Morgana frowns. “You’re both sure?”
An echoed ‘yes’ from us, and Morgana sits back at her desk, her fingers thrumming on the wood. “Imbuing someone with Creator energy is not the same as selecting a Keeper. Keepers are selected by the Fates, or someone can be given a key. Creators and Destroyers are made every time. And most importantly, it takes time. It takes hours to first imbue someone with the seed that will grow into full creative or destructive energy. From there, it takes weeks until the energy fully takes root in the host, and only then is the individual collared. So, unless Vivian had her memories erased by Need, she would have noticed being imbued.” Morgana notes emphatically.
I think back to the night Need was in my apartment, and the blood drains from my face. “She did have hours,” I whisper, now feeling even more stupid.
“Explain,” Morgana orders. Her tone is firm but not angry.
“I used a Ouija board with my friends. Need said that I created a portal, allowing her to find me. But after we used the board, I went to bed, and it was hoursbefore I woke up to find her already in my apartment,” I answer.
“Fuck,” Sin mutters under his breath before shifting off the wall and taking over Morgana’s pacing. “Why, though? Why would Need imbue you with Creator energy if you were already a Keeper?”
Morgana sits back, still drumming her fingers on her desk as she considers his question.
I think back to the conversation I overheard in the library. I wasn’t sure at the time whether Need and Rydon were talking about me, but now I’m almost positive.
“I’m not sure, but they didn’t want me finding out.” I swallow. Before Morgana and Sin can question me, I briefly describe what I overheard in the library that day. “Need and the captain of the guard were talking about a mortal they’d imbued. Rydon, the captain, thought it was risky, but Need assured him I was distracted and wouldn’t find out what they’d done until it was too late.”
Morgana sits up straighter. “The prophecy said you’d love a Destroyer, and they weren’t taking chances. They corrupted your Keeper bond to force your hand, but once you did love him, they needed to ensure you wouldn’t rebel. Turning you into a Creator is as good as turning you into their slave. As long as the Keeper they assign you is a member of the Council, it guarantees you’ll side with them in the war.”
I frown, not seeing the benefit. “But why not just keep me locked up with Leon until the Creator power was fully finished stewing or growing? Why send uson a dangerous mission to kill Sin? That seems like a big risk.”
Sin stops in front of me, his gaze hard. “Because Need wanted you to succeed. By killing me, you’d restore balance. Two Destroyers, two Creators, that’s all there’s ever been. You’d remove any doubt the public has about Need’s creation of Destroyers and Creators. And you’d do it without any ties back to her.”
“That hardly seems prophecy-worthy,” I note, still dubious.
“Did Need or Leon ever say anything else? About what you would do after you finished your mission?” Morgana asks.
I rub my fingers against my temples, trying to remember any other details. “Leon said Need promised me to him. And that once we finished our mission, we’d be hailed as heroes. Then they’d probably make me immortal, he would be allowed to stay awake with me, and then he’d start filling me with babies.” I scoff at the words.
Sin’s tattoos flare, and he growls, “Like fuck he will.”
I smile, more than okay with his possessive attitude.
Morgana’s sharp stare fixes on me. “That would be new.”
I huff, “Women being tied to men and forced to have their children is not new.”
Morgana looks at me like I’m an idiot before continuing, “The alliance of a Creator and Destroyer would be a perfect distraction for the people. Twoincredibly powerful beings. Any children you would carry would be something the realms have never seen before. The Council has never supported mixed-blood pairings, but if they were to start, that would be a new era. And no one would think too hard about Sin’s death.”
Sin nods, agreeing with her assessment.
I might throw up.
Knowing I might be fated to be with Leon is terrible enough. But being used to breed powerful creatures for the Council? That’s a whole new level of no.
I look for any holes in their theory, anything to hint that they might be wrong. “But then, why can I see ghosts? Why can I free trapped spirits, and what was the purple energy? Those aren’t Creator powers, are they?”
Sin runs a hand through his hair before sinking down on the couch beside me with a frustrated sigh. “She’s right,” he admits. “Those don’t line up.”
His thigh presses against mine, and I’m comforted by the warmth. This conversation is giving me chills in the worst way.
Morgana echoes his sigh. “I know, I know. There’s something else going on. That’s why Magnus can’t pinpoint what you are. You’re either something new or something so old that his memory can’t remember ever sensing it before.”
Sin rests his arm on the back of the couch, and his fingers come to the back of my neck as he starts rubbing it in slow circles. I glance over at him, but he’sfocused on the conversation. I’m not even sure he realizes what he’s doing.
Morgana frowns at her hands, like she’s having an internal debate.
“Talk to us, Morgana,” Sin says, pulling her out of her head.
