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Prologue
Fate stood in the corner, invisible to the three adults entering the roo to adopt a child and the social worker eager to find a good hoes Fate’s lip curled into a sneer, soHer weak husband knew the evil she hid, yet he sought to appease the monster and turn her viciousness toward a new victim
“How old is this one?” Susan Greer stood over a sirl
The social worker looked at her notes “She is seven-years-old”
Fate waved her hand Susan Greer frowned “Too old” Shewith blocks on a small table
“This one?” she questioned
“Ten” The social worker began to tell her about the boy, “Sam is a quiet child He loves attention and is quite affectionate” Fate again waved her hand
“Again, too old Don’t you have any that are younger?” Noticing the frown beginning to form on the social worker’s face, Susan Greer—a master manipulator—forced an insincere smile to her lips “I just believe the adjuster child”
“I see” Looking at her notes, she walked to a dark haired boy as trying desperately to hide behind a toy box
“This young man is Jericho; he is four-years-old His father is deceased and hisaddiction and could no longer take care of hilect”
“How sad” Susan reached down to touch the boy, but he shrank back further against the wall ”Would you like to come home with us?”
A mutinous pair of dark eyes stared back at the woo” He turned toward the social worker pleadingly “Please, I don’t wanna go with the mean lady”
“Now, Jericho, this nice lady and her husband want to adopt you and make a nice home for you Wouldn’t you like a bedroom to yourself?”
“No!”
“He’s the one I can tell he desperately needs us Don’t you agree, Frank?”
“Whatever you want, dear” Susan Greer turned her beady eyes towards her husband, who began to visibly shake with her attention turned to him
“Fine, let’s go to the office Your paperwork has already been approved by the State We’ll set up a visitation schedule and a home visit when Jericho knows you better” The social worker was excited by the prospect of a potential adoption There were soto adopt Any doubts she personally had about the Greer’s she suppressed After all, the State had approved their application after a thorough background check With over a hundred children to supervise, she was too busy to second guess the State’s decision
“That sounds wonderful I can’t wait until we’re one, big, happy family” She stared down at the little boy who stared back at her with eyes that seemed to see the evil inside her She couldn’t wait until his training would begin She bent down to the small boy
“I’ll be seeing you soon, my dear” As they left the room, Jericho knew the scary woman would be back for him
Fate watched the boy as he bravely fought his frightened tears, his tre lips firmed, and she barely heard his whispered words, “She don’t scare me” She stiffened when she realized he had spoken directly to her
Fate was invisible to human eyes, yet the child could see her
“Sometimes my job just sucks!” Fate muttered before she disappeared
Chapter One
The croas huge Fate frowned; her sister should have arrived at thebefore her She supposed she could brave Mother Nature and Father Time alone, however she preferred to wait until she had reinforce her daughters, and it was never a good thing to piss off Mother
Taking a drink froht idea that had been to have the the from within the room Not that they would be ain, so was everyone else in the room of immortals
To gain entrance to the high councilall immortals’ poere removed, courtesy of Merlin’s spell, only to be returned upon leaving This had coh nus You couldn’t expect to fill a rooick, and not expect a little bloodshed It was only when a vampire had dared to bite Venus that Merlin had co their powers at the door
It had taken several s before the i Merlin, but there were disputes and wars to settle; personal goals could be accomplished with the council’s help Wars could be shortened and often prevented with the council’s guidance and none of the immortals wanted to make the council members irritated at their absence The council was the best of the best No one wanted to ry It often had nasty consequences
Mother Nature and Father Time were co-chairick, Christopher represented the Saints and Vlad represented the Earth Spirits Each could bring prosperity or an extremely painful death
Fate sighed, theseand she had only attended to please Mother Nature Friends fro of time, they saw little of each of other as their duties required constant vigilance Mother was looking forward to seeing Zerina, Broni and Cara, but Fate had been unable to bring herself to allow theuilty conscience that they were busy and it would have been too dangerous to leave h Fate kneas a weak argument and wouldn’t cut it with Mother Friends they may be, yet Fate was expected to obey her demands
“Why the frown?” Fate turned toward her sister’s voice
“You’re late” Destiny shrugged
“I had a last ?”
“Just bored, I guess” Fate tried to shrug off the feeling of i for her to feel this way
“Perhaps we should leave?” Destiny turned and headed for the door
“No, I’ve yet to speak to Mother Nature and Father Time I have to stay until the vote on Rocque comes from the council
”
“He doesn’t look too worried,” Destiny muttered
Fate shrugged “He has repeatedly warned others to stay out of his forest His wolves were attacked and slaughtered by the rogue vampires He dealt with them far kinder than Vlad would have”
Destiny stared at her sister in disbelief “He burnt theht That’s overkill don’t you think?”
“Vlad would have tortured them first You’re just mad because he doesn’t fear you”
“That only proves his stupidity” Destiny looked at the arrogant Lord His day was co
Her thoughts were captured by her sister’s laughter
“Relax This is supposed to be our time of freedom from our responsibilities”
“One day he will go too far,” Destiny muttered
“Don’t worry; I think I can guarantee a front row seat” Fate laughed, finally allowing herself to relax for the first time since her arrival
“Pro forward to her sister’s interference,face
“I pro with a verdict” They listened quietly as Mother read off Rocque’s punishment
Destiny turned away in disappointment “I can’t believe it”
“I can He’s one of Mother’s favorites Coet out of here”
As the toress Everyone in the room feared them to some extent They were the Moirae, feared by all Conversations lowered and ceased, not wanting themselves heard Many stared as the wo their bodies, their crea So to be noticed
“I see Aphrodite is with Valentine”
“Slut,” Destiny retorted
“Venus is flirting with Vlad”
“Bitch”
“Morgana La Faye and Merlin are arguing over in the corner”
“Psycho”
They were still laughing as they reached Mother Nature’s dais where she was talking with Rocque who moved aside at their approach, but didn’t leave as both had hoped Bowing, they waited for their nod of per
“Daughters” Mother’s eyes searched the crowd