Cursed Ones

By Kylie Powell and Elizabeth Schulze

It lives, it breathes, and it's hungry. A curse will consume your mind until there's nothing left. It is the drop that causes the ripples; it is the root of all problems. It hunts, it stalks, and it's on the move. The curse wants you, fight or give in.

Three teenagers are roped into the fight of their lives when the curse becomes a reality. A princess is missing. The leader of all humankind has been eaten up with his curse and thirsts for revenge on his homeland of the elves. An ancient weapon will react, and its keepers will be called. What can a prince, a cyborg, and a politician-in-training do to stop a living parasite? A world war is on the horizonwhich side will you be on?

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Feb 18, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490821818

Kylie Powell

Kylie Powell and Elizabeth Schulze have had an interest in writing from a young age. Elizabeth was on bed rest due to a chronic illness and needed to escape, so they created Fallea. They currently reside in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

The man’s arm convulsed, the tender flesh going from pale to black in seconds. He grit his teeth and stabbed a syringe into the vein. Sighing heavily, he relaxed, going limp with the split-second pain relief. His girlfriend came over and rubbed his shoulders. Her hair fell onto his shoulders, rays of gold from above.

I hate to see you like this, she sighed. He shook his head, eyes closed.

You have no idea, he groaned. She frowned and stopped the rubbing.

How can you live with this? I mean, you have to live with that arm for the rest of your life, she pressed her cheek to his, voice a sweet melody to his ears. The man shrugged.

What do you suggest I do? If I could reverse that day, I would, he held her hand. Suddenly, she narrowed her eyes, smiling.

How does that make you feel? she asked softly, voice possessing an edge to it just enough to prick. He turned the armchair around to look at her. He looked around at her luxuriously furnished apartment and was happy they had enough privacy to talk freely. Meeting her gaze, he struck up the conversation once more.

What kind of question is that? he asked. She laughed shrilly.

Just answer my question, she prodded. He thought about it.

I hate having my arm like this. She waved her forefinger at him.

No, you don’t think deep enough. The answer I seek is deeper, she coaxed. Honestly, he thought that his girlfriend was losing it; but he obliged her.

The battle? Is that what you’re talking about? Because I thought we agreed to never talk about that again. When I say- he ground out.

She waved her hands, Still not deep enough. Try harder, honey.

It’s the doctor’s fault, he finally gasped out. The doctor had known that for ages, the vaccine had been experimental. They shouldn’t have even been using that on children; the Council knew better.

Honey, deeper. Much, much deeper, she pressed him. Licking his lips, he thought, searching his mind. Clouds gathered outside. Something broke in him then, and he found the answer. What had given that doctor the right to even try out that vaccination? So what if his mother had signed the papers? She must’ve known at the time that the physician was wrong. Wrong. Wrong, so wrong he could never make up for it, no good could ever clean the wound.

Her lips parted in a grin, her pretty, glittering eyes on him yet again.

What have you decided? she asked.

His voice was husky, I want to kill that doctor. But, I can’t… She laughed then, loudly and brashly, making him flinch in surprise. Her laugh kept going, and she just sat there, wracked with the force of her merriment.

And who says you can’t? He wronged you! He’s just getting what any jury worth their weight in dust would do. Are you going to let justice be undone? Who will stand for the wronged that were never avenged? What a genius idea, in fact, it made him want to join her. But, as always one thing stood in his way. The consequences of his actions, if he were to do such a thing.

She leaned forward then, lips pursing like what was about to take flight from them was not simply words.

Let me ask you something. What makes you follow the rules? He paused.

The Council tells us, and that’s why the rules are there, right? To protect us. Yes, he thought. Let her argue with that. She let her head hang down, her body shaking with giggles.

Yes, but what are they protecting us from? And why must we follow a list of guidelines made by a bunch of stuffy old people? They make rules for the commoners, and you and I are anything but common. So, one question is still unanswered. No reply? Well I’ve been thinking, and I have the answer.

He leaned forward. She was the only girl he’d ever found smart enough to suit him, not just sit there and look beautiful. Oh, she was that too, with long gold hair and eyes the color of water running on a clear day. Those eyes were watching him now, ready to disclose what they knew.

What if the rules are protecting you from something bigger? Something bigger that, since they couldn’t handle it, they assume you can’t. But that’s where we’re going to prove them wrong. In light of this, let me ask you, what are you going to do?

I’m going to kill that doctor, he said. She nodded.

Why stop with the doctor?

CHAPTER ONE

WORAN

And that’s why, dear, you’ll never amount to anything. I looked up from the book I’d been reading, trying to tune Calista out.

Anymore breaking news? ‘Cause we went over this, when was it, oh yeah, last week in front of the foreign dignitaries, I said, wincing that the words had stuck.

I’m your sister, I’m only trying to help you.

Well, Calista, could you try helping me a little less? My sister’s hand slammed down on the dinner table, and I was at attention.

Don’t ever talk back to me. Clear? Her tone was almost silent, so much so that even my older brother Lachlan was hanging on every syllable. Go back to your reading, Lachlan, she scoffed, and he obeyed. Mom and Dad walked in then, after getting ready for a meeting with the Council. Mom had her golden hair up in a bun on the top of her head, and was wearing a short black dress with a neon pink pumps and a matching scarf. Dad had slightly darker blond hair, but it was gelled as usual and he had on his gray pinstripe suit, a light green tie reminding me of the tea he liked to drink.

Sorry we’re late, but here we are. How’s everything been going, Calista? Mom turned to our oldest sibling with a critical eye.

Good; they’ve behaved. Except you-know-who again. You know who, yep, that sounded about right. Breakfast, and we couldn’t even get along this early in the morning. Putting my napkin down, I tried to put on my sweetest face, though Calista’s words had soured my morning.

I’m going to go for a walk, I said, tossing my napkin.

Okay honey. But don’t be late.

Mom, you tell me that every day, I whispered.

I just don’t want you to get sidetracked, Woran, you know how you are. Just remember, is all I’m asking. Apparently I didn’t know how I was, but I got up and left anyway. Mom had been upset because I’d been late to the Daily Farewell two days in a row. The Daily Farewell was when all the families of the Council members got together to say farewell to them. It was a way of honoring them for their duty to the City.

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Calista

My parents were the two High-Councilmen, well, man and woman. Our government was run by a council, with its members elected by the people to make the laws, handle foreign affairs and to keep everything in order. The two High-Councilmen were the leaders in charge of the Council, and hence acted as the highest chain of command in the whole of the country, the City. The whole area where we settled in Fallea was one huge city, and the Council kept everything running smoothly.

Stepping out of the Council building, the Tower, I took in a breath. It was taller than one could soak in without taking a few steps back. A bleak slate color, the Tower nothing much to note in creativity. It was covered in windows that stretched from floor to ceiling in apartments and offices, and you could glimpse the faces of the Tower. They weren’t happy ones.

This was as free as I’d ever get. Someone had been killed in the Tower that morning. My doctor, everyone’s doctor. He’d been found dead, with a strikingly obvious problem, besides his being dead. There wasn’t hardly anything to find on the scene. There had been nothing but ashes. He had a son, and as with protocol, if someone in service to the Council dies, and their family is not in that service as well, they kick them out. They give them one hour to pack and leave. Throwing the thought away, I kept going.

Walking down the neatly kept lanes, I looked to cross the street, when the screeching of tires filled my ears. Leaping out of the way, I fought the urge to run as a guy got out of the traveignette. He must’ve come from a wealthier family. His traveignette was six meters long and four meters wide. Most traveignettes are reminiscent of carriages, but his made carriages look good. Made of rich, polished brown wood, it had gold lining the entire frame, even the doors. The windows were only slightly tinted, which suggested he had the feature of darkening or lightening them however he wished, which was an expensive option. The wheels were black, probably made of a lightweight combination of metals imported from Elf Country. Drawn away from the windows the curtains were a red and blue brocade.

Tall, on the thinner side, and having a head full of crisp russet hair, the driver was actually concerned. Wearing khakis with a long sleeved shirt in a mottled brown, he wore a raven-colored vest. Sporting grey eyes, they were swollen and red.

Are you okay? I didn’t see you trying to cross! I’m sorry…I’m just really distracted right now. Catching my breath, I waved a hand at him.

No, it’s fine, really. It doesn’t help that I was daydreaming. By the way, I’m Woran.

Ian, he offered, cutting off the last name as if in protection.

Ian….I’ve heard your name before….Ian…Ian Rose. I stopped, looking him in the eye. No way, not after I had just thought about it. Doctor Rose was the name of the deceased resident physician. Ian was the son! I’m sorry about your father…

Do you need a ride? he cut me off, eyes wet.

Yes, I decided. He wasn’t a threat, he could barely keep it together at the mention of his father. Getting in the front section of the traveignette, he sighed, and sat there behind controls.

They found him this morning, he muttered under his breath, regarding me with a strained face. I know you from somewhere. I’ve seen you around the Tower.

The news of your father’s death reached us before breakfast; we were all shocked. Was it true, what they said? He was shaking. I’d only ever talked to Ian briefly, when I’d gone in to get my monthly health checks from his father.

Yes. He was murdered. I closed my eyes. There had never been, in all the years in the Tower’s history, a murder. It was that secure, which meant one thing, an inside job.

I have no idea what to do. I’m on my way to live with my only living relative, a cousin. I hope she’ll take me in. She runs the cargo-transportation operation, he told me. Pausing, he stared at my face, and it went white. You’re the daughter of a Councilmen, aren’t you?

Mm-hm.

You-you shouldn’t be here, if-if I get caught giving you a ride, I’m history!

I shook my head quickly, No! No, you can’t tell anyone. Being an average person is nice, you know? A whole lot more convenient, I stopped. Then his face became knowing.

Oh, I get it. You’re trying to get away from someone. Should have figured you wouldn’t have wanted to ride with me.

Not at all. I just thought you looked like you were about to break down. It was the truth, as goody-goody or false as he wanted to make it in his own mind. Sitting there, he craned his neck to look through the glass partition at his suitcases crammed in the back section of the vehicle.

Want to meet my cousin? ‘Cause that’s where I’m going; so you really don’t have an option.

Sure, I laughed, and he gunned it, making me clutch the seat with all my strength. Touching a few key codes on the control board, he rang up someone who must’ve been busy, because she didn’t come to the camera.

Ian, I haven’t gotten a call from you in forever! I’m glad to see you! Ignore the empty image of the camera, it’s probably facing my kitchen. Pretty kitchen though, right? Stand still! I’m trying to repair you! Silly robots, they think they can run. I’m doing work on a robot right now, that’s why I can’t come to the camera.

Sky, I have bad news. All motion stopped on the other end, and a girl with white hair and dark eyes came to the camera, whisking her hair out of her face and gathering it into a ponytail on the side of her head.

What?

My dad is dead. He was-was, let’s just say his death is under intense scrutiny. She frowned.

You’re coming to stay with me. You have nowhere to go, they kicked you out, didn’t they? she exclaimed, and put her hands on her hips. Sky was about my age, maybe a year older.

I’m on my way right now, he said.

Good. I don’t want you going off and living with strangers. Not now, Evan! Got to go, Ian, one of my creations is running amuck. Stop that right now! and her image flickered off the screen.

Seems cordial, I smiled, trying to alleviate his tension.

Yeah, he said. We had a while to go before we reached his cousin’s house, which was fine with me. Since I didn’t get out of the Tower often, it was fun to look at the City’s scenery. The buildings were all skyscrapers, I couldn’t recall seeing a short building in my life. All the colors were metallic, people who couldn’t afford a traveignette or didn’t have space to park one could be seen walking to work, carrying their things proudly. If one didn’t work in the City, it was considered a disgrace. Which reminded me, in two years I would have to start a career.

Pushing that thought away, I smiled as we drove onto Innovation Avenue. This was where all the new inventions were dreamt up, to everyone’s delight. Robots, gluves, all of those inventions had been created here. It was because of Innovation Avenue that the City’s economy had soared above all others in Fallea. Screens on the building showed ads for the best deals of 2350 on the newest tech about to come out for consumers. Ian let me know we were getting close to his cousin’s house, and that ended my daydreaming.

I must admit, the house was unimpressive when we got there. Getting out of the traveignette, I stared in awe at the solid wall, going a hundred meters high, made out of a hybrid of metals, rumored to be impenetrable. But I knew nothing could stand forever. To think that just beyond that barrier lay No-man’s-land, a three mile stretch of land that nobody had bothered to claim due to its scruffy and very dry, dead nature. You are coming, aren’t you? asked Ian, standing halfway up the walkway to Sky’s house.

Yeah, just taking in the scenery. The house was run-down, but the dark shutters were still attached, and the door was a bright red, the window curtains inside a faded creamy color. The chiming of bells could be heard as he went inside.

Hey, Sky, he called, and she popped her head out from a room, beaming.

Ian! Hugging, they murmured something to each other and shared a joke. Peeking out from over his shoulder, she said, I see you brought a guest. My name is Sky Conrad.

Woran, I said, knowing she probably had no idea who I was, which was nice. Thanks to my parents, I often didn’t have to introduce myself without the other person already knowing my name.

Ian, the guest bedroom is down that hall, at the end. Do you want a cupcake, Woran?

That would be great, I chuckled, and she went into her kitchen, which was extremely large, with a tray of neatly decorated cupcakes sitting on the polished cement countertop. Her backsplash was a bronze lookalike engraved with flowing geometric patterns. Her cabinets and pantry were a slate gray, all of it lit up by an off-white tile floor.

Here you go, she handed me one, and took a bite of one herself. The cake part melted in your mouth, and the frosting tasted sweeter than any of the desserts I’d ever had. You want to see my garden? she asked.

What’s a garden? I answered. Rolling her eyes, she nodded, setting the tasty treat down.

I forgot. I’m the only person in the City who has one. Come out back, and I’ll show you.

Flowers sprang from the ground, dancing with each other in the wind as it blew, the grass, which I’d only ever seen in pictures, was greener than the word could do justice for. Bushes and trees stood authoritatively over it all, keeping watch.

I have a garden gnome, his name is Roy the Sixth. My other gnomes were broken at some point, and they were all named Roy. So, he is Roy the Sixth. She showed me a rotund little statue, with a fluffy white ceramic beard and eyes squeezed shut in laughter.

I see, I said, not sure where to go with that.

Ian came out and threw his arms up, Oh, wow, it’s more beautiful than last time. You put in hyacinths, that’s what it is. Love it, Sky.

Stop gushing, Ian, it doesn’t become you, she pushed his arm playfully. Sky’s namesake above us was a vibrant teal, but there was a gray cloud gathering over us.

I didn’t know it was supposed to rain, I trailed.

It isn’t, Ian said.

What’s with that, is there just one cloud? Why is it over my garden? Sky asked. The cloud faded, and there was just bare sky. It crackled, and a burst of sound ripped the scene.

That’s not good, Ian squinted.

Yeah, call me crazy, but we just might want to move out of the way! Sky warned, and we backed up to her porch, which had an overhang.

I don’t think this a weather phenomenon, I ventured, and Sky shook her head.

Ian, what is going on?

CHAPTER TWO

MCBRIDE

Fog rolled over the hills below the castle, and I turned the page of the book I was reading. Elf Country looked beautiful this time of year. That was one of the perks of being a prince, castle views were the best. My brother Darren wandered up, a goofy grin on his face. He had perpetual bed-head, hair an orangey auburn, and he was a pole of a boy, with a tangerine tunic on and blue jeans.

Hey, McBride.

What did you do, I asked, not even looking up from my book.

Nothing, why do you always ask that? Shutting the book, I put it down. Standing, I moved closer to him. Mouth flapping open and shut, he backed up.

Darren….. I let the word hang.

I-I didn’t mean to catch your rug on fire.

You what? I growled.

I didn’t mean to! I was just practicing fencing in your room, because it has more space, you know the spot in the middle where the mosaic is-

My room isn’t bigger, you just won’t clean your own. You knocked over my candle, didn’t you?

By accident! he yelled. I hoped he had only caught my rug on fire, because on Monday of the same week he’d caught my bookcases on fire. All six of them. I took a step closer, and he scoped out the window I had been sitting by as a potential escape route.

Don’t even try, I said.

"Did I mention I kind of, well, I didn’t kind of, I did catch your bed on fire. You’ll probably need a new one," he closed his eyes, ready for the hit.

You did not, I whispered. Whimpering, he took off in the opposite direction.

Come back here, you coward! I shouted at him.

Better a coward than dead! he tossed back at me. Tipping over a table with a vase of flowers on top, he sped up. Vaulting over it, I came within an inch of his collar.

Take it like a man!

I’m only fourteen! he bawled.

Old enough for me, I cut him off. Sliding down the staircase, he landed on the tile floor below. Shoving a few advisors out of his way, he flew into a nearby room. Racing down the stairs, I threw open the door. The portal room, the palace’s room where one could go wherever they wished with a step into the right glowing hole, and my brother was hiding somewhere inside. It had taken countless elementals to make those holes of teleportation, and I wondered if Darren had been smart enough to use one of them. Leaving, like she had. Searching around, I kept my steps quiet, and spotted a corner of orange tunic.

Crouching down, I went, Found you.

Ah! No man! Just tell on me and get it over with!

I’m not making it that easy this time, Darren, this is the twelfth time you’ve caught my room on fire! Twelfth time!

Clumsy me? he tried. I grabbed him, and he shoved his hand in my face, a cluster of vines growing out. Darren could control nature, he was a nature elemental. But no amount of flowers and daisies, vines and bushes could save him now.

Elementals are usually elves, though rarely a human will have the ability to control a specific thing. Things like nature, shadow, water, and so on. There had been light elementals at one time, but they were subjected to genocide by an elf named Ezekiel. Not all elves were elementals, and I would fall into that category. It was annoying not being able to have any powers.

Darren let go with surprise, and he sprinted across the room, breathing hard. We looked at each other. Running towards him, I tackled him. We never hit the ground. Gray whipped past us, and now I couldn’t let go of Darren because he was hanging on my arm, screaming for dear life.

What’s going on, McBride?

We fell in a portal, stupid!

A portal to where? he asked loudly in my ear. The wind working as suction power was easing up, and a circle of green was at the end of the tunnel. In this case, going towards the light would be the better alternative.

We’re about to find out, I said, and we closed our eyes for impact.

Landing with a thud, Darren fell on top of me. Throwing him off, I sat up, clutching the grass with my fingers. Darren did the same, and felt his arms, copper eyes still hyper as ever.

Nothing is broken, I didn’t die on impact, and you didn’t beat me up! I’m alive! he celebrated, before I kicked him.

Ouch….way to ruin it, he complained, kicking me back. That’s when we saw we were not alone. Three figures emerged slowly out from under what I assumed to be a porch.

This wasn’t good, this was not good at all. No pointy ears, they were on the shorter side….They were humans! Which meant we were in…

Listen, I don’t know who you are, but why did the sky just barf you up, and why are you in my garden? She had white hair, really a tiny thing, with red cheeks, and eyes that made you squirm. She had on a purple sundress, with white lace lining, a silver chain with a charm in the shape of a peacock on it. Her fists were clenched, but I knew they wouldn’t do any damage. Standing to my full height, I looked down at her.

I’m sorry, were the only words I could find in her presence.

Way to be articulate, McBride. I’m Darren, his little brother, and he’s McBride like I said. Nice to meet you, he shook her hand, her arm moving with it.

She began to laugh, turning to the others, I like this one, the little one’s funny. They nodded and were cracking up too, as Darren wriggled in discomfort.

"I’m not small! Well, I mean, I am for a guy my age. But I’m going to hit my growth spurt any day now. Any day now." I rubbed my forehead; he made my head hurt.

Can we have a minute? I asked her.

Go ahead, she motioned to Darren.

Taking him aside, I said quietly, What do you remember about all those lessons we learned about humans?

Nothing, I was too busy trying to hit you with spitballs. Hitting his shoulders, I groaned at the thought. That explained why my neck had always felt so wet.

No, I’m serious. Elves are not allowed in the City. If you were listening, which you weren’t, you’d know that’s where all the humans live. If we are caught, they’ll throw us in jail, hold us for ransom, or even worse. Especially if they find out who our father is.

Why are you talking to me like I’m a baby? Darren arched an eyebrow.

Did you hear anything I just said? He looked up, and shrugged.

Parts. Going back to her, she smiled sympathetically.

Is everything okay? Looking behind her, I saw who was with her. What I guessed to be a seventeen year old, with scruffy earth-colored hair. He was tall, but I was still taller. Why didn’t humans grow anymore, like we did? Next to him was a girl with black hair, and bright, dark blue eyes, her face changing with a realization. Unlike the white-haired girl, she had on a muted-pink button up shirt that lead to a white-tank top and tan capris with metallic strappy sandals, golden bangles clinking on her arm.

Guys, we have a problem, she said.

What? the girl in front of me asked.

They’re elves.

Darn it, Darren scuffed his toe in the grass. We were hoping you wouldn’t notice. The black-haired one came closer, and tugged on his ears.

That’s pretty hard not to notice. Anyway, how did you get here? I looked at Darren. Darren looked at me.

Okay, it all started when I caught his room on fire. His bed is ashes because I knocked over a candle when I was practicing fencing in his room. Anyway, McBride here got angry and tried to beat me up. But being the clever fiend I am, I ran into the portal room- The white-haired girl held up a hand.

Portal room? What’s that, exactly? Darren looked at me, as if to say he didn’t have the words to explain it in understandable terms.

We have portals, which are used to get from place to place. Think of them as big hoses that suck you from one place to the next, I explained. She nodded.

Right, and you have a room of these holes?

Yes. I tackled Darren, and we accidentally fell into one, landing in your garden. Must’ve been the City portal. So, do you have a portal we could use to get back? The girls looked at each other, blinking.

No, can’t say we do, the other one said.

My name is Sky, I don’t think I told you my name, said the white-haired girl. Sky, human, but I liked her.

Woran, said the other.

And I’m Sky’s cousin, Ian, the boy shook our hands. Sky turned to Woran again.

What are we going to do? If they can’t leave here without getting caught and punished, what are we going to do? Woran’s face took on a plotting expression.

I’ll tell you what we can do. Hide them. Hide them until one of their family members comes and gets them. But, where? Sky’s eyes narrowed, and a smile spread across her lips.

Leave that to me. They can stay in my basement, but none of you can tell anybody, she waved her finger at her cousin and friend. Woran and Ian nodded, faces grave.

Trust me, Woran rasped. "You don’t want to get caught