Beautiful Curses: Book One (19 page)

“What does it do?”

“It reverses time for about two minutes. It works when you twist the stone anti clockwise from the silver base. When I first saw it happen, it terrified me.”

Gabriella opened her eyes wide and examined the ring closely. Jo had the sudden urge to snatch it out of her hands, but clenched the edge of the sofa instead.

Gabriella smiled. “Unbelievable! …
Reversing time!
… I can see why that scared you. What would happen if I did it now?”

Gabriella placed her hand over the stone ready to twist and Jo shrugged casually. “I assume as we own the rings we’d stay as we are while our surroundings moved backwards. Its only impressive if you’re around moving objects.”

Gabriella continued to hold the ring. “If our rings are this powerful, what about this family heirloom? Did Daniel's sister own that as well?”

“It’s possible. Daniel couldn't tell me much about it.” Jo fixed her gaze on Gabriella. She’d almost reached the critical point and needed to focus her thoughts. “Before we open the parcel, I need to tell you what I learnt from Barley. It’s important.”

“Go on,” Gabriella said moving to sit next to Jo.

“Do you remember the lady that came to visit all those years ago? The one who said she was our father’s cousin.”

“Yeah.” Gabriella gazed across the room to stare into the fire. “I wonder what happened to her.”

“I don’t know. But I do know that she wasn’t our father’s cousin, she’s his sister.”

Gabriella turned to stare at Jo with wide eyes. “She’s our aunt?”

Jo nodded.

“The aunt who sent us the rings?”

Jo nodded again.

Gabriella shook her head. “Why didn’t she tell us who she was?”

Jo twisted her lips.

“I wonder if she knew about the magic?”

Jo sighed. “I know the answer to both those questions.”

Gabriella blinked and gestured for Jo to continue.

“This is going to sound farfetched and hard to believe …”

“Just spit it out.”

“Okay. Barley told me she is some kind of ...
sorceress.”

“Sorceress? Come on …” Gabriella chuckled.

“I told you it was hard to believe … but there’s more.”

“More?” Gabriella inched even close, her lips still twitching with amusement.

“I’m not sure how you’re going to take it.”

“I can’t be any worse than what you’ve already told me. I’m sure I can handle it.”

Jo clasped her hands tightly. This was the point of no return and Gabriella reaction would determine both their futures.

“The night Rowellyn came to visit, it wasn't just to make our acquaintance. She came to place a curse. It’s an old magic that enables a new sorceress to be created. Rowellyn wants to change one of us into a sorceress.”

Gabriella opened her mouth and sucked in a breath.

Jo dug her nails into her palms. “For it to work she had to place the curse on both of us. The chosen sibling gains their power from the other, while the other one is destined to live without love, alone forever.”

Gabriella folded her arms across her chest, biting her bottom lip. “This isn’t a joke is it?”

Jo shook her head.

“Wow, okay. That is a lot to process.”

“Yeah, it is,” Jo replied softly.

“But, if all this is true … the curse, Rowellyn, surely that wouldn’t happen to one of us.”

Jo patted the parcel. “Barley specifically requested we make a joint decision before opening it. The curse will remain if we don’t.”

“A joint decision?”

Jo needed to give the best performance of her life. This part of the plan relied on Gabriella’s limited knowledge of the curse.

“Barley said, if we decide to take the risk, and find out who is to be chosen, we must put on our rings and open the parcel together. This stone inside is magical and will reveal who it is. Then the curse will be cemented forever.”

“Forever?”

“Yes.”

Jo and Gabriella both stared at the rings and the parcel not saying anything.

After a few minutes, Jo swallowed. “Ella, we’ve both used the rings and seen how powerful they are. If we don’t make a decision one of us will become a sorceress and ultimately be responsible for ruining the other’s life. Do you want to chance that?”

Gabriella blinked as she looked toward her ring then back at Jo “Do you really think I could let that happen? I’m not fond of James, he’s really, really annoying, but I see how happy you are. Of course I can’t take that risk.”

Tears of relief welled in Jo’s eyes and she quickly wiped them away. “I’d never allow that to happen to you either. Being with James is the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I want that happiness for you too. Rowellyn lives a loveless existence, even though she doesn't want or need love. Becoming a sorceress has killed her human emotions and I wouldn't want that for either of us.”

Jo leaned across and pulled Gabriella into a tight hug. They hadn’t been this close in such a long time. The curse had been like an invisible barrier keeping them apart.

Gabriella eventually leaned away. “Now the decision’s been made, what now? How will Rowellyn react? If she is supposed to be some sort of magical sorceress, that might be a problem?”

Jo had no answer to that question. To be honest it haunted her. But she couldn’t have asked for a better outcome. Others had beaten it, and now they had to.

“I really don’t know. But I do know the curse is old magic and once we decide to break it, there’s nothing she can do. I know it’s been broken before, so there is a choice, and we made the right one. I was worried though, worried you’d want to become like Rowellyn.”

Gabriella turned to look back into the fire. “What made you think that?”

“I didn’t know how you’d react. I hoped you’d never hurt me and make the right decision.”

Jo needed to say this. Gabriella’s letter confirmed she had definitely been thinking along those lines. It was obvious she didn’t have all the information about the curse and didn’t understand the consequences of her choices.

Gabriella bit her lip and crossed her arms over her chest. She looked at Jo warily. “Actually, I haven’t been completely honest.”

Jo raised her eyes.

“The night Rowellyn came to visit. I saw something and heard her speak about the curse.”

Jo gasped.

“I should have told you, but thought you’d tell me I was imagining things. I recently started writing a letter to Rowellyn to find out more, but I had no idea where to send it.” Gabriella smiled half-heartedly and then looked down at her hands with a more serious expression. “I didn’t know everything about the curse. I thought it was a spell to give us advantages and protect us from wrong doing. I never realised the true meaning of her words. I’m so sorry. I hope you can forgive me.”

Jo watched her for a minute. She certainly sounded and looked sincere. And as Sarah said, she was a victim in all this just as much as Jo was. “I do forgive you. I want both of us to live long and happy lives, and always have each other. Sarah told me how painful it was to lose our mother and I’m determined not to lose you.”

Jo gestured toward the rings and the parcel she still grasped in her hand. “We need to destroy them. There can be no more magic.”

Gabriella frowned. “How?”

“Fire. I stoked it up. Are you ready.” Jo beamed, so happy their plan had worked. Now she needed Gabriella to make a symbolic gesture showing her true convictions.

Gabriella reached out to take her ring, but Jo stopped her. “It’d be more appropriate if I destroyed yours and you destroyed mine. What do you say?”

“If you like,” Gabriella answered with a small smile and a shrug.

They both stood and looked into the roaring flames. Jo threw the parcel in first and they watched it burn. It was impossible to see the contents, but sparks flew in all directions. Once it melted away, they both counted to three and threw each other’s rings into the flames.

More sparks flew as they stood watching their destinies change before their eyes. The veil of the curse was finally being lifted. When the fire died down, they turned to hug each other. After a few moments they released each other and smiled. Then they walked out of the room, arm in arm, together as true sisters once more.

Six months later …

Jo stepped off the train onto the platform. She wore cargo shorts and a white singlet top. It was the start of summer and very warm. She’d turned eighteen today. James put their bags down and stretched his arms above his head. They’d spent the first part of the week together and had come home for Jo's birthday party.

James had already taken her out for an intimate celebration last night, a restaurant with a theme night, honouring Jane Austin. Customers were expected to dress as characters from the nineteenth century and the menu consisted of four courses replicating dishes from that era. The food was rich, but the atmosphere was wonderful. James managed to keep it a secret until he revealed Jo’s costume. James insisted they be known as Mr and Mrs Brandon. The evening included port and wine and a game of bridge after dinner—Jo’s favourite part—and they stayed and played until the early hours.

They walked out of the station hand in hand, hoping someone would be there to collect them. It was a nice surprise to see Gabriella waiting in the car. Jo walked over and sat in the front. Gabriella and James still held a mutual dislike for each other and Jo did her best to keep them apart.

“Hiya, hey, did you enjoy last night,” she asked smiling at Jo.

“Yeah, it was fantastic. James took me to this amazing restaurant. You should go when you move to London.”

“I’ll have to find some hot, rich student to take me,” she said and laughed.

“We are few and far between. So, good luck with that,” James sniggered as he jumped into the back.

Gabriella ignored him as per usual. Jo didn’t think they would ever get along, but that was another battle for another time. They’d made progress as sisters over the past six months and Jo was happy with that for now.

“Sarah and Peter have pulled out all the stops for your party. They've invited the whole neighbourhood. Daniel’s arriving later this afternoon. He decided to drive and can only stay the night; he has to get back to London to be with Barely.”

Jo frowned. “I visited him in hospital and took some of his favourite books. He couldn't talk much.” Jo sighed remembering Barley's pallid face and sunken eyes. “I’m so grateful we had the chance to meet him. He’s the reason we’re all still together. We have a lot to thank him for.”

“Yes. Indeed we do,” Gabriella responded, turning her head to look at the traffic, before pulling out onto the main road.

Later that evening, Jo stood outside and breathed in the fragrant farm scents as she scanned the surrounding area. It was so beautiful this time of year. The sun still shone dimly in the evening sky, giving a nice orange and yellow glow. Sarah had placed fairy lights around the outside of the farmhouse, adding a bit of magic to the already pretty evening.

Expecting Daniel to arrive any moment, Jo had made her way through the party guests mingling in the garden, to wait at the back door. She leant against the stone wall, and smiled at Gabriella as she stood talking to Spencer.

Jo sighed, so glad Gabriella had never bothered to question their story. As far as she knew, the curse had broken the day the package and the rings were destroyed in the fire. A purely symbolic gesture, which had no actual affect on the curse, but they wanted Gabriella to believe it did.

With the curse beginning to break, Gabriella now seemed more reserved and less manipulative. She’d made an effort to repair her relationship with Daniel after Jo had explained how he had kept in contact with Sarah over the years and provided for them financially. It had been easier once she understood his reasons and that he’d never really abandoned them.

Jo looked down at the white dress and floral cardigan she wore. A lot different to the old Jo, who only dressed in dull colours. Over the past few months she had become more confident and took more pride in her appearance. She always wore her hair off her face, and sometimes even used a little make up. The boys had begun to take notice as well. A couple had asked her out, but she hadn’t bothered mentioning that to James. She'd made new friends when she joined the “Play Writes' group with Beth, and even acted a small part in one of their plays.

Daniel suddenly appeared through the door and Jo quickly edged to his side. “Hey there,” she said, and gave him a peck on the cheek.

“Happy Birthday … my darling girl,” he said softly in her ear.

“Thanks, Father,” she whispered back. A glimmer of acknowledgment in her eyes as they smiled at each other, remembering that first day when they met officially.

“I have a gift. Am I allowed to give it to you now,” he asked with a hopeful expression.

“Of course. You know I love presents.”

Daniel handed her a small package wrapped in purple paper and tied with white ribbon. Jo opened it carefully trying not to rip the paper. She lifted the lid of a white box and pulled out another charm for her bracelet.

“One every year now, it’s tradition.”

Jo spun the charm around. “It represents this year perfectly. It’s so beautiful. Thank you.”

Daniel held her arm and attached her eighteenth charm to her bracelet. “We still have room for a few more years, but when you're sixty-five I’ll have to buy you another bracelet,” he said with a cheeky grin.

Jo returned his smile and then bit her lip. “How’s Barley doing?”

“He was in good spirits today, disappointed he couldn't be here. Oh … that reminds me he asked me to give you this and wish you the best of birthdays.”

Daniel pulled a brown paper parcel from his bag. Jo opened it tentatively, and gaped in awe at the beautiful antique book. “Wow, he’s my favourite poet? How did he know?”

“I’d like to take the credit, but I think James may have helped out there.”

At that moment James came up behind Jo and kissed her neck. “Hi Daniel, did I hear my name mentioned?”

Jo held up the very old copy of Poems by Alfred Lord Tennyson. “Daniel was just telling me how lucky I am to have a boyfriend who looks after me, and knows me so well.”

James gripped her hips. “Finally. Some of the adoration I truly deserve. Now we just need to find the exact shiny material for that super hero cost…

“I think it’s time to eat,” Jo said, cutting James off. Daniel smiled and shrugged at James who scowled playfully. “Let’s go and join the others,” Jo pulled at Daniel, not giving James time to argue as she slipped away.

As she walked out to the garden, she turned to watch Daniel greet everyone. He kissed Sarah and shook hands with Peter and Spencer who were chatting with Beth and her mother. Beth’s little brother, Jack played with a ball and toy basketball ring. Baxter joined in by fetching the ball and returning it to him, entertaining several of the other guests, all close friends from the local village.

Jo couldn’t remember feeling happier as she watched everyone celebrating with her tonight. She looked down at the white mark where her magic ring once sat. Then she held up her arm to watch the new charm on her bracelet sparkle in the evening light. A shooting star embedded with tiny diamonds. The tail cleverly crafted using two letter J's connected at their centres.

The most significant charm on her bracelet.

After years of blending into the background it represented the new brightness in her life. All the people she loved, and that loved her, were here tonight. The curse had finally been broken and she’d emerged from the shadows, ready and willing to live a life full of love.