The Angel's Curse

Chapter Nine

Veronica’s POV

Waking up had been difficult once morning came. Everything is already feeling so different, so…strange. Everything that I had tried to keep us from was outside our door and I couldn’t prevent it this time. Especially since a particular male has come into our life unexpectedly. His words still affect me, even now. The way his husky voice effortlessly called me his mate, resonated within me. My heart skips a beat each time I let it repeat in my mind. Allowing it to create both a feeling of attraction and, sadly, fear.

‘Don’t be foolish, Veronica.’ I mentally warned myself, sipping my morning tea. As much as I would love to be foolishly taken by him, I just couldn’t. Not this time… Having been hurt once already, I needed to be cautious. After all, I might not make it out alive this time if I'm not careful. Biting my bottom lip, I stood in the kitchen doorway, staring up the stairs at Lily’s door and just wondering what she would think of this. Would she be happy? Would she even want Trey in our lives? All hopeful questions, despite the dark ones that loomed along with them. Questions I had asked once already, but with her father. Was she safe in his care? Was she protected? Or does she fear him… Like I do?

‘ What do you think?!’ I could hear him laugh. His malice voice, mocking all me and my fears as if they were nothing. Vincent. The very man that had made me like this. Left me fearful of trying to find my happiness, fearful of keeping Lily safe. ‘ She’s alive, not a mark on her. Well, so long as she stays perfect, that is. Unlike you. ‘ That’s right…unlike me. The perfection that he had seen would be gone the moment he had seen my back. The bumps that had been there, hiding the very things that made me unique and the object of his disgust. Closing my eyes, I could still feel the blade that tore through my back and the pain that came with it. Ghost pain, the doctors had told me. But pain all the same. Tears stung my eyes feeling this, my hands trembling, wanting so much to crush the mug in my hands. Why…why must I feel this pain? Why couldn’t he have loved me as I once was?

“Veronica?” opening my eyes, I could see the blood that had coated my hands. The panic was all too real in my heart, mixing with my newly found fears. Standing before me was Ember, her eyes clouded in worry. Those hazel eyes, shimmering with life. So brilliant, so bright. Why couldn’t my eyes be like my younger sister’s? Maybe if they were… I wouldn’t feel trapped in this cage of mine.

“Shh, it’s okay, Ro. You’re safe, I promise. “ She spoke softly, carefully removing the mug from my hands and placing it on the counter beside me. She was doing what I should be doing for her. Bandaged, limping and probably still sore from the attack, she should be the one being comforted. Not me. And yet, I didn’t stop her when she pulled me into a comforting embrace. Her arms are fairly tight around my shoulders. I could feel her taking slow, steady breaths, silently instructing me just by holding me. Putting my arms around her, I followed her guidance and tried to relax. The Ghost pain, slowly slipping away with each slow exhale.

“T-Thanks… Ember.” I said, tightening my grip on her.

“It’s what sisters are for. “ She replied, giving one final squeeze before releasing me. She was smiling when she let go, proud of herself for using my own words against me.

“Now and forever. “ I smiled, glancing at my hands as they fell. The blood I thought I had seen, nowhere in sight. No injuries, insight, well not on me anyway. Ember was still dressed in bandages from her knee to her ankle. Her wrist tightly wrapped up and in a brace that the doctor had given her for the time being. Dressed in shorts and an old nsync shirt that hung limply off one shoulder, she looked like she had just jumped out of the nineties. All she was missing was the jelly bracelets and Kimmy Gibler ponytail.

“You know, I might still have some jelly bracelets in my jewelry box.” I joked, wishing I had my phone with me to snap a picture. It would have been funny to put in a scrapbook to show any future boyfriend Ember brought home.

“Pfft, I don’t need those. Plus god forbid someone broke them. “ She grimaced, shivering when she stepped around me to enter the kitchen. “Could you imagine a goblin-looking man snapping a black one?”

“The black one? Why would I be worried about that one again” I asked, picking back up my mug to attempt to finish off my lukewarm drink.

“You’re kidding, right? How could you forget the snap game? The black one meant you had to sleep with the person that broke it.” Realization came quickly at the mention of the game. It had to be one of the dumbest games ever made at the time. Each bracelet had its own meaning and if someone broke it, you had to perform the act assigned. The tamest being yellow, hugging, going all the way to Black, intercourse.

“Ooooh is that why you never wore anything but the yellow ones?” I questioned, watching as she went about brewing a pot of coffee. Though she had some moderate problems thanks to the brace. It resulted in opening the plastic lid with her teeth like an animal to avoid asking me for help.

“No s**t, Ro. Like hell I would wear one of the other ones to school. Give me some credit here. Like I wanted to risk someone like that pervert, Harvey, from history class snapping them. Just thinking of giving that bastard a lap dance or a kiss makes me sick.” I didn’t blame her on that one. Harvey may have had the looks back then, but he was an ass nonetheless. Gifted with the typical squared chinned jock, with rippling muscles and charm, he was the object of everyone's attention back then. If only that game hadn't been made. Maybe then he wouldn’t have gotten five girls pregnant before the end of junior year and became a dropout. Which honestly, served him right for being a sleaze. But I digress.

Finishing up my tea, I went to make another cup. It was already eight in the morning, Lily was sleeping and Trey wasn’t going to be here until ten. Which meant there was plenty of time for me to get ready to leave. I had already called Lily out of school, so I wouldn’t need to worry too much while I was out. Ember had agreed to stay home with her and promised not to leave for any reason. All I needed to do now was figure out what to wear and hopefully not make a fool of myself.

“You have that date with Trey today, right?” Ember asked, leaning on one of the counters looking at me. Looking back at her, I did my best not to flinch, seeing the wood bending under her weight.

“Yeah… We’re going to get supplies to fix the counters. You know the ones that you SHOULDN’T be leaning on.” I replied, stressing ‘shouldn’t’ all the while. The last thing she needed was to get another wound from being risky. The next time could cost her more than a broken wrist. Waving off my concern, Ember crossed her arms under her chest. Not bothering to shift away from the counter even after getting warned.

“Yeah yeah, stop being a worry wart. We’re talking about your date.” She quickly dismissed me, a mischievous gleam illuminating her eyes. “ How about we make a bet? You wear two of those bracelets. If Trey breaks even one of them, you have to go on another date with him.” She wasn’t serious…was she? Turning off the water, I dried my hands. It was an interesting bet, to say the least. Would Trey be bold enough to play such a game? Did he even know what they meant? Better yet, what would I get if he didn’t?

“And if he doesn’t? What do I get?” I questioned, curious as to how far Ember would go with this bet. Ember hummed softly, hopefully thinking over her options. However, I had a feeling she wouldn’t. After all, this was Ember. She was crazy enough to go skydiving just for the hell of it. Hell, she even went cliff diving on a dare.

“Oh! I know! “ She exclaimed with a grin. Hitting her hand on the counter on impulse, flinching from the impact against the brace. “You know that picture of you from three winters ago? The one when you wore that god awful olive green sweater dress?”

“Ugh” I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. “ Yeah. That dress was revolting.”

“Well, I have the only copy of it. I will dispose of it if he doesn’t.” That was it? Just disposing of a hideous photo? No, if I was going to do this, she would have to do better than that. Something of equal value, if anything.

“Add to it, watching the Sound of Music with me and Lily, and you’ve got a deal.” She grimaced at the mention of the musical. If there was one thing that Ember hated, it was musicals. While Lily and I loved them, Ember often went out with friends when she knew we were going to watch one. Now she would have no choice but to sit through one of my favorite movies.

“You’re evil.” She whined, dramatically leaning into the counter, like a child would after being asked to do chores. The wood practically cried out from under her, mimicking her whining whilst trying its best not to break.

“I'll take that as a yes, now get off the counter!” I warned, glaring at her in warning. “I swear to god, Em, if you break it and get hurt, I’m putting you in a damn bubble!” I shouted, putting my hands on my hips as I looked at her. If she was going to act like she was a child, I wasn’t against treating her like one. Getting stern with her, as I would Lily should she do something dangerous. I was not going to let her get hurt on my watch if I could help it.

Raising her hands in defeat, Ember laughed, moving away from the countertop. The wood gradually grew silent, the threat of another splintery explosion calming. Keeping my gaze on her, she took an extra step away and stuck her tongue out. Oh, how she knew how to push my buttons. Gripping the dish towel tightly, I threw it at her on impulse. The deep navy fabric hit her right in the face, catching her off guard. Both of us stood in silence, staring at each other. Neither of us really anticipated a reaction from her teasing. But before I could speak, a little voice came from the doorway, putting an end to it all.

“Momma, we don’t throw things!”