Game of Fate: The Fated Chronicles Contemporary Fantasy Adventure, #9

CHAPTER 1

Darkness Seeping In

Colin Jacoby awoke to the sounds of a long, airy sigh. He lifted upward, leaving his weight on his elbows, the memory of where he was, returning. He was in the banished Svoda safe house in the city of Boston, Massachusetts. And by some luck, he’d actually fallen asleep. Unlike Catrina, from the looks of it.

She was stationed on a pillow-lined window bench, staring longingly through the thin lace curtain covering the glass. Watching the busy city move about its morning, oblivious to the occupants of the Boston apartment being used as a hideaway, for two people on the run.

He wiped his eyes, shifted a hand through his untidy hair, yawned, and got to his feet, stretching his way over to her.

She looked his way and smiled when he sat down on the bench with her.

What time is it?

Almost noon.

Seriously? Wow.

I couldn’t sleep, she confirmed his suspicions. Tried, just wouldn’t come.

I kind of can’t believe I did.

Exhaustion will do that. And I’m glad you did. You were seriously overdue.

"I’m not sure I’ve ever been so tired as when I put my head on that pillow last night. I had so many thoughts scouring my brain, but then, nothing. Just amazingly, wonderful nothing."

Until I just woke you, she apologized.

That was a pretty loud sigh. He wasn’t angry, only concerned.

Sorry. It came out without me even thinking about it.

He reached over and slipped his hand into hers. What’s bothering you? Stupid question, he chastised outwardly. "How can you not be bothered by everything? You were kidnapped and left in a coffin in Eidolon’s Valley to sleep away your life, most likely by Juliska Blackwell. For reasons yet unknown. You’re hanging out with a guy who might lose it at any moment, and go magically insane if he can’t handle the pressure."

A guy I love, don’t forget. And that stopped him in his tracks for a few seconds. Made his heart stutter across a few beats. Even in the cloudy winter gloom coming through the window, she reminded him of wildflowers blooming on a spring morning.

They were months from spring. The winter winds rattled against the glass.

It’s trying to snow, I think, she whispered. Funny how you can just tell. That first heavy snow of the year trying to fall. Like it’s trying to break through the last season and take over.

Colin pulled her across the bench and she laid her head against his chest, their gazes wandering outside again. Please tell me what’s keeping you up.

She let out another forlorn breath. I miss my family. I was thinking about them.

Colin cringed a little. Not because she missed them, but because he suddenly felt like a dope for not realizing that, of course, she would. But things had been so chaotic he hadn’t had the time to think about Catrina’s family.

They are on the island, with Juliska. Aren’t they?

I think they are.

Which meant they were in danger, like all the Svoda on the island. Including Jae, who’d been forced to return there in service to Juliska.

I’m sorry, Catrina. It’s my fault you’re not with them.

How do you figure that? she tossed back at him. Did you stuff me in a coffin and leave me with the Goblins?

No. But after I freed you, I should have tried to get you back to your family. I didn’t. Because I was selfish and wanted you all for myself, he left off.

And when would you have tried? After we had to flee when Juliska found out I was not only alive, but in her camp, and we were not sure who to trust? Or when we were with Jasper, after he saved us? Or when I was taken by Freyne Rothrock?

I still should have tried, he replied guiltily.

Catrina caught his gaze, in a purposeful motion.

"Don’t forget that I chose to stay, Colin. And if I had somehow reunited with my family, I’d be on the island right now too. A prisoner. Unable to help them. In the clutches of Juliska. I do miss my family something fierce. But I would not change where I am, out here, free, with you. Out here, we can do something about it."

We’re in hiding, he reminded somberly.

Yes, but you are Colin Jacoby. Immortal. Powerful. I’d wager nearly unstoppable. She left off that he was potentially dangerous levels of unstoppable.

Ah, he teased, with a smile. So that’s why you’re sticking with me then, is it? My wicked awesome magical skills.

She laughed. If you were stripped of them, I’d still feel the same. Your magic doesn’t change who you are, in here. She planted her palm against his heart, which only sent it strumming.

I don’t feel immortal. Or powerful. I’m in hiding, because I’m unstable, and being hunted. I didn’t get to finish my training with Jasper. I might not even be killable. And I might be dangerous, even to you.

"I don’t believe that for a second. There are still unanswered questions, yes. And staying in hiding is definitely the wiser choice, so we don’t risk things we don’t need to. You need calm surroundings. A simple life. Free from sudden distractions that might make you lose control."

Does that include you?

Her cheeks went rosy against her silver hair.

I am selfish when it comes to you, Colin admitted sheepishly. I don’t want anyone else to have you. Or want you. Or need you. Even your family. I want you all to myself. But that isn’t right. It’s how I feel, but it’s not fair of me.

I don’t think love is fair, Colin. But I feel the same. If I was told I could go home right now, I’d struggle with that choice.

Why? You miss your family. You haven’t seen them in such a long time.

Because I have the same fear you do. They might take me away from you, and not just because you’re a Projector.

Because they were so young, he guessed.

Funny, he whispered. I feel like I’ve been alive a really long time. I forget I’m just sixteen, and sometimes I feel a hundred.

I’d wager you’ve lived more in the last few years than most people three times your age. But my parents would not be so understanding, and I... I don’t want to be away from you either. Whatever that takes.

No one will ever keep you away from me. His tone got serious. That’s not even a possibility anymore. I don’t care what anyone says. Or thinks. We belong together, and that’s something I’d bet all my magic on. She smiled and leaned her head against his chest again. His heart strummed evenly against her cheek. I cannot picture a day in my life that doesn’t come with you in it, Catrina. I, I, um...

She lifted her head again. What is it? she encouraged.

"I worry that my magic, is what makes me so possessive of you. I feel wrong, to think like that about you. Regardless of your family, and what’s going on back on the island, I feel sort of, addicted to you. He shook his head. I’m not sure that’s what I’m," Catrina stopped him.

"You worry if you really love me, or if it’s your magic just making you think you do. Because on some level, it needs me to keep it in check."

I guess, yeah. He cast his gaze to the side, feeling like a jerk for saying this to her. But he’d been wondering, just a little, if it wasn’t only love, but also fear, in some way. That if he was alone, he’d not make it. And that was definitely not fair, to her.

His chin came back to the front, and warm lips found his, instantly quelling that fear. Whatever this feeling was, right here, this was nothing at all to do with fear. Or his magic, needing her to level him in some manner.

Without him realizing, she’d pulled back, and when he finally opened his eyes she was batting hers at him in just about the most adorable manner, possible, that claimed, see?

Point made, he caved instantly, his brain stuck in a hormonal fog that was definitely nothing at all to do with magic. Well, maybe magic of a different kind.

The way I see it, Colin, we lucked out. We love each other, which is a miracle enough in itself. But at the same time, that love also happens to help you stay on level ground.

Sometimes it doesn’t, he admitted. She got shy, and cast her gaze downward. She returned her head to his chest.

Is that a problem for you? she whispered. To feel like that.

"That’s the thing, it’s not a problem. If anything, it’s sort of, extra leveling. I think because all my thoughts are completely wound around you. Just you, and nothing else. Which is nearly impossible at any other point in time while I am conscious. Or asleep."

"I see, so kisses are the ultimate weapon against the powerful, Colin Jacoby?"

Yeah, I guess they are. In reality, his mind was beginning to race a million miles a minute with new thoughts about them, together. Ones he’d thought of before but never seriously. And it was a near instant panic attack bringing out every doubt he’d ever had about himself, and stripped him down to that helpless boy who always needed help.

Like usual, Catrina seemed to know exactly what he was thinking.

Hey, we’re not in any hurry. I’m not ready to take this any further either.

Colin’s mind tried to calm itself, but it was having a hard time. It’s not because, well I just... it’s not because you’re not pretty, because you are. You’re like, really pretty, he blurted out awkwardly, and then blew out an exasperated breath. I had the birds and bees talk with my uncle years ago. And I’ve read a lot of books. He shut his mouth and rolled his eyes. I obviously have no idea what I’m doing. Or talking about. Yup, definitely just a stupid teen, and not a guy who’s lived enough already to be sixty.

Catrina couldn’t help it, and laughed. I’m sorry. It’s not funny. And yet, it’s completely funny.

In books, and movies, this is much easier, Colin pushed out. And usually the hero is some strapping big guy who knocks the girl off her feet, and saves the day.

Catrina cut him off with another kiss. She pulled back and grinned because that shut him up.

You are my hero. You did save me. But that’s only one little part of why I love you. I can’t explain it, I just know I do. In here. Her hand went to her heart. "And I have also had that super awkward talk with my parents. Not long before I was taken by Juliska, actually. But more than that, Colin, I just know me. And even though I’d bet my life we are meant to be together, I’m not there yet. Neither are you. And that’s, perfect. Because we’ll figure it out, together. There is no hurry."

There really wasn’t. They had a lot of years ahead. He hoped, not all of them on the run and in hiding, like this. Because it was already wearing on them both. But the pressure to be more, to be someone Catrina deserved, not something everyone feared, was screaming to get out of this very instinctual side of him. The very human, nothing to do with magic side. Just a guy wanting to be... well... a guy. Who was in love with a girl.

But that’s what it all came down to, is that they were just a guy and a girl. They were just kids really. Okay, not kids, but they weren’t grownups yet either even though he already lived many parts of his life, like one. He had to remind himself of this because he had a lot of moments when he did not feel young. It made it easy for his mind to get carried away.

Just so we’re clear, though, Catrina lifted her head again. You can definitely kiss me, whenever you want to.

I will take you up on that, often. He let out a soft laugh. "I’ve been wanting to talk about us for a while now, I just didn’t have the guts to do it." Pathetic much? He could take down the Grosvenor, but talk to a girl about serious relationship stuff. Forget about it!

Catrina laughed lightly. I imagine it’s hard for everyone, at first. I’m sure it gets easier.

I really hope so. The look on his face was a mix of pure relief, torture, and abashment. It’s a bit like I woke up in a dream walking down the street naked with an audience judging my every move.

Catrina couldn’t help it, and laughed. He joined in, it was sort of funny.

I like your laugh, he told her. I’d like to hear it more often.

It would be nice to have a reason to laugh more often, she sighed out in a moment of contentment. But I think when it comes down to it, everyone fears rejection. Even super powerful immortals, like you, she teased lightly. Or Song Spinners like me. When you take away all the magic stuff, we’re just people.

Isn’t that the truth. Colin let out a weighted breath. And yet they would never be seen like this to others. He kissed Catrina gently. And then not so gently, but deeply. Getting lost in a reel of hormonal images he was trying to get out of his mind, because they’d just had this talk, and decided neither of them was ready to go any further. They might not be ready today, but it was definitely getting harder to force those images away.

They finally broke apart, and Colin cleared his throat while Catrina breathily rested her hazy brained head against his chest again. He needed to get his mind on something else. So far, the Magicante was keeping up with him, but he refused to risk his mind going haywire.

I um, wish we knew why Juliska wanted you left behind. He needed a change of subject.

Catrina let out a slow exhale. "Yeah, me too. That’s the one part of it all I