Cursed

Chapter Eighteen

Once everyone had calmed down, we tried to talk about what had just happened. It was safe to say that all of us were completely freaked out. No one wanted to stay in the barn, so we decided to talk about it in Ivelyn's house. I think it would be a while before any of us felt safe in the barn.

Ivelyn took us to her dad's study, which he never used, but it was fully stocked with alcohol. Ivelyn bee-lined it for the booze, which didn't surprise me. What surprised me was how everyone swarmed her, hand out, waiting for a drink too.

"Moreau, you want one?" Everyone had a crystal glass half full of brown liquor. I found myself nodding. She handed me the glass and I winced at the smell. I wasn't a big drinker. I decided it wasn't a big deal, that we deserved it after what we had seen.

What had we seen?

"So, do we think that was the--

"Yup," There was a round of nods.

"And do we think he--

"Yup." Another quick answer from Ivelyn. I stopped asking questions and took a sip of my drink. It burned all the way but filled my chest with a warmth I was familiar with. Ivelyn finished her drink and poured herself another, filling Erik's empty glass as well.

"Can you guys crash here? I don't really want to--

"Of course." This time, I cut off Ivelyn. I didn't want to stay here based on what we just saw, but I wasn't going to let Ivelyn be alone. Of course, Kate said she would stay and then Mir said she would too. Erik finished his second glass before responding.

"I think I'm going to have to the way you pour drinks." He was trying to make light of the situation.

"He's my ride, so yeah I'll stay too." Of course, none of us had asked our parents if we could, and it was a school night. None of that seemed to matter. When you do a spell like the one we performed and then you see a giant bowl of blood disappear, you don't really think about parent permission. Plus, tomorrow was Friday.

The study was spectacular. Ivelyn's family sure had a lot of money and spent quite a bit of it into their house. The floors were Cherry oak that glistened. In the center of the floor was an expensive looking Area rug. The lighting was dim, which set an ambiance. Kate was captivated by the bookshelves that lined a specific corner of the room. She trailed her fingers over the edges of the books.

Ivelyn plopped down into the antique desk chair that stood behind a large dark oak desk. Mir was staring down into her drink as if she was questioning taking another sip. Addie was lounging in a Chaise couch, finishing her drink with one gulp. I held my own glass in my left hand, crossing my right arm under.

"Not a fan of Scotch?" Erik asks, scaring me slightly. I jump, then relax when I see it's him. He reaches towards me. The alcohol is working its way through my bloodstream, I feel it taking effect. I lean back, sort of falling against the wall. Erik's hand is relaxed against the wall. His body close enough that I can smell his cologne. It reminds me of the woods.

"No, not really a fan of alcohol." I bit my lip. I sound like I'm flirting. Am I flirting? Am I supposed to flirt? I hate that I have no clue how to act around Erik. He smirks, liking my response.

The Scotch had done a great job of calming everyone's nerves. No one has said anything about what we witnessed, but that might be for the best. It's been so long that we all just relaxed and didn't worry about death or magic. I let my shoulders drop.

Erik's other arm comes towards me. Is he going to kiss me? I stiffen. He doesn't, instead, he puts his glass on the shelf next to my head. I sigh. One thing is for sure if I need to stop thinking Erik is going to kiss me every time we're together.