The Curse
Chapter Nine

I watch silently from the threshold, the woman known as Katherine Gravedon play with her infant son’s tiny hands. A smile tugs at my lips, she seems so happy with her son. Katherine looks up and spots me, “Come in Alica, no need to be afraid.” She says as she beckons me in. The peaceful silence is gone, I am now thrusted back into the horrible reality that I now live in. “I-I...I-I um...I-I’m here to retrieve the child my lady, it’s time for him to be fed.” I say softly as I walk into her room. She smiles fondly at me as she hands me the tiny child, I take him and hold him away from my body. ‘O-Oh god how the heck do you hold a baby?’ I think as I stare into the kid’s bright green eyes. I swallow and slowly infold him in my arms.

“I-I shall return him shortly my lady,” I say as I turn to leave the room. “Alica wait, I know it must be hard...taking care of my son after losing your own child.” Katherine’s words catch my off guard. ‘Alica was pregnant?’ I clear my throat and turn to look at her, “Yes, my lady it is hard, but I could never dislike this precious child. I see him as my own.” I reply with a small smile. I take a breath and leave the room, I look down at the little boy in my arms. “How could anyone kill a child…” I whisper as I slowly make my way down the stairs. Bynx and Addie need to work fast, I’m not sure how much longer I can stall.

~Adeline~

I drag Callum, no Alica down the sidewalk. She stumbles behind me, but right now I could honestly careless. “How long do we have until Cal is executed?” I ask as I pick up the pace. Alica stays silent for a moment, I look back at her and glare. She sighs, “We have to get this done by midnight, if we don’t then we will be too late. The young master will be dead.” She says softly. Fear constricts around my heart, why didn’t I believe him when he first told me about this? ‘G-God I’m so stupid!’ I shake my head, now is not the time for self pity. I’m going to save you Callum, I promise.

~Callum~

I stare in horror as I watch Lianna take the silver dagger she had and stab the little boy over and over in the chest. Bile rises in my throat, I force it back down and tear my eyes away from the scene. The babies screams of pain finally fade away, tears slide down my cheeks. “H-How could you?” I say barely above a whisper. My throat constricts when I take a glance at the lifeless child on the wooden table, “This is for your own good Alica.” Lianna pants as she wipes the back of her hand across her forehead. I close my eyes and allow more tears to fall, why was this for her own good!? She loved this child, and this horrible disgusting woman took him away from her! “W-Why was this for my own good mother?” I whisper as I lean against the bloodied table for support. Lianna smiles at me and reaches over to stroke my cheek, “You deserve everything this wretched child is getting dear. After all, Carrington is your father.”

I shake my head and look at her with bleary eyes, “N-No he isn’t mother. He is not my father, why must you insist that he is?” I ask softly. Lianna frowns and grabs the bowl that held the babies blood. “I do not have to explain myself to you girl, now drink.” She says harshly as she thrusts the bowl into my face. I step away and shake my head, she can’t make me drink the blood. Lianna growls and leans over the table, “I said drink Alica.” A loud scream catches both of our attentions, our heads snap in the direction of the door. Katherine stands in the threshold looking absolutely petrified. “G-Gideon!!” She cries as she runs over to her lifeless son’s side, I watch as Lianna darts out of the kitchen. I stare at the weeping mother, “M-My lady I-...” I was cut off by a harsh slap to the face. Tears burn at the back of my eyes, “You wicked, cunning, woman!! I let you into my home! I-I gave you my husband’s most prized possession, a-and you turn on me like this!” Katherine yells in both anger and pain.

I close my eyes and grit my teeth, “Y-You’ll burn for this! BURN!” She yells. “What is going on in her-...G-Gideon?” The deep voice of my great great whatever fills the room. I look up at him and gasp, ‘N-No, nonono.’ His cold green eyes cut into me like a knife, “You’ll pay for this witch.”

~Adeline~

Alica stalls her movement, I look back at her with worry. She grips her throat and gasps, “N-No, time is going by quick.” She says mostly to herself. My heart drops ten thousand feet, I run down the sidewalk and drag her behind me. I run up Callum’s walkway and burst inside his aunt’s house, “Oh my! You two seem to be in a hurry!” Says Lucinda as she comes in from the kitchen. I look at her and grip Alica’s wrist, “W-Where is Cal’s necklace? We need it.” I say breathlessly, Lucinda cocks her eyebrow questioningly. “Is something wrong Adeline?” I shake my head quickly, “N-No we just need the necklace please, we’re okay I promise.” I say quickly.

Lucinda nods and leaves us alone for a moment, I wait impatiently and stare at Alica, she seems really pale. “My sister never did tell me why Cal needed to keep this old thing on for, all she ever said was that it was a family heirloom.” Says Lucinda as she walks back in holding the necklace. I take it from her and thank her as I drag Alica back outside. “I-I can feel the young master’s fear, he is so afraid.” Alica whispers. I ignore her and continue you pull her down the walkway, we’re almost there Cal.

~Callum~

I stumble over my feet as the Marshall’s men throw me into the stone chapel, I land on my knees hard. I look back with tears in my eyes as the close the big wooden door, the sound of the lock clicking makes me jump. A whimper escapes me as I crawl over to the wall, I lean against it and close my eyes tight. The stone wall is cool against my back, even with my clothes I can still feel the chill. “I-I’m going to die… I-I’m going t-to die for something I didn’t do!!” I yell as I sob loudly. I grip Alica’s red locks and scream loudly, why is this happening to me!? What did I do to deserve this! I whimper and pull at the red hair, “I-I was born, that’s what I did. I-I was born as a Gravedon, I-I deserve this curse because my stupid family had an innocent girl murdered!” I yell again. I bury my face in my knees and continue to sob, Addie please please hurry.

The sound of the lock coming undone startles me, I look up at the door in fear. Slowly the door opens to reveal a man clad in black with a white collar around his neck. “Miss Paine, I am Reverend Alistair Crow. I am here to bless you, and hopefully obtain a confession.” The man’s voice sounds rough like gravel. I swallow, my mouth feels so dry. I slowly nod my head, “You are being charged with murder and witchcraft, do you understand?” He asks. I nod again, slowly he shuts the door behind him. “I-I didn’t do it,” I whisper.

~Adeline~

I drag Alica up the museum steps, “K-Keep up! We need you to save Callum!” I yell as she stumbles to match my pace. Bynx is waiting for us at the top of the steps, “Did you get it?” He asks anxiously. I nod breathlessly, now I see why Callum hated walking. “Okay, from what I read, the best way to destroy black magic is to burn it. When you burn the item that has been cursed, it will become purified.” He explains as I hand him the necklace. “W-Well where are we going to replace a fire that’s hot enough to melt the thing? It’s pure metal!” I yell exasperated. Bynx’s confidence slowly slips away, “We’ll just have to keep adding an accelerant until the fire does get hot enough.” He replies quickly as he drags me and Alica inside.

“We can use the fireplace in my dad’s office, he keeps lighter fluid inside his desk.” Bynx explains quickly as he pulls us across the museum floor. A small whimper catches my attention, I look back at Alica and see her face contort in pain. “I-It burns, t-the s-shackles b-burn.” She whispers. I swallow the lump in my throat and try to keep up with Bynx, we’re almost there Cal, just hold on a little while longer.

~Callum~

The iron shackles are tearing at my skin, every time I move they bite into my flesh. When a guard brings me some food, I ask him what day it is. He says it’s the day I die, I close my eyes tight. “N-No… I-It can’t be time… i-it’s not time.” I croak as I cling to my knees. My tears refuse to fall for they have all dried up, I’m going to die here. I’m going to be killed for a crime I didn’t do, no, I’m going to be killed for a crime that Alica didn’t do.

I whimper and grip the tattered uniform that clings to me, “I-I’m s-sorry my family did this to you Alica. I-I’m so sorry, y-you didn’t deserve this… n-no one deserves this.” I whisper. The sound of the lock clicking open startles me, I look up at the door and see the two men who threw me in here. “It’s time witch.”