Page 45 of White Charms and Dark Secrets

How To Break A Curse

When I step through my front door, I’m completely drenched and sadly most of the buzz from the alcohol has died.Of course it had to rain the entire walk home, how could I expect anything less from the universe?After kicking my boots off, I head for my bathroom, deciding that a nice, long, hot bath is the only remedy for the day I’ve endured.

After turning on the taps, I run back downstairs to pour myself a large glass of incredibly cheap wine, then head back up to wait for the bath to fill. By the time I’m ready into climb in the bath, my wine is gone, and my light buzz has returned. I leave the door between my bedroom and bathroom open, letting the cooler air circulate. My bathroom always gets way too warm when I don’t.

Thoughts of what just happened flicker through my head, and I try to shake off the confusing feelings they bring with them. Here I am, trying to figure out my feelings and relationship with Darren, while surviving the flirtation and attraction to Rhydian, and I justhadto go and make it worse by kissing Kier. It's like I live to make myself suffer.

Sighing, I step into the bath and slide down into the hot water. As I'm slipping under, I realise my horrible mistake and snort, soon breaking out into full on laughter at myself. I managed to get into the bath still dressed. I debate getting up and taking my clothes off but realise I just can't be bothered. My entire life is a hot mess; I can't even manage to take a bath without royally fucking it up. I’m waiting for someone to turn up with my failure at life award any day now.

I rest my head back against the head of the bathtub and shut my eyes as I allow the hot water to warm me up. My borrowed black dress sticks to my skin and makes me feel a little weighed down, but it's not too unpleasant. My mind keeps wandering, and I can't help but wish I had a nothing box. I’ve heard some blessed people possess this box of nothing they can visit in their head, enabling them to just shut off and enjoy silence in their brain.

While my brain doesn’t have a nothing box, it does house some other boxes. The largest of which includes a crippling anxiety box, which I tend to visit often. It’s filled with every single damn thing that’s ever gone awry or that I’ve done wrong, down to mispronouncing words in public and even that time I walked into a glass door in front of a bunch of people – including the guy I was interested in at the time.

I bang my head gently against the tub a few times as guilty thoughts sweep through me once again.Why did I have to go and kiss Kier, why?I was meant to be out on a date with Darren, which I bailed on, and then I ended up drinking with that stupid, sexy detective after he basically saved my life. It was a recipe for disaster from the start, and yet I just kept rolling with it.

“Why are you so freaking stupid, Kayla?” I mutter to myself, releasing another sigh. I should be worrying about more important stuff than this. I mean, Kier's dad is still out there, plus I need to find a way to break this damn bad luck curse before it kills me.

I wonder if Kier is right about it being a demonic curse, therefore making it breakable by a demon? Maybe I should ask Solas?

Opening my eyes, I shake my head, trying to dispel the idea. No matter how much easier it may seem to ask him for answers, that would likely be the dumbest idea I've had to date. Summoning a dangerous demon and asking it foryet anotherfavour would be foolish all on its own, but considering how badly the last one turned out... Guilt rushes through me at the thought. It's my fault Elias got free. It's my fault Kier has to face him again, face the man that killed his mother, and turned him into a vampire hybrid against his will.

Why does everything I do have so freaking many shitty consequences?

Kicking my leg out in frustration, I watch the water splash. I kick again, making yet another splash, watching the way the water ripples out where my foot crashes back down into it.

“You know, I find bathing much easier when I'm not wearing clothes.”

My eyes dart towards the direction of the voice, and I see Solas standing in the bathroom doorway. The water splashes as I bolt upright into a sitting position. I just stare at him in silent, open-mouthed shock for a moment.What the hell is this damned demon doing in my bathroom?

“How the hell are you here? I didn't summon you!” I demand as I stand up, flustered and a little angry as well. He throws a towel at me, and it hits me squarely in the face. Against all odds, I manage to grab it before it falls into the water. I step out of the tub, wrapping the towel around myself, but my black dress is still dripping water all over the floor.

“You requested my presence, much like you did in The Tomb. No formal summoning necessary,” he answers, but it sounds like a complete brush off.

“Like hell I did!” I snap, stepping towards him. “I didn't say the words. No request happened!”

“Little witch, didn't anyone ever tell you that magic is moreintentionthanincantation?” he drawls, leaning casually against the wall. Running my eyes over him, I notice that, for once, he's fully dressed.

“You're wearing a shirt,” I blurt out, slapping a hand over my mouth at my declaration, my mortification immediate. I just admitted to a demon that I noticed his ink-soaked skin is hidden away for a change.Great.

“I could always take it off?” he offers, the corners of his lips twisting up in amusement.

“No, don’t do that!” I cringe at the alarmed tone of my hasty response. “I mean, if you could actually remember to put more clothes on in future, that would be great,” I amend, trying and failing to sound casual in my request.

“Does my body unsettle you, Kayla?” he asks, while slowly undoing a few buttons on his shirt. He laughs at the horrified expression on my face. “You know, it’s hilarious that you’re more terrified of a little flesh than my threats to slaughter you in the most painful of ways.”

His taunting makes me snap out of my embarrassment.

“Stop fucking toying with me and tell me why you're here!” I slam my hand against the wall, the stress of the day making me quick to anger. The feeling is quick to fade, replaced by a stinging pain in my hand.Shit, that really hurt.

“If you're done needlessly injuring yourself, perhaps you could share the answer to that question with me, seeing as it'syouthat requested my presence, and not the other way around,” Solas replies.

I take a few deep breaths, trying to calm down a little.It’s obvious Solas hasn’t decided to kill me yet, so maybe I should just ask if my bad luck stems from a demonic curse? Worst case he refuses to answer.I frown.No, that’s wrong. The worst case is he steals my soul.

“I can practically see the gears turning in your head, what are you thinking about?” He steps closer to me as he speaks, and I shuffle back, wanting to keep some distance between us. He tuts at me as if I'm a misbehaving child. “So rude, even when coming to me for help. You should try acting more polite. Perhaps offer me a drink.”

I give him an incredulous look.

“Yeah, sure, Solas. Next time I'll make sure to lay out the milk and cookies.”

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