Cursed Magic

by Madeline Freeman

  But there’s really no need to tell them—not right now. There’s every likelihood the exorcism will work.

  Jodi goes over some plans for how we’ll meet up on the day of the full moon. I tune her out. My attention comes back to the room when chairs begin scraping against the wood floors as people stand to leave. Jodi and Anya excuse themselves to the greenhouse, ostensibly to make preparations, but probably to do more research to formulate a backup plan. Lexie, Felix, Griffin, and Tucker all say their goodbyes. I walk them to the door, and to Owen’s credit, he doesn’t even flinch when Tucker surprises me with a farewell hug.

  When I start for the living room, Owen follows, linking his hand with mine. “Don’t worry about anything,” he says as we settle on the couch. “This is going to work.” He brushes the fingers of his free hand against my cheek, persuading me to turn my face and meet his eyes. “You believe me, right?”

  I force a smile and nod. It’s the reaction he expects. “Of course.”

  He leans forward to kiss me, and I try to lose myself in the sensation. Usually being close to Owen makes all my doubts and fears disappear, but it’s not working today. I do my best to push down the swell of doubt rising within me. I was there for Crystal’s exorcism spell. Bess Taylor fought hard when we attempted to remove her spirit from Crystal’s body. How much harder will the Influence fight? And it’s not as if the exorcism was without lasting consequences for Crystal. Although she was a natural-born witch, when she awoke after the spell, all of her magic was gone. I’m already without any powers, except those granted by the Influence. What more could it take from me once it’s cast out?

  Owen cradles my face as he deepens our kiss and I press myself close to him. I can’t dwell on all the what-ifs. I have to believe it will work and everything will be fine. Otherwise, what am I even fighting for?

  Chapter Nine

  Brody

  I finish drawing the circle on the ground and slip the piece of chalk back into its plastic bag before pocketing it. My nose wrinkles as I study the fingers of my right hand. White dust stands out against my skin, but with a wave of my left hand, it disappears, leaving my flesh looking as perfect as ever.

  I’ve only just arrived in Clearwater, but there’s no sense in dragging things out. I need to talk to Krissa, and now is as good a time as ever.

  From my back pocket, I remove a brown paper bag. I pull out a piece of smoky quartz similar to the one set in the ring Krissa always wears, along with a picture of Owen Marsh that I snapped while doing surveillance the last time I was in town. I set the two items in the center of the circle, but it will take three to draw her here. When I was considering elements to place within the summoning circle, the first two came easily. The third was a little trickier. But when I finally struck on it, I couldn’t believe it took me so long.

  I murmur an incantation and draw a line across my right palm with my left pointer finger. As if I had sliced it with the blade, the skin opens and bleeds. I fist my hand and hold it over the center of the circle until three drops fall. Another incantation and the wound knits itself closed. If I were simply seeking Krissa, the blood would not draw her here, but I’m not just summoning her—I’m summoning the Influence within her.

  All I have to do now is wait. I stroll back to my car and take a seat behind the steering wheel. No one can resist the irresistible tug of a summoning circle, not unless there has been some serious spellwork to hide them specifically from such magic. But there’s no reason to believe Krissa has done that. I drum my fingers on the steering wheel as the minutes tick by.

  Within a quarter of an hour, my patience is rewarded. I chose this particular stretch of road with care. Clearwater is far from a bustling metropolis, but there are few roads that get little to no traffic. This is one of them. When the car comes into view, I know it must be hers before it’s close enough for me to tell.

  When she emerges from the car, her face is etched with confusion and defiance. She doesn’t understand why she’s here, but now that she sees me, I can guess she’s imagining no good will come from the meeting.

  She walks woodenly toward the chalk circle. It’s obvious she’s trying her best to fight against the force pulling her there, but she’s not stronger than the summoning spell. No one is. It’s not until she comes to a stop in its center that she speaks.

  “What are you doing here?” she spits. “I thought I told you to leave this town and never come back.”

  I flash a smile. “You told me to leave, but you never said I had to stay away.”

  She lunges for me but isn’t able to connect. I’m standing outside the chalk circle, and she can’t pass its boundary. She glares at me with a savagery I wouldn’t have imagined possible the last time we met. She tried to act tough, but I could see right through her. She’s different now. A smile curves my lips. “How’s that Influence treating you?”

  For a few moments, she doesn’t respond. She’s testing the invisible barrier penning her in, searching for weakness. When she finds none, a bit of the rage in her eyes abates. “Is that why you’re here? You want to check up on me? Forgive me if I don’t believe you’re that altruistic. What do you care? It’s your fault I’m like this anyway.”

  I hold up a finger. “Come on; that’s not exactly true, now, is it? It’s not my fault you’re like this. That was your own—what was the word you used? Altruism. That had nothing to do with me. You could have simply allowed the Influence to take over your friends. It’s what they were after. But you just couldn’t let that happen. How’s that working out for you?”

  I can’t quite read the look that flashes across her face. There’s anger there, sure, but it’s more than that. I can’t imagine it’s been easy adjusting to the Influence—especially not for someone like Krissa. She sees herself as a hero. Most accounts of people possessed by Influence don’t describe the individuals with her kind of personality. Those who want to Influence are those who want power. All she wanted was to keep her friends safe. It’s sad, really. But it’s not my concern. Now that the Influence is within her, she’s useful to me.

  “Things are going well for the Amaranthine, by the way. Thanks for asking.”

  Krissa rolls her eyes. “Is that why I’m here? You want to give me an update? Guess what—I don’t care. You and your coven could fall off the face of the earth and it wouldn’t bother me in the least. You’ve already ruined my life; the least you can do is let me live it without your interference.”

  I do my best to paint on a wounded look. “I’m hardly here to interfere. I’m here to make an offer—something you’ll surely want to take me up on.”

  She makes a circular motion with her hand, as if doing so can speed me along. “You might as well tell me because I’m pretty sure you won’t let me go until I hear you out. I’ll even save telling you no until after I’ve listened to what you have to say.”

  I like her fire. It’s not something I got to see enough of last time I was here. Sure, there was posturing about protecting her friends, but this is different. Now I know she really could back her claim. And I think she knows it, too. “Last time I was here, you killed my assassin. I don’t know if you’re aware, but traditionally the person who kills the assassin becomes the next one.” I watch her, gauging her reaction.

  But she’s watching me, too. She waits for me to go on, and when I don’t, she speaks. “Not interested.”

  “So quickly? I haven’t even been able to tell you about our lovely benefits package.”

  She rolls her eyes. “I’m not looking for a career in the murder business, but thanks for the offer.” She sweeps her hands around her. “I’ve heard you out; you can let me go now.”

  She’s trying to pretend my offer doesn’t intrigue her, but it doesn’t take a psychic to see the flicker of interest in her eyes. “Sure, I’ll let you go. You can go back to selecting a college and your classes and your major. Have you decided any of those things yet? Or are you going to follow your boyfriend to whatever university he c
hooses? Do you have any ideas about a major, or are you just going to throw a dart at a course catalogue? Or worse—do what your parents suggest?”

  She glares at me, her face a mask of outrage—but that’s all it is: a mask. She’s trying to dredge up the appropriate indignation, but she’s not managing. I’d bet money all my predictions are correct.

  “I could give you so much more. The world is larger than you know. There are so many more things out there than you can even imagine, stuck here in Clearwater. You can be a part of it—a part of something special. Something great.”

  “I can be a murderer, you mean,” she growls.

  “I can give you an outlet for all that darkness inside you. Don’t pretend you can’t feel it. I know you can. I can see it in your eyes. Maybe you’re able to hide it from family and friends, but not from me. You can’t tell me this offer doesn’t appeal to you—at least to part of you.”

  She stares at me for a moment before closing her eyes and shaking her head. “No. Not at all. Your offer is revolting, just like you. I don’t want anything to do with it.”

  She says the words, but they lack conviction. It’s almost like she’s saying them because she knows she’s supposed to, as if she’s afraid someone is watching. She’s a child telling the grownups what they want to hear. “You don’t have to lie to me, Krissa. I know. Just be honest with yourself and—”

  “I’d rather die than join you!” she screams.

  Even through the spell’s barrier, I feel the wave of rage emanating from her. This is the most convincing thing she’s said so far. For a moment, I’m actually afraid she might make good on the threat. She has no weapon that I can see, but that doesn’t mean she couldn’t do herself harm if she really wanted to.

  Would she really kill herself here and now? Usually, a person’s innate sense of survival would keep her from doing something drastic, but this case is far from the usual. The Influence is making her more unstable than I anticipated. I’m not sure pushing her now wouldn’t do more harm than good.

  I take a step away from the barrier and hold my hands up in a gesture of surrender. “Don’t do anything you can’t undo.”

  She snarls like a caged animal, and I gulp. While it’s true I’ve never dealt with someone filled with Influence before, I didn’t imagine Krissa would be much different than Kai was. He was filled with the darkest soul I’ve ever encountered—until now. What’s standing before me now isn’t Krissa Barnette; it’s the evil within her. For the first time, I question my wisdom in baiting her, in wanting her to become our assassin at all.

  “I can see you need time to consider my offer,” I say, keeping my voice as easy as possible. “No need to make any decisions right now.”

  Her eyes squeeze closed and her body twitches. I know before her gaze fixes on me again that she’s trying to master herself. When I’m sure the lucid side of her can hear me, I produce a brown paper lunch bag from the pocket of my blazer. “I’m positive you’ll change your mind about this, and when you do, I’ll be waiting. You can use these items to summon me just as I’ve called you.”

  I set them on the ground outside the circle before pivoting and striding confidently toward my car. I’m behind the wheel before I send a small stream of water to break the chalk line. In my side mirror, I watch Krissa step across the boundary. She stares down at the bag for a long moment before kneeling and snatching it up.

  I don’t bother hiding my smile. She’ll change her mind. She wants this—at least, part of her does. Once her two sides war about it, I have no doubt the Influence will win. And when it does, I’ll return to the Amaranthine, triumphant. This will be all the proof I need that I truly deserve to be the next high priest.

  All I have to do now is wait.

  Chapter Ten

  Krissa

  I drum my fingers nervously on the arm of the couch. A kind of agitation grows in my stomach with each passing minute.

  Tonight is the full moon.

  Despite the fact that I wanted to keep things low-key, Jodi and Anya invited the whole circle plus the psychics to assist with the exorcism spell. I tried my hardest to endure the pep-talks each person seemed intent on giving me, but once Crystal arrived, I retreated to the sitting room.

  I can’t be in the same room with her—not after what I did. Part of me is afraid she’ll remember somehow.

  A bigger part of me fears I’ll try to finish the job.

  Owen laces his fingers with mine. “You scared?”

  To his credit, this is the first time he’s mentioned the spell today. Every time someone assures me it’ll be okay, I get a sinking feeling in my stomach. It’s not that I don’t want to believe it—I do. It’s just the more people try to convince me this will work, the more I fear it won’t.

  “What’s to be scared of?” I ask, attempting to keep my voice light. “You guys are going to try to expel some nasty, evil energy from me—a power that could potentially fill any regular person it encounters before you manage to send it back to hell or wherever it came from. What could possibly go wrong?”

  He squeezes my hand. “I’ll be with you the whole time. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  I shift to face him. He’s definitely scared; I can tell by the look in his eyes. But he’s also resolved. While I don’t know there’s anything he could do if this spell goes sideways, it’s obvious he means what he said. He’ll protect me—of that I have no doubt.

  I love him. The simple truth of it takes my breath away.

  I’ve cared for Owen since I met him; I realized the depth of his importance to me when we weren’t together in this timeline. But this is the first time I’ve known without a doubt that my feelings are more than infatuation, deeper than like.

  I open my mouth, but the words stick in my throat. Can I tell him now? Maybe it’s foolish, but I can’t shake the feeling that telling him now, with the Influence still within me, would taint it somehow. And what if he’s not ready to say it back? I don’t want to force his hand simply because of what I’m about to undergo. And I don’t want to distract him from everything he’s supposed to be doing while the spell is cast.

  It’s not the right time for the words, but I can’t keep my body from acting. I tilt my head and bring my lips to his. Owen returns my kiss, crushing my mouth with his. When he wraps a strong arm around my back and pulls me flush with his body, I wonder if he’s allowing his actions to speak for him as well.

  “Hey, Krissa, we’re about to get—oh, my!”

  Owen and I break apart and I turn toward the hall to find Jodi, her cheeks flushed and her hand over her heart. She squeezes her eyes closed and shakes her head. “Okay, then. I’d tell you to get a room, but I have a feeling your father would find that entirely inappropriate.”

  I sneak a glance at Owen, whose lips quirk at the corners. “Sorry, Jodi,” I murmur in my best imitation of contrition.

  She shakes her head again. “You’d better thank your lucky stars it was me and not your dad. I’m pretty sure he’d try to lock you away on the third floor,” she mutters before motioning for us to follow her.

  I keep Owen’s hand in mine as we stand and walk down the hall. A quick glance inside the living room reveals the gang’s all here. Even Elliot stands awkwardly beside the fireplace. I can’t blame him for feeling ill at ease here in my house. While he did go out of his way to warn me about the true nature of Influence, that one act hasn’t nullified his other choices. He was one of Seth’s hand-picked minions, one of the strongest members of the Devoted. Anya trusts him implicitly, and while I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, I know the same can’t be said for the rest of my friends. From his spot in the armchair, Griffin all but glares in Elliot’s direction. I make a mental note to ask him to dial back his hostility when this is over.

  Provided, of course, that everything goes as planned.

  The only face I don’t see in the crowd is Sasha’s, so when the door opens again, she’s the one I expect to cross the thre
shold. But it isn’t Sasha who enters the house; instead, Shelley Tanner and David Cole walk in. Jodi greets them warmly.

  Heat builds in my stomach. When Jodi said she’d be calling in reinforcements, I had no idea she intended to include my principal and Crystal’s former uncle by marriage. After the Influence spell, I didn’t want to tell anyone who hadn’t been in the clearing to see it happen. Jodi promised to keep the information on a need-to-know basis.

  Apparently she lied.

  Before Owen has a chance to stop me, I dart over to my aunt and pull her into the dining room. “What are they doing here?” I demand.

  Jodi’s eyes are wide. “Backup. I don’t want to take any chances. I want all hands on deck for this spell.”

  “Did you tell them?” The Influence crackles in my veins and red begins to cloud my periphery. “Do they know what’s going on with me?”

  Jodi attempts to push my hand off her arm. “Krissa, you’re hurting me.”

  My nails dig deeper into her flesh. How could she do this to me? She knows how uncomfortable I am involving all my friends in this. How could she go behind my back and invite the members of her old circle, too?

  Hands close over my shoulders, and Owen spins me until I’m facing him. “Hey, calm down.” His blue eyes pierce through the red encroaching on my vision. “Miss Tanner and Mr. Cole have helped before. I doubt Jodi told them the specifics. They’re good friends. All they want to do is help you. That’s all any of us wants to do.”

  I inhale deeply, and as I exhale, I’m able to pry my fingers from Jodi’s arm. She rubs the spot and a wave of guilt washes over me, drowning out the sizzle of Influence. I grimace. “I’m so sorry.”