Page 44 of Shadows of Fate

?The plan was to meet Cedar at our safe house. It was a small building built with dark wood beside the docks of The Black Sea. It had two floors, three windows on the front, and rickety stairs that we joked about a storm ripping away one day while we were gone.

Walking up to it warmed my heart, but at the same time, all I could picture was Micah’s eyes when I told him he should thank me. I knew what they were all thinking—that I was crazy. What female wouldn’t want to be tied to someone powerful and kind like Raiden? An insane female. Clearly.

I knocked three times on the front door and used my key to walk inside. I could smell his fresh scent as soon as I walked into the house.

“Ohh, Cedar, sweetheart, are you home?” I asked. My voice was light and a smile was on my face.

He strolled out of the small kitchen area at the back of the house, a smile on his face as he opened his arms and wrapped them tightly around me.

“Hello, Silv, did you miss me oh-so much? Please quickly tell me all about what was so important you couldn’t even hint at it in your note? I quote, ‘C, come back safely. You’re needed. S’ What sort of note is that, Silvana? For the love of the Fates,” he muttered at the end.

A small smile curved my lips. I was just so happy to have him back and in my space. I needed my family right now, and part of me didn’t realize it until I laid eyes on him.

“Also, who is the male I’m smelling all over you right now?” Cedar asked, a brow arched in question. “And you’re blushing?! Oh, this ought to be good. Go ahead. I want to hear all about him.”

I let out a breath. “Forever the nosiest big brother I never asked for.”

“Forever the little sister who is trying to dodge the question. Seriously. What is going on, Silv?” Cedar asked. His tone told me he was over the game of me trying to change the subject.

“I did what you asked. I looked into the Eternal Outcasts… and now I need your help, Cedar.” I dove into the details. I told him about Rogan and Joel. I told him about saving Allie, and what she said about the man with dark magic. I told him about meeting Raiden, him asking for my help, and staying at the manor. I briefly went over the moment before the insanity of us being mates.

Cedar stared at me in clear shock. “So… your soul-bonded mate is… the ruler of the Court of Shadows? And you, what? Got up and ran away? Have you lost your ever-loving mind?”

I groaned, exasperated. “Clearly, Cedar, yes. I’ve lost my mind. Never mind that I’m basically a vigilante—killing whomever I see fit around three of the four courts. Or that I have no idea where I’m from or who could come looking for me. Or that maybe he’s wrong, and what then?”

“What then? From what you told me, which, by the way, wasn’t relevant to this news, is how absolutely sinful this man appears. So, what? Worst case you get to ride that and then leave? Oh no, poor Silvana.” It was clear he had no pity for me, but of course he wouldn’t. He knew who he was and trusted himself in a way that I would never be able to.

“Can we move on to the parts that matter? Will you help us or not?” I asked, impatience overflowing in my tone.

“What? Of course I’ll help. What sort of question is that? Take me back to the manor. Let’s go meet the boss and I can chat with Bastian about what exactly they need from me. I can’t wait to freeze my feathers off, Silvana.” Cedar muttered the last bit sarcastically and I smiled despite the mood I felt myself falling into. “But really, Silvana, I want to meet the male trying to whisk away the only family I have. So, let’s get a move on.”

I let out a small laugh. “No one is whisking me away. Especially not Raiden.”

“First-name basis? How adorable. I can’t wait to see what daggers you strap to your body for the mating ceremony and celebration,” he huffed.

I shook my head at his ridiculousness, as we left the safe house and walked back to the manor. It appeared as if it was time to go see the male in question.

Chapter23

Shadow Stone Blade

Raiden

Part of me had had enough—waking up every evening in a cold sweat, the endless searching for the men responsible for ruining my entire life, working meaningless jobs because going near the docks made me sick with anxiety.

The other part of me knew I couldn’t stop. Not until I’d reached my goal and killed every single one of them.

So far I’d killed two of the five men who’d taken everything from me, but it had been nearly tenyearsnow.

Ten. Fates-damned. Years.

I huffed out a sarcastic laugh under my breath and leaned against the bartop, throwing a hand up for Aldo to bring me another pint.

The older man set the piss-yellow beverage in front of me, the glass not even getting frosty, so I knew it was warm. Staring at the bubbles rolling up from the bottom, I wanted to hit something. Or someone. I wasn’t even that picky. I just wanted to do something.

“Did you hear? They’re recruiting down by the docks.”

“What? How? I heard they can’t even go into the sunlight.”

---