Page 32 of Cursed Beasts

I walked most of the perimeter that night, checking every so often that there wasn’t a weak point or maybe a section that had a weak spot. Whoever conjured up the spell was really powerful, or the coven who did it had enough witches to make this spell so strong, even two hundred years later.

There had to be something that fed the spell, like crystals, or maybe it was tied to the guys. They had magic, so maybe it was them fueling the spell? It seemed like every day I was here, I was coming up with more and more questions but never any answers.

On my way back to my room that night, I felt like I was being watched. I had a similar feeling the night before, but tonight, whoever was watching me had followed me all the way to my room. Before I closed the door to my room, I looked out, but saw nothing.

The following day, I organized my thoughts on paper, adding more questions to my list and also making a list of what I was finding outside.

“Miss Katarina.”

I jumped, startled by Mr. Potter entering my room unannounced, again. It was his gift to scare me, but I think after two hundred years he did not know personal space and that walking through walls was not something that I would get used to anytime soon. It weirded me out.

“Mr. Potter, I thought we discussed knocking?” I smirked as he laid my food on the bed, rearranging a few things on it, when I noticed a small flower on it.

“I forget, an old man like me doesn’t have the best memory,” he said, as he tapped the side of his head.

I shook my head, chuckling silently.

“Mr. Potter, do you know what feeds the power of the spell?” I asked, picking up a roll.

“What do you mean?” He looked confused.

“I mean, for a spell to work, especially for long periods of time, you need something to power it, to keep it functioning the way it was intended too,” I explained.

“I do not know, Miss Katarina,” he said, like he was still thinking about it.

I pressed my lips together in disappointment.

“I was also wondering if you knew anything about how the spell was cast? Or anything at all about who cast it?” I asked, desperate for answers.

“I’m sorry, Katarina. I don’t know much about what went on. It surprised all of us when the curse happened and there was nothing worse than finding out that it was your family who had done it.”

I took a deep breath, hating that we had done this and why was I sent to break it?

“Enjoy your food. Thank you for trying, Katarina.” He gave me a warm smile before he disappeared, making me feel a little guilty. I didn’t think he would thank me if he knew I was trying to get the hell out of here.

Grabbing my fork, I cut a piece of the roasted chicken on the plate, making me moan while I chewed. Damn Mr. Potter and that damn cookbook. I was going to gain twenty pounds from all this rich food and the damn fresh bread he’d been baking daily since I told him bread was life.

While I ate, I looked over my notes. My mind went back to what Mr. Potter said, saying that no one had any idea about the spell. How could that be possible? I knew most people were oblivious to the people around them, but for a spell of this magnitude, it took a lot of planning. It also took someone, if not an entire coven of witches, that were extremely powerful.

Nothing about this made sense. I really needed to go home to do some research. We were bound to have the grimoire that had the spell, or at least the person who cast it. The need for answers was bugging the shit of me like an itch I couldn’t scratch.

I looked over my notes one more time before I decided to give up. I headed to the bathroom to soak for a bit before I roamed around for an hour. It always amazed me how Mr. Potter always thought of everything. He ran this house like a well-oiled machine that he expected what I wanted and anticipated what I needed.

He made me miss my Gerard so much. They were so similar to each other that it should have brought me comfort, but after he left I felt so lonely and isolated, I couldn’t help but miss home. I didn’t miss Caston or my father, but I did long to play with my nieces and nephews. They gave the best hugs and Goddess, how I missed their laughs.

I enjoyed the warm water for a moment longer before I got out of the tub, drying myself with the softest towel. Grabbing my robe off the hook, I replaced it with my towel.

Since the weather was still manageable, the window was constantly open, but I could feel the season getting ready to change. The nights weren’t as cool, and I was not looking forward to learning how to survive without air conditioning.

I looked through my suitcase for a pair of shorts with a big shirt to go over them, needing comfort over everything else. Once I found what I was looking for, I put it on with a sports bra and slipped on my white Keds.

Looking at the clock it was still fifteen minutes till three, but I was tired of being in this room. I couldn’t wait anymore, it was only fifteen minutes and I really wanted to go check on the gate. Slowly opening the door as quietly as I could, I listened for any kind of noise that might tell me they were close. When I didn’t hear anything, I left my room, walking quietly as I made my way to the staircase.

I walked down the flight of stairs, wishing I had some wolf senses so I could walk around and dodge them. The sound of a door slamming closed had me rushing down the stairs, instantly regretting it. I was out in the open, too afraid to go to the front door, so I ended up going to the east wing.

This was the first time I had ventured out this way since the night they tied me up and left me in the library. I ran down the hallway turning a corner with my heart in my throat praying no one was following me. A set of double doors were opened, and I ran in stopping abruptly when I noticed that it was the library.

It was gorgeous, probably the most beautiful library I had ever seen. The one at home was tiny compared to the massiveness right before me. It seemed someone had lit all of the fixtures in here, giving me a better view than that awful night. The outside wall was lined with nothing but windows that probably looked amazing during the day.

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