Page 8 of Between Imminent Fates

His appearance was a pivotal turning point in the war. Tomorrow, she would lay it all on the line with the heads of the immortal races. There would be conflict and fear. Aggression and disbelief. But eventually, they would trust her.

They had to, or their lives would be forfeit.

Chapter Three

Key

“I bear news ofan upcoming shift in our war. The choice is yours to make, as it always has been. Should you decide to do nothing and leave here today without a plan, every immortal on the planet will be dead within the decade.”

The silence that followed her decree was both expected and damning.

Their reaction seemed to drain what little energy Key had, leaving her a hollow shell. The clarity she’d had yesterday during her time with Jax seemed to escape her now, her mind muddled with visions she couldn’t stop. She was forever shaped by a future she’d foreseen so many times it conflicted with the present.

But thiswasthe present. This was now. And every pair of eyes in the room was fixated on her with an intensity that’d make a lesser woman wither. Nero finally broke the stifling silence.

“What did you say?”

As if his hearing was anything but perfect, her sovereign’s earthy brown eyes were full of worry and apprehension. His new mate’s hand was clasped in his own.

Key wasn’t daunted.

“If we do nothing, every immortal will be dead in a decade,” she repeated, knowing she needed to allow it to sink in. Cocking her head, she stared at the faces lined with worry and fear. “I’ve foreseen this moment so many times, living it is an odd reflection of the past mirrored into the present.”

There was a note of admonition when Nero said, “Key.”

“Apologies. My gift is overpowering at times.” A tight smile for their benefit. “Our lives are threatened, and immortal society will cease to exist if you elect to do nothing.”

“How?”

“TheCitizens. They expose us. We are hunted to extinction.”

“When did you foreseen this?”

Turning to the water Elemental, Key told Rukia, “A thousand years ago. It was my first vision. In the centuries since, I’ve seen the impending battle and unavoidable tragedy should we choose to do nothing. Over and over, I’ve seen the horror of our future.”

As the devastation in the room rose to a crescendo, Key amended, “But all isn’t lost. I’ve been working behind the scenes since that first vision, shaping our world so we survive.”

“You’ve planned for this?” Zeke’s words were cutting. “Why’ve you never disclosed it?”

“If I’d disclosed this any earlier, our plan would be compromised,” she replied. “The pieces needed to fall in place as they were meant to. The plan is more important than any one of us.”

“What is the plan, then?” Nova asked.

“The plan is that you trust me implicitly.” Her voice held no room for negotiation. “Regardless of your hesitations, regardless of your past, you must understand that whatever I tell you will be for our ultimate survival. You cannot question the decisions I make. You cannot pursue your own path. You cannot decide to alter your instructions.”

“And what proof do we have that what you say is true?” Aidan growled.

Unabashed, Key turned a calculating gaze toward Lucy. “Do you believe it was a coincidence that you ‘fell into a hole’ at work and acquired your abilities when you did? That your heel tangled on a tree rootjust enoughthat you couldn’t get up?”

At the couple’s shocked expression, she continued. “Ifacilitated that. I was behind the sudden breeze that blew your papers out of your hands. If I wasn’t standing there on the construction site disguised as another member of their crew, none of them would’ve even known Lucy was buried. That’s my proof, wolf.”

Swallowing harshly, Aidan’s hand squeezed Lucy’s, and he looked away. Key had him; that much was apparent. But she wasn’t done; there were more minds to convince.

Knowing which mated couple would challenge her next, she found them across the room. “Didn’t you find it odd that the bomb’s leftover wiring was conveniently located in Silas’ quarters, Nova? That you found your traitor based on sheer luck?”

Tilting her head, she then caught Gideon’s molten gold gaze. “Or the fact that you just so happened to hear of Victor’s Maui home from the ‘cleaning lady’ who wasawfullyhelpful, Gideon?”

Silence.

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