Page 9 of The Cursed Chalice

My stomach roils in disgust.

I take my phone out and dial a number. “Hecate. I need you now at Bakersfield Wharf. Lot 72.” I don’t wait for her response and hang up the phone.

I feel the air shift around me. It smells of jasmine and rose. There is a tic-toking of a pair of heels.

“Hurry,” I shout.

“Which lot is it?” I hear Hecate shouting from outside.

“72. You are already late.”

“So is my fucking raise,” she says. She pauses when she steps into the open container.

Hecate’s teasing smile drops as she sees the girls. She walks slowly at the opening of the container. As is the norm, she is wearing her black-on-black ensemble. Her black silk shirt is tucked into her matte black jeans, paired with a shiny black stiletto.

“Ares, what’s going on?” She pushes her black bobbed hair behind her ears.

“I need your help.”

I left Hecate in charge of the girls. It took me a few seconds to get to my destination. Zeus took away my divinity, but most of my power stayed. Well, it’s more like fifty percent of it.

I stop in front of the oak door to gather myself. I can hear my men laughing. They sound like they are having a good time.

“Yes, after hurting a little girl, they are laughing. Hunt them down.”

I push the door open, and all the laughter stops.

Everyone stands. You can hear a pin drop.

“What the fuck is wrong with you guys?” I hear Cerano, the manager of my shipments. He walks out of the kitchen, wiping his hand on the side of his grey pants.

One of the other men gestures to Cerano. He looks around the room, and his eyes meet mine. I see a hint of fear, and then it’s quickly replaced. A false smile spreads across his face. “Mr. Kallistratos. To what do I owe this pleasure?”

“Pull his spine through his mouth!”I look across the room and can see my reflection pacing in the mirror leaning against the wall.

“The shipment from Lakeshore—did everything run smoothly?” I ask, pressing my hand to my scarred eye. It feels like it’s burning since Ares is straining to come out.

The fluorescent light hanging from the ceiling reflects on Cerano’s bald head.

“Yes, sir. It did.”

I close my eyes as I hear the subtle banging on the mirror pane.“Let me out! Why are we talking to ingrates?”

“Please, everyone, have a seat,” I say, looking at the men, wondering who else violated little Zara. Either way, after this is over, they will all be dead. Even if they weren’t involved, they will die. They are guilty by association.

“Would you like a beer, Mr. Kallistratos?”

I stare at the speaker in disgust. He bows his head and looks away. I walk to the window, watching the boats in the harbor float by.

“Let me tell you my favorite Greek story.”

My reflection sighs. He banged his fists on the windowpane. “By the Gods, Aric. Is it fucking story time? KILL THEM.” My muscle spasms as it fights Ares to stay in.

I can sense the unease in the men. I look back, seeing that some of them are reaching for their guns. “These peasants think they can kill me?”

“Have you ever heard of Ares, the God of War? Some think he is ruthless and bloodthirsty. But he was more than that.”

The men shift, forming a semicircle around me.