The Celestial Curse (22 page)

“I see what you mean about getting negative vibes from that Jaxon fellow.” She comments watching his retreating back.

“Every time he comes close or touches me in some way, I get zapped. Like a magical zap or tingling. This time it went down my arms and into my fingers.” I say still mulling over the events.

“Have you spoken to Caleb about your opinion of Jaxon?” Aunt Betsy asks.

“I have thought about it, but without evidence I didn’t think it would do much good. Plus he has known Jaxon for a very long time and would probably be offended if I started accusing his friend of something less than honourable.” I say as I turn my attention back to her.

“I am not entirely convinced he is as honourable as he is making out to be dear. Things do not seem to be adding up for me.” She says and I look to her curiously waiting for her to continue.

“In all the years I have known Caleb, I have never known him to act the way he is now.” She says while watching the pair. I look over to see Caleb attention purely on Jaxon. Jaxon isn’t paying attention to whatever is being said though, no his full attention is on me…again. I frown at the annoying man but little good that does as he grins back at me. Something about the way he grins at me is creepy and as I catch people watching, the expressions on their faces are the same as mine.

I decide to have a word with Caleb as soon as I can get him alone. Hopefully at the end of the night after everyone leaves. I try to put Jaxon and Caleb out of my thoughts for the rest of the evening and enjoy myself. It seems the guys have other plans though as Caleb informs me that he and Jaxon are taking off to do their own thing. I take this opportunity to ask Caleb to speak with me in private.

I decide the attic would be the best place for this discussion as I lead him away from Jaxon. Caleb follows without a word as I open the attic door and close it behind us. Music can be heard in the background as we sit on the chase lounger at the far end of the room. Not coming up with a good way to get this conversation started I jump straight to the main point, rushing my words to get my confession like speech over with.

“I wanted to talk to you about Jaxon. He creeps me out, I don’t trust his intentions Caleb and to be honest I don’t really like you when he is around. It’s like you become a different person.” I say and pause to see his reaction, but Caleb as usual keeps his blank face firmly in place, keeping me guessing as to whether he is an actual human being with feelings or a robot sent to make my life miserly.

“What are you talking about Amber? I am the same person I have always been and Jaxon is an old friend that I haven’t seen in a really long time, so yes I have been making the effort to spend more time with someone else that is in the same predicament as me and understands what it’s like to be cursed and have no hope for the future, until now that is.” He replies which makes me feel a little guilty about bring any of this up, until I remember the look Jaxon gets in his eyes whenever he looks at me. Firming my belief that something more is going on, I try another way to persuading Caleb to listen and take me seriously.

“Ok then how do you explain the zap of energy I got from him that first night I met him and he shook my hand?” Thinking this is a valid point I am deeply wounded when Caleb is far too casual about it. Even though I haven’t told him about any of this before now, I still thought he would take my side.

“Was probably just a static shock or something.” He says impatiently. A little shocked and hurt I listen as he crushes my rose tinted view of him further into the ground.

“Look Amber, Jaxon is a cursed man just like me, who has had to do things he probably isn’t proud of just to get by and not lose his sanity in the process. So while you may think he is a creep and isn’t worth the gum scraped off the sole of your shoe, just remember that he is a very old friend of mine, one who has been through hell and back and who deserves a hell of a lot more respect than what you are giving him right now.” He says as I sit speechless. Caleb stands up and walks towards the door. As he reaches to pull the handle he turns around with disappointment lacing his features.

“I think it would be best if im not around for a while Amber, at least until we find some answers on how to deal with the curse.” With those parting words, Caleb opens the door and disappears downstairs.

I sit for a couple minutes before jumping up and running to the door, down the hallway to the banister and lean over the side, looking for Caleb. I spot him just as the front door opens and leaves, Jaxon following close on his heels. At the very last minute Jaxon looks back, straight at me and smirks as he too walks through the doorway, closing it behind him with a final click.

Dread settles over my head as a sinking feeling in my stomach makes itself known. I take my eyes off the front door and look for Aunt Betsy. Hovering near the entrance to the kitchen she looks to me with sadness and worry shadowing her eyes, no doubt mirroring my own.

I guess Caleb will have to watch his own back where Jaxon is concerned for the moment and I will watch mine. Jaxon on the other hand had better be prepared for all his secrets to be revealed, because there is no way I am going to rest until I find out what his real motives are and what they have to do with Caleb.

I turn around, putting Caleb from my mind for the time being. April still has her gifts to open so I find the birthday girl and sit her in the chair, with everyone surround her with their gifts. I watch as one by one a bag, pair of shoes, a coat etc. are all piled on the floor next to her.

Finally it’s my turn just as Duncan brings the box we wrapped earlier, I take the box from him and walk up to April, sitting the precious gift onto her lap. I watch as curiosity lights up her features when she unwraps the bow from the lid and lifts off the top. Gasps from the women and chuckles from the men resounds throughout the room, but April has my full attention as she stares dumbfounded at the contents, as a tiny fury head pops out of the box and takes in the surrounding people. Looking down at the tiny kitten in her lap April’s eyes begin to tear up. I rush over to give her a hug before pulling away, taking the box with me and leaving the little female Savannah kitten behind. April mouths thank you before directing her full attention to the tiny bundle of fur exploring everywhere she can reach.

These are the moments life is worth living for. The people who make you feel complete, whether bonded to you by blood or something stronger like the friendship I share with April. I silently vow to myself to find out what is going on with Caleb and to find a way to break his curse. But for right this moment, I enjoy watching my best friend bask in the love of the people around her and join in teasing our newest addition to the family with a piece of string.    

THE END