Chapter 2

2

The old Mrs. Blackwood burst into tears. She looked like she had aged a decade as she shuffled away.

A few days later, Silas returned. He didn't come alone.

He didn't even knock. He just waved a hand, and his goons smashed my front door open.

I couldn't stop them as they tore through my living room, smashing my furniture to splinters.

My grandfather's ancient journals were tossed onto the floor and trampled under their boots.

"Silas Sterling, have you lost your mind?" I screamed.

He turned to me, his face twisted with a terrifying rage.

"Elara Vance, you are a monster! I don't know how the spirits could ever choose a bitch like you."

"In the last life, you forced me to marry you. Now, you've put a hex on Mara's baby!"

"Where is the counter-spell? Give it to me!"

My heart turned to ice. So, he had been reborn too.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," I said through gritted teeth.

Silas kicked me hard in the stomach, sending me sprawling to the floor.

"Liar!"

"You're just jealous because you couldn't have a child last time! You're trying to kill mine!"

I let out a harsh, dry laugh.

"Silas, it doesn't matter what I do. You were born under a dead star. You will never have a son."

"Keep talking! Let's see how tough you are when the fangs come out."

He signaled his men, who brought in a heavy, black ceramic jar.

Silas stepped on my chest, pinning me down as he looked down at me with a sick grin.

"You're a Seer, right?"

"Then you must love these little guys."

He tipped the jar. A cluster of Diamondback rattlesnakes spilled out onto my body.

The cold, scaly coils slithered over my skin. Then came the sharp, searing punctures.

The venom burned like liquid fire through my veins.

"Enjoy yourself, Elara," he whispered before walking out.

I watched his retreating back with pure, unadulterated hatred.

The Sterling family was already dead. They just didn't know it yet.

When I finally opened my eyes, the air smelled like sharp bleach and hospital soap.

Mrs. Blackwood was sitting by my bed. Her eyes lit up when she saw me stir.

She quickly handed me a cup of water.

"Miss Elara, you're awake! How do you feel?"

I didn't answer. I just stared at her face.

"Is... is there something on my face?" she asked, nervously wiping her cheek.

The tides had turned. The Blackwood family's luck was shifting.

"Three days from now, I will come to your house," I whispered.

The old woman wept with joy, nodding frantically.

After she left, I checked myself out of the hospital despite the bandages covering my body.

As I walked out of the lobby, I ran straight into Silas and Mara.

"Still alive? God really is blind to let a snake like you breathe," Silas sneered.

I tried to walk past them, but then I noticed the change in Silas's aura.

The Sterling luck was rotting. Rapidly.

Within ten days, there would be a funeral in their house.

Then I looked at Mara, and I almost laughed out loud.

She wasn't pregnant. Not even close.

I was about to mock him when I saw something that stopped my heart.

The black moonstone pendant around my neck was gone. It was hanging around Mara's neck.

That was my grandfather's most sacred relic!

"Give that back!" I reached out to grab it.

Silas easily shoved me away and slapped me across the face so hard I hit the ground.

"Don't you dare touch her, you freak!"

My cheek stung like hell, but I just looked up and smirked.

"Anyone who wears that stone―besides me―will be consumed by it."

"Silas, your days are numbered."

Mara gave a soft, sugary smile. "Actually, Elara, the spirits chose me this time."

"You aren't the only Seer in town. I know how to break the curse too."