Cursed (21 page)

“She needs the words,” Rene said. “Keep the thing. Just copy it.”

Considering, Jax’s eyes went to the dead girl again. What if Adrienne was able to break the curse? He could find Therese a permanent host without worrying about the Red Man coming for her.

“Take care of her, and I’ll copy it,” he said, pointing to the plastic sheet wrapped body.

Rene shifted uneasily. “I never hurt no girl before.”

“You didn’t hurt this one either.”

“You’ll copy the journal?”

“That’s what I said, isn’t it?” Jax growled.

“Brannon is meeting me downstairs in a few minutes.” Rene grunted and leaned down. He picked up the body and hefted her over his shoulder, carefully balancing her.

Jax studied his brother. Rene was upset, that much was clear. He didn’t doubt Rene would do his part. Blood made them brothers, and their experience on the streets had made them close enough almost to read each other’s minds. Rene was strong and independent minded, but he’d never let his family down.

“How is Adrienne?” Jax asked absently, unable to shake the idea that she’d make the perfect host for her sister.

“You keep her out of your mess. She’s a good girl.” Rene’s tone was sharp.

“She’s under our protection. I have a right to ask.”

“She’s safe. Candace’s helping her. When she has the journal, she might be able to break the curse.”

And I can find Therese a permanent host.
Jax nodded. At first, he’d been rattled by the appearance of a girl who looked so much like his lost love. But maybe, she was part of some larger plan. Maybe she was there to break the curse and reunite him with Therese. Maybe, she was the missing piece that Therese hadn’t been able to figure out, before the Red Man came to claim her.

Was it possible to break such a powerful curse that the gods themselves didn’t try to help sweet, innocent Therese?

Rene moved towards the door.

Jax sat down on his bed, feeling even weaker. He viewed the idea of Adrienne breaking the curse with skepticism rather than hope. After all he’d done the past five years, how did he believe the gods would let him bring Therese back from the dead instead of simply helping him break her curse?

He refused to dwell on the cost of what he’d done, the price he’d pay for abusing the sacred rite and for the lives he accidentally ended during it. Today was no different. He’d rest for a day or two days to regain his strength before the full moon arrived in two days time. Then go back to Togoun for a new spell.

The door closed behind Rene.

Jax stood and went to the living room, where he’d hidden the journal behind a stack of books on the TV stand. He turned on a light and squatted beside the stand, retrieving the leather bound diary. He’d tried to read it many times since taking it from Adrienne without succeeding. It was gibberish, nonsense, and he’d given up and focused instead on the familiar images of the Red Man, the veves, and the heart she drew with their initials.

He clutched it to his chest.

No, he couldn’t return it. He’d do what Rene asked and copy it. It would have to be enough, because he wasn’t willing to hand it over.

Maybe I can take the copy to Adrienne. See those eyes one more time.

Jax shook his head. There was no doubt in his mind that Adrienne was the ideal host for her sister’s spirit and no doubt the girl was off limits.

Rene seemed to think Adrienne was the key to breaking the curse. He’d wait and watch to see what happened. If she succeeded, he’d find a body for Therese’s spirit.

Part of him knew he’d already made his choice.

She’s gotta break the curse first.

Jayden lay in bed past midnight without falling asleep. He stared at the ceiling, concerned about Adrienne. And Izzy. And his mother.

What the hell got into his grandmama today?

He should’ve known better than to take Adrienne there, and he was serious about never seeing his mother’s family again after the attack. He was reminded too much of how he’d failed to protect Izzy from the family. He’d failed again today.

His mother called shortly after the incident to scream at him about taking the white zombie
to his grandmama’s house, vowing never to let Izzy go. Instead of feeling worse, he recognized that his father was right. Court was the only option, and there was no fixing his broken mother. Or her family. He definitely wasn’t going to let Izzy anywhere near those people again. What if Grandmama or his mother took out their anger on the little girl?

Restless and disturbed, Jayden flung off his sheets and padded to the door. He couldn’t shake his anger or the sense he should’ve just walked away from his mother and her family when Izzy was hurt.

Of all that happened, he couldn’t get the sight of Adrienne bleeding out of his thoughts. She hadn’t wanted his help – at all. Did she blame him? After the mess he’d made of everything else, he was the last person whose judgment could be trusted to help someone else.

How did he make it up to Adrienne when he was still trying to make things up to Izzy? Was there any way at all to alleviate the guilt and shame he felt about what happened to both innocent girls?

Someone else was in the kitchen when he entered. Tara sat at the breakfast bar, half gallon of ice cream on the table in front of her. She was eating directly out of the container.

“I’ll be too bloated for my cheer uniform tomorrow,” she lamented and then took another bite.

Jayden laughed. “If I wasn’t lactose intolerant, I’d join you.” He went to the refrigerator for sandwich supplies and set them out on the counter. He glanced up. “Why you up tonight?”

“Ever feel like we’re the parents?”

“All the time.”

“So annoying.”

He said nothing and finished making his sandwich.

“I had to pick up Izzy early today. She freaked out at soccer practice this evening. Kept asking for Chels and wouldn’t leave the bleachers,” Tara said.

“Why didn’t you call me?” he asked, surprised.

“You got a lot going on.” She shrugged. “I heard about Addy.”

“What about her?”

“Your mama called Daddy after dinner and screamed at him for like ten minutes then hung up. I’ve never seen a look like that on his face.” By her twitching features, she was trying not to laugh. “Anyway, I heard him call Mama after and tell her what happened.”

“It’s all my fault,” Jayden said, dismayed his whole family knew Adrienne got hurt.

“Did she really get her ear chopped off?”

“Her earlobe, yeah,” Jayden said. He poked at his sandwich, no longer hungry. “I never should’ve taken her there.”

“You didn’t stab her,” Tara replied. “Don’t worry – I pretended not to know about her when Daddy asked. You know he won’t want you dating a scholarship girl.”

Jayden rolled his eyes.

“Is she okay?”

“Yeah.” No thanks to him. Worse, Kimmie had something planned for tomorrow at the pep rally. The idea of a hex alleviated some of his concern. Except that he didn’t believe his grandmama’s magic either, and she still found a way to hurt Adrienne with a pair of scissors. Desperate people did desperate things. “I got a busy morning. Can you make sure Addy’s … okay tomorrow?”

“From her attack or from Kimmie?” Tara asked.

“Both, I reckon. And Tara, don’t tell anyone else about what my grandmama did to her,” he hurried on. “I don’t want Adrienne to be upset.”

“All right. But I want something from you, too,” she said firmly. “I’m going out tomorrow night. I’m not putting the twins to bed or picking up anyone from school or anywhere else. If they call me, I’m texting you.”

“Deal,” Jayden said, smiling.

“Our family is so dysfunctional.”

“It’s better than where we both came from.”

“Yeah.” She plopped the lid on the ice cream.

Jayden had always been protective of his complicated family. He recalled a time when Tara wasn’t the spoiled princess she was now, but when she’d been a lost ten year old who held his hand in the mall, because she was afraid her new brother would die and leave her alone, the way her parents did.

He sensed something was bothering her this night, but didn’t pry. She’d talk when she felt like it. She always did, whether or not he wanted to listen.

Tara replaced the ice cream in the freezer and slid the spoon into the wide sink.

“Night, Jay,” she said and left the kitchen.

“Night, Tara.” His gaze returned to the sandwich. Guilty about wasting food, he wrapped it up and replaced it in the fridge. He ate enough for three people during football season. He’d get to it tomorrow for sure.

Returning to his room, Jayden’s gaze went towards the closet. He flipped on the light and entered, kneeling beside the box of odd presents in the corner.

“Where are you?” he asked, sifting through it for what he sought.

The heavy skeleton key was on the bottom. He hefted it and sat back on his heels, gazing at it.

Since the incident at his grandmother’s, he hadn’t been able to stop thinking of the curse his father mentioned was on his family. How was it possible that Adrienne’s family was cursed, too?

Not that it was real, just … odd. He’d felt connected to her since they met. Was this why? A shared history, if not a curse?

He shuddered, hating the site of the key in his hand. Imagining the amount of pain the small item had caused over the course of years disgusted him.

He dropped it back into the box and left the closet, not wanting to be troubled by such dark thoughts the night before their first big game of the season.

Practice on game days was light, and Jayden changed into his spare jersey, tucking it into the slacks of his school uniform. He was one of the last out of the locker room today, partially because he didn’t look forward to seeing Adrienne this morning. He was afraid she’d be angry with him or worse, she’d want nothing to do with him. He wanted to hear her sing like he had every morning this week after practice but dreaded lowering his guard only to be hurt if she changed her mind about the fall festival this weekend.

Tired from his night of poor sleep and the drama of the day before, he found himself putting his phone in his locker. He had a message awaiting him this morning from his mother. She sounded drunk. Or high. He didn’t know and for once, he felt like he couldn’t bring himself to care. How she was able to defend what Grandmama did to Adrienne was beyond him.

“You look like you need this,” Mickey said, thrusting a large coffee at him.

“Thanks.” Jayden closed his locker and took it with a tired smile.

“I saw Tara in her cheer uniform.”

Jayden shook his head. “You’re obsessed, man.”

“Probably. You going for pizza tonight after the game?”

“Don’t think so. I’ve gotta put the twins to bed.”

“Your turn to play daddy this week?” Mickey teased. “If you feed me, I’ll come with you. Izzy loves me.”

“Yeah she does. You’re always welcome, Mickey.”

“Awesome. Maybe I’ll run into Tara?”

“She’s got a hot date tonight, and it’s not with you,” Jayden teased.

“I’ll settle for food.”

They started down the hall together.

“Isn’t that your girl?” Mickey asked quietly, nudging him.

Jayden glanced in the direction he indicated and almost stopped in place.

Adrienne was glowing with happiness. The grin on her face was huge, her new haircut framing the elfin features of her face. She wore the cheer uniform with a short skirt and tank-style top. His eyes drifted down her body automatically, and he was unable to suppress his intense interest at the sight of her tiny waist, the delicate flare of her hips and the shapely legs. He’d been beyond attracted to her since he first heard her sing.

She didn’t know Kimmie was getting ready to prank her. Though when Kimmie’s plan backfired, she wouldn’t have an excuse to kick Adrienne off the team like she planned.

He had no right to expect her to talk to him after yesterday, but he found himself approaching anyway, mesmerized by her beauty, husky purr and the part of her he couldn’t quite figure out.

“Hey,” he said, stopping a few feet from her.

“Hey.” Adrienne looked up at him, features growing pinker.

Whenever she was around, Jayden felt the urge to smile. He studied her, uncertain what to ask. Adrienne gazed at him, her green eyes glowing. He’d held her hand yesterday and hugged her. The need to feel her body in his arms again was strong, the instinct to protect her from the world stronger.

“How are you feeling?” he asked at last. “About today?”

“Great,” she replied. “I’m going to show them why I’m here.” From her tone and the firm set of her chin, she was determined.

“I know you will,” he said. “You’re amazing, Addy.”

She beamed a smile and shifted nervously. The moment grew long, the silence between them awkward.

“We still on for tomorrow?” he asked then braced himself for her answer.

“Yes,” she replied.

“I thought maybe yesterday would’ve scared you off.”

“It takes more than that to scare me,” she told him. “I’m tougher than I look, Jayden.”

“I believe you,” he said and laughed, charmed by the gleam in her gaze. “I’m really glad you’re okay.”

“Thank you.”

The warning bell rang.

“I gotta go,” she said, taking a step back. “I’ll see you later.”

“Later.” He watched her twirl and trot away, admiring her slender frame and the bounce of her hair.

“You’re as bad as I am,” Mickey said from behind him.

“I don’t know what it is about her,” Jayden said, shaking his head. “I can’t think right when she’s around.”

“It’s love.” Mickey clutched at his heart with an overdramatic sigh. “C’mon. We’re going to be late!”

Talking to Adrienne – however briefly – left Jayden feeling at peace and refreshed. She was better than a large coffee.

Assured everything was going to be okay today, he went to his next class, upbeat and excited about Adrienne’s singing debut at the school this afternoon.