The Broken Curse by Taylor Lavati Read Free Book Online

yells, jumping up from her bed. Immediately, her face transforms into anger. She may be small, but I don't want to be on the receiving end of her angry rants.
    "I can't risk you getting hurt. You mean too much to me."
    "And you mean too much to me to just let you go and leave me behind. I can help you. I want to help you. Let me."
    "Kara, this isn't a joke. You saw those guys. Those are just grunts. The demons in the Underworld will be serious and dangerous. It's a risk I'm not willing to take."
    "So you're willing to risk strangers' lives, but not those who actually want to help and want to support you." She's pacing up and down our small room. I can practically see the heat from her non-stop, shuffling feet. I hoped that she'd understand that I just want to protect her. She's one of my only true friends.
    "Please don't do this to me," I beg her. I move forward and take her hands in mine and make her meet my eyes. Her eyes are vibrant today, but filled with anguish.
    "I'm coming, and you need to accept it. You're lucky Junior isn't begging, too."
    "He wanted to come, too?"  
    "Of course, he did. He loves you, just like I do. We want to help you. You have to accept that." I step back from Kara and turn to face the bathroom door. I run my hand through my hair and let out a sigh.
    "Okay," I relent.
    "Okay?"
    "Yeah. I mean, I guess I have no choice." I turn to face her and she's transformed yet again. She's happy, excited; her eyes sparkle with love. It's completely misplaced, though. I still hope that I can convince her to stay behind.
    "So, will you start training me now that you've given up your tough girl act?"
    "Sure," I respond, knowing that she needs the help the most. She hasn't figured out if she has a special ability. She's decently fast, but with training she could be faster. We're all eighteen now, so it'll be interesting to see how our abilities will change.
    "Now?" she asks, her eyebrows perking up.
    "No, not now. We have to get ahold of Mikey and everyone and tell them the plan tomorrow. Unless they know already?"  
    "Only I do. I've been meeting with Professor Onassis to talk about my powers—or lack thereof."
    "Oh." I'm a bit jealous that she's spending time with Professor Onassis. She's supposed to be my mentor. I push the jealousy down, knowing that she only comes from a good place and my emotions are misguided. "Well, then let's get everyone together and have them meet at the training center tomorrow."
    "Yay! Can we get a pizza and drinks?"
    I shake my head from side to side. "Sure."  
    "I'm going to shower and head to bed. Are you okay?" I ask her, noticing that her face already looks better. She nods, but she's already lost to cyber space. Her laptop is out and booting up, and she's texting away on her phone, her fingers moving a mile a minute. If only her legs could do the same.
    I shower without enjoying the heat, and get into comfortable clothes. I unwrap an IcyHot packet and place it on my lower back. The smell of methane assaults my nose, and it's very welcome. It reminds me of VaporRub my dad used to put on me as a child.  
    Speaking of Dad, I quickly grab my cellphone and type an email. I'll have to go visit him soon. I miss him terribly. I send the message to him and then climb into bed. The lights are all off in the room, except for Kara's desk lamp, which is as bright as ever. She's on the phone with someone—I'm guessing Junior by the lovey dovey tone of her voice. But I'm so tired that I don't even care that she's being loud.  
    "Night," I tell her as I already drift off.
    "Night!" she yells back, and then I pass out.

    I know I'm in a dream the second that I become conscious. Professor Onassis told me to dream tonight, but I completely forgot to focus on the Underworld or my future when I fell asleep. Which means I could be anywhere and any place at any time.
    I stand up from the hard ground and dust off my butt. Immediately, I think I'm in the Underworld. I'm not sure if it's the smell