Cursed: Book 1 of The Cursed Immortal Series

Chapter 1. Ready or Not

There were times when I could hear a heart beating from a mile away while at the same time, I could barely feel if my own heart's rhythm. My body temperature would drop. Not your usual "turn up the heat" chilly feeling. No, it was a strange icy sensation that started internally; as if I was freezing from the inside out.

The first time it happened I was so freaked out I didn't know what to think. It didn't last long, so I convinced myself I'd imagined the whole thing. However, when it happened twice more in the same week, I knew it was cause for concern. I didn't want to worry anyone in my family so I called my best friend Jackie. As a scientist, I thought she might have some insight as to what was going on with me. She was just as confused about my symptoms but explained it was most likely stress. She recommended I see my doctor just to be safe. I took her advice and made an appointment.

After my exam, my doctor told me I was in perfect health. She agreed my nerves might be getting the best of me and told me to take a trip to relax. Yeah sure, like I had time for a vacation, I was under pressure due to our family business, a restaurant and nightclub in Opatown called Zeeks. On top of that, I had some personal issues I was dealing with. So I decided to take a day off from work and relax.

I treated myself to a day at the spa. It was nice to have some time alone and have someone waiting on me for a change. I shut off my phone, took off my clothes and climbed into one of their plush bathrobes and slippers. First I got a manicure and pedicure followed by an aromatherapy facial. Oh, it was wonderful and it was working! As I sat waiting for my hot rock massage, I was completely relaxed. That's when it began. I suddenly felt as though the wind was knocked out of me. Barely able to breathe, I got dressed, paid, and got the hell out of there. The lady at the front desk asked if everything was all right. I told her I had forgotten about an important appointment.

My Range Rover was parallel parked on Mack Avenue right in front of the spa. It was dark out as I bolted for my truck. I fiddled around trying to push the right button on the damn keypad to unlock the doors. I slid behind the wheel, closed the door and locked it. I was so relieved to finally be alone. Talk about blowing a relaxing day!

I could feel sweat trickle down the middle of my back. I broke into a panic. My heart should have been racing yet I could barely feel it at all. Then I began to feel the chill. It started from deep within and slowly rippled through my body. I was paralyzed with fear. I could hardly breathe. It was then I noticed – I wasn't breathing at all.

I voluntarily took a breath. It did nothing. I was just breathing to breathe. What does this mean? Am I dying? Or already dead?

I felt a presence, as if someone was there with me. It was an unsettling feeling. I glanced around noticing a few people walking on the street and some going in and out of buildings. I could hear car engines as they sped past me. I could smell them too, the exhaust, the oil burning, and the gas, all of it. I closed my eyes.

Over the roaring motors, I heard the footfalls of a jogger, his heavy breathing reminiscent of my own during a hard workout. Strangely enough, I thought I heard his heartbeat, fast and healthy. And I could smell him – the sweat pouring from his skin, his body odor and then something odd. I couldn't quite place it. It was a sweet smell, warm and welcoming with a slight metallic finish. It didn't smell like food and yet my mouth was watering. It started out so mild I almost could have missed it, then it was the one overpowering aroma in the air, attracting me all the more. All at once I relaxed, sinking into the luscious scent. That is just delicious. I licked my lips. Yum! But I couldn't quite pinpoint the source.

Then just as quickly as the onslaught of symptoms started, they stopped! My body longed for air, and I sucked in a deep breath. I gasped and the air exploded through my lungs. Pain shot through my chest. The deep freeze within slowly subsided as my heart pushed blood through my body once more. Everything restarted as though nothing had ever happened.

I sat there, my heart racing, my breath rapid. Beads of sweat had formed on my forehead and slowly dripped down my face. What is happening to me? As much as I tried I couldn't slow my breath and I thought I might start to hyperventilate.

Awesome. A moment ago I wasn't breathing at all and now I'm going to hyperventilate! How the hell do I explain that to a doctor or anyone for that matter?

I looked out my windshield and managed to see the jogger as he was running about three blocks away. He must have run past me because his back was to me. A man appeared behind him, out of thin air. He was wearing dark jeans and a black leather biker jacket. I looked at him trying to figure out if I had missed him standing there or if he did in fact "Houdini" himself onto the sidewalk. The longer I watched him, the more assured I was that he seemed to be staring right back at me. I blinked my eyes to see if I was imaging it and he was gone. I blinked again wondering if maybe I had just imagined everything. The searing pain in my chest killed any hope of that.

I dug through my purse for my cell phone and called Jackie. The line rang once and then twice. Jackie was notorious for not answering her cell phone especially when she was working.

Please answer! Please answer! I need you! A third ring and then a fourth, finally Jackie's voice was on the other end.

"Hey, what's up?"

My throat was dry and my voice was hoarse from whatever the hell had just happened to me, yet I managed to choke out the words.

"Jackie. I need to talk to you."

Jackie must have sensed something was wrong because she immediately started asking questions.

"Are you all right? Is something wrong? Have you been crying?"

I didn't have time to explain. I just wanted to go home.

"Can you get out of work and meet me at my house?" I knew I sounded desperate despite how hard I tried not to.

Jackie didn't hesitate.

"I'm leaving now. I'll bring wine."

I hung up the phone and started my car. Hopefully, I would get home before anything else happened.

I pulled out of my parking spot and onto the street. I slammed on my brakes as I noticed Houdini from across the street was now standing directly in front of my car. He glared at me, a look of anger mixed with confusion.

"What the fuck?" I whispered.

He was good looking in a Johnny Depp kind of way; dark eyes, dark hair and a killer smile. And by "killer smile" I mean he hissed and flashed what looked like fangs at me. It was like something out of a movie. Great. Another Twilight freak.

I didn't know what to do, but he did and he didn't hesitate. He leapt onto my hood and pulled his fist back like he was going to punch through my windshield.

"Fuck this!" I yelled and hit the gas.

The jolt from the acceleration caught him off guard but he didn't fall off like I'd expected. He held on to the truck where the hood met the windshield. I slammed on my brakes then sped up and swerved from lane to lane trying to lose him. It didn't matter, he held on as if the truck wasn't moving at all. I was afraid of getting pulled over but dealing with the police seemed infinitely better than dealing with this guy.

He pulled his fist back again and threw it forward at my windshield. I closed my eyes and slammed on the brakes. I waited for the crash of shattered glass but it never came. I opened my eyes and he was gone.

"Did that just happen?" I asked myself. I didn't know what to think.

I looked around to see where he went. Then I found him, struggling with another figure in the night.

"How did he get...?" My thoughts an unfinished whisper, as a car whizzed by me, the driver leaning on the horn. I realized then, I was sitting in the middle of the two-lane road.

"Fuck it! I'm outta here!"

I checked my mirrors and hit the gas.

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