A humid, warm breeze swept into the small room where Fate stood before the Oracle, who was busy scribbling new events into her book.
Fate scrolled through the latest deals the Oracle had recorded. Midday sunlight spilled through the windows, ruffling his brown hair and tickling the back of his neck. He scratched it absently, eyes on the page before him.
There was nothing interesting, at least, not since he'd seen the deal between Gabriel and Deidre. Satisfied things had gone mostly the way he planned, he leaned back. He hadn't gotten exactly what he wanted in the arena of the Dark One, but it was a start.
Gabriel had come into his power and understood his place. His relationship with his mate was getting a fresh start, and he'd be busy for a while repairing the damage to his domain and raising a new army. Past-Death stopped being a bitch, which was really all Fate ever wanted.
Oh, and for her to admit I was right, Fate thought with a smile.
As for Deidre … the woman realized she wasn't a victim, that she could hold her own in the Immortal society. Her role in Fate's game was not yet played out, and he was happy to know he had an ally of sorts.
Because when a certain, inevitable chain of events emerged, he'd need all the help he could get.
"A thousand years in Death's dungeon teach you anything, little sister?" he asked, aware of the woman peering over his shoulder. A deity with no need to see the Past, Present or Future, Karma was clearly unhappy about the book appearing blank for her.
"Yes. Don't fuck with deities," she muttered.
"The dungeon is better than what most of them would've done to you. Keep that in mind," he warned her firmly. "You're young. Don't make the mistakes I and others did when we started out."
"She knows." Her tone softened.
"Stop that shit. I know you're doing it on purpose."
"I know." Karma sighed. "It's hard to control the urge to tackle people and balance them. So much imbalance …"
"Start in the human world," he suggested, facing her. "As long as you kill no one, you'll learn. Humans are delicate. They get second chances, remember?"
She nodded. Her hair was in tight red ringlets, her features glowing and eyes pale green. One of the youngest goddesses, she was learning her responsibilities and domain gradually. With the predatory nature of a souleater and the soft heart of one capable of great compassion and kindness, it was going to take her some time to find her own internal balance.