The Broken Curse (37 page)

"Sometimes I wish he was here. I feel so bad."

"He'll come around," Ari promises. I lean against him and look across the table at Kara and Junior.
 

"So, girls, how is school going?" my dad asks.

"Alexandros has been running us ragged. Although I think he and Magdelina have a thing going on. Even though she's generally an awful person, I kind of like them together."

"I totally like them together," Kara chimes in. "They're both so beautiful. Can you imagine their babies?"

"Oh my god. You're right," I say, reaching across the table and clapping hands with her. She giggles into Junior's side as he continues to shovel food into his mouth.
 

"DGA offered me a position as a counselor," Atee says from beside me.
 

"Really?" I question, excited.

"Yeah. Apparently one of the new students has the ability to contain and create portals. Linus gave me a call and asked me to be on board for the next couple years while the student is still there."

"Are you going to do it?" Mom asks.

"I think so. We're hanging in this area anyway. I might as well get something out of it."

"We could get a house just outside of the school!" my mom says, looking right at Atee. "Oh my gosh. I drove by the school and saw this cottage right off the highway. It would be perfect for us, Atee!"

"How do you know I want to live with you, Athena?"
 

"Oh please," she drawls as she tosses a dinner roll at his face.
 

"Fine. But just for a few years," Atee relents.
 

"I can't wait to have you guys so close!" I grab Atee's hand and squeeze it. It feels like my family just keeps getting bigger and better. I look across the table at my dad, who has a proud smile on his face. He raises his glass to me, and I nod at him, smiling as I lean against my soulmate.
 

It just doesn't feel complete with an empty seat at the table. I don't even care if he never likes me again. I just want him to be happy. And I know running away won't help.
 

After dinner, I excuse myself to the bathroom.
 

I miss you. I know you hate me, but you're one of my best friends. Come back home.

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

new years

Tonight is the night. My mother is finally all moved into her house with Atee, and as a housewarming-slash-New-Year's-celebration, we're having a party. It wasn't too hard to convince her, especially when we went over the list of those invited. Apparently, party planning is her thing.

"What if he doesn't come?" I look at myself in the mirror as I put a pair of sparkly silver earring on. I'm dressed to the nines, wearing a short cocktail dress with pumps that I can barely walk in. Kara will be proud. My hair hangs in loose ringlets down my back, overgrown from months of not cutting it.
 

"I don't even know which
he
you're referring to. But whichever one will come. I know it." Ari kisses the back of my neck and then continues to fix his tie in the mirror. "I have a gift for you."
 

I turn around in amazement and look at Ari as he retrieves something from the bedside table. My heart stops when I recognize the wooden box from the vision of my very first life.
 

"What's wrong?" he asks when he sees my face fall.

"That box. I've seen it. In my first vision."

"This box? I've never shown you this."

"The first time we ever met, I took that box from my house and shoved it into my getaway bag. I never got a chance to open it because I died shortly after."
 

"When did you see the first time?" He sits on the bed and pats it for me to sit beside him. I scoot over and angle my body so I'm facing him, our knees touching.
 

"I saw it the night we came back from the Underworld."

"I never knew."

"Honestly, we had the memorial service after, and we had just gotten together. I forgot about that vision until now. We've been so busy; I guess I just forgot to bring it up."
 

"Well, you didn't see what was inside, right?"
 

"Right." I nod, smiling in anticipation.
 

"It's for you." He hands me the box and it feels heavy in my hands. I don't know if it's just my nerves or what, but my stomach rolls. I tentatively open it, and inside is a circular locket on a silver chain.
 

The locket has a circle of red stones, with diamonds in between them that circle around the outside. I open the locket, and in it are two pictures in black and white.
 

The first is a picture of just Ari and me. Obviously they didn't come with the first locket. He must have added these much later.
 

"That first picture is my favorite lifetime, the Navy one." I notice he has a white cap on his head, and I'm in a cap-sleeved dress. I'm facing the camera, a huge smile on my face, while Ari is facing me, only having eyes for me.

I look at the other side of the locket. I double take because I don't believe my eyes. It's a photo of Ari and me with Ollie also. It's from the school dance a year ago. We're all in costumes.
 

I don't even remember when this was taken. I'm sandwiched between my favorite men. Ollie looks pissed off, but he's faking his way through a smile. Ari has a blank face, but again, his eyes are on me and me alone.
 

"I absolutely love this," I say while I try not to cry. I've never met a man so thoughtful. I wrap my arms around his neck and tug him close to me.

"You can change the pictures if you want. I just figured you'd want us both close to your heart."

"I would never change them. You're perfect."

"You're perfect. Don't object," he says and places his finger over my mouth. "We're late." He jumps from the bed and pulls me up with him. I nod and finish getting ready for our celebration.
 

Tonight is Ollie's last shot. I've texted him constantly. Whenever I think about him, I write it down as a text. I wouldn't call myself desperate, but that's exactly how I feel.
 

But if he doesn't show up tonight, then I'm stopping this charade. If he doesn't want me in this life, then he's not going to get me. I can't just keep trying when he's not putting in an effort.

My mom initially described her house as a cottage, but it's about the furthest thing from it. It's situated back on ten acres of untouched land. Her long cobblestone driveway makes her monstrosity of a castle seem magical.
 

There are four pillars on the front porch, spanning two stories high. It's a white house with stone embellishments. The driveway is a semicircle, and as we pull up in Ari's car, a valet walks out from the side doorway and takes the car away.

"Athena went all out tonight," Ari whispers as he takes my hand.
 

"I knew when I asked her about having a party, she'd go too far. Do you remember Thanksgiving?" He laughs because Thanksgiving was like a small wedding. She invited all of her relatives and friends. Four Originals showed up, and when Zeus and Hera got into a fight, they created a forest fire behind the house.

"Linus!" I spot him the second we enter through the high double doors of the mansion. He's grabbing a drink from one of the busters who walks around with a tray in his hand and a three piece suit on. Linus spins around and hugs me back before handing me a drink.

"How are you?" I ask him when he releases me from the hug.

"I'm doing well. Have you been practicing like I told you?"

"Tonight is about fun, so no school talk. But yes, if you must know. I practiced last night."
 

"Good. Two weeks and school's back up. I bet you're thrilled."
 

"I'm excited to get back to work actually. Weird, I think that's the first time I've ever said that." I cut my glance across the room, quickly shuffling though all the faces, but there's no Ollie in sight.
 

I spot Ari off to the side with Magdelina. I excuse myself from Linus and walk over.
 

"Hello, lovely," Ari says and invites me into their circle. He drapes his arm over my shoulder and tugs me close. I take a sip of my very strong drink and try to act normal, like the burn doesn't leave a trail of fire down my throat.

"You can stop being jealous," Magdelina sighs, swaying on her heels. "I can't compete with a soul mate; now that it's proven, I have nothing to give him. Put the claws away."

"They're gone." I smile at her as fake as I possibly can. Despite her waving her white flag, I still don't like her. I probably never will, but that's okay.
 

"I've set my sights somewhere else for the time being."

"Does this sight happen to be named Alex?" I smile again at Magdelina and then pat Ari on the butt as I leave him. "I'm going to mingle. I see Kara." I can hear Magdelina humph from behind me, and Ari chuckles at my exit.

I hug Kara from behind and scare her. She jumps and almost spills her half-full drink. She downs hers, and I hand her my drink, too. She downs it in one single slurp, and I envy her gusto.
 

"Thank the gods I found you."
 

"Mag-da-bitch being a bitch like usual?"

"Surprisingly, no. But, I still don't like her. Where's Junior at?"

"He had to stop on his way in. He'll be here."

"Have you seen Ollie?"

"Unfortunately, no. I'm sure he'll show up. Oh shit." She cowers behind me, using me as a human shield. I try to back up, but she's pushing me forward and I can't hide myself. I crouch down.

"What is it?" I look around, bending and swaying.

"The Louisiana hicks are here."

"Oh my god, Kara. They aren't that bad."

"That boy has got some serious angst. I thought only girls are caddy."

"What about girls?" Mikey appears right in front of us. I grab his shoulders and turn him around to face us. He hugs me, kissing me on the forehead before grabbing Kara and doing the same thing.

"Nothing. Save me from talking to people and come with me to get a drink?"

"Surely," he answers, guiding me towards the bar.
 

The main area is very nice. Four sparkling chandeliers hang in the large room, and two more in the foyer. The cocktail tables have candles displayed in a circle around the middle centerpiece that envelop the room in sugar-cookie smell.
 

The floors are dark hardwood. Each step is deep and loud, the room thunderous with movement. The walls are a dark maroon, but a wall of pure windows and doors offsets the dark coloring.
 

There's a porch off of the back of the room with a view overlooking a lake. Light flickers from boats in the distance, but other than that, it's pure darkness.
 

"I'll have a scotch with two rocks and my lady here will have…"

"A Shirley temple." I smile at Mikey, even though he chuckles under his breath at my choice. I don't really care. I grab my red drink while Mikey grabs his brown one, and we walk towards one of the tables in the main room.

"Oh, there's Lex. I'm going to go talk to him," I tell Mikey as I walk over to where Lex is sitting alone. I didn't see him at first, so he must've snuck in the back. I tap on the table, and he jumps.

"Damn, Eury! You scared me." He clutches his hand to his chest.

"Sorry. I got excited to see you."

"You see me every day for first period," he laughs, a deep loud rumble starting in his gut.

"But, I mean like friends, not teachers and students." He smiles and nods. Like usual, when he smiles, all I can see is his sister. She lives inside of him, and sometimes it hurts because she's gone. I know it's worse for him. "How's your brother?"
 

"He's coming to visit tomorrow, actually. Would you like to meet him?"

"Are you sure? He's not going to hate me for, you know?"

"No. Eury, nobody blames you. You should know that by now."

"Okay, then. I'd love to meet him." I smile at him.

"Is there food here?" he asks.

"Of course. Hors d'oeuvres will be served, and there's a full bar. Help yourself, and have fun."

"Thanks for this. I needed it to pull me out of my house."

"I'm just glad you came." He rubs my back as he walks by me, but I grab his arm and stop him. "You know Magdelina, as hard as she can be, I think she's a good person."

"We're not…I'm not…"

"I know," I say while smiling through my teeth. I walk past Alexandros and reclaim my spot beside Ari. We stand together on the outskirts of the large room, watching all of our friends and family mingle and party together.
 

"You arranged quite the party," I tell my mother as I sip from my Shirley temple. She's more beautiful than I've ever seen her. Her floor-length dress hugs her slight curves, the purple fabric making her eyes stand out. Her brown hair is sleek, straight and down her back in a waterfall of darkness.

"You ask, I deliver. I'm just glad to see everyone here. I think it's good for them to do things like this. Did you see the Louisiana family?"