Cursed Hearts (A Crossroads Novel)

by Light

  “You don’t understand how hungry I get just being around you, do you?” Kaleb knelt down beside him, curling his fingers around Rome’s tie. “You make my skin crawl, and my blood boil.”

  “…You don’t give me pleasant feelings, either.”

  They stared intently at each other as silence crept back into the room.

  “You can feel it, can’t you?” Kaleb said.

  Rome narrowed his eyes.

  “That neither of us belongs here. Not at this school, and not around each other. We weren’t meant to have magic.”

  “If that’s how you feel, then why are you here?” Rome asked.

  Kaleb scoffed, turning hard eyes to him. “Usually it’s the matters of most importance which are beyond our control. Try answering that question for yourself before you expect someone else to do the same.”

  Somehow the two of them found their way onto the floor. They were sitting beside one another with the window sill pressing into their backs. Neither of them had spoken in minutes.

  Kaleb traced the cracks in the floorboards with his fingers. How odd, he thought, that a person who made him so uneasy still made for such good company. Rome was quiet and unobtrusive, even adding in the fact that he set his teeth on edge and filled his gut with a gnawing ache. It always seemed like they were at the precipice of a fight, yet Kaleb had never felt so free around another soul. Stranger still was the fact that he was lying. He liked Rome, more than he was letting himself believe.

  “This is what I’d be doing if I was alone,” he mumbled.

  “Is that your way of saying you want to leave?” Rome asked.

  “Is that your way of saying you don’t want me to?”

  Rome sighed, mulling over the consequences of telling him about Christian. “What’s the likelihood that there’s someone else like me in this school?”

  “Slim to none,” Kaleb said, turning to look at him. “Why?”

  “…Because there is.”

  “I find that hard to believe.”

  “I saw his eyes flash, and I knew there was something off about his scent the moment I met him.”

  “You mean Christian,” Kaleb said.

  Rome nodded.

  “He’s not a werewolf. I don’t react to him the same way I do to you. Sure, he smells a little funny, but that’s where the similarities end.”

  “Are you saying I smell funny? You know what, don’t even answer that question. He hasn’t changed yet,” Rome argued. “I know what he is. I saw how scared he was, and he’s been experiencing the exact same stuff I did a year ago. And the crazy thing is, he wasn’t bitten.”

  “If it’s hereditary, he should know about it by now.”

  “That’s the thing, I told him to talk to his parents and he said that he doesn’t have any. I got the impression that he never knew them.”

  Kaleb tilted his head, narrowing his eyes in thought.

  “Is he an alpha?”

  “I don’t know yet. All I know is that he’s an orphan.” Something occurred to Rome just then. “Fuck,” he muttered. “How would an orphan afford a school like this?”

  Kaleb shrugged. “What does that have to do with anything?”

  “Someone’s blackmailing him,” Rome said.

  “That’s nice. Why do you care?”

  “Because someone has to.”

  “Why does that someone have to be you? I’d think that would be a conflict of interest, given that he wants to get with that redhead you like.”

  Rome let out a slow breath. “He’s scared, and alone. And I think he actually likes her. I don’t know. How can I just stand by and do nothing while someone takes advantage of him like that?”

  Kaleb laughed softly. “You’re taking him in, like a lost puppy.”

  “He is lost. He’s lost, and he’s freaking out, and I’ve been there.”

  “That doesn’t make him your responsibility.”

  “I know that. I don’t understand it, but it’s like I have this need to protect him. I hated his guts at first. But after this morning, after everything I know… Maybe it’s a pack mentality thing? Maybe it’s just my wolf.”

  “Wolves are territorial.”

  “I know. It doesn’t make sense.”

  “If he is an alpha,” Kaleb said, “then I think I know what you’re missing. It explains your need to protect him. It’s an instinct, of sorts.”

  “What?” Rome asked, turning a hopeful face to him.

  “Oh, I’m not going to tell you,” Kaleb grinned. “Not for free.”

  “I’m pretty sure friendships don’t work that way.”

  “I’m unconventional.”

  Rome laughed, shaking his head. “What do you want?”

  Kaleb pretended to think about it for a minute before tapping a finger against his lips. Rome squinted at him, obviously not getting it. “A kiss.”

  An awkward moment passed between them.

  “I’m not… kissing you,” Rome said.

  “Then I guess I’m not telling.”

  “Isn’t there something else you want?”

  “I’m bored of this conversation,” Kaleb decided, standing and making for the door. He could feel Rome’s inner turmoil burning at his back.

  “Wait,” he called. Rome climbed slowly to his feet, gritting his teeth the entire time. Kaleb had turned to face him with an expectant smile. “If you tell anyone that I did this—”

  “My lips are sealed,” he smirked.

  Rome’s face went red. He inched towards him, cupping a hand over his mouth and pulling it away as his face twitched into a grimace. He was inches from Kaleb’s lips when he pulled back.

  Kaleb was fighting the urge to laugh.

  “I can’t do this,” he said, circling back around to the window.

  “Fine,” he sighed, rolling his eyes. “Let’s go find Christian and I’ll tell you once I know I’m right. Finding out will be a reward in itself.”

  It didn’t take long for Rome and Kaleb to pinpoint his room by scent.

  Christian grinned as a knock came at his door. He sauntered over after checking himself in the mirror. When he opened the door to find Rome and Kaleb standing on the other side, the smile melted away. “I’m sorry, I think you have my room confused with a bathroom stall.”

  Rome was two seconds away from punching Christian’s teeth down his throat. “Don’t push it,” he growled.

  “Whatever. What do you want? And how did you even know where to find me?” he asked. Kaleb was staring at him like he had x-ray vision. He was either trying to size him up, or he was pretending he was naked – Christian couldn’t be sure which.

  “You smell,” Kaleb said. Christian looked offended by the comment. “This whole corridor smells like you, actually; especially the girls’ wing.”

  Christian shrugged. You can’t outrun your reputation, after all. Or your smell, apparently. “What do I smell like?” he asked curiously. “Do I smell good? I smell damn good, right?”

  “Downright edible,” Kaleb purred.

  “Whoa, let’s back this conversation up a bit. This isn’t a blood bank.”

  “Can we come in or what?” Rome said. “I need to talk to you.”

  Christian squinted over Rome’s shoulder at Kaleb. “Does he actually need to be invited into my room?” he wondered aloud. Kaleb shoved past Rome and pushed Christian out of the way, effectively answering his question. Rome closed the door behind them. “Did anyone see you outside of my room?” he asked. “I don’t need any colorful rumors flying around about me too. Not that they wouldn’t be true…”

  “Wow, too much information,” Rome said, closing his eyes and holding up a hand. “Keep it to yourself. I don’t want to hear about it.” His eyes snapped open. “Unless that means you’re backing off Ariahna?”

  “Not a chance,” he smiled. “So what’s this all about?”

  “Uh…” he fumbled, looking to Kaleb. “He wouldn’t tell me.”

  “I’m answering a question for both
of you,” Kaleb said slyly.

  “I already know I’m bisexual,” Christian said.

  “Seriously, just stop it,” Rome pleaded.

  Kaleb took a seat on Christian’s bed, patting the space on either side of him and grinning like a devil. “Come,” he said. “Sit.”

  Rome’s suspicion was at an all-time high. “You said you’d tell me what you figured out if we came here, so spill it,” he insisted.

  “Oh, I’m about to,” Kaleb laughed.

  “This sounds like the beginning of a bad porno,” Christian breathed.

  “You want to know if he’s an alpha, and what that means. I can tell you. We just have to do a little… experiment,” Kaleb said happily.

  “You told him?” Christian accused, turning fearful eyes to Rome.

  Rome shrugged. “Who’s he gonna tell? I’m the only person he knows. Besides, who would believe the vampire who cried wolf?” he laughed. Christian didn’t seem amused. He cleared his throat. “He already knew about me, and that something was off about you. He would have figured it out, probably as soon as you shifted for the first time.”

  “Alright,” Christian said. “So… what are we doing?”

  “I’m going to bite both of you and compare your blood.”

  “Aha, no,” Christian said. “This drive-thru is closed.”

  “I already fed you once today, and look what that got me,” Rome mumbled. “If this is just some trick to get free blood—”

  “It’s not,” Kaleb interrupted, huffing angrily. “Now I have to try and explain this shit to you idiots,” he whispered. “Blood isn’t just sustenance, it’s life. It’s everything a person is and feels. You can tell a lot about someone by drinking their blood. For instance, how aroused they are,” he said, staring pointedly at Rome. “Or if they’re related.”

  “Related?” Rome said.

  “Just for instance,” Kaleb shrugged. “I’d be able to tell if you’re an alpha,” he added, nodding at Christian. “Aren’t you curious to know?”

  “Curious enough to let you bite me…?”

  “It doesn’t hurt that bad,” Rome said. “Stop being a sissy.”

  “I’m sorry, not all of us can be masochists like you.”

  “Better than being a sadist.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Christian demanded.

  “Nothing,” Rome said, managing to keep a straight face. He blinked, and suddenly Kaleb’s mouth was latched around Christian’s neck. He stumbled back in surprise. He’d never seen Kaleb move that fast. Christian looked startled, but not entirely displeased, if the way his mouth was hanging open and his eyes were closed were any indication.

  “Fuck,” Christian breathed. Kaleb’s hands smoothed over his sides, touching him seductively as his tongue worked over the wound, filling him with heat. He took back what he’d said – this felt amazing. Kaleb pulled back and Christian whimpered at the loss of contact.

  That had almost felt better than sex.

  Kaleb closed his eyes, swirling a small amount of Christian’s blood over his taste buds and trying to pick out all the little elements that made him, uniquely him. He could taste the power in his blood.

  He was definitely a werewolf.

  Christian watched him curiously, feeling slightly disturbed when he realized what Kaleb was doing. “He’s… he’s sampling me. Like wine.”

  Rome rolled his eyes. “Well?” he asked.

  Kaleb held up a single finger, gesturing for him to wait before swallowing the blood and looking at them with a smile. “He’s an alpha.”

  “Okay… and that means, what?” Rome asked.

  Kaleb grinned at him.

  Rome gasped as Kaleb’s fangs sunk abruptly into his neck. He hadn’t even seen him move. He had him backed up against Christian’s desk, and Rome didn’t miss the way he was grinding slowly against him. “Stop it,” he hissed. Kaleb was drinking from him greedily with no signs of letting up. “Stop!” He growled, shoving him roughly back. Kaleb fell onto Christian’s bed, staring up at him with shockingly blue eyes and blood coated lips.

  “Why the fuck did you bite me?”

  Kaleb smiled at him, trailing a tongue along the edge of his teeth. “Why the fuck not?” he retorted. Rome clenched his jaw and Kaleb spared him from breaking into another speech. “I bit you so that I could tell you what you wanted to know, what you’ve been trying to figure out. I bit you to confirm what I already knew to be true.”

  “And what the hell is that?”

  “…That you two are brothers.”

  “You must be out of your damn mind,” Christian exclaimed. “Have you seen this guy’s father? He’s one cheeseburger away from a heart attack.”

  Rome was trying to look offended.

  “I don’t look anything like him,” Christian said, pointing at Rome. “He’s got blue eyes, and—I mean, I’m not that homely.”

  “Excuse me? I’m in better shape than you.”

  “That’s seriously debatable.”

  “I can be the judge of that too, if you want,” Kaleb offered.

  “No,” they both shouted.

  “I think I would have known if my mom had another kid when I was…” Rome squinted in thought. “I guess I would’ve been like, what, two years old? But still, there’s no way she would have given up a child. I know my mother.”

  “Maybe I was wrong,” Kaleb suggested. “I could test again?”

  Christian seemed to be considering it.

  “Sure,” he said, “as long as he leaves.”

  “I don’t fucking think so,” Rome said.

  “What’s the matter? I thought you weren’t gay?” Christian taunted.

  “That doesn’t mean I want you trying to fuck everyone I know.”

  “Am I sensing a hint of jealousy?” he said playfully.

  “You’re about to sense my fist in your face.”

  “That would be a waste of a face,” Kaleb said.

  “Thank you.”

  Rome exhaled. “I want to believe you,” he said. “But I just—there’s no way. I can’t accept that that’s true. He’s not my—”

  He couldn’t even choke out the word.

  “You know how you said before the only thing that matters is what you believe?” Kaleb said. “Well this is one of those things we call an exception. It doesn’t matter whether you believe it or not, it’s still true.”

  “You’re absolutely positive?” Rome asked. “There’s no way you could be wrong? Even like the tiniest chance?”

  He was really grasping at straws.

  “I wouldn’t waste my time lying to you or getting you all in a frenzy over something I wasn’t sure about,” Kaleb said. “You two are one hundred percent, without a doubt, brothers by blood.”

  Christian and Rome were staring each other down. Rome couldn’t help but think that they did look a little alike, if you threw some facial hair onto that baby-smooth face of Christian’s. Same strong jaw, same hairline, similar lips. “My dad does have brown eyes,” Rome mumbled.

  “No,” Christian said. “No, no, and no. And did I mention, hell fucking no? I don’t care what Chompy over there thinks, you and I are not related. I’m not related to that… unmagical, whiskey drenched, white-trash stump of a man you call a father.”

  Rome growled in response.

  “Your father doesn’t have magic?” Kaleb said. “…That isn’t right.”

  “What do you mean, that isn’t right?” Rome demanded.

  “There’s not a trace of regular human blood in either of you. Both of your parents come from magic.”

  “So you’re not only trying to tell me that we’re brothers, but that my father isn’t my real father? Don’t get me wrong, I care about him, but if that’s true…” He sighed. “If that’s true I’m getting one hell of an emancipation.”

  Kaleb was looking at him with a thoughtful expression.

  “Is he the one who gave you those scars?”

  Rome sidestepped the question.
“Christian, you haven’t had any near-death experiences in the last couple of days, have you?”

  “No,” he replied. “Well, I did almost get stabbed earlier when I snuck into one of the kitchens, but—that doesn’t mean anything. I know what you’re thinking, and I’m not cursed.”

  “You almost got shot, too,” he reminded him. “You have to stay away from Ariahna.” Rome’s heart was pounding in his chest. He hadn’t been scared of dying before, but if Christian really was his brother, that meant that one of them could die, and at any moment. The curse only needed to keep one of them alive to be carried on.

  “You’re cancelling that date,” Rome decided.

  “The hell I am. This is probably just some half-baked scheme you two cooked up to trick me into breaking it off with her. Well guess what? I’m not buying what you’re selling, so you can get out of my room and shove your bullshit where the sun doesn’t shine.” Christian flicked his wrist abruptly, opening his bedroom door. He swept his hands towards them, effectively kicking them out on their asses.

  “Brothers,” he scoffed. “Like I was going to fall for that.”

  Chapter 22

  Night had long since descended over the world, blanketing Vardel Academy, and its sleepy neighbor Redwood Bay, in darkness. The school was unnervingly quiet at this hour. The only sound filling the void was the shrill whistling of the wind as it twisted through the bare tree branches.

  Rome opened his eyes to that darkness, watching unearthly shadows dancing across his ceiling in the dim moonlight. His window was open. He hadn’t left his window open. He watched the curtains swaying gently as the chill night crept into his room. The clock on his nightstand was flashing angrily at him – a blazing red to cut through the black. It looked like it had gotten unplugged. He didn’t even know what time it was now.

  A strange sensation trickled along his spine like ice water. He exhaled languidly, observing his breath as it curled past his lips. Rome didn’t scare easily. He’d never believed in monsters as a kid, had never been afraid of the dark. But in this moment, the darkness felt like it had come alive. It seemed like something was going to reach out and grab him, and the more he tried to will the fear away, the stronger it became.

  A thick, slow-moving fog drifted past the windowsill, slithering across the floor like a snake. His heart was hammering in his throat as he watched it approach, circling the foot of his bed. A faint whisper broke suddenly upon the air, the words inaudible to his ears. It echoed around his room, growing louder and more furious with each passing second until it sounded like a hundred voices all trying to talk at once. Rome was frozen beneath the sheets, hands trembling lightly at his sides. He rose from the mattress slowly, feeling the weight of a person’s presence – the distinct sensation of movement surrounding him.