Chuck scoffed.“Oh, Callie, sweetheart, don’t tell me this is what you’re into now.”He looked at Theo with an annoyed glare.As if Theo was not a human, and certainly not worthy of being her mate.
“What I prefer is none of your business, Chuck,” she said as she took her strides toward the man.
Chuck rose, and the sight made her stop.His wings did not fold.He kept them open, if only to appear menacing.
“You have something that belongs to Callie,” Mars said, flanking the pegacorn’s left side.
Chuck turned to raise an eyebrow at Mars.“Oh, is this how it is now?I call you and you don’t answer, but ifCalliopecalls, you suddenly have time to seeher?”
Calliope stepped forth.“This is not a game, Chuck.It is mylife.”
Theo wrapped his arm around her waist.
Chuck shook his head, his feathers tinkling like chimes as they stretched from his motion.
“Of course it is a game!”he bit.“It’s always a game with you, Calliope.Except you are always changing the rules.It is exhausting.”
Theo stepped forth.“You have no claim here, Chuck E.Cheese,” he bit.“Your thread isopen.Callie doesn’t want you.Please, let her go and give us the diviner.”
Chuck snarled at them.“And you think she wantsyou?Oh, how tragic.”
Theo growled and Calliope noted the faint purple energy surrounding Theodore.
Chuck stopped in front of Theo.
Mars stood beside his right side as Spike flanked his left.
“Give the diviner back,” she said solidly.“I know you have it, I can see the threads emanating around you.”
Chuck crossed his arms.“No.”
Mars advanced on his friend.“Chuck, come on, don’t do this...”
Chuck snapped at him.“Do not pretend to care now, Mars!You have no idea what I have been through, what I?—”
“You do not need to hold Calliope’s fate hostage,” Spike called.“The diviner won’t make her love you.”
Chuck laughed and Calliope felt tears prickle her eyes.
“I don’t wantherlove,” Chuck growled.
The light of the stage lit him up, making him look like a devil in white.
Theo closed the gap between him and Chuck.“Then it shouldn’t be so hard to let her go,” he said through his teeth.
“You fools, I don’t want the muse,” Chuck bit.“I want mymate.”
“Then let me go, Chuck.Sever this thread so we can both be free,” Calliope said through a choked sob.
“I can’t!”Chuck hissed.He slid his hand in his pocket, and Calliope gasped as he brought out the diviner.He held it in his hand like it was nothing more than a crystal, as if it did not hold fate in its core.
“Chuck, put the diviner down,” Mars said cautiously.“Take a breath.Let’s talk about this.”
Calliope noted Chuck’s eyes blaze bright, cerulean.He was close to shifting, and she knew such a thing could be dangerous in a room full of people.Because when Chuck shifted into his true form, his light would blind those who could not stand the sight.
Humans.
And theDen of Sinwas packed with them tonight.
