The Curse ✔️

Chapter 4: Wicked affairs

After spending hours in the main hall, we were released to our rooms. The threat was gone and there wasn't any strange activity present in the Academy. Still, I didn't feel safe. The aura of the air seemed odd, like something was still watching, waiting.

All they told us in the end was that someone, or something, killed one of our own. An innocent girl, on her way to get books from the library. She was a first grader, barely familiar with witchcraft, enthusiastic about her first day. And now she was gone, just like that.

Melancholy lingered in my room as Morta, Amma and I sat quietly on the bed, browsing through the huge books on demonic activity.

"I don't see why would a demon be interested in an inexperienced witch that didn't know anything about the craft." Amma said, fear colouring her voice. She was taking it well, though, for someone who didn't know witches existed three months ago.

"Demons work in mysterious ways." Morta flipped through the Demonology book. We hoped some answers could be hiding inside.

"Is he going to attack again?" Amma whined.

"Probably." Morta shrugged and I slapped her on the shoulder. "Ouch!"

"Don't listen to her, Amma." I said even though I knew Morta was most likely right. Amma believed her, streams of tears fell down her makeup free face and her eyes became that much bluer.

"I didn't sign up for this." She shook her head roughly. "I thought I would be learning about love potions and good luck charms, not demons and the forces of evil!"

"That's witchcraft for you. All gloom and doom." Morta flipped another page.

"Amma, listen to me." I used my stern voice, hoping I was more persuasive than Morta. "They will keep us safe. We may not know much about witchcraft, but the teachers do. And something like this cannot happen twice. The protection around the school will be strengthened and we will be safe."

"Promise?" Amma wiped her tears, but she was nowhere near convinced.

"I promise."

"Liar." Morta interrupted.

"What is your problem?" I snapped back. "I'm trying to prevent panic, because if we succumb to that, no protection will help us."

"Maybe you should tell us what Thar Adara told you. Maybe then I'd believe you're trying to prevent panic." Morta closed the book abruptly and looked straight into my face.

"I told you everything." And I did, the girl found that dead had her heart completely burnt. That was the truth, it was everything they knew and everything I managed to find out.

"You're lying. I can tell." Morta squinted. "You're keeping something from us, your eyes are darting to your wrist and I've seen you pull down your shirt every time someone casts a glance. When you returned from speaking to Thar, your expression was haunted. Something bothered you and it wasn't just the fact the girl was found dead."

"Didn't think you were so perceptive." I admitted.

"Yeah, well, when you're not so preoccupied with your own problems, you tend to see things others are trying to hide." Morta arched her eyebrow, while Amma's gaze switched between Morta and me.

I took in a deep breath, knowing full well I met these girls today and our relationship was nowhere near the trust I needed to feel. But something kept tugging in the back of my head, telling me someone else should know my secrets. Telling me it was safer to speak, because silence just might kill me.

"You've heard rumours about my family, right?" I asked, my fingers found the hem of my shirt and I began playing with it.

"Yes."