Page 97 of Secrets & Curses of Fate

Haden

When my magic disappeared, I was in front of an inconspicuous shed in the middle of nowhere, Cerithia. I stepped inside and watched the rotting wood transform into walls decorated with artwork and trinkets from centuries of collecting. I heard him rocking in his chair, but it would have been the first place I looked anyway.

Brim was always in his damn chair, rocking away, having visions, and being a total pain in my ass. I stepped forward, and Brim stopped rocking immediately.?

“What?” he said with a bite of anger.?

Smiling at his newfound attitude, I stepped forward and looked over his aged face. His white hair stuck out every which way, and his angry eyes pinned me to my spot. He sighed heavily when he saw the black void in my eyes.?

“Great, you’re back,” Brim said with an annoyance that made me smile wider.

“What’s wrong, Brim?”?

“Ardella told me she hates me.” He frowned. “My feelings are hurt.”?

I sighed heavily and rolled my eyes before sitting in the chair next to him.?

“So, she did come here.”

“You knew she would,” Brim snapped. “You told me to expect her.”?

“I was hoping my visions were wrong, but I should know better when it comes to her.”

I released a long breath as I stared at the flames roaring in the fireplace.?

“I would like Haden to come out. I do not like you.”?

“Careful.” I warned him. “I told you that Haden and I are the same.”?

Brim folded his arms over his chest like a wrinkly old child. I leaned forward and rested my arms on my thighs. I needed to be cautious about what I told this old man because he was a sneaky little shit.?

“What did you tell her?”?

“Exactly what you told me to.”?

I nodded and turned to him, my gaze drifting over him to see if he was lying. Relief filtered in slightly as I saw the truth in his eyes.?

“Good.” I nodded.?

“She was devastated,” Brim hissed at me. “You realize that, right? You destroyed her with what you did in your past, leaving her in such a manner.”?

“Della will be alright. I did what I needed to.”?

“I know you changed fate before she did.” Brim stared at me with hurt and confusion. “Are you trying to get the stars involved; is that it?”?

Brim was fishing for details that I would not be giving him.?I gave him a look that made him huff.

“Then at least tell me what you are,” he sighed.?

I turned and narrowed my eyes on him, but he just stared at me with his defiant eyes. Brim wasn’t going to back down. I shook my head because he gave himself away. I knew he couldn’t keep his mouth shut.?

“She suspects that I am not fae.”?

Brim’s eyes widened, letting me know that he already knew this.

“Why does she think that, Brim?”?

“Because Ardella is smarter than you think, asshole, and you think she will fall for whatever you are doing.”?

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