Page 54 of A Touch Charmed

Violet nodded, her spine stiffening with resolve. She’d get through to Kenna.

“We have more to discuss.” Audrey rubbed her hand up and down Wes’s chest. “More holes in the legend we need to fill. It looks like Ophiuchus didn’t create the curse?”

“He’s involved somehow, or the legend wouldn’t have mentioned him, but it’s not his curse. He doesn’t control it.” Thora went on to explain everything she knew about the forked-tongue man. How she used to draw him years ago. The feeling she got being in his proximity. The way he tried to bargain for her power. He didn’t behave like a god.

He behaved like a human.

“He was separate from the curse, but still a part of it. They work together.” Thora tapped a finger to her lips as she tried to find the right words. “I think he’s a host for the curse. The same way we’re hosts for our magic.”

“Holy shit,” Audrey breathed. “Who is he?”

Thora shook her head. “I have no idea. My magic recognized him though. Whoever he is, I think he’s been around for a long time. As long as the original descendants.”

“How is he human then?” Wes asked.

“I don’t know. I just know that he is.” Thora’s face screwed up, the solution just out of her reach. She was close to figuring it out, but not quite there yet. “The number twelve is important. He told me that if I gave up my magic and memories, the island would be left in peace for twelve generations. It would then become the burden of the next twelve. I don’t think any of us are here by accident. This fight was always meant to be with us.”

We all turned to Audrey, who was raised by her grandmother to treat the legend as fact, more so than the rest of us. If anyone had answers on this, it would be her.

“I don’t know any more than the rest of you.” Audrey pulled her long blonde hair over her shoulder and twisted it. “The more we learn about the legend, the more it feels like the truth has been lost over time.”

“We’re putting the pieces together.” I rubbed Thora’s arm. “We’ll get there.”

Thora believed the key to defeating the curse lay in figuring out the past. There was a reason why the curse took the memories from the descendants. The answers were in our history.

“There’s something else I wanted to discuss,” Wes said. “I think you and Thora should move in with us until this is over. You’re too far away on the other side of the island.”

I loved the idea of living with Wes and Audrey, but Thora was an introvert. She didn’t get her energy from being around people the way I did. “There will be plenty of rentals open on this side of the island once the festival is over.”

“I think it’s a good idea,” Thora said. I raised my eyebrows and she gave me a slight tip of her chin. “All that walking will run your energy down to nothing and I think…” She glanced at Wes and Audrey. “I think Wes would feel better if I was here.”

I could see it in the way Wes relaxed his frame. Having Thora close by would set his mind at ease, at least for the time being. After what he went through tonight, I wanted to help with that in any way that I could. Then he could focus on taking care of Audrey.

“Okay. If you’re good, then I’m good. We’ll pack up after the town hall meeting and move our stuff in here.” I gave Wes an easy grin. “You’re going to love having me here every minute of every day.”

Wes rolled his eyes. “So, it’ll be just like it was before Thora moved in with you.”

“Is that all we’re supposed to do?” Violet asked. “Just hang out and wait for the curse to attack one of us, and hope Finn and Thora make it in time? Is that all we’re going to do until it gains enough power to sink us into the ocean?”

“No.” Audrey moved off Wes and crouched in front of Violet, taking her hand. “We’ve played defense for long enough. We’re hoping we can stop the curse before it gains full power, which means we need you and Donovan to start working together now.”

“What can we do that will be of any help?” Violet’s guard went up. “I can breathe underwater and Donovan can talk to animals. How is that useful?”

“Excuse me.” Donovan stood and abruptly pushed open the back slider. Sandy shot off the couch and ran ahead of him before he stepped outside.

Wes made a move to follow him, but I held up a hand. “I’ve got this.”

I followed Donovan out to the pebbled beach behind Wes and Audrey’s house. Sandy splashed in and out of the waves, sending water droplets flying as she shook out her fur. Donovan stood on the shoreline with his hands in his pockets, watching the waves smash against the black rocks jutting out of the water. Dark, smoky clouds blocked most of the light from the moon, turning the sky into a blank canvas, just waiting for the next legend to be written.

“What’s your deal with Violet?” I asked. “I saw the way you looked at her at the festival. Why not just tell her how you feel?”

“She doesn’t see me as anything other than a friend.” He laced his hands over the top of his head. “She tells me about her dates like I’m one of her girlfriends.”

He had no clue. “Dude. You rejected her, then bailed for eight years. Of course, she’s not going to think there’s a possibility for you two. Unless you tell her.”

“I know Violet.” He kicked at a loose bit of shale. “I knew she was in love with me in high school, but she doesn’t look at me like that anymore. I was gone too long, took too much time to figure my shit out, and she got over it.”

Donovan didn’t get it because he grew up with everything. He always had comfort, a solid home, was well-liked by everyone. He moved through life with an ease Violet has never had. Her family barely got by each year and she was viciously bullied all through school by Paige. It made her cautious. If she did love him still, she’d never let him know it unless he made the first move.

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