Beautiful Curses: Book One

by J. Dorothy

  “Jo’s always cautious meeting new people and doesn't make friends easily. I’m worried about her actually.”

  “Oh? Why’s that?”

  “You don’t know her so you probably think it’s normal for her to be with James. Well believe me, it’s far from normal. Jo has never liked boys. She has no idea what she’s doing. She’s headed for disaster.”

  “Maybe you should talk to her.”

  “I intend to. I just need to get rid … I mean ... get her away from James.”

  Daniel rubbed his chin and gave her a small smile. “I could ask James to come with me to the village in the morning. Give you two a chance to catch up.”

  Gabriella widened her eyes, like she thought that was the best idea in the world. As if she needed his help. She had other ways to get rid of James, but once again, she needed to play her cards carefully. “That might work. It’ll look less contrived if you ask James. Spencer will be out with Beth, and Peter plays golf on Saturday. Sarah has loads of work to catch up on.”

  Daniel smiled again, looking both relieved and pleased, just how Gabriella wanted him to react.

  “It appears we have a plan, I’m glad I could help.” Daniel squeezed her hands as they left the lounge and Gabriella didn't offer any resistance.

  After all, their first meeting went exactly how she wanted it to.

  TWENTY SEVEN

  Jo woke early the next morning, thinking about the day ahead. If everything turned out as they planned, it might actually draw her and Gabriella closer. Now she knew the curse had been the reason they'd drifted so far apart, it gave her hope she could re-establish a good relationship with her only sister.

  Jo went over every detail of the story they’d concocted. They were up late the previous night trying to guess her possible reactions and how Jo might counteract them. The bottom line, to make sure Gabriella listened, and more importantly, believed their story.

  Trying to keep her nerves in check, Jo decided to get up and keep busy. She heard the murmuring voices of Daniel and James as she made her way to the kitchen. “You two are up early,” she said, as she kissed Daniel on the cheek and then moved toward James, who pulled her into his warm embrace.

  “How are you, love? Did you sleep at all?” Daniel asked, with a furrowed brow.

  “Yeah, I did actually. Being back in my own bed must have given me a false sense of security.”

  James held her tight against him. “You don’t have to go through with this, we can find another way.”

  “There is no other way. It will be alright. Ella will come around.”

  James stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head, but didn’t say anything. Jo knew he didn’t agree, but she had to keep positive and hope their sisterly bonds could save them both in the end.

  Daniel broke the silence. “Now James, we have a part to play today. I’ll ask you at breakfast to take me into the village, so Gabriella thinks she’s alone with Jo.”

  “But we’re not actually going, because I’m not leaving Jo for a second,” James responded and Jo smiled.

  “We’ll drive down the road, double back and hide somewhere close by. Jo will be able to call us if she needs help.”

  James pressed his fingers into the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. “I still find it difficult to believe what we’re dealing with. I wish there was another way.”

  Daniel frowned. “We don’t know how dangerous Rowellyn is. Jo certainly knows—having seen what those rings can do.”

  Jo kissed James to reassure him. “I promise to call if I need you and you can do your super hero stuff.”

  James took his arm from around her waist and leant across the bench to switch on the kettle again. “Fine. Let’s start breakfast so I can concentrate on something normal, otherwise I’ll lose my mind.”

  Daniel smiled faintly and winked at Jo before taking the eggs out of the fridge.

  Spencer had gone to see Beth. Peter stood in the hallway organising his golf clubs. Sarah wandered off to her office. James and Daniel had left for the village.

  Now everyone was where they were meant to be, Jo decided to light the fire in the lounge, knowing Gabriella would seek her out as soon as Peter drove off. She patted her pocket containing her phone and the package with the family heirloom. An actual ring, Daniel had found of his mother’s.

  The front door opened. “I’ll see you all this afternoon,” Peter called out and shut the door.

  Jo’s heart pounded. She never imagined she’d be afraid to talk to her own sister or be willing to lie to save herself. Those years of dealing with Gabriella’s dismissive attitude and being ignored had provided Jo with a good defence system, but if she did decide to become like Rowellyn Jo couldn’t imagine anything more hurtful.

  Just as Jo added another larger log to the now roaring fire, she heard the door click. “I’m glad to find you here, can we talk,” Gabriella said from the doorway.

  Jo took a deep breath and gazed into the flames. Here we go.

  She swallowed and then turned to look at her sister. “Sure, I’ve been waiting to talk to you too.”

  Gabriella moved into the room, closing the door behind her. She sat on the sofa, curling her legs up underneath as she sipped the coffee she’d brought in with her. “I suppose you want to show me the family jewels.”

  Jo stood, wiped her hands on her jeans, and took a seat next to her. “Yeah, I have them here, but what did you want to talk to me about first.”

  In any of their conversations Gabriella always had the first, last, and usually, only words. Jo wanted her to think she was in control of the conversation as per normal.

  Putting her cup on the wooden side table, Gabriella folded her arms. “I’m worried about you and James. You're still at school and he’s at Uni. He’s bound to find someone else. You should break it off now, before you become too attached and get hurt.”

  Gabriella raised her eyes.

  Jo needed to play this part well. She had to keep a level head. Even though her words stung. “Ella, I’m fine. I’ve never been this happy.” Gabriella continued to raise her eyes, but Jo ignored her and added, “In fact I hope you experience it one day too. I worry about you sometimes …”

  Gabriella burst out laughing and shook her head. “Jo, you're so naive. I’ve had plenty of experience. I have other priorities right now. When the time’s right I’ll find the exact person I want to be with. Don’t ever worry about me.”

  “I hope so. It must be the worst thing in the world to never have someone. If things don’t work for James and me, there will be someone else. Now I know what it feels like, I can’t imagine being without that in my life.”

  Gabriella looked across to the fire. “Let’s leave it for now,” she said quietly, then her intent gaze settled on Jo. “I just hope you’re not hurt so badly that you’re left pining over James for the rest of your life. You need to be careful.”

  A nervous tingle shot down Jo’s spine. Gabriella’s words held more weight, than she realised, and it unnerved her.

  “Now, did you want to talk to me about something else,” she asked.

  “I er… wanted to ask how you felt about our father. It must have been difficult hearing about him on the phone, then meeting him in person. I’m trying to give him a chance at least …”

  “There’s nothing to understand,” Gabriella interjected. “He left us. I don’t believe him when he says it was a hard decision. Now we’re older he just waltzes in here, ready to stake a claim. Sarah and Peter have brought us up and he never once tried to be part of our family. No letters or contact for seventeen years. I said I didn’t mind him staying because I thought that’s what you wanted. He means nothing to me. Peter’s my father. Daniel will never hold that title.”

  Jo bit her lip to stop from jumping to Daniel’s defence. She wasn't prepared for Gabriella’s verbal assault. She was revealing more of her true colours than Jo expected, and it continued to unnerve her.

  Jo nodded. “I suppose that�
�s fair. I still feel I should give him a chance. I’ll wait till I know him a little better. But thanks for letting him stay.”

  Gabriella smiled faintly then got up and went to stand by the fire. “Was there anything else?” she asked.

  Jo remained sitting and looked at her. “Yes.”

  “Well?”

  Jo fiddled with her ring. “It’s complicated.”

  Gabriella scoffed. “Complicated? I’m sure I’ll keep up.”

  “Alright.” Jo swallowed. “I wanted to ask about your ring.”

  “What about it?” Gabriella caressed the ring in question.

  “I found out something. Something about our past …”

  Gabriella arched a brow. “Yeah?”

  “But … um … can I … um look at your ring first.” Jo held out her hand, hoping Gabriella would give it to her.

  “I never take it off. I’ve noticed you never take yours off either.”

  Of course it wouldn’t be that easy.

  “No. It’s very special. I like to keep it close. ”

  “What are you looking for?” Gabriella held her ring up to examine it.

  “I’m not really sure. I have to see it first. I’ll take mine off as well, if you like.”

  Gabriella looked at her for a long moment, “Alright,” she said as she started to pull the ring from her finger.

  Jo took hers off and laid it on the coffee table and Gabriella laid hers next to it. Jo quickly picked it up before she had time to change her mind.

  “Have you ever noticed anything unusual about it?” Jo asked blankly turning Gabriella’s ring around in her fingers.

  “What do you mean, unusual?”

  “Well, when I visited Barley, Daniel's cousin, he asked me about my ring. He told me it belonged to Daniel's sister and she’d sent them to us.”

  “Daniel's sister? I thought Daniel sent them.”

  “After talking with Barley it actually makes sense.” Jo took a deep breath. Dreading her next question. “Ella is there anything you want to tell me … about your ring?”

  Her question hung in the air for a few seconds and then Gabriella frowned. “No.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Honestly, Jo … What are you talking about?” Gabriella’s frown deepened.

  Jo removed the brown paper package from her pocket. “This is the family heirloom. I want to show you, but I need to know the truth, first. It could be dangerous otherwise.”

  Jo held Gabriella’s ring in her hand and stared at her willing her. “I’ll ask once more ...” She paused for effect. “Is there anything unusual about your ring?”

  Gabriella narrowed her eyes as if weighing up her options and fidgeting with the buttons on her jumper.

  Jo sat holding her breath, praying that she’d done the right thing, and there wouldn’t be a stalemate. If Ella refused to tell her she couldn’t risk continuing. She put her hand in her pocket and felt for her phone, just as she thought about pressing Sarah’s number, Gabriella moved to stand in front of her. Jo looked up, trying to read her expression, but she appeared calm and composed as always.

  “Alright. …”

  Jo sucked in a quick breath, her heart racing.

  “I did discover something ... unusual.”

  Jo nodded encouraging her to continue.

  “First, you have to promise to keep it a secret. And, second, you need to tell me everything that you know.”

  Jo nodded again.

  Gabriella shrugged. “I discovered it accidentally when I was ten. My ring pauses time for about a minute.”

  Jo bit the inside of her cheek, as he heart beat sped up. “Pauses time? How?”

  Gabriella pointed to a small clasp underneath the silver cage that enclosed the ring, “See there, if you flick it, the cage opens to reveal the sapphire. You push down on the stone and time stands still.”

  Jo let out a low whistle.

  “It blew my mind the first time it happened. I discovered the clasp by accident and was so happy to see the sapphire I ran my fingers over it and felt it move. Of course, I had no idea what it could do.”

  “How did you know?”

  “I came downstairs and discovered you all frozen, watching TV. I remember thinking you all looked like a real life 3D painting.”

  “Wow! Just wow!” Jo fanned herself, trying to look impressed, but she was more impressed at Gabriella’s admission.

  Gabriella reached out and picked up Jo's ring. “So, what about yours? Does it do anything unusual?”

  “Yes. I only discovered it recently. I never thought it was special but I liked it and wore it because it was the only memento I had of our father.”

  “What does it do?”

  “It reverses time for about two minutes. It works when you twist the stone anti clockwise from the silver base. When I first saw it happen, it terrified me.”

  Gabriella opened her eyes wide and examined the ring closely. Jo had the sudden urge to snatch it out of her hands, but clenched the edge of the sofa instead.

  Gabriella smiled. “Unbelievable! … Reversing time! … I can see why that scared you. What would happen if I did it now?”

  Gabriella placed her hand over the stone ready to twist and Jo shrugged casually. “I assume as we own the rings we’d stay as we are while our surroundings moved backwards. Its only impressive if you’re around moving objects.”

  Gabriella continued to hold the ring. “If our rings are this powerful, what about this family heirloom? Did Daniel's sister own that as well?”

  “It’s possible. Daniel couldn't tell me much about it.” Jo fixed her gaze on Gabriella. She’d almost reached the critical point and needed to focus her thoughts. “Before we open the parcel, I need to tell you what I learnt from Barley. It’s important.”

  “Go on,” Gabriella said moving to sit next to Jo.

  “Do you remember the lady that came to visit all those years ago? The one who said she was our father’s cousin.”

  “Yeah.” Gabriella gazed across the room to stare into the fire. “I wonder what happened to her.”

  “I don’t know. But I do know that she wasn’t our father’s cousin, she’s his sister.”

  Gabriella turned to stare at Jo with wide eyes. “She’s our aunt?”

  Jo nodded.

  “The aunt who sent us the rings?”

  Jo nodded again.

  Gabriella shook her head. “Why didn’t she tell us who she was?”

  Jo twisted her lips.

  “I wonder if she knew about the magic?”

  Jo sighed. “I know the answer to both those questions.”

  Gabriella blinked and gestured for Jo to continue.

  “This is going to sound farfetched and hard to believe …”

  “Just spit it out.”

  “Okay. Barley told me she is some kind of ... sorceress.”

  “Sorceress? Come on …” Gabriella chuckled.

  “I told you it was hard to believe … but there’s more.”

  “More?” Gabriella inched even close, her lips still twitching with amusement.

  “I’m not sure how you’re going to take it.”

  “I can’t be any worse than what you’ve already told me. I’m sure I can handle it.”

  Jo clasped her hands tightly. This was the point of no return and Gabriella reaction would determine both their futures.

  “The night Rowellyn came to visit, it wasn't just to make our acquaintance. She came to place a curse. It’s an old magic that enables a new sorceress to be created. Rowellyn wants to change one of us into a sorceress.”

  Gabriella opened her mouth and sucked in a breath.

  Jo dug her nails into her palms. “For it to work she had to place the curse on both of us. The chosen sibling gains their power from the other, while the other one is destined to live without love, alone forever.”

  Gabriella folded her arms across her chest, biting her bottom lip. “This isn’t a joke is it?”

  Jo shook her
head.

  “Wow, okay. That is a lot to process.”

  “Yeah, it is,” Jo replied softly.

  “But, if all this is true … the curse, Rowellyn, surely that wouldn’t happen to one of us.”

  Jo patted the parcel. “Barley specifically requested we make a joint decision before opening it. The curse will remain if we don’t.”

  “A joint decision?”

  Jo needed to give the best performance of her life. This part of the plan relied on Gabriella’s limited knowledge of the curse.

  “Barley said, if we decide to take the risk, and find out who is to be chosen, we must put on our rings and open the parcel together. This stone inside is magical and will reveal who it is. Then the curse will be cemented forever.”

  “Forever?”

  “Yes.”

  Jo and Gabriella both stared at the rings and the parcel not saying anything.

  After a few minutes, Jo swallowed. “Ella, we’ve both used the rings and seen how powerful they are. If we don’t make a decision one of us will become a sorceress and ultimately be responsible for ruining the other’s life. Do you want to chance that?”

  Gabriella blinked as she looked toward her ring then back at Jo “Do you really think I could let that happen? I’m not fond of James, he’s really, really annoying, but I see how happy you are. Of course I can’t take that risk.”

  Tears of relief welled in Jo’s eyes and she quickly wiped them away. “I’d never allow that to happen to you either. Being with James is the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I want that happiness for you too. Rowellyn lives a loveless existence, even though she doesn't want or need love. Becoming a sorceress has killed her human emotions and I wouldn't want that for either of us.”

  Jo leaned across and pulled Gabriella into a tight hug. They hadn’t been this close in such a long time. The curse had been like an invisible barrier keeping them apart.

  Gabriella eventually leaned away. “Now the decision’s been made, what now? How will Rowellyn react? If she is supposed to be some sort of magical sorceress, that might be a problem?”

  Jo had no answer to that question. To be honest it haunted her. But she couldn’t have asked for a better outcome. Others had beaten it, and now they had to.