“Oh, we’ll have to have a party next year!” Gemma says, then realizes what a weird thing that is to celebrate. “Well, maybe not.”
“We’ll have an ‘I broke the curse party.’ Well, when I break it,” I say, and finish my wine. “Which I will.” I rub my forehead, headache worsening. Break the curse. Learn magic. Find out what killed my parents. Track down the creep who sent me these files.
“I’ve been combing through all my books,” Gemma tells us. “And I’ve compiled a list of everything that could break a curse.”
“Thanks.”
“If we can at least weaken it, then maybe you guys can be awake during the day,” she adds hopefully.
“Maybe.” Hasan gives her a smile, and she blushes. The guys and I know how fucking powerful this curse is, but Gemma’s determined to earn her keep around here, even though I’ve more than forgiven her for everything she’s done. From the cooking and cleaning to the almost annoying help, I’ve tried over and over to tell her to chill and act normal again.
Her injuries healed fast thanks to magic, but she can’t return to work just yet. She was given two weeks off to rest and heal, and it would look suspicious if she showed up good as new after just a few days.
She won’t admit it, but I think her nonstop help goes beyond feeling guilty. We’re more alike than we initially realized, and like me, she’s keeping busy to distract herself from some hard truths she’ll need to face one day.
So why not put it off another day?
It’s what I’d do. I can’t fault her for that. Her aunt and uncle were officially arrested and will more than likely face prison time. Gemma said she doesn’t want to talk about it, and doesn’t even want to know the outcome of their court case. They’re a whole new breed of crazy, and no matter what, it has to hurt like hell to have your only family hold you hostage in the basement because they think you’re evil and can talk to the devil.
“It won’t hurt,” I say, giving her an encouraging nod. “I still need to figure out how to break down the curse more, which means I need to have another vision, one where I can hear the spell cast and try to remember it.” I shake my head and go for the bottle of wine. “A return-to-sender spell is the best for this type of curse, but the sender has been dead for years.”
“What would happen if you did it anyway?”
“The curse would most likely hit whoever is closest to the sender,” Jac explains.
“And I’m closest,” I finish. “I’m distantly related to the sorcerer who cast the spell.”
“No shit!” Gemma’s eyes widen. “I didn’t know that.”
I shrug. “Sorry. I guess I forgot to tell you.”
Her eyebrows go up. “You’ve been preoccupied. Just a little.”
“Shut up,” I grumble, and take another drink of wine. I’m starting to feel it now and want to keep drinking, eat, and then pass out. After the twins ravish me, of course.
“Enough talking shop,” Thomas says, looking at me proudly. “Did I say that one right?”
“You did.” I smile. Hasan puts his hand on my shoulder and gently guides me to the table.
“Let’s eat.”
* * *
“Seriously?”Thomas motions to the TV and shakes his head. He leans forward, snatching the remote from Jacques’s hands. “We are not watching this.”
“Why not?” Jac asks in his accented voice. “It’s informative.”
“Exactly,” Gil says. “We’re supposed to be relaxing after dinner. Watching this shit about aliens building the pyramids isn’t relaxing.”
“It’s not shit,” Jac argues. “It’s history and it’s important.”
Thomas rolls his eyes. “Ace doesn’t want to watch this, do you, Ace?” His eyes meet mine.
“I do find ancient Egypt interesting,” I admit, and Jac beams. “But I’d like us all to agree on something tonight.”
“What about a love story?” Gemma asks hopefully. I never took her for the hopeless romantic type until she moved in and I discovered her love of all things cheesy and over the top when it comes to romance.
“There’s a new comedy series,” I start, knowing the guys—like me—are sick of her love stories. “I forgot what channel it’s on but it looked funny.” I hold out my hand and Thomas gives me the remote. I’m on the couch in between the twins. Jacques is sitting in the armchair next to us, and Gemma and Hasan are on the loveseat.
