Page 85 of Castle of the Cursed
After skimming a handful of these, I see that Beatríz is right—both twins are needed to produce magic. So how did Teo pull it off on his own the other night?
I open a new journal and read the names scribbled on the inside cover: Matilda y Josefina. As I flip through it, I see there’s only one page of writing, and the rest of the book is blank.
I read the entry:
The bad luck began when I was sixteen.
Small explosions around the castle, like energy bursts. One killed Grandfather. When the police and reporters started coming, more people began to disappear. Ironically, the vanishings only drew more crowds.
Dad had always been withdrawn. He and his twin brother had a mournful air about them.
Only now, he became strangely talkative. It was a nervous chatter, the roundabout kind that usually circles back toward a shameful admission. That’s how I learned about Josefina.
My twin.
My dad and his brother sent her to the other castle when she was four. They were convinced her spirit had returned and was now haunting us for failing to bring her home.
It wasn’t long before Dad killed himself.
I write this as a warning: Keep away from these books. Do not send anyone to the other castle. Let the curse sleep.
I’m so distracted by the journals that I’m late to meet Bea.
Not good. No doubt she’s going to fear the worst. I dart downstairs to head out—
BANG BANG BANG.
The gargoyle knockers echo around me in the entrance chamber, and I bring my hands to my ears to muffle the noise.
BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. My pulse chimes in with its own beat.
My aunt wouldn’t knock. Maybe if I don’t make any noise, they’ll think no one’s home.
I hear a faint ringing in the distance. Either Beatríz is dialing the phone in her room, or the ringing is from permanent damage to my eardrums from my proximity to the knockers.
“Estela?”
I gasp. “Felipe?”
“Estela!” he cries, voice choked with emotion. “Open the door!”
He sounds terrified, but I don’t reach for the handle. “Why?” I call through the thick wood. “What happened? Where did you go?”
“Your uncle took me! I escaped, but he’s still after me—my parents will never believe me, they idolize your family! No one will understand but you. Let me in!”
My fingers tremble, and I tuck my hands under my elbows. I don’t know what Felipe is capable of anymore, so I have no idea if he’s telling the truth. “I-I’m not allowed,” I call back. “My aunt returned. She says it’s dangerous to let people into the castle—look at what happened to you last time!”
“Are you serious? I know you’re mad at me, but he’s going to kill me!”
“He’s not,” I say, mouth dry because I don’t know what’s true anymore. “He doesn’t need anything from you.” I can’t tell if I’m trying to convince Felipe or myself.
“Then why did I just break out of the abandoned shack where he’s been keeping me?”
What would Teo want with Felipe? “Just—go home!” I shout. “Or go to the clínica, and Bea can look at you, okay?”
“I can’t go to town, or he’ll find me! He’s probably tracking me right now, and if you don’t let me in, he’s going to kill me, and it’ll be your fault!”
I feel the tears forming in my eyes. “You’re right. I’m cursed, Felipe. Stay away from me.”
