Predestined (Existence Trilogy #2)(54)

“Do you think Death... er, Dank will come?”

I doubted Ghede would let him get close to me if he did. Besides what good would it do? I couldn’t allow Death to take me. Ghede would take the life of someone else I loved and we’d be back in this same predicament.

“Doesn’t matter if he does. I must pay this restitution.”

Wyatt shook his head in frustration. “This is so wrong.”

I couldn’t agree more but I was going to come to terms with it. I forced a smile. “Would you do something for me?”

“Of course,” he quickly replied.

“Would you tell Dank that I will always love him? That I’m sorry that I can’t leave here. I’m protecting those I love. But I will think of him every day and I will hum his song to myself every night as I go to sleep.”

Wyatt nodded then smirked, “That’s kind of too mushy for my taste but yeah, I guess I can relay that.”

I rolled my eyes at him and he chuckled. It was almost as if we were sitting across from each other in the cafeteria again.

“He’s returning and you know how I feel about him.”

“I love you Wyatt. I’m going to miss you,” I called out as he opened the door.

He stopped and looked back at me, “I love you too Pagan. I’ll miss you too. In every life.”

Sniffling, I managed to nod before he disappeared out the door.

Dank

“You know Dankmar, when you told me we were going to handle everything else I kind of thought maybe you were going to get backup. But a bunch of transporters and you aren’t enough to shut down an entire voodoo posse.”

I had a plan but for once Gee didn’t need to know everything. She’d done what I asked of her and that was enough.

“I got this,” I simply replied

“I’m hoping you know something I don’t know because not only are we about to confront a bunch of voodoo spirits but we’re also going to do it on their turf. Right here in their mecca. You ever heard the saying, ‘home field advantage’ well, this is the description.”

“I got this Gee.”

With a weary sigh she trudged on beside me with the hundreds of transporters in our wake. We kind of looked like the devil with heavenly host groupies but I didn’t care. My plan was sound. This was going to work or I really would charge Vilokan and take down every spirit who stood in my way. They’d asked for my fury; well, now they had it.

Pagan

The door swung open after one swift knock, “It’s time,” Leif announced smiling brightly.

I really wanted to slap the smile off his face but instead I adjusted the black nightgown that I was being forced to wear and thanked my lucky stars it was long. “Let’s do this,” I replied and headed for the door. He offered his arm and I shook my head, “No, it’s not over yet. You get Wyatt safely in a transporter’s hands and out of this place, then I’ll hold up my end of the deal.

Leif seemed to think about that a moment then nodded. At least he was reasonable.

“You lead the way,” I said standing back once we were out in the hallway. I had no clue where we were going.

“You know that Dankmar will probably be here, Pagan.”

Yes, I’d already prepared myself for that. The urge to run into his protective arms was going to be strong but I had to keep my head. Lives depended on me. Lives of those I loved.

“I figure he would be,” I replied icily.

“You understand the implications if you go to him.”

“Yes Leif, I know you’ll kill off everyone I love and suck their souls down here to live in fornication for all eternity. Got it.”

Leif stopped and turned back to look at me. “Pagan, this isn’t about me. I’ve told you this is my father. It’s how he operates. I can’t control him. You have no idea how much cajoling I had to do in order for him to give Wyatt’s soul back. And to be honest the only reason I think he agreed is because he sees entertainment value in you refusing to go to Dankmar and that he will be the one controlling you.”

I felt sick at my stomach. I really hated his father.

“Now please understand, no pain you have suffered is because I wanted it. I never wanted you to hurt. I always thought you’d want me. That your soul would want me. Hell when I get anywhere near you your eyes look like they’ve caught on fire. You’re supposed to want me. But you don’t. Instead you want him. And you can’t have him, Pagan. It was never meant to be.”

I opened my mouth to scream at him how unfair all of this was but quickly snapped it closed again. I needed to stop being angry with him. This was my life now. At some point I had to accept it. Today would be a good day.

“Okay.”

Leif raised an eyebrow, “Okay?”

“You heard me, Leif. I said okay. Now let’s go.”

He looked a little taken aback but he nodded then continued to lead the way. We turned down one masked hall to another until two large doors up ahead were opened wide and I could see the familiar sight of Bourbon Street.

We walked by other inhabitants I recognized from dinner last night and I cringed as they smiled sadistically at me. I was stuck with these sickos.

“Stop it,” Leif hissed as one of the men ogled my chest area.

He pulled me up against him and I went gladly.