[Perseus POV]
I sat in Wednesday and Enid's room, sketching on their walls at their request.
As I drew, I thought about what Wednesday had asked me to do… and about Rowan. I could bet on how his night would end... badly. So I'd already sent one of my entities to dig into his background.
The report came back simple: Rowan was the last of his bloodline.
That should be something to celebrate. Yet in outcast society there's a rule: no one is allowed to exterminate an entire family lineage without cause. It's a way to keep our lineage from thinning, to protect the weak. Killing in self-defense is one thing. Torturing someone to death? That's another. If… when Wednesday finishes him, she'll be breaking that rule.
Still, it's not a problem for us. With my group growing, and with both the Addams and the Frumps backing us, no one will touch us.
As for who are the Frumps? Morticia's side of the family. She was once their heir, before marrying into the Addams. Now that her sister has "mysteriously disappeared," a pact was made: the next Frump heir must be one of Morticia's children. If they refuse, it falls to one of mine, with Wednesday. Honestly, I hope Pugsley refuses. Giving my children claim to both ancient houses? An absolute win.
As for Rowan's home… my entities already raided his home, blocked what needed to be blocked, and bought off the right people. Nothing left to tie us back.
The door opened. Wednesday stepped in, Enid trailing behind her. She looked like they'd been through a storm.
"Hello, girls. How was your night out?"
"Good," Wednesday answered.
Enid drifted toward me, silent, lost. She climbed onto my lap the way a frightened cat curls against warmth, hugging herself small. I wrapped my arms around her.
Wednesday's voice cut the quiet: "You found a good pet. She helped me kill someone."
I stroked Enid's back, grounding her. "It was her first time. But why take her along? To test her?"
Wednesday tilted her head at me. "She knows hidden places. She helped me move and bury the corpse. And if anyone finds out, I can make sure she takes the blame."
I sighed, lifted Enid into my arms, and stood to head toward the bed.
Wednesday moved her own bed, shoving it into the center and I understood.
Sometimes when I spend the night here they do this, so they don't clash with each other.
I dragged Enid's bed to meet it. Together they became one.
I lay down, Enid still clinging to me on my left. Wednesday slid onto my right, close enough that I felt her presence coil around me.
She leaned in, lips brushing my ear.
"Rowan wanted to kill me because of a prophecy his mother left behind… but I've read my ancestor's book. The vision is of me and Crackstone. Which means there's a mastermind hiding somewhere, desperate to resurrect him. Or perhaps…" her lips curved into the ghost of a smile, "…perhaps one day I'll do it myself. Out of boredom."
[Wednesday POV]
Perseus slid an arm around me, pulling me closer. "A mastermind. But if you ever decide to raise him yourself, I'll help you prepare the ritual."
If he knew how often my thoughts orbit him, he would mock me with that insufferable calm. And yet, I let him hold me. I let him close. Because in the architecture of my future, every ruin I imagine, every prophecy I fear, I see him standing beside me.
I rested my head against his neck. My eyes closed, and for the first time that night, I let sleep take me.
Not because I felt safe, I never do, but because if death came for me in my dreams, at least I'd wake up in his arms to meet it.
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Author Note:
I've removed the harem tag... too many people asked me to drop it, haha.Also, enjoy the extra chapter!
Also, enjoy the extra chapter.