Volume I: Forged

Chapter 24: Daughter of the Deep

Kristin was not expecting a visit that day.

Least of all from Fate herself.

"Some people would say it's polite to bow for an Ancient," the being laughed. She had taken the form of a teenage girl this time, brown hair straight to her mid-back, blue eyes sparkling.

Kristin swallowed. Most Ancients didn't visit in a plaid skirt, knock-off converses, and a leather jacket.

Most Ancients didn't wear round glasses much to big for their face.

Most Ancients didn't appear in Kristin's kitchen.

"M'lady—" Kristin bowed politely, wiping her hands off on her jeans. "What can I do for you? Phil's out—"

"I'm not here to speak to the Angel," the Ancient said, hopping onto the counter and crossing her legs. "I wish to speak to the woman he deemed worthy."

Kristin raised an eyebrow at that.

Fate smiled brightly. "Don't worry, darling. All in fun." She admired her nails—red with purple sparkles.

Kristin tried to ignore the pit in her stomach. "Why are you here?" she asked, trying to hide the tremor in her voice.

Fate smiled. "I have a present for you."

Kristin didn't like the sound of that. "My apologies, Lady, but—"

"Mum?" Bad walked into the room right then, book in his hand.

He stopped mid-step at the sight of random teen that definitely wasn't one of his sisters sitting on the counter.

"Mum?" he asked again, eyes darting back and forth between his mother and the woman.

"Later, sweet," Kristin said, smiling tightly. "Just a visiting friend."

Bad gulped.

Fate smiled, all roses and thorns. "Hello, darling. You've grown since the last time I saw you."

Bad's brow furrowed in confusion. "Huh?"

Fate giggled. "You're fated for something great, I hope you know."

Bad took a wary step back.

"Be wary of your father," Fate said lightly. "He wishes you dead."

Bad snarled, his sweet composure gone in a second. "Phil would never—"

Fate just shook her head. "I think you'd better go, darling." She waved her hand and Bad's eyes suddenly glossed over. "Your mother and I have many things to discuss."

Bad nodded robotically and Kristin's heart panged with fear at the stumbling way he walked.

"Is he okay?" Kristin asked, fists clenching, as she fought the urge to act in defense of her son.

"He's fine," the Ancient said carelessly, leaning back on the counter, propping herself up. "Just gonna be a bit sleepy. He's been through worse, trust me. His nestmates weren't—ideal."

Kristin didn't know what to make of that. "You said we had things to discuss?" she asked, trying to hurry the conversation up.

Fate nodded gravely. "Not here. Can't have any of your children walking in on such a conversation."

She snapped her fingers and Kristin's stomach roiled, then they weren't home.

They were in the Void.

"Welcome to my humble abode," Fate said, twisting and dancing in mid-air. Kristin bit her lip and spread her hands, trying to keep her balance on nothing to look around.