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Chapter Twenty-Five
Fate
I should turn around and say something.
I paused.
Nothing you say will change it.
I threaded the string of my top as I fumbled up the incline.
I dipped my head and quickened my steps. The rain had dissipated into a soft mist. Fat raindrops clung to the trees as small purple frogs bounced eagerly from one limb, singing to each other before leaping to another leaf. At least someone was having fun today.
I ducked, crouching to the ground as I entered the black stone cave. After a few feet, I stood up and glanced around.
A single torch was lit, hanging on the wall.
“Looking for a light?” Cri announced, casually leaning against the wall.
“Jesus Christ!” I yelped, clutching my chest.
“Not quite, a little young for me.”
“How old are you?”
“Old enough.”
“Did you know there was a famous Gallic gladiator named Crixus?” Then I realized he might be the one from the history books.
“Hmmmm… sounds familiar.”
“You’re from 73 B.C. You’re him, aren’t you?”
“I would know a lot about war if that were true.”
“Yeah. A lot about life too.” I thought about how Ales said Cri taught him emotion. I wondered what the extent of that meant. “What are you doing up here?”
“I was on my way down the path but didn’t want to interrupt the entertainment. You two were putting on quite a show.” He winked.
“What’d you see?”
“It’s more what I heard that was the good part.”
“You’re crazy, you know. Most people would pretend they didn’t see anything.”
“That’s no fun. Besides, sex is like fighting, both can be enjoyed from the sidelines, my little half-mortal Valkyrie.”
“There wasn’t anything to see. It doesn’t matter now, I guess. Everyone already knows; Lana, Logan, and Ales know. Sorry buddy, not many people left to tell.”
Cri yanked my shoulder so I looked into his eyes. “Don’t lie to me. Are you really mortal and Valkyrie?”
I couldn’t tell if it was fear or something else, but whatever Cri was thinking had the warrior looking almost… desperate.
“As I live and breathe… well, sort of. I’m mostly me, sprinkled with bits of Her. Sometimes the opposite. Depends on the moment. Let go, Cri. Before She zaps your ass.”
“Is that you or Her talking?”
“That’s all Charlie. If you’re freaking out because I’m mortal, you can slow your roll. She’ll be all yours tomorrow.”
