Page 7 of Cursed Beasts

“Look what I found!” She held out a necklace we had made when we were kids that she charmed to work like a walkie talkie.

“Holy Crap!” I grabbed it from her. “Where the hell did you find this?” The stone, a pretty amethyst, was the same color as my eyes.

“I was looking through some stuff and it fell out,” she said, smiling, but it looked forced.

“That’s amazing. Does it still work?” I asked, grabbing my bags.

“I think so. I haven’t found mine, but you should take it.”

“Well, if you find the other one, definitely use it. I missed having these before we had phones. It always made me feel protected,” I said, putting it around my neck and under my blouse.

“Well, I hope it still makes you feel the same way.” Serena looked somber.

“Always, come on, walk me to the front so father doesn’t chew my ass out for being late,” I said, dragging her with me. “Anything you want to tell me?”

This better not be about that guy she had a crush on. I might not have magic, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t bribe someone for a spell or kick his ass myself.

“Not really.” She shrugged, looking so much younger. She was only 11 months younger than me, but I always felt like I was so much older than her. Father also let so many things slide with her. I mean, she was twenty-seven and still unmarried, while my older sisters and I were all married by the time we were twenty-three.

“Alright, keep your secrets, but if I find out it was because of a boy, I’ll kick his ass, ok?”

That got her to smile right before we opened the front door. The driver was already there waiting for us.

“Good luck,” she said, pulling me in for a hug. In my heels, I was so much taller than she was, making me feel even more like her much older sister.

“Thanks.” I kissed her forehead, feeling my intuition again. I think the damn thing was broken because it was going off like a damn metal detector at a rock concert. “Love you.”

“Love you, too!” she yelled, walking up the stairs to the door. My father exited the house as she went into it. He looked at her a little suspiciously before walking towards me.

I got into the spacious Mercedes, scooting over before my father got into the back seat too. Once he sat down, the driver shut his door, walking around to get into the driver’s side.

My father pulled out his phone, making me narrow my eyes at him because he always made me leave my phone at home during jobs. Looks like today was the exception to his rule, but he hadn’t let me know. It looked like I should rest while I could, because who knew what the hell was going to happen?

“Are you pregnant?” he asked, before I could get too comfortable.

“No.” I clenched my jaw.

“Are you sure?”

“We haven’t had sex since my period, so I’m sure,” I said, feeling embarrassed I had to have this conversation with my father.

“Is he impotent?”

I laughed because I think Caston would die if that were the case.

“No.” I stopped quickly when my father looked at me with a flat expression.

“So, it’s you then.” I didn’t know if that was a question or a statement.

“We haven’t checked his sperm count, so it could also be him, too.” I snapped. “It’s not uncommon for men these days to be the culprit of infertility.”

“He comes from a long line of—”

“I’m a Belladonna, Father, and look at what a dud you made. Shit happens and I’m so tired of you blaming me for everything.” I sneered, losing my patience.

I expected a reprimand, but all I heard was silence as I looked out the window. As much as I wanted to look at my father, I was worried about what he would do.

“I need you to go over everything we have on the schedule for the next two weeks,” he said, sounding irritated, but relief coursed through my body.

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