Page 49 of The Cursed Chalice

“It is for me,” I mutter. I look across at Soraya. She folds her arms and turns her head to the window to watch the passing streets.

SORAYA

What the hell just happened? We were arguing, and then my tongue was in his mouth, and unfortunately, I loved it. Who am I? Some days ago, I was running from my fiancé; now I was making out against a car like a teenager. I should’ve slapped him, screamed at him or something. But no, not me. I stood there in shock at a kiss I thoroughly enjoyed. His mouth tasted of smoke and mint. I hate the traitorous side of me that didn’t want to stop. The part of me that wanted more.

I close my eyes, inhaling his expensive musky scent that clings to my body. I rub my head. Deep down inside, I can’t put my finger on it, but…This is not safe. He may make me feel safe, but I know he is not. Despite knowing and feeling all of this, my body doesn’t seem to care. I need to remember my role in this. I am hiding out. I am not here to start a new relationship. I need an action plan for Elias and my aunt and uncle.

“Maybe I could ask Ares for help?”My conscience suggests.

From the corner of my eye, I look at him. Even when he is driving, he acts like he is in control, like power is rolling off him. But that’s the thing; it’s not an act, is it? That is who he is. Like his name, he is powerful, strong…intimidating.

“If you keep staring at me, I will pull over and finish what we started outside the car,” he murmurs as he rubs his finger against his bottom lip.

I look back, only to see Nisa sleeping. Her mouth is hanging open, and her head is resting on the car door.

“There is no need,” I reply.

“Hmm.”

The rest of the ride is silent. Once we get back to the house, Ares takes Nisa in his arms. Phobos comes out of the house and takes the bags.

“What are you doing here?” I hear Ares ask Phobos.

Phobos says something under his breath, and I hear Ares begin to speak a different language. Phobos nods as he listens. His face is taut.

“I will get it done,” Phobos replies.

He follows us into Nisa’s room. Ares gently places Nisa on the bed.

“Are you staying for lunch, Phobos?” I ask.

Phobos checks his watch. “It’s almost three. I have some work to do upstairs in my office. Then I am gone.”

I nod. I see Ares pass the bag of phones to Phobos, and they continue speaking in their foreign tongue.

Phobos jogs up the stairs, and then in a blink, he is gone.

“If you didn’t want me to hear what you were saying, you could have asked me to leave.”

Ares touches the jagged skin with the back of his fingers. “Have a good evening, Little Flame.”

With that, he turns and leaves me standing in front of Nisa’s bedroom. The nerve.

I go to the kitchen and open the fridge. I take out a roasted chicken, some peppers, and mayo. He is getting under my skin. I don’t want to feel this way about him. I don’t want to need him. I wash my hands and proceed to chop the chicken up.

Maybe I will stay here until Nisa’s school opens in a week and then leave. Go to the press. Tell them my story. Find a safe house. Find something.

It doesn’t take me long to make a chicken salad. I open the freezer and pull out some ready-to-bake croissants.

After adding some melted butter to them, I shove them into the oven.

ARES

“Are you smelling that, Ares?” Aric was pacing in the windowpane.

“Yes, I am.” I continued reading my email. “Elias Thorne is a known name on the dark web.”

I don’t hear a reply, so I look up. “What?”