Servants of Fate

by Wendy Sparrow

  There was that pressure in his chest again. “So, you want to talk on the way to the lodge?”

  “Yes.” She licked her lips before biting the lower one. “Unless you don’t want to. Before, you acted like getting to know me would make it harder to kill me. Are you still planning on killing me?”

  “No. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

  “Hannah said your father will be sent on New Year’s Eve to finish the job. According to her, he said someone’s life had to be forfeit.”

  Frowning, he stared straight ahead. The traffic cleared up ahead of them and he began inching forward again. “She said that?”

  Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Lacey nod. Zeit hadn’t mentioned that. Possibly he hadn’t remembered that. Or he hadn’t believed their father.

  “Tempus?”

  He met her gaze.

  “You don’t have to make any decisions right away. Just keep me alive until that night and let your father... take my future. I won’t blame you. I’d rather not live with that hanging over us though.”

  That made sense. Possibly.

  “Meanwhile, we’ll just take the time to get to know each other.”

  He nodded.

  “Hannah said you guys didn’t really celebrate Christmas much and it seems like New Year’s would be a bit of a downer. So, this would be like your first time celebrating the holidays.”

  He grinned. “I went on a date for Valentine’s Day this last year.”

  She reached over and shoved him. He didn’t remind her it didn’t hurt this time. “You stole someone else’s date.” She paused before adding, “Actually, that might have been the best Valentine’s Day I’ve had.”

  “Me too.” She was right. They didn’t really celebrate the holidays. They didn’t make that connection with mortals. Up until this year, the time had blended together as it stretched on and on.

  “Maybe this can be the best Christmas for both of us.”

  “Have you had bad Christmases also?” He waited anxiously for her answer, gripping the steering wheel tightly as he did.

  She pulled her key ring from her purse, holding up a key. “My dad was in an apartment one year—because he couldn’t hold down a job due to his drinking and he’d lost the house. I was only there for Christmas... and that was because my mother had to work. He got smashed the night before and slept right through most of Christmas.” She sighed. “I spent the next Christmas with my best friend’s family... and that was much better. My mother always worked around Christmas. She got serious holiday pay for working it.”

  The more she spoke, the more she drew him in. It was eight days until New Year’s Eve... not enough time. If she was right, it was give up immortality or give up her. He wasn’t ready to do either.

  Shaking her head, she said, “All these people in their cars. They drive here and there and they complain about how long everything takes, and yet no matter who they are, they’ve got a limited time here on earth. Maybe it’s a blessing to know I have eight days and twelve hours left because I know the value of each minute.”

  She seemed so accepting of the fact that he wouldn’t choose her over immortality. The shame he felt was unfamiliar but it seemed to be settling in like all the other mortal emotions he’d never experienced.

  He cleared his throat. “Time isn’t linear, remember?” At least there was that. He could lengthen out the time. Eight days was too short.

  “Not for you, but for us mere mortals... I’ve got eight days and twelve hours left that I’m conscious of.”

  She was right. Frowning, he asked, “So, this entire time, you wanted me to talk with you?”

  She nodded.

  “We should make up for... lost time, I guess.”

  “How?” She sounded so suspicious.

  “Talking.”

  Her smile was so brilliant he nearly wrecked the car. “What do you want to talk about?”

  He nodded down at the keys in her lap. “Tell me a story about each one of those.”

  It was probably the first time he’d said something right to her. She lifted a key that was painted like an American flag. “This was my boyfriend’s car key. He had this beat-up old Porsche he was restoring.”

  Boyfriend? Even in the past tense, he didn’t like the darkness that crept through his thoughts. “I have a new Porsche.”

  “Yes.” She smiled again for some reason. “Anyway, he enlisted when he turned eighteen. He met someone in the Army. They’re married. Have two kids. His Porsche is still in his parents’ front yard.” She jingled her keys. “I think it runs. I could have taken it for a joyride. I didn’t have that on my bucket list but I should have.” She gave him a pointed look. “I’ve never actually driven a Porsche.”

  “Do you have any idea how often I’ve had to stop time while you were driving? I don’t think you should drive anytime soon.”

  She rolled her eyes and held up a different key. “Whatever, so this is a key to…”

  Tempus settled back in the seat.

  “Why did you pack so lightly?” Lacey asked.

  Tempus had hardly packed anything at all. Comparatively, she looked like she’d packed half her wardrobe.

  He shrugged. “Anything I want, I can call into existence. But it makes mortals uncomfortable if I check into a hotel without a bag, so…” He held up the single bag.

  His life was so bizarre. This time, he actually took Lacey’s bag from her to carry. Did that mean he cared about her, or had he learned that was the proper thing to do?

  “What?” he asked when she continued staring at him.

  “You’re just carrying my bag. It’s... nice.”

  He grinned sheepishly. “I learned from one of your books that it’s expected when a man and a woman are traveling together.”

  “Did you not read books before we met and you started stealing mine?” He probably thought he’d played it cool on reading some of her romances by returning them to the same drawer, but he got them out of order and she saw new creases on the spine. That’s probably where he learned he should be carrying her luggage. It certainly wasn’t in the thrillers she read—they were all dead bodies and intrigue. Hopefully, he’d picked up other things from the romances.

  Tempus held the door to the lodge open for her. Amazing. “I wasn’t aware books were so good. They explain much better than TV. With TV and movies, mortals often do inexplicable things and I don’t understand their behavior. Books explain much better. They’re not as silly as TV and movies.”

  “I wonder how much of our behavior is motivated by our fear of dying alone and unloved and that’s why you don’t get it. If your time on Earth is endless, you don’t need to make the most of it and you’re not desperate to find someone to share it with.”

  He gave her a startled glance. “You’re afraid of that?”

  What could she say? Of course she was. This last year had been horribly frantic in that regard. Strangely enough, she’d taken some comfort in knowing she wouldn’t die alone. She knew that Tempus was around and would try to save her. As for love, well, she still wasn’t certain that Hannah was right on that. “All mortals are afraid of dying alone and too soon, Tempus. That and our search for happiness define us.”

  “I understand that, at least. Wanting to be happy.”

  “But you have all of eternity to find it and maybe that’s why you won’t.”

  He stopped her, grasping her arm, in the middle of the lodge’s entryway. “Explain.”

  Without questioning the gesture, she grabbed his hand and brought it to her cheek. “Happiness is found in the recognition that a moment is special and fleeting. You can prolong that indefinitely by stopping time, but that just takes away from it. You don’t get involved in mortals’ lives because they too seem fleeting. I see myself surrounded by people who live for the moment because that may be all they have. You see yourself surrounded by decay and things that will pass and die while you still go on.”

  He winced. “You mak
e immortality sound like a punishment.” He ran the back of his hand across her cheek in a caress that made her close her eyes.

  “Maybe it is if you’re trading it for happiness, no matter how short-lived it is.” She opened her eyes to find him staring at her mouth.

  “I could have both.”

  “Unless it’s with your brothers, and, maybe I’m wrong, but you don’t seem that close, it’s going to end and then you’ll have all eternity to remember what you once had.”

  His eyebrows drew together. “I think I liked it better when we were talking about you.”

  He would. Of course he would.

  His hand pulled away from her cheek and snapped. A blip later, he had his arms around her and was looking up... straight at mistletoe in a doorway.

  He’d moved them so that he could kiss her?

  “Tempus, I…,” and he stopped her mouth with his. His lips were soft at first, a gentle exploration. In the distance, in the space outside of the intimate circle of his arms, she heard a crash, but looking didn’t even interest her when he nudged her lips open with his. His mouth firmed and his kisses became possessive and deeper as his hand slid down her back and pressed her body against his.

  She was light-headed when she finally pulled back. “I’m beginning to wonder if you like me better with my mouth shut.”

  He stared pointedly at her wet mouth and said with a smirk, “Oh, I definitely like it better with your mouth open, but occupied.”

  She’d walked right into that one.

  The commotion behind him finally commanded her attention. A giant antler chandelier had dropped right where they’d been standing. “Oh, whoa.”

  “Yeah, the Fates have a real flair for the dramatic at times.” He turned to look and then frowned at a couple just entering the lodge. “What the hell is Ruin doing here?”

  “Ruin?” The man was obviously a brother—though he wore a black leather jacket as opposed to the trench coat Zeit and Tempus had worn. It was an interesting contrast to the wispy blonde beside him who looked at the broken chandelier in wonder.

  “Hopefully he’s not here for you,” Tempus said, drawing her closer to his side.

  “I think he’s here for her.” His brother was keeping a proprietary eye on the woman with him.

  “I’ll go ask. You can check us in while I do.”

  “You don’t want to introduce us?” That might have hurt her feelings except she’d met Zeit and Hannah.

  “Not until I know why he’s here.”

  Lacey nodded. If Ruin was here to kill her on New Year’s, it might become a problem between him and Tempus. After that kiss, she was beginning to suspect Hannah might be right about his feelings for her. She hoped so because with that kiss, Tempus had definitely stolen her heart. It’d be a shame if Ruin stopped it for her.

  Ruin eyed him equally warily as he approached. They clasped hands in the accustomed time holder way of grasping forearms.

  There was no reason for preamble between them, so he asked, “Why did you come here? For Lacey?”

  Ruin looked over his shoulder toward the front desk. “Is that her? No, I’m here because Phoebe wanted me to come with her.”

  The mortal woman with him came to his side.

  “You’re not here for Phoebe then?” Ruin asked.

  Phoebe’s eyes opened wide.

  “No. Zeit and Hannah gave us their room here—with Hannah so close to having the child.” He cleared his throat. Now that he knew his brother wasn’t here to steal Lacey’s life, he could be polite. Turning to the mortal, he said, “My name is Tempus. Are you marked for death also?”

  Her blue eyes opened even wider. “Also?”

  Ruin scowled at him. “No. She isn’t. I’m just... watching over her.” He nodded in Lacey’s direction. “Zeit mentioned you’ve been saving her life this year. I’ll do what I can while I’m here.”

  Hopefully he wouldn’t need his brother’s help, but the Fates might get inventive.

  Ruin gestured at the fallen chandelier. “Lacey?”

  “Yes. It’d probably be best if we didn’t get your mortal anywhere near mine.”

  Ruin shrugged. “I think we can manage.” He frowned at the chandelier. “On second thought, maybe not.”

  They clasped hands again and he met Lacey at the front desk. The woman behind the front desk was older and she was smiling quite cheerfully given the state the entryway was in.

  “You’re the two that Zeit and Hannah gave their reservation to? You know they actually met here. And of course I remember Lacey from her previous visits with us.”

  Tempus nodded at her and asked, “We’re checked in?”

  “Yes. We switched you to a room with two queens as requested by Lacey.”

  Lacey gave him a look that seemed to be daring him to comment.

  The older woman seemed immune to any undercurrents. “I hope you’ll join our activities. The itinerary is in your room. We’d already made up stockings for Zeit, Hannah, and the baby that I hope you can take with you.”

  “Tempus will make sure they get them... or his other brother who just arrived will.”

  The woman looked past them at the lobby. “Oh, I might have guessed he was another brother. It’s interesting you all have different last names.”

  Tempus chose not to comment on that.

  “Thank you for everything,” Lacey said to the older mortal who nodded with that wide smile still affixed. “Ruin?” Lacey asked as they walked down the hall toward their room. “You guys picked interesting names.”

  Tempus took her bag from her grasp. “We had our names first. Our brushes with humans have brought them into your language.”

  “Really? What did Ruin wreck that made that happen?”

  “I believe some mortals blamed him for the death of a loved one.”

  “Oh.” It was so quiet that it was nearly under her breath. “What are some of your other brothers’ names?”

  “There’s also Vida.”

  “That’s life in Spanish, right?”

  He nodded. “And Cronus.”

  “Why does that sound familiar?”

  “There’s a watch company with a similar name”

  “Of course there is.”

  “Also, there’s a Greek God named Cronus... which he never lets us forget. Cronus was said to be the father of all the Greek gods. Our own father wasn’t too pleased about that. Cronus was having too much interaction with mortals during those years and wasn’t as subtle about his abilities as he should have been. But then they all died and nobody believes in myths anymore.”

  He held out his hand for the metal key for the room. Lacey relinquished it with a frown. He’d have to conjure her a key to match it for her key ring.

  He opened the door and the moment felt... significant like they were starting something that would change everything.

  Beside him, Lacey took a deep breath and looked up at him. “Here goes nothing, I guess.”

  Wait, what?

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  His puzzled frown was adorable. It shook the feeling of doom Lacey had been pushing back since they had seen his brother in the lobby. Ruin had a tragic air about him that freaked her out a little.

  She took her bag from him and set it beside one of the beds. The beds. Her heart started pounding whenever she considered the fact that they’d be sleeping in the same room.

  “You could have kept it with one bed,” he said as if noticing her focus.

  She gave him a repressive look. He thought he had it in the bag, did he? “I should tell you that,” she gestured between the two beds, “might not happen. I deal with men who beat their wives and girlfriends all the time. I’m more cautious when it comes to that.”

  He sat on the other bed. “I was just telling you that I don’t usually sleep. I don’t need it.”

  “Oh.” That’s awkward. “Well, what do you do at night?”

  “Read.”

  That explained why he had time to go through her books
helves. It’s a shame she preferred thrillers to books that might have taught him what humans behaved like when not running for their lives. It’s no wonder he was somewhat maladjusted.

  “Did you bring books?” he asked, going to her suitcase.

  She’d created a monster. Diving in front of her suitcase, she blocked his hands. “Hey, that’s my stuff and, no, I didn’t, but I bet the gift shop has some.” She slapped one of his hands when he attempted to grab it anyway. “Stay out of my luggage and, so help me, if you get into it when you’ve frozen time, I’ll start lighting things on fire—and you know I’m good at that.”

  His jaw dropped. “You wouldn’t.”

  No, of course she wouldn’t, but she also didn’t want him judging her underwear or finding the gift she’d brought for him.

  “Try me.”

  “Fine. I’ll stay out of your luggage.” He held up his hands and stepped back. “But we should go to the gift shop and pick out books right now. I think I saw a sign saying that they are closing early as it’s Christmas Eve.”

  She picked up the list of activities. “Are you going to these Christmas events with me?”

  “Are they silly mortal things?”

  She lifted her head to stare at him.

  He grinned. “I suppose I might.”

  He’d better or there’d be no more kisses underneath the mistletoe. “We only have one key, but we can probably get another at the front desk.”

  His grin widened. “Watch.” He held out his hand, closed it, flipped it over, and held up his fist. “Give me your hand.”

  She put her hand underneath his. “This better not be something weird.”

  Opening his fist, a key dropped into hers—one that matched the room key. “This way you have one for your keychain.”

  She bit her lips to staunch her emotions. It’d probably freak him out if she started crying over a key.

  “To remember this,” he added when she didn’t respond.

  “I know.” She sniffed. She could do this. “You know it’s not a real magic trick if you use actual magic.”