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Word Count: 3746

~Zayla

I pull myself away from their conversation, not being able to listen to any more.

What did he mean by that? A part of me is curious, while the other part doesn't want to know a thing. He could possibly be insinuating my parent's death, and how he feels obliged to care for me in their absence. But if that was the case, he wouldn't have kissed me...right?

Making my way back toward the bathrooms, I keep my gaze trained at the floor, hair veiled across my forehead. There is a permanent stain on my cheeks that I don't want anyone else in this place seeing.

I was close to the bathrooms, separated by only a door, when I walk straight into someone. "Oh, sorry, I didn't see you there."

Stumbling back slightly, I look up to see the mildly familiar face of Aria's son, Kailen. I almost didn't recognise him, but by the looks of those icy blue eyes, this kid is surely related to Aria. Instead of being irritated that I was interrupted in my flee to the bathroom, I force a smile onto my face. This is his ceremony after all.

"That's okay...hey, you're Aria's son, right?" I say, ensuring that this is actually him. He nods soundly, slightly wavy hair falling from its gel as he does so.

He hands out his hand for me to shake, which I obliged to. "Yeah, that's me. I'm Kailen."

"Zayla."

"Have I seen you before? You don't look all that familiar if I'm being honest," he notes, shoving his hands into the pants of his tailored trousers. I knew this question was coming. Honestly, it makes me feel a little uncomfortable.

I want to assure him that I didn't want to show up to a complete strangers mating ceremony, and that Fate forced me to, but I manage to keep my thoughts to myself.

"I came with a friend of Aria's. Congratulations, by the way," I say, hoping he doesn't notice how quickly I changed the subject. I feel bad enough about being here without a real invitation as it is. I hadn't considering having to actually engaged with either Kailen or his mate.

"Do I know the friend?" he questions. I refuse to react, but inside, I'm cringing beyond belief.

"That's a great question," I say nervously, glancing over his shoulder. Fate is still speaking to Aria, completely oblivious to my discussion with Kailen. I'm glad. "That, ah, you may want to ask your mate."

My move to walk away wasn't as smooth and clean as I wish it had been. Instead, I turn sharply and make a swift walk toward the door. His voice makes me almost slip to a stop.

"Where are you going?"

"I have to get back," I excuse as I turn around to face him again. Does he look mad, or is that just my anxiety getting into my head? Either I'm about to run from this situation, or summon Fate, even though he is across the room. A single shout would be enough. "I'm sure you do too, considering this is your celebration after all."

If I wanted to give him any satisfaction.

"Honestly, I don't appreciate having strangers around. Are you trying to plot against my father?" he says. I am almost physically taken aback by his proclamation. Is he serious? That, or they offer alcohol here, which I didn't notice.

I take a shuddering step back; unsure what emotion is simmering in his eyes. "What? No...I don't even know your father."

"You're lying. Everyone knows my father," he mutters.

"Okay, I know of Alpha Malik, but I have nothing against him. I'm sorry, but I really need to leave," I say quickly. This time, I turn around, having no intention of turning back around again. He, however, takes such a large stride, he manages to grab my elbow, jerking me to a stop. I glance down at the grasp he has on me, digging into the skin.

Even as I try to pull away, he keeps his hold tight and unrelenting. "If you're here to hurt people, I will hurt you."

"Please Kailen, let go of me," I insist, jerking away again, up to no avail. What does he want from me? Is he always this suspicious of people? I'm about to tell him that there are probably plenty of people who were a date of the person who received an invitation, but I can't get the words out of my mouth. At this point, I'm not sure throwing anyone else under the bus would make a difference.

"Tell me who you're working for!" He growls, so close to my ear it makes me shudder with fright.

When I don't answer, the tension built up in his hands and shoulders seems to erupt, as he pushes me back until my back hits the wall. For a moment, I'm partially winded, however, I don't spend too much time considering what he was doing, before I fight back. Before I strike, his hand reaches out, and wraps around my neck.

I've never seen such pure evil than when I look into his eyes. Nothing, as he attempts to completely take away my life. The grip is tight; so much so, I begin to panic, my lungs burning as I fight for air, my hands pushing at his chest.
This guy is seriously insane, and I'm not sticking around to find out if he is seriously going to kill me, as my vision fills with brilliant colours.

He may be strong, but I know exactly where to target. His intimidating stance is instantly shattered by my knee straight to his crotch. He groans, instantly pulling away from me enough for me to slip past him. I could have continued to abuse his vulnerability with another hit, but I want nothing but to get away.

As I'm backing up, he turns, a look in his eye so dark and seething, it's almost unfathomable. It draws me in to the point where hitting backward into someone is the only thing that shocks me into reality.

"Well this is an interesting situation."

I turn, looking up at the concerned expression across Fate's face. Of course, he turns up after this altercation went down. Not that his help would have been necessary. He does, however, look beyond furious by the situation he is observing in front of him. Fate doesn't look at me, but instead the groaning man with his knees to the floor.

"Get me out of here," I demand, my voice raspy, knowing that anymore commotion will cause everyone at this venue to become involved. Already, I can see some people glancing over from closeby tables, whispering to each other.

Had they not seen what Kailen had done to me, or did the choose to ignore it because of who his parents are?

"It's okay, Zayla," Fate mutters. "Just tell me what he did and I'll deal with it."

Fate mustn't have seen him pin me to the wall to try and strangle me. A few more seconds and I would surely have been dead. "He tried to hurt me...Let's just leave."

Instead of listening to my demand, Fate brushes past me, approaching Kailen, who at this point, is almost to his feet. I've witnessed what the sight of Fate alone can do to someone, but I've never seen the physical implications of his anger. Without looking at all fazed by the size of my attacker, Fate pulls him up, then against the wall.

They stare at each other for a moment. Kailen looks terrified, with good reason. This is Fate. However, Fate no longer looks livid. Instead, he looks confused, then concerned, before he pushes Kailen onto the ground.

He turns, grabbing my hand. "Alright, we are going."

***

I sit cross legged on the bed, staring out the window at the water. It's such a soft, tranquil colour. Not a blue that is too harsh, too bright. This colour is almost a soft green, as it hits against the side of the building. Out of all the environments that Fate could have created, I'm satisfied with this one.

I've been looking out this window all morning. When Fate knocks promptly on my door, before entering, I'm not surprised. I never came out for breakfast this morning.

"Are you okay?" he asks softly, leaning against the doorframe.

What I've noticed is that Fate never actually steps into my room. He lingers around the outside, which I assume is his way of being polite. The only reason I kept to myself this morning is because the memory of yesterday still prowls in my mind. Kailen's hand around my neck.

"You saw something, didn't you?" I breathe, lifting my eyes from my fingers, which were playing with the satin sheets underneath me. "You looked in his eyes. You were scared."

Fate grunts in disagreement. Typical. Does Fate even get scared? I couldn't imagine what haunts his dreams at night, if immortals like him even have them. At night, I'm haunted by breath stealing, sweating nightmares about my parents. About the blank faced immortal that took their lives.

Every night I wake, more passionate about why I'm here. What I'm meant to achieve.

"I wasn't scared, just concerned," he comments, holding his palms up defensively. I raise a speculative eyebrow at him.

"About?"

"He was in a trance, by Ira, which I assume she did on purpose," he tells me. I sit up straighter, not expecting that crazed immortal to have anything to do with it. "This is what she is doing with a lot of mortals, whose minds are open to immortals like her. That's the problem."

I consider that for a moment. "Good guy Fate, right?"

Amusement blazed in his eyes, as he finally decides to take a step into my room. I watch him with bated breath, until he sits carefully on the end of my bed. Ever since that kiss, I've been wary about Fate's intentions. So far, he hasn't proven to be any more insistent about pursuing anything else. Good.

"Hardly. Is your neck okay?" he asks, eyes drifting down. It left a slight bruise, outlining where his fingers had tightly gripped, but nothing too bad. I feel that perhaps I didn't take it so seriously because right now, I'm almost numb.

"It's fine. My throat is a little sore, but I'll survive," I tell him. All I'm hoping for is this slight rasp to my voice to just disappear.

"I'm going to put an end to this, before Ira can do anything more to hurt you, I promise," he tells me, shifting his gaze down. I see a mental battle going on, but it's not one he will be willing to share with me.

I lean forward on my elbows, sweeping my hands through my hair. I keep them their, fingertips digging into my scalp. Fate says nothing while I think.

"She's insane. First the shard of glass, and now this?"

"I should have been there," he exasperates. It's his turn to play with his hair. I like it when he does that, twisting cobalt blue strands from a particular spot on his head around his fingers. I assume he does it when he's stressed, mussing up the thickness. I'm tempted to reach up and bring his hand down, into mine.

I refrain.

I wave my hand up in dismissal of what he claimed. "No, it was fine...I had it handled."

"Instead of me being there, you were with Sinful," he says, rolling his eyes. I can't help the smile quirking at my lips. The relationship between Fate and Sinful is so tense, I can imagine cutting it with a knife. I'm sure Fate would love to do that too, but to Sinful. Right in those lavender eyes of his.

"Fate, it was fine. You shouldn't feel obliged to protect me just because of this deal...just because we kissed," I say.

When his gaze cuts up to mine quickly, I shift mine away. Right out the window.

"It doesn't matter. If I'm not there, I need you to be able to protect yourself. I think I need to give you some more of your mother's magic, which means training," he tells me. My eyes widen in disbelief.

"Training, after I was strangled?" I question. I happened to cough at that moment, making Fate's face twist.

He swiftly gets to his feet. "I'm not about to allow you to engage with any other Sin of Virtue without being able to protect yourself."

"I didn't sign up for this," I mutter.

"I know, but would you rather stay in this room the entire time?"

"No..."

All of a sudden, Fate reaches forward. Instantly I know his intentions, but before I can make a move, my feet all out from under me, and he transports us away. I cling to him, before we land. Of course, I tumble forward, my feet skipping out from under me. Naturally, I land unceremoniously, my face landing in pine needles and mulch.

"Maybe this should be out first order of business," Fate says, laughing lightly. I brush off his offer of a hand for help, standing myself.  "Dealing with your landings."

"That's not my fault, Fate," I snap. Brushing myself down, I inwardly groan at the dust that's left behind in my jeans.

Great.

"Come on, shall we get to work?"

"Where are we?" I ask, turning in a tight circle to see where we are. Dark trees loom over us, as if clouds above have disallowed any light to fall through. It's unnerving. "Is this the forest you took me to before? When I learn how to locate you, which by the way, I haven't succeeded in doing again."

"Yes, in fact it is. Perhaps we can work on that again later," Fate dismisses.

With my hands on my hips, I rock back and forth over a root sticking up out the ground. "Considering I would rather be getting away from you, then finding you, I don't think that will be necessary."

"Careful watch you wish for," he grins, leaning his arm against a nearby tree. As he does so, the shadows of the tree decorate his face. All of a sudden, he looks like wrath, taking away Ira's role completely.

"Wait...what?"

"Run."

We stare at each other, neither of us moving an inch. This could really be training, or Fate could be playing a game with me. The latter seems the most plausible, as I monitor the amusement in his eyes, watching the way his fingertips tap against his lips as he waits for me to make the first move.

"Sorry?" I question carefully.

He shrugs slightly. "I said run."

"Why? Where?"

"You're not meant to tell the seeker where you are going to hide," he says flatly, pushing off the trunk of the tree to take a step closer. I watch that single movement carefully. "That completely defeats the purpose."

"What's the point of this?" I ask, rubbing my bare arms uncomfortably. I wish I had worn something warmer. I would have, if Fate had told me he was taking me to a forest in the middle of nowhere.

"The point is, I want you to dig inside yourself, and find a way to conceal your scent, your presence away from me completely," he tells me.

I raise both of my eyebrows speculatively. How in the world does he expect me to suddenly do that? He doesn't give a single answer to my unspoken query, as he turns to walk behind the closest tree. I growl softly under my breath.

"No, come back," I snap. He pauses, turning around. "How am I supposed to do that?"

"How did you find me that time?" he asks, grinning. I grit my teeth, but don't answer right away. "Exactly. I'll turn around and give you thirty seconds. It's in your hands now how you wish to fool me."

I think about that for a few moments, still not yet following his demands to run from him. "How do I know that you won't cheat?"

"If you do it well enough, I won't be able to."

"I don't trust you."

"I'm counting down..."

"Seriously, Fate."

"If you don't trust me, and don't like me so much, then run. For your life."

"Fine."

Our conversation, throwing words at each other was over, as Fate turns around. I back up, before I turn, making my way straight into the forest.

At first, I stumble, trying to gain footing on the supple, grass scattered ground. I have no idea where I'm going, but I know the further I get from him, the harder it will be for him to find him. So I run, eventually finding a strategy to easily dodge and jump over roots, around trees. A smile graces my face as I find the perfect spot to hide from him.

Pulling myself around a tree, I spy the bushes around me, that can keep me from him. At least at first glance.
Pulling my hair back from my glistening forehead, I breathe in deeply. Knowing that if I don't level my heartbeat, Fate might be able to hear it.

I was leaning against the tree with my eyes closed, when I feel someone tap my shoulder.

"You failed."

I scream. A loud, forest disrupting scream. Fate flinches slightly, then smiles, taking his place to stand staunchly in front of me.

"Was it necessary to sneak up behind me?" I growl, hand over my heart.

"No, but I felt it was necessary," he says casually. He doesn't sound out of breath at all, while I seem as if I'm about to have an attack right in front of him. He used magic...No fair. "So, would you like to try again?"

I move around him, freeing myself from that judgemental gaze. "Well obviously I'm not very good at this, am I? Maybe I should just give up."

"You're not concentrating enough."

"And how do I suggest I concentrate?"

"By taking it more seriously," he comments. I roll my eyes, letting him know exactly how much I'm taking this seriously.  "Perhaps I should make the stakes a little higher, then."

I smile slightly. Okay, I like the sound of that

"How so?" I ask.

"If you succeed in doing this, then I'll agree to do something reasonable that you suggest. That means no breaking this deal, and no bringing your parents back. I have to actually be able to achieve it," he offers.

I don't have to think about that for very long at all. "Alright then, I have an idea."

"And what would that be?"

"For the next month, I want you to sleep at night, on the sand," I say, kicking at the loose leaves at my feet. Fate instantly frowns at my proposal. I hope he didn't think I was going to choose something for him that he would actually like. If I can get him back, even a little for the deal he made, then so be. This is how I'll go about it.

He shakes his head at me. "I don't sleep."

"Well then, try," I tell him simply.

"It's an interesting proposal. May I ask why you choose that?"

"Because there is nothing worse than sleeping on sand," I tell him. I don't actually know this from experience, but I could assume it by looking at the stuff, and noticing how it gets into all my clothes when I sit down on it. "Call it petty all you please, but it's a small compensation for the deal you decided to make."

He sighs, grinding down on his teeth. "For a month?"

"Fine, at least two weeks."

"Great to see you're being reasonable," he mutters.  "Alright then, a deal is a deal, and you know how much I like them."

I take a few steps back. "I'm ready now. Turn around."

"Summon me if you succeed."

As he turns around, I run for it again. This time, I stop after a short while, deciding instead to climb a tree. My assumption is that he tracks my footsteps. Once I'm in this tree, I'm going to try summon some magic to stop him from finding me. I'm not sure how I'm going to manage that, but I have to at least try. For the deal, at least. And satisfaction about it once it is over. Then I can hide from him whenever I please.

Making it up the tree wasn't as easy as I thought. I make it to the first bough by luck alone, and by the time I'm sitting upon it, I'm completely out of breath and covered in small scratches.

"What a great choice of location," someone says from beside me. "I almost didn't find you here."

My first reaction was to jump out the tree of pure fright. Because beside, is not Fate. Instead, they grab my arm, stopping me from going anywhere.

"Sinful?"

"That is my name."

He smiles at me, lavender eyes staring threateningly into mine. In this exact moment, I've never been so terrified. Even when Fate showed up to my house for the first time.

"What are you doing here?" I question, trying to pull away, but he wasn't having it.

"I need your help."

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So I have this horrible shoulder problem, and it causes me to click it all the time to make it feel better.

Went to the physio and he told me it's my writings fault. Life's good. He also looked like Ned from Try Guys. I was shook. 

Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!

~Midika 💜🐼