Page 24 of Curse of Thorns

“I know what you know,” he says slyly.

Shock registered with me instantly.

“What…” I couldn’t seem to form words.

Letting out a low laugh, Ason stalked even closer to me. Our noses were almost touching and his warm breath caressed my cheek. “Don’t act so shocked. I see and hear everything that goes on in this school. I know that you are aware of the spell in the forest. You’ve seen the map and you know that the forest is luring the students inside,” he spoke, his eyes boring into mine.

“If you are aware of this, then why are you keeping secrets? Do you know if anyone else is involved? Where is the dark Witch who caused all of this?” I questioned.

I could see the waves of unease washing over him. It was like he was at war with himself.

Sighing, he looked down and then back up at me again. “The witch is still inside of the forest. I patrol the area to ensure she doesn’t leave the forest and no one else enters. You aren’t going to leave this alone, are you?” he asked, already knowing my answer.

“No way. I have to tell you something, but…” My words were instantly cut off by the sounds of people walking our way.

Ason pulled me back into the shadows again so that we were hidden.

Leaning into my ear, Ason whispered, “We will talk again tomorrow at the ceremony. Go back to your room and wait for me.”

Once again, I’m left in limbo and unsure of where I stand with Ason. Once the people we heard coming down the hall pass by us, Ason pushes me out of the shadows and then takes off running the opposite way.

***

I’m fuming when I get back to my room later that night. Candi is lying in her bed, scrolling through her phone when I barge inside.

My mouth starts running as I begin telling her the events of the night. When she sits up and scowls, I collapse onto my bed, exhausted from everything I had endured.

"You can never speak of what you saw," her voice quivered in fear, as she rushed across the room and grabbed me by the arms.

"Why, what could be so bad?" I asked, trying to pull away from her vice-like grip.

"The forest is cursed and forbidden. If anyone finds out what you saw, they will come for us," she said gravely.

I shake my head in disagreement. “No, Ason is patrolling the area. We can’t tell anyone else,” I say, making sure she knows this is a secret.

I worry for a moment that I have broken Ason’s trust.

“I’m not going to talk to anyone about this and please, don’t as well. I really think we can work together to figure this out. I just need to see if I can trust Ason,” I stated.

Candi loosens her grip on me and stands back, a smile appearing over her face.

“Wow, are you starting to come around to Ason now?” she asks.

“I mean, he may not be as terrible as I once thought,” I grumble.

Candi laughs and sits down next to me on my bed. “I know he seems like a jerk, but he really isn’t that bad. Whatever he is doing to help the school, well maybe he will let us help, too. Now that we know about the map and potion, we should all work together.”

I consider her words as I lay back on my pillows. Regardless if Ason helps us or not, I know that I have to figure out what is going on.

“Candi, I don’t want to just stop the curse, but I want to lift the curse and see if we can help the missing kids. Maybe they are still alive. Maybe my nightmares are visions,” I consider, biting my lip in a nervous move.

While I hadn’t verbally considered it, the thought that I could be a Seer was starting to grow on me. It made sense and I hoped more than anything that I was getting closer to understanding my powers.

“That’s great! I would do anything to bring my friend back,” Candi says, her voice dropping. “I really am glad that you came here and are my roommate, but still…” her words drift away.

“It’s ok,” I console her. “You lost your friend. I want to help bring her back, and the other missing students. Now, we just need to figure out who we can trust to help us,” I say, closing my eyes.

Chapter 12

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