Fate's Demand (Twisted Fate, Book 3)

Chapter Ten

Why can't they leave me alone? They hadn't kept up their end of the bargain and, since my mother wasn't here with me, I wouldn't be going anywhere with them. If angels were supposed to be good, how could they not do as they promised? If they could lie, could they force me to comply? Take me against my will?

I crossed my arms and straightened, narrowing my eyes. "What do you want, Mike? I said I wasn't going."

He cocked his head to the side and raised an eyebrow, the slightest of smiles tracing his lips.

"Go away." I leaned forward, enunciating each syllable slowly, and then rolled my eyes as I dropped my arms and stepped sideways to pass him.

Mike reached out and clasped my arm, bringing me to a stop at his side. A shiver ran down my spine. I looked down at his hand on my arm and then up to hold his gaze. As I tried to pull free, he pushed me a step back so that we stood facing each other again.

"What do you want?" I sighed and crossed my arms. Looking down, I toed the unfinished floor. Sure, I'd wanted someone to be in here, but did it have to be him?

"Darkness wants you, Alyssa."

Pausing with my toes touching the floor, I slowly lowered my foot and looked up. "So what?" I shrugged and narrowed my eyes. Watching him felt like I was standing in an ocean with the water up to my shoulders and rising, and a jumbo wave was rolling forward to land on my head. "You can't hold up your end of our bargain, so you've decided to frighten me into going to Heaven? Can't I choose Hell instead?"

His smile grew and my muscles tensed. "I'm sure it could be arranged. I bet Darkness would rather have you join it than have to kill you."

The wave crashed and I stepped back, swallowing hard. "Really?" Since when would Mike promote my going anywhere but Heaven, even as a joke? "Enough with the melodrama! I'm so sick of all this light and dark crap, it's not even funny anymore."

"I thought you liked honesty?"

My gaze narrowed on the floor. Something is missing.

"I—I do," I said. Suddenly, I felt the desire to run. The urge was so overwhelming, I could barely breathe. Bumps raised my skin, the anticipation shaking my knees so I couldn't move. Swallowing, I shook my head. "But why can't you guys go hover over someone else? I'm not a leader. I don't want to be this—this thing that you're all harping on about. A Pure Soul? There's no such thing in a human heart."

"Except, apparently, in yours."

The doors I had entered through squeaked open and slammed shut. I looked up, unable to see who entered through the dark, but I was thankful for the interruption. My gaze strayed back to the floor. What am I missing?

Mike shuffled backwards. "Remember what I said, Aly. It will only end one way."

"What?" My forehead creased as I glanced up.

He winked and began walking away. "We'll talk soon."

What was he...? Mike was making no sense. Truly, I couldn't even think of a question to ask to try to decipher what he was talking about. As I watched him saunter away, I felt my irritation rise. When will they stop speaking in riddles?

A palm landed on my shoulder. I jumped, turning in mid-air as I kept my eyes on the floor. My breath exhaled in a rush. Why was I scared? I'd heard the door open and it's not like Darkness would be polite enough to advise me of its presence if it had come.

"Aly?"

"What the—?" Jerking my head up, my mouth dropped, and my eyes widened. "I-I—" Swallowing, I blinked and then twisted to look over my shoulder to watch Mike's retreating form. Back and forth, my gaze switched focus until he was gone.