"She's the last descendant's tamer!"
"She's a demi-god, right?"
"She's Lelith's daughter, you idiot!"
"But why did she become a tamer if—"
"Shut up! She might hear you!"
"I'm sorry, alright?!"
I closed my eyes and let out a long, frustrated sigh.
I already heard everything, you pieces of shit!
With a sharp clatter, I slammed my spoon down onto the table and massaged my temples, irritation pulsing through me.
Why? Because, first of all, I was the main topic of conversation in this damn place, and second—never in my wildest dreams did I imagine Sheol had a canteen for cursed tamers like me. I mean… LIKE WHAT THE HELL?! Actual hell!
"Hey! Control your temper."
And then there was this nuisance—talking inside my head whenever I was out of my cell.
Yes, it was Yosuke. Again. Speaking to me through telepathy. Like all the time. For peace's sake!
I didn't know how they did it, but I really wished they would stop. It was getting annoying!
"Shut up, Yosuke!" I snapped, and I heard him burst into laughter alongside Chad and Greg.
"Wait until I get out of this place, you morons. I'm so gonna get you!" I growled, my tone sharp enough to shut them up immediately.
"It's Yosuke!" Chad whined in defense. "I'm not here!" he added, and finally, their voices faded away—except for Yosuke’s, of course.
"So, when are you coming out? Your brother Carter’s been taking good care of us, which is obviously not needed!"
I sighed. "I don’t know. Aiden isn’t around, and my brother Anthony is off fighting another war with his brothers. I have no idea what’s going to happen." I frowned, frustration tightening my lips.
"You still have to tame the last descendant, huh? Only then can you leave this place for good and find the sorcerer’s book before it’s too late."
"Yeah."
"Do you have any idea where it is?"
"Kinda… but I need more information."
"I wish we could help you, milady," came another voice—Kurama. "We’ll wait for your return, and we’ll find that book together."
A sudden presence made me look up.
"Are you talking to your tamed descendants?"
A girl—around my age—stood in front of me, smiling.
She placed her tray of food on the table across from me.
"Uh… yeah," I answered briefly.
"Hmm… is it okay if I join you?" she asked again.
I nodded.
She didn't say anything else, eating her food in peace. But what did bother me were the whispers growing louder and louder around us.
"Why are they here?!"
"Aiden is planning to kill us all, isn’t he?!"
I stopped fiddling with my food. My eyes flicked toward the girl across from me—only to find her already looking at me.
"You're a demigod too, aren't you?" I asked.
A smirk curled on her lips.
"Then you're Tabitha, I suppose?" she countered.
I stiffened. "Charlotte?"
"Got it right, sis," she grinned.
Of course. That explained the gossip.
Tamers feared Charlotte—rightfully so. She had been one of the most dreaded night deities before.
I groaned. "Would you mind explaining why you're here? And don’t tell me you’re also cursed."
Her grin widened.
"You guessed it right again."
"What the hell?!" I hissed.
"We’re in hell, c’mon!" she snorted, shoving a spoonful of food into her mouth.
She then tugged down her scarf, revealing a curse mark snaking around her neck—a chain, much like mine, though the links had yet to connect.
"Adonis put this curse on me," she muttered, her tone dark, "to stop me from killing these pests." Her sharp gaze swept over the gossiping crowd.
Then—
"WILL YOU SHUT UP?!"
The entire canteen fell silent in an instant.
Rolling her eyes, she turned back to me. "Once the chains connect, Father will come and lock me in the night for… forever," she explained. "And since Mother Lelith’s blood runs through my veins, I’ll probably die."
I frowned. "But you're a night goddess. How is that even possible?"
She shrugged. "I dunno. Maybe I'll survive for a couple of nights and then die eventually. So as much as possible, I cannot use my powers. If I do, these chains will connect."
My forehead creased.
"Does that go for me too?"
Her brows arched, and she glanced at my wrists.
"Oh! So that last descendant really did curse you, huh?" Her smirk returned. "And to make it worse, he tried claiming you." She giggled.
I shot her a glare.
"You're lucky, though. Mother sealed Zeke inside you before he could complete the curse. At least that’ll buy you enough time to find the sorcerer’s book and break the bond."
"But I don't have the exact lead on where the book is. And Aiden won’t let me leave this place."
Charlotte pursed her lips, deep in thought.
"Hmm..." She suddenly leaned closer. "Do you really want to leave this place?"
I instinctively tensed.
"And then get killed by the gods? No, thanks," I scoffed. "That wouldn’t give me any chance to save Mother."
She tilted her head. "So you’re just gonna sit here and wait for Aiden’s next move?" She leaned back, arms crossed. "Let me remind you—your mother is no longer a goddess. If you don’t act fast, she’ll die."
A sharp jolt of realization struck me.
I clenched my fists.
"Why?" I muttered. "Do you want to help me?"
Charlotte smirked.
"Why?" she echoed, pouting playfully. "It’s Yosuke’s will to help you. I’m just helping him—not you."
I blinked.
Then, I laughed.
"So Carter was right. You do have a crush on him."
Her cheeks flared red, and she immediately looked away.
"We just met, and you’re already judging me?! What kind of disrespect is this?!" she whined.
I laughed even harder.
"You should be helping me because I’m your sister," I teased, "not because you like Yosuke so much."
"Shut up, will you?!" She huffed and abruptly stood. "If you want my help, meet me at the Bridge of the Lost Souls at the setting of the fireball."
Without another word, she strode away—leaving her unfinished food behind.
I stared after her, dumbfounded.
What the hell did I just agree to?