Chapter 782: Gateway's Fate
I landed in Center with my full rage on, not even blowing through on the edge of the city, but tearing a giant gap in the veil right smack-dab in Fate's lap.
Tried to. Instead landing in the middle of the huge building with giant Zeon towering over me.
Right. The little growing trick that seemed to keep the maji so amused. I forced myself into massive size, quickly rising to face him. His normal Santa Claus expression was missing, face pinched and guarded as I slammed him with my power.
"Out of the way," I said. "I'm not here to see you."
Iepa appeared over his shoulder, fear on her face. Let her be afraid.
"You will go no further," Zeon said, power pushing back against me.
Only then did I realize Iepa wasn't kidding. He was strong, don't get me wrong. But millennia of hiding out here must have weakened him. Either that or the combination of the magicks I carried packed a powerful punch, because, to his very obvious shock, he couldn't even budge me.
This must have been what Max felt when I attacked him and didn't get anywhere. From the expression crossing Zeon's face, he liked it about as much as I had.
Sucked to be him.
Careful, Iepa sent.
Screw that.
"For the last time," I said, forming a solid wall of power between Zeon and before adding pressure as I pushed against him, "get out of my way. Before I hurt you."
He fought. Might as well have blown on a forest fire.
When he backed down, I had a moment of worry. Not about the maji, though Iepa seemed to think I'd gone too far, her hands over her mouth in shock and fear. But by my own ability.
Forget it.
Gabriel first. Worry about the state of my growing magic later.
I hadn't for a moment wondered where Max ran off to after I'd fled the tomb in search of Gabriel. Had the unasked question answered as I strode past Zeon's scowling face and approached Fate's door. Didn't get a chance to pound on it, as much as that would have given me great satisfaction.
Not when the drach calmly opened it for me and gestured for me to enter.
I glared up at him, smacked him on the arm. "You could have cleared the path," I said.
"My mistake," he said. "You're early."
Grunt. So Fate didn't know everything. Should that have made me feel better? Or worse?
Fate waited by her stupid damned pool with her stupid damned hair floating in the stupid damned water. I stomped my way to her side, power in a tight tornado around me. It was the first time I'd seen her since Liam died. Since I swore I'd give her this very ass kicking.
She rose from her place and came to me, hugging me with so much empathy all the rage ran out of me in a rush that hurt down to the core of my soul. I found myself clutching her, fighting more tears, tears I refused to shed until my baby was home safe with me.
When I pulled away, I managed to muster a fraction of my temper. "You let him die," I whispered through a choke hold of grief. "And then you let Ameline steal my son. And make me think he was dead." That was the worst part. The lies and deception. "I thought we were on the same side."
"We are," she said. "Oh, Sydlynn. I know you will never forgive me. But Fate isn't allowed to pick favorites. I must follow the paths laid out before me. As much as I would have liked to allow you to save Liam, he was not meant to be." She paused. Nodded as if making a decision. "But Gabriel is necessary. And so Liam was until your impregnation."
Okay, felt worse. "So you're telling me he was a sperm donor." I would never think about him that way.
She sighed. "In a way," she said. "Your destiny leads you to another heart, one not his. And had he lived, your path would not have taken you where you needed to go." She wrung her hands, lower lip trembling. "I know you hate me, and I understand. This burden I bear, it grows heavier by the year. But I must fulfill my tasks, just as you must yours."
"You're Fate," I said, not at all sorry for the spite that came out. "You can do whatever you want."
She smiled, soft and sad. "I am the voice of the Light Fate," she said. "All answers go back to the Creator. I am merely a vessel."
"Well, he's a jerk," I said.
"I'm sure she'll be happy to know you disapprove," Fate said with a soft laugh.
Creator was female. Of course she was.
Explained all the damned drama.
"Had Max allowed you to go after Ameline upon the death of Liam," Fate said, hand on my arm, "Gabriel would have died in your womb and you never would have known he existed."
Shudder. "Got it," I said. Not a great trade, not even a little. But I understood. "I suppose you're going to tell me I'm not allowed to go after my son."
Over my dead body.
Fate's brow creased as her young face frowned. "Not at all," she said. "The maji have tried to keep the truth from you, but I am not allowed to pursue you with it. I am forced to wait for you to come to me before I can help."
Assholes. "I'm here now," I said. "Tell me where my son is and we're all good."
Fate's frown turned to a sad expression. "That path is unclear," she said. Held up one hand as I drew a breath to yell at her. "To me."
Right.
Ding, ding, Syd. Stop running around with your temper in control and think.
The Dark Fate was Ameline's guide, wasn't he? My Fate's brother.
I was on the wrong plane for the answers I needed.
"Gabriel is the Gateway," Fate said. "He must be protected, nurtured. No matter the outcome of this path, he will survive and thrive. So do not fear for the state of his physical being."
A huge shudder of relief passed through me. She might have been on my crap list for a long time, but Fate had never lied to me.
"So, the Gateway." Why was I not surprised my son was special? "Hey, hang on. He'll be fine physically?"
Fate nodded, her sadness remaining. "If he is allowed to continue in Ameline's care, his heart, once pure, will begin to darken. And when it does, he will no longer be able to become the man he must be. Or fulfill his destiny. The Fate I see for him."
"Which is?" She had to give me something.
"As I said," she went for vague, of course she did, "the path is muddled by Ameline's involvement. But great things are coming for him. And, as the Gateway, he will be pivotal in maintaining the safety of all through the troubled times to come." Paused. "Or be the downfall of us all."
Lovely. She'd already warned me my tasks weren't over. But knowing my son would be wrapped up in them wasn't making me feel any better.
"Tell me what you mean by Gateway." Surely that wasn't a topic she could avoid? Direct question and all.
"Ameline left the battle at the stronghold and went directly to her own Fate." Another feint. This was getting irritating. "That was how she knew to kill Liam, to take Cian from him. And that Gabriel was important, vital."
No brow beating. I didn't need my vampire to remind me this time.
Though I should have realized it.
"Ameline didn't fulfill her fate." The girl standing before me told me Ameline was part of the battle with Liander Belaisle as a power source. She had another task? "But you said killing Liam was her thing." Had told me so when I wanted to go after Ameline, to destroy her for hurting Liam. Only to be held back, to watch him die because his death was Ameline's task to fulfill.
"And taking Gabriel," Fate said. "I'm sorry. I wasn't permitted to share the rest."
"So his kidnapping was necessary." Way to try to cut your guilt, Syd.
"It was," Fate said.
"Well, that's nice," I said. "But I want him back now, thanks."
Fate nodded. "I have no doubt you will succeed, Sydlynn Hayle." She gestured past me. "Take Max with you. You'll need him where you're going."
I immediately balked, spinning on him, no matter he'd helped me uncover the truth. That was well and good. But my son's life was at risk.
Like Liam's had been.
"No way," I said. "Not this time."
But Max hung his head, scales rippling over his bald head, his gray cheeks. When his diamond eyes met mine, they sparkled with silvery moisture. "If I could have changed my own fate," he said, "I would. I have never been so ashamed. But my task was as impossible to avoid as yours."
I wanted to keep hating him.
Kicked myself a couple of times.
"Fine," I said. "But one sniff of betrayal from you," I jabbed a finger in his direction, spun to face Fate, "or you," poked at her too, "and I'm taking this up with Creator."
Fate hugged me, lips cool on my cheek.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," she said. "Now," she pushed me back, "it's time you finished this particular part of your journey. Say hello to my brother for me."
***
