Page 365 of Flirting with Darkness

“Yes, Rae,” Moirai answers and her light flickers. “This is how it was written. How it is meant to be. Fate has decreed it so.”

“Fate my ass!” Ross protests. My uncle grumbles at his side, but it’s Ross’s daggered glare, cutting my heart in two. “There’s no way I’m letting my twin go off to some nether-place to save some invisible woman trapped in that stone.”

“Ross, please,” I say, lifting my hand in caution. “Let’s at least hear Moirai out.”

“I’ve already heard enough. If these Changelings are powerful enough to bend Kharon and his sister to their will what makes you think you can waltz your little ass in there without worry. Oh no! Absolutely not!” Folding his arms, Ross lifts his chin, narrowing his eyes tight as he watches me.

Uncle Elysian steps forward, but this time he seems far more calm than he’s been since I arrived. Quickly casting a wary glance at Kharon and Moirai’s stone, he takes my arm in his hand. “Rae, think about how they trapped your cousin. I couldn’t bear it if they did the same or worse to you.” A single, thick droplet falls to his round cheek, reviving my own waterworks.

Moirai’s light flashes again. “I can assure you; Rae will not be in danger. She is not of Elysian blood.”

“They’re only after Elysian because since he refused to free the Jinn,” Kharon adds. “Once, I tested a strand of Rae’s hair against their curse and it was as if they couldn’t even see her. But Winter—they recognized her.”

“My word!” Uncle Elysian cries out and his face nearly pales at the thought.

Sauntering to the middle of the room, Dalcour lifts a hand, motioning to speak. “If I know anything of the Changelings, they were betting on you uniting with Winter only that they could ensnare her as well. They never had any intention of freeing any of you.”

“Precisely.” Moirai answers. “Rae is an anomaly.”

“An anomaly they will never see coming,” Cedric adds.

Grunting, Ross spins about the room, looking at everyone like we’re missing something. “Um, am I the only person here concerned about my very mortal sister’s ability to even step into the Netherworld? I mean, will she be able to protect herself? She’s not some supernatural being. This can’t be safe.”

“I will keep her safe!” Kharon declares. His tone is strong, but not enough to be challenging. Supernatural or not, the look in Ross’s eyes say he’d gladly go toe-to-toe with Kharon. I’m sure Kharon can sense Ross’s trepidation when he relaxes his posture, gently palming my brother’s shoulder. “Ross if Fate has decreed Rae come to the Netherworld with me, it must be so. But I promise you, on my life I will protect her with all that I am.”

“Nyx,” Uncle El interrupts him as he stands at Ross’s side. “I don’t doubt you’ll do everything to protect my niece, but surely you can make no assurances. If they were able to best you and your sister—”

Moirai’s stone brightens once more, but this time her light is nearly blinding. “My brother and I were not bested. We were given at birth to repay a debt we did not owe. Kharon is a Ferryman. He is empowered by the very stones the dead use as barter. Kharon, as you tarry to Spring, you must locate the others. Every obol you collect strengthens your power to withstand the Changeling. You’ll have the full power as a Son of Erebus. With Rae at your side, you’ll have all you need to put an end to our imprisonment, once and for all.”

Squeezing Kharon’s hand, I look up at him and nod in affirmation. “Yes, Moirai. I will go with Kharon.”

“I’ll also go with you,” Melchior rushes his words. “I can help.”

“No, my love,” Moirai replies. “I fear should you come, the Changeling will do far worse to you. They’ve already cast a withering spell against you, speeding your age. If you come here, they will do far worse.”

Ross and I look at each other, both of us now understanding Melchior’s pain while we skated.

“But—” Melchior protests.

Blaring light flashes through the room. “No, Melchior for the Fates have decreed it so. Now, I must go.”

Taking her stone in his hand, Kharon’s eyes glass over, but he holds his sister’s stone tight. “At the first dawn of Spring, dear sister, I shall see your face.”

Flashing brightly once more, Moirai’s light dims. Both Melchior and Kharon seem downcast, yet for different reasons. It’s clear Melchior is in love. And it is equally clear that Kharon loves his sister. I understand both men more than they know.

Turning to Ross and Uncle El, I offer a small smile, hopeful I’ll ease their angst. Surprisingly, Uncle El seems more keen to the notion than Ross, but my brother also knows me better than anyone in this room.

“Well, judging by the look in your eye, I know there’s nothing I can say to change your mind.” Begrudging, my brother twists his mouth into a smile as he opens his arms to me.

Throwing myself into his embrace, I squeeze him hard. “I’ll be safe Ross, I promise.”

Ross playfully pushes me away, like he does when he wants to stifle his tears. “You had better be, Pip. I’m serious. Or I swear I’ll be the first gay man in the Netherworld, lighting it up like fireworks!”

Pulling me back to his side, Kharon laughs. “Pretty sure you wouldn’t be the first gay man in the Netherworld. Folk are rather fluid where I come from.”

Ross’s brows raise with surprise. “Ooh, well in that case, perhaps I should go. Hey Stone Sister—"

Quickly tossing his bulking arm around Ross, Stephen gives my brother a stern look. “Oh, sweetheart, you’re not going anywhere.”

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