Page 29 of The Curse of Indy Moore (The Cursed Duology #1)

“We spoke earlier, and he advised me to find you; otherwise, we may never leave the library.”

“I see.” He curled his fingers around mine, making me self-conscious of the coarseness of my hands. They were calloused and hard, not made to be gentle, but he held me like they were. “Be a good girl, then, and touch nothing without my permission.”

“I am noticing a pattern here where I have to ask for your permission a great deal. Is that necessary, or are you a control freak?” I asked, stifling a smile.

“Once again, you are welcome to figure that out for yourself.” He let go, and I missed the pads of his fingers on mine .

Mr. Hawthorne tugged a notebook out from beneath his jacket. He flipped to an open page and handed it to me alongside a pen. “Should anything like this happen again, write down as many details as you can remember.”

While writing about what transpired, I asked, “What more are we looking for?”

“There are countless books on curses.” He flicked his fingers toward the books trailing his steps. “But not as many on Mother Wolf, so I am searching for any demons of similarities.”

He stopped to tug a book from the shelf.

“I never thought there would be anything similar. You said demons are all different, and I skimmed some of these books. There isn’t a single one alike,” I said.

“Not in the ways you may expect, no, but it’s there.

” He set the book on the stack then muttered to himself and meandered down another row.

“Some are known to travel together, typically weaker ones who need the protection. Mother Wolf isolates herself, as many of the older, more powerful demons do. They’re more difficult to crack, like to hide out in uninhabitable places, and can protect themselves in unimaginable ways. ”

“Sounds to me like you know a great deal about them already.”

“I won’t deny that I have dabbled. Demons are fascinating creatures, but I know an expert who can expedite our research.”

“A demonology expert? Why are we here rather than speaking with them?”

“Because Professor Kumir is the best demonologist in her field, and if I dare to approach her without bothering to prepare anything, she will undoubtedly say no,” he replied.

“She sounds pleasant.”

“She is an absolute marvel.” He chuckled, and it sounded genuine as he acquired another book. “This should be enough. Let’s return to Ivory House.” Mr. Hawthorne headed for the staircase. “Is there anything else I need to know about?”

I nearly told him about meeting Rosalind, but bit my tongue. “No.”

We walked in silence, and my attention strayed to the aisles. No dog watched from the shadows, but I kept close pace to Mr. Hawthorne. His cloak knocked against my hand, and a childish urge to latch on erupted within me. I clenched my hands tightly. I’ve been coddled enough already.

On the bottom floor, Mr. Hawthorne spoke to the receptionist while I found Otis where I left him. The books we checked out fluttered into a briefcase, shrinking to half their size, so the case clicked shut—I would never get over that—then we left the archives.

Slate descended from the sky to perch on Mr. Hawthorne’s shoulder.

For a moment, I pondered why he didn’t join us in the archives, seeing as pets were allowed.

However, the thief had somehow acquired a ribbon, making three trinkets to add to his collection.

What they all had in common was a slight shimmer that likely caught the sun and thus his attention.

Had he joined us, he may have tried flying out with a whole book.

“We have time left,” Otis said with a glance at the clock tower outside. “Why don’t we visit Hawthorne Manor?”

“No,” Mr. Hawthorne replied immediately.

“But your parents would love to see you. We haven’t been there in two months.”

“It would be rude to drop in unannounced.”

That sounded like a lie. I shuffled my weight from one foot to the other. If he had the opportunity to visit his family, he should take it. I knew that was my jealousy speaking, that I would run home as soon as I could, and I couldn’t grasp why he wouldn’t.

Mr. Hawthorne snapped his fingers, lips pursed. “Ah, we were meant to get Miss Moore a new wardrobe today, though I fear we don’t have the time. She requires extensive work, after all.”

I rolled my eyes. “I am in no need of them.”

After what happened in the archives, I wasn’t keen on wandering around, either.

There could be another dog under Carline’s influence anywhere.

Again, I wanted to lay my own curse on that blasted demon.

I couldn’t enjoy seeing a cute dog on the street without being paranoid. That was its own form of a curse .

“Considering all the attention you received—and will continue to receive—you do need them. I suppose we can return tomorrow,” he countered.

“I would prefer we work on my case rather than shop.”

“I will work, and you can shop. Oh,” he pouted better than both my cousins combined, “how I envy you, Miss Moore. I haven’t had a proper shopping outing for quite some time.”

“A week,” Otis translated.

“As if you need one, and that is hardly a wait,” I countered.

Mr. Hawthorne stared longingly at a nearby boutique, where sets of shoes were set up in the windows. “I am in need of new shoes, thanks to your uncontrollable chewing.”

I stomped my foot. “It’s not… That is the wolf, not me.”

“And you destroyed one of my rooms. It is in need of redecorating.” Mr. Hawthorne walked ahead, muttering to himself about his future shopping adventure. Chuckling, Otis followed and nodded along to his student’s suggestions on the remodeling.

That man may be weirder than any demon.

We returned to the transit hall and took the summoning circle to Ivory House.

My stomach churned just as much during the second journey.

If I had anything in it, I would have gotten sick, so it was a blessing in disguise not to have stopped anywhere for dinner.

In the garden, Otis offered to start said dinner, sauntering off to the kitchen, while Mr. Hawthorne took to his office.

He had a lot to read and didn’t want to be disturbed.

I would have taken to exploring, perhaps gone to the observatory, even if I couldn’t view anything, but then two letters flew at me. One hit me in the chest. The other whizzed past my head, made an abrupt turn, and hit me in the back.

One letter came from Aunt Agnes and the other from Baxter. Mr. Hawthorne’s enchantments were truly a wonder. They sent and received letters with such speed, while anyone in Westshire knew their letters could take weeks to reach their destination unless they paid a fee for a speedy delivery .

Taking the letters, I went to my room to read them, leaving Baxter’s for last. I wasn’t sure what the letter would say, or what I wanted it to say.

Dear Indy,

I am so relieved that we can write to each other. Can you believe the letter flew right into my lap this morning? Artificers are a strange bunch, but please, give Mr. Hawthorne another round of thanks.

I know you’re concerned about the farm, but those helping hands are as their name entails.

They had breakfast prepared by the time we woke and half the chores done by midday.

I even took a long lunch where I didn’t have to cook!

They have been an absolute dream, so please don’t worry about us.

Make sure to get this curse dealt with so you can come home.

As for the woodlands, a group set out this morning to travel to Cavehallow, made up of those who had safely entered previously.

They should return by tomorrow, seeing as they also are gathering supplies for everyone in case anything happens.

I’m worried. We all are, but the demon hasn’t set foot in Westshire, and we’re keeping the kids away from the woods.

This is a rough patch, but we’ll get through it.

Love,

Aunt Agnes

The letter hadn’t eased me as much as I hoped. I lingered on her talk of the helping hands, how useful they were, so much so that she could take a break. Carline offered the chance for my aunt to take more than a break. She could retire. Didn’t she deserve that?

Carline was a temptress dragging me further and further in.

She said if I returned, then the deal remained on the table.

I could leave, tell Mr. Hawthorne I changed my mind, and have an unbelievable five years.

What else did I expect to do or achieve in my life?

I never amounted to anything. I would never be more than a farmer, never much of a partner, not much of a daughter, either.

A tear fell on the letter. I wiped them away with the backs of my hands .

No, I couldn’t let Carline win. I… Her deal probably had more strings attached to it. I wouldn’t know if my family got everything they wanted, especially after I… died. It’s foolish to accept.

And selfish not to.

“Damn it.” I set my aunt’s letter aside. Baxter’s letter sat unopened.

I pressed my fingers along the seal, wondering what brought about such hesitation, until Miss Beamy pranced into the room.

“Good evening. Did you have fun exterminating field mice today?” I asked, as she danced around my legs.

“Mice.” She hopped onto the desk to sit her butt right on the letters. She truly had no care about anyone else’s possession. “Oh yes, I killed quite a few today. Their carcasses are buried with the rest under the trees.”

Good to know none of the bodies were in the house.

“I hope you didn’t kill the whole family. That’s rather, um, unpleasant.”

She tilted her head. “Family?”

“Of mice. Mr. Hawthorne said you found a family of field mice.”

“Ah, yes, I did… but I wasn’t planning to catch them all. It is best to let some grow, so I may get them later. How did your outing go?” She lifted her chin and gave me a brief sideway glance. I believed that was her way of saying I could pet her.

“As well as it could. They accepted Mr. Hawthorne’s project. We were invited to a Moonlit Ball,” I replied while scratching under her chin.

“A frivolous event.” Miss Beamy’s tail flicked. “They didn’t invite my boy for many years, and he couldn’t even bring me. Preposterous! What else?”

“We stopped at the archives, and I wasn’t forced to go on a shopping spree, although I had an unpleasant run-in with a dog.”

“I am not surprised to hear that. They do not understand boundaries in the slightest.”

“I don’t believe this particular dog had much choice. Carline seemed to have control of it, if it wasn’t an illusion. ”

“How unfortunate.” Miss Beamy rubbed herself against my arm. Her tail flicked under my chin. “I smell dinner. We best head downstairs before it gets cold.”

She hopped down to strut out of the room. Together, we went to the kitchen, where Mr. Hawthorne didn’t join us. A plate floated out of the kitchen, though. I made a mental note to pay attention while walking the halls. I wouldn’t want to run into an overflowing teacup or someone’s dinner plate.

It wasn’t until some time after dinner that Otis took me to the closed-off room.

I brought old clothes with me to change into so I wouldn’t ruin the dress Mr. Hawthorne made.

Going into the cell wasn’t any easier than the first time.

Otis offered to bring a book to entertain me until the change, but I denied it.

I’d end up tearing it to shreds, so I sat in the corner among the fresh blankets and waited, hoping these changes wouldn’t last long.

Then there came light, two of them in the corner.

Carline visited, her silhouette a shadow.

I willed myself not to scream at her. Mr. Hawthorne said to engage.

Screaming wouldn’t help, nor would waiting.

My body ached with that strange sensation, promising that I wouldn’t be myself in a moment.

If I didn’t take the chance, I would lose it.

“You sent a dog after me today, didn’t you? You can control more than your wolves,” I said more than asked.

“I can, although my wolves are easier to manage.” I hadn’t expected her to answer so easily. She either underestimated the help I sought or knew what she revealed wouldn’t help.

“Why did you go after me, out of everyone in Westshire, even those who searched for me. You only chose me,” I said with a heavy tongue. My jaw ached, as if my teeth didn’t fit right in my mouth.

“You’re making conversation now?” She smiled—pleased or suspicious, I couldn’t be sure.

I willed myself to stay awake, to keep eye contact with her and remain myself, but every part of me shook. “I shouldn’t pretend you aren’t haunting me. It makes me feel worse. ”

“I wish you wouldn’t say that.” Carline sat beside me like we were old friends. “I am guiding you, my dear, back to me, where you will have a home.”

“Is that why? You wanted to give me a home?”

She raised her hand to trace my cheek. I couldn’t physically feel her, so that helped keep me still rather than flinch at how close she got.

“I sensed your desires and thought you would be easy to take, but I have been proven wrong, and that makes me want you all the more,” she said.

“You shouldn’t frighten me so much if you earnestly want me to return. It’s making me believe you’re lying about caring for me.”

“I would frighten you no matter what I did, because you haven’t yet accepted my good graces,” she countered. “But I do mean it. I will care for you as I care for the others.” She rested a hand over my eyes that grew nearly too heavy to stay open.

“I’ve taken a risk going after you, my dear. Now, rest,” she said. “And know that, soon, the wolf will take it all.”