THE CURSE

PROLOGUE

Lewis Lyon paced in his office, muttering under his breath. He was livid. How can his younger brother have more riches than him especially when he was the first of three children in the Lyon family?!

His family, the Lyons were very prominent in St. Ives. They passed on recently having divided the fortune among their three children. Lewis Lyon had a deal with his younger brother Robert. He promised Robert his own share of the inheritance if he helped him find a wife. Robert, of course accomplished this task. And now Lewis is happily married to Isabella. Lewis tried to give him something else in return but his brother refused.

Lewis wanted more fortune. He had always been greedy. He had to have it all and there was only one to do that. By murdering his brother. Of course he was against it at first but the urge to have it all overpowered his good judgement and corrupted his conscience. And at the end, Lewis decided to murder his brother.

Years passed without Robert  suspecting a thing. Isabella was  expecting a child. With all these things happening, Lewis decided to execute his dreadful plan.

In the dead of a very stormy night, Lewis made his way to his brother's house. Fierce wind ruffled his cloak. Trees moaned and swooned. It was as though spirits roamed the earth at that hour. Lewis arrived at his brother's house. The gentle soul received his brother warmly and decided to make him tea.

Unknown to the innocent Robert, his brother had a dagger hidden under his cloak. As soon as his brother turned towards his kitchen,Lewis stabbed his brother at the back. At that moment, Isabella conceived.

Lewis shook with shock and guilt. He ran, dropping the stained knife. His brother's stunned face never leaving his memory. At that moment, he regretted it.

He left his brother on the floor cold and pale. Robert's soul descended into the earth. He found himself in a dark, voidless place. He shivered from the bone chilling cold. He was hurt, angry and most of all betrayed. By his own blood. And all for what? The inheritance that was rightfully his. He was enraged. His brother would pay for this. He will pay dearly.

Suddenly a pale figure appeared. As if reading Robert's mind, the figure exposed white teeth that gleamed in the darkness. The figure nodded. Robert took that as a permission and ascended to the surface once more. His raging spirit hungry for revenge.

Lewis got home, panting. His heart beating heavily in his chest. Blood pounding in his ears. Beads of perspiration on his face. As he entered the living room,he heard the cry of a baby. His baby.

He steadied his racing heart and walked to his wife, Isabella who was admiring her child in the cradle. Isabella smiled as Lewis gently squeezed her shoulder. His daughter had his curly black hair and his emerald green eyes. She was so beautiful. His baby's cradle was in front of a standing mirror,scented candles around her.

Suddenly a heavy gush of wind pushed the doors open, blowing away the candles. All but one.  Isabella gripped Lewis's arm tight. Lewis paled as he saw his brother's image in the mirror. He trembled. Robert had the look of betrayal that pierced Lewis like daggers. The dagger his brother murdered him with.

Robert smiled. A smile that didn't reach his eyes. A wicked, evil smile that told Lewis the nice and sweet brother he knew was gone. Robert's green eyes darkened. Lewis fell on his knees, pleading. Robert turned to the baby in the cradle.

"My niece is so beautiful. Too bad she will suffer for your greed"

"Robert. Please" Lewis begged

But it was too late. Robert already chanted the curse.

Just as I have died supposed by death

Hath thou beauty be brought by birth

Whatever the reflection you get to keep

A beauty more, a blood thirsty being to see

In her eighteenth year will all these be seen

But all her life a misery she shall be

She can be redeemed of this curse

Only by getting the key of life from the deceased

Only then shall she be released

With that he vanished.

Lewis wept. His daughter was cursed because of him. Isabella was shocked, shaken and utterly confused. She looked at her husband and then at her baby, trying to make sense of what she just witnessed.

Lewis exposed himself to Isabella. Isabella held her mouth, gasping as Lewis confessed to her. She couldn't possibly believe her husband murdered his brother, not to mention her baby girl being cursed. Lewis begged for forgiveness. There was no need keeping grudges. The deed had already been done. Isabella pulled up her husband, hugging him while Lewis cried, blaming himself for ruining their lives. After a while, he got himself.

Together, they stared down at their beautiful, innocent baby. She smiled and giggled, oblivious of the sad looks her parents gave her. They named her

Jacqueline

The only heir to the cursed fortune.