I stayed in place between them, my legs widespread, so ready for battle I could taste it. And make no mistake, Apollo, I will not make that same sacrifice.
I couldnt stand to be in the house any longer. My nerves were stretched taut, my body ready to fight. Bloodlust had invaded my system.
I needed fresh air.
So did Alex. Once shed woken up, shed been all over the place, not able to sit still for longer than five minutes.
For the first time since shed Awakened, I led her outside. Seeing the joy light up her eyes and the cool breeze brushing the hair off her cheeks lessened the darkness growing inside me. The almost-hyper bounce in her step as she made her way around fallen branches and shrubs reminded me of the old Alex.
Especially when she stopped suddenly, spying a small stream up ahead. She spun around quickly and threw her arms around me.
Surprised by the sudden affection, I froze, then wrapped my arms around her waist and leaned back. Whats that for?
Alex shrugged.
I wanted to.
I caught her hand as she shimmied loose. I liked that.
She smiled. Maybe Ill do it again. Glancing over her shoulder, excitement hummed through her. She tugged me forward.
Letting go of her hand, I stopped. She looked over her shoulder again, brows knitted. You can go, I urged.
Are you sure?
I nodded, and then leaned against an old oak. Her gaze darted over my face and she seemed to find whatever she was looking for. She turned, slowly starting toward the creek bed. Her footsteps were quick but not jerky. The antsy energy shed been feeling all day would eventually grow. Crippling pain would assault her again soon as her tolerance to the Elixir grew and Seth started pecking away at her.
And if I didnt give her a larger dose along with a booster compulsion, the bond between them would form again.
Closing my eyes, I tipped my head back. There had to be another way. We couldnt keep doing this to her. Sooner or later, the effects of the Elixir wouldnt wear off. Shed be like this foreverforever stuck between the tenacious and strong-willed Alex and this naïve, watered-down Alexandria. To do this to her wasnt right. The wrongness of it coated my mouth and throat like bile. It was acid churning in my stomach, burning a hole through my soul.
And Apollo he was giving up, even if he didnt want to admit itgiving up and preparing to kill Alex.
Clenching my jaw, I opened my eyes. Alex sat on a fallen log near the slow-moving creek. She held something in her handsflowers? Her face was turned to the side and her lips were pulled down at the corners. Sadness had crept into her features.
I pushed off the tree but stopped as she picked off a petal and placed it on the log. Then another and another, until ten or so petals formed a loose circle beside her. She placed two more, completing the circle, and then two more inside the circle.
My chest tightened and, without any warning, a fissure of energy skittered over my skin. I turned, expecting to find Apolloor worse yet, an unfriendly god. I sucked in a sharp breath.
An ethereal glow surrounded the feminine form and slowly faded, revealing a slender woman who stood taller than me. Lilies adorned the brown hair that had been piled atop her head in an intricate maze of braids. A sheer white dress covered her body and left very little to the imagination. I felt I should look away but couldnt. She was almost painfully beautifulunreal.
A faint smile appeared. Hello, Aiden. Her voice was a symphony, and I started to bow, but she stopped me with a raised hand. That is not necessary. Unlike my brothers and sisters, I do not have a taste for formalities.
It took me a few moments to find my voice. Youre one of the Moirae one of the Fates.
I am Clotho.
Fear formed a cold, hard ball in the center of my chest. Clotho was responsible for spinning the thread of human life, but she also decided when gods could be saved or put to death. I glanced over my shoulder at Alex. Did her powers extend to god-like creatures, too? I moved to block Alex from her view.
Clothos laugh was soft and melodious. I am not here to harm her, and even if I were, I cannot cut her thread. Neither can Atropos.
Relieved by that piece of information, I faced the goddess. Why are you here?
Ive been watching you and her. She stepped to the side. Sunlight broke through the branches, cutting across her bare shoulder and over her dress. The material shimmered. It pains you to see her like this, I know. You love her so.
I saw no reason, no point, in lying to a goddess of Fate. More than anything in this world, and without her. Clearing my throat, I looked away. I couldnt finish the sentence, let alone the thought.
Going on would be like existing with a piece of you missing? She nodded when I looked at her again. Your threads are intertwined. Not by my doing, you see?
I didnt see a damn thing. Now I understood Alexs frustration when shed spoken to the oracle. I opened my mouth but closed it. Understanding slid over my skin like thick oil. She was Fated to be with Seth, wasnt she?