The Thousand Year Curse (The Curse Books) (22 page)

Ari- I understand. He was here first.

Me- Friends?

Class goes by way too fast and Ari doesn't respond to my last message. Leaving class is beyond awkward since I don't know how to deal with him or if I should apologize.
 

As I turn to break the silence, I see Ari start to say something so I shut up. He opens his mouth to talk but then shuts it, shaking his head. He turns leaving the classroom without saying a word to me.
 

"What the hell happened to you?" Junior asks before enveloping me in a hug as I enter my next class. We don't have much time to talk so I hold him off, promising I'll explain later.
 

When we get a break, I explain how Ollie refused to tell me about himself and how Ari showed up at school. I tell him about how finally Ari told me the story about my past. At first I think that he might pass out when his face pales and his eyes widen but then color comes back and I know he's alive.
 

"You saw a vision?" He asks first, scooting closer to me.
 

"After everything I just said, that's what you get?" I ask exasperated at his first thought.
 

"I guess so, yeah. I mean it's cool they're these Gods vying for your attention and all but you have the sick powers, right?" I guess that's true. To be honest, I've been so shell shocked I never even thought of that.
 

"Sure, we're not even sure what it is yet." I tell him. "I can't even do it when I want." I brush it off.

"Well either way, you got me. So now what?" He asks, bringing up the question that's gone through my head over and over. Two words that are starting to change my life.
 

"I'm going to change my fate." I confess with a huge smile on my face. My smile fades as I realize that's about as far as my plan goes. I haven't figured out what I'm doing, just that I need to fix my life before I drown.
 

I run to forth period, excited to see Ollie but he doesn't show. Every time someone walks in the door my heart picks up but I'm let down over and over. He said, he'd see me. I'm beyond disappointed as I sit in class, doodling. Time drags on torturing me with every tick.
 

Becca and her friends throw pieces of paper at the back of my head throughout class. Each piece has a very kind word or phrase on it and I read them just for kicks. The best one is definitely the one where she explains how she hooked up with Ollie and how he's sleeping it off after their rendezvous. Little does she know, I was with Ollie last night. Pathetic bitch. I run out of class once the bell rings wanting to distance myself and hide from Becca.

The rest of the day takes forever—the clock slowing ticking, second by second. When the final bell rings I run to my locker, dropping off the books I don't need and picking up the ones I do. Once I'm satisfied, I shut my locker before running over to the library.
 

I silently pray that Ollie shows up for our study session. I walk in waving to Mary before heading back to my special spot in the back. I put my stuff down and wait in my seat for Ollie to show up. The late bell rings and there's no sign of him, making my heart drop.
 

I feel him before I see him. Anticipation wells up inside me creating a flutter of uneasiness. He walks in the doors of the library, his eyes scanning the room for me. He jogs towards me and when he's close, I jump from my seat into his arms. "Where were you?" I ask him tucking my head into the crook of his neck, inhaling his scent.
 

"I had to take care of some things, I'm sorry. I didn't realize it would take this long. I'm here now though, okay?" He pulls me back with his hands before placing them on either side of my head. Closing his eyes, he leans down towards me before pressing his lips to mine softly. I can barely feel him but I'm completely under his spell.
 

"Let's go. We need to talk." He commands while taking my hand, leading me out of the school. He lets me jump in the passenger side of his truck and then starts up the engine after getting in. I'm used to the roaring engine by now and don't bother to shield my ears.
 

"I want to talk to Hades." I announce, throwing it out there in the open. I know it's probably not the best time to bring up my master plan but I'm not sure when I'll get another chance. I need Ollie to take me since he's been there before.
 

"No." He states, trying to prove that he's not going to be swayed. The vein in his neck pops up as he stares out the front windshield.
 

"Yes. I am going to talk to him, with or without you!" I shout as I get more and more agitated. I will not be told what to do anymore, not by Ollie, Ari, my dad or Hades.
 

"You will not Eurydice." His tone stays the same, stern and unrelenting, but he ventures to meet my gaze, pleading for me not to push him. I meet him right back, not wanting to show weakness.
 

"Not right now..." I mumble under my breath, hoping he doesn't hear me. I'm sick of being in the dark about everything. I don't feel like the same girl I was yesterday. I want to know about the curse. I want to know who I am.
 

Finally we pull up to Ollie's driveway, his large stone house sitting at the top. Neither of us say a word as he leads me towards the cabin. A bit of excitement rumbles inside of me when I realize where we're going but I don't want to show him. I'm still mad he wouldn't even let me explain my genius plan.
 

When we get to the cabin I'm amazed by its beauty again, forgetting how perfect it is. I sit near the fireplace, waiting for Ollie to make the first move.
 

He comes over slowly as if walking on eggshells before he bends to put some paper in the fireplace. The fire ignites when he sprays lighter fluid over it and I instantly feel the warmth across my face.
 

Blackness fades into my vision but I blink it back, not wanting to fall asleep or see anything. It's strange but as I focus on the light, the blackness actually recedes. I keep trying to stay awake and resist the blackness but it's a constant struggle.

"So..." I say to him, trying to concentrate on something else. It's a tad weird as he takes my hand in his, sitting next to me. We both stare each other down.
 

I crack first, laughing out loud and Ollie follows my lead, breaking out in loud giggles. It's not supposed to be like this with Ollie. I used to be so comfortable with him. Now there's so much tension between us.
 

"I'm sure you have tons of questions." He states, starting the conversation.
 

"That's the understatement of the century." I laugh cynically but he doesn't even crack a smile.
 

"Let me just start with who I am." He says clearing his throat. "My name is Orpheus, as you know. My father is fairly famous. His name is Apollo. I am immortal. I do not age and was born a God. I have a gift." He pauses and clears his throat loudly—again. "With my music I can influence people or animals or anything to do what I want. All I have to do is play an instrument or sing it and they must obey." Shock takes over my body as I sit there unmoving, not even sure if my heart still beats.
 

"Have you used your influence over me?" I question him, needing to know that he hasn't made me love him or do anything.

"No. I've tried, trust me I tried. The interesting thing about my gift is that it doesn't work on other Gods or Nephilim."
 

"What's Nephilim?" I ask trying to figure out the word I've never heard before.

"It's a cross breed. Someone who has a God's blood in them but also human blood."

"Okay. What does this have to do with me?" I'm still not getting what he's trying to say.
 

"Well, sometimes Nephilim have powers from their ancestors. Since your having visions, I think you may be one. I'm not positive. I'd have to do a blood test." He says, rambling on. All I really heard was that I may be one. Another bomb—this one nuclear.

"That's impossible. My dad doesn't have powers." Right after I say that it clicks. "My mom." I whisper to myself. Reality sinks in when Ollie asks me question after question and all I do is nod.
 

He takes a small vile of my blood before stowing it away to test it. I am kind of in a fog, only going through the motions. My world has been rocked on its axis. First the curse and now I am part God or something.

When Ollie comes back in the living room I can tell he has something else he wants to say by the way he refuses to make eye contact with me. I perk up and pretend to be interested. Truthfully, I can't focus on anything but my mom. I can't help but question why she left me.

"There's something else I have to tell you." I nod my head, prodding him to go on. "I don't know much about Nephilim. I am going away for a few days to figure out what I can for you. I need you to promise me something, Eurydice." He says very seriously.

"Anything." I answer, knowing I would do anything to make him happy.

"Don't see Ari. Do not do anything crazy. Just wait until I can return and I promise I will do whatever you want, okay?" He asks, taking my hands in his, begging me to obey him.
 

"I want to go to the Underworld. I can persuade Hades to break this curse. I know that I can. You have to believe me!" I roar, shaking him away.

"No. That will not happen Eurydice. Do not leave this town. Do you understand me?" This guy who I love is ruining my plans. I know from my vision that they care for me. Hades will listen to me. I'm going to Hell with or without him.
 

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

colliding

"Do you love me?" I ask him not caring how desperate I sound, or how stupid it comes off. I want to repair my relationship with Ollie so badly.
 

"Of course, I love you Eurydice." Ollie answers while taking my hand in his and planting gentle kisses along my knuckles. After chuckling to himself he places both our hands on his lap, not wanting to let go.
 

"I mean, if we weren't given this curse. Would you love me then?" He's stuck in this curse just as much as me. What if our love isn't real anymore.
 

"Eurydice, I loved you before the curse. That's the whole reason we're in this mess." He seems to be telling the truth as he meets my gaze. I want to pry more but I bury the thought knowing that Ollie loves me. My brain isn't functioning fully anymore which is probably why I'm so paranoid.
 

Making our way into the kitchen, he starts boiling water for mac and cheese while I sit on a stool. I watch Ollie as he makes quick work of our easy meal. I want this relationship to work. I feel like it's mending itself the more open we are.
 

"Will you stay here with me tonight?" He asks me out of the blue. It takes me a moment to recover before answering him.
 

"Let me see what my dad's doing." I haven't spoken with my dad at all today but I remember him mentioning he has to work late so maybe I'll just text him and tell him I'm staying over at Junior's tonight.
 

"I'll stay." I answer taking out my cell phone to text my dad. A message is blinking at me to open it but it's from an unknown number. After texting my dad about staying at Junior's, discretely I open the message.

We need to talk. Found info on dreams. -A

Ari. It's great news that he's found something but I can't leave tonight. I just agreed to staying with Ollie and I can't break that—I need this time with him. Ollie is leaving and who knows when he'll come back.

I feel like garbage and guilty as ever going behind his back but I know that I have to in order to get some answers. Ollie wants me to stay away from Ari but it's not an option anymore. I know what I'm doing.
 

school tomorrow. 5th lunch. meet me.
 

After cleaning up our dishes from dinner I head into the living room, searching for Ollie. I check the whole bottom level and even peek into the basement but he's not around. Unless of course he's invisible or something.
 

Music flutters down the stairs and I follow it like bread crumbs up to the bedroom upstairs. The doors shut so I slowly open it not wanting to disrupt him.