Word Count: 1602

~Kezziah

The world fell out from under me.

It was the strange feeling that enveloped me that scared me most. I've been through this before with a different Immortal. What scares me is the tight grip on my arm, refusing to let go, forcing me to follow suit. I don't know exactly where Fate is taking me, but the idea in my head is terrifying. He's taking me straight to Time.

The moment my feet found hard ground, I pushed away so hard from Fate, I stumbled back a few steps, nearly toppling over.

Wherever he's taken me, it's not from the mortal world. He has betrayed me, taking me straight to Time. Maybe it isn't betrayal; I should have expected it. You cannot trust immortals. I'm foolish for letting him get me here.

"Before you say anything-"

I whirl around, beyond mad. "Take me back. Right now. Do you have any idea what Time will do to me? Especially in the Immortal lands where he has all his power...He might kill me, or worse! He might keep me here against my will forever, and I'll be his slave. But I guess that's what you wanted."

Fate stands there patiently, letting me yell profusely at him. He doesn't even blink. Wiping the corner of my mouth, I take in a few deep breaths, steadying myself from my angry outburst.

Finally, I take a look around. We stand outside a wrought iron gate connecting to a fence which surrounds a tall estate. It's a cloudy, casting ominous dark shadows across the unkempt grounds. The manor is so large I can't even begin to imagine what dwells inside. Time surely does. This is the perfect place for him to reside. The dark wood cladding is in immaculate condition, though, the windows concealed by curtains on the inside. I would expect a more decrepit place for an immortal like time.

Although this place is creepy.

When I turn around, there is nothing. Just a large expanse of swamp like grounds. A thick mist tangles around the weeds, blurring out the horizon. This is just a lone estate in the middle of nowhere. Perfect for someone like Time. Nowhere for his victims to run...

"You know," Fate says blandly, pulling attention back to him. I've just noticed how our voices almost seem to echo. "This place isn't in the immortal or mortal lands."

"Where are we?" I question.

Fate grins, relishing in my confusion. "We are between those two lands. In Time's special realm. There isn't much to it other than what you see, however, not many can access it. So if you ever wondered where he hides, you're looking at it."

A chill dances up my spine, my entire body shuddering. This place must be why Alden has struggled to deal with Time sooner. No one can get to him other than powerful immortals like Fate. Now I know Fate is the only way out of here, which is why I'm assuming he's going to dump me right into Time's hands.

I can sense Fate surveying my expression. "You don't have to worry. Time isn't here."

"Don't act like you're not abandoning me," I mutter. I want to turn around right into the swamp, but it would be futile. The mist will devour me and Time will be back to pull me right out for his own personal torture.

"That's not my plan, believe it or not," Fate tells me, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I actually brought you here to help you."

"And how do you plan to do that?"

Another smile, except this one is littered with secrets and allure. With his shoulder, he pops open the gate, motioning for me to follow him. I skeptical, but staying outside will do me just as well as trusting this man. Even if it's for only a moment. Right now, I'm attempting not to let the idea of being an eternal prisoner in this place.

"See, your darling mate Time is busy right now in another realm a few years in the past. You know, personal problems," Fate tells me, a skip in his step and an animated tone attached to his voice that is unnerving.

"How do you know?" I ask, taking cautious steps along the windy concrete path that leads to his doorstep. Tangled weeds snag at my ankles, summoning me to the garden.

Fate grabs the door handle, propping it open. "He trusts me. For some reason."

With a beckoning hand, Fate suggests I step in first. Consumed with fear, I do so, one tentative step after the other. The sweet smell of fresh cherries greets me. For a moment it's sweet and welcoming, until it sneaks down my nostrils and coats my throat and mouth, turning sour.

"That smell is a spell," Fate explains, talking over my sputtering as he steps through the door. "Keeps the threshold protected against his numerous enemies. Too bad he's not as powerful as me so it's not impossible to neutralise."

I eye Fate suspiciously but don't say anything.

Admittedly, Time's house is quite beautiful. The floors are wooden and polished to the point I see my face in them when I look down. A winding staircase leads up to a story I cannot see, lined with a dark blue carpet. The foyer might be small, but it's attractive.

The moment I notice Fate cringing, I hear the soft tones of a woman's voice singing. It's beautiful, filling the air with the sweetest notes. Wincing, fate steps up the stairs, disappearing for a moment. Moments later, the sound is cut abruptly short and Fate appears back down the stairs again.

"Lonely," Fate mutters as he reaches my level.

I frown. "What?"

"Time, he gets lonely, believe it or not. And that music...apparently he likes to hear woman screeching in order to keep himself company," Fate says with a shake of his head. "God, drives me insane."

"It must get quiet here," I murmur, admiring an empty vase made of pure crystal on a mantel beside me. "And I liked the music."

When Fate doesn't reply right away, I glance at him. He's look at me strangely, as if I've just said something beyond comprehension. Folding my arms over my chest, I tap my foot impatiently on the ground, waiting for him to say something.

"That mate bond is really getting to you isn't it?" he says, his tone teasing. "I mean, the music sucks and this place is falling apart. Do those rose tinted glasses fit well?"

I grit my teeth. "Don't say that. The mate bond means nothing. It's fake."

Even saying that, I'm not sure sure I believe it myself. However, I don't want to think about it more than I have to. Time means nothing to me, and I mean nothing to him. All he wants is to use me, and no matter how much Fate teases, that doesn't change. Luckily Fate seems to notice my expression and pulls away from the topic.

"Anyways, that's not why we are here," Fate says quickly, as if just remembering why he brought me to this place.

I follow him, my questions falling off his back. He has no interest in answering them. He leads me to a downstairs area, which is just a small, square room with next to nothing in it. Aside from one table.

"I would stand back if I were you," Fate tells me firmly. "Time will sense you and not me, so don't come near."

I heed his advice, pressing up against the wall. He approaches the table, looking down at something that is propped up, but I cannot see. Carelessly, Fate reaches down and grabs it, knowing Time won't notice it's him.

He turns around, smiling. Walking over, palm extending, I catch a sight of what he was keeping from me. A silver ring, beautifully made. Three simple jewels are engraved within the silver. Three rubies, the brightest red I've ever seen. My mouth goes dry just looking at it. I can feel the power flowing from it, stealing through my veins.

Fate reaches for my fingers, trying to slide it on but I quickly pull away, shaking my head. No way am I letting him slip a strange ring belonging to Time onto my finger.

"It's okay, you won't this. This ring does many things, but I think why you'll like it is Time won't be able to access that Mate bond of yours," Fate tells me. "In fact, he won't be able to find you at all."

I blink in surprise, looking at the ring glinting at me.

"Can it really do that?" I question. "I mean, why would you want me to have it. Why have you helped me at all."

Fate places the ring in my hand, my fist enclosing around it. It doesn't burn my skin with all its power. In fact, it's ice cold.

With a shrug, Fate takes a step backward. "Boredom."

I'm not sure whether I believe Fate or not, or if something else is going on, but if this is true, and the ring does hide me from Time, then that could be good. No, it could be more than great.

It could be my saving grace.

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If you guys want more of Alden, the rest of available now on Radish (:

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Sinful's own story is up now on Radish! I wanted to make it apart of the Seven Sins series (which will have stories involving Cian and other characters you've seen before)

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Instagram: Sophie_Midika

~Midika 💜🐼