by Ford, Lizzy
“Thank you,” she said to the book. “Can you show me where he is now? If he’s okay?”
The multitude of images around her coalesced into one, and she gasped.
Fate was strapped face down on the ground, suspended by his arms and legs above a puddle of blood. A man whose face she couldn’t see was peeling strips of skin off his back and swelling, but this wasn’t the only source of blood. At least one limb was broke by its awkward angle, and scratches, burns, bruises and other signs of torture covered his body.
His head sagged as she watched. The man motioned to another, who stabbed his arm with a needle.
Fate’s body jerked, and his head snapped back up. The man torturing him went back to ripping skin off his back in long strips.
“Stop!” she cried and covered her eyes. “Stop, stop, stop!”
She’d never seen anything like this, never imagined anyone was capable of hurting another to this extent. Her stomach was in her throat, and she swallowed hard a few times to keep from vomiting. The reaction was bone deep, far worse than what she’d experienced when Olivia died.
This was her fault. She’d left him behind without understanding what kind of monster her father was.
Gabriel had a reason to be concerned. No one could handle such torture, and Fate had been stuck with Wynn for over six weeks!
“What happens if he dies?”
The room filled with countless images. Bubbles filled with the lives of thousands upon thousands stacked up on top of one another until the noise and colors were too much for her to identify individual lives and stories.
Just as suddenly, all the visions turned black. They stayed dark and then faded away.
“So they weren’t being overdramatic,” she said. I have to do something. Her thoughts went to Wynn, who she began to regard with even more distaste. If anyone knew how to stop what Wynn was doing to Fate, it’d be Kiki.
This world was beginning to feel more and more concrete. The idea of prearranged matches was no less baffling than before, but the Immortals, the politics, the people she’d met …
“I belong here,” she whispered, gazing around. And it made no sense why her instincts agreed.
Calming once more, unconcerned with how she looked, she concentrated on summoning a portal. It yawned open on the side of the room opposite the Oracle. She envisioned her chamber in the castle, and one of the doors before her glowed in response.
Stephanie entered her room once more. It had been tidied up from her stay. She collected her thoughts then went to the bathroom to wash her face and prepare to face Wynn. Changing out of her clothing into those that had been chosen for her, she left the bedroom with trembling hands and began wandering through the castle.
Wynn and Kiki had taken her to rooms on the first floor, so she descended to the ground level. She walked until she found one of the two men she sought, relieved when she saw it was Kiki. He was in a massive, modern gym tucked in one corner of the bottom floor, on a treadmill.
By his pace and the sweat covering his body, he was running from something or someone. She could guess who. She circled the treadmill and waved to him.
He tugged ear buds from his ears and turned off the machine, snatching a towel as he hopped off. “What’re you doing here?” he demanded.
“I’m here to do whatever it is Immortals do.”
He lifted an eyebrow.
Stephanie cursed herself. If Kiki didn’t believe her, Wynn never would. “Okay. I’m here to free Fate. Wynn’s going to kill him.”
A shadow crossed Kiki’s gaze. He glanced around, as if worried someone would overhear them, then waved for her to follow him. He led her into a waiting area at the front of a spacious locker room and disappeared into the men’s section. Ten minutes later, he reappeared, bathed and dressed.
He sat down across from her. “You sure you want to do this?”
She nodded.
“Fate’s alive, which means Wynn wants something from him. He won’t tell me what.”
“Do you think I can get him out of here without Wynn noticing?”
“Nope,” Kiki replied. “But I think you can negotiate with Wynn. He wants you here where you belong. You have some power.”
“So you think I should just outright ask him.”
“I think you haven’t been around long enough to fool him.”
Stephanie nodded, silently agreeing. Spying on Wynn was one thing. Manipulating him or rescuing Fate without him knowing was another entirely. “Where is he?”
“You ready to face him now?”
“I don’t have a choice.”
“Study.”
Stephanie rose. “Thanks. Hopefully, I’ll see you later.”
“Be smart. Don’t try to take him on. Just tell him what you want and see if he’ll negotiate.”
Stephanie said nothing and left the locker area. Anxiety made her grateful she’d skipped lunch. The images of Fate being tortured were forefront in her mind. It hadn’t touched her like the other bubbles of people’s lives, but she still felt pain on his behalf.
She made her way through the castle to the study and paused outside the foreboding doors stretching from floor to ceiling. She reviewed everything she’d learned from the people she’d met since entering this nightmare. A few months ago, if someone told her what kind of person her father was, she wouldn’t believe it was possible for anyone like him to exist.
She tapped on the door.
“Enter,” came Wynn’s muffled voice.
Stephanie took a deep breath and pushed the door open. Her father sat at the hearth, reading, as if he were comfortable knowing someone was having his skin stripped off in his basement. His gaze flickered over her, and he set the book aside.
“I wasn’t expecting to see you,” he said.
“I’m figuring things out,” she replied.
“Such as?” He motioned to the chair across from his.
“How I didn’t belong in the human world. How I’m special for a reason,” she replied truthfully. Stephanie sat down and clenched her hands together to keep them from quivering. “How I had no idea people could be so depraved.”
“Depravity is a matter of perspective. One could say manipulating the Future to serve one’s purpose is depraved.”
She bit back her response, knowing she needed him to work with her. Stephanie debated what exactly to say before going with Kiki’s advice.
“What will it take for you to let him go?” she whispered. “I know what you’re doing to him. It’s not right.”
“When he gives me what I want, he’s free to go.”
“What do you want?”
Wynn studied her.
“If it’s something I can do or if it’s about me, I’ll do it,” she said. “I’ve learned how to negotiate and how the deities run on a system of oaths. I have his power, because I’m his mate. So if there’s something you want from him that I can give you, I will, in exchange for you freeing him now.”
Wynn started to smile. But it wasn’t the smile of a predator like she expected. He wasn’t gloating or triumphant. If anything, he seemed almost proud. “You’re learning your power and beginning to accept your position,” he observed. “No longer denying where you belong?”
“Kind of hard to come back from seeing demons eat people.”
He snorted.
“Is that part of it?” she asked. “You want me to be an Immortal, whatever that entails?”
He was quiet for a moment, and she held her breath, afraid to say anything else until he was ready. “What I want from him is a favor.”
“Blank check,” she said. The kind he’d extorted from Andre and then used to send his eldest son to Hell. She clutched her hands harder.
“Correct.”
“You’ll let him go immediately, and never harm him again, if I make the deal?”
“I will.” Wynn sat forward. “And yes, I do want you to take your place with your family. It doesn’t need to be part of the deal we make, but I wa
nt your word you’ll stay here and not try to return to the human world.”
“I can do that, yes,” she said.
“You’re welcome to bring your mother and sister here,” he added.
Her heart flipped over in her chest. “This is my place, not theirs. I won’t put them in danger.”
“You saw her recently?”
“Of course. She’s my mother.”
“She said nothing of me, of all this?” he pressed.
She gazed at him in confusion. “Why would she?” One of her instincts tingled, and she recalled how her mother had echoed Fate’s words about his name. But no part of her was going to believe her mother had anything to do with this world, just because she knew some obscure trivia, no matter what the master manipulator before her tried to imply.
“As for the favor from Fate, you’ll agree to grant it?” he asked.
“As long as you agree to free him now, alive, and never to harm him again,” she replied carefully. “With no unwritten terms or conditions.”
“Someone’s been teaching you.”
“It’s necessary for my survival, I think.”
“Smart girl. Your mother was smart as well, which is why I haven’t been able to find either of you in twenty three years. I admire those who can outsmart me.”
She said nothing.
“I’ll make the deal. He’ll be free to go as of now.” Wynn held out his hand.
Stephanie hesitated then touched hers to his. Cold fire tore through her. Wynn had agreed too quickly for her taste. Either he really wanted the favor, or she’d forgotten one of the lessons Deidre gave her. She went over the deal in her mind without finding any flaw.
If there was one, it was likely something Wynn knew and would use against her when the time came.
“Thank you,” she said. “Can I see him before he leaves?”
“You may. Later today, after he’s cleaned up.”
She was ready to bolt, but he continued speaking.
“I’m not a typical father, and I know this,” he began. “I never had much of a chance to know my five younger sons and of course, you. Even if I had, I’m not the kind of father to dote on children. I do want you to know I’ve always cherished my offspring in my own way. If you are ever in trouble, if you need assistance your mate cannot provide, I will.”
“I’m sure it comes at a cost,” she murmured. “Like everything else here.”
“No cost. No strings,” he replied. “I care for my children in what way I can.”
“You’re torturing your child’s mate!”
“That’s personal. Before you existed, Fate helped kill me the first time around. I think I deserve a little payback.”
After her trip to the magic book, Stephanie knew enough about Fate’s dealings not to push the topic. “You’re saying if I need help, I can come to you? Like we’re a normal father-daughter?” she asked skeptically.
“Yes.”
She studied him. She didn’t want to believe him, but he appeared sincere. She had often seen a glimmer of warmth in his gaze when he looked at her. But he was, in every way, a complete and total asshole who made the lives of everyone around him, especially his children’s, nightmares. So why was she seriously considering his offer of support?
Did it have anything to do with wanting a father when she was younger? With the small hope inside her she’d one day meet him, and he’d not only be amazing but proud of her as well?
Incapable of true paternal instinct, Wynn was offering what he could.
“You sent Andre to Hell,” she blurted out. “Why would I ever come to you for anything?”
“He’s comfortable. I ensured Darkyn didn’t toss him in a cell or into the depths of Hell. Besides,” Wynn replied. “Andre can take care of himself. You cannot.”
She wanted to get up and leave, slamming her door on the way out in defiance of the man who seemed to be a master of misery.
Instead, she was buying into whatever display this was, searching for some sign of deception in his features.
“When I was little, I used to dream about meeting you,” she said.
“I’m nothing like what you expected.”
“No. But it seems like I’m not what you expected either.”
“You’re brilliant, beautiful and brave. I’m pleased with how you turned out.”
“For a half-breed.”
“For my daughter.”
She looked away. If this was part of his game, it was sick – and working. She doubted she’d ever feel warmth or kinship towards him, but some small part of her rejoiced at the acknowledgment from her father. It made her feel dirty.
Stephanie stood. “If you don’t need anything else, I’ll head to my room. Kiki gave me a lot reading material the first time around.”
“Very well. I’ll need you to begin your official duties tomorrow morning. Family dinner is at seven every night.”
“Okay.”
With calmness she didn’t feel, she left the study and closed the door. Then she leaned against the wall and bent over at the waist, sucking in deep breaths to keep from panicking or throwing up. The simple exchange with Wynn had taken the rest of her energy and she felt sick to her stomach and heart.
Fate was free. She may never understand Wynn, but at least she’d saved the life of the person who could save the Future.
Chapter Twelve
Stephanie spent the day alternating between roaming the castle and hiding in her room. She navigated using the map Kiki created for her and found herself drawn more than once towards the wing of the castle where Kiki said Fate would be.
The third time she stood before his door, she knocked. Wynn hadn’t given her the okay to see him yet but she was anxious to know he survived for reasons she couldn’t fully define. It was a feeling, a need.
Realizing what she was doing, she stepped away from the door. Whatever Immortals believed about their mating rituals, she wanted nothing to do with it. So why was she knocking on the door of the man allegedly chosen by the universe for her?
“Come in,” came the muffled voice from inside.
Stephanie clenched her fists, about to leave, when she felt compelled to do the opposite. She opened the door.
Fate stood in front of the French doors, back to her, dressed in a t-shirt that was snug across his shoulders and dark-washed jeans. His hands were clasped behind his back, and his hair appeared recently combed and damp around the edges.
The tug was stronger, and she scoured his body with her eyes, unable to help the flush of warmth emanating from the base of her belly.
“I, uh, wanted to make sure you’re all right,” she said somewhat awkwardly.
He turned at the sound of her voice. He appeared healed and healthy, albeit pale. His strong jaw bore a faint scar that ran down his neck, and his iridescent eyes flickered between hues.
My god he’s stunning. And he was hers, if she wanted him. “How are you healed?” she asked.
“You sound disappointed.” His warm, rich voice was the only rough part of him.
“No, that’s not true. But I saw …” Too aware of his intent gaze, she cleared her throat and glanced around a chamber much like hers. “Anyway, I’m glad you’re alive.”
“You returned voluntarily?”
She nodded.
“I don’t recall you among my visitors in the catacombs,” he said wryly. He moved towards her and paused a meter or so away.
“You know. News travels fast.”
“Ah. So you just heard I was in danger and rushed back?” There was a mocking note in his tone.
“Yeah.” She was gazing at him dreamily. “I mean, no. The magic book told me,” she said with some embarrassment. “And I didn’t rush back. Not straight back anyway.”
“Magic … the Oracle?’
“Yeah.” He was just out of arm’s reach and too close. She was overheating once more. “So I came back and had a heart to heart with daddy dearest and he let you go.”
“Jus
t like that?”
She nodded.
“Six weeks in the catacombs being tortured, because he wanted something from me, and he just lets me walk because you asked him.”
Stephanie’s face warmed. “Because I gave him what you wouldn’t.”
Silence. She looked up at him. Fate’s jaw was clenched and his expression blank. The only sign of his agitation was his eyes, which flipped even faster between colors than usual. His aloof façade was gone.
“He would’ve destroyed the world,” she added. “And you.”
“There is a reason I don’t grant many favors.”
“Some things are more important than power,” she replied. “Look, you don’t have to agree with what I did. It was my choice.”
“True, but I have to live with the consequences. You’ve figured out a few things,” he started. “Do you understand why it’s dangerous to give Wynn what he wants?”
“I do.”
“But you did it anyway.”
“So you’re going to judge me for making a decision after declaring humans have free will. Oh, and after hiding my soul so I couldn’t be born.” She crossed her arms.
“I’m the last person to judge anyone.”
She eyed him, suspecting he was toying with her.
“There are worse things than the world ending,” he said.
“You can’t be serious!”
“Next time, talk it over with me, before you make a deal with someone like Wynn,” he said. “It is my power.” The firm note in his tone was new, and the dark edge she often glimpsed was present.
“You would’ve preferred being skinned alive and the world ending,” she said. “I’ll keep that in mind next time!”
He considered her. How he had the nerve to be ungrateful after she’d saved his life, she didn’t know, but his calm rejection of her good intentions infuriated her.
“You’re welcome,” she snapped. “You’re also free to go.” She wrenched the door open and stood to the side.
