Turning back to him, I fail to hold my tongue. “Which is it, Father? Am I to burn to death, or rise with Raphael? I struggle with a lot of things, but that seems clear to me.”
“Change your path, Mila. Neither of you can do it alone. Fire and burning bones. Blue eyes weeping. Fire and burning bones. Blue eyes weeping. Fire and burning bones. Blue eyes weeping…”
I leave him to his chanting, walking as fast as I can to the exit. I need fresh air.
Too much has happened for the prophecy to come true now. If Father Luke’s vision is real, I’m the one who will meet our maker first, but what I don’t understand is why Raphael would cry for me? I know he’s the one Father Luke spoke of, because he has the bluest eyes of anyone in Vita.
Trey is leaning against the car on his phone. Seeing me when I cross the street, he ends the call.
“What did he want?” he questions, opening the door for me.
“He had a vision.”
I climb inside the car and let my shoulders fall.
“What did he see?”
“My bones burning, and the people of Vita mourning me on the day of my funeral.”
His eyes widen for a split second, and then he shrugs. “Nothing he’s ever said has come true, and it’ll be a cold day in Hell before I let you die.”
“Why is Alexander’s car parked outside my house?”
Holding the door open for me to climb out, Trey walks beside me as we head into the house.
“Mary probably let him, seeing as he’s your fiancé.”
“He’s going to be a bigger problem than I anticipated. I don’t like that he shows up unannounced.”
“Call it off, and you won’t have to deal with him.”
I don’t bother responding. He knows full well why I’m doing this, and unless he can come up with a better plan, this is it.
I’d love nothing more than a hot bath and a glass of scotch, but walking into my office, I dig deep and find the strength to deal with my fiancé. I put my visit with Father Luke to the back of my mind and force a smile when I see Alexander sitting in the chair behind my desk, like he has every right to be there.
“Did we arrange a visit?” I demure, knowing damn well we didn’t.
“Can’t I drop by and visit my fiancée without calling ahead?” Grinning, he looks to Trey. “You can leave.”
Trey simmers with anger beside me, and when I don’t call the mayor out for ordering my staff around, he understands that I’m playing the part and leaves.
I look back at Alexander, whose suit fits snugly around his arms. I’ll admit, he’s not so bad on the eyes, but he just doesn’t possess the spark that makes my heart race at the mere sight of him.
“Of course.” I smile sweetly, pushing the anger down. However, there must be a reason for the visit. He understands this is an arrangement and nothing more.
Pointing to a small box in the centre of my desk, he tips his head for me to open it.
I know it’s a ring, but when I open the box, what I don’t expect to see is the world’s biggest, ugliest, diamond ring. Don’t get me wrong, I love diamonds—having plenty of them in the family vault—but this ring is garish, holding no real beauty. He’s picked it solely for its size, making it impossible not to notice it on my finger.
“It’s beautiful, Alexander,” I gasp with as much enthusiasm as I can muster.
“I’m glad you think so. I’ve arranged for a celebratory dinner at my mansion tonight, and anyone who’s anyone will be there. I think it will be the perfect time for you to carry through with your promise. By the end of the night, word will have spread throughout the city, and everything we want to achieve will be well within our grasp.”
“We discussed my men laying down their weapons at the engagement party. Why the change?”
He’s already moving the posts, trying to assert his power over me. It’s taking everything in me not to have him shot dead right here, right now.
“It will be more effective this way. And besides, I don’t want anything taking away the attention of our night.”
Of course he doesn’t.
“I’ve also set a date for us to be married, which will be one year from today, giving us plenty enough time to make arrangements. No expense will be spared.”