The Dawning of Fate
Chapter 22

Fucking Matu! This had her name written all over it. Apparently, a normal- well as normal as living on an alien planet could be- life was too much to ask for. The more time I spend in this galaxy, the crazier my life gets. The grass isn’t always greener, am I right? Now about this old man. Wait.

“Did you say Bringer of Storm and Destruction?!” I croak. He simply nods as if he were telling me the sky was blue. Which, now that I look at it, it is. But wait, back up. What the hell did he mean by that?

As if he could sense me about to bombard him with questions, he motioned towards one of the buildings further down the dark stretch of alley. “Perhaps we should consider our conversation elsewhere? Away from prying ears. Things have been a bit tense here the past few moons.” He began to walk away, expecting us to follow. But I wasn’t stupid enough to follow some old man blindly into a dark alley. That’s like survival tactics 101.

“If you wish to replace your companion, you’d best heed my call.” He calls back, voice fading into the alley. Amondis hisses a sharp breath before darting his eyes over to me then to his brother.

“I don’t like this.” He grumbles.

Zan lets out a long sigh. “Neither do I. We do not know this man but what other choice do we have? He is our only lead so far”

“We could try someone else, someone less…cryptic.” I cast a wary glance down the alley. There was a niggling sensation in the back of my mind that made me want to believe what he had to say. But there was no way I was some foretold weapon of mass destruction. Then again, if I am what he says, Dronan’s desire to capture me will make more sense. You know how bad guys love their WOMDs.

Zan and Amondis must have decided to take the risk while I was deep in thought because suddenly my wrist is enclosed in purple fingers.

I’m tugged down the alley, shoes crunching on broken glass and god knows what else. “Stay close to me, my beloved. I’d hate to start another war.”

And they say romance is dead.

The inside of the building is littered with tattered clothes and mirror shards. The air is heavy with the musk familiar to this area of the planet. Rays of orange highlight the interior of the structure. Clouds of dust float around our feet as we reluctantly move further inside. Zan and his brother are on high alert. With bodies coiled and eyes sharp, they’re prepared to attack. The hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention. For the first time since I’ve been on away from Earth, I’m experiencing true fear. A fear so bone-deep and primal in the presence of true predators. Everything instinct I have for self-preservation is telling me to get the hell out of here as fast as humanly possible.

Sensing or smelling my fear, three sets of predatory eyes snap at me. Oh fuck. Oh fuck, fuck, fuck. A deep shudder rolls through my body. If I could become one with the floor right now, I would. My attempt to step away failed and only resulted in the grip on my wrist tightening painfully. An involuntary whimper leaves my lips. Zan drops my hand like it was a hot brand and takes a step away from me, staring at his hands.

Almost immediately, images of our time in the spirit world flood my mind and I know Zan is about to fall back into that pit of revulsion. My fingers wrap around his wrist and I step close to him, chest to chest.

“I’m fine. You did nothing wrong. You are not the man in that pit anymore.” My hands move to his face and he rests his forehead on mine, gazing into my eyes.

“I don’t deserve you, but I’ll never give you up. Thank you.” He dips his head and captures my lips in a thigh-clenching kiss, despite our audience.

The universal sound of someone awkwardly clearing their throat fills my ears. A warning growl rumbles low in Zan’s throat. I smile against his lips before stepping back. His bands around my waist, keeping me pinned to his side as we give the throat clearer our attention.

“Pardon the interruption,” he says dryly with a slight bow of his head. “I would advise against further stimulation. If I may be so blunt, Eterai, the unfamiliar scent of your desire is quite potent and it will draw unwanted attention.”

Zan damn-near snarls while my face heats up in embarrassment. Do you know what’s worse than being horny in public? Everyone knows that you’re horny in public. I gather what remaining dignity I have and give him a short nod. Fuck them and their noses.

“Where is Tahla? You will tell me everything that you know or I will paint this hovel with your insides.” That was a threat that should not be taken lightly. The low growl building in the back of Amondis’ throat causes goosebumps to pepper my skin. His ire was not to be trifled with.

The old man’s face is calm and patient. “There is no need for such violence. I will provide you with the information you seek. This female, Tahla, is your mate. Yes?”

My glance at the younger brother reveals a hard-set jaw and pale yellow eyes, brimming with untapped rage. Beware the sleeping beast.

“All paths lead to the same destination. You’ve come to replace your mate. Eterai has come to replace answers. Her mate has come in search of redemption. All different roads, different journeys, lending to the same place.” He tilts his head back with a serene expression. “There is much to come. I am grateful.”

Right, so whose idea was it to follow the senile old man into an abandoned building? I’m sure it wasn’t mine.

“You may call me Kyrin. Trouble brews on our once beautiful planet. Men without morals infect our people with promises of vengeance and false justice.” His eyes blink a few times before they settle on Amondis. “The warlord, Dronan, has his men positioned around the city. They foster hatred in our men and spread fear into our women. The war your people started left a bitter mark on this planet and in the hearts of our people.”

My eyes flick back and forth between Amondis and my lover. “Warlord?! You didn’t think that was something worth mentioning?”

“Would it have made a difference, Echo?” answers Amondis. “The knowledge changes nothing.”

That was a dismissal if I’d ever seen one. Note to self: never question a pissed-off Tumerian.

“Do you think your people will attack Tumeria?” Zan inquires, a hint of concern dripping in his raspy voice.

Kyrin clasps his hands before him. “Time will reveal all. Now, as far as your female, it would be wise to assume that Dronan has her. His men have been collecting females and not all are willing. I do not know where they are taken but every day children are crying for their mothers, husbands succumbing to rage at lost mates. The pain, it festers more hatred; hatred for your kind.”

Zan growls. “They think we are responsible.” It wasn’t a question.

Kyrin nods anyway. “You are not safe here. I suggest you take Eterai and make haste back to your home planet. Warn your people. War is on the horizon and she waits for no one.”

Amondis shakes his head. “I will not leave without Tahla. I am sorry, Kyrin, you have been most helpful but I will decimate your home before leaving her behind. She is mine.” He punctuates that statement with a growl.

Kyrin nods as if he expected as much. “Very well, I will see what I can replace. Until this, you must stay out of sight. Your presence here will only see to confirm their suspicions. Do not draw any more attention to yourself than you have.” He turns to me and dips his head. “Eterai.”

Huffing, I fold my arms across my chest. Quite the childish gesture actually. “I think it’s about time you tell me what that means.”

Kyrin’s oceanic eyes bore into my own. “Every once in a few millennia, there is always a disruption, a variable, that changes the course of our fragile society. These disruptions have been recorded and passed down from shaman to shaman, by way of their ancestral communes. That variable, person or thing, is given the title Eterai: Herald of Change. The cycle of Eterai is always the same. You are the Bringer of Destruction, the one before you was the Bringer of Life, and the one after you will be the Bringer of Rebirth.”

Zan grips my waist. “How long has this cycle been going on?”

Kyrin smiles, a faraway look in his eyes. “Too long for my mortal mind to comprehend. Eterai rises when the balance is disturbed.”

“What type of alien occult shit is this? Bringer of Destruction? I can barely stand on two feet and you’re telling me I’m supposed to change the fabric of your reality. Me? A human?!” I shake my head, swatting the air. “Na, I don’t buy it. I’ll respect your beliefs Kyrin, but I don’t have to agree with them. I’m not your savior or anyone for that matter. I’m just a simple human girl who got dealt a bad hand and I’m making the most out of it.”

Slipping out of Azandum’s grip, I shuffle my feet toward the far corner of the room. I’d much rather leave this filthy ass place but it’s not like I can walk down the street to the convenience store or anything. Am I suddenly regretting that I put off grocery shopping until the last minute, resulting in my getting kidnapped? Yes, yes I fucking am.

“It’s perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed, Eterai, but-“

“That’s not my fucking name! It’s Echo. Use it or do not speak to me at all!” I snap, glaring at him. Pain shoots through my hand, flowing all the way to my fingertips before it disappears as suddenly as it appeared.

Zan walks over to me, gathering my hands in his as he rests his forehead on mine. “You are afraid.” I roll my eyes, about to step away from him but he tightens his grip. “You can not hide from me, al sisi. I am a part of you as much as you are me. There is nothing in this universe that I will not die to protect you from. If you wish to leave this planet and never look back, say it and it will be done.”

I exhale, dragging my eyes up to him. “I won’t force you to abandon your brother when he obviously needs you. That would be wrong. I just- Zan, what the fuck babe? Bringer of Destruction? Herald of Change? I can’t be that!”

“And you don’t have to be. None of us will force you to do anything you do not want and if someone tries, I’ll rip their heart out and serve it to you on a platter.” A giggle escapes as I reach up to stroke my thumb across his cheek. “We will figure this out together, as one. For now, we must prepare for a fight because Dronan is close and I’ll burn this planet to cinders before letting him lay a finger on you.”

“My hero.”