Cursed [Book 1] ✔

Chapter 19.2: Time to Clock in

Back in my hotel room, I dropped into bed without showering. I felt strangely clean after my ordeal in the water. Clean and drained.

That was close.

"Too close," Rosalind echoed in my head.

"Well, it's dead, isn't it?" I answered aloud in an empty room.

"Yes, but you can't hunt unprepared anymore."

"What do you mean? I have the sword, my powers, my training. I'm prepared!"

"Tonight demonstrates how unprepared you are. You're becoming arrogant, and it will get you killed, again."

To that, I had no answer.

"It's not only that," Rosalind went on, "but there are distractions that can hold you back as well."

My subdued state flared into anger. "I'm not letting Rafe distract me from my duties, even though I know I'm getting closer to him."

"He's not the only distraction to worry about."

"Can you see the future?" From her heavenly vantage point, I wondered if she could see all that there was to possibly see.

He answer was as vague as ever. "In a way."

"Why can't you just tell me what happens?" I was frustrated and tired. Figuring out my sister's mind games didn't appeal to me just then, not that they ever had.

"Have you ever told anyone what's in store for them?"

Rosalind's logic had silenced me again.

"I won't see you again, will I?"

"Not for a long time, no."

I didn't respond. She had left me before without explanation. It seems that everything she did, everything she planned for me was without explanation. If I asked her why she was leaving, or when she would be back, I would've been wasting my time.

Rosalind last words to me were: "Be careful, big sister. Like I said, I can only help you so many times."

* * * * *

Even though I had gotten used to being alone, I still felt lonely without the constant commentary from Rosalind. There was no one to direct my next move, or tell me to look behind me.

It was nice to have my thoughts back to myself though. I could think of Rafe without guilt. City after city, his scent grew stronger. I clung to it like a lifeline. There were times when I lost it, but I could always pick it up if I kept heading south.

From my original starting point, I had traveled southward about 350 miles. I hoped he'd gone no farther than Miami because if he had jumped to the Keys and beyond, I wasn't sure that I was up for an ocean voyage just yet.

However, I had the city of Naples to deal with first. There were dozens of Lillian trails for me to follow, but there was a more distinctive scent that I recognized as a Djinn. If I dealt with it first, it would not have a chance to create more Lillin, and my job would be simpler.

I followed the scent to the heart of the city. Instead of leading me to a club or bar, I stood in front of an apartment building. It's in there, probably tearing open the throat of a some poor girl or boy, I thought.

On the first floor, the smell took me to the 2nd door in the hallway. I was being reckless and perhaps arrogant once again. I was going after the enemy with no plan, but I didn't want to let someone else die.

I touched the doorknob, melting the locking mechanism. On well-oiled hinges, the door opened without complaint. Music hummed in her ears, emanating from a back room in the apartment. I followed my nose, and the music grew louder. Vivaldi's Concerto in A minor. Well, the demon chose a classy victim.