Page 152 of To Ashes and Dust
“Well, life is too short to be so down, Atropos,” Clotho sneered, but it was more of a tease than actual anger. Their antics were dizzying, bickering like children, and wasting my time. These three were what determined our fates? Gods, no wonder the realms were in chaos.
“I’ve come to ask for help in finding a way to save Cassie,” I said, interrupting their conversation, trying not to think too deeply into their nonsense.
The three fates turned their gazes on me, and the threads above us seemed to hum with power. I stared back, refusing to back down.
“The fated child...” Lachesis, the proper one, who seemed to be the most level-headed one here said. She stared down her nose at me from her chaise. Atropos, the somber one, let the last braid slip from her hand before pushing herself up.
I frowned. Fated child? What the hell was she talking about?
“It is best she die,” Atropos said, a deep sadness lacing her voice, as if she was mourning the thought.
My heart lurched. “Why? She’s done nothin—”
“Wrong?” Clotho finished all too cheerfully. “Moira’s reincarnation will bring about the death of millions of innocents.”
I froze. “Cassie would never—”
“And yet she will,” Lachesis stated. “The balance has been disturbed thanks to Selene’s intervention in Moira’s death. Her existence is unnatural.”
“So, you will let her die...” I scoffed, looking between the three. “Because of something youthinkwill happen.”
Clotho looked at me. “It will happen. The foundation has been laid; itwillhappen if she lives.”
“One life against millions, Lord of Shadows. Would you condemn so many for the life of your mate?” Lachesis inquired. The way she said it sounded almost like a test.
“There are many things I would not hesitate to do for my mate.” I said through gritted teeth. “Regardless, I would not condemn her for something that hasn’t happened, for something that hasn’t even been set in motion yet.”
“The wheels are already turning, shadows creeping in the background, chaos churning,” Atropos said, her voice flat, her attention suddenly fixated on a thread. She lifted her hand to the golden scissors in her hair.
“You’re going to cut a mortal thread while we have a guest?” Clotho asked Atropos, as if it were a rude gesture.
“It is her time,” Atropos said absentmindedly, reaching for the thread.
I stiffened, and my heart stuttered. A mortal’s thread? Gods, please no. “Wai—”
“Do not fear, Lord of Shadows. It is not hers,” Clotho said, passing a smile in my direction. The threads hummed again, a low rumble settling into the concrete beneath my feet, and I stumbled back, eyes falling downward.
“Her power is waning,” Lachesis said to Clotho, her voice echoing off the stone walls and trees, gray eyes near glowing.
“It weakens with each reincarnation,” Clotho continued, her eyes doing the same as Lachesis.
“If she dies, the chain will be broken,” Atropos finished, glowing eyes fixated on the thread just out of her grasp as she inched closer to it.
My eyes flitted between them, my world threatening to cave in on itself. What were they saying? Would Cassie not return if I couldn’t save her? Time had stretched longer than it should’ve before she’d reawakened after Lucia. Was that the reason? Was the chain of reincarnation failing?
“If she dies, she won’t be reincarnated?” I asked, taking a step toward them.
“She wouldn’t be able to tell you,” Lachesis said, turning her near glowing gaze to me, her gray skin glittering. “Bound to secrecy.”
“Silence was her cost,” Atropos continued, as if they were one mind. She slid the thread between the outstretched blades of her golden scissors. “For the sin she committed.”
“Whose cost? How can I stop it? Please tell me,” I begged, looking between them.
Clotho settled into the chaise, lowering her head to rest on Lachesis’ lap, her ashen blonde hair spilling out over the edge. “We cannot interfere.”
“We can only watch,” Lachesis continued.
“The cataclysm will come if Moira lives,” Atropos said solemnly, and the snip of her scissors echoed throughout the chamber as she cut.
