Page 45 of The Cursed Chalice

“Mr. A? That’s new. Why not ‘Mr. Monster’?” Ares cuts into his meat.

“Because you don’t look like a monster to me anymore.” Nisa smiles widely.

Hecate leans toward Nisa and shoves her shoulder lightly. “You’re alright, kid. You’re alright.”

The night continues, and we all relax. I enjoy hearing stories of Ares from Hecate and the fun times they had as kids. Apparently, she was like an old family friend. I thought it was great that they remained friends to this day.

Hecate claps her hands together. “I almost forgot. I have gifts for you two.”

“Yay!” Nisa dances in her chair.

“No, Hecate, please, you gave me so much already.” I put my hand out, trying to stop her.

Hecate takes out a black shopping bag and places two square boxes on the table. She passes one to Nisa and the other to me.

“It’s so pretty,” Nisa says. “Thank you, Aunty Hecate.” She leans to the side of the chair and hugs Hecate.

Deimos’s eyebrows raise at Hecate, and he mouths, “Aunty?”

Hecate mouths, “Fuck you,” to Deimos.

I open the box, and a thin, small gold bracelet sits on black velvet. It holds a symbol that looks like a maze.

My fingers brush the small gold links. “I love it; thank you.”

Hecate leans forward. “Put it on. And try not to take it off. It’s for you to remember me always.”

“It’s a charm?” I ask.

Hecate nods. “Yes, it is.”

I begin to put the bracelet on, but I can’t reach the hook.

“Let me,” Ares says.

“Oh, thank you.” I stretch my wrist out to him, and with nimble fingers, he locks the clasps together.

“It’s absolutely beautiful,” Ares mutters.

His thumb rubs one slow circle on my wrist, and blood rushes through my body; my goosebumps rise.

Slowly, I pull my arm away. “Thank you.”

The table becomes quiet, and everyone is looking at us. I swallow and give a tight smile.

“Ugh, you are so dramatic, Ares.” Hecate throws herself back on the chair.

Deimos reaches across for Hecate’s wrist. “It’s absolutely beautiful.”

Hecate fans herself and pretends to blush. “Thank you.”

I burst out laughing. “I don’t sound like that.”

The rest of the night was filled with joy and merriment. Ares picks up a sleeping Nisa, and we both carry her to her bedroom.

I push open the door and remove the Labubus from the bed.

“Place her here.” I pull the sheet back and watch as Ares gently rests her on the bed. I cover her up. We both exit and close the door behind us.