The Cursed Awakening book 1

Chapter 10. Ghosted Realities

Chapter: Ghosted Realities

Coral’s POV

7 months later

The sun streamed through the large windows of the Mystic Logic classroom, casting warm beams onto the wooden desks scattered with books, notes, and enchanted crystals. I sat cross-legged on the floor with my best friend Sahara, both of us surrounded by a chaotic spread of parchment and glowing quills.

“Okay, so if we channel the essence of the moonstone during the incantation,” Sahara began, pointing to a diagram, “it should amplify the spell by at least 30%, right?”

I nodded, fiddling absentmindedly with the locket around my neck. “Yeah, that makes sense. But only if we align it with the celestial ley lines. Otherwise, it might just fizzle out.”

Sahara leaned back, groaning. “Why does Mystic Logic have to be so complicated? Like, it’s bad enough we have to calculate magic. Can’t it just... happen?”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “You’d think with all our abilities, we’d get a break in one class.”

She eyed me with a sly grin. “Speaking of breaks, when was the last time you heard from Eli?”

The question caught me off guard, and I felt my stomach twist. I hesitated, my fingers tightening around the locket.

“It’s been... a while,” I admitted.

Sahara raised an eyebrow. “Define ‘a while.’”

I sighed, letting the locket drop back against my chest. “Okay, so here’s the deal. When Eli first left for warrior training, we were on fire. I mean, FaceTiming, texting, calling—every single day for six months straight. I could feel everything, you know? His excitement, his nerves, his happiness. It was like we were still connected even though we were miles apart.”

Sahara nodded, her expression turning serious. “And then?”

“And then... month five happened. Suddenly, it went from every day to every two days. I brushed it off at first—thought maybe he was just busy with training. But by month six...” I swallowed hard, the memory still stinging. “It was nothing. Radio silence. I called, no answer. I texted, no response. It’s like he just vanished.”

Sahara gave me a knowing look. “Girl, that sounds like another woman.”

“What?” I snapped, sitting up straight. “No. Not Eli. We were so close, Sahara. There’s no way he’d—no.”

Sahara shrugged, twirling a lock of her dark curly hair around her finger. “I’m just saying, my brother did the same thing. He was dating this girl—head over heels for her, just like you and Eli. Then his dumb self went over to the human realm and bam—found his mate. Ghosted the poor girl like she never existed.”

I stared at her, my heart sinking. “You think that’s what happened?”

“I mean...” Sahara trailed off, giving me a sympathetic look. “It’s possible. Think about it. If he found his mate, the bond would pull him in. And everything you two had, no matter how strong it was, would pale in comparison.”

I felt a lump in my throat, the weight of the locket around my neck suddenly unbearable. “But I still feel him,” I whispered. “I feel his emotions. He’s happy, ecstatic even. How could he be feeling that and not think of me? I mean, I made a vow with this stupid necklace.”

Sahara’s eyes widened. “Wait. You made a vow?”

I nodded, my voice thick with regret. “Yeah. We pricked our fingers, dropped our blood into it. He said it would keep us connected no matter what.”

“Oh, Coral,” Sahara groaned, leaning her head against her hand. “That’s some serious magic. You basically tied yourself to him.”

“And for what?” I said bitterly. “To be ghosted? To sit here feeling his emotions while he’s off—what? Living his best life? I’m just glad I didn’t...” I hesitated, my cheeks flushing.

“Didn’t what?” Sahara pressed, smirking.

“Give him my virginity,” I muttered.

“Girl, amen to that,” Sahara said, laughing and clapping her hands together. “Because you’d really be messed up if you had.”

Despite myself, I let out a small laugh, the tension easing just a bit. “You’re probably right.”

Sahara grinned, nudging me with her shoulder. “Of course, I’m right. And you’re better off without him if he’s out there playing games. You’re Coral, future queen of badassery. Don’t forget that.”

I smiled, her words lifting my spirits. Maybe she was right. Maybe it was time to let go of Eli and focus on myself.

But as I fingered the locket one last time, I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that there was more to the story—something I couldn’t yet see.