Page 6 of Broken Fate
Meanwhile, the grand road from the main gates to the palace entrance was lined with stone buildings that towered over anything we had back home, reaching three, four, and evenfivestories high. Banners hung from windows and shop entrances, and people of all sorts moved about on the street.
Many were like us, visitors attending Fate Night and its festivities, but others were permanent residents of the city or visitors from far-off lands coming to do business.
“Quite the sight, isn’t it?” my father said, clapping Clive on the shoulder as we paused to stare until people behind started muttering comments about “country peasants” and other darker things.
We kept walking, taking a slow pace, not only to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city but also to give Clive’s parents a chance to catch up. Once we were all together, we headed to the palace. Clive and I had to be placed on the register for the Fate Night ceremony. After that, I would finally have some time alone.
To think and try to find a way out of tonight.
Chapter Four
“There it is,” Clive said, tugging on my arm and pointing as we entered the palace square and took our place in line to register.
I followed his outstretched arm and stared. Even I couldn’t deny the mysterious allure of the Fate Stone. The egg-shaped piece of stone was a little larger than my head, polished to perfect smoothness. It was rumored that not a single jagged edge could be found anywhere on any of the Fate Stones.
The onyx finish of the stone gleamed in the sun, but in the depths of its heart, green bands swirled in rings around a central heart that nobody could see. It sat on a pedestal, protected by two rows of guards with shields and very sharp-looking swords. The grim faces of the shifters who protected the stones warned anyone from getting too close unless they had permission.
“Kind of wild, don’t you think?” Clive said, for once seemingly subdued. “Tonight, we’ll be placing our hands on it. We’re going to touchFate. She’s going to show us the rest of our lives. All from there, the Fate Stone. One of eight that protect the pieces of her.”
“Yes, yes,” I said deadpan, still staring at the stone. “Nine Alphas gathered to protect Fate, who was dying. They created the Fate Stones to hold the essence of her being and protect her. In return, she granted them immortality.”
“But one of them betrayed her,” Clive continued. “Turned on the others and tried to kill Fate.”
“And so, they destroyed him and made him into evil.”
“Callistus the Betrayer,” Clive whispered. “Leader of the Callis.”
I nodded.
Beside me, Clive started to hum the tune toCalli-Catch.
“Knock it off,” I snarled, shoving him hard enough to draw looks from the guards and other people in line.
“Shit, I’m sorry, Jada,” Clive said. “I wasn’t thinking. I know that your—”
“Enough,” I said, waving his apology off. “I know you didn’t mean it. Let’s just drop it.”
“It’ll be like it never happened,” he said with a nod.
I nodded. It was so much easier to pretend like it didn’t happen. Everyone did it.
We all knew better.
I stared at the stone. A stone my sister should have touched years ago. I tried to imagine that future. What would it look like? Would I be an aunt by then? How different would it all be if I simply hadn’t gone out—
Stop it. Just stop.
I couldn’t change the past. No matter how much I dreamed about it and wished I could go back and do it differently. It wasn’t possible. I had to worry about the future. Protect those still present.
No matter the cost.
I looked over at Clive, who was still staring at the stone. The initial awe had passed. For just a moment, something flickered in the depths of his eyes. It passed in a heartbeat, and when he noticed me watching him, he smiled slightly. Whatever he’d been thinking, it was gone.
The line advanced, and we soon found ourselves at the tables where several men clad in the purple of the Alpha’s household sat, taking names. I presented myself at the table for the females, and Clive did the same at the males’ table.
“Your name,” the bored-looking clerk asked without looking up.
“Jada Saunders,” I replied.
