Page 37 of The Cursed Chalice

We both stand, looking into each other’s eyes. I am happy this desk is between us. What the hell is happening?

“Good night, Ares,” she says.

Ares sits up.“Embrace me.”

I didn’t bother fighting it. My spine stings, and the corner of my damaged eye burns.

I rotate my shoulder and watch her as she leaves the office.

“Sleep well, Soraya,” I state.

“You too.” She opens the door and closes it behind her.

“Aric, what the hell have we gotten ourselves into?” I exclaim.

Yesterday was really an adventure. I went from looking for a job in a diner to waking up in a mansion.

I woke up cocooned in the softest white sheets, with layers of pillows hugging me at my side. The air was cool and scented by fresh flowers. The Ritz didn’t come close to the luxury that saturated the room. Everything was plush or silk. From the large arched windows to the small cream sitting area, this room was created with a woman in mind.

I feel a twinge of envy. If Ares’s girlfriend lived here before, well, she had a great life.

After a shower and a small breakfast, I dress quickly and meet Nisa by the car.

The mission today was to take Nisa to the mall and then back here. I am nervous because I know people will be on the lookout for my face. But I also know that if I look suspicious, then people will look at me. I pull the baseball cap lower as I park the car in the mall’s parking lot.

“What are we getting?” Nisa asks as she unbuckles her seatbelt.

“Clothing for you and me,” I reply, locking the car door behind us.

Nisa nods. She looks so cute this morning. She has on a little dark green T-shirt with ruching at the side and a pair of camouflage sweatpants and sneakers.

“Can I hold your hand?” I ask.

Nisa looks at me for a second, then extends her palm to mine.

I hold on to her little palm tightly. “I have to get you ready for school.”

Nisa looks confused. “Am I going back to my old school?”

“Um, I will discuss it with Aric when I get back. But right now, let’s go shopping.”

The doors slide open, and immediately I am hit with the scent of sweet waffle cones and new fabric. There is a fountain in the middle of the mall entry. People are bustling in and out of stores. I see a group of teens laughing at something, with their purchases in their bags and boba tea in their hands.

I nod to the security officer as we enter. “Okay, Nisa? Where to first?”

“I want to go to Sephora, then Sugah Bae, then the Labubu store…just to see them, of course.” Nisa’s eyes follow the group of teenagers laughing.

“Of course. But let’s start with a clothing store, and we can make our way up,” I suggest.

“Can we get boba after, please?” Nisa asks as she leans into me.

“You can have whatever you like.”

Nisa’s eyes fill with water. “Really?”

I pause because Hecate didn’t tell me the extent of Nisa’s past, but I know pain when I see it.

“Yes, really.”