“Down the hallway. It’s the tree-looking doors with the leaf handle,” Grim replied.
“Go ahead,” War gestured, nodding down the hall.
I walked away, still eating like I hadn’t seen food in years. “Tell your girl I want to teach her how to read my spell book!” Crash Out called after me.
“She’s too old for you, fool,” Grim snorted.
I reached the double doors, balancing the bowl of chicken and greens. I pulled open the latch and stepped into a room that looked like a treehouse brought to life—sunlight spilled through leafy windows, books lined the walls, and a ladder led up to a cozy loft bedroom. Jinx and Blair sat on the floor by a small pool, feasting on seafood, veggies, and red meat.
“Eboenia!” Jinx called, her face lighting up. She rushed over, hugging me tight. Blair joined in, wrapping her arms around me too.
“I see you two are relaxed,” I said, soaking up their warmth.
“Yeah, I had to slap the asshole a few times. He told me I look like Lil’ Bill. Who in the hell is that?” Jinx asked, making me snort.
“I don’t know, but Grim is an ass wipe. He’s all mouth, so ignore him,” I said, shaking my head.
“This is your new home, huh?” Blair asked, pulling away.
“I’m wherever War is, Blair,” I answered.
She threw her arms up in frustration and flopped back down on the rug. Jinx rubbed the back of her neck, nerves flickering in her eyes. “I don’t know about this, Eboenia. They got these things around our necks like we’re pets. They aren’t any better than Hoax. We need to figure out a way to break your curse. War has you brainwashed,” Jinx said.
“She doesn’t care, obviously. This is how she wants to live,” Blair muttered, ripping the head off a shrimp. I joined her on the rug, set my bowl down, and peeled off the heavy dress, letting it fall in a heap beside me.
“I don’t know what y’all want me to do. My life has changed,” I told them.
Jinx sat next to me, crossing her legs. “Because that wicked wizard changed it for his own personal reasons. Don’t you want to be more than a pawn?” she pressed.
“I am more than a pawn, Jinx. War and I connect on a level only we understand. It was rocky at first, but he saved me from becoming Sin’s wife and Hoax’s daughter-in-law,” I replied.
Blair reached over, squeezing my leg. “We’re just worried this is another Hoax, but with dark magic. He’s taking advantage of you, and now we’re caught up in it too,” Blair said.
“They saved you from death. You too, Jinx. They’ll let y’all leave if you want. They don’t have a reason to keep you,” I replied.
“It’s so fucking hard to be in a realm that belongs to them when they’ve been killing our family. We don’t have anyone but ourselves because they want us extinct,” Blair said, her voice trembling.
“I feel safe here,” I whispered.
Blair let out a deep sigh. “Whatever you want to do is on you. It’s obvious he’s gotten to you in a way we’ll never understand, nor want to. War is dangerous… Hex13 are dangerous, period,” Blair replied.
“This is my destiny. I’ll always love both of you, even if you hate what I become. I’m not living in a cocoon anymore,” I said.
Blair and Jinx stared at me like I’d lost my mind. Jinx picked up her glass of water, taking a slow sip. Blair went back to eating,her bites small and hesitant, like she needed time to process everything.
“I mean, Grim is handsome if you want me to join the dark side with you,” Jinx said, trying to lighten the mood.
“You two are hot in y’all’s asses,” Blair replied, finally cracking a smile.
“I saw his print when he came in with our food,” Jinx laughed.
“I knew you were going to fall for his rude mouth,” Blair shot back.
“I wouldn’t mind getting drunk and fucking him, just so I have a reason to forget about it in the morning,” Jinx admitted, grinning.
“Can we at least pray to our ancestors and ask them to watch over Lune?” Blair asked, her voice softening.
“You two can do as you please with that one. I wish her well, but I’m not praying for her,” I said, voice flat.
