Page 33 of The Cursed Chalice

“I promise I will get you out, Talia.” I kiss the rim of the cup and set it back onto my desk.

Then I hear something that I haven’t heard in this house for centuries: laughter.

As if the sound beckons me, I open the door, and slowly, I follow the laughter into the large kitchen. My heart tugs as Hecate shares the pizza. Nisa and Soraya sit on the many barstools around the island.

“I don’t think it’s fair to insult him like that,” Soraya says as she bites into the pizza.

Hecate places her hand on her hip. “I didn’t insult him by calling him ugly. I was describing him.”

Soraya chuckles behind her hands. I stand in the shadows, observing her small, delicate movements. The way she folds her pizza to bite it, or how her legs swing in happiness.

“Okay, if he’s not ugly, what is he?” Hecate asks. I can hear the trap in Hecate’s question.

Nisa picks the pineapple off her pizza and nibbles on it. “I call him Mr. Monster.”

Soraya frowns. “Is he a monster? He bought you pizza and volunteered to be your new guardian.”

Hecate scoffs. “Volunteered…right.”

Soraya sighs. “Neither of you would feel this comfortable speaking ill of him if he were a bad guy.”

Nisa looks at Soraya. “What is he then?”

“I think he is a Roman Hemsworth with anger issues,” Soraya states.

“What the hell is a Hemsworth, Aric?”

I shrug, but I make a mental note to check my phone later.

“If you want pizza, stop hiding in the shadows and come out!” Hecate shouts.

Shit, I was busted.

“I wasn’t hiding. I just walked in, coming for a slice of pizza,” I grumble, walking into the kitchen. I grab a paper plate and place three slices of meat pizza on it.

“We should leave, Aric.”

I agree until Soraya casually pulls out the stool next to her. Was she inviting me to sit?

“Leave now!”

I grunt and drop down onto the counter. Nisa, Hecate, and Soraya continue their conversation like I’m not there.

“What’s the doll called?” Soraya asks as she reaches for another slice of pizza.

“Excuse me.” Soraya reaches across my plate, and everything feels like it’s slowed down. I close my eyes, inhaling her natural, milky-sweet scent.

When I reopen them, Hecate’s brow is lifted, and her gaze is on mine. I ignore her and bite into the pizza. It tastes like dried paper.

“I’m too old for dolls, but it’s called a Labubu,” Nisa exclaimed.

Note to self: check out what a La-whatever-that-is for Nisa.

“Maybe Ares can take you both tomorrow, and you can buy one,” Hecate states just as I start eating the pizza.

“No, I’m too busy.” I stand and leave.

“Ares,” Hecate calls out. “All will be well.”