Curse Me

By Armada Volya

A sound by the barn door caught Clarissa’s attention – the stumbling and grunting of a man. Were the town of Roseland closer to Hayville, Clarissa might’ve known the danger that was lurking by. But the two towns were a full day’s ride from one another, so the letters warning of the man-eating demon weren’t sent there.

Thinking that it must be another drunk trying to make his way home, Clarissa returned to work, pulling a sack with beans toward the corner. It was heavy, but the girl was used to hard work.

The doors to the barn opened, and Fredrick Kairan growled at the girl inside. The monster ran at her, ready to sink its fangs into her neck. Clarissa dropped the bag and darted away. Beans scattered on the floor like a thousand eyes looking up at the fight. Fredrick ran at the girl again, and again she escaped his grasp.

Clarissa dashed from one wall to another, sure that she was going to die this night. The creature of nightmare made the final leap to catch the slender figure and fell to the floor. The beans were looking up at him, and the monster looked back at them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Armada Volya
• Release date: Feb 26, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311371959

Armada Volya

I am an artist who prefers drawing cute, adorable flowers and a writer who goes for not so cute and adorable monsters. Although I was telling fantastical stories since early childhood (telling my mom that someone else peed in my pants), I had never realized that I was actually any good at it until Vincent ( my husband) whipped me into shape and told me to shut up and start writing.On one wonderful fall day Vincent told me to try my hand in writing short stories, to which I replied that I could never write a short story because I would suck at it and my grammar is bad because English is my third language and so on and so forth. Long story short, Vincent wakes up the next day and I present him with my first short story."You just told me you can't write," said Vincent. And then he read the story that I, the woman who had always painted colorful, adorable flowers, had written. It was a very dark story about OCD vampires (no seriously, OCD vampires can be very scary.)And that was the beginning of The Kairan Curse, which ended up being broken down into 3 collections of short stories and notelets.

Book preview

Curse Me

By Armada Volya

Copyright Armada Volya 2013

Published by Under Candlelight

Smashwords Edition

Cover Art by Vincent Volya Russell

Chapter 1

Mathew placed a bag on his horse. His and Vicky’s wedding anniversary was the next day and he wished to celebrate it by getting something special for his wife and daughter to thank them for the happiness they brought into his heart.

Three years ago he had been a miserable creature who thought he would never find love, and if he did, it would never be answered. Then Victoria walked into his room and said the words that he would never forget. They were wedded not long after, but that night was the one they counted as their wedding night.

What had happened on this day three years ago? The day before their wedding night? Was this the day Tom attacked Vicky, or was it the day Tom paid a visit to Mat’s humble room? Mathew didn’t remember anymore, nor did he care. Nothing before the wedding night mattered now, nothing before the sweet words, I love you, had any importance to Mathew Birchten.

Mat put on the horse the large sack with gifts for Vicky and Lilian and wondered: did Lily look like little Victoria Kairan? Probably. She did look a lot like the Victoria Finch he had met three years ago and like the Victoria Birchten she had become after their wedding.

A figure walking towards the library drew Mathew’s attention. A smile spread on the young man’s face in recognition.

Robert! Mathew guided his horse toward his father-in-law.

Mat! I didn’t expect to see you here. What are you doing in the city?

Just wanted to buy a few things for Vicky and Lily. What about you?

Me... the man's smiled faltered, I came here to find some answers in the library.

Is there anything I can help with by chance?

I doubt it. Remember those books Vicky and Dan bought three years ago? I believe you have read them too.

Yes, I have. Mathew looked at his feet, remembering his own dismay, no, disappointment. Disappointment that he could ever have believed in the lies he was told from birth.

Well, I am trying to understand those books, find out what really happened.

I am afraid you are right, I am of no help. I don’t know if there is anything that can help you. I, for one, believe that none of it happened, that it was all born in someone’s sick mind.

Perhaps, perhaps.... But there are things that can be explained through reason, and that’s what I am searching for. But what am I doing talking about that nonsense? You must be in a hurry to get home.

Not in too much hurry. I gave myself a little extra time to return, but I am afraid Vicky would rather have me home sooner than later.

Well, go then. I might stop by Cherry Blooms before I return home. I have not seen Vicky and Lily for too long, and with Teresa due with their third, I am sure Gilbert wouldn’t mind another doctor at hand.

We would be delighted to have you, but what about your patients?

Oh, Dan can handle them. He’s been doing great so far. There isn’t much for me to do actually. That’s why I’m wasting my time trying to understand those books.

Well, in that case I hope you will stay with us a while, Mat said, meaning every word.

Farewells exchanged, the two parted and went their own ways. Mathew wondered about the unexpected meeting. This was why he enjoyed coming to the city; he could never tell who he’d run into.

The young man walked down a cobblestone road leading out of the city and wondered that he didn’t meet anyone else. Of course he wasn’t there for long, just enough time to buy the gifts.

A voice called his name. Mat turned and saw a bearded man in whom he recognized an old friend who helped him a lot when they were both in the university.

George! Now what are you doing with this beard?

Like it? I thought I’d give it a try. Makes me look older. The man said.

You look like the same old George to me. How have you been?

Oh, you know, same old, same old... Except now I also have a job.

Ah, and what can a historian like yourself do these days?

"Teach; there isn’t much else. I teach in the same