Curse of Thorns

Curse of Thorns Michelle Areaux Curse of Thorns is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Curse of Thorns: A NOVEL Copyright © 2023 by Michelle Areaux All rights reserved. The uploading, scanning, and distribution of this book in any form or by any means—including but not limited to electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the permission of the copyright holder is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized editions of this work, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. Contents 1. Prologue: 2. Chapter 1 3. Chapter 2 4. Chapter 3 5. Chapter 4 6. Chapter 5 7. Chapter 6 8. Chapter 7 9. Chapter 8 10. Chapter 9 11. Chapter 10 12. Chapter 11 13. Chapter 12 14. Chapter 13 15. Chapter 14 16. Chapter 15 17. Chapter 16 18. Chapter 17 19. Chapter 18 20. Chapter 19 21. Chapter 20 Also By Prologue: A guttural roar so loud it shook me down to my bones, reverberating through the terrifying forest.The menacing sound was deep and caused my heart to race like a racehorse. As I ran, my feet loudly pounding the soil beneath me, I felt like I was running through quicksand.Splashes of water drenched my legs, as I realized I was in a swamp. A huge, dark shape closed in on me as I ran through the forest. I twisted around a low hanging branch; my clothes snagged on the rough bark. The night was black, but even so, I could make out the clearing that marked one end of the woods. How I had ended up inside of here, I have no idea, but I had to escape. I had to survive. Another growl echoed around me, and suddenly, piercing yellow eyes glowed near a body of water. The trees stretched out before me and then disappeared into another shadow. Something called to me-- beckoning me to go toward the creature with yellow eyes. I knew it was dangerous, but it was as though my body and mind were no longer in my control. It was as though I was under some ancient spell or compulsion. "Who are you?" I finally managed to cry out. My small voice blended into the vastness of the forest. Something moved behind me, causing me to turn so swiftly on my heel, that I lost my balance and almost fell onto the dew-soaked ground below. "Run," the creature before me roared out. Was the animal hunting or helping me? I had no idea, but I did know that I needed to get out of here. This place was going to destroy me. Scared, I was trapped inside a circle of towering cypress trees with shadows dancing around me. The shadow-beasts that lived in the lightless places inside of this forest were Chapter 1 I felt my heart plummet to the pits of my stomach as I neared the vast, southern estate that would now become my home. As the interstate rolled on, I couldn’t help but stare at the blur of asphalt. “Calm down,” Mom said, as she gripped the steering wheel. My knees were shaking as I sat beside her in our family vehicle. Chewing on my nails, I turned and gave her a half smirk. The SUV turned off the main highway and onto a small two lane road. We were moving further into the countryside and away from the main city of Charleson, South Carolina. “Easy for you to say,” I grumbled, as I continued staring out the window. There was a nervous, bitter edge to my voice that I didn’t bother to hide. I hated that I was being sent away– hated that this was a choice that I never got to make. As mom turned onto a small drive, a strange mist seemed to fill the air. Mom slowed the car as we neared a massive building that towered before us, seeming almost alive with a malicious energy. Thoughts of fear and regret raced through my mind; why had I agreed to stay here for the semester? Why had I agreed to give this place a chance? As we pulled up to the expansive southern estate, a wave of horror surged through me. The sky had grown ominously dark and the building exuded an aura of dread. Sinister spires on a large, iron fence soared toward the heavens. A heavy fog climbs from the ground and seems to overtake the car as we move past a large forest. My gaze focuses on the expansive trees and overbrush. Blood red roses and violet flowers dot the treeline of the forest, and I feel this strong compulsion come over me like a rogue wave. My