Fated by Sarah Fine

arched an eyebrow. “Or . . . maybe you wouldn’t mind that so much.”
    “Of course I would!” Wouldn’t she? The thought of Jason Moros with his hands on her sister made her want to slap him. But the thought of his hands on her own skin? She was ashamed to admit this wasn’t the first time she’d thought about it. “It just seems like the quickest way to show him I’m serious about being allies. The summit with the Keepers is in less than three days, and if we go before them divided, I have a feeling they’re going to choose one side or the other—and we might lose.”
    Cacia squeezed her hand. “Just be sure, okay? I know you’re a dedicated Charon, Aislin. And I know everybody wants you on their side. I saw how awful you felt about what happened with Dec and Galena. I know this is hard, and you want to do the right thing. But . . . be careful.”
    Aislin looked into her little sister’s eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered.
    Cacia gave her a pained smile. “You’re my sister, Aislin. I don’t want anyone to hurt you. And Moros? Sometimes I wonder if he enjoys causing pain.” She rose on her knees and slid her arms around Aislin.
    Aislin stiffened with surprise but let her sister enfold her, slowly leaning forward to hug her back. Her arms ached from where Rylan had squeezed them, but the bruises would be gone by the time she got home. Her head throbbed, and she knew sleep would ambush her at some point. She needed to be strong enough to handle her next meeting with Moros. She needed to be ready.
    She let herself enjoy being hugged by her sister for another long moment, realizing that this was something she had missed, for so long. “I’m proud of you, Cacia,” she said quietly.
    Cacia sniffled, her head buried against Aislin’s shoulder. “I’m proud of you, too, Aislin.”
    They broke their hug, both swiping at tears with their sleeves. “I guess I’d better get back to work,” Cacia said, rising from the floor and turning away, giving Aislin a moment to compose herself.
    Aislin stood up. “Thanks for meeting with me.” She placed her hand on Cacia’s shoulder for a moment before stepping out of the office and heading back down the hall, toward her waiting car. As soon as she slid onto the seat and the driver had closed the door, Aislin pulled out her phone. She stared at the screen for a long time.
    And then she dialed Jason Moros’s number.

CHAPTER FIVE
    M oros appeared outside Aislin Ferry’s door and paused. The last few hours had been a maelstrom of rage and helplessness. He was willing to bet his existence that Eris had found a way to claim the Blade, and now she had the means to destroy him, if she dared to get close enough. But he knew her—she was no warrior. She enjoyed causing pain, but through manipulation, not direct confrontation. With Nemesis and Apate’s help, she would find a way to divide any coalition Moros tried to build. She would go after every ally he had.
    And now he was standing outside the Charon’s apartment door, wondering if her invitation was a trap, if perhaps hers was the hand Eris would use to strike. He bowed his head and chuckled. If that was the case, at least the blow would come from a beautiful woman. It would be a pity to destroy her, but he’d do it if he had to.
    He reached up and tapped the screen, and the door clicked open immediately. She’d been waiting. He pushed the door ajar and waited, on guard.
    She pulled it wide, and her eyes met his. Her platinum hair fell in loose waves down her back, and instead of her usual suit, she wore a pair of slacks and a cashmere tunic. Casual, but still undeniably stately. “Thank you for coming,” she said, gesturing him inside.
    He pushed down his surprise at the change in her appearance. Barefoot, she seemed so much smaller than in her usual heels that made her nearly as tall as he was. Now she looked soft and vulnerable, two things he would have thought she’d try hard to avoid in a meeting