Cursed by Love

Chapter 1

I had always known something was different about me. It wasn’t anything I could explain—just a feeling, like I didn’t quite fit in. But I never imagined that my life was connected to something ancient, something dangerous.

It was my 18th birthday. I should have been happy, right? I mean, it was a big day. Everyone says turning eighteen is a fresh start, a new chapter. But for me, the day didn’t feel like a celebration. There was a strange weight in my chest, like something was coming, and I couldn’t shake it off, no matter how hard I tried.

The sky outside was already darkening as I sat on my bed, staring at thefew balloons my mom had tied to the chair in the corner. They lookedout of place in my small, quiet room. I should’ve been downstairs, smiling with my mom and maybe even enjoying the small cake she bought for me. But instead, I stayed here, staring out the window, watching the sunset.

The sun sank behind the hills, leaving streaks of red and purple in thesky. It was a beautiful sight, but there was something strange about it.The red in the sky was too deep, too dark, almost like the sky itself was

bleeding. I rubbed my arms, trying to push away the weird feeling that had settled in my chest.

I pulled my sweater tighter around me and stepped away from the window. Maybe I was just overthinking it. Maybe it was just one of those days where everything felt off for no reason.

Talia! My mom’s voice echoed from downstairs. Dinner’s ready! Come down, sweetheart.

I sighed and looked at my reflection in the mirror. My dark hair fellin soft waves over my shoulders, and my brown eyes stared back at mewith a familiar look of uncertainty. My face looked pale, more than usual. I tried to smile at myself, but it didn’t feel right.

Everything’s fine, I whispered to my reflection, even though I didn’tbelieve it. It’s just your birthday. Nothing weird is going to happen.

I smoothed my hair back and headed downstairs. As I reached thebottom of the stairs, the smell of pasta hit me. My mom loved to cookpasta on special occasions, and birthdays were no exception. I stepped into the kitchen, where she was waiting with a bright smile, the kind ofsmile that said she was trying a little too hard to make me feel better.

There she is, she said, waving her hands toward the table where the pasta sat in a big bowl. I made your favorite. Thought it’d be nice for your big day.

I gave her a small smile and sat down. Thanks, Mom. It smells great.She sat across from me, watching closely as I took a bite. "You okay?

You’ve been quiet all day."

I shrugged, poking at the pasta with my fork. I’m fine. Just… I don’t know, today feels weird.

Weird how? she asked, her face growing more serious.

I hesitated. I didn’t want to worry her, especially since I couldn’t even explain what was bothering me. "I don’t know, it’s probably nothing. Just a weird feeling, that’s all.

She frowned but didn’t push it. "Well, if you ever want to talk, I’m

here."

Thanks, I said, trying to sound more upbeat. Really, it’s nothing.

She nodded, but I could see the concern in her eyes. She had been acting like this for days, like she was waiting for something bad to happen. Maybe it wasn’t just me who felt weird.

We finished dinner in silence, and I helped her clear the table. It was a quiet evening, but that strange feeling in my chest didn’t go away. In fact, it seemed to get stronger the closer it got to midnight.

After dinner, I went back to my room and tried to distract myself with a book, but I couldn’t focus. My eyes kept drifting to the window, where the moon was now high in the sky. It looked bigger than usual, shining brightly through the darkness.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was coming, something I wasn’t ready for.

At exactly midnight, everything changed.

It started with a sharp pain in my chest, like something was pulling at my heart. I gasped and clutched my chest, falling to my knees beside the bed. The room spun around me, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. My head throbbed, and my vision blurred as the pain spread through my entire body.

What’s happening? I whispered, though no one was there to answer. Suddenly, images flashed in my mind—memories that weren’t mine.

I saw a woman standing in the middle of a dark forest, her arms raisedtoward the sky. She was chanting something, a spell, but I couldn’tunderstand the words. Then I saw her face—my face. It was like lookinginto a mirror, but this woman was dressed in old, tattered clothes, her eyes filled with pain and anger.

The vision shifted, and now I saw her running through the woods, being chased by a group of men. They were shouting, calling her a witch. She stumbled, falling to the ground, and then everything wentblack.

The pain in my chest was overwhelming now, like my heart was beingsqueezed. I cried out, but my voice barely made a sound. And then, just as suddenly as it had started, the pain was gone. I collapsed onto the floor, breathing heavily, my body shaking.

I stayed there for a long time, too scared to move. What had just happened? What did I see? I knew, deep down, that those visions weren’t just dreams. They felt real, too real.

When I finally got up, I stumbled to the mirror, my hands trembling. I stared at my reflection, half-expecting to see the woman from the vision staring back at me. But it was just me—Talia.

Except… something was different. My eyes—they weren’t just brownanymore. A faint glow surrounded my pupils, like a flicker of light was trapped inside them.

What…? I whispered, leaning closer to the mirror. That’s when I heard the voice behind me.

Talia.

I spun around, my heart racing. A figure stood in the shadows nearmy window, tall and still. I couldn’t see his face, but I knew—this wasn’tjust some stranger.

He had come for me.

The room was cold, colder than it had been a moment ago. My heart raced in my chest as I stared at the figure standing in the shadows by my window. He didn’t move, just stood there, like he was waiting for something. Waiting for me.

Talia, he said again, his voice smooth but chilling.

I took a step back, trying to think clearly. Who was he? And how didhe know my name? My room was on the second floor—there was noway someone could have climbed in through the window without mehearing it.

Who are you? I demanded, my voice shaking.

He stepped forward, and as the moonlight touched his face, I froze.

He was beautiful, in a dark, haunting way. His skin was pale, almost like marble, and his eyes were a deep, piercing blue that seemed to look right through me. His dark hair fell across his forehead in soft waves, and his lips curved into a small smile, as if he found my fear amusing.

I’ve been watching you for a long time, Talia, he said softly, his eyesnever leaving mine. You’ve finally awakened.

I didn’t know what he meant, but the way he said it sent a shiver down my spine. What do you want?

I’m not here to hurt you, he said, taking another step toward me. I’m here to help you.

I backed up until I felt the edge of the bed behind me. Help me withwhat?

With the curse, he said, his voice low.

The word hit me like a punch to the stomach. Curse? What curse? The memories of the vision I’d seen earlier flashed in my mind—the woman, the men chasing her, the pain.

I don’t know what you’re talking about, I said quickly, trying to keepmy voice steady. But deep down, I knew he was right. Something had changed in me. I could feel it, and I didn’t understand it.

You will, he said, his eyes softening slightly. It’s already begun.

I stared at him, not knowing what to say. A part of me wanted to scream, to run, but something about him kept me rooted in place. It was like I was drawn to him, even though every instinct I had was telling me to stay away.

He moved closer, so close that I could feel the cool air that seemed to follow him. You’re not safe here, Talia. There are others who will come for you, and they won’t be as kind as I am.

Kind? I repeated, almost laughing. You broke into my room in the middle of the night. How is that kind?

He tilted his head, like he hadn’t thought about it that way. I’m not here to frighten you. I’m here to protect you.

From what? I asked, feeling a mix of confusion and fear. Who areyou?

He sighed softly, like he didn’t want to answer that question. But after a moment, he said, My name is Damien.

Damien. The name sounded familiar, but I couldn’t place where I’d heard it before. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the pounding in my chest. What do you want from me, Damien?

Only to keep you safe, he said, his voice gentle now. But you need to come with me. You’re not safe here.

I shook my head, stepping back again. No. I’m not going anywhere with you.

His expression darkened for a moment, but then he nodded slowly. I understand. But soon, you won’t have a choice. The curse—yourcurse—is already waking. And when it does, they will come for you.

Who will come for me? I demanded, my voice rising. What curse? What are you talking about?

You’re the last of her line, he said quietly, his eyes locking onto mine.The last descendant of the witch who was cursed centuries ago. And now that you’ve turned eighteen, her power is waking inside you. That’s why you’re feeling the way you do.

I stared at him, my mind racing. A witch? A curse? It didn’t make any sense. This is crazy, I whispered, shaking my head. You’re crazy.

I wish I were, he said softly. But you’ve already seen it, haven’t you?The visions. The pain. You know something is happening, even if you don’t want to believe it.

I swallowed hard, remembering the pain that had torn through mejust hours ago, the vision of the woman in the forest. It had felt too realto be a dream. But how could I believe any of this?

I know you’re scared, Damien said, his voice calm and steady. But you don’t have to go through this alone. I can help you, Talia. I know what’s happening to you, and I can help you control it.

Why should I trust you? I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

He looked at me for a long moment, his blue eyes serious. Because I’m the only one who can.

I wanted to argue, to tell him to leave and never come back. But something deep inside me told me that he was telling the truth. I didn’t want to believe it, but I couldn’t ignore the way my body reacted to his words, the way the air seemed to shift around him.

Before I could say anything else, there was a sudden knock on the door downstairs. My heart jumped into my throat, and I glanced toward the stairs.

Talia? My mom’s voice called from the other side of the door. Iseverything okay?

I looked back at Damien, panic rising in my chest. If my mom saw him here, if she knew what was happening—

She can’t see me, Damien said, reading the look on my face. Shewon’t understand. Not yet.

Before I could reply, he stepped back into the shadows and seemedto disappear into the night. The room felt warmer the second he was gone, but the chill he left behind lingered in the air.

Talia? My mom’s voice came again, more insistent this time.

I quickly ran to the door and opened it just a crack. I’m fine, Mom, I said, forcing my voice to sound normal. Just… had a bad dream.

She looked at me closely, her brow furrowing in concern. Are yousure? I thought I heard voices.

I’m sure, I said quickly. I’m okay. I just need to get some sleep.

She hesitated, still looking unsure, but finally nodded. Alright. If youneed anything, just call me.

I will, I promised.

She gave me one last look before turning and heading back to her room. I closed the door and leaned against it, my heart still racing. I glanced back at the window, half-expecting to see Damien standing

there again. But he was gone, leaving only the moonlight and a hundred unanswered questions.

The next morning, I woke up with a strange sense of dread sitting heavy in my chest. My mind flashed back to the night before—to Damien, the curse, the visions. For a moment, I wanted to believe it was all just a bad dream. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t.

I could still feel the lingering cold where Damien had stood. Andthen there was the memory of the pain in my chest, the visions of thatwoman—my ancestor, apparently.

I sat up slowly, rubbing my eyes. I had questions, so many questions, but no idea where to find answers. The idea that I was cursed, that I was somehow connected to a witch from centuries ago, seemed impossible. But at the same time, it explained the strange things I’d been feeling for years. The dreams, the moments where time seemed to slow, the sense that something was following me.

I couldn’t stay in bed all day. My mom would start to worry, and I had no idea how I would explain any of this to her. So, I got up, got dressed, and headed downstairs, trying to act normal.

The smell of coffee and eggs greeted me in the kitchen, where Momwas humming softly to herself. She looked up as I entered, her smile bright but tired.

Morning, sweetheart, she said, flipping an egg in the pan. How did you sleep?

Okay, I lied, pouring myself a cup of coffee. Just… weird dreams.

She gave me a quick glance. Still? You’ve been having a lot of thoselately.

I shrugged, trying to seem casual. It’s probably just stress.

Stress about what? she asked, setting a plate of eggs in front of me. I froze for a second. I couldn’t exactly tell her I was stressed aboutpossibly being cursed by an ancient witch. "You know… school, turning

eighteen… life stuff."

Mom watched me for a moment longer, then nodded, though I could tell she wasn’t convinced. Well, if you ever want to talk, I’m here.

I know. Thanks, Mom.

We ate in silence for a while. I tried to focus on the eggs, but my mind kept drifting back to Damien. Who was he, really? And how did he know so much about me? Part of me wanted to see him again, to demand answers, but the other part of me—the part that was still terrified—wanted to forget he existed.

But I knew that wouldn’t be possible. He said others would come for me, that the curse was waking up. I didn’t know what that meant, but I had a feeling I’d find out soon enough.

After breakfast, I grabbed my backpack and headed for the door. Mom called after me as I reached the front steps.

Hey, where are you going?

I paused. Just… going for a walk. I need some air.

She looked like she wanted to say something else but just nodded. Be careful.

I will.

I walked out the door, the cool morning air hitting my face as I stepped onto the porch. The streets were quiet, as they usually were in the mornings, and the sky was a soft blue, with the sun just starting to peek through the clouds. It felt peaceful, but inside, I was anything but calm. My feet moved on their own as I walked down the road, my mind racing with thoughts about the curse, the vision, and Damien. I didn’t know where I was going, but I couldn’t stay inside any longer. I needed

to clear my head.

I wandered for a while, the sound of my footsteps on the pavement the only thing keeping me grounded. After what felt like hours, I found myself standing in front of the woods on the edge of town. These woods had always been a place of mystery for me, a place I was both drawn to

and scared of.

I stared into the trees, feeling a pull, a strange sense that I needed to go in. I didn’t want to, but my legs started moving before I could stopmyself.

The deeper I walked into the forest, the quieter the world became. The trees were tall, their branches blocking out most of the sunlight, casting everything in a cool shade. The air was thick, almost too still.

As I walked, the memory of the woman in my vision came back to me. The forest she had run through had looked just like this one. The realization sent a chill down my spine, but I kept walking, like I was being guided by something I couldn’t see.

Suddenly, I felt a presence behind me. I spun around, my heart pounding, but there was nothing there. Just trees and shadows.

Damien? I called, feeling foolish the second the word left my mouth.

There was no answer, just the rustle of leaves in the wind. I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding and turned to keep walking. But before I could take another step, a voice spoke from behind me.

You shouldn’t be here.

I froze. The voice wasn’t Damien’s. It was deeper, rougher, and filled with something that sounded like anger.

I turned around slowly, and there, standing a few feet away, was a man I had never seen before. He was tall and broad, with dark hair and eyes that seemed to burn with intensity. His presence made the air around me feel heavy, like the forest itself was holding its breath.

Who are you? I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He didn’t answer right away. He just stared at me, his eyes narrowing as he took a step closer. You shouldn’t be here, he repeated, his voice low and dangerous.

I took a step back, my heart racing. What do you mean? I’m justwalking.

You shouldn’t be in these woods, he said again, taking another step

forward. Especially not now.

I felt a surge of fear, but I tried to keep my voice steady. Why? What’s happening?

You’re in danger, he said simply, his eyes locked on mine. They’recoming for you.

My blood turned cold. Who’s coming for me?

The ones who seek the power you carry, he said, his voice filled withsomething close to regret. The curse has awakened, and now, they willcome.

I stared at him, not knowing what to say. My mind was spinning, my body frozen in place. What do you want from me? I finally asked.

I don’t want anything, he said. But there are others who do. And if you stay here, they will find you.

He took another step toward me, his eyes dark and serious. You need to leave. Now.

I hesitated, fear gripping me. Who are you?

He didn’t answer. Instead, he turned and walked deeper into thewoods, disappearing into the shadows. I stood there, staring after him,my heart racing.

What was happening? Who was that man, and how did he know about the curse?

My head was spinning, but I knew one thing for sure—I couldn’t stay here. Something was coming, and I had to be ready.

After that whole encounter in the woods with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Mysterious, I practically ran back to town. My heart was racing, andmy mind was full of a million questions. Who was that guy? Why was everyone suddenly so interested in me and this curse? It was like I’d fallen into some weird supernatural soap opera, and honestly, I wasn’tsure if I should laugh, cry, or just take a nap.

By the time I got home, I was exhausted, but Mom was nowhere to be found. Probably off running errands, which was just as well. I needed a

minute—or, like, a century—to process what had just happened.

I dropped my backpack by the door and collapsed onto the couch, letting out a long, frustrated sigh. Everything felt… too much. BetweenDamien’s cryptic warnings and this new guy’s talk about danger, I didn’tknow what to think anymore.

Part of me wanted to believe it was all some elaborate prank. Maybe it was my classmates—okay, that was a stretch, but hey, it would be nice if it were something simple like that. But no, this was my life now: creepy visions, strangers in the woods, and apparently, a centuries-old curse that I had to figure out how to deal with. Fun.

I grabbed my phone and scrolled through my messages. Nothing new, except a text from my best friend, Jess.

**Jess**: U alive? Haven’t heard from u in like…forever. Let’s hangsoon?

I smiled. Jess always knew how to lighten the mood, even when she had no idea what was going on. I shot back a quick reply.

**Me**: Yeah, still alive. Just… been busy with some weird stuff. Let’s definitely hang soon.

Busy with weird stuff. That was one way of putting it.

I tossed my phone onto the couch and leaned back, closing my eyes for a second. Maybe I could just pretend none of this was happening. Maybe if I ignored it, the whole curse thing would just… go away. That was possible, right?

Wrong.

Before I could relax for even a minute, there was a knock on the door. My stomach flipped. Could it be Damien? Or worse, the guy from thewoods?

I stood up slowly, my heart pounding in my chest, and tiptoed toward the door. You know, because somehow tiptoeing would make me lessnoticeable to whoever was standing outside. When I peeked through the window, I saw… a pizza delivery guy.

What? I didn’t order pizza.

I opened the door, and the guy flashed me a grin. One large pepperoni, extra cheese?

I blinked. Uh, I didn’t order any pizza.

The guy frowned and checked the receipt. You’re Talia, right? TaliaMoore?

Okay, this was getting weird. Yeah, but I definitely didn’t—

Before I could finish my sentence, the guy stepped aside, and there he was. Damien. Standing on my front porch like it was no big deal, with a smirk that made it clear he was enjoying this way too much.

Consider it a gift, Damien said, giving me a nod. I thought you might need a break from… well, everything.

The pizza guy handed me the box and left without another word, leaving me standing there with a pizza and a very smug-looking Damien. I raised an eyebrow. Really? You show up in the middle of the nighttalking about curses and danger, and now you’re bribing me with pizza?

He shrugged. Everybody loves pizza. Thought it might make things easier to talk about.

I couldn’t help but laugh. This whole situation was so absurd. Okay,fine. But you better have some answers, because I’m done with the cryptic act.

We went inside, and I set the pizza on the kitchen counter. Damien leaned against the wall, looking more relaxed than I’d ever seen him. He was still ridiculously good-looking, but the serious, brooding vibe had softened, just a little.

I grabbed a slice of pizza and took a bite. Alright, I said, my mouth full. Start talking. What’s the deal with this curse, and why am I suddenly everyone’s favorite target?

Damien watched me for a second, then took a deep breath. "You’rethe last of the cursed line, Talia. That’s why. The power inside you—it’srare, and dangerous. There are people out there—dark forces—who

want it for themselves. If they get it, they could do unimaginable things.Okay, but why me? I asked, chewing thoughtfully. I didn’t ask for

this. Can’t I just… I don’t know, opt out of being cursed?"

Damien chuckled, a low sound that sent a weird thrill through me. If only it were that easy.

Great, I muttered, grabbing another slice. So, what am I supposed to do? Just wait around for these ‘dark forces’ to come knocking on mydoor?

No, he said, his expression turning serious again. That’s why I’m here. To help you. You need to learn how to control the power before they find you. Otherwise… things could get ugly.

I paused mid-bite, the weight of his words sinking in. This wasn’t just some random bad dream or weird coincidence. This was real. And apparently, I was in way over my head.

Fine, I said, swallowing hard. How do I learn to control it?

Damien leaned forward, his blue eyes locking onto mine. It startswith accepting who you are. You’re not just a normal girl anymore, Talia.You’re connected to something ancient, something powerful. Once you embrace that, the rest will come.

Yeah, no pressure or anything, I muttered, rolling my eyes. I’m supposed to just… accept that I’m cursed and have magical powers? Easy peasy.

Damien smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. I know it’s a lot. But you don’t have to go through it alone. I’ll be here to guide you.

I studied him for a moment, trying to figure him out. He was mysterious, sure, but there was something about him that made me want to trust him. Maybe it was the way he looked at me, like he understoodwhat I was going through. Or maybe it was just the fact that he’d broughtme pizza. Who knows?

Okay, I said finally, letting out a sigh. "I’ll give this whole ‘learning tocontrol my powers’ thing a try. But no more creepy middle-of-the-night

visits. And next time, let me order the pizza."

Damien chuckled again, a real laugh this time. Deal.

For a moment, the weight of everything didn’t feel so heavy. Sure, Iwas cursed, and my life was probably going to get a lot more complicatedfrom here on out. But at least I had pizza. And maybe—just maybe—I had a chance to figure this whole thing out.

The next day, I woke up still groggy from all the weirdness of the daybefore. I couldn’t stop thinking about Damien’s warning, the curse, andthe fact that, apparently, I had powers. Real, actual powers. And yet, here I was, still lying in bed like any other normal, cursed teenager.

I stared at the ceiling, half hoping this would all turn out to be some bizarre prank, but nope. It was real. The curse was real. Damien wasreal. And apparently, the pizza was real too—leftovers sat in the fridge, a reminder that my life had officially taken a turn for the supernatural. After what felt like forever, I dragged myself out of bed and got dressed.

I had no idea what the day would bring, but I had a feeling it wasn’t going to be another casual Tuesday. Not with magic lessons on thehorizon.

I headed downstairs, grabbing a slice of leftover pizza for breakfast. (Don’t judge me—pizza’s a perfectly acceptable breakfast food.) Just as I was about to sit down, there was a knock on the door.

Great. Who could it be this time? Hopefully, not another cryptic stranger with bad news.

I opened the door,and sure enough,there was Damien,leaning casually against the doorframe like he owned the place.

Morning, he said with a smirk, his eyes sparkling with amusement. Ready for your first lesson?

I blinked. Lesson? You mean… like, magic?

He nodded. Yeah. You need to start learning how to control your powers. And we don’t have much time.

I stared at him for a moment, then sighed. Can I at least finish my pizza first?

Damien chuckled. Sure. But hurry up. We’ve got a lot of ground tocover.

I finished my slice in record time and grabbed my jacket, following Damien out the door. He led me down the street and out of town, backtoward the woods. As we walked, I couldn’t help but feel a little… excited.I mean, yeah, this whole curse thing was terrifying, but the idea of havingpowers? That was kind of cool.

So, what exactly am I supposed to be learning today? I asked as we stepped into the trees, the cool air brushing against my skin.

First, you need to connect with your power, Damien said, his voiceserious again. You’ve probably felt it before—those moments whentime slows down, or when you get that strange sense of deja vu.

I nodded. Yeah, I’ve had moments like that. But I never knew what they were.

That’s your power trying to break through, he explained. But now you need to learn how to control it. Focus it.

Okay, cool, I said, trying to sound confident, even though I had no idea how to focus on anything magical. So… how do I do that?

Damien stopped in a small clearing and turned to face me, his eyes locking onto mine. Close your eyes.

I hesitated. Seriously? That’s your big magic lesson? Close my eyes?He raised an eyebrow. Do you want to learn or not?

I rolled my eyes but did as he asked, closing them and trying to focus.I felt silly, like I was about to start levitating or something. But all I could think about was how cold it was outside.

Now, Damien said, his voice low and calm, I want you to focus on your breathing. In and out. Slowly.

I followed his instructions, taking slow, deep breaths, trying to push away all the doubts swirling in my head. My mind started to quiet down,

and for a moment, I felt… still. Like the world around me had stoppedmoving.

Good, Damien said softly. Now, think back to a time when you feltyour power. When you felt that connection.

I thought back to the other night, when Damien had first told meabout the curse. That strange feeling in my chest, the visions, the pullin the air around me. It had felt like something was waking up inside me, something I couldn’t explain.

Can you feel it? Damien asked, his voice closer now. The energy? I focused harder, and slowly, I started to feel it. A faint hum in the air, like static electricity. It wasn’t strong, but it was there—a soft, tingling

sensation just beneath my skin.

I think so, I said, my voice barely a whisper.

Good, Damien said, and I could hear the hint of a smile in his voice. Now, focus on that feeling. Let it grow.

I did as he said, focusing on the tingling sensation. At first, it felt like nothing more than a tickle, but then, slowly, it started to build. The air around me seemed to buzz with energy, like the forest itself was coming alive.

And then… something strange happened.

My hands started to warm up. Not in a put your hands in front of a fireplace kind of way, but in a whoa, my hands are literally heating up kind of way. I opened my eyes, and sure enough, there was a faint glow coming from my palms.

What the— I started, but before I could finish, the glow vanished, and the warmth disappeared.

Damien smiled. You did it.

I stared at my hands, wide-eyed. I… I did?

Yeah, he said. That was the first step. You’re starting to connect with your power. But you need to practice. A lot.

I blinked, still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I’d just…

glowed. Okay, so glowing hands are a thing now. Got it.

Damien laughed. It’s more than just glowing hands, Talia. You’re tapping into something much deeper. But you’ve got potential.

Potential? I said with a smirk. You mean I’m not a total lost cause?He grinned. Not yet.

I couldn’t help but smile back. Despite everything—the curse, thedanger, the weirdness of it all—there was a part of me that felt… good. Like maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t as helpless as I’d thought.

So, what’s next? I asked, feeling a surge of excitement. Do I get to shoot fireballs or something?

Damien chuckled. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First, you need to learn control. Then we’ll see about the fireballs.

Fair enough, I said, trying to hide my disappointment. Fireballs would’ve been cool.

We spent the rest of the morning in the woods, practicing. Damien guided me through different exercises—focusing on my breathing, connecting with the energy around me, and trying to make the glow come back. It wasn’t easy, and there were definitely moments where I thought I was going to pass out from all the concentrating, but slowly, I started to get the hang of it.

By the time we headed back to town, I was exhausted, but in a good way. I felt like I was finally starting to understand what was happening to me. Sure, there was still a long way to go, but at least I wasn’t totally in the dark anymore.

As we reached the edge of the woods, Damien turned to me, hisexpression more serious now. There’s still a lot you need to learn, Talia.And we don’t have much time. The others… they’re getting closer.

I frowned. The others? You mean the people who want the curse?

He nodded. Yeah. They’ll stop at nothing to get to you. But as long as I’m here, I won’t let them.

For a second, I didn’t know what to say. It was weird, having someone

who barely knew me say they were willing to protect me. But I was grateful. I wasn’t sure I could handle this on my own.

Thanks, I said quietly. For helping me.

Damien smiled, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. Don’t thank me yet. There’s still a lot we need to face.

I nodded, feeling the weight of his words. Whatever was coming, it wasn’t going to be easy. But for the first time in a long time, I felt like I had a fighting chance.

Chapter 2

After my glow-up in the woods, I figured things would settle down,you know? Maybe I’d have a few normal days of school before I had to deal with any more magical nonsense. But, of course, that was too much to ask.

The next morning started off pretty normal—or as normal as it gets when you know you’re cursed. I got up, ate breakfast (no pizza thistime, just cereal), and grabbed my bag for school. The plan was simple:survive another day at Hilltop High without getting into any moretrouble.

But as soon as I walked into the building, I knew something was off. Everyone was staring at me. Not the casual, Oh hey, it’s that girl kind of staring, but full-on, wide-eyed gawking. It was like I’d grown a second head or something.

Uh, what’s going on? I muttered to myself as I walked through the hallway, trying to ignore the stares.

It wasn’t until I reached my locker that I saw it—the reason everyone was acting so weird.

Plastered on the wall next to my locker was a picture of me. Not

just any picture. No, it was one of those awkward photos where I was mid-blink, mouth half-open, looking like I’d just seen a ghost. To make it worse, someone had drawn little devil horns on my head.

Wow. Subtle, I grumbled under my breath, yanking the paper down.

Just as I crumpled it up, my best friend, Jess, appeared at my side, her eyes wide. Talia! Did you see it?!

Yeah, I said, holding up the balled-up paper. Super cute, right?

Jess shook her head. No, not that! The rumors! People are saying you’ve been hanging out with Damien Black. And that you two were seen… in the woods. She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

I groaned. Seriously? People need to mind their ownbusiness.

But the look on Jess’s face said she wasn’t about to let it go that easily. Sooo, is it true? Are you hanging out with the hottest, most mysterious guy in school? And why were you in the woods together? Are you guys, like, a thing?

I stared at her, trying to figure out the best way to explain without sounding completely insane. It’s not what you think. Damien is…complicated.

Jess crossed her arms. Complicated how?

I hesitated. There was no way I could tell her the truth, not withoutsounding like I belonged in a padded room. Let’s just say… he’s helpingme with something.

Her eyes narrowed. Helping you with what?

I was saved from answering when the bell rang, signaling the start of class. I let out a sigh of relief and gave Jess an apologetic look. Gotta go. I’ll explain later, okay?

She gave me a skeptical look but nodded. Fine. But you better spill all the details later. Every. Single. One.

I hurried off to class, my mind racing. I couldn’t believe how fast rumors spread in this town. It wasn’t like Damien and I were sneaking around or anything. Okay, so maybe we were hanging out in the woods

at weird hours of the day, but that didn’t mean anything was going on.Not like that, anyway.

Still, the idea of being linked to Damien Black—Hilltop High’s residentmystery man—was enough to set the rumor mill on fire.

The rest of the day was a blur of whispers and sideways glances. Everywhere I went, people were talking about me. By lunchtime, I was ready to crawl under a rock and hide.

As I sat down with my tray, I noticed a group of girls at the next table whispering and giggling while sneaking glances in my direction. Oneof them, Amber—who had made it her life’s mission to make me feellike an outsider—leaned over and smirked.

So, Talia, she said, loud enough for everyone to hear. What’s it likedating a guy like Damien? I bet he’s… intense.

I clenched my jaw, trying to ignore her, but she wasn’t done.

Come on, you can tell us, Amber continued, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. I mean, we’ve all seen him brooding around school. It’s kind of hot, in a weird, dark, I-probably-have-a-dungeon- in-my-basement kind of way.

The girls at her table burst out laughing, and I could feel my face getting hot. I wanted to say something—anything—to shut her up, but before I could, Jess jumped in.

Jealous much? she said, glaring at Amber. Just because you haven’tgotten any attention from him doesn’t mean you have to drag Talia into your drama.

Amber’s smirk faded, and her eyes narrowed. Please. I’m not jealous.I just think it’s weird how suddenly she’s hanging out with the most mysterious guy in school. Seems… suspicious.

Before I could stop myself, I blurted out, Yeah, well, maybe I like a little mystery in my life. Keeps things interesting.

Amber blinked, clearly not expecting me to fight back, and Jess shot me an approving grin. But just as I started to feel a tiny bit victorious, I

heard a voice behindme.

Talking about me again, Talia?

I froze. Slowly turning around, I came face-to-face with Damien. His expression was unreadable, but there was a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth—almost like he was amused.

Of course, the entire cafeteria went dead silent. All eyes were on us. This was not happening.

Uh, no, I stammered, feeling my face turn about fifty shades of red. Just… defending my honor, I guess?

Damien raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the attention. Well, Iappreciate that. His gaze shifted to Amber, who looked like she wantedto melt into her seat. I’d hate for people to get the wrong idea.

There was an awkward pause, and then Damien did something Ididn’t expect. He winked at me. Just a quick, playful wink, but it wasenough to send a ripple of whispers through the room.

See you around, Talia, he said before turning and walking away, leaving me standing there, completely dumbfounded.

The second he was gone, Jess leaned in, her eyes wide. Oh. My. God. What just happened?

I… I don’t know, I said, still in shock. That was weird, right? Like, really weird?

Jess grinned. Weird? Are you kidding? That was epic! He totally shut Amber down, and the way he winked at you? Ugh, I’m dying.

I slumped into my seat, feeling like my brain had just short-circuited.This was all too much. I mean, sure, Damien was kind of fascinating in a broody, mysterious way, but I wasn’t ready for all this attention. Especially not from the entire school.

As lunch ended and we headed to our next class, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was shifting. Not just with Damien, but with everything. My life was getting more complicated by the minute, and I had no idea how to handle it.

And as if my day couldn’t get any more confusing, when I got home, I found a note waiting for me. It was lying on my bed, the edges crisp and clean, like it had just been placed there. My heart skipped a beat as I picked it up, reading the message inside:

**Meet me at the old church. Midnight. Don’t tell anyone.** There was no signature, but I didn’t need one to know who it was

from.

Damien.

I stared at the note in my hand, my heart thudding in my chest. Meet me at the old church. Midnight. Why did Damien always have to make things so dramatic?

I tossed the note onto my bed and flopped down beside it, staring at the ceiling. Midnight. Great. Nothing good ever happens at midnight, right? Especially not in an old, creepy church. I sighed, knowing full well I was going to go. As much as I wanted to ignore it and pretend my life wasn’t spiraling into some kind of magical mess, I had to know what Damien wanted.

As the evening dragged on, I tried to distract myself with TV, but nothing could take my mind off the impending meeting. Midnight felt like it was years away, but at the same time, it was sneaking up on me. Time seemed to crawl and race all at once.

By the time 11:30 rolled around, I was a bundle of nerves. I threw on a hoodie and sneakers, trying to be as casual as possible, though sneaking out to meet a guy who may or may not have magical powers didn’t feel very casual. But whatever. I’d made my decision.

The walk to the old church was eerily quiet. The streets of Ravenwoodwere always kind of sleepy at night, but this was different. The wind was still, and the moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over everything. I pulled my hood up, hoping to blend in with the shadows as I made my way through town.

When I reached the church, I stopped for a moment, staring at the

tall, crumbling building. It had been abandoned for as long as I could remember. The windows were cracked, and vines crawled up the stone walls, making the place look more like something out of a horror movie than a normal meeting spot.

Of course, I muttered to myself, rolling my eyes. Couldn’t have metat, I don’t know, a coffee shop?

Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the creaky gate and steppedonto the overgrown path leading to the entrance. The door was slightlyajar, just enough for me to slip inside. The inside of the church was just as creepy as the outside. Moonlight streamed through the brokenwindows, casting long, jagged shadows across the floor. The air smelledmusty, like it hadn’t been touched by fresh air in years.

Damien? I called out softly, my voice echoing in the vast, emptyspace.

No answer. Of course. I wandered further inside, my footsteps echoing. This was starting to feel like a bad idea. Maybe I should just turn around, go home, and forget this ever happened. But then I saw him—Damien, sitting in one of the old pews at the front of the church, his back to me.

You really like your dramatic entrances, don’t you? I said, trying to sound casual as I walked up to him.

He didn’t turn around right away, but when he did, there was a serious look on his face, one that made my stomach flip. Talia, he said quietly. Thanks for coming.

I crossed my arms. Yeah, well, you didn’t exactly give me much choice, did you?

He stood up, walking over to the altar. I know this place is… unsettling, but there’s a reason I brought you here.

I raised an eyebrow. Oh? And what’s that? To freak me out? Becauseit’s working.

Damien gave me a small smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "No. This

place… it’s important. It’s connected to your curse."

I blinked. The church is connected to my curse? How?

He hesitated for a moment, then gestured for me to follow him. Comewith me. I’ll show you.

I followed him through a side door and down a narrow staircase that led to the basement. The further we went, the darker it got, and I had to resist the urge to turn back. I mean, this was how horror movies started, right?

Are you sure this is safe? I asked, trying to keep the nerves out ofmy voice.

Safe? No, Damien said with a smirk. But necessary.Well, that wasn’t reassuring.

We reached the bottom of the stairs, and Damien stopped in front ofa large, old door. It looked ancient, with strange symbols carved into the wood. I had no idea what they meant, but they definitely weren’t there for decoration.

This is it, Damien said, his voice quiet.

I stared at the door, then back at him. What’s behind there? He looked at me, his expression serious. Answers.

I swallowed, feeling a knot form in my stomach. Answers to what? Everything, Damien said softly. "About the curse. About your

powers. About… why you’re connected to all of this."

I felt my heart skip a beat. This was it—the moment I’d been waiting for, the moment that could explain all the chaos in my life. But as much as I wanted to know the truth, I was scared. Scared of what I might find behind that door. Scared of what it would mean for me.

Are you ready? Damien asked, his hand resting on the door handle. Was I ready? Honestly, no. But I didn’t have a choice. This was my life now, and I had to face whatever was waiting for me on the other

side.

Yeah, I said, trying to sound braver than I felt. Let’s do this.

Damien nodded and slowly pushed the door open. The room beyondwas dark, lit only by the faint glow of moonlight filtering through asmall, cracked window. In the center of the room was a large stone table,covered in more of those strange symbols. It looked like something straight out of a fantasy novel, like an altar where ancient rituals had been performed.

What is this place? I whispered, stepping into the room.

This is where it all began, Damien said quietly. The curse. Your family. Everything.

I frowned. My family? What do you mean?

He walked over to the stone table, running his hand over the symbols. Your ancestors were powerful. They were part of a coven—one of theoldest and strongest. But they made a mistake. They tried to use their power to do something they shouldn’t have. Something that angered the spirits.

I swallowed hard. And that’s why we’re cursed?

Damien nodded. Yes. The curse was placed on your family as punishment. It’s been passed down through the generations, waiting for someone strong enough to break it.

And you think that’s me? I asked, my voice barely a whisper. Damien looked at me, his eyes intense. I know it is.

I stared at him, my mind spinning. This was insane. I was just a normalgirl—a girl who’d been thrown into a world she didn’t understand. How was I supposed to break a centuries-old curse?

Damien, I don’t even know where to start, I said, my voice trembling.

He stepped closer, his expression softening. You don’t have to do it alone, Talia. I’m here. I’ll help you.

I looked into his eyes, and for a moment, everything else faded away. The fear, the confusion—it all melted into the background. There was something about Damien, something that made me feel like maybe, just maybe, I could handle this.

Okay, I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. What’s theplan?

Damien stepped back from the stone table and crossed his arms, hisbrow furrowed in thought. First, we need to learn more about the curse. There are records hidden somewhere in this church that could help us.

Records? Like, ancient scrolls and dusty old books? I asked, raising an eyebrow. Sounds super exciting.

Damien shot me a half-smile, the kind that made my heart do that annoying little flip again. Something like that. This church has been a hub for witches and magic for centuries. If we can find the records, we might be able to figure out how to break the curse.

Great, I said, trying to sound enthusiastic while imagining myselfknee-deep in ancient texts and spider webs. Where do we start?

Damien gestured to a shelf in the corner of the room that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages. Over there. There should be a few old books and scrolls. Just… be careful. Some of the texts can be tricky.

I nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and dread. Tricky? What did that even mean? But as I approached the shelf, I felt a sense of determination wash over me. I was going to figure this out. No more running away from my problems.

I reached for a dusty book at the back of the shelf, its spine cracked and faded. The moment I pulled it out, a cloud of dust exploded into the air, and I coughed, waving my hand in front of my face.

Bless you, Damien said, chuckling softly.

I shot him a playful glare. Thanks. Very helpful.

After clearing away the dust, I opened the book, revealing pages filledwith intricate symbols and drawings. My excitement waned as I triedto make sense of the ancient script. Um, Damien? I’m pretty sure thisisn’t written in English.

He moved closer, peering over my shoulder. "No, it’s not. It’s a form

of old witch language. But don’t worry; I can help translate."

I raised an eyebrow, impressed. Wow, you really are full of surprises.What else can you do? Pull a rabbit out of a hat?

Damien smirked, his expression lightening. If only. But I can do a bit more than just magic tricks.

Alright, Mr. Mysterious, let’s see what you’ve got, I said, flippingthrough the pages until I found a passage that looked relevant. Whatdoes this one say?

He leaned in closer, his voice low as he began to translate. This talks about the origins of the curse. It mentions a powerful artifact that was lost—a gem of immense power that can either bind or break magic.

I leaned in, intrigued. And you think this gem is the key to breaking my curse?

Possibly, he replied, his eyes intense. But it’s not just about finding the gem. We need to gather the right ingredients and perform a ritual. Ingredients? I echoed, trying to keep the panic out of my voice.

Like what? Eye of newt?

Damien chuckled again, and I couldn’t help but smile. Not quite. But we will need some herbs and a few other things. I can help you findthem.

Great! I love scavenger hunts! I said, trying to sound enthusiastic.So, where do we start?

Well, he said, rubbing the back of his neck. First, we need to headto the old library. It has a collection of herbs and ingredients used for spells and rituals. But it’s not exactly open to the public.

I frowned. You mean we have to break into the library? That sounds… fun.

More like sneak in, he replied with a mischievous grin. I know a way in that won’t set off any alarms.

I couldn’t help but laugh. So, we’re going full-on stealth mode? This is starting to feel like a movie.

Exactly, he said, clearly enjoying the banter. Now, are you ready for some adventure?

Am I ready? I was born ready, I declared, trying to channel my inneraction hero. Lead the way!

With that, we made our way back up the staircase and into the main part of the church. The moonlight was brighter now, illuminating our path as we headed toward the library. The streets were quiet, and I felt a rush of excitement as we walked side by side.

So, I said, trying to keep the conversation light, do you often takegirls to creepy old churches at midnight, or am I just special?

Damien chuckled, glancing over at me. You’re definitely special. Most people wouldn’t be caught dead in a place like this.

Lucky me, then, I said with a grin. I can add ‘midnight church explorer’ to my résumé.

As we approached the library, I noticed it was an old brick building, its windows dark and foreboding. This place looks like it could use a good cleaning, I remarked, eyeing the cobwebs hanging in the corners.

Damien smirked. Don’t judge a book by its cover. Inside, it’s a treasure trove of knowledge.

Right. A treasure trove of dusty books and moldy pages, I replied, rolling my eyes. What could be more thrilling?

He laughed, and for a moment, everything felt light and fun. But as we reached the back of the library, the mood shifted. Damien pointedto a small window that was slightly ajar. This is our entrance. I’ll boostyou up, and then you can let me in.

Perfect. My knight in shining armor, I said, trying to hide the nervous flutter in my stomach.

With a determined nod, I climbed up on his shoulders and scrambled through the window, landing on the other side with a soft thud. I turned around and saw Damien pull himself through with ease.

Welcome to the library, I said, waving my arms dramatically. "What

a lovely place for a midnight heist."

It was dark inside, the only light coming from a few scattered candles that flickered ominously. The scent of old books filled the air, and I couldn’t help but feel a rush of excitement.

Okay, first things first, Damien said, pulling out his phone and using the flashlight feature. We need to find the section for herbs andpotions.

I followed him as we made our way through the narrow aisles, glancing at the titles on the shelves. Wow, this place is massive! How have I never been here before?

Probably because you didn’t know it existed, he said with a wink. Most people don’t. But if you’re going to break a curse, you need to know where to look.

As we searched through the rows of dusty books and old scrolls, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. It was just a library, right? Nothing creepy about it at all. But every creak of the floorboards made me jump, and I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. Hey, Talia, Damien said, breaking my train of thought. "Look at

this."

He held up a small book, its cover worn and faded. This could have some useful information.

I stepped closer, peering at the title: *The Secrets of Herbology*. Wow, that sounds super promising. It’s like the magical version of a cooking book.

Damien chuckled again, his eyes shining. Exactly. Let’s see what it has to say.

As he flipped through the pages, I couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of camaraderie between us. Sure, I was scared, and the wholesituation was ridiculous, but with Damien by my side, it didn’t feel asdaunting.

Here we go, he said, pointing to a page filled with illustrations of

various herbs. These are some of the ingredients we’ll need for theritual.

Perfect! Let’s make a shopping list, I said, feeling a surge of excitement. What do we need?

He quickly jotted down the names of a few herbs, and as we continued to search, I felt the thrill of adventure coursing through me. Maybe this whole curse-breaking thing wasn’t going to be so boring after all.

But just as I was starting to relax, I heard a noise from the front of the library. It sounded like footsteps.

Did you hear that? I whispered, my heart racing.

Damien nodded, his expression serious. We need to hide. Now.

I followed him as we ducked behind a nearby shelf, my breath caught in my throat. Whoever it was, they were getting closer. I held my breath, my heart pounding as the footsteps echoed in the silence.

This is just like a movie, I whispered, trying to lighten the tension. Except I didn’t sign up for this part.

Damien shot me a look, clearly not amused. Stay quiet.

As we crouched there,I felt a mix of fear and excitement. This was it—my chance to step out of my boring life and into somethingextraordinary. And with Damien by my side, maybe it wouldn’t be soscary after all.

The footsteps stopped, and I held my breath, waiting for whatever was about to happen. Would it be a librarian? A ghost? Or worse, a group of students looking for trouble?

As we crouched behind the shelf, my heart raced, and I strained to hear what was happening. The footsteps paused, and I held my breath, my mind racing with possibilities. What if it was someone looking for trouble? Or worse—someone who knew about the curse and wanted to stop us?

What do we do now? I whispered to Damien, trying to keep my voice steady. Do we run? Hide? Throw a book at them?

Let’s not resort to violence just yet, he replied, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth, despite the tension. We need to see who it is first.

I nodded, peeking around the edge of the shelf. My heart sank when I saw the unmistakable silhouette of Kelsey, one of the girls from school, stepping cautiously into the library. She was followed by a couple of her friends, including Mark, the guy who always seemed to be at herside.

What are they doing here? I whispered, confused. This isn’t exactlythe best hangout spot for our kind of crowd.

Damien frowned, his eyes narrowed as he continued to watch them. They shouldn’t be here. This place is off-limits, especially at night.

Kelsey and her friends moved deeper into the library, their whispers echoing in the silence. I felt a surge of annoyance. Why couldn’t they just leave us alone? This was our mission—my mission—and I didn’t need them snooping around.

Okay, we need to move, Damien said quietly, pulling me back. Let’ssneak out while they’re distracted.

I nodded, trying to stay as quiet as possible as we carefully backed away from the shelf. But as we turned to leave, I bumped into a stack of books, sending them crashing to the floor with a loud thud.

Oh no! I gasped, my eyes wide as the noise echoed through thelibrary.

Kelseyturnedaround,herexpressionshiftingfromsurpriseto suspicion. "What