Destroying Fate

Chapter 9

“How’d you like the party?” Cae says, wrapping his arms around me, and I lean into his embrace.

“I loved it. It’s been nice to see you again too. I don’t know how I’ve been able to live without your constant torment.” I say with an eye roll.

He chuckles. All of a sudden, his body tenses, and I start feeling the chill again. I’m not sure if it’s just because the campfire isn’t doing so well, or it’s the weird sensation.

“Cold?” I say, brushing away the feeling.

“Sephey. We need to leave, now.” Cae demands. “Text Damon and tell him something, anything. I need to get you out of the mountains. Come on!” He grabs my arm and starts running, pulling me close behind. I’m now thankful for taking off my heels, or I would be falling on my face right now.

“Cae! What’s going on? Damon is right over there, we need to get him if something’s going on. He’s my boyfriend! And what about Khia?” I plant my feet into the ground and try pulling away from his arm.

“There is no time for them! They’re safe, you’re not. Stop being difficult, and run. Please just run. We are almost to my car.” He pleads.

“What are we running from?” I ask.

“Dammit Persephone!” He yells, and scoops me into his arms like I’m weightless and runs with me fastened into his arms. I attempt to kick myself free, but that gets me nowhere, so I give up. He practically throws me into the passenger seat, and is in the driver seat almost immediately.

I try to keep my cool, but we’re running from God knows what, and Cae is acting crazy. My voice sounds edgy and forceful, “What are we running from? What the hell is going on?”

“That icy feeling that you keep getting, well I’m getting it too. I could sense it was happening to you too because I made a pact to protecting you no matter what the costs. You’re my mission. I feel the icy crap because when I made the pact, it connected me to you.” He says.

“You made a pact to protect me? Why the hell would you do that?” I say.

He doesn’t reply, and keeps his eyes focused onto the dimly lit streets for any signs of life.

We are silent for a long time, and I’m unsure where he’s taking us. We left Papingo about a half hour ago. The thought crossed my mind that he could possibly be leading me to my death, but if he made this so called pact to protect me, wouldn’t that hurt him too? The guilt has been eating at me, so I haven’t been able to say another word.

Out of nowhere, he blurts out, “We’re going to this place on the outskirts of Kalpaki, which is right outside of Aristi.” He hesitates before speaking again. “I know you’re confused, and scared, but no matter what happens, I’m here for you, and you can always trust me.”

“Why are we going to Kalpaki?” I say, and ignore his last comment.

He frowns, but continues. “I told you I made the pact so I could save my life. My decisions were selfishly made, and I regret it. I’m glad I’m still alive, or partly alive, but it won’t be too good for you. The lady here will help you. You have to try not to freak out. Everything will get worse for you if you show fear.”

“What decision? What do you mean, partly alive? Why would I freak out? What’s going to happen?”

He frowns again. He always hated when I asked too many questions at once. But my thoughts are so jumbles up, that I don’t know what is most important.

“I chose to save my life instead of choosing death. In return, if this mysterious ice girl prophecy ever surfaced, I had to do everything in my power to protect and serve her. I made a deal with the devil, in a way. Not the man himself, but pretty damn close. Long story short, I’m here because I didn’t think I would ever be needed to fulfil what was asked of me.” He starts tapping the steering wheel, which only makes my nerves worse. “I can’t tell you what will happen, because I need you to come in with me. It won’t be dangerous. I’m incapable of purposely putting you into harm’s way.”