Mated to the Chaos - Georgette St. Clair Page 0,44

three seconds, all continuums of time existed. It was like a person preparing for action. Thoughts of moving were in the future second that hadn't come yet. When they decided to move and their muscles twitched, preparing to go, that was the present. And when they'd already passed by, blood dripping from their strike, it was in the past.

For humans, that was a linear event of one step after the other. For the Norns, they understood what it truly was because they were the cycle.

Future was aligned and bridged with Present, who then was connected on the other edge by Past. But Past was also on the edge of Future. It was actually a circle that continuously moved. Hence why Past became Future, Future became Past, and Present was the overseer of it all.

This was why she could look at the past to understand what may occur in the future, or at least see the effects and guess what action had caused it. Of course, she could not explain it to the rest of them, and it made things harder. If she could, they would understand much better. But the stranglehold on her gift made it so she couldn't share it no matter how much she wished for it. Even now, she wanted to explain what the King of History truly meant for Carlo. But even the thought of exposing it sent pain rippling through her body and she had to slam the doors closed on the thoughts.

Soon, very soon; he would understand once he invited the Chaos in.

For now, she simply took the men through a portal to get back into Encantado and wished for the best.

Out of the frying pan and into the fire. That’s exactly what the fuck happened when they entered Encantado. Carlo just wanted a moment to breathe, to celebrate the fact they’d brought Asherah back safely. And at least they had some idea of what was next to be done.

Instead, they came back to a war zone.

Wolves and mages ran back and forth, Hollows racing between them.

Carlo blinked. “Is that a fucking golem? Did they bring in golems?”

Somehow, Skuld had attacked Encantado while they were inside the Chaos realm to get Asherah.

“Well, that explains why Skuld wasn't in her tower,” Lennox mused. “If she has been here, it must mean she is after more than just Asherah.”

“Well, we already know Ash was with Verdandi. Maybe Verdandi intercepted Asherah and Skuld didn't realize she was in the In Between and she's here still looking for her.” Carlo looked over his shoulder at the Fae Princess. “We need to get you to your Fate as quickly as possible so we know you're safe.”

“Should we travel by portal again?” Kallan shot a sidelong glance at Carlo.

Nanshe shook her head. “I could open a portal, but I can't do one directly to Heath because he’s at main headquarters. They have protections to stop that from happening. Think about it, if one could open a portal in there, the Ales would be in danger.”

“You're right, and that does make sense.” Kallan nodded.

“Yes, the mage headquarters is completely blocked from any portals within a three-mile radius. But we could port there, send Asherah in for safety, and send a call to Heath. After that, we can return here to battle.” Lennox looked at each member of the team as he spoke, ending with Carlo.

Carlo sighed. “Well, we need to do something. I need to get to my Alpha and make sure he is okay.”

Kallan edged closer to Ash. “Then we'll take Asherah to the Mage Council with Lennox and protect her. You travel to your Alpha.”

“Carlo should not be alone,” Nanshe argued. “He would be battling all the way to Moretti Pack lands without us because I need to make you a portal.”

Kallan laughed. “I know you were the big dog inside the In Between and your portals are pretty sick, but I can make them. I’ll get us from here to there, at least, and leave you here to fight with your mate.”

Carlo nodded. He would feel better having Nanshe by his side. “That's good. Kallan, get Asherah to safety. Nanshe, you come with me. We're going toward Moretti Pack lands and I don't want to leave this many people exposed. If we can help them, it would be good, but my top priority is my Alpha.”

“Understood. We've come out near Scorched Earth, right?”

Nanshe surveyed the battlefield. The sky was alight with color as magic swung back and forth