Page 64 of The Cursed Chalice

Ares sits with his legs spread in front of him, and his arms resting on the armrests. His fingers tap on his chair.

“Thank you for saving us.”

His eyes shift to me. “I am the one who should apologize. I should have kept you safer.”

“No. You saved us just in time. I should call the police.” Slowly, I begin to come off the bed. Ares leaps for me as I stagger.

“I think you should lie down,” Ares says as he pulls me to his side.

“No, we must stop Elias, and my cousin is working with him.” I can feel the panic rising. “Call the police now.”

They don’t understand the feeling of despair. My throat feels like it’s tightening. “Ares, please.”

Hecate pokes her head back into the room. “We are about to have company.”

“Who?”

“The police,” Hecate replies.

Why were they coming here? “Ares?”

He shakes his head as if he instantly understands. “I have no idea. Excuse me.”

Ares walks to the door and looks back at me. “Stay here.” Then, he was gone.

ARIC

To deal with the police, Ares graciously allowed me to come forth. I fix my clothes.

“You really need to work on not having blood remain on your hands,” I speak out loud to Ares. I close my fists, allowing flames to engulf them. The blood burns away, and tiny particles float through the air.

“Hey, Firestarter, you’ll want to put those out; the police are climbing your stairs,” Hecate says as she walks to the huge door.

“How did they get past the wards?” I ask, while shaking my fists, and the flames are gone.

“I don’t know.” Hecate replies.

Hecate looks back at me with a serious face, then pulls at the handle, opening the door with a smile.

“Officers, we were about to call you.”

The two men stand still, watching Hecate in awe. Rightfully so, she is a beautiful woman wearing a short black leather corset dress and heels.

The taller, darker officer clears his throat and takes his hat off. “Good evening, ma’am. We are here to see a Miss Soraya Maude.”

“Yes, please come in. This is my cousin, Aric Kallistratos.” Hecate shows the officers in.

I walk forward, and both police officers step back. I smirk and extend my hand. “Officers, welcome to my home.”

The tall officer throws his shoulders back, acting like he owns the room. His eyes move up to my scarred face and then down to my hand. He stares down at it in disgust and grips the brim of his hat.

“We are here to see a Miss Soraya Maude.”

Hecate laughs and raises her eyebrow at me.

“Follow me, officers,” Hecate calls out.

Both men look at Hecate and then back at me. I can see the fear rolling off their bodies. They walk behind Hecate, their heads moving left to right, trying to take in all the sights that the house has to offer.