Page 3 of The Cursed and the Broken
“You’ve been lied to, Kitarni. Your life is but a prison forged from deceit. Just ask the banya of the forest.”
“Baba Yana?” I shook my head, my brows pinching together. “The old witch has always kept our village safe. Why would she lie to us? She is our protector, the wisest and most powerful of us all.”
“And why do you think that is?” Death asked, his voice laced with dark amusement.
Confusion swept through me.
For centuries the banya had protected this village—hidden us from men and the warmongering of invading civilisations. Even our Romanian neighbours would find themselves magically turned around from the woods if they entered our territory. Such was the banya’s power. Her loving protection.
“None of that matters now, Kitarni. Your thread is tethered to future events. Your actions change the course of the future. For good or ill. You, a witch who is not what she seems, hold more power in your hands than you know.”
I stiffened at his words and my head pounded with an influx of information. What did he mean? I pressed my fingers to my temples, rubbing them insistently, as if I might erase the last five minutes. Then I noticed Death advancing, one hand outstretched ominously, the claws reaching for me.
“What are you doing?” I asked breathlessly. “You said you wouldn’t harm me.”
Death laughed. “I said I wouldn’t kill you tonight. You are marked, Kitarni. And you are anything but safe.”
PART ONE
The Blood of Sheep
ONE
“Hanna has been missing forfive days now,” Eszter gossiped behind a petite hand. Her brown eyes sparkled, as did the silky strands of gold in her hair as the sun beamed through the window. That mischievous look was in her eyes again, which was an undeniably bad sign. Somehow it always ended in a misbegotten adventure, inevitably resulting in the reprimands of a fierce Nora Bárány.
Naturally, being the eldest sister, I took the brunt of Mama’s wrath. Eszter, with her cherub-like face and her charming personality, got away with everything. Everyone in the village loved her, even if she was the envy of all the girls her age.
We were physically alike, with the same curly brown hair, bow-shaped lips and straight nose. Our skin was olive, glowing in the prime of our youth, and our figures were slim—mine perhaps more muscled than Eszter’s, for I was both hunter and shepherd for my flock. But Eszter was naturally charming and courteous, skilled at finer arts and crafts that were more of a nightmare for me. Her beauty and poise were classical, graceful.
I seemed to rub people the wrong way. Beautiful? Yes, I could admit that. But the elders said I was too spirited, too stubborn. A little rough around the edges, not prim and proper like Eszter. It didn’t bother me.
At least, that’s what I told myself.
Truth was, I had always been different to my kith. We were a small village of around one hundred witches and, of the magic coursing through our veins, mine had always been different.Dangerous.
The other girls my age shied from it. From me. Where most witches’ magic in our village harnessed the earth, mine was fire and brimstone. I had always hated it—being different, being an outcast. I couldn’t grow or tend crops, vegetation, and flowers, and I was useless at mixing herbs or poultices and often botched simple spells that aided our day-to-day duties.
Instead, I had been gifted strength. Power that could hurt, maybe even kill. And it was useless in a peaceful place such as this. My affinity for fire made me a friendless, forgotten outcast.
Thus, I had always preferred my company to that of others ... or at least of my witch kin. Power was an obsession amongst the girls my age. I stayed clear of the popular circles. Trying to engage with them only painted a target on my back.
Hanna was the worst of them. We had been friends once. Long ago when we were children. Before power became purpose and becoming a lady meant acting the part. And oh, did she throw me away when she grew into her grace and status. Stepped on our friendship with her fine boots and ground her heel until there was naught left but dust and days forgotten.
No, people did not agree with me. Animals, however, were fine friends to keep, and we had many. I was shepherd of our flock, and one thing I was good at was tending to them, giving them the best life I could.
“Aren’t you worried about where she’s gone? She was your best friend once,” Eszter pushed, dragging me from my thoughts.
I took a bite of my palacsinta and groaned as an explosion of flavours filled my mouth. The syrupy sweetness of the crepes rolled with fruits and nuts never failed to lift my spirits. Mama often said my sweet tooth would be my downfall. She wasn’t wrong.
Swallowing the delicious morsel, I raised a brow at my sister, who was jiggling impatiently in her seat. I rolled my eyes. “Hanna was always prone to recklessness; she’s probably been sneaking off with a táltos. I wager she’ll be back any day now.”
Eszter slumped in her chair, pouting her rosy lips. “Hanna has all the fun. Why can’t a boy whisk me away from this village and take me on an adventure?”
I smirked at her as I put my feet up on the chair. “Eszter, your idea of an adventure is raiding the seamstress’s store for new dresses. Your turn will come. The spring festival will have many suitors lining up for your hand, I’m sure.”
She brightened at the mention of our annual celebration. It was the most joyous event of the year for our coven, when the táltosok came to court the maidens of our village. Every so often, the banya would honour a family by selecting an apprentice to study under her. It was the highest blessing a witch could receive, and our coven was nervously awaiting the day the banya would choose again.
I had my doubts about the banya. I kept my faith in the gods, but why should I blindly place my trust in a witch who didn’t deign to bless us with her presence? No, I had no interest in being picked. My sights were set on the world beyond our borders and, naturally, Eszter was focused on boys and status. At seventeen, she was of age to be wooed by eligible men, which was alarming. Her beauty and innocence would have her snatched up in an instant.
