A Reincarnated Curse: The Beginning

Chapter 4

“You can come back; I am not taking you hostage. Grab my hand and repeat after me, ‘Detrahet me in domum suam’.”

I looked at Vee hesitantly. I could not just leave them with no explanation. Vee was holding her hand out promisingly. I then realized they lied to me all of my life. It would serve them right to worry about me, even for a short time. As soon as the thought crossed my mind I shook it off. I am not leaving with this lunatic.

“No! I won’t.” I said as I backed away from her, keeping my eyes on her. I do not trust her.

“Very well. I will give you some time to think about it.” The look in her eyes as she dropped her hand to her side was not a look of acceptance. It was more of a challenge. It sent shivers down my spine. What would she do? Force me?

I walked toward my house and looked back as I saw Vee watching me with a look of determination in her eyes. It was as if she knew something I did not. It creeped me out. She really thought I would just go with her. Birth mother or not, I did not know her. Me being a witch with a vampire lover and a witch intended, was all very movie like.

I climbed the tree and went back in my room. Turning around to peer out the window, Vee was gone. She vanished. Where did she go? I looked around for a moment and realized I must have imagined the entire thing. Deep down I knew I had not, but it was better than accepting all of that nonsense. Weirdest. Birthday. EVER.

As I closed my eyes to sleep I was haunted with my birthday dream, and visions of Vee. Waking in the morning I realized I did not sleep for s**t. I tossed and turned all night. What would I say to my parents? I had so many questions for them. Did they know about me? What kind of question is that? Of course not. I was not even sure I wanted to face them.

“Katerina, come down here sweety.” I heard my mom call after me. This was it. They were going to tell me how I was adopted and that they love me blah blah blah. I hurriedly got dressed and ran downstairs, preparing myself for the talk they were about to give me. As soon as I turned the corner I stopped dead in my tracks. Vee was sitting on my couch. What was she doing?

“What are you doing in my house!?” I asked, not really wanting her to answer. I wanted her to take the hint and leave. It was more of a threat.

“We all have some things to discuss with you. Why don’t you come over here and sit so you can hear this from your parents?” Vee said as she patted the cushion beside her. I looked over to the chair on the opposite side of the living room and decided to sit as far away from her as possible. I looked to my mom and dad and they had a look of concern on their faces. What did she say to them? They are going to think I am some kind of freak or something.

“Honey, there is a lot to talk about and not nearly enough time to explain it all…” My mom said as she looked towards my dad. He gave her a knowing look with a forced smile and looked over at me.

“Long story short, we love you very much. You will always be our daughter, but everything Venus has told you, is true. You are a princess of the Gratu coven. You were born with powers that surpass even Daniel’s, and with these powers and your royal lineage, you have certain responsibilities.” My dad told me as I looked at him with confusion. Why was he so calm explaining that to me? Had they known this my whole life?

“How do you-” I started and was interrupted by my mother’s hand as she held it up to me to interrupt my question.

“We know all of this because I was a midwife and maid to your mother throughout her marriage to your father and pregnancy with you. She gave me the responsibility to take you and raise you, protecting you from-” She paused and glanced at Vee for a split second. “Your father.”

The way she looked at Vee concerned me. It was as if she were afraid of her. But why? The way she was talking and acting was unlike herself. What was she trying to tell me? Did this lunatic threaten them or something?

“See, everything I said to you was true. I need you to come with me. For your own sake, you have to be able to protect yourself. Once you are enrolled in the academy they will teach you to use your powers and you will be able to protect yourself.” Vee said to me with a little irritation in her tone. Why would I need protection from my father? I felt like I was in a sitcom.

My mom got up and came over to me pulling me up from the chair. Hugging me she whispered, “You have to protect yourself. Go with her and learn how. This is the only way.” She let go of me and stared in my eyes for a second. She was trying to tell me something and I was obviously too stupid to understand her meaning.

Vee walked over to me and held her hand out. “Come, grab my hand and repeat after me. ‘Detrahet me in domum suam’.

I looked to my mom and dad, both of them nodding in agreement. If my mom thinks I should do this then I guess I should. I should have felt abandoned, or angry. Instead, I felt like going with Vee was something I had to do. Something was telling me to go.

Grabbing Vee’s hand, I repeated what she told me. Everything around me started to fade away and a swirl of wind surrounded us both. All at once the wind stopped and we were in the town from my dream. It seemed more modernized now though, brick houses built sturdy instead of with straw on top.

“Okay, where will I be sleeping tonight?” I asked since it seemed to be night again.

Pointing at a familiar house, Vee smiled. “Right here, of course.” Turning I saw that she was pointing at the house from my dream. I get to have my own house!? I thought to myself. I was not about to question it. She might change her mind.

“Okay, well I am like super tired, so I am going to bed.” I said trying to hide my excitement as I started walking to the house. Walking inside the house I started to remember all the things that were still there. “So, I reincarnated myself, that’s not weird at all.” I said aloud to myself. The outside of the house was remodeled but the inside remained the same. Walking into the room, almost by instinct, I reached a creaky floorboard and knelt to pull it up finding a black box. Reaching for my necklace I squeezed it and it popped open. All of these years I never knew that it had opened, or maybe I had and that is why I reached for it.

There was a key that fell out. I grabbed the key and went to unlock the box. It was filled with letters and a portrait painted of Alessandro. I really caused all of this mess because of this man, I thought to myself. He was absolutely stunning. Go me. Placing the pictures back into the box I pulled out a letter. It read,

“To my love, it will only be a short time now and we can embrace each other without fear of our families. I am counting down the days until you are my wife. With love, Alessandro.”

“They were planning on eloping, wow, go girl! I mean, go me!” They were so in love that they were planning on leaving all that they knew and risking going against their families to be with one another. Vee had mentioned that Raphael and I were to marry as an alliance between the covens.

Why would they need an alliance? Were they at war with each other? Are they still? There was a lot I still did not know or understand. I still questioned if Vee were someone I could trust completely. Something in my gut told me that I could not.

Laying down I realized I would be at school tomorrow and have to meet that ‘Raphael’ guy. Who I was most anxious to meet in person, was Alessandro. Would he be there? Was that him in today’s time calling for me? Would they all hate me?

I was, after all, the sole reason they were all cursed until my ‘rebirth’. How was I going to go back to sleep? As I lay back on the bed I suddenly I felt drained as if all of my energy left me at once. Drifting off to sleep my thoughts seemed to follow me in my dreams.

I woke the next day with the image of Alessandro burned into my memory. Someone was banging on my door. “Katerina, it’s your mother, I mean, it’s Vee, it’s time for you to get to school.”

Looking at the wall where the clock hung, I saw that it was five o’clock. Answering the door, I rubbed my eyes. “You do realize it’s five in the morning.”

Vee laughed, “No baby, it’s five in the evening. The sun is setting, and it is time to head to the school. You aren’t even dressed yet?!” She asked me as she looked at me disapprovingly.

“Evening? How? I slept all day? What do you mean time for school? School is at night?” Then I remembered the vampires go to the school as well. That must be why it is held at night.

“Yes, school is at night, witches and vampires are beings of the night. The moon calls to us both and having school at night just makes more sense.”

“Well yeah, I get that. Wouldn’t they like burn up in the sunlight or something?”

Vee laughed, “No honey, that is just made-up stuff on television. It is just easier because the moon is where we witches draw our power and the…nightwalkers…” She said as she paused. “are more powerful as well. The school is at your…fathers family castle.” The last part she said in a condescending tone.

“Where is my father?” I asked and Vee stopped in her tracks.

“Now isn’t the time. Another time, perhaps.” She spoke through gritted teeth. It made me wonder what the problem was. I decided to revisit that question another day.

Running around to get ready I was trying find something to wear, “I don’t know what to wear, all of these clothes and I have nothing to put on.”

“This is your attire, I forgot to leave it with you.” Looking up to Vee I saw she was holding a catholic schoolgirl outfit. You have GOT to be kidding me.

“You don’t really expect me to wear that, do you?” It was a black blazer jacket with a white dress shirt and of course it had a necktie. The necktie was red, to match the plaid red and black skirt. Let us not forget the knee length socks and church shoes. “I have my own shoes. If I have to wear that, I am at least going to wear my own shoes.” I pulled out my high heels and threw the socks on the ground.

“Okay, let’s go your majesty.” Looking at Vee, I smiled. “I could get used to that.” Vee rolled her eyes. “Come on now you’re going to be late.” Stepping out my door Vee said, “Grab my hand.” As I barely touched her hand, we were suddenly at the school entrance. I felt dizzy for a moment.

“I could get used to that as well.” I said as I stumbled a little. Though, this transportation may take some time for me to get used to.

“That is exactly why you are off to school, to learn things like that and to…”

“Harness my powers, I know. You gave me that spiel last night. What if they hate me? I did curse their families for centuries.”

“I think you will have more trouble from jealousy more so than you will hate. You are to be the strongest of us all, and we still don’t know everything pertaining to your powers or how strong you are to become.”

“When will I know?” I felt like a big shot at this point. I am like the main character in a drama.

“Well on your eighteenth birthday you will ascend into your full powers, though I imagine you are very powerful even now…okay off you go!” Vee said as she motioned her hands in a shooing fashion.

Walking through the school gate and looking ahead I saw the man from my dream and froze. “Alessandro.” I said gasping under my breath without realizing it. Just as I said it, he diverted his attention to me. He was such a beautiful man. Even more so in real life. He made direct eye contact with me and we shared a moment. It was as if time stopped and nothing and no one was there except the two of us.

I have never felt anything like this before. It was as if my heart knew him. I felt my legs tremble at the sight of him but not out of fear. It was anxiousness that flooded my body. I could melt in his eyes. I felt as if I wanted to reach out and touch him, but not physically. Why did I feel like this?

I continued to walk toward the entrance where he stood. I could feel myself blushing as I veered my eyes to the ground. I could still feel his eyes on me. Everyone, it seemed, was staring at me but I could actually feel his gaze. As soon as I got closer to him, I saw a girl looking and hatefully smirking at me.

She was absolutely beautiful, porcelain colored skin with long flowing straight brown hair and blue eyes that reminded me of Amanda. The way she flipped her hair, I intuitively knew she was one of ‘those’ girls. She must be Ms. Popular. I wondered for a minute why she was looking at me so hatefully and then realized she was holding Alessandro’s hand.

I thought to myself, ‘So my vampire lover already has a lover. Fantastic, this will make it much easier to get to know Mr. ‘Let me throw my torch of love on you and burn you to death.’ I chuckled to myself as I walked past Alessandro. Just as I passed him I heard the voice again, this time in my head.

Had it been in my head the entire time? Looking back at him I saw he was watching me still. Ms. Popular hit his chest and he grabbed her playfully. “Don’t be like that.” I heard him tell her. I turned and kept walking admiring the splendor of the building. It was so old looking but immaculate. It kind of intimidated me a little.

The castle was gray colored and made of old stone. The door opened by itself as I walked in. “At least they have automatic doors.” I said aloud to myself.

“It’s called magic, Evil queen.” Someone said in a voice that seemed full of animosity.

Looking over to where the guy had spoken, it was Raphael. “Evil Queen? Is that the best you can do?” I was no stranger to being bullied. At this point in my life, I also don’t tolerate it.

“No, I have better, that is what we all call you, courtesy of Lorraine.” He stated with a smirk on his face.

“Great. Look I am not here to cause trouble, I am here to make right what I apparently had made wrong years ago. Then I can go back to my normal life so don’t be a jerk.”

“Whatever!” He said as he pushed passed me bumping into me. Fantastic, my vampire lover, already had a lover, and my ‘intended’ was a big jerk. I should not be surprised; Alessandro was way too handsome to not be taken and Raphael did kill me. Everything is as it should be, considering. Looking around I was so confused. Where was the office? Who did I need to talk to?

“Looking for me?” I heard a voice ask, and yet no one was there. Suddenly a man appeared out of thin air.

“Hello, I am-”

“Katerina Duncan, yes, I am aware.” He said trying to hide his disapproval of my existence. “I am your headmaster, Ladin Vortigen, and these are your classes.” He handed me a piece of paper with a list. “Thank…you?” Just as suddenly as he appeared, he was gone. “What a great welcome wagon.” I said aloud. I knew I would experience some hateful looks, but creepy headmaster guy was… “Vortigen? Then he must be-”

“My grandfather.” An oh so familiar voice called out to me.