Page 37 of The Curse of Indy Moore (The Cursed Duology #1)

Mr. Hawthorne rubbed his cheek with his injured hand. “Exactly what I’ve asked for. You must be able to tell that Miss Moore requires our help.”

Professor Kumir brought her attention to me. She stepped forward, and I retreated, which caused her to hiss. “Stay still, child. Let me have a look at you.”

She brought her hand to my chin, her touch far more gentle than what she gave to him.

Her knuckles brushed my cheek to push my head from side to side.

She took my hands to run her fingers over my palms then pressed a finger to each of my nails.

Lastly, she inspected my ears and gazed into my eyes for a long moment, where I was left uncertain of what to do, if anything.

Professor Kumir let go and stamped her cane on the ground. “Do you know who you work with? Were you aware that he stole my research? Nearly got both of us expelled from the archives because of it.”

A flush crept from Mr. Hawthorne’s neck to his ears. For the first time since we met, he wore genuine panic. He rushed to her side, placing a hand over his heart. “I was young, curious, and foolish, and I have more than made up for my transgressions, have I not? ”

“I will decide that.”

He bowed low and stayed that way. “Then let me apologize once more. You know I have nothing but the utmost respect for you. I am truly sorry about the theft, which was returned, and you must believe me; otherwise, you wouldn’t have accepted my invitation and brought all of this with you.

” He finally stood to gesture at the door.

“Please, come inside, and have a seat. Otis and I will bring in all of your supplies.”

Professor Kumir scoffed. “My materials can make their own way in.”

The books rose into a gale of fluttering papers at the mention of them. They swerved around us in quick succession, disappearing into the open doorway.

“You don’t have the use of an arm, and I’d never make Otis carry all this in. The poor man is retired. He should act like it,” she said.

Otis gave a slight laugh. “You know as well as I do that an artificer never truly retires.”

The professor smiled slightly at that.

“Then Otis and I will make breakfast while you speak with Miss Moore. She is desperate for your help,” said Mr. Hawthorne.

“I am sure.” Professor Kumir walked away, her words lingering almost as a threat. “You don’t realize how much help you need.”

While Mr. Hawthorne and Otis made breakfast, the professor and I went to the tea room. A pot waited on the table, the tea cups eager to be filled. She took a seat while retrieving lotion from her bag to rub over her hands.

Professor Kumir shut her eyes and brought the tea to her red-tinted lips, appearing peaceful. I did the same, holding back a cough because my sensitive nose couldn’t handle it. The tea smelled good, just strongly of flowers, and I almost sneezed but contained it.

“Lucinda Moore,” she said, setting aside her cup.

“Indy, please.” I sat mine aside, too. The tiara was taken to my room by Miss Beamy, who didn’t even offer a hello. Mr. Hawthorne found her in a room on our way in then she wandered off with the tiara around her neck.

I wish the cat would have come in for tea so I wouldn’t have to be alone.

The professor, like Mr. Hawthorne, looked at me more as an object than a person.

Her gaze roved over me, taking in details I no doubt couldn’t understand.

Then she held out her hand and nodded toward mine.

I laid my palm against hers. She ran her fingers over my pulse then along my fingertips that were clawed mere hours ago.

“Rooke informed me about all that has transpired. I’ve carefully read over his notes and have my theories, but I would like to hear the specifics from you,” she said while keeping a hold of my wrist. Her thumb pressed against my pulse. “The truth, of course, because a lie will get us nowhere.”

Sharing the tale a third time was easier.

The professor listened intently, her hand never leaving my wrist. She wasn’t like Mr. Hawthorne, who waited for me to elaborate.

Professor Kumir asked questions, even if she had read all the notes Rooke gave, and I answered until Otis and Mr. Hawthorne settled at our table with a simple meal.

“I know quite a bit about Mother Wolf.” Professor Kumir leaned back to enjoy another taste of tea, as if we had all the time in the world.

“One of the oldest surviving demons, and an isolated one that most would offer their own souls to study. Even still, a handful of my colleagues maintain vigilance over her mountains and found her acting strange prior to her disappearance, like many others.”

“Strange in what way?” Otis asked between bites of his omelet.

They put a great deal of peppers in theirs, giving the eggs a slightly spicy taste that warmed my stomach. I could eat ten more, be absolutely stuffed, and still want another .

Professor Kumir cut her omelette into bite-sized pieces. “I don’t expect either of you to have heard of this, but Carline isn’t the only demon to have relocated. In fact, a concerning amount have disappeared entirely.”

Otis’s utensils fell slack in his hands. “Disappearing… how is that possible?”

“This concerning amount, are you certain they weren’t purged? There have been upticks, particularly in Arestat, of artificers attempting to rid their lands of demons,” asked Mr. Hawthorne.

The man ran on coffee based on the jug he brought rather than a cup. He already finished half of the contents, winking at me when he caught my stare. My face warmed, and I looked away to shove more food in my mouth.

The professor took a drink prior to leaning back in the chair, where she replied, “My colleagues and I thought the same, but after further investigation, we’ve found disappearances tracking as far back as five years.

Three of the oldest demons known are gone: Lukmar, Vyra, and Stelmane. Simply vanished without a trace.”

“Stelmane.” Otis tapped the tips of his fork against the plate once, twice, and a third time. “We visited her jungle about two years ago to study a local flora I wanted to start conducting research on. I do not recall anything amiss, do you, Rooke?”

Mr. Hawthorne had his thinking face on, too, one foot tapping the floor. “No, we didn’t meet a bit of trouble, though we didn't trek far into her territory considering the risks.”

That word jogged a memory of mine that had me exclaiming, “Risky! A few days back, Carline mentioned that she took a risk coming after me. If she relocated, perhaps she thought herself to be in danger.”

Although I couldn’t imagine Carline being in danger with her abilities.

Humming, Professor Kumir settled her lips into a grim line while her cane tapped the floor.

“Yes, that is peculiar, and I do not believe in coincidences. I am coming to believe that our dear Mother Wolf has a part to play in all this, though I know not what. What I do know is that your findings are correct, Rooke.”

Mr. Hawthorne stiffened and wouldn’t look at me when I asked, “What findings? ”

“He shared them with me first to get a more experienced opinion,” the professor answered and didn’t sugarcoat her next words. “I am sorry to say, Indy, that you have until the first full moon to break this curse before you are taken by it entirely.”

“The full moon,” I whimpered, not missing the paled expressions of my companions. Even Mr. Hawthorne lost his usual charm, staring ahead with his eyes dark. “When is that?” I asked.

“Two weeks from now.”

I couldn’t breathe. The room became too small. I heard every creak and crack of the house. Pain ripped through me, like embers burning atop my skin. The fork in my grasp snapped from the pressure of my grip. Someone spoke. I couldn’t hear them over the blood rushing in my ears.

What had I done wrong to deserve this? Had I always been cursed to lose one good thing after another?

Or perhaps I was the curse itself, always meant to screw up anything around me, ruining families and people.

No one could have the life they deserve so long as I was a part of theirs.

Father wanted more. Mother and Uncle Fern should have lived.

Aunt Agnes never should have taken me in.

I ruined everything. I should have always been alone.

My hands shook. I wanted to break things, to shatter the room into a million pieces. My teeth pierced my cheeks, tasting blood. They felt sharper, like canines, like—

Mr. Hawthorne’s smooth fingers cradled mine.

I looked at him and found my hazy world focusing on the green of his eyes.

From this angle, they were brighter somehow, like the first buds of spring.

He gave that crooked smile, the rare one that he didn’t use to charm or coerce.

It was honest, and it was what I needed.

“I understand that is startling to hear. I would not share it if I were not certain, but considering Rooke’s findings, as well as the tales I’ve heard over the many years, her curses go by a cycle of the moon.

That is why your change came early, why it is progressing with such speed,” Professor Kumir said.

As she did, Mr. Hawthorne released me. My fingers twitched, yearning to feel him once more .

“I’m glad we have an answer, even if it isn’t one I wanted,” I replied, feeling sick and wishing I hadn’t eaten at all.

“We cannot lag on this. I expect both of you to assist me.” Professor Kumir pointed her words at Otis and Mr. Hawthorne.

“Of course, whatever you say,” said Otis.