Witchling (Curse of Kin) Read Online Free PDF Page A

“You were born with a caul, a part of the birthing membrane, on your head, and that makes you a Caulbearer, girl dear. In the world of magic, this marks the child as unique and powerful, usually with psychic gifts, like second sight and the ability to soul journey. But we can talk about that later.”
    “Does that mean Nera is a witch?” Brie asked, her eyes wide as she looked at me, her face lighting up.
    “I guess that depends on your definition of a witch,” Jasper replied. “I believe there are people in this world whohave special abilities. Some call themselves witches, some don’t. It’s just the way you perceive something, I suppose.”
    “So what does she have to do with the whole curse thing, then?” Sully asked .
    Jasper’s gazed met mine before he answered. “She is the one that can stop the curse and let me die.”
    “Are you crazy, Jasper? How can you even think I would let you die?” I jumped to my feet, the horror of what he was saying slamming into me. I paused for a breath, the fear gripping my chest like a vice which made such a simple task difficult. It was too much for me. I turned and fled to the kitchen and threw open the door to the garden. I gulped down a breath of cool air and lurched over to a grassy patch and sank to the ground. Hugo walked over to me and licked my hand before sitting down in front of me, his soulful brown gaze on my face.
    “Oh, Hugo, what is going on?” I cried, pushing my face into his fur. Cradling his head in my arms for comfort, I leaned against his huge body. I felt movement, and Brie and Sully sat down beside me. They reached out and wrapped their arms around me. Most of what Jasper had told us was hard to believe, but what if it was true? Parts of my brain screamed at me that it was possible, but parts still balked at the idea of witches, gods, and demons—especially so close to someone I loved.
    “Do you believe what Jasper said?” Sully leaned forward. He picked a blade of grass and ran it through his fingers before looking at me again.”Do you think it could be possible?”
    “I really don’t know.” I sighed, rubbing the back of my hand over my face. “It seems so farfetched.”
    “But it could be true.” Brie leaned her chin on my shoulder. “What if you really are what he says you are? I’ve always said there was something special about you. Everyone thinks so, not just Sully and me.”
    “Yeah, Connor thinks I’m special, so special he wants to grope me every time he sees me,” I scoffed.
    “Stop being so pigheaded. You know you have something that no one else has. Do you really think we would hang out with you if you were normal?” Brie joked. Her smile faded quickly when I looked at her, and she pulled away from me.
    “I know you are trying to make me feel better, and I do appreciate it, I really do. But if this is even halfway true… It’s so much to take in.” Just pull yourself together, girl. This is getting you nowhere, tears over, deal with it.
    Sully watched me. He gave me a minute, then he proposed, “If we are going to be fair about this, we should bombard him with all the questions we can think of, make sure we get the full story. Then we can make up our minds. It’s how we usually sort stuff out with Jasper.”
    I rubbed my hands over my face again, trying to wipe away the remains of the tears. I could never be called the dramatic type, and this show of weakness was making me feel ashamed. Part of being a tomboy was being too tough for tears. Wasn’t it?
    “Yeah, you’re right, Sully. The least I can do is listen to the whole story. It’s not like Jasper would lie to me.” I sniffed loudly wondering how I could ever doubt him. He held out his hand to pull me to my feet.
    We locked hands and walked back indoors with Hugo following.
    Jasper was still in the library, gazing out the window over the ocean. Lines marred his handsome face, and he looked like he had aged since we arrived this morning. The guilt started