Spellbound - Cara Lynn Shultz [120]
“It’s better if I read it,” she insisted.
I took her good mood as an excellent sign that I would really like what I was about to hear. I doubted she’d be this upbeat if the rest of the story said that, oh, a demon was going to kidnap me next, or that the spell could only be broken by Batman.
“By the way, Emma,” Angelique said, flipping through the pages of the book as she searched for the tale of Lord Aglaeon. “My mom’s friend said Hadrian had a descendant who’s apparently a big expert on the supernatural. He lives in New York. I’m thinking of contacting him—I wonder just how many of these legends are actually true. I mean, if your story is in here, and is true—I wonder what else is. I bet you Hadrian was a witch, and this is his Book of Shadows.” Her voice was getting more excited.
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Kind of a cross between a journal and an instruction manual for witches. Every one of us keeps one.” She paused, looking thoughtful. “I wonder if this isn’t just a really flowery, well-written one.” She sat still for a moment, lost in her thoughts.
I poked her with my foot.
“Shadows, schmadows, Angelique,” I said, frustrated. “I’m dying here. Quite possibly, literally dying, so please tell me what the book says!”
“Sorry.” She smiled apologetically, flipping the pages again. “Here it is.”
She cleared her throat and I felt like someone had just thrown ice water on me. I was terrified, hopeful, curious—but mostly terrified.
Angelique cleared her throat, and began reading the poem from the start.
“If, on your true love a crest is worn
Be cautious, from you that love will be torn
You’ll be spellbound, enraptured until your last heart beat
Which is numbered the moment your eyes meet
If freedom from the curse is your goal
Be warned, it takes a selfless soul
This curse can’t be cured with a potion
Since a selfish act set it into motion
Ask yourself, would you perish
To save the life of the one you cherish?
Burden yourself with love’s fate so tragic
Sacrificing yourself can break the magic
You’ll need the strength of mind, body and heart
Then, true love shall not be torn apart
Break the spell of the evil charmer
If you are strong enough to be her armor
Summon the strength and heed this verse
It holds the key to breaking the curse.”
I lay there, stunned.
“Do you get it?” Angelique asked excitedly. “Brendan was the key all along! He had to do what Archer didn’t do—he had to be selfless. He had to do what was right for you. He had to risk himself. And he did!”
She paused. “I have to admit, I find Brendan slightly more tolerable now.”
“So…the curse is…over?” I asked, my voice very small. I felt like if I shouted it from the rooftops, it might not be true.
Angelique nodded emphatically. “I think so. But this is just the beginning. This book is insane! According to this, you guys are true love. Legit, real, honest true love. And it’s magical, because it’s so rare. There’s one story, let me find it,” Angelique mumbled, flipping the pages of the book.
“Wait, just wait. Pause!” I yelled, pulling myself up and sitting on my bed on my knees.
“The. Curse. Is. Broken.” I took care to enunciate every word, not wanting to fully embrace this moment just yet. I flashed back to the showdown at Belvedere Castle, when we first thought we’d won—before Anthony made a run for it. I couldn’t be sure I was going to be safe just yet.
“Yes, Emma.” Angelique grinned. “It is my honest, expert opinion as the smartest witch you know that you are no longer cursed.”
I jumped on Angelique, giving her a giant bear hug.
“Thank you so much,” I whispered. She stiffly patted me on the back.
“Emma, honey, I don’t do hugs.” She winced, and I removed her from my enthusiastic embrace.
I held out my hands. “Can I have the book? Please? I need to see Brendan.”
“I thought you were seeing him later?”
“I was, but this can’t wait.”
“Come on, we have a lot of work to do.” Angelique shook her head disapprovingly. “I mean, we’ve got to get you going on your spells and basic herbs….”
“Angelique, this involves him, I have to tell him that