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I move to his side and link my hand with his, showing him that I know what I'm getting into…and I choose him anyway.
The smile he gives me is dazzling and full of promise, and my heart flutters at the sight.
"You're not witches at all, are you?"
Margo's hushed voice makes me pause.
Seth doesn't even look at Margo. He gives Lachesis an impatient gesture. "Let's just get things moving. Quickly."
At Margo's terrified look, I change my mind. I've always been a bit on the fence with the whole thing, and I decide it's time to take a stand. "Actually, this isn't fair to Margo," I say, and ignore Kassam's squeeze of my hand. "She needs to know what she's getting into."
"I thought we just went over that," Seth snarls.
"Don't yell at my wife," Kassam says, stepping in front of me.
"Your wife?" Seth's eyes widen and then he throws his head back, laughing. "You have got to be shitting me. You married a mortal? You? She must have a cunt of solid gold." He shakes his head and grins at Lachesis. "He really is desperate to get home, isn't he?"
"Who are you people?" Margo's keys jingle again and she pulls out her pepper spray, holding it up. "Actually, I take it back. I don't care. I'm getting out of here, and I don't want anyone to follow me. Understand?"
"You're not going anywhere," Seth says, moving back to Margo's side. He plucks the can from her hand as if it's nothing and tosses it away, her keys jangling as they land in the grass somewhere. "You said you'd go on a date with me, and we're not done. I told you we were going somewhere special, and you said you were all for it. That hasn't changed." He grins coldly. "It's special indeed, wait and see."
Margo gives him a terrified look.
"Stop it," I say, moving toward Seth. "This isn't right. You—"
Lachesis pinches the air and my thread jerks. The words die in my throat. I'm frozen in place. I can't move. Can't speak. Can't do anything. I'm not even breathing. I'm not sure my heart is beating. I'm just…frozen in time.
My eyes are open, and even though the rest of me can't function, I can watch as Margo takes a step forward—and suffers the same fate. She freezes, her mouth parted as if she is going to speak, her hand stuck in mid-air.
The goddess turns toward Seth, giving him a cranky look. She swings that gaze toward Kassam, reproaching him as well. "I thought you two secured your mortals? Do we have a problem?"
"No problem here," Seth says smoothly.
I feel Kassam's hand brush my shoulder, then my jaw. "Let her go."
"Not until we're certain we all want to move forward like this. You told me it was under control," she says to Seth, accusing. "We're going to be in big trouble if I ask the Fates in his world to move over a mortal and then she cries that she was coerced. She has to step across the threshold on her own." Lachesis sighs heavily. "I need a fucking cigarette. Okay, here's what we're going to do. Regroup again. Both of you get new mortals, and we'll try again next month."
"No," Kassam says flatly. "I am bound to Carly. She is my anchor."
"I know, dummy." Lachesis pulls out her pack of cigarettes, and the hold on me wavers as she pulls one stick out and lights it. "Here's the thing. I can move your anchor bond to someone else. You just say who and we'll get it handled. No fuss, no muss. They're such little lights in the cosmic tapestry that no one will ever notice."
Little light.
Kassam calls me little light. Is this why? Because I'm so insignificant to the gods? Hurt and anger blaze through me both, but I'm helpless to do anything. I can't even flip anyone the bird or clench a fist. All I can do is stare mutely at all of them. If I'm nothing to him, of course he's going to switch me out. He'll find someone more ruthless, someone that won't care if Margo's being manipulated. Someone that's eager to join him in his world instead of worrying over her mother.
"No," Kassam says. "Carly is my wife. I made a vow to her and I intend to keep it. Now, let her go."
"She's not hurt. She's just silenced while we figure this out."
"There's no figuring out to do," Seth counters. "We move forward. Margo said she'd go on a short trip with me. This qualifies. I'll deal with her later if she gets upset. She agreed, and that's all that is required, yes?"
Lachesis tilts her head, a reluctant agreement. "If we're splitting hairs, sure, it's an agreement. There might be fallout in the future though."
Seth just gives her a sly grin. "As if I'm not familiar with handling such things. I will take care of it." He looks over at Kassam. "And your mortal agreed. She even packed a bag. So what is the hold-up? Do you wish to return to your world or not?"
