Blood Of The Cursed

by BrittanyAnn Robinson

  “Take it easy baby. Don’t get up. Please just lay there. You scared the shit out of me, Scar. What happened. Please explain it to me.” He leaned down and placed his forehead against mine. I could feel his worry and stress radiate off of him. I could feel his wolf trying to claw out and get to my wolf.

  I cupped his face and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. “I’m so sorry, Rhett. It was the craziest thing. I walked out of Lacey’s and was looking around for the girls and then someone across the road caught my attention. I froze in place. I couldn’t move. It was a vampire. I’m positive. He just stood there, staring at me. Hazel and Athena brought me out of trance, I almost clocked Athena in the face because she startled me. They said they didn’t see anyone when I told them what I saw so I brushed it off. I thought I was crazy. You mate linked me, worried and I told you it was nothing...”

  He cut me off. “Scar, I never got a link from you.” He said with worry.

  “I know that now. But I swear that’s what happened. Anyway, we got in the truck and drove back here. I gathered my bags and walked into the house. No one was there, Rhett. It was so silent and weird. I walked back outside. Again, no one. I started to freak out and I had to let my wolf take over. She tried scenting out anything and the only thing she smelled was blood. She took off through the woods and once she got to the beach...it was horrifying, Rhett. Everyone was dead! There were dead bodies and blood everywhere! I found you along the beach covered in blood. You opened your eyes and you weren’t you. Your eyes were blood red. You weren’t just a wolf, but you were a vampire! Rhett, you looked terrifying. You yelled at me. You told me to run, that they’d find me too. I was so scared, Rhett.” I buried my face into my hands and started crying. It felt so real. Retelling what I saw brought back the pain I felt.

  “Jesus Christ, Scarlett. I’m so sorry.”

  “I closed my eyes and then I heard Hazel and Athena screaming at me to open them. When I did, I was laying the ground, staring up at them. It was...it was a dream or something. I don’t know, Rhett. It felt so real. I don’t know if I really saw that guy standing there or not. But I feel like he’s the one who made me see what I did. Like a vision or something. I don’t know. I’m so confused.” I felt weak again after explaining it all.

  He just looked at me with concern sketched all over his face. I know he didn’t know what to say. How could he? I’m not sure what I saw was even real. Just the thought of losing Rhett makes me want to scream. Seeing him covered in blood, and him not being him, was even worse.

  “Babe, I’m really at a loss for words. All I know is, I could feel what you went through. It was terrible. I wasn’t there to help you, and then I didn’t feel anything. You were gone. It scared the living shit out of me, I thought you had died or something. Once I got a hold of Hazel, she said you were knocked out. It didn’t look like you were hurt, but you had passed out. I raced to Cornell as fast as I could. My heart sank when I saw you laying there. I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to you, Scar. I’d literally die, baby. Just so you’re aware, you won’t be leaving anywhere without me. That’s not a request either.” Rhett crawled under the covers with me. I wasn’t going to argue with him. I snuggled against him and he held me close. I lay my head on his chest. My wolf calmed ever so slightly. I couldn’t help but think about the vampire I saw. Did I really see him, or was it just part of the vision I had when I fainted?

  “What do you think caused the vision? Maybe it was just a hallucination or something?” I asked.

  “I’m not sure, Scar. I’ve never heard of a wolf having a vision before. We can talk to your dad about it tomorrow. Maybe he has heard of this before.” I can tell Rhett is worried, although he was trying not to show it.

  It was many hours before I was able to put my mind to rest and fall asleep.

  18

  After Scarlett’s scare yesterday, I was still freaking out. I didn’t even want to leave her in bed by herself.

  “Baby, it’s time to wake up. We have to get ready to head to your dad's.” I woke her with a kiss.

  “I was hoping that yesterday was all a dream.” She huffed and rolled over, putting her arm across her face.

  “Me too. But unfortunately, it wasn’t. So let’s get up and see if we can get some answers.” I said trying to remain positive.

  We sped through breakfast. The gang had all been present for breakfast, trying to make sure that Scarlett is okay. I’m thankful for them all, but I could tell that Scarlett was feeling uncomfortable with all of the attention and feeling helpless. The ride to the Baraga pack was quick, it also helped that I drove with the speed of light.

  When we pulled up to the Baraga packhouse, Scarlett’s family came outside to greet us.

  “Scarlett I’m glad you’re alright! I was worried about you. Athena caught us up on everything that happened. Let’s get you guys inside.” Layla said to us, with a gentle touch on Scarlett’s arm.

  Once we got inside, we sat down on the plush grey couch.

  “I’m afraid that I have never heard of anything happening like this before. I have called the local coven, and Sybil and Amora are on their way over. They said they have some information for us.” Barret spoke up.

  No offense to the witches or anything, but what could they possibly know about wolves that we don’t know ourselves? If I’m being honest with myself, I don’t even care how we get answers, but as long as we get them.

  Scarlett stayed glued to me almost every second of every hour. I understand her fear, completely. Hell, I’d do the same thing. Amora and Sybil showed up a short time later. We all sat at the dinner table with drinks. Scarlett sat on my lap, leaned her back against my chest. She went over what happened with them. Leaving out no details.

  “Barret, Layla, have either of you had visions yourselves? Or anyone in your family? Normally one does not just develop having the gift of visions or foresight. It runs in the bloodline.” Sybil stated.

  Barret and Layla shook their heads.

  “Hmm. Interesting. Okay, Scarlett, I’ll need you to come to the basement with Amora and I. We need to put you in a trance and reach into the depths of your psyche. We should find the answers there. For the rest of you, no one else can be down there as we…”

  “Like hell you’re taking her down there without me. She’s my mate and my wife and she will not be alone during this time.” I growled.

  Scarlett sat up cupped my face in her warm hands. “Rhett, baby. We need answers, and if getting those answers involves me going down there alone, then it needs to be that way. I’m scared lifeless. We have to know what’s happening to me. I love you.” She placed a gentle kiss on my lips.

  “Fine. But don’t think for one second that I won’t barge down there and end what’s happening if I don’t like what I feel or hear.”

  She placed another kiss on my lips. Scarlett and the witches made their way downstairs to the basement. I heard the door at the bottom of the stairs lock. Like that would stop me. I took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

  I stood up from the table. “I’m going for a run. I can’t sit here and wait for something to happen. I’ll kill someone if something happens down there. Anyone else care to join?” I gritted out through my teeth.

  Finn and Layla agreed to go with me. Barret put us at ease by staying behind just in case Scarlett needed someone. Once the three of us made it out to the porch, we started to strip. Keeping our eyes to ourselves when we started to shift. Bones broke and cracked around me. Once we shifted, I realized I never saw Layla’s wolf before. She was also a white wolf, like Scarlett. But she was smaller and leaner than Scar was. She also had some light gray patches on her back and stomach. Petite and pretty looking. Finn stood next to me, his wolf was auburn colored. Some black hairs on his chest. All of us shook our coats and then bolted off of the porch and into the woods. Layla took the lead since this is her territory. She jumped and yipped with excitement. I’m assuming she hasn’t ran in a while with everything that has been goi
ng on. Layla took us around to certain spots on the property. First, the clearing where Scarlett and I had our first shifted contact.

  Layla brought us up on a large hill that overlooked a waterfall on their property. The air was cool and smelled of fresh water. We trotted over to the river right at the edge of the waterfall. Lapping up the cold, crystal clear water. It was so clean and cold that I could feel it cooling down my insides. I sat on my hind haunches with my eyes closed. Feeling the breeze run through my fur. The forest scents infiltrating my nose.

  I felt Scarlett through the bond. She seemed calm. Her thoughts were clouded, but I picked up a few memories. The ones from yesterday. Her fear and anxiety ran through my mind. I saw an image from her vision. It was me. The beach where I recognized pack members, and others that I didn’t know. I’m disgusted with how I looked. I was a monster. No wonder she was so frightened. My poor mate. It breaks my heart that she’s going through this. Layla and Finn sat next to me, noses in the air. Our surroundings had such a calming effect that I began to feel quite tired and my eyes started to droop.

  Right when I was about to drift off into a deep sleep, excruciating pain ripped through my body. Yelping and stumbling as I try to stand on all fours, Finn growled and Layla whimpered. They couldn’t understand what was happening and neither could I. Then I realized it wasn’t my pain, but Scarlett’s pain. I barked at Layla and Finn. We took off towards the Baraga packhouse. Coming up to the porch, Barret was on the porch, fuming. Pacing back and forth with fists held to his sides. We shifted and put our clothes back on.

  I went to run inside and Barret put a hand out to stop me. “I tried getting down there, they have it blocked off with magic. No one can enter. We just have to wait this out. But trust me when I say those witches will get an ear full when they’re done. Scarlett let out a blood-curdling scream and I lost it. I felt her anguish.” He growled.

  “I felt her also. It was the worst I’ve ever felt. What the fuck is happening to her. I want to rip off heads for making her feel that.” I roared. I stalked inside and down the stairs to the basement. “Scarlett! Make them end this shit right now and get out here! I need to see you! If you aren’t out here in the next five seconds…” I was stopped by an instant calming sensation. My anger was lifted and understanding took place. Motherfucker. They cast a spell on me. I want to be enraged but it’s not possible. A moment later I feel warm hands on my back and shoulder.

  “Come on hun, let’s get you something to drink.” Layla’s soft voice broke through to me. I allowed her to walk me back to the dinner table. She brought me a bottle of whiskey and a glass. She knows me well already. But, I won’t be needing that glass. I grabbed the bottle and chugged damn near half the bottle down before I felt the burn. Finn and Barret joined me. I poured some whiskey in their glasses. We sat there in silence. Layla joined us with a warm cup of tea that she sipped on. No one said a word.

  Moments later, we heard the door unlock and open. I shoved my chair back and bolted to the stairs. Scarlett stood at the bottom with red-rimmed eyes and wet cheeks. What the hell did they do to her? She looks worse than she did when we lost Phoenix. Fuck. She ran up the stairs and into my arms. I sat down on the first step, holding her while she broke out in sobs. Her mom and dad came over and put their hands on her, showing comfort. The witches appeared in the doorway of the basement with sadness and regret written on their faces.

  Amora and Sybil motioned for us to come down to the basement. I picked Scarlett up and cradled her. Her head tucked against my shoulder. She was trembling. Her parents and Finn followed behind me. I walked to the couch and sat down, placing Scarlett on my lap and holding her tight. Her eyes closed and her body calmed. I wiped away the wetness on her cheeks.

  “Alright, start fucking explaining. I’m about to unleash my wolf and go feral on you two for the pain you put her through.” I growled.

  “Calm down Alpha. We forewarned you of what was to be expected. To get to the bottom of this, it was what had to be done. Scarlett knew full well what was going to happen and she wanted us to continue it. And now we know more. Now, if you’ll let me continue.” Sybil said.

  “We were able to discover that Scarlett is indeed able to have visions. We are assuming that the mating ceremony triggered her visions. It seems her ability was blocked before then. The new power she gained from you, Rhett, awakened her ability and pushed it forth. We also found that foresight runs in her bloodline. It comes from Layla’s side. Now, Layla said she wasn’t aware, but it looks like her mother, Catherine, also had the ability. I’m sure it goes before her as well. At one point a witch had cast a spell for it to remain dormant in future generations. It skipped Layla. But Scarlett inherited it. A strong force was needed to bring it out.” She took a breath before she continued.

  “As for the visions she’s having, we do not have a timeline of the event that she’s seen. She was pulled from her vision before we saw anymore. From what Amora and I gathered, an unidentified force is going to bring hell on Earth to the supernatural factions. We saw you, Rhett, with the physical characteristics of both vampire and wolf. We believe someone is going to try and create hybrids. This has never been done before because of DNA differences. Naturally, it just isn’t possible. And it looks like they broke through with you. We don’t know why right now. And from all the dead we saw as well in her vision, there will be many failed attempts. It’s horrifying. We will be in contact with other covens about our discovery. We won’t release Scarlett’s name. But we need to be prepared. Every faction.” Sybil had a tear fall down her cheek. It must have been terrifying to see what they saw.

  We all just sat there, staring at the witches in complete shock. Everyone lost in their own thoughts. It isn’t the type of news you’d ever expect to get. And there’s no fucking way I’m going to be turned into more of a monster than I already am. It’s not happening. The inner turmoil is suffocating. Scarlett placed a soft hand on my cheek. I looked down at her and saw how frightened she was. It broke my heart.

  “Don’t worry, baby, it isn’t going to happen. I’ll make sure of it. I won’t be an experiment. And I’ll die before anyone touches you. I promise you that. If you have any more visions, tell us right away. No matter how bad they are. We need to know, okay?” She nodded. Not wanting to speak, I can’t blame her.

  “I’m just shocked that my mother never told me about her visions. She never said anything. My father never said anything either. I don’t understand why they’d want to hide this.” Layla said in a barely audible whisper.

  Barret wrapped his arm around her shoulders, bringing her into his side.

  “They came from a time where something like a wolf having visions, wasn’t normal. Very taboo for them and probably frightening. So finding a witch who’d make them disappear for her and her future bloodline, wouldn’t be so far fetched.” Amora softly spoke.

  “So what happens now?” Scarlett chokes out.

  “Right now, just go on living your day to day life. Don’t stop living because of your visions. They are more helpful than harmful. Word needs to spread to trusted members of the factions. We will spread the word with other High Priestesses. Something is coming. Protection for factions is of utmost importance right now. Amora and I can put protective barriers over your territories. If intruders try to enter, you’ll know. Anyone not of your packs will be considered enemies. You’ll be able to grant permission to those you choose to let enter your territory.” Sybil is starting to look tired. I can only imagine how much power she uses on a daily basis, especially lately.

  “Okay. Rhett, we need to protect what’s ours. I refuse to let the ones we love get hurt. We need to get home and warn them.” Scarlett got up from lap and held her hand out to me. I took her hand and stood up with her.

  “Thank you for helping us, again. What you ladies have done for us is appreciated. Whatever you need, don’t hesitate to ask. Scarlett and I are going to go back to Iron pack territory and inform our pack. Whatever is coming our way,
will not be welcomed.” I seethed.

  “We will do the same here with the Baraga pack. Security and patrol will be increased immediately. Curfews will be put in place. Sybil, Amora, please put the barrier up as soon as possible. And then please go to the Iron territory and place a barrier there as well. Safety is our number one priority right now.” Barret scowled and then walked with Layla upstairs.

  “We will see you and Scarlett soon. Scarlett, I have something for you. I want you to wear this at all times. Especially around witches who aren’t working for the good of the Spirit. But for evil entities that wish to bring harm to others. It’s Black Tourmaline. It fights off negative spirits and energy. It will help protect you.” Amora places a necklace with the black crystal around her neck and tucks it in her shirt, out of sight.

  “Thank you.” Scarlett gave Amora and Sybil tight hugs and then came back to my side.

  I nodded at the witches and went upstairs, saying our goodbyes to her parents. Finn followed behind us in his vehicle. When we got home, we informed the pack of the terrible news that the witches gave us. I doubled security and patrol. We also set a seven P.M. curfew. If someone has to travel to town, they are to take a guard with them. Staying in groups of two to three people is recommended for added safety. Women and children are never to be left unattended without a male presence.

  Finn and Jackson are about to be extra busy, and so will I. Barret called to inform that he’s set up a time to meet with the council of the American Regional Alphas. He wants everyone to be aware of the dangers that are coming our way. Sybil will be attending with him so she can show them what she saw in Scarlett’s vision for proof. The alpha’s are very old and very stuck in the old ways and beliefs. Convincing them without proof would be impossible.

  Athena and Hazel refuse to leave Scarlett’s side, and I’m okay with that. She will not be alone, for any amount of time. I refuse to let anything happen to her. Tomorrow we decided to have the party that got put off a couple of days ago. Everyone needs to be able to unwind and not live in complete fear and anxiety. Sybil and Amora will also be here first thing in the morning to set up the barrier.