Free The Living Curse: Book One of The Living Curse series by J.D. Swinn Page A

Nameh was a person who drew her conclusions of people quickly, drawing on all of their subtleties.  Rarely did she immediately like a person, but this had happened now twice today, once with Max, and once with the werewolf.
                  “I am.” She responded.  “Or was, rather.” She corrected, referring to the fact that her identity had been found.  “Nameh”, she said, extending a hand toward him.  “What’s your name, werewolf?”  She tested him a second time, only to be sure.  She wasn’t one who particularly enjoyed games of the emotions, but was one who enjoyed finding more about who people really were without their realization.  Again, he flawlessly passed.
                  “Talar” he said without missing a beat, shaking her hand firmly.  Nameh returned the pressure with a tight grasp.  Handshakes had always been important to her; she rarely ever liked people with weak handshakes.  He silently acknowledged this in a glance.
                  “So, are you going to introduce yourself?” he questioned playfully to Mira.  She let out a small laugh before responding.
                  “Of course, I’m Mira.”  Throughout the character analysis of Talar, Nameh realized that she hadn’t been paying attention to the other two boys, who were still standing in the doorway.  They were conferring in hushed tones, and the Asian boy seemed to be frustrated with Max.  They had been waiting for his return, and he hadn’t come as soon as he would have liked.  Max noticed her looking at them, and led his friend over to the other three.  They stood at the foot of the beds, both wearing grim faces.  Max stared at the wall with narrow eyes for a moment before speaking.
                  “There’s been a change of plans.” he began, “We won’t be going to the Vine.” He finished with a sigh, anticipating the repercussions of his words.  “It seems as though there’s been another raid, and all of the Markbearers in training have been killed.” He said with some difficulty.  By the look on his face, Nameh suspected that he had some friends there, although he hadn’t been extremely attached.
                  “They’re all dead?” Mira questioned.
                  “Well, not technically all of them.” Talar responded, indicating himself and the other boy.  “Wyd knew they were coming, and so we got the hell out.” He said with a laugh.  “We tried to warn them, but they wouldn’t hear it.  They are protected by some pretty heavy magic, but not magic that the Guild hasn’t seen before.” He said, now taking on a more solemn tone.
                  “So it was the Guild…” Mira mused.  Nameh thought, immediately, of Daniel.  Had he been there?  As much as she wanted to believe that he would never kill innocent, untrained Markbearer children, she couldn’t.  She had to believe that she didn’t know him anymore, that there wasn’t a chance that he would join the right side and swear off dark magic forever.  It was a part of him now; she knew that, she just had trouble accepting it.
                  “But there are other training Academies all over the world, right?  Just like the Guardians have?” Nameh questioned.
                  “There isn’t time,” said the Asian boy softly.  He seemed uncomfortable and shy.
                  “Wyd, there’s got to be time!” shouted Max, not upset with the boy, but with the prospect he proposed.
                  “Look, Max, all I know is that the Guild is already closer than we are to finding the amulet.  You told them about it, right?” he questioned.
                  “Yeah.” He replied absently.
                  “I brought this.” He said weakly, pulling a large, leather bound book from inside his thick jacket.  The jacket was made a white material that