them. She could feel the sharp points of his fangs but he didn’t hurt her—he just sucked gently at her fingertips.

  “Hey!” Charlie pulled back quickly but her whole hand and arm seemed to tingle at the warm, wet feel of his mouth.

  Stavros grinned at her and she realized this was his payback for her selection of the biggest ball and for making him go first in the taste test.

  “Very funny,” she said as he began to chew. “How is it—any better?”

  A surprised look came over his face and then he swallowed.

  “It is…actually, it is not bad.”

  “What does it taste like?” Charlie was deeply suspicious. Since they were playing this little game of one-upmanship she wouldn’t put it past him to pretend to like the flavor just to throw her off her guard.

  Stavros shook his head. “I cannot describe it but it’s certainly vastly superior to the first one I ate myself. Here—try for yourself.” He picked up a cha-cha—a small blueberry-sized one—and held it out to her.

  Charlie still didn’t trust him but her stomach was growling and there didn’t seem to be anything else to eat in the whole place. Every table she looked at was filled with happy couples feeding each other the little brightly colored balls. Ridiculous.

  “Come on—try it,” Stavros urged, still holding out the cha-cha.

  “Well…all right.” Wish a sigh, she opened her mouth.

  He placed the little ball gently on her tongue and withdrew.

  Bracing herself for the bitter taste, Charlie bit into it—and gasped in surprise as sweet, succulent juice squirted across her tongue. She kept chewing and it got even better. The cha-cha had lost its pasty, gluey consistency. Instead it was crisp and juicy and tender all at once—yielding delightfully under her teeth and spreading a flavor that was indescribably good through her whole mouth.

  “Oh! It’s like…” Charlie tried to find a way to describe it which wasn’t easy—the cha-cha was like nothing she’d ever tasted before. “It’s a little like fried chicken…and a little like roasted nuts…and there’s some kind of fruit in there that’s sweet and tart at the same time, too. Maybe…peaches? Or mangos?” She looked at Stavros, who was grinning, apparently amused by her reaction. “Why didn’t you tell me it was this good?”

  “Would you have believed me if I had?” His deep voice rumbled softly.

  “I…don’t know,” Charlie confessed, feeling put on the spot. “Probably not.”

  “You need to learn to trust me, Charlie.” He caught her eyes and held them with his deep blue gaze. “We’re partners—we need to work together.”

  Charlie finally managed to tear her eyes away from his, her cheeks flaming and her heart pounding. His use of her nickname disturbed her somehow as did the way he was still looking at her. Damn it—why did the big bastard affect her so much?

  “Here, have another,” she said, grabbing a cha-cha at random and holding it out to him.

  “Thank you.” He accepted the morsel from her without comment and, to her relief, without trying to suck her fingers again. “Delicious,” he rumbled and held a medium-sized red cha-cha out for her. “Would you like one as well?”

  “Please.” Charlie allowed him to pop the food in her mouth and chewed slowly, still not meeting his eyes. This ball had entirely different flavors—some familiar and some alien but all completely delicious, like the first one Stavros had fed her. Granny smith apples…roasted pork…cinnamon…and something else. But what? She didn’t know and anyway, she was just trying to distract herself from the strange tension between them. “Your turn,” she said, picking up another and holding it out to him.

  They fell into a kind of rhythm after that of taking turns and feeding each other. It felt strange at first but by the end of the meal when she popped the last cha-cha between the big Kindred’s lips, Charlie found she was almost getting used to it.

  See, this isn’t so bad, she told herself as they both sat back from the table. You’ve got this, Charlie—you can do this!

  Just then Nar’sa and Ta’no reappeared, moving as one as they glided silently up to the table.

  “We hope you enjoyed your evening repast,” Ta’no said, smiling at them.

  “And now it is time for your evening class,” Nar’sa said.

  “A class?” Stavros asked. “All right, what is it called?”

  Nar’sa and Ta’no spoke as one.

  “The Sensuous Touch.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  “The what?” Charlie’s heart was racing like a panicked racehorse but Nar’sa and her mate were already beckoning for them to get up from the table.

  “Come, come—we must go. We must not keep the instructors waiting.”

  Stavros got up from the table at once, moving with surprising grace for such a big guy. He came around to Charlie and held out a hand to help her up.

  “Thanks but I got it.” She stood on her own and then looked up to see the big Kindred staring at her with an unreadable expression on his face.

  He let his hand fall to his side. “Do you really fear my touch so much?” he asked in a low voice. “You were not like this before…when I healed you.”

  His mention of the passionate healing kiss they had shared made Charlie feel hot and cold all over. How could she tell him that she hadn’t been afraid to let him touch her on the Mother Ship because she’d believed she would never see him again? How could she explain that it felt different…dangerous to touch him here, where they were expected to be together for who knew how long? You can’t trust him, whi
spered a little voice in her head. He’s just like all the rest—you know he is.

  “That was…different,” she mumbled, looking away. “Come on—we’ll be late for the class.”

  Without waiting to hear his reply, she hurried after the gliding forms of Ta’no and Nar’sa who were almost out of the vast dining area by now.

  There was a choice of three different hallways. They were led down the far right one and went down a long metal corridor, their bare feet echoing on the dull silver floor plates, until they came to a large, deep blue double door. Here their councilors stopped and turned as one.

  “Welcome to the Temple of Learning,” Nar’sa said, inclining her head graciously so that her floating halo of hair waved gently. “This door opens into the First Circle—the Circle of Enlightenment. Here you will begin to learn each others bodies and minds beginning with this first class—The Sensuous Touch.”

  “Are we taking this class all by ourselves?” Charlie looked around nervously. “I mean, what about Hsssthnk and Ssstha?”

  “Unfortunately, no other couple in the resort requires the level of remedial help that the two of you do,” Ta’no said, shrugging. “So you will be receiving this class separately. Hopefully in time you will catch up and be able to take instruction with some of the other students.”

  “Geeze,” Charlie muttered. “So we’re stuck in the slow class?”

  “Think of it this way—you will be receiving exclusive one-on-one instruction with one of our finest teachers.” Nar’sa smiled gently. “Come, you will meet them now.”

  The double doors slid open suddenly, revealing a medium sized room that was empty except for a single figure in a black robe who was standing with its back to them.

  Oh no! Charlie had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. Please don’t let it be…

  “Greetings.” The figure turned around, revealing the two-faced stare of the Joined One they had seen in the dining area. The male face glowered at them but the female one smiled benignly. Charlie couldn’t tell which one of them had spoken and she didn’t really care.

  All she could see was the monster from her nightmares—the ones she’d had as a kid—brought on by a particularly scary movie she’d seen at a slumber party. The Creature from Hell…God after all these years, she still remembered the name. Missy had had to sleep with her for months after that.

  She was an adult now but she still didn’t like the look of this weird thing—seeing it in the dining area had sent a cold chill down her spine. But seeing it now, up close and knowing she would have to be in close proximity to it, made her like someone had dumped a bucket of ice cubes into her stomach.

  “Greetings, Joined One,” Ta’no spoke reverently. “I was just telling our guests how privileged they are to receive private instruction from one of your caliber.”

  “We shall see if they can be taught.” It was the male face that spoke this time—certainly. His voice was deep and booming in the enclosed space and he stared fiercely at her and Stavros who was standing behind her.

  “I am certain they can, my love,” the female face said softly.

  “But Ta’no has said that they hate one another,” the male face insisted.

  “The opposite of love is not hate but indifference,” the female replied. “In any strong emotion the seeds of affection are present. We must nurture those seeds and see that they grow to blossom in our students’ souls.”

  “As you say,” the male face grumbled. “So then—let us begin. Come closer—approach us.”

  Charlie really didn’t want to. She hung back, crossing her arms over her chest protectively as the beast from her childhood nightmares flashed before her eyes. God, she felt sick.

  “What is wrong with the female?” the male face boomed. The creature strode towards them, glaring at Charlie.

  She backed away—all she could see was the two-faced monster that had terrified her so long ago. The recurring dream so dark and horrifying it made her afraid to go to sleep unless her sister was right there beside her. But Missy was gone now…had been gone for years…

  Suddenly her back bumped into something hard and warm. She looked up to see Stavros standing behind her, looking down at her with obvious concern.

  “Charlotte?” he said softly. “Are you well?”

  “I…I…” The old fear robbed her of speech and she could only shake her head.

  A sudden impulse struck her—the desperate urge to turn and bury her face in his broad, bare chest—to seek safety and shelter in his arms until the nightmare was past. He was so big and strong…clearly he could keep her safe!

  Somehow she managed not to do it. She hung onto her dignity by a thread and stood her ground. But she didn’t try to shake off his hands when he placed them firmly on her shoulders. Instead, she huddled back against him, feeling his big body like a comforting wall, radiating heat and safety that surrounded her.

  “Well?” The monster was getting closer and closer. Charlie couldn’t bear to look anymore—she closed her eyes.

  “Step back.” Stavros’s voice was soft but it had an edge of steel in it. Pressed as she was against him, Charlie could feel it rumble through her entire body.

  There was a little gasp from Nar’sa. “You must not speak so to a Joined One!”

  “I will speak however I feel necessary,” Stav growled. “You are distressing my mate. Now step back.”

  Charlie cracked one eye open just enough to see the monstrous Joined One retreating.

  “Very well,” the male face said huffily. “Then Nar’sa and Ta’no must teach the class.”

  “But, Joined One,” Nar’sa protested. “Ta’no and I are not in perfect harmony yet. We are nowhere near the level that you are.”

  “We cannot work with a student who does not respect us,” the female face said, frowning reprovingly. “Come, we will give you a few moments of instruction on what is to be done and then you must take over.”

  The Joined One and their councilors went into a corner of the blue room and began to speak in low voices.

  “Charlotte? Are you feeling better?” The deep voice in her ear made her jump and Charlie realized Stavros was still standing behind her with his hands on her shoulders. “You don’t need to be afraid,” he murmured. “I will not let the Joined One touch or hurt you.”

  “I’m not afraid of it—it just…creeps me out, that’s all,” she denied uneasily.

  “You’re certain?” he squeezed her shoulders lightly. “Because your heart is pounding—I can feel it when you press against me.”

  “I said I’m fine.” God, what’s wrong with me, acting like that? He must think I’m some stupid little coward! She shook off his hands and stepped away from him, frowning.

  “There is no shame in admitting you feel fear.” Stavros raised an eyebrow at her. “I feel it every time I go into battle—I’d be a fool not to. This situation is much like that—we are in enemy territory and—”

  “Well, it appears that instead of having expert instruction you must make do with Nar’sa and myself,” Ta’no said, coming over to them. To Charlie’s relief, the Joined One was leaving through a door on the opposite side of the room.

  “That’s fine with us,” she said steadily. “Just tell us what to do and let’s get this over with.”

  Nar’sa glided over. “According to the Joined One, you must make use of whatever the cleansing pool gave you.”

  “What?” Stavros frowned. “I was given nothing but this...clothing. He looked down at his Pharaoh-skirt, as Charlie privately thought of it, with obvious distaste.

  “You were given something though, Charlotte,” Nar’sa said gently. “Now is the time to bring it out.”

  “But I’m not sure how to—” Charlie was patting the side of her robe where the pocket had disappeared as she spoke. Suddenly, the pocket appeared again with the handle of the hard wooden hairbrush poking out of it. “…get to it. Oh…” she finished as she drew the hairbrush out.

  “What is that?�
� Stavros asked, frowning at the dark brown handle and the black bristles. “Some kind of tool?”

  “It’s a hairbrush.” She glowered at him. “And no—it’s not for spanking. So don’t even think about that.”

  Stavros looked mystified. “Why would I think such a thing? I would imagine that an implement called a ‘hairbrush’ would be for brushing hair, would it not?”

  “Well…that’s supposed to be its use, anyway,” Charlie said, thinking of the many whuppuns she’d gotten with an “implement” exactly like the one she was holding.

  “Well then…am I supposed to brush your hair?” he asked, still looking at the hairbrush uncertainly.

  “Actually, I believe it is Charlotte who is supposed to brush your hair,” Nar’sa said gently. “The brush was given to her—she is the one who must use it.”

  “Oh, well…” Charlie shrugged. “I don’t mind, I guess. “Except he’s so tall he’s not going to be easy to reach.”

  “That is easily managed. Simply sit on the thera-mat.”

  Charlie didn’t see any mat but Nar’sa seemed to be indicating the floor. It was covered in a thick, spongy blue material that reminded Charlie of the padding they put under the jungle gym equipment in some of the nicer playgrounds.

  “All right.” Shrugging, she sat down and Stavros did as well, sitting in front of her with his back to her so that she could get to his hair. He was so tall, however, that she still couldn’t reach him with both of them seated. “This isn’t going to work,” she said to Nar’sa. “Maybe if he sits and I stand…”

  “Unnecessary,” Ta’no said. Leaning down he patted the mat around where she was sitting. Suddenly it began to rise and before Charlie knew it, she was perched on a spongy, blue stool which was just the right height. The back of Stavros’s head was a waist level now since he was still sitting on the ground.

  “Oh, uh…perfect, I guess.” Charlie was a little unsettled after being hoisted up by the mat but at least it had put her where she needed to be. Now to work on the big Kindred’s hair, which was bound tightly into the club at the back of his neck. She looked blankly at the elaborate series of knots that held it in place. “Um…”