Excerpt: Love Me Til You Leave Me (Accursed Love #1)

The streets of uptown were fairly quiet for a weekend. Everybody was probably having holiday time with their families. She had forgotten about the holiday: Thanksgiving. It was not like anybody knew why they celebrated the holiday, they just gave thanks for food, friends and family.

She knew her friends would be here though. They were sitting on the edge of the old bronze well, which was turning green from time. They were gathered there with lunch boxes open and sandwiches in their mouths. Her own lunch pail sat in her pack, waiting for her to open it.

From her right wrist, a manacle jingled, with chain links leading to the thick metal band around the elf’s neck. She was surprised with this in the morning, when she had woken. It was just there, and he was unaffected, he just accepted its existence.

“Hey, Ser-” all eyes fell on the chains that connected her to the elf. On first glance, they took him for an average guy, until a second look made them get a little squeamish.

“Seri… What is this?” Omia asked. She had a soft complexion, even when she was angry, when her brow wrinkled up. But her hair was hidden beneath a scarf thing that was a standard symbol of her religion: Muslim.

“Seri, who is he?” Jissia asked, timidly. She looked scared, like she might run away, with her straight brown hair covering her face and eyes the whole way home. The hair did not cover her red cheeks though.

“Or rather…” Hanna was the most inquisitive of the group, and the boldest matching Seri in every stride. She could have a quick temper or a bold desire to stand up for herself. Either way, Seri admired the girl’s courage, which was the one thing Seri did not have when she went up against the teenage popular girls. “What is he?” Hanna asked.

“This is um…” she paused, her cheeks reddening. I didn’t even get his name! Stupid!

The elf was quiet, not even moving his lips to introduce himself to her friends. Oriantios, he told her.

“Oh right,” she turned back to her friends, “This is Oriantios. He’s an elf.”

“Okay, what are the chains for?” Omia asked, “Hate to be that person, but seriously? What, could you not find a decent boyfriend?”

Seri glared at Omia. The girl was completely chaste in every way. She was the stereotype of a Muslim girl, even if she was tolerant towards Chokrism and other religions. “Oriantios’ chains represent our bond,” she said. Her cheeks were still red though. Not like this whole love gift thing is anything short of a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship.

On the contrary, the elf argued. He did not say anything more, as if to let her have her thoughts to herself.

“Bond?” Hanna pressed, as she walked over to look at the chains. She felt the weight of the chains and blushed. “I really don’t get you Seri,” she said, as she turned from Oriantios to Seri. She flinched with a look of surprise and horror.

“What?” Seri asked.

“What is it?” Omia asked.

“Seri, you’re wearing the mark of Magicka!” Hanna exclaimed.

Seri looked at her arm, which had a band tied around it. It was an old symbol; it was a hand holding a flower in bloom framed inside a triangle. She thought it was a beautiful thing, especially since her great-great-great-great-grandma gave it to her that morning.

“Seri!” Omia gasped.

“Don’t get all worked up about it!” Seri said, folding her arms beneath her breasts. That was one thing she had over all the girls, she looked more like a woman, while they looked more like girls. She was sure that even Oriantios could see that.

“Seri, Magicka is full of evil!” Omia breathed.

“The followers of Magicka do brutal and terrible things,” Hanna said, sternly, “That’s why the War of Abolition happened. That was why Magicka is looked down on!” She reached for the band to pull it off, but Seri pulled away.

“Don’t touch that! That’s mine!” Seri exclaimed.

“How did you even get that?” Omia asked.

“Yea, I knew you could cast some little spells and stuff, but that band will mean serious damage!” Hanna declared.

“You have your books of Chokrism,” Seri said, sternly, “And Omia has her head covering thing… And Jissia…” Everybody turned to the timid girl who shrunk back with fear. She was always afraid of everything. “I don’t really know what religion Jissia follows, but I have magic! I don’t follow the old ways of Magicka, that was a stupid religion. I’m just a magic user, a descendant of the sahid!”

“That clan died out half a century ago!” Omia exclaimed, “You can’t just declare that kind of status.”

“And you can’t claim you’re a fucking saint just because you’re a Muslim!” Seri snapped at her. Omia’s face started turning red with anger. “Besides, I know I descend from sahid. Grandma was from the sahid, and all of her children after her,” Seri explained, proudly.

“I’m scared!” Jissia whimpered. She sounded like she was going to cry.

“You should be!” Hanna declared, “Magicka is evil!” Hanna pointed to Seri, as if she were a hated villain.

“Magic is not evil and it’s not that stupid religion I follow!” Seri declared angrily, “This symbol was never part of Magicka, it followed the sahid! And if you have a problem telling the difference between a few sahid who followed Magicka and the fact that it just belonged to the sahid, then you’re just ignorant!”

“You’re too stupid to see past your nose!” Hanna declared, “It is written in the Good Books of Saulm that magic users have cruel and hateful convictions and should not be allowed to dwell. Of course, we abolished that with fairer rules to let people use magic. This is too far though, Seri. Declaring yourself like this, and wearing that sym-”

The whimpering cut Hanna off and everybody turned to Jissia. She was crying and shaking. She was a sensitive girl who could not handle very much. She often had emotional break downs, but it was usually caused by the popular girls.

“Why are we fighting?” Omia sighed.

Seri and Hanna refused to look at each other. But they both felt in the wrong. They had scared Jissia, who did not have the emotional capacity to handle a nasty word, let alone a blown out argument between friends. They were the only ones she could turn to, and they had gone and scared her.

“Why are we fighting?” Seri sighed. She still felt that Hanna was wrong and mean to be so ignorant.

“You’re right,” Hanna sighed, “It says in the Good Testaments of Judiken that we should be tolerant and kind to our neighbors, friends and especially our enemies.”

Seri laughed, “Except for Trikita Numancer and all the likes!” Hanna burst into laughter as they shared a laugh together. We’re friends again, she thought with triumph, And that’s what matters.

“So, you haven’t really told me…” Hanna took a few breaths to calm herself and wiped the tears from her eyes, “What’s with this guy.”

Seri turned to the elf, feeling a bit shameful for having this whole blow out right in front of him. “Oriantios is bonded to me,” Seri explained.

“Like a boyfriend,” Omia said, with an amused smirk.

“No!” Seri exclaimed. She was blushing profusely though.

“Then, like what?” Hanna asked, “Chains aren’t normal.”

“Like a slave,” Seri replied. Her friends went silent. They were stunned and without words to speak. “Well don’t everybody act sensitive!” Seri exclaimed, “It’s just a proof.”

“A proof?” Hanna exclaimed. Her voice was growing heavy with anger again. “This is exactly what the followers of Magicka did, Seri! First it’s overpower somebody weaker than you! Then it’s using them for enchantments and rituals! Then you’re slaughtering them for sacrifice!”

Jissia gasped a squeak of fear. Her hands went to her mouth and she trembled. Omia reached over to comfort her, but it did not seem to help her.

“I’m not like that!” Seri argued.

“Oh? Just wait!” Hanna declared.

“What are you saying anyways?” Seri said, challengingly, “The laws give me religious rights. So I have the right to use magic however I want.”

“You can’t use it to hurt people!” Hanna declared, “Consider yourself on probation.”

Seri started to laugh, “From what?”

“From our friendship!” Hanna shouted, “Either you change or I’m reporting this act to the police! I won’t be friends with a follower of Magicka! Your kind is unwelcome! Come on girls!” Without a word, Jissia and Omia got to their feet and followed Hanna down the street, leaving Seri behind.

Seri sighed, feeling her heart break. They were her only friends in the world. Surely they would understand what it felt like to be oppressed. Omia was Muslim, one of the religions that was even still looked down upon. Jissia was a timid girl, despite her upper middle class status, and that made her a prime victim for girls who loved taunting other people. Hanna was like Seri though, a poor child living in a dumb on the south end of town, after her family was mostly wiped out through the past few centuries. At least Seri had her great-great-great-great-grandmother; all Hanna had was her dog and a couple of drunk uncles.

The elf put a hand on her shoulder. Are you alright? His thoughts were soothing in her mind, though she wished he would speak so she could hear a kind voice. She shook her head in reply and took a seat on the edge of the well where Omia was sitting.

She turned to look into the water, gazing at the same face she always had. Blonde hair, rare to the world anymore, framed a round face with big blue eyes. Surely it was still the same no matter what she did. But she started to wonder if she truly was as terrible as those Magicka followers who sacrificed humans for their flesh and blood.

The elf crouched down in front of her. I am not weaker than you, he told her.

“Yea yea, I know,” she sighed, “You’re an elf.” She turned to him, but saw only seriousness in his eyes.

I gave myself to you, he added.

“Yea, I suppose you did,” she replied. He was not helping her feel any better.

He shook his head and rose to his full height. If you are not satisfied with having me around, then you can let me go. Just stop loving me. Break the heart I have.

She sighed, looking down at the broken cobblestones of the street. This used to be a lovely place with marvelous architecture, back when it was a capital city. Even she remembered how it looked, when she was a little girl. “I just want to stop hurting,” she said, “They are my friends…my only friends!”

Then I will be your friend, he replied.

“You can’t just replace my girl friends! They are my best friends in the world!” tears filled her eyes.

It doesn’t hurt because they left you, huh?

“Shaddup!” she barked at him.

He did not even flinch. He was completely unphased. You are hurting because you love them as your friends. They betrayed your love by putting this condition on it, rather than being understanding.

“You don’t know anything!” she yelled at him. She rose to her feet and clenched her hands into fists. “Why don’t you do what you’re told and shut up!” she barked at him.

His face was unmoving, an expression that was completely unphased. You don’t love me. Still… You don’t love me.

“Maybe I don’t!” she shouted, “And maybe I won’t!”

His expression became hurt. He looked like he might cry. Your spell withers as you refuse me the gift.

“Maybe I’ll just replace you with a werewolf,” she folded her arms over her chest, “A werewolf could be disguised as a real pet!”

After it’s finished gnawing your bones. His thoughts were firm and pressing. He looked up at the statue in the middle of the fountain. It was a rising figure who held a sword up, pointed towards the sky.

“What do you know about werewolves?” she asked, with a challenging tone of voice.

Everything, he turned his eyes back to her. You come so far to quit before you’ve proven yourself to learn more?

She took a deep breath, folding her arms over her breasts. I’m not sure what I want anymore. She turned her eyes to the water in the fountain. The water here was never still as it poured from the ram’s horn the statue held in the other hand.

So, you’re giving up then? He pressed her, laying a hand on her shoulder to emphasize his presence.

“I don’t know!” she pulled her shoulder away, “I just don’t want to lose my friends over this.”

You expected their approval? He sounded snide.

“No! I expected their understanding as my friends!” she declared. With that she sighed and her head hung, “Let’s just go home. I’m tired of looking at this place. It makes me sick.”

He nodded, and followed at her heels as she turned back towards home. He was quiet as always, and kept a practical pace behind her. The only sounds in the air were the two pairs of feet as their shoes clipped across the broken cobblestones. It made her realize how quiet he was. He never spoke, and he always kept close to her mind.

Laughing voices filled the air as a group of girls came around the bed. They stopped as their leader gasped. Trikita Numancer quirked an eyebrow at Seri, questioningly. Her group members looked astounded and conflicted with what they should say.

“So, you couldn’t find a decent boyfriend, so you’re dating older men?” Trikita asked, in a demanding and demeaning voice.

“You wouldn’t know about older men, Trikita,” Seri snapped at her.

“That’s pretty cool,” Trikita said, raising her head, “Too bad you’re lamer than the dirt you live in!” She laughed, quickly mimicked by her followers without question.

Seri ignored her and started walking around the group. Trikita quickly moved into her way, barring the road ahead. “Where do you think you’re goin’?” Trikita laughed.

“Leave me alone,” Seri growled. Down the street, she spotted a figure coming her way. They were strolling with their face turned down, looking at something they were doing with their hands.

“What’s with the sash you have there?” Trikita said, reaching out to grab the sash off of her arm.

“Don’t touch!” Seri barked, swatting the other girl’s hand away.

“That’s a Magicka symbol,” one of her group members said in a quiet voice.

“Magicka, huh?” Trikita put her fist in her hand and crackled her knuckles, “You know what we do to people like you around here, right?”

“Yea!” two of the group members cheered.

“It’s not a Magicka symbol!” Seri growled angrily, “It’s the mark of the sahid. You wouldn’t know about that because all your history classes are too stupid to teach you what magic is really about!”

“Hold her down!” Trikita barked.

Three girls lurched towards her, but they were caught in mid air. Each of them was slammed to the ground with brute force. When the screaming stopped, she realized that Oriantios was much faster than she had though. He truly was powerful, powerful enough to move at speeds that were set beyond her comprehension.

Trikita and the others backed away, though they were beginning to encircle them. “You can’t get away, Seri!” Trikita shouted, but her voice sounded nervous and uncertain, “You’re surrounded! And your bodyguard can’t take us all!” The girls looked nervous though. They had no idea what Oriantios was or how he managed to be so athletic with such a soft build.

“Wait!” a familiar voice shouted. Hanna came bursting through the line and put herself in front of Seri. “Stop this Trikita! It’s against the law! It’s against everything we stand for in Chokrism!” Hanna demanded.

“Take them both!” Trikita pointed at Hanna.

Before Seri could gasp, Oriantios leaped in front of them. He bolted towards Trikita and took her arm. The girl’s eyes went big as he bent her finger back. Then he bent her hand back, forcing her wrist to contort. She started screaming and he forced her to a knee, pulling her arm around her back.

The other girls were afraid, and began backing away. They would not challenge the man, as he was completely on the defensive. Some of them even started running away, for fear that they were next.

Seri stared for a long time, until she heard Hanna screaming, “Seri, you can’t just do this to people! You can’t just attack them like that just because you have powers!”

With a gasp, Seri leaped forward, taking a hold of the elf’s soft tunic, “Oriantios stop! You’re hurting her!”

The man did not move his powerful grip from the girl’s arm. Rather he twisted her arm harder, forcing her ligaments to crackle. She was going to hurt you. She planned on killing you if she could. You did not see her mind. He looked around to what was left of the group. And I was right, cut off the head and the rest falls apart.

“You can’t do this! Stop! You’ll get me in trouble! Stop it!” she screamed.

He flinched, looking a touch surprised at her. Finally, he let go of Trikita’s arm and let her fall to the ground. The girl was sobbing in pain, acting like her arm was completely limp.

“What are you?” Hanna breathed, as she stared at the elf.

Seri turned to her friend and paused. She did not know what to say, or if she should answer. Perhaps Oriantios would answer for her, or perhaps he would not.

“Seri,” Hanna paused, half hearted in the way she spoke, “I don’t know what you’re planning, or why you’re doing this. I don’t believe it’s right… But I’m still you’re friend. I’m concerned about you. If you can’t take my concerns into consideration and drop this magic shit, then we can’t be friends.”

Seri bit back nasty words, holding her tongue. It was difficult. She wanted to berate her friend again for all the nasty things anybody ever said to her. She wanted to make somebody hurt. And for once, she held back her tongue.

“You will understand someday, I think,” Hanna gave her a nod, then hefted her bag over her shoulder and headed homeward.

Seri watched her over her shoulder, “What did you come back for?”

“To say that,” Hanna said without looking back, “As they say in Japan: Jaane!”

Seri felt new tears build up in her eyes. She loved Japanese culture, it was something else that she and the girls shared in common. They all liked Japanese stuff. They used to collect all kinds of manga together that they would find. Jissia had the biggest collection, with so much disposable money that she could buy anything.

Read more at Accursed Love.