I couldn't sleep all through the night. It was caused by so many things and that one, too. The nearness of Blackmoon. The way he stared down at me like he'd realized something… admiring.
But then, those voices in my head were right. It would do me a thousand kinds of good if I informed my mom on time.
I changed my position on the bed, only for my eyes to fall on my cellphone. I had opened it up and placed it on the desk for drying. The rain last night had drenched it, and it wouldn't turn on again after I used it to search for the Forbidden Six online.
I let out a shaky sigh, wondering how today would turn out. At breakfast, I must tell Mom what's at stake. That Dafwem is the god of chaos and we have to run for our lives.
I made to turn again when the sound of the main door opening reached my ears. Curiosity pulled me to the window, and I peered out just in time to see my mom heading towards a waiting car.
What? Where is she headed?
"Mommy!" I called out, and she paused, lifting her gaze to me. Then she smiled, bright, so bright it made my heart ache. She looked fulfilled and beautiful this morning.
For a moment, I stood frozen, my heart racing. I shouldn't do it. I…
Oh, fuck it!
I bolted out of my room and raced toward the stairs, only to bump into one of the sextuplets. The impact threw me back slightly, making me stumble in shock.
My goodness. Who is it?
"I… I'm sorry, I didn't…" I was apologizing, until I looked up and saw him.
Lucifer.
My heart stopped, and I took a hurried step back. He stared at me in complete silence. Not a word. Not a blink. Just stared.
Then, without saying anything, he turned and walked away, disappearing down a hallway.
After he was gone, I rubbed my arm to drive the chill away.
Why does he have to be so terrifying?
I turned toward the stairs again, but at that moment, I heard the car driving off. She's leaving already?
I ran down the stairs and burst out of the house just in time to see her head stick out from the car window.
"See you soon, Goddess," she said, waving.
I stared at her… at the car… until it disappeared from view.
See me soon? Where is she going?
"She's heading toward the altar," Dafwem's voice came from behind me, making my skin crawl. "As the bride, they must prepare her for the necessary rituals."
I turned slowly to face him, and in that moment, I realized something. Blackmoon was right.
Dafwem isn't… human. He's something much more. His gaze was steady on me, and I felt weird under it. Uneasy until he smiled.
"Come on. Let's have breakfast."
***
"Have you fixed the honeymoon location, Butler?"
"Very well, my lord. You'll spend a week with your bride. After that, a car will arrive to bring you back home."
"Good. That's good," Dafwem said, leaning back in his chair as his gaze swept across the table. "And where is Flame?"
No sooner had he asked than Flame appeared from the doorway. He walked to the table and hesitated beside Ocean's seat before finally lowering himself onto it with a soft sigh.
Flame looked different this morning. Paler. His lips were dry. Almost cracked.
I watched silently as he reached for a glass of water and emptied it. Dafwem didn't say a word. He just turned to Blackmoon, asking for an explanation without speaking.
"He's been like that since yesterday. We'll find a cure," Blackmoon replied quietly.
"I'm not sick," Flame gritted out, and Dafwem nodded, but his gaze lingered.
I had expected breakfast to be tenser than dinner last night. But no. It felt… lighter. No one spoke to me, but I could tell the hatred wasn't as thick. Or maybe they were just lying in wait.
I barely touched my plate. As much as I tried to blend in, I still felt like I didn't belong. These people were not human. But wait… the butler was.
"Goddess?" Dafwem's voice cut through the silence, and I looked up quickly.
"Yes?"
"As you know, the sextuplets work at SRT. Sinaway Rescue Team. Each controls a department. And since you'll be a godlike after the marriage today, I don't want you to be idle. Your mom said you've graduated college?"
I stared at him for what felt like forever, too stunned to process anything he was saying.
"Y… yeah. I graduated yesterday."
"Then you should join SRT. Not as an employee, but as one of the CEOs."
"Dad, what are you talking about?" Flame's voice pierced through the room. I lowered my gaze immediately. "Her? Working at SRT? She'll have a share too? She's human. Pathetic. She has nothing to offer your company. Take my advice and save it from going bankrupt."
"Keep your rotten advice to yourself, Flame, and do not interrupt my conversation with my daughter," Dafwem snapped back, defending me in a way that made something inside me twist.
A father figure, powerful enough to silence even Flame, was offering me an opportunity on a golden platter. He turned back to me.
"Tell me, Goddess. What can you offer SRT if you were to be employed?"
I swallowed hard, heart thudding. I didn't need to think. I already knew.
"I don't have special abilities, but… I can talk people out of harming themselves."
"You've done that before?" Dafwem looked genuinely interested, and his curiosity gave me confidence.
"Yes. In my neighborhood. Mrs. Kray wanted to end her life after her husband left her for a younger woman. But I talked her out of it. Now she's living well."
Silence fell and I sat frozen in it, waiting, heart racing again.
Then Dafwem grinned.
"Then you're employed. No. You will be given a share. Blackmoon will arrange the necessary documents and…"
Clang.
Lucifer suddenly dropped his spoon noisily.
"Excuse me." He stood and left the dining room, visibly upset.
My heart clenched at his reaction, but Dafwem continued like nothing had happened.
"You'll have your own department in SRT."
"What about the FS?" Blackmoon finally spoke, his voice low as he chewed. "The Forbidden Six's fan base is toxic, Father. You know how they react when any girl is seen near us."
"The FS will understand that Goddess isn't any girl," Dafwem said calmly. "She'll be your sister. Your stepsister."