Page 26 of A Soul's Curse
“Theo!” he rasped, his hands uselessly clawing at his neck to free himself from the surge of my wrath cutting off his breath and forcing him to his knees. “I can … explain.”
“What’s there to explain, Ren? Mr. Carson could have died! What if … what if that woman had a child with her? What then, huh?”
A massive figure then stood up from behind the wooden desk. The air in the office grew heavy, suffused with an oppressive, almost suffocating presence as the New Jersey Devil’s magic spread like an unseen fog. His voice, low and resonant, cut through the thickened atmosphere like a blade. “Enough, Theo,” he commanded, the weight of his power pressing down on mychest as an undeniable force that demanded compliance, as if my very bones bent to his will.
Nick approached, his form shifting mid-step into the ominous figure of the New Jersey Devil. Midnight-black wings unfurled behind him with a slow, deliberate sweep, their sheer size casting deep shadows across the room. The sharp, rhythmic clop of his cloven hooves against the wooden floor reverberated like a warning, each step carrying the weight of ancient power and unspoken menace that had me backing up toward the door.
Despite his appearance, his deep voice softened when his glowing red eyes locked onto me. “I love you like a son, Theo, but you are a guest in my home. You will not be welcome here if you harm or threaten the people I’ve promised to keep safe. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, sir.” I gulped, my throat going dry as I released my magic.
“Good.” His magic dispersed, his form shifting back into human, and the unsettling feeling that rattled my bones vanished. “Ren filled me in on what happened, but we have another problem on our hands right now.”
The frustration tightening my muscles shifted into a wave of panic.
“What’s wrong?”
“The food supply was poisoned, Theo.” Ren’s words hit me like a punch. “And everyone here thinks it was you.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” I dragged my hands down my face. Could this day get any worse?
“After what Ren told me, I know it wasn’t you, Theo.” And I suddenly realized why Ren had thought to come here. If he knew what Leon had done to the food, he would also know that the New Jersey Devil would fry my ass into bacon bits if he thought I harmed his people. It only slightly lessened the anger boiling inside me.
I risked a glance at Ren, who quickly avoided my gaze.
Nick casually leaned against his desk and crossed arms. “Dr. Brooks rushed here to some sick patients. Your sister is here as well.”
“I don’t have a lot with me, but I’ll go join them—”
“Theo.” Nick placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Did you not hear me? There are rumors spreading that a young man with sandy-blond hair was caught sneaking into the pantry. Someone also is spreading around stories about your real magic, Theo. They know what you can do, and they thinkyoudid this. Perhaps you should sit this one out.”
“But … there have to be some people who don’t believe that crap, right? Please, let me help. I have to dosomething!”
My world was crumbling down around me, each piece shattering with a deafening crack, and I was powerless to stop it. It was a painful reminder of what happened ten years ago, when that intruder barged into my home and I could do nothing to stop him.
“This is exactly what the Syndicate wants, Theo.” Ren took a step toward me, but when I stepped back, he stopped. “Don’t let them get under your skin. We’ll get through it.”
Ironically, it was his encouraging words that pushed me over the edge.
“There is nowein this, Ren. You ruined my life in the span of a single day. Sorry, Nick, but I won’t be pushed aside on this one. I know there are people here who don’t believe those lies, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to prove to them I’m innocent. Ihaveto.”
Before anyone could stop me, I ran out the door and sprinted straight for the front of the building. The chatter of both volunteers and guests echoed in the crowded foyer. Nick James Deville, the former New Jersey Devil that now ran Emberheart Place, had done his best to make itnotlook like a church, givenmost demons weren’t religious. The entire building had been updated to a more modern look and feel, with dark oak flooring, decorative rugs, and artwork on the walls done by guests that frequented this place. In one corner was the drop off location, where anyone looking to donate could leave their items. The pile was larger than usual, given that several people must have heard what happened and offered emergency donations.
“Theo, wait!” I heard Nick’s voice behind me. He latched onto my arm and tugged me off to the side, away from the crowd. “Talk to me, Theo. What’s going on?”
A comforting smile softened his lips. My mom had been close to him, but it wasn’t until her accident that he and I became close. I was donating some of my mom’s things to Emberheart Place when Nick and I started chatting. Ever since, Nick had become someone I could trust and go to whenever I needed help. He knew about the true nature of my magic, and even helped me shape it into something that could be beneficial to others. I had been coming back to Emberheart Place ever since.
“Why is this happening to me, Nick?” The big man pulled me in for a hug and I tightly squeezed his torso, knowing I was nowhere near strong enough to actually hurt him. “What did I do to deserve this?”
“Nothing, Theo.” He stroked the back of my head to soothe me. “You’ve done nothing but be a good kid. We’re gonna get you out of this. Whatever I can do to help, you know I will.”
“Thank you.” I said these words to him often, but I didn’t think he truly knew how much I appreciated all the support he’d given me over the past several years. He was the only thing standing between me and the dark.
“No thanks needed. The world is a cruel place, Theo. I know that more than anyone. But if you let others define you, you’re only hurting yourself. So … go help out Dr. Brooks, but promise me you’ll keep your cool. Exploding like you just did at Ren isn’tgoing to help your cause. If someone denies your help, just let it go and move on. Got it?”
Nick used to be a fearsome and mysterious creature known as the New Jersey Devil, living in the Pine Barrens of South Jersey, but that was long ago. Before me now was a man who looked and acted more human than demon. Gone were his bat-like wings, barbed tail, and cloven hooves. He still had his gaunt body, an almost skeletal frame, along with his curved goat-like horns sticking out from his wavy jet-black hair, but despite what history told me I should think of him, I admired him and his work. He had come here to start over, desperate to be seen for who he chose to be, not the fear he used to inspire.
“Got it.” My answer was muffled, my face buried in his navy polo.
