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Gluttony himself took a seat in a massive leather chair across from me, looking oddly at home despite the chaos we'd just left behind.

"The child is asleep," Pride announced, settling into an armchair with his perfectly proportioned drink. "Fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow."

"Poor thing was exhausted," Gluttony agreed, swirling the dark liquid in his glass. "Though not as exhausted as our resident witch seems to be."

Six pairs of eyes turned toward me. I took a larger sip than intended, the liquor burning a path down my throat.

“The magick is...incredible,” I began. “But confusing. Mother said I needed to...you know...in order to get it.”

Lust blinked at me. “I don’t know.”

"The virgin thing,” I grit out, my face burning.

Pride choked on his drink, coughing as Lust patted my back with a little too much enjoyment.

“It’s a sin thing. More powerful than your witch stuff, which is powerful on its own. But are you saying you feel…unfulfilled?” Lust asked.

His smirk sent my stomach fluttering with butterflies.

"She’s blushing,” Greed chuckled.

Sloth lifted his head slightly, interested.

"Well," Lust said, settling back in his seat with a satisfied smirk, "I'd be more than happy to help you…resolve some of your…energy. We all would." His eyes sparkled with mischief as the other Sins tensed. "In the name of settling our power and further our connection, of course.”

Pride's glass made a sharp sound as he set it down with more force than necessary.

"Back off, Lust," he warned, his voice carrying an edge I hadn't heard before.

"Must you always be so crude?" Envy's expression darkened.

"She's not some plaything," Sloth added, his eyes narrowing.

"Children, behave," Gluttony said, not even looking in their direction. The reprimand carried weight nonetheless, though his subtle side-eye at Lust spoke volumes.

But Lust merely grinned wider, clearly enjoying the territorial reactions he'd provoked. "Relax, brothers. I'm simply pointing out that the fated mate bonds we're all feeling are getting stronger. And when our dear Wrath is ready to fully embrace what's between us..."

The admission hung in the air. Fated mate bonds. With all of them.

I felt my face burn even hotter.

"That won't be necessary," Pride said, his voice tight with barely controlled jealousy.

"I'd be happy to discuss it," I said quietly, surprising myself. The pull I felt toward each of them was undeniable, and Lust's mention of their growing connection resonated with something deep inside me.

The room went very still.

"I'd be happy to help you solve this particular problem," Lust offered, leaning closer. His fingers trailed lightly over mine, a reminder of our previous encounters that had skirted but never crossed that final line.

"That won't be necessary," Pride said again, a muscle ticking in his jaw.

"You're Wrath," Gluttony said simply, his ancient eyes fixed on mine with something approaching reverence. "The Sin of Wrath incarnate."

The room went silent. I stared at him, my heart pounding. Something inside me had been waiting for this confirmation, but hearing it still sent shockwaves through my system.

"I had wondered," Pride added, looking infuriatingly smug. "There were signs. That’s why I was drawn to you in the Underworld. That’s why I re-animated you."

"You knew?" Envy accused, glaring at Pride.