Fate's Revenge (Twisted Fate, Book 4)

Chapter Twenty-Three

The interior of the Sisters' home looked nothing like its exterior. The meticulousness was gone, dust hanging in the air as though the rooms were just cleaned without allowing the dust time to settle, and nothing—not even a fixture—was touched by golden hues. Or bronze or copper even. It was a letdown after seeing it from the outside. Just a lot of sleek and a lot of black. At least in the living room where the front entrance was located, with black leather couches and glossy tables.

It wasn't dirty or cluttered, just not like I thought it would be.

The doors I could see, likely bedrooms and hopefully a functional bathroom, were closed from prying eyes. To the right was an open archway leading into the kitchen, as spotless as the sitting room. All the appliances were chrome and a large cappuccino-coloured table beckoned me to sit. I didn't hesitate, immediately veering off to follow its allure. It wasn't as comfortable as it looked, but my body was happy for the chance to relax after walking for what? Two and a half hours? I am so happy I didn't wear heels, or my feet would be killing me rather than just being numb. That's going to hurt once feeling returns.

"Tea?"

I looked up to Lachesis. "No, uh..." I cleared my throat. "No, thank you." Watching her pour two cups anyway, I continued, "I came to talk, actually, though I'd be grateful for a chance to rest, too. I can't believe how long it felt like it took just to get here. Is it always so hard to trudge through that place?"

"Hmm." She nodded and watched me closely over the rim of her cup before joining me at the table. "Trekking through the Void is dangerous. You must be tired." She slid the second cup to me. "Drink. It'll help restore your energy."

"What kind is it?"

"Oh, a special blend. Nothing you'd find in your human world." She laughed at the wariness that must have shown on my face. "Don't worry. It's a good kind of different."

I held her gaze for a moment and then looked away with a shake of my head. She seemed so different now, it had to be more than a smile. It was odd, with all the responsibilities of Fate, how did she find time to clean? To sit and drink tea without an ounce of the burden she must carry wearing her down? Did she regularly stop to chat or was this special because an uninvited guest had shown up? Or, was it just because of me? I like to think, with everything I am supposedly going to do, I at least warrant a sit-down.

"So where are your sisters? Uh, Atropos and... Clothos?"

"Clotho."

"Sorry."

She shrugged. "They are working right now."

"I'd like to meet them," I said, trying to keep my tone light. "I think the fact that this is real is fascinating and I have questions. A lot of questions. What one of you don't know may very well come from another."

"They haven't been involved, really," she hedged, and took a sip of her tea, all the while looking at me over the rim of her cup. Lowering it again, she added, "You can ask me your questions."

I levelled my gaze on her, wanting to make my intent clear, and no longer caring about niceties of guest-to-host etiquette. "I would still like to meet them."

"When they have finished working, we can arrange that," she said after a slight hesitation, but refused to meet my eyes. Was she hiding something? 'Cause being diverted only made me think her sisters were where my answers would be found.

Had she been elected speaker because she was the best at hiding things?

"So. You will answer my questions then?"

She nodded. "As much as I can."

The fact that she didn't say as much as she knew didn't escape my notice. A perfectionist almost all the time, I'd mastered the art of deflection within a short time. Really, I'd always done it in some shape or form because my conscious screamed at me if I tried to lie, but it was easier now that I understood why I'd feel that way. Now, it was even easier to detect when others tried to deflect my own questions. Her attempt was blatant, bordering pathetic. She would only tell me what she thought I should know.

I pushed my tea away—I didn't trust her special blend even though it smelled amazing. "You know, I accept a lot of uncertainties from life, Lachesis. The weather, not knowing if I'll find love again or ever become a mother... even pop quizzes, as unfortunate as they are. I also accept that the Sisters and Brothers know a lot of crap about things. It's kind of a given, considering your age. But I will not accept being kept in the dark anymore, and the only thing I know you don't understand better than me is me."

She nodded, watching me without saying a word.

"Either you start giving me answers, or I leave. I'll never lead a soul and go so far into hiding even the most obscure rock couldn't tell you where I am."

She sipped her tea and continued to watch me without speaking. It was infuriating. Any leftover cold from the Void was incinerated from my body as the blood roiled through my veins. I'd really thought coming here would help—she'd even smiled! But no, it wasn't any different than it had been since this whole farce had begun. What function she'd been programmed to play still had me wondering what the consequences for hitting Fate in the face would be.

"Say something, Lachesis!" I finally burst, my voice starting loud and then dwindling as the tiredness of repetition overcame me.

She smiled, undaunted. "Do you want to rest before we talk?"

I sighed, rolling my eyes. How could someone so old be so freaking frustrating? So-so... ignorant? Hadn't she been taught manners as a child? Dealing with her would require a plan. I needed time, especially if I wanted to be able to have patience. Who knew trying to hold a conversation with a Sister of Fate would be like trying to talk to a two-year-old in the midst of a tantrum? Sure, she wasn't screaming, but it all boiled down to inattention. She cares as much about what I am saying as a child did when told to sit in time-out.

"Rest," I said. Saying anything more would leave me regretting what came out of my mouth or, if not regret, suffering. I didn't need any more consequences to sift my way through unguided.

*****

Where were Atropos and Clotho? If I were Fate and stuck inside the middle of the ancient Darkness of the Void, I'd take a break for visitors. Or sunshine. I had been important enough for them to take a break for me before—at least enough to discuss the plan they'd coordinated together prior to launching it into motion. It would make sense they would at least take a minute for introductions. Was Lachesis that much of a slave driver? Or was she slacking and forcing her sisters to take on her duties just like the Brothers had when Mike, Gabe and Raffy were with me leading up to my birthday? Both the Sisters and Brothers had no problem doing things to me. They just couldn't be bothered with the things I actually wanted. Like giving me answers or... telling me the truth.

It was hard to relax when my thoughts wouldn't stop running through my head.

Lachesis hadn't said anything once I said I'd like to rest. She just took a final sip of her tea, stood, and then gestured for me to follow her out of the kitchen and down the narrow hallway opposite the front door. From the living room was a door, but it was bypassed. Three steps at the end of the hallway and we reached a higher hallway with three doors on either side.

We stopped at the second on the right-hand-side. It was out of the way, like she wanted to make sure I couldn't flee unnoticed. Every door here was open, cozy bedrooms spotless within. The room I was given was cluttered. A bed sat in its center appearing comfortable enough to rest with a fluffy chocolate-brown duvet, but boxes sat floor-to-ceiling everywhere else except for a path from the door to the bed.

Coming here had been a mistake, I thought as my eyes finally began to droop after a half hour of attempting to sleep. Nobody wanted to provide answers. They would just take what they could get until there was nothing left for me to give. Maybe then I would receive something in return?

But I doubted it.