The Fate of Destiny (Fates #1) (16 page)

Who could blame her.

“
And what about odds? The
odds
of that blast going off after two near misses are
way
high, Emerson. You seem to like this girl. I think it would be a good idea to keep an eye on her, just in case. If it's her time, then it's her time and there's nothing you can do. If your theory is correct, then yeah, maybe you
can
spare her. Rare, but it happens. Just keep an eye out.” Theron poked him in the chest with his finger around the can of soda and started walking again.

Emerson didn't like the odds any more than he liked the coincidence. Pacing alongside Theron, he fought with himself over how to stay close to Farris until her birthday and not seem overbearing.

Coming up on the waiting room, Emerson saw Beelah pacing in front of the seats. Her parents were gone.

“
What's going on?” he asked.

Beelah pushed her glasses up on her nose and turned to face Emerson.

“
They're going to release Farris shortly. The doctor said the scans on her head came back fine and told her if she feels any different to call them. She wants to go to the farmhouse instead of home with me, so I'll stay with her. I don't think it's a good idea for her to be alone right now.”

“
I can drive her out there, Beelah. I don't mind. It's unlikely that I'll get any sleep tonight anyway. I can work on the stairs to her loft or something,” Emerson said. It gave him a perfect excuse to keep an eye on her and keep busy at the same time.

“
I'll help,” Theron offered.

Beelah glanced between them and hugged her arms around her middle. She looked indecisive. Gnawing the inside of her lip, Beelah rocked back and forth while she considered it.

“
Why don't we all go? That way, I can watch her inside while you're doing—whatever you're going to do outside.”

Emerson finished off the last of his water and chucked the bottle into the trash.

“
Sounds fine with me. You think she'll mind us going?” Emerson didn't care if Farris liked it or not. His inner warning system was still clanging out alarms and whether she agreed or didn't, he planned to keep an eye on the farmhouse all night long.

“
I don't know. She just really wants to go home though.” Beelah, scratched and scraped as bad as the boys, smiled a shaky smile. “Thanks for helping me earlier.”

“
Hey, of course. We wouldn't leave you there.” Emerson patted her shoulder in a brotherly way. “Let's go get Farris and go home.”

. . .

The sudden flicker of candle flame on Devon's desk alerted her that she was no longer alone. Looking up from the newest Destiny she was working on, she saw Audrinne standing near the pedestal in the middle of the room.

Audrinne, the former Fate of Chaos and now her mentor, was an imposing figure. Which was a feat considering she only stood five feet tall. The layers of her blonde hair had been coiffed into swirls and curls, held in place by black glittery pins. A long coat with a snug mandarin collar around her throat covered whatever clothing she wore beneath. Black, surely, because that was a theme with the Fates of Chaos. Fey and calm, Audrinne nevertheless exuded an enticing sense of chaos even when she was still and silent. Although she had been Turned at eighteen, like the rest of the Fates, there was a maturity to her youthful appearance that made her seem wise beyond her years.

Staring intently, as if she could see beneath Devon's layers of deception, Audrinne cupped her hands over a turquoise glass ball atop her staff. The ebony staff was carved to look like a skinny raven, with a claw at the bottom and another claw cupping the glass ball. In between, life-like feathers wrapped the staff and two gold eyes peered out at the world.

Devon set her pen down and half turned in the seat.

“
Hi. I didn't expect to see you here today,” Devon said. Even though Audrinne owned Chaos Manor, she rarely made an appearance these days. In the beginning, right after the Turning, Audrinne hadn't left her side. Those had been frightening, bewildering days for Devon; Audrinne helped her through, taught her the ways of her new life.

“
I thought I would check on your progress,” Audrinne said. She took a few steps closer to the desk. “How are you faring?”

“
I'm good, Audrinne. Really good. It's flowing well. The stories, I mean.” She gestured to the current pile she was working on.

Audrinne glanced over the stacks and sheets of parchment without touching them. Her eyes, a pale green, didn't miss a thing.

“
Are there any Destinies, any scenes of Chaos that you need help with? Ones that trouble you?” she asked.

“
Mm, no. Nothing. I haven't had any problems at all.” The sole of Devon's boot squeaked on the cement when she shifted in her chair. “In fact, I think I'm ready to learn more. You haven't shown me what to do with the pedestal, yet.”

In the center of the room, the pedestal stood unused.

Audrinne cut Devon a look out of the corner of her eyes. “You are not nearly ready for that. The power associated with rituals on the pedestal are beyond your ability. Besides, we only use it in the most dire circumstances. In another five, maybe seven years, I will teach you what you need to know. Have you been reading the books?”

“
Every night. They're
fascinating.”
The Books of Chaos outlined every detail of a Fate's duties, all the spells, and explained at great length the delicate balance the Fate of Chaos was required to keep with The Fates of Destiny and the Weavers of Chaos. It was what had spawned Devon's idea of wiping out the up and coming Fate of Destiny before the Turning, so she could insert a Fate of Chaos in her place.

The balance of power needed to shift.

“
Will I ever get to meet the Queen of Fate?” Devon blurted, interrupting Audrinne. The Queen of Fate was
the
supreme ruler of all Fates. Revered for her utter power, Marintine, as she was called, existed now only in legend.

Audrinne's eyes widened a fraction. “If Marintine were to ever appear here, Devon, it would
not
be a pleasant meeting.”

“
But why? She has
so
much power. Why isn't she out here making the most of it?” Devon just didn't understand. To have that gift would be...well. Beyond awesome.

“
She is not here because she does not
need
to be here. Myself, and now you, along with the Fates of Destiny, make it so Marintine can enjoy her much deserved exile.”

“
Have you ever met her?” Devon asked.

“
I have not. I have no desire to, because I know things would go poorly if I ever did. One day, Devon, in the very distant future,
you
will understand why. Being the Fate of Chaos can be an exhausting task. You are still young and vibrant, and although you will never change from how you are now, the years and wisdom and experience you gain will eventually take their toll. One day, you will be ready to pass your duties down to another, as I have to you.”

Devon had her doubts. She controlled people's
Destiny.
She decided whether—and when—they lived or died. How much Chaos and what kind shaped their lives. It was thrilling, exciting, and challenging.

“
How many Fates of Chaos have there been?” she asked.

“
You are only the third to ever take the position. Think about that for a minute, Devon. Only the third Fate of Chaos. Your journey will be long, and sometimes, the task is more daunting than it seems in the beginning.”

Audrinne had cautioned her about this many times when Devon first turned. The trials, that the job was a huge responsibility, that the balance had to be kept even.

“
So someday, I'll become like you? I'll have to be a mentor for another Fate of Chaos to take my place?” The idea seemed far off, almost impossible to Devon. She was just getting her feet wet. Had so many plans.

“
Not for thousands of years. You have a very long time to adjust.” Audrinne gestured with one hand toward the stories. “If you have any questions, you know how to summon me. Keep reading the books, keep memorizing the rituals. Knowledge is power, remember that.”

Devon struggled to contain her glee. Thousands of years. She'd heard this before, of course. Every reminder only cemented the plans she'd set in place to do away with Farris Landry and put a Fate of Chaos in her stead.

“
I'll keep reading and learning, Audrinne, I promise. And if I need anything, I know exactly how to reach you.” Devon smiled.

Audrinne studied her, then inclined her head. “Very well. I'll leave you to your work then.”

“
Thanks for coming by.”

Audrinne turned away from the desk. The air rippled, shimmered, and swallowed the former Fate of Chaos whole.

Only when Devon knew Audrinne was truly gone did she shuffle through the Destinies for Farris'. By now, Rowley should have had time to do his job. Anticipating the end of Farris, she scanned the last page.

It didn't take long for her to realize Farris had escaped another attempt on her life. Frustrated, Devon smacked the papers on the desk and glared at the wall.

How did she continue surviving the catastrophes?

It was starting to annoy her.

Devon picked up her pen and leaned over her current Destiny.

She would give Rowley until noon to get rid of Farris or be forced to take more drastic action.

Time was running out.

Chapter Twelve

“
What's wrong?” Farris asked when Emerson stopped the truck in the driveway leading to the farmhouse. Beelah and Theron were in Emerson's Charger behind them.

Emerson, gripping the wheel with both hands, stared out the windshield at the dark house. The moon illuminated the peaks of the roof and spilled down onto the ground, lending the property a brooding appearance. The garage stood behind the home, windows dark, the staircase collapsed along the side.

Farris, stitched and bandaged, read the tension in Emerson's shoulders and arms. He seemed...hesitant. Which struck her as odd.

He thinned his lips, sat back in the seat and pulled forward toward the porch.

“
Nothing, nothing. It's just been a really weird few days,” Emerson said.

Farris couldn't argue with that. She plucked at the ruined edge of her red scarf and brushed ineffectually at the grease and burn streaks on the side of her uniform. She'd had no other clothes to change into at the hospital when they released her.

“
You don't have to stay, you know. To work on the stairs. I mean, it's like two or three in the morning.” Farris didn't think she would get any sleep tonight anyway.

Henson was gone, the Rocket was gone and now the diner was gone. Her grandmother had insisted her life was in danger and she couldn't get the uneasy feeling out of her stomach.

“
No, I'm staying. Theron and I are both staying. I--” Emerson put the truck in gear in front of the stairs and turned the engine off. He glanced across the front seat. “Look, I know I haven't known you that long. But something just isn't sitting right with me, Farris. I'll feel better if Theron and I kind of hang out until after your birthday.”

No, they hadn't known each other that long. Farris maintained eye contact while she pick-pick-picked at the hem of her uniform. She hurt in more places than she could count, but refused to show it.

“
You've been a huge help, Emerson. And yeah, we haven't known each other very long, but I appreciate everything you've done. Like at the Rocket, and the loft, and with my hope chest.” It was still sitting in the back of the truck. “I just don't expect anyone to stay here after everything that's happened.”

She didn't want Emerson and Theron to feel obligated out of pity, or some sense of duty to protect her.

Behind them, Theron cut the engine to the Charger and shut off the lights.

Emerson tapped his thumb on the steering wheel. “I know you don't expect anyone to. I don't have anywhere else I need to be right now, so I'd rather be here where I can help. Someone is going to have to fix your stairs.”

“
I don't even know how long I can stay in the loft now that Mister Henson's gone. He gave me permission to stay here, so I know I'm welcome—up until whoever he left the house to in his will shows up. Or the bank.” Farris tipped her head back against the seat.

The bank.

She didn't think she could deal with them ejecting her out of another house.

Emerson doused the headlights and pulled the keys out of the ignition.

“
That will be a while. Maybe a month or two, more if you're lucky. As long as you can keep the lights on.”

Farris knew he was looking at her. Could feel the weight of his stare. In the brief second of silence, she heard the tick of the cooling engine.

“
Maybe. I still need to start looking for somewhere else to live though. I can't count on this forever.” It meant packing up all her stories—a chore in itself—so that Beelah's brothers and parents wouldn't see them when they helped her move.

Emerson didn't answer. After a minute, she turned her head to see why. He met her gaze. In his hand, the keys jingled faintly. The scrapes and scratches decorating his face added a dangerous appeal to an already appealing package. His hair had been finger combed away from his forehead and his eyes gleamed in the moonglow.