by Lizzy Ford
He released her.
Muttering under her breath, she rose, snatched a pair of jeans, shirt and bra from her wardrobe, and shuffled to her bathroom. When she was out of sight, she dropped the bedding and dressed, not trusting her half-brother to tell her the truth about who wanted to have her dragged out of her room.
When she was ready, she left the bathroom and glared at Rhyn, who was waiting by the door, along with Trayern.
“What’s this about?” she asked Rhyn. She sat to pull on her shoes.
“You’ll see,” was all he’d say.
In a funk, she trailed him down the hall, several flights of stairs and out the rear entrance of the castle used solely by its residents. The morning was cool and quiet, and the scent of the forest helped ease some of her tension. She allowed the tranquil forest to soothe her as she followed Rhyn down a familiar path towards the large lake located on the property.
When they reached it, she immediately understood.
“Mom!” Stephanie cried. She raced past Rhyn and flung herself into her mother’s arms.
Her mom laughed and stumbled back. “Hey, sweetie!”
“You have no idea how happy I am to see you. This place is a nightmare!” Tears stung her eyes, and Stephanie squeezed the small goddess tightly in case their reunion turned out to be a dream. “I’ve tried summoning you several times. Why didn’t you come?”
“It’s complicated,” her mother said. “What’s important is that we’re here now.”
Stephanie relaxed for the first time since she’d lost her mate. She didn’t care why things were complicated; she was overwhelmed and grateful to see her mother again. A deity who had posed as a human, Chaos was designated as one of the Unseen, whose purpose had been singular in nature and was no longer required for the worlds to function.
They held each other in the quiet forest. When she started to feel as if her world wasn’t going to implode, Stephanie pulled away to gaze at her mother’s face.
Chaos smiled. “You are beautiful, my little Stephie,” she murmured.
“I missed you, Mom. But it’s not safe for you at the castle.”
“I’m where I need to be for now.”
“How’s Sammy?”
“I’ll see her next.”
Stephanie’s brow furrowed. “Isn’t she at the Sanctuary with you?”
“Sweetie, I’m not at the Sanctuary. I’ve had to stay elsewhere for now,” Chaos answered.
“What do you mean?”
“Like I said, it’s complicated.”
“Did Wynn do something to you?” Stephanie demanded.
“No.” Chaos grinned. “I’ve been in Hell.”
Stephanie gasped.
“I made a deal with Darkyn to free your mate.”
“Oh, Mom,” Stephanie breathed.
“I lost my mate when I was young. I couldn’t let you go through that kind of pain,” Chaos said quietly. “I’m surprised he didn’t tell you.”
“I haven’t seen him since Darkyn took him to Hell,” Stephanie said, her confusion growing. “You’re saying he’s not down there with you?”
“No. He was freed.”
Stephanie’s mind struggled to put together the picture of what happened. Her mother had traded her life for Fate’s, and Fate had … disappeared? If he were truly free, he’d be with Stephanie and Karma wouldn’t be a madwoman.
“You’re in trouble,” she said, refocusing on her mother.
“I’m where I need to be for now,” her mother repeated. “I’m being treated as a guest of sorts. They aren’t hurting me.”
“Like they treated Peace?” Stephanie asked, recalling the comfortable chamber in Hell where she’d found her older brother drinking tea.
“He was exceptionally well treated,” her mother said. “But close. Darkyn has no intention of freeing me. He did give me five minutes with each of you.”
“Only five.” Stephanie’s panic rose.
“It’s a game, Steph,” Chaos said. “Likely he’s looking to destabilize me.”
Stephanie glared over her short mother’s head at the ever-wary Trayern. “He might be trying to destabilize me,” she said.
Trayern tossed a curved dagger into the air, arresting gaze on her.
“What an asshole,” Stephanie muttered.
“Who?” Her mother turned.
“Don’t worry about it.” Stephanie planted her hands on her mother’s shoulders. “Wynn wants me to take over the Council.”
“Really?” Her mother said and then began to smile. “Good. It makes it easier for me to tell you your sister is going to inherit my power one day.”
“Why would I care?”
“I didn’t want it to seem like I’m playing favorites. I love both my babies.”
“Oh, my god, Mom.” Stephanie sighed at the purely maternal concern.
“I’m assuming it’s because you have Immortal blood, and –”
“Mom, seriously. I don’t care,” Stephanie said. “Are you okay? Really?”
“I am, sweetie.” Her mother showed no signs of torture, and her smile was genuine.
“How do we get you out?” Stephanie asked, aware their time together was quickly passing.
“For now, you don’t,” her mother said firmly. “I have some tricks up my sleeves. Let me work on it, okay?”
“Can you get out?”
“I’m confident I can.”
Stephanie had never had to ask herself before if her mom had ever lied to her. She couldn’t tell if Chaos was truthful or not, but she sensed there was something deeper going on than her mother let on.
“You’re sure Wynn had nothing to do with this?” she asked.
“He didn’t. I couldn’t bear to see you in pain.”
This felt true, even if not every assurance and explanation her mother provided did. Stephanie hugged her again, afraid of losing her mother and even more concerned now that she knew Chaos was stuck in Hell.
“I can’t let you stay in Hell,” Stephanie said, distressed.
“Sweetie, I’m a goddess. I can handle it. You’ve got your hands full with Wynn and that mate of yours.”
Stephanie smiled. She heard the animosity of a deity towards another, in addition to the disapproval of a mother.
“If there’s anything I can do, will you promise to tell me?” she asked.
“I promise.” Her mother pulled away. “My time is up. Before I go, I want to give you something.” She held out her hand.
Stephanie looked at it curiously.
“A favor, in case you need it,” Chaos explained. “Only two people in all the worlds possess a favor from me. You can use it as you please, without restrictions or conditions of any kind. It might help you down the road.”
Stephanie shook her mother’s hand. Cold fire tore through her. “Thank you,” she said. “I hope I never have to.”
“It’s a tool, and dare I say, a weapon?” Chaos mused. She stepped back. “You use everything you can when you have to.”
Stephanie was beginning to understand this lesson above all others. The game the deities and Immortals played was messy and not for the faint at heart.
A portal opened behind Chaos.
“I’ll see you again soon,” her mother promised with a smile.
Don’t go! Stephanie swallowed the plea but couldn’t shake the sense of pain and panic. Her mother walked into the portal and disappeared.
Stephanie remained where she was, staring at the space where her mother had been. She couldn’t fathom why Fate hadn’t returned or informed her or his sister of his plans. Was this part of the maneuvering he couldn’t discuss with her? Either way, why couldn’t he drop by to say hello and oh, by the way, he wasn’t trapped in Hell anymore? She wouldn’t humor the idea he’d told her for any other reason except that he couldn’t. They were mates. She was still wrapping her head around what that meant, but she felt the depth of their connection. He’d never purposely betray or deceive her. If he hadn’t returned to see
her, there was a reason for it, and it probably wasn’t good.
“Told you. This had nothing to do with Wynn,” Rhyn said in satisfaction.
Stephanie wiped away the tears she hadn’t felt. “Just when I start to get a grip on what’s going on …” She shook her head. “I don’t know if this makes things better or complicates things.”
“Definitely complicates things now that you know Darkyn has your mom,” the blunt half-demon replied.
“I hate feeling powerless about everything.”
“You’re powerful where you are. You can’t fix other people’s messes, but you can be the kind of person they need when they’re done fucking each other over.” The wise response came from one of the two brothers she didn’t expect deep thoughts from.
“You’re sweet, Rhyn,” she murmured with a sad smile. “I’ve been scared to think about taking over the Council. I’ll never be like Wynn.”
“He chose you as his successor for that reason. You don’t have to behead guests at dinner.”
She shuddered.
“The Immortals need someone like you. I fucked things up real good when I was in charge. Not purposely, but I didn’t have much help. You do.” He grinned. “Focus on today. Be the person this place needs.”
“You all have a lot of faith in me,” she said. “I hope I don’t let you down.”
“You won’t.” He turned to leave. “And now, we both have work to do.”
Stephanie went with him. She felt better after her mother’s visit, despite learning of her mother’s unnerving circumstances. The night before, she’d been ready to run away, and this morning, she hadn’t wanted to leave her bed.
But she felt rejuvenated after the visit. If Darkyn had meant to destabilize her, he had failed. Mostly. There was the issue of her mother in Hell. The demon had likely allowed Chaos to visit her as a power play and warning to the new Council leader not to fuck with him.
If anything, he was motivating her.
Wynn collected power and influence for reasons Stephanie didn’t understand. However, she understood why they mattered to her. The more power and influence she possessed, the better able she was to help those she loved. Perhaps, with time, she’d have the leverage she needed to help her mother, protect her sister, and find her mate. She needed to step up, even on days such as this one when she wanted to break down and stay in bed. Lives depended upon her – those of her family, mate and the Immortals.
This was a lesson she couldn’t afford to lose sight of, no matter what else happened and how daunting her new duty would seem.
If her mother’s presence in Hell alarmed her, Fate’s disappearance baffled her. Stephanie didn’t yet understand what was going on with her mate, but the best way to learn anything was to be in the position she needed to be. For now, that meant playing Wynn’s game and learning everything she could from the cold, calculating Ancient.
For all his quirks, Wynn was willing to teach her, and she needed to remain open to learning.
“Your plan backfired, demon,” she snapped at Trayern as they walked back towards the castle. “I feel ready to take on the world now.”
“You figured it out. Imagine that.”
She shook her head. “I understood the warning.”
“Politics, half-breed. It’s a long game.”
“Gives me more time to figure out how to win.”
“Or to lose everyone you care about, if you decide to cross the Dark One or anyone else powerful enough to fuck you up.”
Stephanie said nothing, hearing the truth in the words. She needed to build her power and influence, but she couldn’t be reckless or foolish. If she fucked up, her family paid with their lives. She’d have to learn quickly and act with great care.
Eighteen
Wynn waited for Gabriel to appear after the summons before rising from his desk and circling it. His study was his safe place, a library he’d curated over thousands of years. It held more secrets encoded between the pages of books than any Immortal or deity could possibly know.
Secrets like the one Gabriel was trying hard to hide. A collector of information, Wynn had the ability to read the secrets and fears of others and regularly used them to manipulate. With deities, it was harder, but he had learned how to do it, which was one of his keys of staying in power. Everyone had something to hide.
Except for Karma, he thought. He didn’t have to read hers; she kept none. She was exactly who and what she said and seemed to be. The idea anyone could be that true to themselves fascinated Wynn.
“You want to trade your final favor?” Gabriel asked, standing in the center of the study.
Wynn refocused. “I have a question.” He hadn’t thought to peer into Death’s mind when he visited the other night, and had been too occupied with Karma to search Gabriel’s mind the day before.
But Wynn looked now and smiled.
Death waited.
“Fate’s in the Underworld, isn’t he?” Wynn asked. “You don’t want any other deity, such as the Dark One, to know.”
Gabriel’s jaw clenched.
“It would explain why you showed up to stop Karma from murdering more deities,” Wynn said. “As well as the reason behind why you came to me rather than sending a death dealer. At first, I thought it was personal, but it made more sense that your actions were on behalf of someone else.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I already know the truth, Gabriel.”
Gabriel wiped his mouth.
“I can’t imagine how that happened, though I suspect it has something to do with the sudden disappearance of Chaos.”
“That’s Darkyn’s business, not mine.”
Wynn didn’t need the confirmation. Chaos wasn’t going to let her daughter’s mate rot in Hell. The goddess had had a mate of her own long ago who had been murdered by none other than Fate’s father. Wynn assumed Darkyn extorted as many favors as possible out of deities who wanted revenge against Fate then traded his life for that of Chaos.
It was a terrible, terrible move on her part, one Wynn would’ve advised against vehemently and then ensured never happened. It was too late to dwell on the approach he would’ve taken. As it was, his daughter’s mother was in Hell and her mate was in the Underworld.
“Why haven’t you told Karma?” he asked Gabriel.
“Because everyone is better off not knowing, especially someone as crazy as she is. He’s had over ten hits out on him, including yours. Karma murdered one of those with a contract on him. While I wait for his successor to step up, I must try to dissuade the other deities from lifting theirs. It’s a fucking full-time job. The moment Fate sets foot outside the Underworld, he’s toast. I don’t want to see Rhyn’s sister hurt, and I owe Fate for helping me not break the universe when I ascended to my position.”
“I appreciate your consideration.” Wynn crossed his arms, absorbing the information, as well as making a note of Gabriel’s weakness for the Immortals he cared about. “You know Karma and Stephanie both are plotting how to get back into Hell.”
“I can’t do anything about it for now. If word gets out I’m harboring the most wanted deity in existence, we’re all fucked.”
Wynn loved secrets, and this one was juicy. But using it recklessly could hurt two people he didn’t want to.
“Speaking of contracts, are you willing to call yours off?” Gabriel asked, sharp eyes on Wynn’s face.
Wynn had arranged to send Fate to Hell out of revenge for his murder but also because he didn’t want his only daughter involved with such a manipulative, dangerous, selfish being. After Wynn’s second night with his mate, however, he was beginning to understand how much more pain Stephanie was in without her mate than she was likely to experience with him.
Fucking Karma was becoming an addiction, not just physically, but emotionally, spiritually and mentally. Already Wynn felt like he was in withdrawal. He didn’t even need to fuck her; just smelling her would be like a waterfall in a desert. Alt
hough he would never trust Fate, and they’d likely always remain enemies, he began to believe he could trust the shady deity to care for his daughter.
His goal had never been to kill Fate out of respect for the three bonds. Wynn had wanted Fate to stay away – or to extort a favor from the god.
In that moment, he could think of one thing more important than a favor.
“You don’t do refunds, I imagine,” he said slowly. “I’ll cancel it, if you let Stephanie visit him.”
Death was quiet, surprised.
“One night,” Wynn clarified. A night would never be enough. It was more important Stephanie had some small sliver of hope – and stayed out of Hell, where Wynn couldn’t help her. “She’s not human. There aren’t as many complications or rules being broken, if you allow her temporarily into the Underworld.”
“She has no soul,” Gabriel replied.
“It’s your decision,” Wynn stated.
Gabriel snorted, amused. “Everyone but my mate knows that.” He paused, thoughtful. As the deity Death, he inherited most of the knowledge passed down from deity to deity who ruled the Underworld. “The rules are a bit hazy about this one. I’ll chance it. In exchange, you’ll keep my secret.”
“I will,” Wynn said. “But not for long. Karma deserves to know where her brother is, before she does something incredibly foolish.”
“You handled her well yesterday.”
“Even I have my limits. I have no misconceptions about her potential to wind up in a mess I can’t get her out of.”
“The mighty, infallible Wynn has limits,” Gabriel said. “Learn something new every day.”
“Stephanie’s in her chamber. Tell her guardians there’s a new threat and to meet me in the war chamber. I’ll distract them.”
Gabriel summoned a portal and then paused. “When you stop fighting it, you’ll find there are no limits. You’ll both work together.”
As if suspecting Wynn wouldn’t know how to take the friendly advice, Gabriel strode into the portal.
Wynn remained where he was, considering the assurance without believing it. He’d experienced Karma’s power first hand and knew her impulsive nature. She was his opposite, and he doubted they’d ever see eye to eye when it came to some things.