Buy Here
If you enjoyed Eternal Choice (The Cursed Series, Book 2),
please consider leaving a review on Amazon or Goodreads.
CHAPTER ONE:
Prisoner
I AWOKE, GROGGY, HEAD THROBBING. SLOWLY sitting up, I looked around, trying to get my bearings. A window to my right. A small bench with a fitted cushion beneath the sill. I was in an average sized room furnished with a twin-size bed, dresser, desk with a chair, and a door leading to another room.
I scrambled off the bed and stumbled. Searing pain punched at my temples. I leaned against the wall to steady myself and placed my hand on my forehead, hoping some of the pain would ease.
“Ow.” I winced as another sharp stab hit my temple. Nausea rolled through my stomach.
Slowly, the events of the previous night came into focus. Getting dressed up with Whitney. My birthday party. Trent asking me to change for him. The coven showing up at the cabin. Me sneaking out to visit Abby. Ivy kidnapping me from the middle of the road.
“Oh God,” I groaned.
Ivy had kidnapped me! More than likely, she had stashed me somewhere safe, and well hidden—which meant the chances of Trent finding me were slim. He was probably freaking out, worried about where I was. I’d left him a note, but when he went to Keene Valley, he’d realize I wasn’t there.
I’d been so stupid to sneak out of the cabin. What had I been thinking? I hadn’t, which was the problem. And now I was paying for my impulsive stupidity.
Finally, the pain in my head eased, and my mind cleared. Now, there was only one thought tumbling around—escape.
I straightened and walked toward the door. What were the chances it was unlocked? I went to it and turned the knob. Locked. I rushed toward the window, but that wouldn’t budge, either, though I couldn’t see any lock anywhere. Ivy probably had it sealed with magic. Like it or not, I was trapped in here.
Sighing, I wandered toward the other door, which led to a small bathroom. How cozy. Well, so much for working together with the coven. Then again, Ivy was under the very wrong impression that I’d been trying to run from her. If only she’d listen to me, I could explain.
I opened the dresser drawers to find all my clothes neatly folded and organized. My mother’s urn sat atop the dresser, not a crack or scratch on it. Eyes wide, I gasped.
How had they gotten my things? They must have gone back to the cabin, but… If they had, then Trent must know the coven had me, which meant he’d find me eventually. A spark of hope bloomed in my chest.
Wait—if the coven had gone back to the cabin, and if they’d spoken to Trent, surely, he would’ve shown them the note I left. And if Ivy saw my note, then she must know I wasn’t running. So, then, why was I locked in this stupid room?
I needed to find a way out, something I could use to pick the lock. Moving on to the desk, I found it completely empty—not so much as a scrap of paper or a pen. That wasn’t helpful. I returned to the bathroom, searching the cabinet beneath the sink, the drawers, and the medicine cabinet.
All empty save for an unopened toothbrush, a bottle of mouthwash, and a tube of toothpaste. One of the drawers rattled, indicating a loose screw. That might come in handy later. I yanked open the shower curtain. A bottle of shampoo, conditioner, and a bar of soap.
“Ugh.” I stomped out of the bathroom.
The sound of keys jangling outside the bedroom door caught my attention. I spun around, ready to face whoever was about to enter.
A woman I vaguely recognized from last night entered with a tray of food. “Oh, good. You’re finally awake.” She smiled, crossed the room, and set the tray on top of the desk. “I hope you’re hungry.”
“Where am I?”
She ignored me and busied herself with fidgeting with my tray. I watched her closely to make sure she didn’t put something in my food. Though, if they wanted to poison me, they’d be smart enough not to do it in front of me.
“How long have I been asleep?” I asked.
“Twelve hours.”
She took the lid off a dish to reveal a heaping plate of vegetables and noodles smothered in a white cream sauce. Steam billowed from the food.
“Enjoy.” And then she left the room, locking me in again.
My stomach grumbled. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d eaten. Cake with Trent and everyone else. What time had that been? Maybe the hot food would help my headache.
I sat at the desk and stared at the heap of pasta. I was starving, but how did I know they didn’t mess with the food? I took a small bite. A mixture of garlic, mushrooms, and cheese exploded in my mouth. I closed my eyes and groaned. It was really good, and I ate the entire meal too fast.
Now, it was my stomach that ached. Either from eating too fast or poison, I wasn’t sure. Probably from eating too fast. Ivy had no reason to poison me, not when she needed my help to restore the magical balance.
I twisted the top off the bottle of water and drank half of it in several large gulps. What was I supposed to do now? Just sit in this room and wait for them to bring me meals?
For eight days straight, that’s exactly what I did. I wandered around the room aimlessly in between meals, which were delivered by either Coral or Heaven Leigh—the same two witches who had helped Ivy kidnap me.
Coral was always so tight-lipped and would never say anything to me, other than what was on the menu. Heaven Leigh, however, was a little friendlier, and I began to look forward to her visits. With any luck, I could befriend her and somehow use that to my advantage.
Severe boredom had set in by the end
