Page 34 of Cursed
Something invisible gagged me, and he flicked a coil of power, wrapping it around my calves and pulling me to my knees.
“Better get used to this position, Cain.” He stepped back, grinning slyly, and propped a hand on his hip. “Because when you fail Lucian and I bring home the prize, only your groveling will save your pathetic life.” The mirth left his face, and he bent at the waist to glare at me. “Lucian will not protect you forever, and when his safety drops, I’ll be the first in line to rip you to shreds.”
Kicking out a booted foot, he jabbed it against my chest, shoving me backward.
The bonds holding me in place released, and I flung out my hands for balance, falling onto my side and rolling toward the cliff. My left arm encountered air. Pebbles and dirt clattered down the side of the cliff, pinging against one another on their way to the shallow streambed.
On my stomach, with one leg and arm grappling for a hold on the side of the cliff and the other half clinging to solid ground, I stared into the silver-and-gray vegetation poking from the limestone rocks and tried to slow my breathing. I didn’t know which threat scared me more—the one guaranteeing my failure and death, or the one ensuring Phoebe would suffer terribly if I didn’t get the information before Malachi.
Chapter 12
Phoebe
When I’d awoken thismorning, the first thought I’d had was of Cain’s silver-teal eyes. I’d been dreaming of the day with my dad and the carousel, and suddenly, Cain had been standing near the picnic tables, urging me to come to him.
I’d shaken it off and gotten ready for school.
Brian had sent several texts, apologizing for his behavior last night, but I ignored them.
The best way to deal with him is to not give a response.
I breezed through the library doors. Tuesdays were my days off, and Tara and I always crammed for the week’s assignments and readings.
A dozen or so students sat at computers, pecking at the keyboards. As I passed, muffled music from their air pods broke the quietness. The musty smell of books hit my nose and I breathed it in, never tiring of the familiar scent.
Weaving through polished wooden tables with glowing Tiffany lamps, I made my way to one of the study alcoves tucked into a corner at the back of the room.
When Tara spotted me, she smiled and waved a pencil.
I dumped my backpack onto the table and plopped onto the faded red cushions of an old wooden chair.
“So?” She leaned across the table, her eyes shining. “You’re going to the masquerade ball by ZTA, right?”
Zeta Tau Alpha sponsored the Halloween masquerade to raise money for autism awareness.
“No way.” I dug into my bag and pulled out a binder. “I can’t dance, and I don’t have a date.” Her question reminded me of Cain telling Brian I was going to the masquerade with him, and I paused.He hadn’t really meant it, though.Being a gentlemen, Cain had probably felt it had been his duty to help me out last night.
