When Fate Unravels

by A. K. Koonce

  He pauses, considering my words, absorbing the desperation in my eyes.

  This is his moment and he knows it. He’s helped me more than anyone ever has, he’s saved my life, but he’s also lied to me, concealed things from me, something a friend would never do. Deep in the back of my mind I know I’m pressing him too hard. Declan isn’t familiar with people tolerating him, the idea of friendship is still foreign to him and I’m using that to my advantage but I can’t walk away from this request.

  “Fine. But follow my instructions, these things aren’t something to play with. Mortals are exceptions to the magic here. The mortals started the rebellion and only a mortal can safely grace this land. I can’t touch the cursed rock, I won’t be able to help you if you don’t listen to me.”

  Happiness explodes in my chest, a smile stretches across my face, tears almost spilling over my cheeks. My gratitude seems to make him uncomfortable and he looks away from me, his silver eyes searching the red mist around us. But before he turns to walk away—to lead the way to what could very well be our deaths—I fling my arms around him at the last minute. His strong shoulders tense under my touch and he doesn’t immediately reciprocate the gesture. But I can feel it, I can feel the moment his guard lowers. He wraps one arm carefully around me, his hand is feather light against my back. He leans his head against mine, seemingly letting go of some of the pain I know he carries with him.

  A slow breath feathers against my hair before he drops his hand from me and turns away. Shielding myself and everyone else from any sign of real feelings the hybrid might possess.

  Chapter Six

  Atticus

  The red mist isn’t as dense the farther into the valley we walk. I can now see the blue sky above, the sun burning through the curse to heat our backs as we heave ourselves through the steep inclines. We’ve trekked through the rocky trail for hours now. There’s no way we’re meeting Luca and Shane on time now. Will Declan tell them what held us up or will he lie for me? For us, really…

  Declan stops abruptly and leans against a rock wall, tilting his head up as if praying to a God that may not even acknowledge his kind.

  “Get the sword out, and don’t hesitate for an instant. Don’t show your fear, swallow it down, stomp it out, don’t let it come to life here. Because they’ll know, they’ll feed off of it like vultures. This is the only interaction with a human they might get for the rest of their lives. They’ll say whatever they can think of to claw into your mind or tear your defenses down long enough to kill you, which wouldn’t be long at all.” He speaks quickly and I try to catch each instruction he gives me. “One last thing,” my eyes are wide as if I can visually capture every word, “they’ll ask for your hand, and you’ll give it to them if you truly want what they can offer.”

  “My hand?” My fingers twitch at my sides, nerves settling in at my fingertips.

  With a nod, he looks away and I swallow, trying to ease the panic that just flooded my chest. I pull out the Crimson Sword in one swift motion. The feel of it heavy in my hand diminishes my fears. I follow behind Declan, matching his casual gait the best I can.

  Our steps are cautious but announcing as rock shifts beneath our every move. The air grows thicker with each step we take within the mountains. The mist and something else is clouding my lungs. Something pungent and repulsing fills the air and makes me choke back my shallow breaths.

  “Ah, the golden boy returns to us,” a taunting and raspy voice says.

  Declan stops just in front of a large pile of boulders blocking an opening within a towering mountain, bits of gray and white peak through the dusty blood red film that’s overlaying the rock.

  “Atticus, how are the peaks treating you these days?” Declan asks, his gun lowering at his side as if he feels at home here.

  “Better today,” the voice—Atticus says, coming from a small gap between the red rock. “It’s not every day someone brings us something so pretty to look at.” I remain impassive, just watching the dark shadows between the rocks, waiting for a glimpse of the vampire locked within. “What do you want, girl?”

  With cautious steps, I move closer, almost close enough to reach out and touch the shadows. My heart pounds in my chest but I try to keep my shallow breaths steady.

  “I’m looking for someone and I’ve come to you for guidance,” I say as respectfully as possible.

  “Hmmmm.” Fear begins to implode in my chest at the hesitant hum of his ancient voice. Not fear of Atticus, but fear that he might not help me at all. “Give me your hand, girl.”

  I hold the sword tightly in my fist, the beams of sun reflecting wildly off of the shining blade, as I extend my hand toward the shadowy opening. Heart-racing fear gives me the energy to flee but my feet remain immobile. I don’t look to Declan for guidance as I slip my left hand through the tight space.

  A cold skeletal like hand drifts over my skin and I suppress a shudder, my chest heaves up and down, fully taking in the decaying stench that clings to the air. Countless fingers trail over my hand, stroking my palm but only one voice dares to speak, or maybe the other two aren’t strong enough... I blink rapidly, trying my best not to pull away from their jagged nails that are raking softly over my skin.

  “The hybrid you seek has not sought us out, but I can see him.” Another careful and jagged nail rakes across my knuckles. “He’s close, within walking distance.” Cold leathery flesh touches the back of my hand and the vampire inhales my scent, his nose and dry lips scrape over my skin, making my heart want to leap out of my chest. “I can almost smell him on you, and if you breathed deep enough you could probably smell him within these mountains, as well.”

  Louder my heart pounds in my ears, fear starting to consume my mind, and I fight back the urge to inhale the deathlike air around me.

  “I wonder if you’d still be as pretty if I skinned you alive and wore your corpse out of here like a raincoat in the sweltering sunlight.”

  “That’s enough,” Declan growls, jerking my arm back so hard his nails sink into me. “Thank you for your valuable time, gentlemen.”

  Declan walks away without another word, the opposite way we came. But I stand watching, holding my hand to my chest, my flesh feeling alive where they’ve clawed at my skin. I stare wide-eyed into the dark hole. The sun shines down on me, and through the mist that hangs in the air, through the shadows of the darkness, the sun’s beautiful rays illuminate a single, haunting red eye staring right at me.

  * * *

  It’s late when Declan and I return. The night has grown heavy, the moon held high in the sky, surrounded by endless twinkling stars, but the community is alive with music and laughter. My steps don’t slow as I storm into the war tent. Raske gives me a warm smile that seems to melt his dark chocolate gaze. Kaino glances to me, ignoring my rage filled eyes as he finishes his discussion with his father.

  I’ve had hours to dwell on what Declan confessed to me and the longer we walked the more I wanted to rip this place apart, the place I’ve called my home for the past year. The leader I’ve looked to for guidance and honesty has lied to me every day for a year.

  “You want to use me to find peace between the mortals and the mystics?”

  The dozen or so warriors within the room stop to appreciate my outburst. Some of them just leave, choosing to walk away while they have the chance. Declan clears his throat behind me but my aggression won’t allow me to acknowledge him. My heart beats almost painfully as I wait for Raske to say something.

  Raske glances around the room at the few stragglers, nodding at them in silence. They trail from the room one by one until it’s just the four of us alone in the stifling tent.

  “I’m not using you, Fallon. None of us are using anyone. If you were to accept one of my men, accept my own son even, the gesture of a human loving a mystic would be enough to change the world. Do you understand that? With your help, we could change the world. All it takes is one person to lead as an example.” His gentle but deep voice fills the
room. “You aren’t like other mortals, Fallon. You see us as your equal. With the attention your friends and camp have put on your disappearance, others would take notice of your choices. It would be slow, but change can happen.”

  My lungs heave as I take in angry gulps of air. Slowly, I try to calm my shaking fists and twitching jaw as I stare at him.

  He’s right. I know he is. A mortal sharing a lifetime of happiness with a mystic could be the first steps to ending the segregation… It’s just faking a lifetime of happiness that’s the problem.

  If I were to accept any one of his men. I consider asking him if a hybrid like Declan would be acceptable in his plan—the race that not even the mystics accept fully—but I know the answer. Kaino is the number one choice. He’s the right choice. Yet, he can’t even look at me during this discussion. He has nothing to say in my defense.

  More anger boils over the almost calm surface that I tried so hard to find. I clench my fists tightly closed, turn on my heels and exit the tent. The fury I’m holding on to is expelled from my body in a breath of surprise as I collide with someone else, my head banging harshly against their chest.

  I run my fingers over my sore forehead as a familiar dog whines at my feet. He’s odd looking with matted fur and one little ear ends in jagged, scarred flesh. My heart drops and then leaps in my chest as I bend down to pick up the excited animal that was once my best friend. Ripper wiggles in my arms, I stand, hugging the restless dog and sorrow fills me as my fingers rub the damaged ear that’s almost entirely missing. Rapid and endless laps of his tongue meet my knuckles and arms and anything in his reach. My head dips toward his and I’m met with the most pungent smell that’s clinging to his fur.

  What has he been rolling in over the last year? How did he get here?

  My eyes finally drift to the person I bumped into and my heartbeat stammers, a gasp tearing from my lips as I meet his astonished gaze. I’m face to face with the one person I’ve thought about day and night for the past year.

  Asher.

  Chapter Seven

  A Formal Introduction

  From across the flames of the fire, Nerissa laughs loudly over the rhythmic drums, sending a jolt of annoyance through me from the sight of her charming smile. Her long waves of emerald hair brush against Asher’s shoulder. My heart violently pounds against my chest with every beat of the drum, with every smile she gives him. Anger thrums closer to the surface with every charming smile he gives her in return.

  The only real happiness I’ve felt since seeing Asher is the wide-eyed look the children gave me when I introduced the little Wanderers to Ripper. Their little hands appreciated his dirty fur and excited kisses as if he was the most amazing, filthy animal that had ever crawled out of the forest.

  And he is.

  The children keep the happy dog busy, feeding him every scrap of food they can find, giving him a long bath and playing with him for hours. Now he naps in the arms of a pleased fae child, the curve of her smile is highlighted in the flames as she stares down at the tiny sleeping animal.

  I can’t believe the dog trusted Asher for the last year. That he finally stopped growling at him long enough to follow the hybrid to safety.

  The cute image holds my attention for a single minute before Nerissa’s laughter breaks into my thoughts again, my eyes darting toward them once more.

  “I found the two of them walking the Red Hills. It’s him, isn’t it?” Luca asks in a quiet voice, pausing only a moment before realizing I won’t answer. “Can you believe that fae slut?” she asks, her eyes following my trance and watching Nerissa as her hand touches Asher’s bicep for the third time, laughing again at whatever clever thing he’s saying.

  I take a drink from my cup, the liquid burns down my throat and settles in at home with the fire that’s flooding my chest. I try to pull my eyes away from the sight of him, but I can’t.

  We stared at each other for minutes, his silver eyes tracing every inch of my body until my pounding heart was struck with fear. What if Raske doesn’t accept another hybrid? Declan already puts the Wanderers on edge and my history with Asher could threaten the lord’s plans.

  So, I let Raske and the rest of our community think that Asher and Gabriel are strangers to me, out of panic of getting them pushed out of the Wandering community. I moved past him without a second glance, my chest shaking with unshed tears the whole time.

  “Really, walk on water and behold the magic of the sea, and suddenly you’re the most enthralling person they’ve ever met?” Luca’s icy tone causes me to finally look away from Asher. I steal a glance at my friend and find that she, too, is seething at the shameless flirting that’s happening just in front of us. I watch Luca a little longer. Her lip curls in disgust as Nerissa runs her thin fingers through Gabriel’s red hair and it’s then that I realize he’s different. One hand holds his drink, his shoulders stiff from the attention of the water fae, while his other hand… is missing. Just a little above his wrist the limb ends in nothing but smooth skin.

  My stomach sinks low but I try to focus on Luca for a moment.

  “You like him?” I say slowly, my eyes lighting up for the first time since I saw Asher earlier tonight.

  She coughs into her cup as she chokes on her alcohol, her face scrunching into a look of pain. Declan stops at my side, smirking at Luca who attempts to find a normal breath.

  “No, not at all. I just think it’s embarrassing how the water fae is throwing her tang at anyone now. Do you know what she looked like when she first came here?” A disgusted and dramatic shiver runs over my friend’s body.

  I laugh a little too loudly at the remark, surprising even myself. Warm and slightly petty revenge settles in my chest at her words. Declan laughs with us and finds the target of our anger within the crowd.

  “And here I thought fish analogies were below you two,” Declan says, smirking at me from over his cup, his silver gaze once again painful for me to look at. Luca rolls her eyes at his remark.

  “You know what they look like in the water. Those hybrids are in for a surprise if she ever lures them back to the sea,” Luca says with a huff.

  Across the fire, Asher looks at me for the first time since I brushed him off. The pain that soars through me plummets into the pit of my stomach like a comet obliterating the earth, and the smile on my lips falters.

  He looks from Declan to me. A question dancing in his fire-lit eyes. Guilt presses in, crowding my already swarming emotions. Does Asher think there’s something between Declan and I? I watch as Asher chugs whatever’s left in his cup before tossing it into the soaring fire and walking away, leaving Nerissa mid-sentence. The beautiful fae doesn’t waste any time pulling her attention back to Gabriel, who also appears confused about his friend’s departure.

  At my side, my hand jerks as Asher walks away. I want to correct him. To correct all of this. Us. I want to touch him. Hold him. I want what we no longer have. My chest is heavy with the weight of everything pressing within the walls of my ribs. Lead fills my lungs with each labored breath.

  I bit my lip hard to surface pain that isn’t related to my emotions.

  Declan takes a step closer to me, clearly watching Asher as well. “You’re thinking too much, love,” he says against my hair.

  * * *

  I sway slowly against Declan’s chest, the beat of the drums flowing through me. I swallow down the last of the alcohol in my cup. It’s empty again. It’s one of many I’ve finished. Luca continues to hand drinks to me and Declan continues to help me balance on my own two feet. Neither of them mentions Nerissa, Gabriel or Asher but I know they’re still here.

  Occasionally I can hear Nerissa’s intrusive giggle linger into the night, grating against the melody of the drums. But every time I hear her, Luca pulls me farther into the crowd. The three of us have danced nonstop for the last hour.

  I usually don’t dance. Especially with Declan and especially when I know Lord Raske can see me with someone who is not his son. But tonight
I don’t care. Or should I say the abundance of alcohol drowning my system won’t allow me to care.

  Declan’s fingers dig into my hips to hold me up and he pulls me closer against his chest as I sway to the music and I rest my head back on him. My head feels so weighted. The mass of people doesn’t allow any air to flow over our sweaty bodies but Luca hands me another drink to cool me down a little. It doesn’t seem to help.

  Cracking my heavy eyes open, I give a lazy smile, she tilts her cup up at me, sloshing the drink over the edges of the cup and smiles back at me. She so rarely smiles, the gesture reminds me of how unearthly beautiful she is. Almost approachable even.

  I feel Declan’s head lean against my own as his fingers rise over the top of my dark jeans and brush lightly against my damp skin. Something tugs at my mind as he starts brushing a circle pattern over my bare hips with his fingertips. The feeling is hypnotic but I start to pull away out of reflex.

  As I lean out of his grasp, I collide with something hard. I push my hands out in front of me, my fingers arching against solid muscle.

  Opening my eyes, I find I’m face to face with Asher. His bare chest rises and falls visibly, his dark jeans almost disappear into the night, aside from the glint of the new Crimson Sword at his side. His skin is now clean, mud and sweat no longer cling to his body as it did when I laid eyes on him hours ago but without the dirt, the deep white lines of scars etching his flesh are easily seen.

  The muscle is strung tight beneath my fingers. My drowsy eyes make their way slowly up the touchable lines of his chest, and meet his steely gaze. He looks down at me, his brows pulled low and his jaw strung with anger, twitching beneath the surface. He searches my face like a book that has no translation. My hazy mind offers nothing to him.