Page 40 of The Cursed Chalice

I have to have a plan. I can’t just be a babysitter for the rest of my life. I need to take legal action against my aunt and uncle and then Elias.

Or else I would be running forever.

For the first time today, I don’t feel like someone is watching me.

I could have sworn I saw Ares at the mall. But I was wrong. It’s weird; I just met him, but I feel like I want to be in his presence. It’s calming and chaotic all at once.

I thought he was going to throw me out, but he kept me.

The chalice…did…did it bring me to him? It’s a family heirloom after all. Should I tell him about me seeing the chalice days before? No, I should just let it be. I turn, and the gates open.

I drive down to the front of the house.

“Hey, Nisa. Honey, wake up.” I unbuckle my seatbelt. Nisa stretches and blinks. I exit the car and open the trunk and begin taking the bags out.

The huge front door opens, and two gorgeous men walk out. One is blond with short cropped hair, a plain grey polo, and khaki pants. He is so neat and clean. It almost feels unnatural. The other has black hair, long in the front and short at the back. He is wearing an emerald-green silk shirt with gold necklaces around his neck, a blue and green kilt, and black combat boots. They walk down the stairs talking.

“Maybe I am the problem. Never mind, that is not true.” The dark-haired one laughs while the other’s face remains unmoved.

“Hey. It’s Soraya and Nisa, right?” The dark-haired one says. His smile is easy. “I am Deimos, and that is my twin brother, Phobos. We are Aric’s sons.”

“Sons?” I ask, more shocked than confused.

“Yup, that’s our dad,” the dark hair one replies.

They barely look older than me, yet they’re calling Aric, Dad? My stomach twists. Something isn’t right here. Wait…. Maybe he adopted them when he was young. That would make sense.

“Aww, the old man hasn’t told you we exist. But we do,” Deimos says.

Nisa steps closer to me, and I hold her hand.

“Hello, little one.” Phobos stoops and extends his hand out to her. “I am Phobos.”

Nisa looks at his hand and shakes it. “I’m Nisa.”

“We’re here to help you with your bags. Please, go inside,” Deimos says. Phobos stands and goes to the trunk, taking out the bags with his brother. Their movements are so synchronized.

“Please, go inside. All shall be delivered at your doors,” Phobos says.

I nod and walk in. Nisa looks back, and Phobos gives her a little wave.

We enter the house, and as I am about to go to Aric’s office, Nisa takes off to her room.

I walk past a couple of rooms, then I finally reach Ares’s door. I knock and wait for him to tell me to enter.

“Come in.”

I open the door slowly and poke my head in. “Hi.”

He has his head bent over a stack of papers; the light from the laptop highlights his hair and face.

“I could have sworn I said come in.” He grunts.

I step into the room and close the door behind me.

“I just came to say we’re back. And ask about Nisa and schooling?” I place my hands behind my back, my fingers digging into each other.

He looks up; his blue eye meets mine. The other is covered by a black leather eyepatch. “I wouldn’t bite unless you ask me to. Please, come closer.”