Hearts Of The Boiling Isles Novels & Stories

ZOEY The acrid tang of smoke clawed at my throat, searing my lungs with every ragged breath. Flames danced before my eyes, licking at the tattered wallpaper and gnawing at the wooden beams above. Each crackle and hiss was a taunting whisper, echoing the inferno that had consumed my childhood.

Andy’ POV With every step I took, the pain in my heart grew. It was like a fire, burning and consuming me from the inside out. It made my chest ache and made it hard to breathe. The tears that had been pooling in my eyes began to spill over, running down my cheeks. I couldn't stop them; I couldn't even try. I was beyond caring, beyond feeling. I just wanted the pain to end; it seemed like I was swallowed up by the darkness that surrounded me.

A breath caught in my throat as I looked upon it. There, on my left chest, above my heart was a small rose dripping with blood with vines wrapped around it. I lifted my head up to seek my brother and he too was looking at his chest bearing the same mark as I have. Florence darted her head between my brother and I, a look of satisfaction crossed her face. "As proof of the curse, I gave you a mark which you have already seen. In order for the curse to break, you need to find true love. When that person says I love you, then the curse will be broken."