Page 17 of Between Imminent Fates

“This I can share: everything so far has fallen in place.”

Key’s foresight returned with the force of a hand grenade, and for a moment, she was lost to the visions that flickered behind her eyes.

Innumerable flashes of a future that was both within reach and unfathomable played out before her. They were scenes from a play she’d orchestrated: a victory that was both near and far away, the fallout of defeat, and the pain and tragedy of loss.

Nero, well accustomed to the gaps in her attention span, simply waited her out. When the visions cleared, Key’s focus returned to her sovereign.

“How is Eden faring with the archives?”

“She’s in love,” he chuckled. “Seems like I have to pry her away from those books every night. She goes through them so quickly.”

“Not a bad thing.”

“No—and Nina’s been keeping her company, visiting often.” Nero frowned. “Isaiah, too, for that matter. They’re both looking for something, but they won’t tell me what.”

When he cast her a suspicious look, Key smirked. “Spoilers, Nero.”

With a huff, he got to his feet. “Should I be expecting you to remain on campus tonight, or will you be taking off once more?”

“I’m leaving for Paracel in a few minutes.”

“Oh?”

“Mmhmm,” she said.

When it became apparent she wouldn’t reveal anything else, Nero rolled his eyes. “Good luck.”

She would need it. Locking onto Aidan’s signature, a psychic thumbprint of sorts, she teleported directly into the Elemental’s great hall where the werewolf alpha waited.

Beside him, Lucy gave her a tentative smile. “It’s nice to see you again, Key.”

“Thank you for having me,” she replied. “Are Jeremiah and Zia somewhere within shouting distance?”

“Always!”

Jeremiah’s voice echoed from elsewhere in the complex, and he and Zia quickly made an appearance. Having mated Nero’s second, the red-haired wind Elemental had become a common sight back home on Oahu. Key had grown to appreciate his sunny personality despite their rough introduction.

“Lovely,” Key said. “Now that you’re all together, I can tell you why I’ve gathered you here. Tomorrow, I’ll have a task for you.”

Chapter Six

Lucy

Lucy awoke to Aidan’swoodsy evergreen scent, snuggled deeply in her alpha’s arms. Though her seatbelt cut obnoxiously into her stomach, she wouldn’t have moved for the world. Nowhere was safer than her mate’s embrace.

Aidan’s hand combed through her hair, a rumble in his chest as he chuckled at the antics in front of them. In the front seats, Jeremiah and Zia sang an off-key duet to one of the latest pop songs. The pair had been showcasing their renditions for the better part of three hours.

They were made for each other—as all fated mates were.

“Are you awake?”

Aidan’s voice brought a smile to her lips. “Almost. Where’s my coffee?”

“You polished it off an hour ago.” A chuckle. “You can have a sip of mine.”

“And by sip, you mean all?”

Drawing up to a seated position beside him, she took the mug he offered her. Seconds later, she savored the still burning-hot liquid on her tongue and hummed her pleasure.

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