Startled, Edward tried to pull his hand from her grasp. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Yes, you do, and it will not work. You will be separated, never to find each other again. Be patient and she will be returned to you.”
“I can’t lose her.”
His tormented words tore at Cara’s heart.
“You won’t if you wait, but if you go through with your plans, you will lose her forever.”
Jericho jerked her arm, forcing her to release Edward’s hand.
“I apologize, Edward. I shouldn’t have brought her.” Jericho turned, dragging her from the house.
“Stop it. I’m coming.” Cara tried to get her arm away, but was successful only when Jericho had her in the truck once again, slamming the door.
“How could you do that to that old couple? It was downright cruel, and what were you telling him not to do, anyway?”
“He plans to kill himself when Mary dies. He can’t bear the thought of a life without her.”
“And you know this how? Did Mary say something?”
“No, she doesn’t know. He knows it would break her heart. I am able to see the color of his soul, and it matches Mary’s; it is already preparing to leave. Edward’s should not have been that way; Mary said he is healthy.”
Jericho reversed carefully until they were once again on the dangerous road. He needed his head examined for even taking Cara around his neighbors, especially as sick as Mary was.
Then Jericho frowned. Edward had seemed to know what Cara was talking about.
Jericho had thought Edward was dealing with Mary’s upcoming death well, and his planned suicide would explain his unexpected acceptance. How had Cara known? Had Mary secretly hinted it to Cara, or had the girl just guessed? One thing was for sure: the sooner he got rid of her, the better.
When was this damn rain ever going to stop?
Chapter 6
Fate stood in the back of the huge hall and watched as the beautiful goddesses vied for Odin’s attention. Their filmy gowns left nothing to the imagination, each hoping to be the one he chose for an evening of pleasure.
Fate’s lip curled in disgust when Venus sat in his lap to hold a goblet to his lips. When a small amount of wine clung to his lips, she slid forward, her tongue licking his lips before giving him a voracious kiss.
Fate heard her moans in the back of the crowed hall as the stupid slut’s butt ground harder against Odin’s lap, trying to bring herself to an orgasm.
If the task she was there for were not so important, Fate would have left then. Instead, she slowly moved forward to Odin’s dais.
As the others realized she was there, they moved back, allowing an unobstructed path. Fate didn’t wonder at their movements, so accustomed to it. They feared her, afraid she would somehow know their thoughts, actions, and feelings. They were right.
Odin watched the woman walk toward him and knew the smile playing on her lips was because she believed everyone feared her. She was wrong. The women were jealous of her beauty and moved away because they didn’t want her to know, and the men skittered away in embarrassment at their body’s arousal. Fate was a stunningly beautiful woman with a body that was every man or god’s idea of perfection.
The only thing that saved her from the goddesses’ jealousy was her power. None dared to harm the woman. She had gifts and powers unlike any other, and if that wasn’t enough, she held the friendship of the couple literally holding the powers of the universe in their hands.
Fate was afraid of no one and feared by all. All except Odin. Of course, it helped that Chronos was his father; therefore, he did not fear retribution as other immortals.
His eyes narrowed as she stopped before him. Her Grecian gown was made of silk and clung to every luscious curve and line of her body. When the arrogant beauty kneeled before him, providing a glimpse of her firm breasts as her head bowed, it took every ounce of control he possessed to keep from grabbing her and taking her on the floor. Only his pride saved him from making an ass of himself and kept his expression an unreadable mask.
“Fate, why am I granted the pleasure of seeing you on your knees before me?”
His sarcasm made Fate want to throw the wine goblet at his head. As an alternative, she lowered her voice, seductive and full of promises she had no intention of fulfilling. “I beg a favor, Your Highness.”
Odin laughed at her submissive tone. This woman didn’t have a submissive bone in her. His body had taken several days to recover from the night he had spent in her bed.
“I wait breathlessly to hear just what this favor entails to bring you to your knees. Dare I guess it involves the disappearance of your daughters?”