Impulsive Destiny

by Cassandra Lawson

  “You will not help her, Seth,” Arawn spat out angrily.

  Zane knew this was a dangerous Fae, but his sense of desperation made his common sense fade away, and he stood, glaring at Arawn. “She’s your daughter! How can you just leave her with that sick bastard? What kind of asshole does something like that?”

  “She willingly gave herself to my enemy,” Arawn argued. “My daughter made her choice, and now she has to live with the consequences. She’s just lucky Talon is so squeamish when it comes to things like rape.” The way Arawn said that made it sound like some kind of weakness on Talon’s part.

  “She only agreed to go with him to save my life!” Zane snapped.

  “That changes nothing,” Arawn scoffed. “After all I did to save her life, she just gave away her freedom like a fool. I could have saved your life, but she didn’t once call me for help. Oh, no, she took Talon’s help instead of coming to her own father.”

  “Why the hell would she have even considered asking you for help?” Zane demanded, unable to believe that Arawn actually sounded hurt that Lexi hadn’t asked him for help.

  “I’m her father!” Arawn roared. “As I’ve already said, I saved her life, so she should have known she could come to me.”

  “Saved her life?” Zane asked incredulously. “You threw her in a creek without finding out if she could swim. I’m the one who saved her life. If I hadn’t been there to pull her out of that creek, you would have simply changed her cause of death.”

  Arawn’s eyebrows lifted as he stared at Zane. “Really? You think it was an accident that I dropped my daughter at your feet like a gift? You think it was fate that put her where you could save her?”

  “Are you honestly trying to tell us that you were playing matchmaker?” Kyleigh gasped.

  “I may have done a little research to find the perfect man to keep her safe,” Arawn admitted, sounding somewhat embarrassed to admit that to anyone. “Clearly, I didn’t do enough research. I gave my only daughter to this mangy cat, and he failed to protect her.”

  “You gave her to him?” Seth interrupted, sounding excited all of a sudden.

  “Didn’t I just say that?” Arawn hissed with annoyance before his eyes flashed with understanding. “Seth, I may not destroy you after all. In fact, I think you’ve managed to make it onto my good side.”

  “I have a feeling this is going to be one of those very rare times when stupid Fae politics don’t make me angry,” Kyleigh muttered.

  “Would someone care to explain to me what’s going on?” Zane asked with an exasperated sigh. It seemed like they were all talking in some sort of code. “Clearly, the fact that you said you gave Lexi to me is meaningful in some way.”

  “The Fae have very little respect for anyone who isn’t full-blooded Fae,” Kyleigh began. That was something Zane already knew. “That means they often gift half-breeds to others when they don’t choose to kill them.”

  “So, Lexi was gifted to me like some piece of property?” Zane would love to see Lexi’s reaction to that. She’d be seriously pissed. God, how he longed to see her eyes flare with anger.

  “Think carefully, shifter,” Arawn said as he approached Zane. “Did you at any time make an agreement with Talon to save your life?”

  Zane shook his head. “I couldn’t even speak. At the time, I was so close to death that I’m not even sure how I survived. I felt like I was dying.”

  “Talon must have bound your soul to your body until you healed,” Kyleigh surmised. “Although, I have no idea how he’d do that, since you generally need to stay very close to the person whose soul you’ve bound or the process is reversed. That’s the way it was when I bound Ian’s soul to prevent him from dying.”

  “Your human genetics weaken you,” Arawn explained in a dismissive tone. “Talon would have had an easy time keeping the lynx alive and healing him.”

  “So, only Lexi agreed to give herself to Talon,” Seth piped in excitedly.

  “And by some moronic Fae law, she belongs to Zane, so she couldn’t have given herself to Talon. Only Zane could gift her to someone else,” Kyleigh added, sounding both irritated and happy with this discovery.

  Zane remained quiet because, no matter what they said, he knew things weren’t going to be resolved that easily. The only bright spot of his day was that they’d finally gotten Arawn’s attention.

  “So, what happens now?” Zane asked because, while they’d all basically agreed that Talon couldn’t claim Lexi, no one had given any indication of how they were going to get her back.

  “Now, you come with me,” Arawn ordered before grasping Zane’s arm.

  Zane watched as the world was swallowed up by a haze of silver mist.

  Chapter Eighty

  After puking in a large ceramic pot for the last five minutes, Zane was convinced he didn’t have anything left in his stomach. He’d never been this damn sick in his entire life.

  Arawn—the asshole—watched with amusement.

  “Traveling across dimensions can make some sick, especially the way we did it,” Arawn remarked with a bored shrug.

  “Why do I get the impression that was your intention?” Zane grumbled.

  Arawn’s evil grin said it all. The Fae like causing pain, and Zane would do well to remember that. Even though this Fae had some sort of soft spot for Lexi, Arawn wasn’t the sensitive type.

  “There’s a bathroom over there with a shower.” Arawn gestured to a door off the sitting room they were in. “Go clean yourself up before we meet with Talon. You should look as fit as possible. I’ll also have more food brought in. Do you need a woman to service you?”

  “Your daughter is my mate!” Zane gasped. “Are you honestly suggesting I cheat on your daughter?”

  Arawn laughed. “What do I care who you fuck? I find that it takes the edge off before a confrontation. For all you know, Talon’s fucked your mate in ways you can’t even imagine. He’s not into rape, but he’s always had a way with women.”

  “If you’re trying to make me doubt Lexi, you’re wasting your time.” Zane headed toward the bathroom, unwilling to let Arawn get to him.

  Arawn chuckled. “Fine! I’m going to take care of a few things before we meet with Talon. Since you aren’t interested in that fuck, I think I’ll indulge my own needs.”

  Zane shut himself in the bathroom before he gave in to the temptation to punch Arawn. Damn, he really hated that asshole. How could he even consider screwing someone when his daughter might be in danger? Quickly stripping out of his pants, Zane stepped into the shower. The tension in his body increased at the thought of seeing Lexi soon. He just wished he didn’t have to play Arawn’s stupid games first.

  Chapter Eighty-One

  “I am not taking a bath today!” Lexi shouted when she heard the door to her room open.

  Talon’s laughter flowed through the room. “Not even to look pretty for your scrawny cat?”

  There was a brief spark of hope, which Lexi quickly snuffed out. One thing she’d learned in life was how dangerous hope could be. “Why would Zane be here?” Her voice caught on Zane’s name, betraying her emotions.

  “No clue,” Talon replied with a shrug. “I have to admit that I’m eager to find out. Things have been much too boring with you moping about and Arawn pretending he doesn’t know I have you locked away in my bedroom.”

  “This is all just a game to you, isn’t it?” Lexi eyed Talon with utter disdain, which didn’t seem to bother him at all.

  “No, Alexa, my revenge against your father is no game,” he assured her.

  Turning away, Lexi let out a bitter laugh. “Revenge? Is this the revenge you’re supposed to be having against my father? I met the man once, and he almost drowned me. What makes you think he gives a damn that you have me here?”

  “If he didn’t care at all, he would have left you in your time to die,” Talon argued. “Arawn intervened in your death, and believe me when I tell you, he wouldn’t have done that for anyone else. Not only did he
save you, he carefully researched where he was going to drop you.”

  Lexi snorted. “Not that carefully, or he wouldn’t have dropped me in a creek when I can’t swim.”

  “Please,” Talon scoffed. “I’d bet my very existence he knew the shifter was going to save you. Arawn practically gave you to that mangy cat.”

  That’s when panic flashed in Talon’s eyes. “Fuck!” he roared. “That’s why the shifter is here. That bastard thinks he has me beat, but I’m not about to give up.”

  “So, Zane really is here?” she asked, torn between hope and fear. Yes, she wanted to see Zane, but not like this. Talon had gone to great lengths to explain to her what would happen if she broke her word and tried to leave him. Running from Talon would result in Zane’s death, and she couldn’t allow that to happen.

  “He’s here, and that’s why we’re leaving.”

  Before Lexi could react, Talon grasped her arm, and she found herself falling through a swirling red mist, much like when she’d been transported to Zane’s time. This time, there was no creek to land in. Lexi’s body slammed into the unforgiving asphalt of a parking lot.

  Groaning, Lexi looked around to try to get her bearings. “Where the hell am I?”

  “Not far from where Arawn took you,” Talon explained in a bored tone as he watched her struggle to her feet. “This is a much better place since there is a vaccine clinic close by.”

  It amazed Lexi that she didn’t seem to have any broken bones. While she hurt from the fall, she was able to stand and take in her surroundings. She recognized the parking lot of the grocery store she’d shopped at a few times. The area looked like it had been looted. There were broken windows, some abandoned cars, and even bodies lying in the street.

  “This isn’t the exact time you left, but it’s close to when you were supposed to die,” Talon explained. “I know I said death wasn’t an option for you, but it’s either this or hand you over to the shifter, which would mean Arawn wins. Sorry to leave you here, but I’d rather not stick around to watch you being torn apart by vampires. I can tell they’ll be rising soon.” On those words, Talon simply disappeared.

  “Well, at least I’m free,” Lexi muttered to herself. Now, she just had to figure out how to stay alive. The one advantage she had over most people around here was that she’d fought vampires and knew how to kill them.

  Chapter Eighty-Two

  Zane followed Arawn through the many portals of the Fae realm until they reached Talon’s small domain. From what he’d been told, it would be a simple matter to release Lexi from Talon since Lexi didn’t have the authority to offer up her own freedom. It certainly sounded simple, but Zane had the sinking suspicion things weren’t going to be that easy.

  “I was wondering how long it would take you to arrive.” Talon was lounging on a plush black sofa with two attendants by his side.

  “Where is my daughter?” Arawn demanded.

  Talon looked around the room before smirking at them. “Obviously, she’s not here.”

  “I can see that,” Arawn ground out. “Let’s not play games. You had no right to make a bargain with my daughter. I had gifted her to the shifter. I demand that you hand her over to him immediately.”

  Talon’s eerie laughter rang through the room and filled Zane with dread. While he could still smell the faint remnants of Lexi’s scent, she wasn’t in this room. In fact, she was nowhere nearby.

  “Where is she?” Zane growled. “Where the fuck is my mate?”

  “As soon as I realized I had no right to claim Alexa, I released her,” Talon said with a slimy smirk.

  “Enough of your games,” Arawn snapped, moving across the room to grip Talon by his throat and lift him from the sofa. The attendants scattered. It was then that Zane saw the madness swirling in Talon’s eyes. Nothing Arawn threatened would work because Talon no longer had the sense to be afraid.

  “Games?” Talon asked. “Oh, no, this is no game. You destroyed the soul of the only woman I ever loved, and I’d planned to keep your daughter as my plaything as revenge, but you ruined everything. That left me with only one option. She’ll die just the way she was meant to—torn apart by rabid vampires in her own time.”

  “No!” Zane shouted.

  “So, all of this has been about getting revenge against me for a soul I destroyed?” Arawn was clearly amused. “Do you honestly think I’m going to suffer an ounce of guilt if my daughter dies because of your ridiculous revenge scheme?”

  “You came after her,” Talon insisted, blood pouring from his nose and eyes. “You’re threatening me now because you care about her.”

  “No, you imbecile,” Arawn scoffed. “I’m going to end your miserable existence because touching my daughter is an insult and a challenge. Whether she lives or dies is my choice. You are going to die because you dared to question my power.”

  Talon laughed, with a strange gurgling sound in the back of his throat. Zane figured this must be what true madness looked like. Talon was dying, and clearly in pain, yet he was still unable to grasp the reality of what was happening to him. Blood continued to pour down his face, which was rapidly beginning to look more and more skeletal.

  “On second thought, death is too good for you,” Arawn remarked with an evil grin before leaning into Talon and taking a deep breath through his mouth. Zane saw what looked like red mist flowing from Talon’s body into Arawn’s. At that point, Talon’s lips parted in a silent scream.

  When the red mist was little more than tiny threads that had nearly faded to nothing, Arawn released Talon and allowed his body to fall to the ground. Looking at the attendants, who had moved to the farthest corner of the room where they huddled in fear, Arawn finally spoke. “Tell everyone what happens when someone is stupid enough to question my authority. Do it after you drop him in some remote part of the human world to fend for himself. You, come with me,” Arawn commanded Zane.

  Zane’s temper flared to life again, even as his fear stayed firmly in place. The fact that Arawn was not a Fae to fuck with didn’t mean Zane was going to sit quietly and let his mate be torn apart by vampires.

  “How are we going to save her?” he pushed.

  Arawn stopped and looked at him like he was a complete idiot.

  “You can’t mean to tell me that you’re just going to leave her there,” Zane practically gasped. Asshole or not, Zane hadn’t really believed Arawn cared that little about his own daughter.

  “I am one of the most powerful Fae in existence. There are things I can do that no other Fae could ever dream of.” Arawn paused and let out a frustrated sigh. “Even I can’t bring her forward in time a second time. While I’m sure it can be done, I have no idea who to ask for help, and I’m not on good terms with most other powerful Fae.”

  “Then take me back there so I can protect her,” Zane told him.

  Arawn let out a startled bark of laughter. “You do realize that, since you’re not Fae, time travel could kill you, don’t you?”

  “I don’t give a fuck what the risk to me is,” Zane insisted. “I need to save Lexi.”

  After studying Zane for a moment, Arawn nodded. “I made the right choice in giving her to you. I’ll take you back, but I won’t be able to linger there. You’ll be on your own.”

  Zane nodded. “Can you do one other thing for me?”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Arawn sounded incredulous. “Haven’t you already asked me for enough?”

  “You haven’t said no yet,” Zane replied with a grin.

  “You’re making me sound soft,” Arawn complained. “But I suppose, since you’re probably going to die soon, you won’t be able to tell anyone.”

  “Just tell Kyleigh I went after Lexi,” Zane told him. “I don’t want my family to worry too much about what happened.”

  “Fine, I can do that,” Arawn agreed with a nod. “Now, let me locate Alexa so you can begin this suicide mission of yours.”

  Chapter Eighty-Three

  “Fuck, this is bad,
” Lexi grumbled when she realized she was surrounded by dozens of bodies that were going to rise as turned vampires very soon, if Talon was to be believed. Based on the stench coming from the bodies in the street, she suspected he was telling the truth about them having been dead for close to three days. While she knew how to fight them, she wasn’t going to have much luck if she didn’t get some weapons. It was also going to be hard fighting in the short strapless dress Talon had provided her to wear.

  First things first, she needed supplies, clothes, weapons, and transportation. She made her way to the drugstore across the street and found the automatic doors wide open. The aisles were deserted, except for a few bodies in the pharmacy area. In the enclosed store, the smell of death was even stronger, and she had to fight down the bile in the back of her throat. She wasn’t likely to find any weapons here, but she remembered seeing a martial arts school close by. With any luck, it was still there. While she couldn’t remember what they taught, they might have weapons of some sort. If she was going to die, at least she’d go down with a fight.

  Before heading over there, she made a quick trip down the aisles to grab sweats, a t-shirt, underwear, socks, and some cheap canvas shoes. It wasn’t the best clothing, but it beat the hell out of what she was wearing. At least her boobs wouldn’t pop out when she tried to fight off the vampires. After a quick scan of the store, she slipped into the backroom to change clothes. Snatching a canvas bag, she filled it with first aid supplies, water, and snack foods before heading out of the store. There hadn’t been a lot left on the shelves.