Page 36 of Saving Destiny

“What if they’re also coming from the other end and changing my future path? How do I know which way is the correct direction? You mentioned another me. What if the paths intersect? How will I know which me is actually me?”

The goblin’s smile is perfectly formed, but it doesn't portray humor. “Now you understand the true danger we face.” Another pause divides us. It’s longer than the previous ones, but I suspect he’s trying to decide what to say and not waiting for an answer. This is good because I don't have any answers.

“Although ye understand the threat more thoroughly now, it doesn’t change who or where you are. Your power is impressive, but you can't change these simple facts. They can. And how do you know there’s a correct path? What makes it the right one? That it culminates in an ending? All time, as we perceive it, will end. As sentient beings, our time ends when our souls forget who we used to be. As civilizations, time ends when intelligent beings lose the ability to track its progress. For matter, time never ends. So which end do we seek? The one that produces the most favorable outcome? Favorable for whom? And who decides this subjective finality?”

My shoulders sag in surrender. “If the meddlers can change anything at will, there’s a possibility that nothing we do matters. My visions are simply making a candle that will burn out before it has a chance to bring light to the world. My efforts to forge a future that is better for every living soul might occur in a timeline that gets severed prematurely. Perhaps there isn't actually an end.” In my mind, the maze loops into and out of itself like a snake eating its tail – no end and no beginning.

“Or …,” Fin says deliberately, “your visions will ensure that this timeline remains original and true. Your efforts could pull everything into the balance the universe craves.”

I stand abruptly, losing contact with the bookcase. “There’s an original one? One timeline starts it all?”

Fin smiles again, but this one is kinder. I latch onto the tiny, fragile thread of hope it offers. “We have tied a knot at the beginning of the maze that the meddlers cannot unravel. Everything in existence has a beginning, and time is no different. Furthermore, although it is nearly impossible to tell, each cut they make threatens the integrity of the rope; the threat grows exponentially with its distance from the starting point. Each offshoot and branch will grow more fragile until it frays into nothing on its own. The ultimate goal might be to find and travel the strongest path, even if no one knows where it leads.”

A short burst of laughter erupts from my chest. I've been told that I talk funny, but those people would surely go mad if they spent time with this particular goblin. There's an answer just beyond my grasp, and I reach for it.

Fin smiles again, his dark eyes glittering with the reflections of the runes surrounding us. "Very good, young seer. You've found the crux of it – the truth.”

“I have?” I ask carefully. Perhaps he can pick it out of my jumbled brain better than I can.

He nods and spreads his wings. With a single flap, they lift his body from the bookcase and nearer to me. Soothed by the humming noise I’ve already grown accustomed to, he stops with his face just inches from mine as he imparts his wisdom.

“Your decisions must be based on the truth that resides within you, young one. Focus on the present moment and not the future; the future will fall into its rightful place if you pay heed to the here and now. Your actions should reflect the morals and wisdom with which you make your choices, but you should endeavor to keep your path straight, true, and relatively simple. If you only focus on the outcome, your interference could prove as disruptive as the meddlers. Concentrate on the rope that’s in your grasp because they cannot tamper with the piece you hold at any given moment. Don't waste time worrying about where it leads or where it originated. Simply continue to strengthen it with your decisions. Restore the rope. In time, your strength will counteract their attempts to weaken your path.”

With a pop, the goblin disappears. I stare at the space he’d occupied for several minutes as I consider his words. Then, I race toward the stairs and the floors below. I no longer care about the book I came here to find because Fin had given me the wisdom I’d sought. Not all truths are easy to accept or understand, but the one I've reached is both.

I need to find Zosia. She soothed me when I needed her, she's accepted me, and she's beginning to love me. I feel similarly toward her, and that is what I want to concentrate on in this moment. Only two things matter at this very moment – that she’s comforted after her first feeding and that her connection to me and the others continues to strengthen. The sphinx represents the rope guiding us through the confusing labyrinth.

Zosia is the truest path.

Chapter 21

Zosia

I’m anxious about rejoining everyone after I’ve washed up and recovered from my pleasant interlude with Avery, so I’m intentionally stalling. I try to fool myself into believing that transforming my body in any capacity involves complicated decisions. In actuality, focusing on the most trivial aspects instead of the major, world-changing parts keeps me sane.

I plan on shifting into my sphinx form later, but I want to transform while wearing one of the fancy shirts the library has provided. They have special cut-outs to accommodate my wings when in sphinx form, and they'll make my breasts less visible. I won’t be able to change shirts after I shift, however, because the lack of opposable thumbs will make it impossible. But ... wearing the specialized shirt before I shift leaves my scars visible. Can I transform while retaining only one article of clothing?

I’m so lost in my head that Kodi’s dramatic sigh startles a shriek from my throat. “Did the vampire eat your brains too? Or are you suffering from blood loss?” My best friend’s tone doesn’t carry an ounce of concern, and his expression is similarly unmoved as he hovers near my ceiling.

I press my palm against my chest and will my heart to calm down. “For fudge’s sake, Kodi, learn how to knock,” I groan. “Avery is not a zombie. He doesn’t eat brains, and I’m not suffering from blood loss. I’m having wardrobe issues.”

Kodi inspects me with his gray eyes, slowly and deliberately. I’ve changed into clean underwear and pants, but I’m sitting on my bed in just my bra. I have a towel wrapped around my top half, but I still squirm under his intent gaze.

“One, it’s impossible to knock without hands; two, you look perfectly fine to me as is. And three, the shifter and I are starting to get worried. We felt a massive burst of energy. Minutes later, Avery strolls out of here, grinning like a cat that has just dined on high-quality cream, but you stay hidden. What were we supposed to think?”

I frown while I decide where to start. Nervousness or irritation makes me retaliate in kind. “One, you can’t keep barging into my room whenever you want so we should find a way to fix that. Maybe you can knock at my mind or something. Two, I’m half-naked. I most definitely can’t go out there like this. Three, I seriously doubt Avery looked that smug; he’s not the type to brag. Also, what do you mean by a burst of energy, and why are only you and Garrett concerned? What did Avery tell you? Where’s Bren?”

Kodi returns my frown with another heavy sigh and hovers closer. He doesn’t join me on the bed, but he lowers himself to a level that doesn’t strain my neck. “You forgot to number the last two, little minx, but let’s leave the first two for later. You know that we feel each other’s presence and energy, right? Well, … your energy flared hot and heavy about twenty minutes ago. Of course, Avery’s not going to kiss and tell, but he did give Garrett a lecture about not upsetting you with his alpha-hole tendencies. And he didn’t have to say anything. He’s practically glowing.” Kodi folds his arms over his broad chest, and I realize that he never has wardrobe issues. He’s always wearing the same clothes, which sounds simultaneously comforting and boring.

“Alpha-hole?” I ask with a small smile. “Didn’t you recently give me crap about inventing words?”

The ghost grins. “Oh, I’m positive it’s been invented already, and you’re intentionally avoiding answering the question and going out there.” I flinch when he calls me out. “So, princess, what happened with Avery?” He tilts his head. It takes me a second to realize he’s not staring at my cleavage but looking for bite marks on my neck. Embarrassed heat rushes through me, but I scowl at the reaction and him. They all knew what was going to happen when they left the room.

“Where’s Bren?” I hedge.

Kodi rolls his eyes. “You’re not just stalling now. You’re playing dumb. You can tell where he is.”

I grumble under my breath, but he’s right. “I still haven’t gotten used to that yet,” I mutter but dutifully seek the wayward guardian. Bren is on the topmost floor, somewhere I haven’t ventured yet. His energy seems calm and curious, and he’s talking to a goblin. I could spy on him, but it’s unnecessary. “He’s on the tenth floor.”

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