Page 7 of Cursed Sight
Unwilling to make him feel worse, she told him, “When I was about fifteen or sixteen, I lifted a teacher’s chair in the classroom…” Ethan’s mouth opened, but she raised a finger to him, asking him to wait. “The teacher might have been sitting in it.”
His deep chuckle vibrated along her skin, a wisp of pleasure wrapping around her heart at the sound. “Did anyone see?”
Serena smiled at the memory before nodding. “About twenty-six classmates and the principal, who was sitting in after the teacher had complained multiple times about a ghost in the classroom.”
“Well, shit! Now I don’t feel so bad. You were a little hellion, weren’t you?” His eyes crinkled with amusement before he lifted his tea to his mouth. His lips puckered, and a breath blew over the amber liquid.
Serena adjusted herself on the couch at the sudden pressure between her thighs. “I wasn’t the best little witch. It took my parents many years to control me, as well as a mentor who saw my potential as a leader.”
Ethan searched her face. “At least they didn’t break your spirit in the process.”
“No, they didn’t, but I learned the hard way that not everyone you love wants you to succeed.” Catching her slip-up, she cleared her throat. “How about visions or dreams? How are those coming along?”
A shadow crossed his face. “I can connect a lot easier with my brothers and Brandy. A little too easily—”
“What happened?”
Ethan shuddered. “I saw Junior in the middle of coming last night. Not a pretty sight, and I hope it never happens again.”
Serena laughed, her shoulders shaking with the movement. “Oh, God! How awful!”
His brow raised in her direction, making her laugh harder. “Glad my pain brings you such joy.”
Covering her mouth, she coughed a few times. Her lips twitched with the need to smile, but she did not think Ethan would appreciate it. “Ignoring what you saw, was the connection to him clear at least?”
Ethan’s brows pinched. “I’m not sure I can ignore the image of one of my siblings mid-climax.” He shuddered again. “But yeah, the more recent times I’ve popped in, I can see them clearly, notice more of their surroundings, and I’m the one deciding how long to hold the connection versus it ending on its own.
Leaning forward, Serena grabbed her teacup. “That’s really good. I’m really proud of you! Now, um, have you had any premonitions or vivid dreams?” she asked before sipping the warm liquid.
He rubbed at the dark stubble along his jaw, his eyes hard. “Yes? No? I’m not really sure.”
Serena set her teacup on the coaster and uncrossed her legs so she could scoot closer to him. He tensed in a matter of seconds. All the joy and easy banter from moments ago were gone, and back was the man who had stepped into her shop.
“Hey,” she whispered. “No rush, remember?” Her skirt shifted at her thigh, and she slipped her hand into the pocket. “I had this made for you,” she said and offered him the small velvet bag from earlier.
Chapter 6
Serena placed a small bag into his palm and curled his fingers around it.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Open it.”
He searched her face, but she did not give anything away. Releasing his fingers, he plucked the bag and shook the contents onto his palm. When the silver ring with a flat black stone in the center landed on his skin, his gaze shot to hers.
Serena remained silent.
He lifted the ring and turned it around, inspecting it from every angle. Other than the black stone, he found a griffin embedded into one side and the Eye of Providence on the other. The metal was warm against his skin and immediately felt like an extension of himself.
Ethan met her eyes, searching them for something—anything—but she only nodded toward his hand. He slid it over his right ring finger, impressed it fit well over his knuckle. A calm washed over him, and his head was clearer.
“It’s been spelled.”
“It has,” she said and grabbed his hand in hers.
Ethan noted the differences between them. Hers had dainty fingers, which ended with short rounded nails, but his were larger, his nails unkempt.
Serena pointed at the stone. “Black onyx. It will help protect you against negative energy. Black onyx is known for absorbing and transforming negativity, so this will aid you in a variety of ways. The griffin is a symbol of your Broderick ancestry, and the all-seeing eye will help guard you. Brandy and I charmed it for your protection. Wear it always, as we’ve added a locator to it in case we have a repeat of Volark.”
