The Last Forester

Cursed Part 16

(Tallica)

"Oh God," I rolled my eyes.  "How did you get out of prison?"

"Don't worry about that, love," Zaire purred, silver eyes gleaming.  "All you need you to know is that I'm here to help you."

"Why should I trust you?" I stepped forward, and Hugh grabbed my elbow.  I yanked it free, and walked up to Zaire.  He pushed off the wall to face me.  "You could kill us without blinking."

"Yes, I could, but I won't," he answered bluntly.

"Why?" I demanded.

"Because I want to help you, doll," he sighed.

I let out a short snort, "Because you just want to help us out of the goodness of your heart."

"Not exactly, but yes...and because Chike BlackWood is going to take away my world too.  I happen to like earth the way it is, love," Zaire rolled his eyes. 

"Why do you care what happens to earth?" I asked.

"Because I'm one of the dummies who live on it, love," Zaire made a valid point.  

"Okay, but if you call me love one more time, I'm going to punch you in the face," I threaten him. 

"I'd like to see you try since you are even weaker now," Zaire spoke watching my reaction like a cat ready to pounce on a mouse.

I swallowed hard and closed my eyes, knowing what was coming next.

 "Tallica, what....What is he talking about?" Hugh sounded confused.

"Oh, she didn't tell you, that's a surprise," Zaire declared annoyingly.

"Zaire," I meet his gaze with my own.  "Butt out."  

He raised his hands and backed off.

"Hugh, I didn't tell you this because I wasn't for sure if it was really happening," I cleared my throat.  "I have heard rumors, ancient rumors about Foresters, but I didn't realize it was happening to me until it was too late.  I mean, it's not like there is a manual for me to read on this or anyone for me to talk too."

"Okay, what's up?  You're scaring me," Milo stared at me. 

I took a deep breath, "I'm dying.  Yeah," I nod quickly, swallowing hard. "I'm dying."  

They stared at me.  

"That's not funny, Tallica," Hugh said obviously not believing it.

"This is some sort of joke, right?" Milo asked.  

I looked at the floor and when I looked up, my face said it all. 

"No, no you are not dying.  There has to be a cure," Hugh ran a hand through his blonde hair.  

"There is no cure, Hugh.  There never has been," I gently broke it to him.  

"Oh my gosh, I'm cursed," Hugh mumbled.  "I just meet my," the  rest was inaudible.  He stared at me.  Unblinking those warm brown eyes set in a his handsome face.  My heart twisted as tears filled my eyes.  

I reached for him, "Hugh, I'm sorry."

He flinched away from my hand and walked out of room.

I went after him, but Zaire grabbed my arm.  

"Best leave him be, love," he advised.  

I rip my arm from his grasp.  "You," I spoke and the room was deathly still.  "This is your fault, you ruined everything!"  I scream at him.

"You really do love him all ready, don't you?" Zaire observed quietly.

"I don't know, maybe, I never felt so in-tune to someone," I pinched the bridge of my nose.     

"That's because you are mates," Zaire spoke.

"What!? No, werewolves only mate with werewolves," I denied it.

"Shows how much you know.  Werewolves can mate with any kind," Zaire snorted.  

"But if that is true, then he's mated to a dead woman," I paled and fell to my knees.  "No, no, no, I can't put him through this."  

"What if I told you I know someone who can forever remove the toxicity from your system?" Zaire bent in front of me.

"I'd say you are crazy," I winced.  

Milo bent beside me, "What is it?  What's wrong?"  

I swallowed hard, one hand on my chest and the other on my head.  "My chest feels like it's closing off on my lungs, my head it hurts."  I fell backwards and Milo caught me.  I stared at the ceiling, my breath coming hard. 

"It's affecting her faster than expected," Zaire gathered me into him arms.  "I have to take her to the witch." 

(Hugh) 

I burst into the room and saw her in Zaire's arms.  I ran over to them and brushed her bleach-blonde hair from her face.  "What happened?"

"You left, she got upset and set the poison moving fast through her body," Zaire bluntly blamed me.  "Move, I have to get her to the witch who will save her life."

"I'm going with you," I looked him in the eye.

"I wouldn't advise it.  She's not a fan of your kind," he looked me up and down.

"Well, I'm not leaving her side, so I don't have a choice," I gave him a stare.

"Fine," he grumbled, and handed her to me.  I followed him out of the house, and to a Lamborghini.  

"So, where is this witch?" I asked, adjusting my arm under her ribs.  

"Not far from here actually," Zaire purred cleverly.  He slid into the driver's side, shutting his door.  

"God, I really don't trust him," I rolled my eyes, heading for the passenger side.

"I heard that," Zaire yelled from inside as the door opened.  

"Yea, I'm sure you did," I rumbled as I awkwardly got in with her on my lap.  She laced her arms around my neck with her head on my shoulder.  I felt her warm breath on my neck and I brushed her hair off her cheek.  Zaire started the car and roared out of the driveway.   We drove for about fifteen minutes when he pulled into a lone mansion.  It was Victorian style home that was a two-story with a wrap-a-round porch on each level.  Green shutters contrasted well with the white siding.  I followed Zaire up the steps.  He knocked and the door opened.  "Oh God," I paled at the person in front of me.  "You have to be kidding ME!"