Chapter 38 #2
Soot-stained shadows shot out from the outline of Aidan’s body, and the blue fire in his eyes blazed unnaturally, but he said nothing. Standing, he began to pace until Elysia grew impatient and snagged his trouser pocket, stopping him from burning holes in the floor.
“It can’t be worse than me contemplating murdering you.”
Exhaling harshly, he stared down at her. “Killing the fates is a possibility.”
Surprise lightened her. “Then what’s the problem?”
“Your odds, specifically, are not good if we were to go in that direction. You need to understand, mortals cannot kill gods, much less fates. If anyone says otherwise, they’re lying. If we were to move in this direction, it would take time and planning. This isn’t a one-woman job.”
Elysia deflated, letting go of him and sinking back to the rug. It didn’t take her long to shrug. “There are no good odds—I say it stays on the table. Besides, they said they’d kill me if I didn’t kill you.”
Aidan’s gaze was heavy on her. “Involving the gods is a longer path, but safer. Every time I consider killing the fates, the odds don’t make sense.
I can’t even be sure of what I’m calculating.
It’s like my magic can’t conceive of a world where the fates are not dictating what is or isn’t.
There have been many gods. There have only ever been these three fates. ”
While it was likely the opposite of his intention, an ever so tiny flicker of possibility came back to life within her at his words. It was an incredibly long shot, but if it worked…
“Killing them can wait, but the fates are hiding the talisman from me to stop my apotheosis.” Decision made, she continued. “Which brings us back to where we started, I need to retrieve the talisman. My tapestry won’t change—I’ve been after the talisman the whole time.”
Aidan’s gaze darkened, easily surmising there was something she wasn’t saying. He ducked his brow to hers in acquiescence before quietly exiting the room.
His office door latched in the distance, and her shoulders dropped.
No doubt he’d be in there all night now, filling ledger after ledger with possibilities and odds.
As a mortal, his magic had made him successful, impossible to beat.
Now, it seemed to be a curse. He lived in possibilities, never able to stay long in what was, and it was akin to unending distress.
Maya reappeared in the living room, ledgerless and irritated. “I couldn’t find that number.”
Elysia grabbed a bottle of red wine off the black tray resting on the couch cushion. She poured out a glass and handed it to Maya.
“Don’t worry about it. He’s pissed because we’re running out of time.”
Grim’s brow creased for the barest of seconds before smoothing. Nodding to Elysia, he stood and brushed a hand over her shoulder. “Need to check in with the reapers.”
She smiled at him. He could wonder all he wanted. She’d told them what she could. They would have to trust her now.
Grim stalked out, and Elysia poured her own glass.
It was better this way.
She took a sip of the bittersweet wine. “So, you tried to murder Garrison with a corpse?”
Astonishment flashed across Maya’s face before she recovered herself and took a seat on the dark brown leather armchair. Pulling a throw blanket off the arm and onto her lap, she toyed with the fringe of tassels. “You’ve known then.”
Elysia nodded without emotion, continuing to study the woman across from her. “I didn’t immediately. You looked familiar, obviously. Your father’s eyes. Your brother’s freckles.”
“What gave it away?”
She shrugged. “I read you.”
Maya’s mouth twisted. “And you never said anything.”
It wasn’t an accusation, but there was an edge to Maya’s tone that made Elysia smile. She didn’t like being found out. It made her nervous that Elysia had rummaged around, searching for her secrets.
“Neither did you.” She set her wineglass down. “Help me and I’ll help you.”
Still miffed, Maya hedged. “What are you thinking?”
“We both know you have the scissors. You put them in front of me for a reason that day. Do you work for them?”
Maya’s face went blank. “No, the only person I work for is myself.”
“Hmm, well, either you stole them from the fates, or they gave them to you. Which is it?”
Her magic curled around Maya, and the woman bristled. “That won’t work on me. I’ve been shielding you for weeks.”
Elysia took a sip. “I know. You’re going to give me the scissors.”
Maya scoffed. “And why would I hand you a pair of gods-ending scissors?”
“Because I think you stole them. I think that you stole them and wanted to see if you, as a demigod, could wield them. But you can’t, you’re not strong enough. Are they still in your possession?”
“No,” she bit off, eyes flickering with white. “They would have noticed if I kept them for long.”
“Right. I need you to steal them again.”
“Why would I do that for you?” Her face wore a sneer.
Elysia calmly put aside her wine. “Because if you don’t, I’ll tell Aidan that you stole the scissors hoping to murder him.
You’re an easy read, Maya. There are two things you want.
The death realm, and your brother. So, here’s what’s going to happen.
You’re going to get me the scissors, and not only will I keep this from Aidan, but I’ll convince him to give you a pass to the mortal realm for a day.
He can’t restore your ability to travel realms, but he can manage a pass like he did for me. You can see your brother.”
It was a few moments before she said anything. She looked older when she answered. Older and angrier than her whimsical dresses and antics ever showed. “I raised him, and they want to use him to end Garrison. They don’t care that he’ll die, but I do.”
Elysia nodded. “I don’t want him to die either. Do we have a deal?”