Page 196 of Mayhem and Minnie

“The Primordials then created their successors, the current Deities of Aperion and the Sons of Tenebreis who became the new keepers of the balance in the universe. I won’t get into too much detail of what happened after, but there was a war between the three factions of Primordials and fourteen of them turned against the Seven and locked them in a mystical prison called Tartarstasis.” She pauses. “As a side note, this is why the Sons of Tenebreis seek to corrupt as many souls as possible. They need the energy of the souls to unlock Tartarstasis and free the dark Seven.”

I slowly nod as I try to keep up with all this new information.

“After they got rid of the dark Seven, the other Primordials disappeared without a trace. No one knows where they are or what happened to them. The Houses of Aperion are merely their successors and they bear the same designation—as in, they fulfill the same role.”

“I still don’t understand what any of that has to do with the fact that you won’t let me fuck you.”

“Patience, Marlowe, I’m getting there.” She rolls her eyes at me.

What can I say, when it comes to getting in her pants, patience is the least of my virtues. Although… I must say, until now, I’ve certainly behaved like a saint.

“Though the House of Moirai currently controls the fate of all beings, the one who has precedence above them all is the Primordial Goddess of Fate. But as I said, all the Primordials disappeared eons ago and no one knows where they are.”

“Right. And?”

“This, right here, is supposed to be the Primordial Goddess’s sanctuary.” She points once more to the illustration. “And the legend says that if a pair of lovers consummate their bond for the first time in the Primordial Goddess’s oasis, they will be linked by a thread of fate no one will be able to unravel. Not even the House of Moirai.”

I tilt my head and frown at her.

She releases a frustrated sigh.

“Don’t you see? If we go to this place and consummate our bond there, we’ll be granted a fated bond. Then, not even the other gods will be able to oppose our union.”

“Does it even matter if they oppose it or not if you’re still hunted?”

“Ugh, Marlowe! You’re not listening! This could be my clean slate! If our bond is recognized by the Primordial Goddess of Fate herself, then no one will be able to go against it. I’d be free of my charges and well…free to be with you.”

Now that sounds much better.

“Let’s go then. The sooner, the better.”

She grabs my shirt and fists it in her hand.

“There’s just one issue…” she murmurs in a small voice.

“What is it?”

“It’s a mythical place. No one knows where it is.”

I stare at her.

Then stare again.

And then stare some more.

“You don’t know where it is,” I repeat numbly.

She nods apologetically.

“For fuck’s sake, Minnie! Does that mean you’re not going to sleep with me until we find this goddamn mythical place that might not even exist?”

“Well…yes.”

“Minnie!” I groan aloud.

“But don’t you see, Marlowe? If we can find it, then it would be the answer to all our problems. I’d be free from persecution and we’d be able to be together. Forever.”

One word piques my interest.

---