Page 335 of Flirting with Darkness

“Yes,” I choke my words out, slowly forcing myself off the ground. Stumbling toward the onyx stone, I lean against the cave wall and gaze into the stone. Although my body is still aching, it does me good to see just the murky view of my sister, Moirai, smiling back at me.

“Well, it doesn't look as bad as the last time. Just a little more gray on your hairline; but perfect just the same.” Moirai always finds a way to make me smile. Even though my sister is just as much a prisoner as are both me and Melchior, she chooses to see the good. No matter what. I love that about her.

Still, being the eldest, it is also my job to look after her. “I’m sorry, dear sister. I promise, I’ll get you out of there. I’ll get us both out from under their vice!” I snap, pounding hard against the wall.

“Kharon, please this is not your doing! Our father sold us to this lot well before we had a choice. Just as I sit as a Fate at their leisure, so do you chart the seas at their behest. But all is not lost, dear brother. As I told you once before, this was the only and most expedient way to see us free from this plight.” Moirai’s voice is calming, like water over rocks. Even though I have less faith than my sister on the path we’ve taken, listening to her always tempers my rage. “Besides, I’ve never seen you this happy before.”

Stepping back from the wall, I squint, working hard to make out my sister’s face through the dark stone. “What? I am anything but happy right now, sister. I think the murky view clouds your vision.” I laugh.

“It is not of now that I speak,” she begins as the stone brightens and I quickly see her face in full, giving me a knowing glance. “The expectancy and glee in your steps as you rushed in here, holding that strand in your hand. Would this be from the woman you mentioned before?”

Opening my palm, I notice I’m still holding the curly strand of Rae’s hair. Nodding only, sadness creeps over me once again as I recall the Changeling’s words. “She is not the one,” I mumble, leaning my head against my forearm along the cold wall.

“Do you trust me brother?” Moirai’s tone is quick, snapping me out of my sulking state. Only mouthingyesin reply, I nod once more, unsure what new challenge my sister will set for me. “Then do as the Wretched Ones demand. Pursue this Winter Elysian. For it is only in your pursuit shall you find our freedom from their dark witchery once and for all. The Fates have decreed it so.”

Despite my misgivings, I know one thing is true. I cannot outrun fate.

1

RAE

THREE YEARS LATER

Idon’t think I’ve ever been to this side of the island. As a matter of fact, I don’t think I knew this side even existed.

Until now.

Yet, here I am. Hiding behind the tree line, I try to stay quiet as I watch the Guard search Kharon’s shipyard looking for him. While most of the Guard move with quick wolfen and vampiric speed, the strength of my heart alone allows me to keep up with them, albeit at a ridiculously slow mortal pace.

Still, I don’t know why I’m following them around like a fool.

Well, maybe I know why.

But it still doesn’t make me look like anything but an idiot.

An idiot who just learned that not only did Kharon keep my cousin Melchior prisoner all these long years but witnessed how hurt he became when he saw Winter kiss Lux, freeing Melchior from his prison. A part of me wonders if it caused him pain because he really loves her or was it all part of some grand scheme.

Either way, I need to know.

If it isn’t bad enough that since our moment in the ski lift, I’ve somehow tethered my heart to his, but to add insult to injury, I am also a glutton for punishment. I want him to look me in the eyes and tell me I’ve just been a doting fool all these years.

And reason would be well to suggest I’m a fool if it weren’t for him ripping me from the clutches of Don Addy’s son, Kevin, on the dance floor not six months ago at the summer solstice festival. Or perhaps the time the local garage mechanic became too handsy with me, got injured mysteriously the next day, and has since walked on the other side of the road when Kharon was near.

I am no fool.

Or perhaps I am.

But whatever I am, it either ends tonight, or begins as something new.

“He’s not here!” A man shouts to another named Dranoel from the docking post.

Dranoel looks around, sniffing about the forest grounds a few more times before quickly giving orders to another. I can only hope my scent is undetectable. I should have doused myself with red mud from fields before following the Guard’s search for Kharon. Uncle El always said it keeps the foxes and coyotes away. The lumber guys swear by it, chalking their boots with the clayish dirt before heading into the woods. Too bad I didn’t have time to test the theory. I wouldn’t want the Guard detecting my scent.

Lucky for me, the Guard is more concerned about finding Kharon than they are looking for me.

“Head back to the manor!” Dranoel waves his arm to the Guard and the five men I see with him begin making their way up the hill.

Crouched low, my eyes peer through the tree line and I see a few branches move, but I don’t see anyone. Narrowing my gaze, I look around, wondering if it was some nocturnal creature nearby. My nerves get the best of me as I see the Guard moving farther from my view. I know better to be in the woods this late at night. My mind keeps replaying the story of Ross and Win’s encounter with the bear in the woods, and a twinge of fear sweeps through me. Here I am, putting my very life on the line for a man who clearly isn’t interested in me. And for what?

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