I turn. "Fine. Is there any food in here?" I yank open the fridge.
She groans.
"These people are sadistic," I mutter at the empty fridge and reach for the pantry.
"You won't find anything. Drink some water if you must," she orders.
"Not a huge fan of water unless I'm fighting," I admit, then jump up on the counter.
She keeps her darts aimed at me.
I put my hands in the air. "Well? Go on."
She scrubs her hand over her face and groans. "You're impossible."
"More like amazing. So do your thing. Teach me, oh wise one," I taunt.
She pulls out the barstool and sits. "The first thing you have to memorize is the Underworld Inscriptions."
"Inscriptions?"
"Yes."
I grunt. "And you don't call this a cult?"
Anger fills her expression. "Say it again and it'll be the end for both of us."
"So dramatic."
"Brax—"
"Fine. I won't call it a cult."
She stares at me, her chest rising and falling slowly.
I jump off the counter and take the stool next to her. "Underworld Inscriptions. You were saying?"
She turns. "Number one. Blood remembers. No oath is forgotten. No betrayal fades. The body pays for what the soul declares."
I glance at her crossed thighs. "I'm ok if you want your soul to declare to make my body pay."
She swats me. "Time to pay attention, Brax. Take this seriously."
I groan. "Fine."
"So repeat it," she orders.
I state, "Blood remembers. No oath is forgotten. No betrayal fades. The body pays for what the soul declares."
She asks, "And do you understand what that means?"
I run my index finger over her tattoo. "Sure do, little Minx."
She pushes it off her. "Then tell me."
I whine, "You're no fun."
"You said you'd take this seriously! This isn't a joke! You're going to get me killed!" she cries out, fear erupting on her expression for the first time.
