Forgotten Curse (Curse Trilogy)

by C. M. Owens

  “Can you tell me why?” he almost whispers.

  “I fucked Hale. You should hate me, and you should go,” I sob out, and I hear the tension rather than see it as his teeth grind together.

  “No. I’m not going. His scent isn’t in here, and last time I rushed to a decision before getting the facts. Were you dying? Did he blood fuck you to save you?” he asks hopefully, and more tears pour out.

  He’s trying to be understanding, and it just makes me feel all the worse.

  “No. He was savage, and I had to inject him with olophine.”

  I hear some air enter his lungs once he hears there is a reason, but he’s uncertain of how to proceed. He steps to be in front of me, and I promptly look away to avoid eye contact.

  “You had to inject him? He couldn’t do it himself? You couldn’t use your gift to do it?” he mutters very softly, and I sit down on the couch to take in a painful breath.

  “I always have to. It’s rare he can do it himself. His savage is different than mine because it went free for so long before he found me. It almost always requires the sacrifice of my body and then the mixture of his thirst for me quenched and the medicine brings him back. Using my gifts on him wouldn’t have done any good; it would have only pissed him off. A savage Hale is not one to be pissed off because he can level a compound this small within a blink. His power is so much stronger, and he wasn’t far from level three.”

  He takes another deep breath before sitting down beside me.

  “I don’t understand the savage stuff yet because it’s still a little new, but why did he use his gift without injecting himself first? I thought that was how he went savage.”

  “They launched energy lashers at me, and he used his gift to keep me from being struck. He reacted before he could think.”

  “Okay… why are you leaving me if this was unavoidable?” he asks while forcing my face up so my eyes have to meet his.

  “Because I don’t want you to have to deal with this. This could happen for as long as I live. He could need me, or I could need him. It’s never going to be over, and you deserve so much more than that,” I sob out wildly, and my voice is barely understandable at this point.

  “So you don’t want to be with him, you just don’t want to hurt me?” he asks as if he’s trying desperately to understand.

  “I don’t want to keep explaining myself. You shouldn’t be with me. I’m terrible for you, and I’ve told you that before. I want you to be happy, and you’ll always have Hale’s fucking cloud looming over you.”

  His lips purse as he sits back on the seat beside me. He takes in a deep breath as if he’s hoping it will have the words he needs lined in the air.

  “I’m not overly fond of Hale’s fucking cloud looming over me, but I’m never going to be happy without you, Araya. I mean damn, you’ve saved my life over and over. You’ve introduced me to the food I’ve always longed to be able to try. You opened me up for the sun’s unobstructed touch. I have never been happier in all my life than I have been any day with you. I can’t go back to being without you, baby. I hate that arrogant, hooks-in son of a bitch for having such a connection with you, but I love you more than enough to move past it. I don’t know how I’ll handle it, but I know there’s nothing that’s going to stop me from being with you. I know you love me, and I know he has fucked you over enough to keep you from going back. I also know our world happens to be terribly fucked up as well. I’ll figure this shit out.”

  His words rip through the painful barrier I’ve put up, and then his lips consume mine instantly. I cry into the kiss all the more, and he pulls me to be beneath his body as he undoes his pants.

  “As long as I don’t have to share you, I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you, baby,” he coos.

  “You don’t have to share me.” At least not while Hale and I are sane.

  I feel his body pressing against mine as he pulls his shirt off, and then I feel my pants sliding down.

  “You’re mine, not his. I don’t give a fuck about your connection because ours is stronger,” he growls, and then he lifts me up so my legs wrap around his waist as he carries me into the bedroom.

  I gasp when I feel his bare erection threatening my quivering opening, and then I barely have any warning before he thrusts in. His lips devour mine, and then he pounds into me again.

  “I love you, Araya,” he mumbles into my mouth.

  “I love you.”

  No other man in this world would be willing to be with me after hearing that, but Brazen truly loves me the way someone is supposed to. This still isn’t fair to him, but I can’t let him go if he doesn’t let me.

  He continues his fervent pace, and he grips my hips to jerk them into his thrusts. I continue crying as my bizarrely tangled and mixed emotions drain me, and then I feel the building inside me as his teeth graze my lip.

  “I. Won’t. Lose. You,” he grunts into my mouth, and my claws dig into his back as the throbbing becomes surreal.

  I scream out my release just as he surges into me one last time. He holds himself at the deepest point as his life rushes through me, and then he crashes to the bed beside me before pulling me into his arms. My tears dampen his chest, and he kisses my forehead while stroking my hair.

  “I told you I’m never letting you go again, baby.”

  I cry happily and anxiously. How is this going to work? How can I expect him to deal with this possibility always looming over us?

  Brazen’s lips graze mine once I finish getting ready for the gathering below. The examiner should have the full results of the test, and Brazen wants to go with me to see what he found. I already know I’m right, but this will be the proof we need.

  “You ready, babe?” he asks softly while buttoning up his shirt.

  “Yeah. You know we could run into Hale. Are you sure you can see him without getting into a fight after everything I’ve told you?”

  “I’m sure I can try not to punch his teeth down his throat,” he growls.

  “Just stay here. I’ll go and get the results, and then I’ll come back to tell you.”

  “No. I want to go. I’m not going to hide out here. This is my home, not his,” he grouses.

  I smile a little, and then my lips close over his momentarily before I draw back.

  “If you still want me to, I’ll move in today.”

  His anger dissipates instantly, and pure elation cloaks his face.

  “Really?” he says a little too excitedly, and he clears his throat to bring some manliness back to his tone. “That’s incredible.”

  His lips claim mine, and then he jerks me to his body as he smiles into our kiss. I laugh lightly, but I’m still worried about how he’ll handle it if - or when - I go savage again. I’ve done well to not seriously injure him, but I still crave Hale when I’m like that. How will he respond to seeing me run to the man he hates the most? How will he feel when my lips seek the comforting embrace of Hale’s? How will he feel when the only way Hale can bring me back is to inject me himself? It’s a daunting possibility, and the thought of losing Brazen because part of me wants a man I can never truly have is excruciating.

  “Shit,” he exasperates. “I forgot I have to go start logging the full bloods, but I’ll come find you before the meeting,” he murmurs softly as he leads me out the door.

  Oh crap. I have to go check in with Hale.

  “Yeah. I’ll see you then,” I grumble, and he gives me another sweet peck on the cheek before jogging down the hall.

  I sigh out my frustrations, and then I make the zombie walk down the hall to Hale’s room. I don’t plan on going in, but I know he’ll be expecting the hybrids to come by. I’ll just knock, say my name, and then run the hell off.

  I turn the corner, and my heart flip flops until it reaches my mouth. I stumble forward when I see him leaning against his door. Several men crowd around him, their ears hanging on his every word.

  Damn it. He looks so fucking good right now.

  His dark hai
r is tousled with a sexy, messy edge, and his perfect lips are turned up in a smile as he holds onto his check-in screen. His deep blue shirt showcases his hybrid eyes, and his loose tie begs to tie me up.

  What the fuck is wrong with me?

  I glance in the mirror hanging in the hallway to check my eyes for dilated pupils. I’m almost disappointed when I see they’re normal. I can’t blame the fucking savage in me for having these ridiculous feelings for the man who loves inflicting pain on my heart.

  “I’m sure I can talk to the commander about getting the schools installed with the new equipment if you so desire,” Hale chirps to the taller man.

  “That would be excellent. My captain at our compound said as long as I handled the legwork, he would sign off on it. I think what you’ve done for the hybrids is amazing. They say you’re asking all participants to hang a dedication plaque,” the tall man says.

  “I am actually. I think the hybrid children should have inspiration, so I think every improved school should name someone who they feel is a good example for the children. Preferably another hybrid who has a story worth hearing, and a tale that lifts the kids high enough to feel like it’s okay to hope,” Hale utters, and tears start to fill up in my eyes.

  His passion for this project has been my weakest point. How can a man say he’s incapable of love if he’s so determined to make a better world for the children of our kind? It just doesn’t make sense.

  “I think that’s a very good idea, and I have someone in mind. Who did you engrave your dedication to?” the man pries.

  “Araya Crush,” Hale murmurs softly, and now the tears roll freely down my face.

  How did I not know that? Why would he do that? He’s so fucking incredible and maddening all at once.

  “I should have known that. The stories you’ve shared of her bravery should be told to every hybrid. I’m surprised to see you standing alone. I had heard the two of you reconciled.”

  “We did, but-”

  Hale stops when he sees me, and I quickly wipe away the escaped tears the moment he does. The men hovering around him stifle a grin, and then they scurry off to leave Hale alone with me as I slowly approach. He doesn’t move, but he smiles lightly the closer I get.

  “Captain Banner,” I murmur softly.

  “Ms. Crush,” he sizzles out, and his fucking eyes are daring me to come closer.

  If I could scream at the top of my lungs without drawing attention, I would do it right now. I would pray it was cathartic enough to give me some reprieve, and then I would collapse and sleep for days.

  “I didn’t mean to interrupt. I just need to check in.”

  He smirks mildly, and then he taps something on his portable screen before lowering it back down.

  “You’re officially checked in, Ms. Crush,” he smolders, and then another guy rushes over to put his name in.

  “Thank you, Captain,” I mumble as I start to walk away, and I can feel his eyes burning against my back.

  His mind-fucking games are growing old. I can’t tell from one day to the next how he’s going to act, and I pray they’re going to split everyone up for this new hybrid task. Please keep Hale the hell away from me.

  I start to turn the next corner to head down to the lab, but the sight of a familiarly cold, unwelcoming, cruel face sends me sprinting backwards on my heel before turning to dash back to Hale.

  “Ms. Crush?” he muses as I cower behind him.

  I grip the back of his shirt when I see Miles walking with intent toward us, and I quickly jiggle Hale’s door to see it’s locked. In my frenzied state, my gift would rip this door apart if I tried using it. I start panicking, and then a man stops him to talk to him which gives me the break I need.

  “Open your door, please,” I plead in a whisper.

  He chuckles lightly, and then shakes his head.

  “I don’t feel that would be very appropriate, Ms. Crush,” he retorts.

  “Cut the crap, Hale. Open the damn door,” I scold while keeping my whispered tone.

  He snickers under his breath while handing me his key behind his back, and I dart inside his room. The door shuts gently, and I hear Hale prop back up against it just before I hear Miles speaking.

  “Did you see Araya Crush come through here?” he asks in his husky tone.

  “Araya Crush? I believe she has already checked in. Is there anything I can help you with?” Hale asks with coy innocence, and I breathe out a sigh of relief.

  Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

  “I’m looking for my son, and I’m sure he’s around here somewhere chasing after that damn girl. I know I saw her. Are you sure you haven’t seen her?” Miles asks suspiciously.

  “As I said, Sir, she has already checked in. Perhaps she went on to the auditorium. That’s where we’ll be meeting at.”

  “Do you know where I can find Captain Brazen Mordel?” Miles huffs.

  “He should either be at his room, which is on the second floor, or he’ll be in front of the auditorium checking in the full bloods.”

  “My son is rather established. I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but he’s being considered for a very prominent position.”

  Great. Now Miles is going to take a minute to boast.

  “I’ve heard,” Hale chirps sweetly, and then my eavesdropping is distracted when I see a picture perched by the doorway.

  It’s me curled up in Hale’s lap asleep, and his arms are draped over me protectively as he sleeps too. I’m not sure who took this picture, but I assume it was Clay. This is recent. It’s before he broke my heart the second time.

  Why put this here?

  He confesses his cheating indiscretions, and then he tells me he never loved me. Why put this picture here if he doesn’t give a damn?

  I hold it in my hand, and my finger strolls over his body that seems so at peace next to mine. I feel the tears trying to surface, but I hold them back. I refuse to let him hurt me even when he’s not trying to.

  “The coast is clear,” he jokes as he opens the door, and then his smile fades instantly when he sees the sentimental photo clutched in my hands.

  “Why do you have this?” I strain out through my choking tone.

  “It’s a great photo. I never said I didn’t care about you, Araya. I just told you I couldn’t be who you wanted me to be. You can come out now,” he says while clearing his throat.

  I set the picture down while continuing to fight the tears begging to parade themselves on my cheeks. I refuse to look into his eyes as I walk out, and then I stop in my tracks when I see Brazen’s mother stalking toward me. I squeal as I run back behind Hale who has just walked back out, and I grip onto the back of his shirt. I’m praying she didn’t see me, and I start squirming when his delicious scent rushes me.

  His body shakes lightly as he suppresses his laughter, and I hear the clanking of the full blooded bitch’s heels as they click more distinguishably with every nearing step.

  “Araya, child. Come out from behind that boy. I’ve already seen you,” she huffs.

  Child? Well… I am hiding like one right now.

  I huff as I continue to cling to Hale’s shirt, and I just barely move to be visible to her pale, cold eyes.

  “Hello Mrs. Mordel.”

  “Why in heaven’s name did you drag my son here? And why on earth are you hiding from me?”

  Hmm… could it be because you told me I was hybrid filth the last time you met me? Crazy bitch.

  “I don’t exactly remember being your favorite person the last time I saw you, and I didn’t drag Brazen out here. He came on his own accord. I didn’t ask him to follow me,” I grumble while looking anywhere but at her

  Her sassy bobbed yellow hair gleams in the tinted sun. Her death-stalking heels are what catch my eyes though. They look like they could stab a man through the heart. I can smell the uranium tipped stilettos from here. I don’t trust her enough to move out any further into view.

  “You can let that boy go,” she exasperates.
“I’m not going to bite.”

  Real funny.

  I release my secure grip on Hale, and he stifles his grin while walking back into his room.

  “My son would follow you anywhere you go, but I’m sure you already know that. I’m just confused why you left such an established place such as the Seminole to come to the hell side of the world. Are you trying to keep him as far away from me as possible?”

  It is definitely an added bonus.

  “The Hershian needed a good interrogator, and that’s what I do,” I force out without waver despite my trembling insides.

  This woman is made out of the same material the devil weaves nightmares with.

  “Why is my son’s ring on your right hand?” she asks as the conversation veers wide left, and my eyes almost pop out of my head as I throw my hand into my pocket.

  She almost looks hopeful right now. Her dreams of Brazen and I breaking up came true, and he apparently never told her about it. I’m sure as hell not going to tell her about all of our drama.

  “It’s a long story, Mrs. Mordel. One I’m afraid I can’t share right now because of the impending meeting. I need to go check on the examiner’s findings. I’m sure I’ll see you later,” I mumble with an air of forced cordialness.

  “You can take me to the auditorium since I have no escort, and obviously I don’t know my way around. You can drop me off there to find my son and tell me this long story along the way.”

  I fidget awkwardly as I try to find a way out of this, and then Hale walks back out to stand very close to my back.

  “Actually, Madam, I need Araya to accompany me to the examiner’s office right away in order to have the information ready for our commander. I’m sure this officer here would be glad to escort you,” he murmurs softly while motioning for a full blood to join us.

  He rushes over to do as Hale asks, and she narrows her eyes at me very suspiciously before returning her gaze to Hale. Her eyes catch his badge that is clipped to his belt and peeking out from under his shirttail.

  “Thank you, Captain,” she mumbles, and then she cuts her eyes back to me. “We’ll speak later, Araya. I can assure you I intend on hearing this very long story.”