Assassin of Curses: (The Coren Hart Chronicles Book 3) by Jessie Eaker (best novels in english TXT) 📕

“We’re working on it,” Zofie whispered.

The bracelet flashed blazingly hot, and I almost cried out. It hurt. Which meant there was likely some weird luck thing going to happen.

And it did. I heard a loud growl come from my right. I looked up to see a rather large black bear ambling in our direction. I shook my head in disbelief. Shouldn’t bears be hibernating now? For the Creator’s sake, it was the middle of winter! This was fringing on the impossible.

The bear stopped and sniffed the air, rising up on its hind legs. Its head swiveled in our direction, and it gave a low growl. I think if it could have smiled, it would have.

I couldn’t help but wonder if I had overdrawn on my good luck. That there was no more to give, and it had chosen this moment to balance things out. I prayed it wasn’t so. I grabbed Cabrina’s hand and prepared to make a run for it.

Just as the bear dropped down onto all fours, a bolt grazed its side. It growled in anger, then wheeled toward the new threat. I glanced around the tree to see Wort desperately trying to reload my mother’s crossbow, but it was being finicky. The bear must not have liked the looks of the man and charged. Wort dropped the weapon and pulled his sword.

I did the only logical thing. I took off into the woods, pulling Cabrina along with me. Fumiko came along behind. In my hurry, I lost the faint trail Docila had used, so I turned in the direction I thought the ruins would lie.

“Head more south,” Zofie whispered.

How were they doing this? But I didn’t hesitate to follow the instructions. I changed my course, pushing aside small trees and brush to make a trail.

When I didn’t think I could carry Zofie any longer, I called for a break. I stopped and set Zofie down to stand in front of me. Then with trembling legs and aching back, I collapsed and sprawled against a tree. My two companions were relieved to have a short respite and sat beside me. I noticed that Fumiko was favoring her side.

I leaned my head back and shut my eyes, trying to get my heart and breathing to slow down. I knew we couldn’t stop for long. My bracelet was still warm on my wrist, which meant trouble had to be close by.

I looked up at my beloved standing before me. I had to ask the question. “Princess, can you hear me? Is it you that has been speaking to me?”

Zofie’s face kept its blank expression, but her mouth began to move. “Unfortunately, no. Rather, it is I, your devoted curse, that is actually sending the words. Although I wouldn’t be able to do it without help from the princess. So I guess you could call it a combined effort.”

Hearing those words lifted a huge burden from my heart. I had been so worried that perhaps the charms had left her body intact only to kill her mind. “So, she is all right?”

“Well, considering she’s been kicked out of her body, she’s doing pretty good. In fact, she’s been trying to find a reliable way to communicate with you since this whole mess started. The attempt to get into your dreams didn’t work, and the working she used back in the queen’s chamber can't be used again. She broke it getting to you.”

“Can I speak with her?” I asked.

“No, she can’t,” he said disgustedly. “This damn charm has that wrapped up tightly. In fact, the only way Zofie and I are communicating with you is because the charm maker didn’t anticipate a few things. Quite sloppy really.”

“What things?”

“Well, I don’t want to get too technical—because your slightly smarter than a monkey brain wouldn’t be able to understand—but let’s just say he didn’t anticipate my myst connections to Zofie. Remember, I control her curse, and you asked to share the pain of her transformations. And on top of that, you had me make it so Zofie could listen in on our conversations. Because of those connections, the damned charm got confused and did some weird stuff. We’re still trying to figure it all out. She thinks she might be able to fix things from this end.”

“Fix things? How?”

“Your damn woman is a Creator forsaken myst seer. She thinks she can rearrange my workings from the inside! It took her a bit to figure it out, but she was able to fix things so I could use her mouth. Oh, and by the way, don’t blame me for all the weird stuff that’s been happening. She’s figured out how to use my ability to change luck and has been using it a lot. I’ve warned her that things have to balance, but she’s pretty much ignoring me... Ouch! That hurt.” There was a pause. “What do you mean I deserved it? I’ll be so glad to get you out of my workings.”

I couldn’t help but smile. Zofie was so determined. I think I just fell in love with her again. I shook my head. But now was not the time. “Can I transform Zofie?”

“No,” she said softly. “Those skills are still sealed because your woman... Ouch! Will you stop that?” There was a pause. “Really? You’re kidding me. All right, if you say so. Anyway, those skills are sealed. Let’s just leave it at that.”

Something was being concealed from me, but I didn’t have time to worry about it.

“What about my curse ability?”

“The same. The princess says these charms are different from anything she’s encountered. Quite sophisticated, in fact. Curses and charms are not compatible, which is why the Dark Avenyts don’t normally use them. I can’t imagine where they got these from.”

I glanced