Chapter 14

“I see there is no problem with the two of you getting along.”

Colin and Maddy jumped apart and spun to see Ginger a few feet away, smirking at them. Beside her was Professor Galt, and there was no trace of amusement on her face.

Maddy laughed. “We found both plants.”

Ginger opened her mouth and then closed it and smiled. “Really?”

Maddy pulled the bag out of Colin’s hand and nodded. “Creeping thistle and Scots pine.”

Professor Galt glanced at the Quaich. “What happens when you place them in it?”

Colin shrugged and tucked his hands in his pockets. “Nothing.” Both teachers turned to look at him. “All the other plants burn to ash; the pine and thistle do nothing.”

Regina nodded. “I’ll let the others know as soon as we get back.”

Maddy turned quickly and looked at Ginger. “Mother said you were working on talismans, did any of them work?”

Regina sighed. “We brought four that we feel may possibly lift the curse if they don’t work, we’ll have a better chance now that you know which plants were used in the original curse.”

Colin nodded, “hopefully the chemistry of the plant hasn’t changed too much in several hundred years.” The three women glared at him. “I’m sure they’re fine,” he added quickly. “Let’s try what you brought.”

Maddy held out the two bags and the Quaich to Professor Galt. “Can you keep watch over these? We’re just going to check the distance, and then we’ll try the talismans.”

Professor Galt accepted them and turned towards the house. “I’ll go put them away for safekeeping.”

Ginger waited until Regina was almost to the house before she turned back to Maddy. “How are the two of you holding up?”

Maddy shrugged. “As well as can be expected.” She glanced at the house. “We’ve had a few scares with the spirits of Robert and Brenna, but I don’t want Professor Galt to know the details.”

Ginger smirked. “Why? Were you making out when it happened?”

“I think it was a few steps beyond making out,” Colin stated with a grin.

Maddy’s cheeks went red.

“Oh—oh—” Ginger cringed. “Sorry, I was—”

“It’s okay,” Maddy said quickly. She turned to Colin. “Ready to check this?”

Colin walked over and leaned down to kiss her quickly. “As I’m ever going to be.”

Maddy smiled up at him. “Maybe it’s gone for all we know.”

Colin raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment.

“Okay.” Maddy took a couple of quick breaths and pointed to the house. “You go to that line, and I’ll go this way.” He nodded and headed towards the house.

Regina walked beside Maddy as she headed towards the stake with the moon on top of it. She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Can I just say two things?” Maddy gave her a curious look and nodded. Ginger grinned. “Way to go, Maddy—and I’m so jealous,” she whispered.

Maddy laughed. “You wouldn’t be if you were as cursed as I am.”

Ginger shrugged and then turned to watch Colin walk towards the house. “Maybe not, but check out the ass on that man.” She fanned her face. “It could be worse, you know. You could have been tied to someone old, fat, smelly—”

“Okay, okay, I get it.” Maddy stopped a few feet from the stake and turned to see Colin talking to her old professor. She gave Ginger a big grin. “If you think his ass is nice, you’d pass out seeing the rest of him.” At that moment, Colin turned towards them and pulled his shirt over his head, he tossed it onto the steps before nodding to Maddy.

“Oh my,” Ginger gasped, not bothering to look away from Colin. “I hate you, Maddy,” she hissed and then smiled.

Maddy nodded to Colin and then leered at Ginger. “Sorry to disturb your fantasies, but this is the yucky part.”

Ginger shook her head to clear it and looked back at Maddy. “Sorry, just throw cold water on me, and I’ll be fine.”

Professor Galt stood beside Colin with her hands on her hips, obviously not amused they were taking this long.

Colin didn’t take his eyes off her. She watched him as she slowly took one step back and then another. At the first twinge in her guts, she stepped forward again. Colin nodded to her. She turned to look at Ginger. “Let’s try the talismans and get it over with.”

Ginger pulled small packets out of her pocket and waved a hand to Regina. “The agate first.” She said loudly.

When both had the cords with the agate around their necks, Colin looked at Maddy and nodded. Maddy took a deep breath and stepped backward as she exhaled. She hadn’t even moved past the marker when a sharp pain jabbed into her stomach. She stumbled forward quickly and rested her hands on her knees.

Looking up, she saw Colin had his hand over his stomach, but the look on his face was concern and not pain.

Maddy straightened up and took the cord off her neck. Ginger gave her a grim look and took it.

~

They did the same with the black tourmaline and onyx with the same results. The pains each time were getting worse for Maddy. She wiped the sweat off her brow and took the last corded stone from Ginger. “I’m going to need a nap after all of this.” Taking a deep breath, she put the cord around her neck. Glancing at Colin, she noticed he no longer looked concerned, he looked completely pissed off and had gotten angrier after each stone. She watched him put the cord around his neck. Maddy took a hesitant step backward. The larvikite stone against her skin began an intense burning at the exact moment the knives stabbed into her.

She heard herself cry out as she fell to her knees, trying desperately to get the stone away from her flesh and hold her stomach at the same time. She couldn’t even move to a safe distance inside the marker. When the pains subsided to twinges, she looked up to see Colin running towards her.

Ginger was down on the ground beside her. “Get it off me,” Maddy gasped as she put both hands on the ground and tried to catch her breath.

Colin dropped down beside her and pulled her into his lap. “What happened? Are you okay?”

Maddy rested her face against his warm skin. “The talisman burned.” She moved her head to look at the stone still lying against his flesh. “It didn’t burn you?”

He shook his head and pushed her hair back to look at her neck. A small raw-looking red mark was just about her collarbone. He looked up as the other professor reached them. “We’re done for today.” He said it in a tone that left no room for discussion. Straightening, he lifted Maddy into his arms and started towards the house.

Maddy looked behind them to see the two very concerned women following. She touched her throat and winced when her fingers ran over the burn. “I don’t think the cup is happy with me right now,” she said quietly.

Colin looked down at her as he walked. Cradling her head into his shoulder, he kissed the top of it. “You didn’t have to try all of them at once.” His voice was still gruff sounding.

Maddy didn’t look up. “I want you to be able to go back to your life, to have choices.”

Colin carried her inside and straight to her bedroom. He didn’t speak until he put her on the bed. “I’m not going to trade getting my life back for your health.” He leaned over, searching her eyes with his. “I still make my own choices Ramada.” He brushed the hair back from her face. “I noticed you at the museum long before we looked through that display case.” He leaned down and gave her a feather-light kiss. “I should thank my dead aunt for taking away your choice of tossing me out on my ass.”

Maddy smiled and reached up to touch his cheek. “You say that now; tell me again when the withering begins.”

He gave her an unsure smile. “Rest. I’ll go make some tea and see if there’s anything to put on your neck.” He watched her sink down into the pillow and close her eyes. Getting up, he turned to see the two witch teachers standing at the door. Without a word, he walked out to go to the kitchen.

Yanking the cord off his neck, he tossed it on the counter and then turned. The cat and two teachers stood silently watching him. He motioned towards the door. “Sarabi, go stay with Maddy and come and get me if she needs anything.”

Both women watched the animal quickly turn and bound from the room.

Colin took a few deep breaths and tried, unsuccessfully to calm down. He looked from one woman to the other. “What the hell was that about?”

Ginger shook her head and looked at Regina for an answer. Regina picked up the cord and stone and studied it in her palm. “I’m afraid it’s affecting Ramada more adversely because of the first curse—she’s marked.”

Colin ran a hand through his hair and studied her. “So, will that speed up the curse itself for her too?”

Regina shook her head slowly and frowned. “I honestly don’t know.”

Colin turned and looked down for a moment before turning back to her. His voice was low and steady as he spoke to them. “First, I need something to put on her neck, and second, both of you are going to go back to wherever and call every damn person in your magical world until someone finds answers.” He took a breath and tried to remain calm. “Maddy has gotten the shit end of everything in her life, and this will not turn out that way.”

Regina placed a hand on his arm while she spoke. “We’re doing everything possible, Mr. Gregor.” She dropped her hand and turned to Ginger. “I’ll go back to the academy, you see if there’s anything here for the burn.” She turned and left without another word.

Ginger gave him an astonished look. “You are my new hero. No one has ever spoken to Regina that way and survived it.”

Colin offered what he hoped was a smile. Sarabi came in and looked at him; he immediately went to Maddy’s room. She wasn’t there. He turned and quickly headed to the study.

Maddy looked up from the book on her desk to see Colin standing at the door looking aggravated, and her cat sitting beside him. “Traitor,” she mumbled to the animal.

-I’m on his team today.

Colin came in and leaned down on her desk. “I thought you were resting.”

Maddy closed the book and shrugged. “I’ll rest when we get somewhere.” She got up and went over to the bookshelves.

“When we get somewhere?” Colin followed and leaned against the bookshelf. “So finding both plants, eliminating four charms or whatever they were—oh, and let’s not forget my favorite, finding out our spirit playmates are getting dead serious—that isn’t enough of getting somewhere for you?”

Maddy paused and gave him a puzzled look. “I know we got somewhere. I just think reversing it is going to be a lot less painful than testing gobs of charmed stones.”

He leaned down, putting his face between hers and the shelf. “You’re still really pale, Maddy.”

“I’m a redhead, we’re a pale breed,” she snorted and moved a few steps away, running a hand over the books.

Colin followed and did the same thing again. “That burn looks pretty painful. Maybe you should go see someone.”

Maddy’s jaw dropped. “Someone? Like a hospital? Oh right, and after I tell them that a spelled stone burned me because I stepped over an invisible line caused by someone that’s been dead for at least three hundred years and they lock me up in the mental ward—what are you going to do then? Bock like a chicken, so they put you in there too, so we’re still no more than sixty feet apart?”

Colin straightened and folded his hands in front of him. “I was referring to someone in your community; you do have healers don’t you?”

Maddy gave him a solemn look. “Yes,” she said quietly. “It’s fine, really, just stings a little.”

He nodded and stood there looking at her. “So, how about you tell me what’s bugging you?”

She sent him an annoyed look. “Other than being cursed twice?”

Colin folded his arms over his chest. “So, you feel fine?”

“Yes,” she hissed and pulled a book off the shelf.

“I think you should eat something, and we’ll discuss the next step.”

Maddy shook her head and started walking back to her desk. “I’m not hungry right now, but you go ahead.” She stopped and opened the book.

Colin clenched and unclenched his jaw a few times. “Okay.”

Maddy sighed, relieved that he was going to leave her alone for a few minutes. Setting the book down, she turned to go get another one and walked right into him. In one blurred movement, she found herself flung up over his shoulder and looking at the floor. “Colin! What are you doing?” She tried to flip herself upright.

He clamped his arm around her legs and turned towards the door. “You’re going to have something to eat, and then you’re going to tell me what’s wrong.”

“What’s wrong?” she shrieked. “Other than being manhandled, you mean?” Maddy struggled again, she couldn’t see with her hair hanging almost to the floor.

“Yes,” he said calmly.

Ginger came running through the porch door holding out a jar. “I had to go back and get—” She stopped when Colin walked towards her with a squirming Maddy over his shoulder.

Colin smiled at her and took the jar from her hand. “Thanks. I’ll look after it.”

“Ginger?” Maddy tried to move her hair again. “Help me. Get a baseball bat or blast him with magic!”

Ginger’s eyes widened as she looked at Colin.

He winked at her. “She needs reminding to stop and eat.”

Ginger’s mouth formed an O, but she didn’t know what to say. “Uh, I’ll call you later, Maddy.”

Maddy struggled with her hair again. “Don’t—go.” She saw Ginger go out the back door. “Colin, put me down.” She pushed up against him, trying to straighten up again. “Here, Kitty, come bite him.” Maddy looked around for Sarabi.

-Are you kidding? This is pure entertainment.

Maddy smacked the back of his legs. “Colin!” She was quickly flipped and seated on her kitchen counter. After she brushed at her hair, trying to get it all out of her face, she glared at him. “That was uncalled for.”

Colin rested a hand on either side of her, caging her in. “Oh, it was called for.” He couldn’t help but notice briefly how appealing her eyes were when they were shooting sparks at him. “First, you need to eat. You’re no good to anyone if you’re rundown.” She crossed her arms and glared at him. “And second, I don’t like being lied to. I know you’re not feeling fine, and I know something besides the obvious is bothering you.” He watched her eyes soften as he looked at her. He sighed. “Maddy, talk to me.” He reached up and ran his hands lightly over her shoulders, kneading gently.

Maddy closed her eyes and took a deep breath before she opened them again. “I overheard Professor Galt saying I’m marked.”

His hands stopped moving. “She doesn’t know for sure that’s it.”

Maddy shook her head. “She’s rarely wrong.”

Colin rested his forehead against hers. “No one is going to let anything happen to you, least of all me.”

Maddy reached up and placed a hand on either side of his jaw. “There’s nothing you can do to stop it, Colin.”

“I refuse to accept that,” he stated abruptly. Maddy turned sad eyes towards him.

“Between the curse and the two spirits—we’re trapped in the middle. We can’t obey the curse, and we can’t give the spirits what they want.” She dropped her hands. “If we chose one, we’ll likely die from the other, Colin, the only choice is the quick way or to wither away.”

Colin shook his head. “No. We’ll find a way. There are enough people working on this, enough combined knowledge that we’ll find a way.”

Maddy sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. “I hope so.”

He ran his hand down her hair a few times before straightening. “Let’s eat and get back to work.”

They both stiffened when the alarm chimes went off. Maddy groaned. “I can’t take Alice right now.”

Colin snarled, “I’ll deal with Dragon Lady, you find some food.”

Maddy sighed. “I am tired of sandwiches.” When she looked up, he wasn’t there. “No rest for the cursed.” She hopped down off the counter and headed to find Colin and Alice.

~

Maddy stopped when she walked into the study. Colin and Sarabi stood glaring at Alice. Alice, hands on hips and scowling at them.

-You’re going to ruin this fun too aren’t you?

“Ramada, dear, I was so worried when I heard, I had to come and see if you’re all right.”

Alice moved faster than Maddy remembered ever seeing her move before. She didn’t stop until she was hugging her. Alice had never hugged her. Pulling back from the awkward embrace, Maddy smiled. “I’m fine, Alice.”

“I was told a stone burned you.” Her eyes searched Maddy’s throat. “It wasn’t the citrine, was it?”

Maddy shook her head as she pulled the chain holding the citrine stone from inside her shirt. “No. It was a talisman. An attempt at blocking the curse—the second one.

Alice held the citrine stone in her palm and examined it. “Oh. Oh, I was so upset. Why didn’t someone stop to explain this to me?” She released the stone and leaned forward, looking at the burn mark. “You should put something on that, dear.”

Colin leaned against the desk and crossed his arms over his chest. “We have something to put on it in the kitchen.”

Alice glanced at him without turning her head. “Why don’t you go get it, and I’ll help Maddy put it on.”

Since when did Alice call her anything but Ramada? Maddy glanced at Colin and gave a small shake of her head.

He cleared his throat. “We were actually going to eat.”

Alice smiled at Maddy. “Oh, I’ll help you in the kitchen then.”

Maddy tucked her hands in her pockets. “That’s—”

“We’ll be in shortly,” Colin interrupted.

Alice laughed. “I didn’t say I was cooking, only offering assistance. I’m not someone’s cook.” She placed a hand on Maddy’s arm. “You do look exhausted though, come and you can sit and instruct me.”

Colin wanted to laugh. This woman was a very poor actress. “Rather than stand here debating, let’s just move this into the kitchen.”

Maddy nodded.

Alice scowled at him. “Don’t you have work and research to do?” She paused, still looking at him, “Go put a shirt on. It’s very inappropriate to be wandering around half-naked.” She looked back to Maddy and smiled. “I think I am more than capable of lending Ramada a hand—”

“Oh, cut the crap!” Colin straightened from the desk. “Why don’t you just tell Maddy what you’re trying so hard to tell her alone? Then you can fake your devotion a bit more and return to your home.”

Maddy’s eyebrows shot up as her jaw dropped.

Alice huffed out a breath. “How dare you speak to me that way? Do you have any idea who I am? I have a very high standing in the community. You’re a simple mortal—”

“That’s from a royal bloodline, don’t forget. I’m guessing a very magical one if this curse is any indication.” He scowled at her, “and let’s not forget whose daughter I am presently tied to, for lack of better words.” Colin glared at her, just daring her to take this further.

Alice stood there, her face getting redder as she looked at him. Huffing out a breath, she started towards the door. “I’ll be at home if you need me, Ramada, finding a way to rid you of this...” She paused and glared at Colin. “...curse.”

-I think I might love him.

Maddy looked at her cat, who seemed to be smiling. Turning, she stared at Colin. “What was that about?”

Colin shot her an exasperated look. “Oh, come on! She just wanted to get you alone again and convince you that you’re a danger to society, better off alone—”

“And how would you know that?” Maddy crossed her arms and watched him.

Stuck your foot in it this time didn’t you? He mentally cursed himself. “I overheard a bit of her last pep talk.”

“What is your problem with Alice? I know she’s a bit abrasive.”

“A bit? Abrasive is not a word I would use to describe that woman, and definitely not a bit abrasive if I did use that word.” He pointed to the door Alice had left through. He stood there looking at it. “There’s something about her, Maddy, she’s not who you think she is.”

Maddy chuckled. “She’s not the mother of one of my best friends or the lifelong friend of my mother?”

Colin gave her a look of annoyance. “That’s not what I meant. There’s just something...” He turned and paced across the room. He spun back around to look at her. “Why is she always trying to make sure you’re alone?”

“No, she’s not.”

“She’s always trying to deter you from being near people, isn’t she?”

Maddy nodded slowly. “With good reason. My magic—”

“I don’t think that’s the reason at all. I’ve been with you constantly since the museum, and I haven’t seen any disastrous accidental magic on your part.”

Maddy sat down in the faded chair and watched him for a few seconds. “Why else would she?”

He shook his head and stopped to look at her. “If she truly was so close to your mother and you, why wouldn’t she be helping you find a way to safely be around others? Why wouldn’t she do anything she could to see you happy?”

“I am happy.”

He raised an eyebrow and looked at her. “You’re happy always being alone? Not having anyone.” He raised a hand so she wouldn’t interrupt him. “Not having anyone who isn’t inside a mirror to talk to?” Colin squatted down in front of her. “What is her fascination with this?” He lifted the chain from beneath her shirt. “She looks at it constantly, Maddy, and touches it every opportunity she gets.”

Maddy frowned. “It was technically hers, Colin, my mother gave it—”

“I know all that, I understand the sentimental attachment.”

“My mother was very touched that Alice gave this to me.”

Colin stood up. “I’m sure she was.”

Maddy sighed. “Where are you going with this, Colin?”

He ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t know. There’s just something...” He stood with his hands on his hips and stared at the floor. “Could she have done something to the stone?”

Maddy leaned forward in the chair. “Something like what?”

He looked back at her. “How would I know?” He pointed to the stone, “But something about it is not right.”

Maddy stood up and shook her head. “That’s a lot of somethings, Colin.” She turned and looked at the marker board. “Instead of trying to find fault with Alice, why don’t you concentrate on figuring that something out instead.” She pointed to it.

Colin stood there watching her without comment.

“I’m going to make some food. If I can find anything worth making.” With that, she turned and walked out.

Colin glanced at the cat and then at the doorway.

-Messed that up big time, huh?

Sarabi went over and sat in front of him.

Colin sighed and looked down at the cat. “Yeah, I know—bad man.” He blew out a breath. “I know I’m right though. Alice is as phony as the tooth fairy, but I don’t know how to prove it.”

-I’m on your side, so stop trying to convince me and go fix it with Maddy.

Colin continued to stand there and look down at her.

-Do I have to draw you a picture? Oh wait, I can’t.

She got up and walked around behind him and nudged the back of his legs.

Colin looked back at the cat. “What?” She pushed against him again. “Fine,” he sighed. “I can take a hint.”

~

Maddy closed the cupboard just a little harder than she intended when it bounced open again. She turned to see Colin standing at the door. “I hope pasta is all right, it’s all I feel like making right now.”

“That’s fine.” He stepped over to the counter and picked up the jar he’d taken from Ginger. “Did you want me to put some of this on for you?”

Maddy turned from the sink and shook her head. “No. Thanks. I’m going to eat, soak in the tub, and go to bed.” She took the jar out of his hand. “I’ll put this on after my bath.”

Colin stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Do you need a hand with dinner?”

Maddy shook her head without looking at him. “No. I’ll let you know when it’s ready.”

Colin knew a dismissal with he heard one. “I’ll be in the study.” She didn’t even acknowledge that. He passed Sarabi on his way into the office. “I’ve been shunned,” he told the cat.

Sarabi watched him walk into the office and then continued toward the kitchen.

-Give the guy a break.

Maddy turned to glare at her. “I’m not in the mood! So help me if you start on me, I’ll drop you off at the nearest animal shelter.”

-Just try it.

Maddy glared at her.

-Fine!

Maddy swiped at a tear rolling down her cheek as she watched her only companion turn around and leave.