by JL Madore
I crushed the little paper cup and tossed it in the recycle bin. “Julian, focus. I think my father took Abaddon’s and Savage’s tapestries. Why? What’s the connection?”
“Between those two? I don’t see one. Savage is one scary mother, but he’s tight, and he’s one of the good guys. I’d guess there are more tapestries missing and it’s just a coincidence you discovered those two.”
“And there’s no chance he’s fooled all of you?”
Julian frowned. “There’s always a chance.”
Good. At least he admitted there could be something there. “Take Savage out of the situation for a moment and focus on my father and Abaddon teaming up. What’s to be gained?”
“A power play for control of the realm?”
I nodded. “What if Dane wants Rheagan back. She’s his full-blooded sister, and Castian is their older half-brother. I can tell you from experience that an extra half matters. Maybe Dane wants to reinstate his sister as ruler of the realms, so they can work together to make him God of gods.”
“And unseat Castian? Shit, Zo, that’s one hell of an accusation to hurl against your father.”
“Not really. Castian is more of a father to me than Dane ever was. Dane beds women endlessly in the hopes of siring a male heir, but fate is a funny thing. All he got was four girls.”
“But do you truly think he’s got the cojones to go against Castian? To actively help Abaddon reinstate his sister?”
I pointed to the plaque on the wall. It was a poem. The prophecy given to Galan and Jade last summer by the Oracles.
Journey of Fate, two realms to purge
Weapons drawn against the Scourge
Blaze of passion,
Trust unearthed,
Cleansing of past,
Spirit rebirthed,
Fate or free will, which to choose?
With love to gain and life to lose.
Darkness hides in familiar form
A brother's betrayal, a sister's storm
Empower lost souls or evil shall reign
Noble the child of argenteous mane.
“I’ve been staring at this in Jade’s front foyer for days. Think about it. This all started with the release of the Highborne Exiles, and seems to be chronological. The first couple lines about Journey of Fate and facing the Scourge, that’s Galan, Tham, and Aust beginning their Ambar Lenn, and the rise of Scourge violence.”
“Yeah, we figured that. Then the next four lines are Jade, Mika, Lexi, and Lia all finding their power and their place with the men they love.”
“Right. Then, Fate or free will, which to choose? With love to gain and life to lose. That’s me. I chose free will and am no longer a Fate. I lost the life I knew because I couldn’t stand aside and do nothing.”
“Darkness hides in familiar form/A brother’s betrayal, a sister’s storm,” Julian read off. The muscle in his jaw flexed as he clenched his teeth. “Do you truly think Dane would help Abaddon reinstate his sister over Castian?”
“I do.”
He went back to reading the prophecy. “Empower lost souls or evil shall reign . . . Lia has Tham working on that. They’re gathering angry souls displaced by the Scourge to fight back.”
I nodded and read on. “Noble the child of argenteus mane. That could be Galan or Lia? They both have silver hair.”
“The Highbornes are the Noble Children of Castian.”
“It makes sense. Dane is part of this. I feel it.”
Julian cursed and took out his phone. He pushed a button and then held it up to his ear. “Yeah, we need to talk. Shit’s hitting, and we’re in the splash zone. Yeah. Twenty minutes.”
CHAPTER SIX
Twenty minutes later, Julian and I stood in Jade’s front foyer amongst the assembly of those the prophesy involved, their mates, Reign, and a few Talon. We’d gone over our suspicions and our interpretation of the prophecy line by line. The group agreed that my theory held water.
“Sav should be here,” Kobi said.
I shook my head. “He’s involved in this somehow.”
“Bullshit,” Cowboy said, his southern drawl thick.
Reign frowned. “In all fairness, Zophia, you don’t know that, and you don’t know him. We do.”
“Do you really?” I looked to his friends and fellow warriors. “Do any of you know his personal details? His family? Where he came from?”
Blank faces stared back at me. “In over three-hundred years of recording the lives in progress, two tapestries defied me. Savage and Abaddon. Whether you believe me or not, there is a connection.”
Fuck you, Fate. The words speared my mind, ringing in a fury that almost buckled my knees. Savage descended from the top of the stairs, his boots cracking out a thunderous beat. You show up and in mere days try to turn my world on its ass? Fuck you. You want an enemy, fine. Done deal.
“None of this is what I want,” I said, the crowd parting to give the warrior the floor. “Facts speak for themselves.”
What facts? he said, his hands moving as his words bombarded my thoughts. The fact that you can’t control a throw rug and are so pathetic that you’d rather ruin my reputation than admit you’re a joke? My only connection to Abaddon is my obsession with putting the fucker down. When I sharpen my blades, I imagine how they’ll rip through his flesh. When I close my eyes. I dream about slitting his throat. If that makes me a bad guy, fine. I’ll live with that.
“And your connection to Dane?”
Savage’s body threw off a violent surge. My breath came out in a white cloud as the temperature in the entrance hall dropped at an alarming rate. No normal human could do that.
Curses erupted from the crowd.
Savage dropped his hands, the next words for me alone. Stay out of my life, Fate. If you see me, be smart—turn and run.
“Why do you hate my father so much?”
Who the fuck is your father, and why would—
“Dane. Dane is my father, and you hate him. Why?”
A gleam of realization lit his dark gaze.
“What does it mean to you?”
Sweet dick all. Like I said, stay out of my life and out of my way. When the opportunity comes to take Abaddon down, no one gets between me and the kill.
Savage spoke the truth. Reeked of hatred. Of determination.
Of betrayal.
How did Abaddon wrong you? I asked, straight into Savage’s mind. He locked his thoughts. I forced my way inside his mind. Who is he to you?
The silver gleam of a knife flashed as voices rang out. Savage lunged like a grizzly bear launching to take down a weaker prey. My hands flew up, and I thrust him across the foyer with the force of a gale wind. I pinned him to the thick, paneled doors across the polished marble space.
The others retreated as I stalked forward.
Savage fought my powers with more strength than he should ever have possessed. I doubled my efforts and my skin burned. “I am a fucking Fate, remember? Daughter of an original. Not some pathetic girl for you to bully into submission. I will find out what Abaddon and my father are up to. I will protect my mother from them. And if that upsets you, I will go through you without a second thought.”
“Enough,” Reign said, setting a heavy hand on my shoulder. “Despite his ill-temper, Savage has proven himself a dedicated, honorable warrior. Release him. Focus on the true enemy.”
I flexed my aching fingers and let Savage fall to the floor.
He crouched, and his warrior mates tensed. We all seemed to question if he would retaliate. He sneered but didn’t move.
Let him sneer. “Fine, but Savage is not involved. Until I figure out the connection, I don’t want him in the discussions of what next steps to take.”
Reign narrowed his gaze at me. “You don’t get to give me orders about my men or my tactics. Fate or not, you’d do well to remember that. I’ll agree to your terms for now. Savage, continue to work on the assignment I gave you yesterday until we sort this out.”
After the drama with Savage
in the foyer, Reign escorted me, Kobi, Cowboy, and Julian to the war room in Jade’s home. He sat at the head of the table, tall, broad and intimidating. At least, I found him intimidating. Which, considering I’d been brought up by aggressive, powerful men, said a lot about the man.
He tented his fingers together and sighed. “And you think Abaddon will take your mother as Rheagan’s vessel?”
I rubbed my temples. The thundering in my head threatened to explode out my eyes any minute. “The last thing I saw in Abaddon’s tapestry was the beginning of an innocent’s thread. He needs a vessel that can contain and support the power of a Fae goddess; a body Rheagan can thrive in. I’ve checked the bloodlines, young and old. My mother is his best chance.”
“I’m sorry, Zo,” Kobi said. He set two tablets and a glass of water in front of me. “That sucks all around.”
I dropped my forehead to the polished wood table and closed my eyes. My nerves were frayed, my heart aching, my mind full of action, yet nothing was being done.
“Kobi could guard her,” Julian said.
I shook my head. “For how long? All day, every day? Forget that he has a life and a duty here, he’s a stranger to her. She accepted Aust because she senses his gift. His energy resonates with her. Kobi will make her nervous. No offense.”
“None taken.” Kobi leaned back in his chair, scratching the scruff on his jaw. “I’ve never been a favorite on the parental scene. Even with my own.”
“What about bringing Shalana here?” Cowboy suggested. “We could watch over her and ensure Abaddon, and your father, can’t access her. Aust feels most comfortable hanging with the Weres at the Dens. If her gift is the same, it might work.”
I shook my head. “Abaddon got to Lia here on Haven grounds. Twice. Rheagan almost got her at the cemetery too.”
The argument halted as a golden mist materialized in the room. I rose from my seat and met Castian with a hug. He squeezed me tight. He smelled like home and everything I missed. “I told them not to involve you. You have enough to worry about without my theories.”
Castian kissed my temple and pulled back to study me. He stroked my shaggy haircut where it lay against my shoulder and smiled. “Nonsense. Theories are merely facts waiting to be proven. I consider everything that comes to mind when dealing with Abaddon and Rheagan.”
“But Dane is your brother.”
“And that makes him immune from ill intent?” He walked me back to my seat and pushed my chair in as I sat. “I am brutally aware of who Dane is and what he’s capable of. It’s a basic truth that if you have something of value, there is always someone who wants to take it from you.”
Reign poured a dram of whiskey and slid it down the table to where Castian took a seat. “That’s awfully glib considering we’re discussing your brother plotting to overthrow and betray you. That’s treason.”
“He’s done worse, Maximus.”
Worse? I didn’t know what he referred to, but the look on Castian’s face warned me not to ask.
“We could confront him,” I said. “Take me home, and we’ll see what’s really going on. We could inventory the tapestries and see if there are other frames tampered with.”
Castian emptied his glass. “Your father has usurped the Fae Council. I don’t know if he threatened them, bribed them, or simply convinced them you lack any regard for our laws, but they won’t discuss your reinstatement, or you returning home.”
I notched my chin up. “I need never darken their doors again, but they can’t stop me from visiting my mother and Abbey forever.”
Julian refilled his glass and pushed the bottle back to his father. “Maybe if we eliminate Shalana as a viable vessel, Dane will lose interest in blocking you from your life.”
“Not likely.” I pulled the bottle to my palm with a focused breeze. I poured myself a glass and welcomed the sweet burn down my throat. “I’ve never fit with him or my sisters. My mother’s status as a pawn has nothing to do with that.”
Castian stood and eyed everyone at the table. “To that point, let me be clear. Zophia is under my protection and therefore under yours. Guard her with your lives for I shall end them if even a scratch mars her perfect skin.”
“Uncle, please, that’s not necessary.”
Castian’s chestnut waves brushed the collar of his cloak as he shook his head. “No argument. Stay out of harm’s way until I can fix this and get you home.”
“You’re leaving? So soon?”
He winked. As bergamot and lavender wafted in the air, his form dissolved into mist. Gotta go, Zozo. The brownies are ready, and your mom likes them warm.
I stared at the space as he disappeared and ached to follow him home. I couldn’t stand being so far from her and having no way to watch over her. “Okay, so, if I can’t return home, I’ll agree to bring my mother here? How soon can we arrange it?”
“Tomorrow,” Julian said. “I can have this place wired—”
I shook my head, cutting off his suggestion. “Not under the same roof as Savage. If Bruin’s willing to have us, I think Cowboy’s suggestion of staying with the Weres suits us best.”
Reign nodded. “Done deal. I’ll arrange it.”
Alone in the meditation garden planted by Grandfather Hawk, my mother and I watched the tangerine rays of the sinking sun. They reflected off the copper roof of Jade’s mansion in the distance. Had I made the right decision? Was Bruin’s home, carved into the side of the mountain, safer than Jade’s home, where the Talon soldiers resided? Was I wrong about Savage and the threat he might pose to my mother?
In my centuries living as a Fate, I knew the answers. I searched the seeing bowls and read the tapestries—the truth at my fingertips. Life in this realm festered with turmoil, pain, and uncertainty. How could they stand it?
“May I join you?” Grandfather Hawk shuffled along the rail and gestured to Hoola clinging to my neck. “And who is this?”
I welcomed him to sit on the bench beside me and tucked her face into my neck. “Hoola has never ventured beyond Mother’s sanctuary before. It’s overwhelming for her to be here. For both of them.”
As if to make me a liar, the little ape jumped from my hold and ran on her back legs toward Aust rounding the path to join us. With her gangly arms waving in the air, she met him and jumped into his embrace.
“Hello, sweeting,” he said, accepting her kiss, wet on his lips. “Are you and your naneth settled?”
She gave him a whoop, and he shifted her to sit on his hip.
Aust came around the back of the bench and knelt beside my mother. “And how do you fare this evening, milady? The view is resplendent, is it not?”
Shalana, who had been quiet since her arrival several hours earlier, stared out at the setting sun. Aust whistled and Faolan, his wolf, trotted over and laid her head in my mother’s lap. “At nightfall, I thought we might enjoy a tour of the Haven forest. You can ride Jade’s jaguar mount, Naith. I would like to introduce you to the wolves and the woodland creatures here on the mountain. My wildlife friends are eager to meet you.”
“New friends?” Mother asked.
“Many new friends. Would you like to meet some now?” He pointed to a pair of raptors gliding in lazy circles just above the plateau. Aust locked his gaze on them. The air around him grew still and silent. A moment later, the birds let off a shrill squawk. Tilting their wings, they soared over to land on the rail.
Mother smiled, and I had never been so relieved in my life.
“Grandfather,” I said, “would you sit with my mother for a moment while I speak to Aust?”
“It would be my greatest honor.”
Aust bowed to my mother briefly and then joined me near the three totem poles. I wrapped my arms around him and fought back tears. “You are amazing. I know she has taken up your time lately, but I’m so grateful.”
Hoola pushed at me to release my hug. Then, she laid her head on his chest and stroked his cheek.
“Jealous little thing, aren’t you?”
Aust chuckled. “I have worshiped your mother for my entire life. It is a dream come to reality that I now speak with her and call her friend.”
I squeezed his arm and patted Hoola’s side. “You bypassed friendship by a huge margin. You’re her imaginary son-in-law, after all.”
He dipped his chin and smiled. “Does that then give me the right to ask my imaginary betrothed what worries her so?”
There was no sense denying it. Since the moment Shalana arrived here, I knew this would never work. “She needs to be in her own home with her animals. Having her here makes me feel better, but she is suffering for it.”
Aust nodded. “I thought a forest run might help. You are welcome to join us if you like. Bruin, Bree, and Cowboy shall shift and join the wolves while Julian tracks our group to ensure nothing unexpected occurs. The wolves are fierce protectors, and we shall take care of her at all times, I promise you.”
“I have no doubt. You go. Just don’t stay out too long. She is dealing with a lot. Tomorrow morning, could you take her home and watch over her while I figure something else out?”
He bowed his head. “It would be my greatest pleasure.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Once Aust and Bruin helped my mother onto Jade’s giant black jaguar and headed into the forest, I dematerialized and wove a path on the wind in the opposite direction. I gathered myself at the door of the Gatehouse and entered as any member of Haven would have.
“Twice in one day,” Julian said, as I came around the corner. “I take it you are here to watch over the forest run?”
“If you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. In fact, Kobi’s in the kitchen getting some snacks. We’ll make an evening of it.” Julian grabbed a silver remote and pointed to the wall. The four wall-mounted monitors merged into one large picture.
Julian hustled down the hall, and I watched my mother. She knelt on the forest floor, surrounded by a pack of almost two dozen wolves. The dominant members nuzzled and rubbed against her, and she spoke to each in turn, stroking their coats. Then, she called forward the submissive wolves and gave them equal affection.
