“The humans are coming farther into the forest. Their fires are destroying much of the land.”
“Aatto, take in the animals that can reach us. We can offer sanctuary to those who can. I’ll go out and make more sanctuaries in different countries. At least those who make it to sanctuary will survive.”
The attractive man that Rocque addressed nodded. “Vlad has asked for a meeting. He wants sanctuary for his vampires.”
“Tell him I’ll meet him in the morning. So far, Vlad has been able to keep his vampires in control, but as the fires are increasing, it’s not leaving many places for them to hide. If the humans can’t gain control of themselves, they’re going to have more to worry about than roving gangs. They’re going to find themselves dinner to a pissed off vampire.”
“Are you going to help Vlad?” Destiny couldn’t contain her curiosity.
Rocque’s hard face turned to her. “No, I won’t endanger my wolves. You can’t contain two beasts together and not expect them to attack each other.”
“You don’t have to give them sanctuary to help them. You could help the humans.”
“I don’t interfere with human’s lives; that’s Mother’s domain.”
“At this point, I’m sure Mother wouldn’t care. She needs all the help she can get.”
“She won’t interfere for the same reason I won’t. The humans have free will. Their destruction may have been started by Morgana, Zeus, and Dionysus, but the humans are killing anything within their sight, using it as an excuse to rob and loot. That’s all on them now. If I became involved every time the humans were on the brink of their own destruction, there wouldn’t be a living plant or seed left. I don’t have the power to save them. Only Mother does.”
“She can’t do it alone. You and Vlad could work together,” Destiny argued.
“Vlad won’t sacrifice his vampires any more than I will my forests.”
“So, you’re just going to sit back and watch?”
He raised a brow. “When have the gods done anything else?” The lord was determined to protect his forest and his pack.
As much as she wanted to continue arguing with him, she could understand where he was coming from. She would protect her family at whatever costs. The animals and forests he protected had suffered at human’s hands for centuries. Forests had been destroyed to make room for buildings and structures that were often left empty and alone after the humans made more to attract their waning attention. It was a vicious cycle.
Destiny didn’t say anything else, simply listening. Their affection was easily visible. They were always touching or brushing against each other.
When Rocque left the table, he ran his hand down the bitch’s hair. Then, when he took a seat on a large couch, the bitch sat down beside him, Aatto sat down on his other side, and the rest took seats around the couch, some sitting on the floor, leaning up against those who sat on the couch.
They talked about the areas where Rocque should open sanctuaries as he and the others reached out, stroking the one next to them. The touching thing was beginning to wear on her nerves.
“It’s time to go to bed. Vlad will want to meet before the sun rises.” Rocque rose, stretching.
“Where am I going to sleep?” Destiny asked.
“My bedroom. It’s where we all sleep.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
“Yes, Destiny, it is. You’ll get used to it.”
“I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“You’ll sleep with me.” Taking her hand, he tugged her along with him into a massive bedroom that was much longer than the main room. There was one massive, round bed and smaller ones of various sizes placed around room.
Aatto and a small blond woman went to lay on one round bed. The other men took the others.
Tandy placed her knee on the large one where Rocque had lain down when he had released her hand, and Destiny’s hand snaked out, burying it in the bitch’s long hair.
“Find another bed.”
Tandy jerked her hair away. “I sleep with Rocque.” Her eyes glowed with feral light.
“Not anymore. If I must sleep with him, that means you need to find another bed. Of course, if Rocque says I can sleep in the other room, you can have him all to yourself.”
The two women turned to Rocque, waiting for his decision.
“Tandy, sleep with Dai.”
“Rocque, I’ve always slept with you.”
“Let’s give Destiny time to get used to us.”
“The world will end before that happens.” Destiny lay down on the bed, making sure she stayed well away from Rocque, as Tandy shot the empty space next to him a wistful glance.
Callously, Destiny didn’t feel any sympathy for the whining bitch. If her and Rocque were an item, the woman should have helped her get away from him. She had no desire to stay with Rocque and his friends.
Curling into a tight ball, she managed to fall asleep when the lights turned off.
When she woke in the morning, it was still dark and the bedroom was empty. Destiny explored the cabin until they came back.
Their dour expressions had her biting back questions as Tandy and Brea made breakfast, while the men gathered at the table with maps.
“What are you searching for?” She looked over their shoulders, thinking they were discussing the forests that Rocque would make sanctuaries, but Rocque was pointing at small towns that Destiny knew had nothing left in them.
“A town where Vlad and his vampires can be safe until the humans retain order. If we don’t find a place, Vlad won’t be able to keep his vampires from killing. Once the vampires go on a rampage and the humans realize what’s been in their midst, the vampires will see no need to remain hidden and will go on a rampage, taking over what is left of earth.”
Destiny peered at the top of the map. Scanning between Rocque and Dai, she reached forward and pulled another map out from underneath the top one.
Studying the map that showed small towns, she pointed at one. “It’s mountainous, so the gangs won’t roam there. The town became completely deserted when trucks couldn’t get through with food. It’s cold there until the summer months. If they can make it there, they should be safe. It’s also heavily wooded. If you offered your protections, the trees could cut off anyone from entering and you could keep the animals away so they’ll be safe also.”
Rocque critically studied the map. “What should they do for food? If it’s completely shut off, how are they supposed to feed?”
Destiny was disgusted by what she was about to suggest. “There is one gang that has been terrorizing Broni. Vlad could take them as prisoners and keep them as a food source until it’s safe for them to return home.”
“You’re suggesting Vlad take human captives?” Rocque wasn’t disgusted by her idea.
“From the crimes they’ve been committing, their humanity is skin deep. Even an animal wouldn’t kill unless it’s hungry or threatened. Vlad is responsible for a dying race. What is left is a few hundred and twenty-four of their children. If feeding that group of marauders to the vampires keeps them alive, I won’t be sleeping any less over it. And I can’t imagine Mother would, either.”
“Aatto, contact Vlad and tell him Destiny’s suggestion.”
“I’ll contact him now. It’ll take a few days for them to reach the group that she’s talking about and find a way to transport their captives. Then they’ll need to find a way to travel in the darkness with them to the Colorado mountains.”
Destiny folded the maps together to make a place for Tandy to set the food down. The woman gave a thankful glance.
“I know a way, but you’ll have to release me to see if it’s feasible. If we have a few days before the vampires attack the marauders, that should give us enough time to talk to Broni and Rhys.”
“Good try, but I’m not letting you go.”
Frustrated, she threw the maps at the arrogant lord. “They won’t give up those RVs that are surrounding the clubhouse
they’re living in without me asking. It’s their only escape from the city.”
“Then Vlad can make his way to Colorado without our help.”
“Can you say, with absolute certainty, that if Vlad and his vampires see them, they won’t take them without permission? Rhys and his men are immortal. We’ll just be making matters worse. If you let me go, I can talk Broni and Rhys into giving them a few to make the trip without jeopardizing their safety.”
Rocque crumpled the maps in his hands. “This is why I don’t interfere.”
“I give my word I’ll come back as soon as Rhys gives them the RVs and the vampires leave.”
“We’ll both go, but I expect you to keep your word, Destiny. If you think to ask Rhys for help, I guarantee there will be a bloodbath, and it won’t come from the vampires’ fangs.”
“I keep my word.”
“Then we won’t have a problem, will we?” Rocque pulled out one of the chairs, gesturing for her to take a seat.
Sitting, they ate the simple food that Tandy and Brea had fixed.
“They leave tomorrow night,” Aatto said as he returned from talking to Vlad, taking a seat.
“We’ll leave in the morning.” Rocque placed a large slice of venison on Destiny’s plate, then a huge spoonful of potatoes and a slice of bread, before filling his own plate.
Destiny stared down at the meat in dismay, bile churning in her stomach. “I don’t eat meat.”
Rocque and the entire table stared at her as if she had turned into a vampire.
“You don’t eat meat?” Tandy, who was about to sit down after serving the food, reached over her shoulder and took the plate away. Destiny didn’t miss her satisfied smile when she took the other seat next to Rocque. Just when she had started to feel a sliver of liking for the woman, she had to spoil it by being a bitch.
Destiny got up to go into the kitchen for another plate. Then she sat back down and filled it with potatoes and a roll.
“You don’t eat much, do you?” Aatto bit into a roll with his sharp teeth.
“Only immortals who are earthbound need food to survive. I only eat for pleasure.”
“I’m getting a great deal of pleasure eating your venison. You don’t know what you’re missing.” Tandy rested her hand on Rocque’s as she spoke.
Destiny picked up the knife by her plate before leaning across the table.
Tandy leaned back with a fearful gasp, removing her hand from his.
Destiny shot her a triumphant look then cut off a tiny portion of meat. Placing the tip of the knife in her mouth, she bit the meat off then placed the knife back down when she finished. Her stomach roiled, but she managed to keep it down.
“It’s not to my taste. I prefer … How can I say this delicately? I prefer a fleshier meat in my mouth.”
Tandy turned bright red, lowering her eyes.
Destiny couldn’t even enjoy discomforting the bitch, afraid she would dispel the piece of meat onto the table.
Rocque poured her a glass a water. “Maybe this will help.”
Destiny took the glass, taking only a sip under his gaze. Then, taking a bite of potatoes to still her stomach, she saw the men’s mirth as she forked another bite into her mouth.
“What?” she snapped.
“Nothing. I think you’re going to make me a fine wife.”
Destiny nearly choked on her food. When she managed to clear her throat, she had to take another sip of water.
“What makes you say that?” Her face screwed up in anger.
“You just exerted dominance over Tandy. As my wife, it’s expected of you to keep the bitches in line.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Destiny relaxed. She liked the thought of keeping bitches in their place. Mother was always reprimanding her for that when she was in court.
“You know what, Rocque? Being your wife might not be so bad.”
Chapter 19
The sound of a page turning in the old book she was reading was the only break in the silence of the library. Zerina spent most of her time there when she wasn’t sleeping, seeking the only escape she could from Hades.
Since she was a young child, books had always captured her imagination. Now older, she had turned them into old, treasured friends, imagining herself back in her mother’s library, where Fate would walk through the door at any minute. She hadn’t.
It had been two moons since Jinx had left, and while she missed her every day, she was relieved that she was where she could get well.
“This isn’t what I meant when I told you not to confine yourself to your bedroom. You have free reign of my castle, other than the restricted areas.”
Zerina didn’t look up from the page she was reading. Every day, he tried to initiate a conversation with her. Usually, she would leave the room or ignore him, as she was doing now. At night, Grimm would request her to have dinner with Hades. Then the reaper left as soon as she spoke her refusal.
She heard the rustle of his clothes as he sat down next to her on the bench she had found in the upper story of the library. “What are you reading?”
Zerina forced herself to concentrate on the words before her, not even stiffening when he bent down to look at the page.
“Ah, you’re reading poetry. That book has one of my favorite poems by Seamus Heaney.” Hades unabashedly took the book from her, turning the pages then giving it back.
Zerina read the title of the poem aloud, “The Toome Road.” She read it then flipped the book back to the page she had been reading.
“It mentions the Omphalos Stone. Did Fate ever tell you about the stone?”
She turned another page, not answering his question.
“The only time Mother stepped foot on earth was when she created it. Before leaving to return to the heavens, she took a stone from the center of the earth as a memento. Knowing she would never step on earth again, she wanted the stone so, if she was angry enough, she could throw it back to earth to destroy that which she had created.
“Mother made the mistake of confessing this to a goddess. The goddess didn’t keep the secret, and the gods started looking for where she could have hidden it. It’s a mystery that has never been solved.”
Her curiosity was sparked. “My mother told me that Zeus found it. That he sent out two eagles, and when they met, there was a large stone that could be seen poking out above the ocean. That he tried to take it, but it was too heavy.”
“That’s one of the myths. No one but Mother knows what it looks like or where it is.”
“Why does Zeus want to hurt Mother?”
“He doesn’t. Zeus has always had a troubled history with Chronos. Mother was always the peacemaker between all the gods. Time hasn’t been kind to Chronos. I haven’t been around Zeus for centuries, but I would have thought if Zeus tried to destroy anyone, it would be Chronos, not Mother.”
“Then why did he search for the stone?”
“He said it was because he didn’t trust it in anyone else’s hands.”
“Not even Mother’s?”
“If she had made the mistake of confiding it to one goddess, what would keep her from confiding in another where the stone is? In the wrong hands, it would not only destroy earth, but every immortal, god, and goddess bound to earth. It would be apocalyptic.”
“That means, even you wouldn’t survive.” As much as she hated him, she didn’t want him destroyed, either.
“As wouldn’t Poseidon, which is why I don’t believe it is Zeus. We’re brothers. We’ve had our moments, but not enough to forget we have that connection.”
“You don’t hold a grudge against Zeus because of Persephone?”
“Zeus goes after every goddess. I warned Persephone, and she cheated, not once, but twice. I gave her one more chance than I would have given anyone else.”
“She was probably sick of seeing the portraits.” Zerina rose with the book, intending to leave. He had piqued her interest, making her forget her vow of silence
where he was concerned. However, she had no intention of remaining in his company and pretending all was forgiven.
“How long are you going to act out like an injured innocent?”
Zerina lifted her chin stubbornly, narrowing her eyes on Hades. His reflected a hatred that had her wanting to throw the thick book at him.
“Are you reading my mind?”
Hades sighed. “Yes.”
“Then how long do you think it will take?” She opened her mind, letting him read it just like one of the books on the shelves behind him, letting every emotion blast at him. Her hurt. How humiliated she felt. The deep sense of loss from his friendship. Through a veil of tears, she regarded him until he looked away, wincing.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to return to my room so my injured innocent act doesn’t incur further recriminations from you.”
Aware that he was watching, she went down the steps.
Standing at the railing that overlooked the library, Zerina’s resentment toward Hades grew as she was confronted by the portraits on the side of the wall. Each one was like a knife thrust into her injured heart. The necklaces they wore showed Hades hadn’t cared about her more than the others. And the look of aching love in their eyes highlighted that she wasn’t the first nor the last who had fallen in love with the callous god.
The only comforting thought she had was that at least a portrait of her wasn’t hanging around, silently mocking her stupidity.
“What will it take for you to forgive me?” Hades stood stoically at the railing, his hands gripping it.
As angry and hurt as she was, her sensitive soul cried out for her to forgive him.
It wasn’t in her nature to remain detached. That’s why her job as bearing souls had been gifted to her. The joy of seeing the parents welcome their child into the world, whether the parents were good or bad, even they felt the overwhelming miracle of birth.
Her soul eagerly tried to convince her to take what she could get from Hades, not to ask for more than he could give. But she couldn’t. Even through her anger, she loved him. But to open herself once again was asking for more than she could give.