Page 154 of Cursed

But when his pursuit didn’t end after my stepbrothers had proven to him how wantonly I’d sought them out—and how eagerly I’d submitted to them—I knew there was something more.

I’d been trying not to think about it.

The reality was too horrifying.

But I couldn’t hide from it any longer.

Not after what had happened tonight.

With a groan, I dragged myself out of the bath and wrapped my body in a fluffy towel.

Someone had hung my robe on a hook, and the mirrors were clear.

The lotions, oils, and perfumes were arranged carefully on the counter, as always.

I deserved all of this.

I used to believe that.

I walked toward the mirrors and braced my hands on the marble counter. My reflection was strange—was it still me?

There were no shadows in the mirror, not this time.

My skin was smooth and unblemished—except for the scars on my wrists, the sides of my hands, my forearms—my thighs…

I had given so much to that cursed book.

The grimoire’s whispers rose in my mind. Taunting me.“Cursed— If I am cursed, then we are cursed.”

“Yes—weare cursed,” I said.

I stared into my reflection’s eyes—were they paler? More green? I couldn’t tell…

A shadow moved behind my eyes and I let out a cry as I jerked back from the mirror.

Impossible.

The whispers in my mind sounded like laughter.

“Shut up,” I hissed.

I leaned forward to look into the mirror again.

Closer. I held my breath and waited.

But there was nothing in my eyes.

No shadow.

But theydidseem a little paler.

I tapped my fingertip against the reflection, entranced by the change in my appearance. There was something strange in my gaze now, a lingering darkness that hadn’t been there before.

You did this,I accused the grimoire’s whispers

The whispers cooed softly, as if agreeing with me.

A rap on the door snapped me back to reality, and I clutched at my robe as the door creaked open.

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