Page 62 of Cursed
With a snap of my fingers, I sent out sparks of flame to feed the tiki torches outlining the sitting area. Purple-black fire danced in the night, not as bright as true fire, but still plenty of light for Phoebe to take everything in.
“Holy crap,” Phoebe whispered, “this place is awesome.”
The gravel pathway ended at a circle of large, flat stones. On the outer border, five-foot high trellises covered with wisteria vines encircled the area, giving it privacy. The vines reminded me of my home, of my mother, who loved the smell of fresh-blooming wisteria more than any other flower.
If there had been one thing I missed about my life before the curse, it had been my mother’s voice and touch, but like me, she’d been shunned by my father, too, after her fall from grace. She’d always deferred to Adam’s judgments and obeyed him in everything. She had been weak, but I couldn’t hate her for it. Living with my father, especially after her betrayal, would’ve been its own kind of Hell.
But I’d never had the chance to say goodbye to her.He robbed her from me, too.
“You know, if I had a place like this, I’d probably never go inside unless it rained. I bet it looks even better in the daylight.” Phoebe stood in the middle and twirled, her dress flaring outward with the movement.
“I don’t know, I enjoy the way the dark softens some of the angles. It lends an air of mystery and adventure.”
A fire pit, ringed with volcanic rock I’d had imported from Hawaii, lay cold and dead near an oversized chaise lounge.
“Some nights, when I’m a moody bastard, I enjoy sitting out here and staring into the flames. It calms me.”
Usually, I daydreamed of what I’d do when I finally found my father.
“Have a seat.” I gestured toward the chaise and set the food and water on a small table next to the lounger.
The trees near the area, thinner up close, let the waxing silver moonlight beams into the area, turning the branches gray.
Somewhere below, near the creek bed, an animal scurried across the pebbles, its movement crackling dead grass and leaves. The smell of moisture coursed through the air, heavy but pleasant.
“What was that?” Phoebe’s eyes widened as she glanced toward the unseen sounds. Lifting an index finger to her mouth, she chewed on the nail.
“It’s a family of opossums foraging.” I debated whether to use my power to light the dry wood in the pit or to grab the nearby lighter. “Besides, you’re with me. I won’t let anything harm you.”
Lowering her hand from her mouth, she beamed a smile so bright I froze, unable to look away.
The dancing flames of the tikis’ dark fire curved around her body and I fought an urge to gather them around her waist and pull her to me. Her beauty sent a pang into my heart.
I turned on my heels and gazed at the firepit, unable to look into those bright, hopeful eyes, knowing once I fulfilled my mission, her inner glow of light would be snuffed out forever.
With a flick of my wrist, I flung out a thin line of ether to the logs, flaring the pile into a giant flame.
Swiveling back to her, I raised an eyebrow and searched her reaction.I need to stop being so gentle and show her who I really am.
A furrow marred her forehead. “That’s...a bit disconcerting. I’d really been hoping all the craziness tonight wasn’t real.” She dipped her chin and picked at a sequin on her dress. “But I guess I can’t deny it any longer. Not when you stand in front of me like an ancient god and do things no person should ever be able to do.”
Unable to hide my satisfaction, I chuckled. No human who’d ever witnessed my power had lived long enough to contemplate it, but Phoebe was the fascinating exception to the rule.
I should drop to my knees and thank Lucian for her immunity to my mark.
She stopped picking at the material of her dress and met my stare. “Earlier, when you spoke of Malachi, you saidthey, notwe.” She swallowed and pushed her hands under her thighs. “If you have the same kind of...” Shaking her head, she let out a sigh. “I can’t believe I’m about to say this.” She raised her eyebrows and glanced heavenward. “If you have the same kind of powers, where are your wings?” A peppering of goose bumps covered her arms.
“I’m not one of them.” With a purposeful stride, I reached the chaise and lowered myself to squeeze in beside her, letting my knee touch hers. “At least, not yet, but my standing will soon change.” A thick cloud washed across the moon, blotting out some of the natural moonlight.
“But why in the world would you want to be like him?” Her voice lowered on the last word. “He’s horrible.”
“Do you think I’m benevolent, that I haven’t carried out great and terrible crimes for Lucian?” Tension built in my neck.She needs to see me for what I am—a monster.“I’ve killed untold people over the years, starting with Abel, my brother.”
“You don’t seem too scary to me.” She lifted one of her shoulders, causing a dress strap to slip down and brush her upper arm. That one bare shoulder practically begged me to reach out and stroke the skin. “Wait. Your brother’s name was Abel? Are you saying”—a choked laugh bubbled from her throat—“you’retheCain?”
This wasn’t going as I’d planned. She shouldn’t have been laughing, she should’ve been running.
“Yes, and trust me, I’m not good. There’s a reason I work for the devil.” My fingers twitched, and I ground my teeth.
