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“Forgive them,” Sigbjørn nodded to me. “My intention was simply to say that you and Elisa-Maria Götza share a similar characteristic, the strength of self. If anyone can discover how to break the curse on her work, it would be you, and in so, you may be able to break some of the binds that ensnare yourself.” He looked at the rest of his sons. “I was not seeking further to speculate on your circumstance so deeply, but it seems my sons lack restraint when it comes to such things.”
Hinrik looked away from his father, pretending to be interested in the canvas. Ulrik relaxed and picked up a random book, flipping to it with the same fake interest. It was only Theseus who maintained eye contact and nodded to his father, and it was clear, it wasn’t just a nod of understanding, but more like he was being told something and agreeing.
“So basically,” I said, trying to pull everything back into focus. “You think if I break this spell or curse, I’ll be able to break the one on me?”
“Yes,” Sigbjørn and looked at me. “While we try to figure what it is that led you and Theseus to this state, and you will practice magic, specifically undoing curses and spellbinds.”
“We have many cursed and spell bounded items here, Father. Will you have her unlock them all?” Theseus replied as if that were normal. Did they collect cursed objects?
“Yes,” he said again. “What better way to work toward freeing yourself. Do you not agree, daughter?”
Practice makes perfect.
“Exactly,” he said aloud before his voice appeared in my mind. “Now that you know you have magic, Druella, exercise it.”
I exhaled, though I didn’t need to, and rolled my shoulders. Stepping forward to the canvas, I lifted my fingers.
“Druella,” I glanced at Theseus over my shoulder.
He opened his mouth to say something, but then just shook his head. “I was going to say, do not be anxious. We have eternity, but you do not look like you need such words.”
His grey eyes were clear and calm, confident—in me. The small smile at the corner of his lips made me smile in return. Thank God I wasn’t human because I was sure my heart would not have beat steadily.
Tearing my gaze from him, I stared directly into the sunken face and pale eyes of a brunette woman, in a nineteenth-century, purple-bodice, belted-waist dress. Frozen in shock and a bit of terror, she screamed and so loudly that instinctively, I acted to protect myself. And like most vampires, that instinct was to fight. Grabbing her head, I ripped it off her neck as fast as I could before be jumping toward the end of the library, growling.
“Druella?” Theseus called out only once before he was at my side.
I panned the room left to right, looking for her. I didn’t see her, but I still couldn’t calm down.
“Druella?” he called again, and the moment he put his hand on my arm, I felt another one on my shoulder, and I couldn’t get a word out as I was now against a wall of books. My body slammed so hard against it, I heard the wood crack under me before I collapsed onto the floor as books fell on top of me.
I laid there a second, more stunned than actually hurt.
“Druella!” Theseus once again was at my side. He reached up, grabbing my arms to help when I felt that same sick feeling on my ankle. Yanked from his arms again, I was catapulted from one side of the library toward one of the stone columns.
“Gotcha, sis.” Ulrik caug
ht me first before I connected, but in all honesty, his body was so hard, I think I would have been better off colliding with the stone.
I laid there in his arms once again dazed and so bloody confused. The woman, the freaking ghost tossed me around like I was a damn football, now just stood there, staring at everything Hollywood horror movies were made off. She watched me, not moving again, staring me down as if I were the one who had murdered her!
“What the hell is happening?” Theseus moved to come to me again when she did, too.
“Theseus halt!” Sigbjørn hollered, and Theseus was as still as a statue, standing directly in front of me, unmoving, shoulders square, feet firmly planted. “Every time you touch her, Theseus, she is attacked for it.”
The woman reappeared this time, standing directly beside him, and again, she screamed like a banshee. I lifted my hands to my ears. My whole body twisted at the pain in my ears.
It felt like tiny razor blades were falling into my ears!
Unable to take anymore, I bolted out of Ulrik’s arms. When I did, Elisa-Maria turned to me and did the same. It wasn’t like running into the wall, but wind swept me up and tossed me onto my back. When I opened my eyes, she was above me. Her pale hand was around my neck, and she squeezed as hard as she could, trying to choke me.
“That isn’t going to work. I’m dead, too!” I screamed, and for a second, it was like that got to her.
She stopped and just stared at me. Her eyes didn’t seem as scary now—just anger and pain remained. But as quickly as it seemed to get to her, it was gone, and she was trying to strangle me again, pushing her, rising from the ground only to have her rise and scream. It was one short one, not the banshee cries she’d released before.
“Druella?” At my name, we both looked at Theseus who was still standing at “halt” per the direction of his father. The look in his eyes—he was pissed, confused, and trying to stay calm himself but mostly pissed. His demeanor was the same as the first time we faced off with the witches in the museum.
“I’m okay.” I cringed when I heard the scream again, and she appeared in front of Theseus.
