Legacy of Secrets 01-Cursed Secrets by Lisa Logue

front room, but the furniture was more classic and rustic looking. The couches and chaise were a lighter shade of beige with wooden accents on the arms in a dark cherry color. The tables were cherry as well and held not a speck of dust. I moved around Christian and traced my finger along one of the book shelves. Each spine looked like an original, delicate and priceless. There were so many famous writers; Emily Bronte, Jane Austen, Edgar Alan Poe, Emily Dickenson, Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare. I was impressed.
    “Have you actually read all of these? They look so old. Are they originals? This is amazing.”
    “I’ve read most of them yes, but not these particular copies. This is my mother’s collection. I’m not sure if they’re all originals, but close enough. My collection was in the front room. I didn’t realize you were into books,” he smiled crookedly. It took all of my strength not to take advantage of the gorgeous couch a few feet away.
    “I love books. It's like a new world for me. Since mine is, well, you know. So, what’s next?” I asked excitedly.
    He chuckled, “Right this way.”
    He led me passed another fireplace, almost identical to the first, and up a small set of stairs. I noticed more pictures on the wall and stopped to look at Christian’s mother. She was beautiful.  She had curly red hair she wore halfway up, a few stray curls hung down over her ears. She was young, about my age, and smiled so brightly. Her eyes were green, almost like looking into a jade diamond, a brighter shade than Christian’s but still the same.
    “She’s beautiful. I can definitely see the resemblance. You must look more like you’re father, though. Are there pictures of him as well?” I searched the wall. He spun me around slowly, my eyes finally resting on a family portrait. In the middle sat his mother and father flanked by him and his brother. His father looked intimidating at first. He was slightly more muscular than Christian, but had the same kind eyes and crooked smile. The smaller boy in the picture looked exactly like their mother. I smiled. This was the type of family people would die for. What I would have died for.
    “There are better things to see,” he said with a wink and I couldn’t help but giggle.
    “There are about five bedrooms up here and a huge bathroom my mother insisted my father build. I haven’t changed much except for the plumbing and fixtures. If mother didn’t have her bubble baths she swore she would go insane. My parents were sickeningly in love and kind. My brother’s name was Barrett. He and I weren’t very close and when I left I’d heard he went to school somewhere in Europe. I hadn’t heard from him so I can assume he lived well.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that. I never had any siblings. Plenty of other less than impressive cousins, but I haven’t spoken to anyone since…” I stopped rambling as the pulses gripped me. I grasped the banister hard as I fought to control my breathing. My vision grew blurry and I sat down heavily putting my head between my knees. I was trying so hard to avoid just this type of outburst and he was witnessing firsthand.
    “Lia, what can I do? What do I need to do?” he was panicking but I couldn’t concentrate on him. I felt the sticky aura trembling around me.
    “Take me outside, please. Hurry!” was all I managed to say. In one swift motion he picked me up and raced to the dock. I gasped several times as he bent to scoop up water and sprinkle it lightly on my face. The pulsing slowed gradually, leaving a slight nauseous feeling behind. I wasn’t sure what caused the episode, but it was the most intense I’d felt in a while.
    “I told you I wasn’t a very good friend,” I said tightly. My throat felt like it was scrubbed with a brillo pad.
    “Nonsense. It takes more than that to make me think differently of you. But would you mind explaining what happened?” he sat down and handed me bottled water.
    “Thanks. To be