Page 22 of Until Death
“Is that what you think?” I growl. “Is that what you tell yourselves when the innocent die too soon? When cruelty is allowed to run rampant? When murderers, abusers, and other such vile people outlive their victims?”
The Fates are silent, their expressions unreadable. The only sound in the room is the soft swishing of the loom as they continue to work, the threads of fate dancing between their fingers.
I can feel the tension in the air, and I know that I have struck a nerve, but I do not back down. I have come too far to be cowed by these three sisters who think they can control everything.
“It is the way of life,” Lachesis whispers.
“No, it isyourway.”
"You are not the only one who feels the weight of death," Atropos says, her voice low and measured. "We too must bear witness to the atrocities that occur in the mortal realm. However, we must remain impartial, for the greater good."
I scoff at her words.
I have never known the Fates to be anythingbutpartial.
"The greater good? For whom? How can there be any good in allowing such suffering to continue?"
Clotho clicks her tongue at this, shaking her head. “You have spent so much time focused on death that you have forgotten what it takes to live.”
My eyes narrow on her as I all but snarl, “Do explain.”
The three sisters look at one another and then all rise from the table. Together they move to stand before the gaping hole in the cliffside, gazing out over the sprawling realm.
I watch as they stand there, the wind whipping through their hair as they survey the world below.
“Life is about balance,” Clotho says, finally breaking the silence. “For every death, there is birth. For every ending, there is a new beginning. We may control the threads of fate, but it is the mortals themselves who weave the tapestry of life. They are the ones who give meaning to the lives they live.”
"You may disagree with our choices, but you of all beings cannot deny that without death, life would lose much of its meaning," Atropos adds.
I hold my tongue, biting back the argument that rises within me at their words. The more they speak, the less I truly believe they care for the lives they thread.
“Regardless of what you may think, we do not control these mortals you care so much about,” the middle sister says. “Yes, we do measure and intertwine their lives, but only according to the choices they make.”
“And yet, you cut short the lives of many who do not deserve such a fate.”
“Yes,” the blonde answers sharply, “but you do not see the effect of our choices. You have been blinded to—”
“Been blinded?” I cut in, their choice of wording striking me as odd.
Their backs are still to me, though I sense their attention has now shifted to me, away from the city below.
The sisters hesitate, glancing at one another before Clotho continues, “Youareblind to the consequences of the mortals’ free will. What we do ensures the fate of the universe. We cannot stop cruelty from existing, only work to use it for the ultimate good of all.”
“We must watch the threads, deciding when we must allow terrible things to happen,” Lachesis says, “and when to simply cut a life short.”
“But these deals you make with them interfere with our work, twisting fate and the very course of the universe,” the white-haired sister hisses.
“You know I have little choice but to accept when a soul is offered to me in payment.”
“Which is why you were ordered not to leave your realm,” Atropos snaps. “You command the very shadows to do your bidding, and yet you cannot seem to leave well enough alone. No, you must find reasons to venture into the mortal realm. To play God over life and death, over the very course of history, with these deals you make.”
My jaw clenches at this. I am finding it harder and harder not to speak out of turn.
“What is it then that you would have me do?” I ask, unable to keep the ice out of my voice.
The Fates share a look, a silent conversation passing between them, before turning back to look at me. Their smiles have returned, brighter than before as they take a step toward me.
And I know I have given them the opportunity they were looking for. I have tempted them with an open invitation to tell me exactly what it is they want from me.
