Chapter 22
Chapter twenty-two
ILIANA
Hermes laughed softly and covered her hand with his. “Yes, sweet girl. The Fates. Are you familiar with them, or have these gods neglected to explain how things work?”
Iliana frowned. She didn’t appreciate his mocking tone. “I know of the Fates. And no, there hasn’t been any time for lessons.”
Anubis placed a hand on her leg, his warmth calming her as she focused on the question.
“The Fates are three sisters. The weavers of destiny?” She had a vague memory of an animated movie from when she was a kid. It wasn’t much, but it was something.
Hermes nodded. “Yes. And they’ve requested your presence. Which means they plan to discuss your fate.”
She struggled to keep up as each answer only raised more questions.
“Like I said before you ran off,” Hermes continued, “you’re attracting the attention of many gods.
The Fates are just the latest. And when they get involved, it usually means someone’s been tampering with destiny.
Or you’re going to change something big.
” His sharp blue eyes studied her. “That makes you very interesting to us.”
She half expected the others to agree. Instead, their looks only darkened while Hermes all but vibrated with curiosity.
“A goddess wants you protected, the Fates summon you, and someone went to great lengths to curse your bloodline,” Hermes mused, cocking his head as though attempting to solve a riddle. “So, little human, why aren’t you longing to understand what’s so remarkable about you?”
He was wrong. She’d never been special, and she didn’t want to be. Being noticed meant being vulnerable—and she’d already lost too much. She couldn’t lose anyone else.
Anubis’ grip on her leg tightened slightly. “You said the Fates requested her presence. Did they say why?”
Hermes turned his gaze to the god, smirking. “They never say why, Jackal. You know that.”
Anubis didn’t return the smile. “If the Fates are involved, this is bigger than just a curse. They do not summon humans unless there is a reason.”
Iliana swallowed. “You make it sound ominous.”
“Because it might be.”
She shivered, the reassurance she’d hoped for vanishing instantly. She looked to Thanatos; his face was just as serious. Turning back to Hermes, she asked, “When am I supposed to meet them?”
“A few days, maybe a week.” He stretched lazily. “They didn’t specify a time, but if you make them wait too long…” He grinned. “The Fates will come for you.”
She grew queasy. “What does that mean, exactly?”
Hypnos cleared his throat. “It means they’ll take you, whether you want them to or not.”
She hated being left with no control, with no say in her life or her decisions, but she forced herself to think past the panic. This differed from her parents’ deaths or being taken from her apartment. This time, she had a warning. She could choose how she faced it.
Her voice steadied, even if she didn’t. “Okay. I’ll be ready for them.” She looked past Anubis and caught Thanatos’ eye. “Will that give us enough time for a quick lesson or two about them? I’d rather not walk in completely blind. I want to be prepared.”
Thanatos looked surprised by her request. “We will teach you about their customs and prepare you. But Iliana, do not take this invitation lightly.”
She swallowed. “Are they dangerous?”
Hypnos leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. “No,” he said. “They won’t harm you.” That should’ve made her feel better, but then he added, “They’ll give you just enough information to confuse you.”
Iliana scowled. “That’s…not comforting.”
Hypnos shrugged. “It wasn’t meant to be.”
She gritted her teeth. Asshole.
Anubis’ deep voice rumbled, pulling her attention away from the grumpy god of sleep. “We will be with you. You will not face them alone.”
The gods moved on quickly, talking strategy as they grouped around a table conjured between them. What they’d teach her, where the Fates planned to meet them, what to do if things went wrong—plans spiraled faster than she could track.
She tried to join in and make her opinion heard, but their voices faded as her attention waned. She barely processed their words. More than one pantheon watched her, with sets of expectations she couldn’t meet.
Anubis remained next to her throughout. He methodically sharpened a knife as he spoke with the others about training her. Something about combat lessons and self-defense.
She tried to focus on learning to protect herself. It was something she’d always wanted but never pursued. The uncertainty and knowledge that the Fates were watching her forced her further down into the cushions. Her thoughts were focused on one thing. Why me?
She had no answer.
Looking at Thanatos, she thought of their kiss. Gentle. No pressure or expectations. She hadn’t pulled away, leaning in and taking what she wanted. Thanatos held her, and she melted into him. Maybe it was the near-death experiences or the curse tricking her mind.
Or maybe it was just him.
She was only vaguely aware of Anubis moving near her as she closed her eyes, trying to sort through her emotions. Her body gave in before her mind could protest.
She slipped—quiet, unnoticed—into sleep.