Read The Living Curse: Book One of The Living Curse series for Free Online Page B

mental struggle became nearly visible; his eyes flicked nervously about the room, not wanting to make eye contact again.
                  “First, just tell us who you are.” Nameh said, growing impatient.  “Why did you bring us here if you aren’t going to say anything?”  The boy covered his face with his hands, rubbing his temples as if he could somehow mechanically draw the words out.  His frustration was evident, and bordering on anger it seemed to Nameh.  Finally, he looked up, seemingly prepared to address them at last.
                  “My name is Max.  You are, of course, aware of the Vine?” he asked, not waiting for a response, and neither dared interject.  “For the last few weeks, I have been trying to find the one other Markbearer in the school.  The Vine has known their presence for months, but they were too well shielded to identify.  Long story short, I’ve been watching you.”  All of his words had come spilling out quickly to this point, as if he had opened a mental floodgate, with very few pauses.  Now, he watched their reactions for a moment before continuing, but neither interrupted.  “When I was fighting the dragon, and you two so rudely interrupted,” he said with a small smile, “I was sure that you were the other.” he finished.  With his serious news delivered, a weight seemed to lift off of his shoulders; he became at ease, and slouched comfortably back in the desk chair, putting his hands behind his head.  He left out the fact that he had been sure she was the other before that, when he saw her mark through the watching window.
                  It seemed to Nameh that he had used humor to mask the importance the issue held in his mind.  The use of humor and sarcasm to hide emotions was much too familiar, and was another unsettling reason that she had the urge to trust him.
                  “So, let’s just say that I am this ‘elusive Markbearer’, for a moment.  Why is the Vine suddenly so eager to find me?  Running low on new recruits to send to their deaths?” she asked, now throwing sarcasm back at him.  She saw Mira from the corner of her eye, looking surprised at the comment.  It was understandable, though; only a few hours ago, they had been training to go to the Vine themselves.
                  “The Vine is trying to find all its potential followers.  The Guild is gaining power much too quickly, they think that something must be wrong.” said Max.
                  “Hold on, they ?  Aren’t you a part of it, too?” Nameh asked.
                  “I’ve had my mark for about a year and a half, but I haven’t fully joined yet.  I decided to find the other at the Academy, and thought we’d go together.” he said.  Judging by his expression, he hadn’t expected the other to be a girl.  Mira continued the conversation, pretending not to have noticed.
                  “Do you know any of the other members of the Vine?” she asked.  Max swiveled his chair to face her.  For all of his sarcasm, his manners were good enough. 
                  “Well, one of my warlock friends and my oath brother are already there.” he said, referring to his battle partner as she would refer to Mira.  His eyes seemed to hold a longing, as though he wished he hadn’t stayed behind.  She wondered if he and his oath brother had become as close as she and Mira.  As these thoughts swirled around in her mind, she noticed that the light coming from the window had changed from a gleaming gold to a pale silver.  Clouds had gathered in the sky, condensing within each other like great and terrible magic.  She wondered if this sight was similar to the one seen by the ancient humans as they watched the Great Warlock unleash the spark, and the creatures that were borne of it.
                  She was half aware of the soft spattering sound of rain on