The night was heavy, dense with silence, and the only sound I could focus on was the slow rhythm of Aimee's breathing as she stood close to me. Her warmth was the only thing grounding me at this moment when my mind was slipping away, being dragged back to thoughts of the curse that had haunted me for years. But I couldn't afford to lose control now, not with Aimee standing so near. I had to hold onto her words, to her faith in me.
She believed in me. I had to believe in myself, too.
But as much as I tried to tell myself that, the truth gnawed at my insides: this curse was like a disease. It spread every day, even when I thought I had it under control. The black magic Emily had planted inside me was growing, twisting, and feeding off my own doubts. I had no idea how long I could hold it back.
