by Alicia Rades
By the time I was finished, we’d all taken a seat. I was sitting beside Lucas, and Isa was purring in my lap.
Grammy leaned forward in her chair and rested her elbow on her knee. “It sounds like you impressed Mother Miriam. You showed her you’re willing to take responsibility.”
“And you showed some serious integrity saving Chloe’s life,” Talia added.
“Also strength and resilience,” Grant said.
“Yeah,” Talia agreed. “You fought the darkness inside of you instead of giving into it. You didn’t let it consume you, which means you’ll be able to fight the darkness of any curse you break.”
My heart melted.
“And then you traded your soul for mine,” Lucas pointed out. “You’re pure of heart, Nad. Something no other witch has been since the Curse Breakers died out.”
“Wow,” I said breathlessly. “I guess I didn’t realize what I was capable of.”
“You’re capable of anything you put your mind to,” Grammy encouraged. “But you must be careful, Nadine.”
I tilted my head to the side. “What do you mean?”
“You’re the only Curse Breaker of your generation,” she pointed out. “Just as your grandfather was. People will try to use you.”
I shot a nervous glance around the room. “To break curses?”
Grammy dropped her gaze and shook her head. “For much more than that, I’m afraid. Recall that when a member of each of the five Casts comes together, they can create elaborate spells.”
“Like the space-bending spell that expands the school,” I stated, remembering how she explained it to me on my first day at Miriam College.
She nodded. “I’ll be honest, Nadine. If your grandfather were here, he’d tell you this is as much a curse as it is a blessing.”
I looked to Lucas, then to my friends, as if expecting one of them to counter her claim. Everyone wore the same uncertain expression. I suddenly felt worry knot deep within my belly.
“So I pose a threat,” I realized.
“Or people will threaten you,” Lucas added, looking terrified for me. “They’re going to want a piece of your magic.”
My stomach dropped. How could I get this wonderful gift, only for it to put me in the line of fire? Octavia Falls was my home. I should be safe here, but I wasn’t. I hadn’t been since the moment I stepped foot in town. Something told me Chloe was just the least of my coming threats.
But I’d be damned if I didn’t fight for my right to stay.
“Then I’ll hide it,” I stated, my mind made up.
Talia tilted her head to the side. “Hide your powers? How?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “We could tell people I didn’t go through with the ceremony.”
“But you need to stay in classes to learn how to control your magic,” Grant pointed out.
I sighed. “True.”
Lucas looked deeply contemplative, then his eyes lit up. “I know how to hide it.”
“You do?” I asked.
He smirked. “You can pose as an Alchemist.”
I frowned. “But I don’t have Alchemy powers.”
Grant’s jaw dropped. “That could actually work.”
“What?” I asked. “How can I possibly pull that off?”
“It’s a good theory,” Grammy agreed. “Curse Breakers’ powers work by transferring magic from one place to another. You can use Alchemy crystals to brew potions.”
“Alchemy crystals?” I asked.
“It’s like this,” Grammy explained. “I transfer my Alchemy magic into a crystal. You take that magic and transfer it into a potion.”
“Couldn’t anyone do that?” I asked.
She shook her head. “Only a member of each Cast can access the crystal magic of that cast. Alchemists can use Alchemy crystals, Seers use Seer crystals. But as Curse Breaker, you can move magic from one place to another.”
“So I could use crystals to pose as any Cast?” I asked.
Grammy shook her head. “Not quite. It gives you no powers. A Seer crystal wouldn’t allow you to see or hear spirits. You couldn’t control a corpse with a necromancy crystal. Your power lies in the transfer of magic. And that’s the beauty of Alchemy. Brewing potions is a simple transfer of Alchemy magic. We’re actually not the only race who can do it.”
“So... as long as I had Alchemy magic to draw from, I could fool everyone,” I realized.
“It’s our best shot,” Talia said.
“It could be the only way to protect you,” Lucas added.
“Then I’ll do it,” I said. “I’ll let everyone believe I’m an Alchemist.”
“What about your tattoo?” Talia questioned.
“I’ll get a fake one,” I decided. “I’ll put it somewhere that’s easily noticeable, so no one will question it.”
“You’ll have to practice your Curse Breaker powers in private,” Lucas pointed out.
“I will,” I agreed. “For as long as I can manage, I’ll remain a secret.”
“One of the coven’s greatest secrets of all,” Lucas whispered ominously.
I nodded, accepting my new title. “I’ll be the coven’s secret.”
I had so much to process from that night that I didn’t even know where to start. Since it was really late and everyone was tired, Grammy invited all of us to stay the night at her house. I was relieved, because I could hardly keep my eyes open anymore.
I stood from the couch and tugged on Lucas’s arm. “Let’s go to bed.”
“In a minute,” he argued.
I tugged him a little harder, and he winced. I immediately dropped his arm. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” he said, but I heard the lie in his voice.
I gazed down at him sternly. “Don’t lie to me. Let me see.”
“I’ll be fine, Nad,” he said.
“If that’s true, let me see it,” I demanded. “No secrets, Lucas.”
He sighed and stood. Everyone else was already moving out of the living room, but when he lifted his shirt, we all stopped dead. A huge purple bruise marred the side of his torso.
My stomach plummeted to my toes. “Why didn’t you say something!?”
Lucas dropped his gaze. “I didn’t want you to worry.”
“You need help,” I stated. “We’re going to the hospital. No objections.”
Lucas sighed. “Nad, come on. It’s way too late for that.”
“It’s never too late to get you help,” I replied.
“The doctors aren’t going to do anything but tell me to rest,” he argued. “Besides, you’re too tired for an emergency room visit.”
Yes and no. I was exhausted, but I wanted to be with him.
Grant quickly stepped in. “I’ll take you, bro.”
Lucas frowned.
“Lucas, you’re going,” I repeated. “You’re not burdening anyone by getting medical treatment. Please accept that.”
He sighed. “Okay. But you need to rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I protested a while longer, but Lucas insisted he was only going to the ER if I went to bed. As long as he was getting medical attention, that was good enough for me. Talia went to the guest room upstairs, while I took the guest room next to the bathroom. My moving boxes were still piled in the corner. I found some pajamas in one of them and changed. I tossed my dirty clothes into one of the open boxes on the top, but they caught on the corner and knocked it over.
Isa meowed from where she lay on the bed.
Sighing, I bent to clean up the contents. As I reached for the last item that had spilled out, my breath caught. It was a small wooden box I hadn’t opened since my parents died. I took a deep breath and reached out for it. When I held it, I was surprised to realize I no longer felt a deep black hole within my gut when I thought of them.
I took the box and crawled under the covers with it. The lamp beside my bed illuminated the soft curves of the box and the glossy finish. I reached up and lightly touched my silver star
necklace.
Isa walked across the bed and curled up next to me.
I took a deep breath. “I’m not scared anymore, Mom.”
I opened the box, and my heart warmed. A pile of envelopes sat inside, each one of them a different color from the last. My name had been scrawled on each one in my mother’s smooth handwriting.
I swallowed and pulled the first envelope from the top. I flipped open the card to read the letter my parents had written me.
Happy eighteenth birthday, Nadine!
This year has been crazy. Remember the escape room, when we almost lost because of your dad but you turned it around and got us out in the last minute? We’ll never forget the trip we took to Washington D.C. this summer. We got lost for three hours looking for the Washington Monument. How’s that even possible? Don’t forget when your mom tried skiing on that spontaneous trip we took this winter. Miserable failure! We hope this year will bring many bright beginnings. Never stop enjoying the mystery in life.
We love you, Nadine.
- Mom and Dad
Tears welled in my eyes. The past year brought the worst of the worst endings.
I set the birthday card aside and pulled out the next one.
Happy seventeenth birthday, Nadine!
They all started out like that, each one sharing memories from the previous year and wishes for the year to come. It hurt that it was my birthday and I wouldn’t be getting a card from them this year.
I finished reading through all the letters and was placing them back in the box when a knock came at my door. I cleared my throat. “Come in.”
Grammy opened the door. “You’re still up.”
I nodded. “Just looking over some old keepsakes.”
She eyed the box I held in my lap. “Are those your birthday letters?”
I nodded.
She held up a finger. “Give me a minute.”
I furrowed my brow as Grammy left the room. She came back in a minute later holding a piece of paper in her hand. She crossed the room and sat at the edge of my bed.
“I found this while we were cleaning out the old house,” she admitted. “I was saving it for your birthday. And since it’s your birthday now…”
Grammy handed over the piece of paper, and I realized it was an envelope like all the others. My name was written across the front in my mother’s handwriting.
I froze in place, unable to breathe. “Grammy, what is this?”
She shrugged. “I didn’t read it. It’s for you.”
I swallowed and took the letter from her hand, then opened it. My quiet tears turned into full-on sobs as I began to read the letter.
Nadine,
We know we usually save these cards for your birthday, but we have so much to say. We know you’re upset about the police academy. We know it’s all you ever wanted. But there’s a saying we want you to remember. You’ve heard us say it many times before. ‘When one door closes, another one opens.’ We know that’s not what you want to hear right now, but you’ll realize one day when all of this is over that it’s true. Everything happens for a reason. We believe that bigger and better things are in store for you. All you have to do is look for the blessing and be willing to receive it.
We will always be here for you and love you no matter what.
-Mom and Dad
A beautiful swelling of joy grew in my heart. I didn’t feel sad when I thought about them. I felt joy. I had eighteen wonderful years with them. I was the luckiest girl in the world to be their daughter. I couldn’t ask for anything more than that.
It was true this year had been rough, but wonderful things had happened, too. My parents’ death had led me to Octavia Falls, and I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.
I sniffled and closed the card, then added it to my box. “Thank you for saving that for me, Grammy.”
“What’s it say?” she asked curiously.
I smiled. “It says everything is going to be okay.”
In that moment, I truly meant it.
But I never would’ve said it, had I known the types of dark and sinister trials awaiting me next semester.
Chapter 25
Lucas
I lay on the bed in my hospital room. It was still dark outside, but the sun would rise soon. It’d been a really long night, but I didn’t sleep. I lay there thinking of Nadine, how she was alive against all odds. I was the luckiest guy in the world.
“I was wrong,” I admitted quietly without turning my gaze from the window.
Grant sat in the chair next to my bed. I was surprised he hadn’t gone home yet.
“Wrong about what?” he asked.
I sighed and finally turned to look at him. “I was wrong about trying to give my gift back. You were right. I never should’ve risked it.”
Grant eyed me solemnly, and his shoulders fell. “I’m just glad you didn’t trade your soul. I was really looking forward to fucking shit up with you in Alora.”
A half-smile crept across my face. “Well, we still have our chance. Bring it in, man.”
Grant stood from his chair and leaned over my bed to give me a hug.
I clapped him on the back. “I’m sorry for what I said to you.”
“I’m sorry, too,” he said. “Friends?”
“Always.”
Just then, a knock came at the door. Grant turned as an older man stepped into the room.
“What’s the verdict, doc?” Grant asked.
The doctor adjusted his glasses and looked down to the clipboard in his hands. “I’m afraid it’s not good. We’re looking at two broken ribs and a fractured occipital bone.”
Grant cocked an eyebrow at me. “You’re lucky that’s all you walked away with.”
I smirked. “Still totally worth it.”
The doctor furrowed his brow. “If you don’t mind me asking, what were you boys doing to cause this?”
Grant and I shared a look, but I answered. “I beat the shit out of a reaper.”
The doctor laughed lightly. He thought I was joking. “Okay, well, let’s talk treatment. Unfortunately, there’s not much we can do but send you home with pain meds and advise you to get plenty of rest. No sports until you heal. It should take about six weeks until you’re good as new.”
“Thanks, doc,” I said.
“I’ll have the nurse get your discharge papers,” the doctor said. “Have a good night, boys.”
He left the room, and I looked sideways at Grant. “Told you they wouldn’t do anything.”
He shrugged. “You get pain meds.”
I chuckled. “I’m sure you could brew me something better.”
Grant yawned really wide, then stood. “I’m gonna take a piss.”
“Thanks for announcing it,” I joked.
Grant walked off, and I turned back to the window. I really hoped Nadine was resting right now. She needed it after everything she’d been through tonight. I missed her so much already.
Part of me was disappointed that the night hadn’t gone as planned. Another part of me was glad Nadine had saved me from the Abyss. I was stupid to try to contact the reapers in the first place. I mean, how could I think the Abyss was preferable to any sort of life with her—and an eternity thereafter?
It was the voices, the thoughts I carried. The weight of the coven’s secrets had pushed me to do the unthinkable. But the weird thing was, after burning the journal where I wrote them all down, I didn’t feel their weight as heavily anymore. It was like holding on to those thoughts in the journal was the real thing that was weighing me down.
A thought struck. I conjured my positivity journal and a pen. I opened up to the next page and started scribbling down the greatest perk my gift had ever given me:
I saved Nadine’s life.
Once I started writing, I couldn’t stop. For the first time since Professor Warren gave me this notebook, the positivity just flowed out of me. I pictured all the wonderful things that saving her life meant. She’d live on and would bring beauty i
nto the world everywhere she went.
But it wasn’t just about her, either. Suddenly, all these other things started rushing through my mind.
I help others cross over.
I serve the coven.
I’m ready to start doing better.
I felt totally at peace as I closed the journal and subconjured it. That last thought stuck in my mind. I’d admitted my faults tonight. I realized things about myself that I never knew before. For the first time in a year, I could finally face myself, instead of shoving everything down and ignoring it. I wasn’t there yet, but I was ready to try.
I closed my eyes and relaxed into the pillow as Grant came out of the bathroom.
“You okay, man?” Grant asked.
A smile touched the corners of my lips. “Nadine’s alive. We’re together now.”
“I would hope so, after tonight.”
My eyes shot open and darted to the doorway. Nadine stood there, twisting her purse strap around in her fingers.
“Nad,” I said breathlessly. “I thought you were at home resting.”
“I couldn’t sleep,” she admitted.
That was so unlike her.
Grant cleared his throat. “I’m gonna go see what I can find in the vending machine.”
He left the room, leaving Nadine and me in private. The door swung shut behind him, and Nadine stepped forward. She pulled a chair to the side of my bed and sat down, then took my gauze-wrapped hand in hers.
“Tonight was… crazy,” she breathed.
“I know,” I whispered, unable to take my eyes off her. “But we made it.”
Silence settled over the room for a few moments, until she finally spoke. “I can’t believe you’d go to Hell just to spend your life with me.”
I placed my good hand over hers. “Nad, you know I’d do anything for you.”
“And I for you,” she whispered. “Which is why—”
“Hang on,” I said, suddenly realizing something.
She tilted her head curiously as I raised my hand and curled it into a fist.
“It’s your birthday,” I pointed out. “I got you something.”