it wouldn’t have turned out that way. But then again, that age old saying the Fates loved so much, was that everything happened for a reason?
And speaking of Fates, I couldn’t help but look up now and wonder where the Keepers of Three were. So, I folded up his letter, knowing nothing could make me part with it, and tucked it into the pocket that was hidden in the folds of the skirt to my dress. Then I located Clay who had moved closer to Ruto and Caspian, obviously to give me space.
“Where is my father?” I asked after walking their way. Clay jerked his head to the side, gesturing behind him before telling me,
“Luc got word to him to wait by the tree topside, warning him of the potential rogues.”
“So how did you guys get here?” I asked, curious to know.
“Dariush created a portal and basically told us that Luc wanted our asses in Hell. Besides, I never even knew this fucking place existed but from what Dariush told us, you can’t get down here without Luc’s blood, so your father should be waiting at the surface.”
“Right,” I said taking a step in the right direction, only one look back at the portal in the centre of the Tree and I felt suddenly torn. Just the thought of Lucius fighting against his brother, one he hadn’t even known he had until recently, and I paused in my steps. But then, as I was looking around the colossal space, one dominated by that weeping tree, I started to get a bad feeling creeping along my spine.
Because there was still something missing, and that answer wasn't as obvious as my boyfriend. No, it was the eerie quiet that struck me as odd, seeing as the four of us were here inside this sacred temple with the Tree of Souls, and yet its Keepers were nowhere to be found.
“Err… Clay”
“Yeah?” He too paused, and looked back over his large shoulder and down at me.
“I don’t suppose since having my freak out, girly moment, you happened to come across the Keepers of Three, did you?” He frowned at this question, one I believed important enough to ask.
“Who?” That in itself was answer enough.
“I think we might have a problem,” I stated as that creeping along my spine turned into a full out shiver.
“Why do you say that?” he asked, now looking back towards the tree as if expecting to find something there watching us.
“Erm, well, let's just say that if you had met them, you would know exactly who I was talking about, as they’re somewhat unforgettable, if you know what I mean,” I told him, now looking around the cavernous space and trying to listen out for their distinct sound of fate-filled ramblings. One that usually ended in a murmured slur of words you could never understand. Clay motioned for the others to come closer, not having to say anything but flick two fingers to the side, telling them to split up and look.
But despite the protection they offered, the moment I heard an echoing clap and knowing thunder of laughter, I knew that we had been too late. Because this hadn’t come from the Keepers of Three.
Which meant that Lucius hadn't saved me from the Hellish wolves like he believed.
No, this time…
He had mistakenly thrown me to them.
17
An Angel can Bleed
“It’s a trap,” I whispered to Clay, who gritted his teeth.
But then, this soon became obvious as Matthias walked out from behind one of the colossal pillars, still clapping. I couldn’t help but inwardly shudder at the sight, knowing he was the one responsible for it all. Well, him and his witch, I thought, wrinkling my nose and wondering where she was.
As for Matthias, well, he stood tall and proud, with that air of arrogance to him that spoke of power. He wore a dark red, long-sleeved tunic style jacket that had a wide V shaped panel down the front of black metal. I suppose this acted as some protection across his chest, and also held numerous belts and straps across his muscles.
His torso tapered down at the waist thanks to the thick belts he wore that held weapons, one of which that looked like a spearhead that extended from thick rings and plates of silver. Underneath the long tunic jacket that reached his knees, were a pair of thick, dark trousers and boots that were plated up to his knees.
I followed the lines of thick leather straps covering his torso