{"id":6432,"date":"2019-03-05T01:58:15","date_gmt":"2019-03-05T06:58:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.penandkinkpub.com\/home\/?p=6432"},"modified":"2019-03-05T15:15:42","modified_gmt":"2019-03-05T20:15:42","slug":"sisters-cursed-and-broken","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.penandkinkpub.com\/home\/sisters-cursed-and-broken\/","title":{"rendered":"Sisters Cursed and Broken"},"content":{"rendered":"

These Hollow Hearts<\/em> is a bit of a tricky book filled with complicated characters including three sisters whose magic is cursed. Before presenting the book to the world in its newly edited form, we wanted to share with you the story of the Murphey family curse. The place where it all began.<\/p>\n

Warning: This story does contain threatened sexual violence.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Sisters Cursed and Broken<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Em Shotwell<\/strong><\/p>\n

There were no sounds to be heard in the garden\u2014no hoot nor howl nor even the rustle of leaves under feet. \u00a0Animals always kept their distance during spells, as if they could sense the power unfolding from the two women, and knew better than to interfere.<\/p>\n

Overhead, the moon burned bright red and pressed so closely that Imogene felt that if she stood on tiptoe, she could rake her fingers across its surface and collect its dust beneath her nails.<\/p>\n

Instead, though, she crouched on the damp soil opposite her sister Iris, who swayed from side to side as her pale face reflected the moonlight. Iris tossed a handful of herbs into the fire between them. It flamed outward before dying down, and its purple smoke twisted upward, a vehicle for their prayers. For their magic.<\/p>\n

\u201cBless the Mother be,\u201d Iris sang.<\/p>\n

Imogene repeated the phrase, raising her hands to the sky. The tingle of her sister\u2019s magic danced across her skin, as familiar as a sisterly embrace. Iris was good with the strong magic. Iris had been able to work spells when she was ten years old that Imogene had yet to master at twenty.<\/p>\n

Imogene tilted her chin to the sky, and breathed in Iris\u2019s magic. She relished its buzz in her teeth, her lungs, the way it seemed to radiate through her body and out her fingertips. She was lucky to have Iris. Imogene\u2019s pride for her sister\u2019s power made her own puny ability feel irrelevant. Iris was strong, and Imogene had Iris, so that made her strong, too.<\/p>\n

Imogene\u2019s eyelids grew heavy as she watched Iris sway. On the ship to America, she\u2019d heard tales of men in another part of the world who charmed dangerous serpents with only their music and the twist of their bodies. That was how Imogene felt\u2014like an entranced snake. In many ways, the relationship between serpent and charmer fit the sisters own relationship.<\/p>\n

Iris made the decisions. She had the control. Imogene followed her lead, and it served the younger sister well.<\/p>\n

Iris was the reason Imogene was able to escape from Ireland with her life. Iris was the reason they\u2019d found passage aboard a ship, despite their lack of money. She was the reason they\u2019d found position in a good house, even though most respectable American homes loathed Irish maids.<\/p>\n

Thieves, every one of you! They\u2019d been told this at more than one house before Iris had procured their current employment.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat would you do without me?\u201d Iris often asked.\u00a0 Imogene only smiled in response, but she knew that without Iris, if by some miracle she\u2019d made it to America, she\u2019d have been lost to a brothel. Or worse. But that didn\u2019t matter because she would always have her older sister. They were a pair\u2014never to be separated.<\/p>\n

Iris stood and untied her apron and began unbuttoning her dress. She let the frock drop to her bare feet, but Imogene hesitated before joining her older sister in closing the spell.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it Imogene? We\u2019ve sealed a hundred fertility spells. You know we must dance.\u201d Impatience laced Iris\u2019s words. \u201cThe baker\u2019s wife paid us a pretty penny and she deserves magic that works. So go ahead, sister.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sister. I know.\u201d Imogene stood and began to unknot her own apron strings. She peered through the darkness toward the windows of the Master\u2019s house. \u201cIt is only\u2026The magic always feels different here than back home. Do you not worry of being caught? I\u2019ve heard talk that they still hang witches in America.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd they\u2019d hang a murderess in Ireland, but that didn\u2019t stop you, did it?\u201d Iris smiled but her words were tight and her eyes couldn\u2019t hide the pain that lived in her heart. Imogene knew it had been hard for her sister to leave their home country. In Ireland, Iris had friends and lovers and prospects. And though much of their country was falling apart, sending droves of Irish immigrants to search for a better life, the sisters had been lucky enough to have a family farm and were among those who managed to keep food in their bellies. Here in America, they were seen as nothing more than dirty Irish thieves.<\/p>\n

Iris had only left her beloved country to help Imogene escape the noose. It was the thought that nagged Imogene constantly\u2014she owed Iris everything.<\/p>\n

Imogene leaned toward the fire so her sister could see her face\u2014hopefully see the truth in her eyes. \u201cI told you sister, that the death was an accident. It was a badly cast spell\u2014I didn\u2019t mean to\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cBesides,\u201d Iris cut Imogene short, \u201cwho will hang us, dear sister? Half of this town owes us their children, or beauty, or happiness.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but the Master\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Master can choke on his own piety if he is not careful. Anyway, how could he catch us? He is long asleep. And Jonathan would never allow him to cause us harm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sound so sure, Iris.\u201d Imogene fumbled with the last button and let her dress fell away. She thought of the Master of the house, with his cruel stare. Her older sister never seemed to notice how leering those tiny eyes were, and how they followed Imogene as she did her work. The way the Master licked his lips when she was nearby made Imogene\u2019s skin crawl. \u201cI know Jonathan loves you\u2014that you carry his child in your belly\u2014but his father is a mean soul. Surely Jonathan knows this or he wouldn\u2019t insist on you keeping the pregnancy a secret.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue, the Master can be mean, but he is only a cantankerous old man. Once the baby is born, Jonathan is going to marry me and things will be different. Me and Jonathan have a plan, sister dear, so trust me. With me on Jonathan\u2019s arm, we won\u2019t have a worry in the world. There will be feasts and balls and pretty gowns. You will see, Imogene. Just keep your head down and do your work. Don\u2019t cause a scene. We just have to get through a few more months.\u201d Iris\u2019s tight smile softened, and she reached her hands over the dying fire toward her younger sister. \u201cDon\u2019t look so fearful. The Master didn\u2019t have to hire us, Imogene. He didn\u2019t have to give us good rooms and a fair wage. There must be some good in him, deep down.\u201d<\/p>\n

Imogene\u2019s chest tightened. She never felt safe near the Master of the house, but she trusted Iris more than she trusted her own heart. Iris had always known what to do, and if she said they were safe, then Imogene would believe her. But as she twisted and turned, skyclad under the Mother\u2019s moon, dread wove through her like a vine climbing a trellis.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

The house was quiet when Imogene returned from running errands the following morning. Upstairs her sister was busy lighting the fireplaces and opening the curtains. The cook was nowhere to be found, but despite no one being nearby, Imogene didn\u2019t feel alone. As much as she disliked the Master, there was something about the old home that called to her, and if she pretended the house were hers, she could even feel the faint prickle of happiness in her heart. She didn\u2019t bother trying to explain it to her sister, because she didn\u2019t understand it herself. She\u2019d never been the type of person to grow attached to places or things. Though she knew it was silly, she felt the house cared for her in return.<\/p>\n

Imogene delivered the salt and milk she\u2019d purchased in town, to the kitchen and hurried to begin her duties.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome here, maid.\u201d The Master\u2019s voice came from the hallway. Imogene straightened her shoulders and wiped her hands down the front of her apron, doing her best to hide her unease. Iris is right, she thought, I am always afraid, even though I have nothing to fear.<\/p>\n

She followed the Master\u2019s voice into his study, off of the main hallway, and stepped into the doorway. \u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Master\u2019s black coat hung open, showing a pristine white shirt tucked into the thick waist of his dark breeches. A black top hat rested on the desk. He was always dressed in the finest clothes. Bought the finest food. Traveled in the finest carriage. And it was true he paid his servants fairly. He was upper class and well-regarded\u2014surely not the kind of man she should be afraid of. But try as she might to push it away, the feeling of dread lingered.<\/p>\n

The Master\u2019s gaze closed around Imogene\u2019s body like a fist, making it hard for her to breathe.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome in and shut the door. We must have a discussion.\u201d<\/p>\n

Imogene stepped lightly and eased the door closed behind her. Her chest continued to tighten as she wondered what the Master had witnessed. The sisters were always careful with their spells, with their dancing. They waited until late at night, when everyone was asleep, and they moved quietly. But Imogene remembered the feeling of being watched from the darkness. Of how she\u2019d been uneasy the night before, and how Iris had tried to reassure her that she was overreacting.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw you last night.\u201d He paused, letting his words sink in. \u201cIn my garden.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Master crossed the room and stood near Imogene and she wished fervently that her sister was nearby. She\u2019d know what to say to fix this. Imogene opened her mouth, but her words refused to work.<\/p>\n

\u201cY-Yes.\u201d She said finally, never lifting her gaze from the floor.<\/p>\n

The Master waltzed closer, and Imogene backed away, as if they were dance partners. He took another step, and another, and Imogene followed suit, until her back was against the closed door.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m\u2014I\u2019m sorry. I know this is a good, decent home. Please don\u2019t throw us out.\u201d\u00a0 Her heart thumped in her ears. Iris would be furious if Imogene lost them their job.<\/p>\n

The Master said nothing, but slid his palm over her face, cupping her cheek in his hand. He closed his eyes for a moment, then leaned closer.<\/p>\n

The full weight of his frame pressed against Imogene\u2019s body, and the door knob bit through her dress and into the tender skin of her lower back. The sweet scent of tobacco and sweat mingled as the man kissed Imogene\u2019s neck, while his hand fumbled over the top of her dress and apron. Imogene froze.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me begin again.\u201d He spoke directly into her ear. \u201cWhen I saw you in the garden, dancing, I knew I would have you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Imogene\u2019s breathing seized. Again, her mind traveled to the feeling of being watched. Of how Iris told her to stop worrying.<\/p>\n

The Master pressed his body violently, against hers, and she could feel what he meant to do. The whole moment happened so quickly\u2014a second ago she was walking into the room, and now she had to force air into her lungs. She\u2019d always enjoyed the scent of tobacco. That was now ruined forever.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease\u201d she rasped. \u201cSomeone will see us.\u00a0 I\u2026I have work to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo not speak to me of your duties. You work for me, do you not? I am the Master of this house and the Master of you in turn. You will do as I say.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will not.\u201d Imogene\u2019s voice felt like glass in her mouth and her words came out cracked. \u201cI am a good woman. A decent woman. I will\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cA good woman doesn\u2019t dance naked outdoors. And don\u2019t think yourself so clever. You are worthless here\u2014we hang women for less.\u201d<\/p>\n

Imogene\u2019s face contorted with the realization that the evil man\u2019s words held so much truth. She opened her mouth to respond, but no sound escaped, even as inside, her mind begged her to speak. To find the right words to end this.<\/p>\n

\u201cShh, now.\u201d The Master\u2019s lips brushed against her ear. \u201cThere is no need for all of this. You will enjoy it, you\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n

How could Iris think this man not evil? Imogene thought. I will find her and we will leave tonight. I cannot stay here. I won\u2019t. I\u2019d rather starve.<\/p>\n

The Master\u2019s lips moved over Imogene\u2019s neck. Her cheek. Her ear. His hands moved rough and unwelcome over her dress. Tears leaked from Imogene\u2019s eyes and fell across the sharp ridge of her cheekbones, a few landing, then soaking into the wooden floors of the house. And though she wasn\u2019t as powerful as her sister, Imogene\u2019s tears, like every part of her, held the magic possessed by the women of her family. A magic that wove itself through generations like gold thread in a grand tapestry. A magic that had been a part of her family\u2019s history since before there was written language. A magic that had always been and would always be.<\/p>\n

As her tears soaked into the floor, they called out to the spirit of the house, who\u2019d once lived within the trees which were cut and milled for lumber. It had laid dormant for years, since being ripped from its forest, silently observing from a trance-like slumber the cruelty happening around it.<\/p>\n

Her tears beckoned, and the spirit awakened, and answered so softly, so thin, that Imogene didn\u2019t notice. Witnessing the distress of the young witch, and wanting to help, the spirit caused the floor boards to creak loudly outside the room. The Master froze.<\/p>\n

He pulled away from Imogene, and adjusted his trousers and straightened his shoulders. \u201cWe will finish this later, sweet girl. I promise.\u201d He caressed her cheek with the pad of his thumb, wiping away a lingering tear, before pressing his lips to her forehead. Fear of what still might happen gripped Imogene, but she did not pull away. She couldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow go. Until next time, my sweet. I will be watching you and waiting for the right moment. You will earn your keep.\u201d<\/p>\n

Imogene\u2019s fear released her and adrenaline surged her system. Her heart thumped wildly as she threw open the door and hurried from the room, almost colliding with Iris.<\/p>\n

\u201cImogene?\u201d\u00a0 Iris\u2019s auburn brows raised.<\/p>\n

Imogene clasped her sister\u2019s arms and yanked her toward the kitchen, whispering, \u201cOh sister. We must leave this place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Iris folded her arms over her round abdomen. \u201cWhat is it? What happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Master\u2026he was going to\u2026\u201d Imogene\u2019s face crumpled. \u201cWe have to go. We must leave tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Iris words came out calm and quiet. \u201cI told you that is not a possibility. I have a baby in my belly and a plan in my head, Imogene.\u00a0 Jonathan and I\u2014we are going to be together and then everything will be fine. I need to have a comfortable place to give birth to my daughter, and Jonathan wants more time to secure his inheritance before telling his father. But for all this to work\u2014we have to stay here. You must calm down. You must remain focused.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow can you order me to remain calm when that man was going to hurt me? How can I stay here? How, sister?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou will stay here because if we leave we will starve. Who would hire us if we were to leave this house? It doesn\u2019t matter who we\u2019ve helped, or who owes us. No one will hire us if they think we were thrown from here\u2014the Master of this home knows everyone. He is respected within the community.\u201d Iris paused and listened for a moment, and when she was sure there was no one in the hallway, she continued. \u201cListen to me sister, I feel anger for what was done\u2014for how the Master treated you. But I cannot leave\u2014not yet. I think you should stay\u2014that you should just keep your distance and stay out of his way, until the baby comes. But if you must leave, then you will have to do it alone. I gave up everything to save you from the noose, to get you to America, but I will not starve here. My child, she has a chance at a real life and I will not forfeit that. Not even for you, Imogene.\u201d<\/p>\n

Imogene\u2019s heart broke at her sister\u2019s words, and she bounded from the kitchen before tears could again fall. As she rushed toward her room in the servant\u2019s quarters, she couldn\u2019t have known that the rustle of the curtains and shifting of the floorboards was much more than an old house settling its bones. Even a witch, such as Imogene, would never have imagined that an ancient spirit could feel pity. That the settling of the old home was its vow to protect her.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

That night, sleep would not come to Imogene. She couldn\u2019t go and leave her sister. But how could she stay? The Master said he was watching. He promised that she\u2019d be his\u2014rather she wanted to or not. And she did not.<\/p>\n

Imogene set up in bed and put her feet to the floor. In the bed next to hers, Iris snored softly. The Mother\u2019s moonlight filtered through the window pane and washed everything in its glow, and Imogene couldn\u2019t help but smile at the memory of stories her Grandma would tell of the women in their family. Of the power they\u2019d always possessed, blessed by the Mother and bathed in her light.<\/p>\n

We are not weak\u2014Murhpey women are not to be tangled with. The old woman had often told Imogene when she was a girl, but at that moment, Imogene could never remember feeling anything except weak. Especially after her Grandmother\u2019s death. When she\u2019d been forced to abandon Ireland for a new life, it had only been because of her mother\u2019s wit and her sister\u2019s strength that she escaped. Imogene knew if she\u2019d been left to her own devices, she likely wouldn\u2019t have made it.<\/p>\n

Why am I the weak one? She whispered the words aloud to herself. There has to be another way. I will not suffer under this cruel man, but I won\u2019t abandon my sister either.<\/p>\n

And sitting there in the moonlight, staring at her sleeping sister, Imogene knew what she must do. She stood and put on her frock and quietly dug her family\u2019s spell book from where it was hidden underneath Iris\u2019s bed.\u00a0 She tip-toed to the garden to pick the needed herbs, \u00a0praying that this time, the Master truly would be asleep. Then, following the spell, written in the hand of a long dead ancestor, she begged the Mother to bless her works with magic. Once she was finished, she quietly snuck back into her room, replaced the book, hid the mixture of herbs and magic under her own bed, and fell asleep.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

The next morning, Imogene prepared the Master\u2019s tea. When she was sure no one was going to catch her, she pulled the satchel of bespelled herbs from her apron pocket. She chanted the Mother\u2019s words under her breath as she sprinkled them in the Master\u2019s cup.<\/p>\n

Imogene was not going to kill the Master\u2014she was not a murderess no matter what anyone back home thought. When choosing a spell the night before, she\u2019d been rushed, working quickly while the household slept. However, she\u2019d been careful to pick a spell that would make things work out better for all involved. Iris would be able to marry Jonathan and have his baby without worry. Jonathan would be able to collect his inheritance. And Imogene would be able to live her life, simply and quietly, and without worry. All she had to do was deliver the tea to the Master, and make sure he drank every drop.<\/p>\n

Imogene sprinkled the last of the dregs into the cup, and shoved the small bag back into her pocket. She poured the tea over the mixture, and carefully carried the cup and saucer to the Master\u2019s study.<\/p>\n

She\u2019d already knocked on the door before she heard the lilting sound Jonathan\u2019s voice.\u00a0 She paused with her hand on the knob. Should she leave? Try the spell another time? Before she could make the decision, the Master called for her to enter. Imogene paused before pushing open the door. She shuffled into the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop dawdling, maid. What is it?\u201d The corners of the Master\u2019s lips turned down, and the lines that cut across his forehead were impossibly deep. Imogene stood, dumbfounded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI said what is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUm. It\u2019s nothing.\u201d Imogene hated her voice for coming out so frail. Because she wasn\u2019t frail\u2014the tea proved it! She straightened her shoulders and turned to leave without further explanation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait a second, Imogene,\u201d Jonathan spoke. He sounded as he always did\u2014as if he were holding back laughter. \u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s nothing. That looks like tea to me. And I could use a cup.\u201d<\/p>\n

Imogene blanched. \u201cNo. This? No, it\u2019s\u2026it\u2019s not.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTurn and look at us when we are speaking to you, maid,\u201d the Master demanded. His voice was as harsh as his son\u2019s was kind.<\/p>\n

Slowly Imogene turned and faced the men.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if it isn\u2019t tea, what is it?\u201d Jonathan asked. Imogene smiled at his playful smirk despite the knot in her belly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s. Well, I mean, it is tea. But it is only one cup and there are two of you. I will fetch another and be right back so you can take your tea properly.\u201d<\/p>\n

She stepped toward the door, but Jonathan was quick, and blocked her path. \u201cOh Imogene, you doll. Always worried about taking care of us. What would we do without you?\u201d Before she could stop him, Jonathan grabbed the cup from the saucer in Imogene\u2019s hands and with a wink, he held it to his lips and turned it up.<\/p>\n

Paralyzed by fear, Imogen watched as the man her sister loved drank the spell that was meant for his father.<\/p>\n

When the cup was drained, he sat it back onto to the saucer clasped in Imogen\u2019s trembling hands. For a moment, nothing happened.<\/p>\n

And for that moment, Imogene was relieved that she\u2019d never been as good at magic as her sister. Maybe she\u2019d mixed the concoction wrong. Maybe what Jonathan drank was nothing more than tea, and the herbs she\u2019d added meant nothing.<\/p>\n

Maybe she\u2019d failed at magic as she\u2019d always seemed to do.<\/p>\n

Imogene\u2019s relief was short-lived. Jonathan grabbed his neck, his knees buckling beneath him. He fell to the floor with a wet, choking sound, and as he collapsed he reached toward Imogene with shaking arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp me.\u201d His lips made the words, but only a rasp escaped.<\/p>\n

Imogene dropped to her knees next to him. \u201cI\u2019m so sorry,\u201d she whispered. \u201cI\u2019m so very sorry. This wasn\u2019t supposed to happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Master sat in his chair, his eyes narrowed on the scene before him.<\/p>\n

Jonathan mouth opened and closed without speaking, as his body twitched, before turning slack. \u00a0Imogene put a hand to his forehead, forgetting the Master was only yards away.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat have I done?\u201d she whispered. Tears welled in her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. What have you done?\u201d The Master\u2019s voice was steel and flint striking against each other, working toward catching fire. \u201cWhat have you done, you murdering whore!\u201d He jumped to his feet and stared down where Imogene still huddled next to Jonathan.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not dead. He\u2019s not!\u201d she wailed. The Master took a step toward her and she shot to her feet. He lunged, and chased her from the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou will hang! You murdered my son and you will hang!\u201d<\/p>\n

Imogene ran to the stairs, bounding upward with tears blurring her eyes. The Master was on her heels. He grabbed her. Imogene twisted and shoved, but his grip was strong. \u201cYou are going to hang. You evil, evil whore!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe isn\u2019t dead. I promise he isn\u2019t. This wasn\u2019t supposed to happen.\u201d In her grief, her words tumbled clumsily from her lips. The Master pulled her toward him, and Imogene gave in.<\/p>\n

Oh child, this will not do\u2026 The spirit of the house, who\u2019d been watching the events of the morning, spoke. The walls creaked and the lamps flickered, but for the first time, Imogene could hear. The words were a buzz in her ear, a tickle in the back of her mind, and before she could question what was happening, the spirit tipped the stair where the Master stood, and threw him backwards.<\/p>\n

The Master released Imogene to catch himself, but it was of no use. He tumbled head over feet and landed at the bottom with a sickening thump. His eyes stared vacantly from his limp body.<\/p>\n

Imogene clasped her palms over her mouth to stifle a scream.<\/p>\n

Not again! How did this keep happening? She wasn\u2019t a murderess. Her knees grew weak, but before she could follow the Master\u2019s tumble down the stairs, the spirit tipped her backwards and she landed on her bottom. Imogene buried her face in her hands and cried.<\/p>\n

This is where she was when Iris found her. Her older sister appeared at the top of the stairs, and stepped down carefully to where Imogene sat. \u201cWhat was all that noise? I thought I heard yelling.\u201d<\/p>\n

Imogene sniffled and looked down to where the Master lay in a dead heap.<\/p>\n

Iris gasped, and Imogene immediately began to babble apologies.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand, sister? Why are you sorry? The Master is dead! He fell\u2014surely that isn\u2019t your fault. Now you will be free of his advances and Jonathan will get his inheritance. We can get married without his father\u2019s scrutiny! Oh, Imogene, it must have been horrible to witness, but don\u2019t you see it\u2019s for the best? Jonathan will be upset, but once he moves past it, he\u2019ll\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Imogene reached for Iris\u2019s hand. \u201cNo sister. I am so sorry. I have wronged you more than you know. But you must believe it was an accident.\u201d Her voice again broke into tears.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you saying, Imogene?\u201d Iris\u2019s words were barely a whisper. One hand lightly caressed her belly. \u201cWhat is it you are telling me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJonathan\u2026He\u2026 He isn\u2019t dead, Iris. I promise you that but\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe isn\u2019t dead?\u201d Iris\u2019s voice rose in pitch and volume. \u201cHe isn\u2019t dead but what, Imogene?\u201d Iris grabbed Imogene\u2019s wrists and yanked her to her feet as hard as she could. \u201cHe isn\u2019t dead but what?\u201d
\n\u201cAfter yesterday, I was scared so I performed a spell and I was taking it to the Master and Jonathan drank it instead and now he is\u2026I am so sorry Iris, he is harmed.\u201d Imogene pulled her arm free and pointed downstairs to the study.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Iris gasped. \u201cNo!\u201d she screamed. She ran down the stairs with Imogene on her heels. When she reached the study, she threw open the door, and cried out.\u00a0 Jonathan still lay as Imogene had left him, his eyes open, but his body unmoving.<\/p>\n

\u201cJonathan. Sweet, sweet man.\u201d Iris rushed inside fell to her knees and cradled his head in her lap. \u201cImogene what have you done? How could you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Iris, surely you can fix this? Your power is stronger than mine! Fix him, sister.\u201d Imogene\u2019s voice cracked with panic, but the look in her sister\u2019s eyes was pure fury.<\/p>\n

Iris kissed Jonathan\u2019s forehead then sat it gently on the floor. She stood to her feet. \u201cI cannot. If you\u2019d ever cared to learn, ever cared to listen to mother or grandmother and know the magic of your birthright, you\u2019d know it is impossible to undo a spell cast by your own blood. \u00a0What you have done cannot be undone\u2014at least not by me. And I don\u2019t know any other witches in the area powerful enough. Mark my word, I will spend the rest of my life looking for one.\u201d She looked down at the man she loved. \u201cI promise you Jonathan, I will never stop searching for a way to undo this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will help. I promise I will.\u201d Imogene cried.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. You have done enough. I cannot even look at you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Iris, it was an accident\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The fury in Iris\u2019s eyes hardened to disdain. \u201cIt is always an accident isn\u2019t it, Imogene?\u00a0 I have loved you your entire life, but today\u2026today I hate you for what you\u2019ve done! I hate you, Imogene. You have not only stolen love from me, but you have taken the father from your niece. And I cannot forgive you for that! Part of me wishes you dead\u2014but a bigger part of me cannot stand the thought of it. I\u2026I hate and love you sister. But since you have stolen my happiness, neither should you have yours! And you pretend to be so weak and helpless? Maybe your children should be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Imogene felt the curse before she realized what it was. Iris\u2019s magic buzzed in the air and swelled around Imogene like a river overflowing its banks.<\/p>\n

Power licked through Iris\u2019s eyes as she spoke. \u201cYour line will grow weak, Imogene, until it takes three to do the magic of one. No one of your blood will ever be able to close a spell on their own. You are so reliant on me to fix your mistakes? Magic of your line will be completed by three or none at all. And when they do cast, it will cost them dearly\u2014an hour of life every single time.\u201d<\/p>\n

The spirit of the house wrapped itself around Imogene, cocooning her in its own magic of protection, but to no avail. The bond between sisters was strong and the curse slid from Iris\u2019s veins and wrapped around Imogene\u2019s heart. The current of magic that had always been a good thing, now burned with wickedness, and as it flowed strong and forceful, and there was nothing the spirit could do. It was magic of blood-kin and there was nothing stronger.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd since you\u2019ve taken away that which was mine, I will take from you. No one you love will ever stay\u2014they\u2019ll give you their bed but not their heart. You\u2019ll take their seed but not their name. They\u2019ll leave, either by death or wandering eye. This will be the curse of your line. May you think of how you\u2019ve wronged me every time you fall in love.\u201d \u00a0Iris voice remained hard, and with every word spoken, her magic grew stronger.<\/p>\n

Imogene said nothing to protect herself from Iris\u2019s words and they soaked into her soul.<\/p>\n

A curse from the heart of a sister, once set, cannot be undone. Both women knew this.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow leave, Imogene. Go before I change my mind and decide you should hang.\u201d<\/p>\n

Without a word, Imogene turned and left to gather her things. As she packed her few belongings in to sheet, she remembered her family\u2019s spell book under Iris\u2019s bed. Without a thought as to why she was taking it, she pulled it from its hiding place and wrapped it in an apron, then placed it in the center of her packed sheet. She walked down the stairs and past the study, and without another word nor look to her sister, she walked out of the door.<\/p>\n

The spirit, now greatly taken with Imogene, whispered in her ear of a place where she would be safe. A place where voodoo ran through the city like rivers and priestesses were revered in the most respected homes. It was a place where men read the bones of fowl, and no one would look twice at a slight woman who turned cards and sold talismans. Together, Imogene and the spirit made their way to New Orleans.<\/p>\n

The sisters never saw each other again, but the spirit remained with Imogene Murphey, doing its best to protect her from any more pain. Though Iris\u2019s curse remained strong, Imogene managed to create a happy life. And when she died, the spirit remained with her daughter, and each generation thereafter, until no one could remember a time without it, nor remember where it came from. And when one of Imogene\u2019s ancestor\u2019s built a house, the spirit moved into the home and there it remains.<\/p>\n

*<\/p>\n

The story continues in These Hollow Hearts<\/em>, available March 12th.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

These Hollow Hearts is a bit of a tricky book filled with complicated characters including three sisters whose magic is cursed. Before presenting the book to the world in its newly edited form, we wanted to share with you the story of the Murphey family curse. The place where it all began. Warning: This story […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[206],"tags":[143,202,207,201],"class_list":["post-6432","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-these-hollow-hearts","tag-em-shotwell","tag-murphey-sisters","tag-sisters-cursed-and-broken","tag-these-hollow-hearts"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.penandkinkpub.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6432","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.penandkinkpub.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.penandkinkpub.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.penandkinkpub.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.penandkinkpub.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6432"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/www.penandkinkpub.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6432\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6458,"href":"http:\/\/www.penandkinkpub.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6432\/revisions\/6458"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.penandkinkpub.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6432"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.penandkinkpub.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6432"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.penandkinkpub.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6432"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}