His breathing seemed to deepen, but he didn’t twitch a muscle other than that.
“How was dinner?”
Grace swung around to see Yvonne on the other side of the glass. The woman had changed into designer jeans and a sparkly top with fur-lined boots. “What do you want?” Grace stood to face her.
Yvonne craned her neck to look beyond Grace. “I was just curious whether he was awake yet. I’ve never seen a hybrid blown up before.” Her blond hair curled naturally around her shoulders, and intelligence shone bright in her eyes. Or maybe that was insanity.
Grace tilted her head and studied her. Really studied her. The air wafted around her, not sparkling but not clear. She had an aura of shadows, light gray, maybe silver. Interesting. “You said you were the chosen. What exactly does that mean?”
Yvonne arched one eyebrow. “How do you not know your destiny? Everything about all of us?”
She’d been kind of busy healing from a coma and living her life for the last five years. “Maybe you didn’t interest me before now.” The shadowy sparkles were certainly intriguing. “There are many enhanced females, three Prophets, three Keys, but only one Chosen? I don’t think so.” She moved closer, going for the body blow. “If I had to guess, and I do, then I’m thinking you’re one of many hoping to be chosen.”
Yvonne’s smile held certainty. “Cute. Trying to make me angry, are you?” She flicked a piece of invisible lint off her cashmere sweater. “I don’t mind talking to you, Grace. We were kind of friends for a couple of days.” She tucked her hands in her jean pockets. “I had fun.”
Fun? Grace stepped even closer. Was the woman lonely? It had to be difficult living with Kurjan soldiers all the time. “You don’t have to do any of this, you know. If there’s something decent in you, you have to see how wrong all of it is.”
“No, it’s fate.” Yvonne turned around and lifted her sweater to reveal a baroque symbol centered on her spine. The design spread out like the wings of a butterfly with a symmetrical pattern of symbols in each wing. Beautiful and complex.
“Wow.” Grace tried to memorize the marking. “You were born with that?”
“Indeed.” Yvonne turned back around, facing her. “You’re right that I’m not the only one. Each generation or so, another is born, just like with the Keys. If you die, another will take your place. Same with me, but it’s my time, and Ulric is coming back for me. I dream of him. He dreams of me.” She clasped her hands together as if posing for a picture. “Fate talks to us all, if we just listen.”
That would sound nut-job crazy if Grace wasn’t sitting in a jail cell with a demon-vampire hybrid who’d had part of his face burned off. “I think fate gives us options, and we choose from there.” Grace flattened her hands on the glass. “If you believe in destiny, you believe in the afterlife. Shouldn’t you give that some consideration? Let us go. Give yourself a chance in the next life.”
Yvonne chuckled. “I’m not leaving this life. When Ulric mates me, when he finally comes home, I’ll live forever.”
Huh. All right. “What about Rose? Where is the toddler?”
Yvonne shrugged. “We sensed she was enhanced and took her as part of my little family charade for you. You have to admit that seeing Brian and me with a baby kept you off guard. It was a good move. Plus, it was fun.”
Fun? They’d kidnapped a toddler and thought it was fun? Grace’s stomach rolled over. “Where is the little girl now?”
“Who cares? She’s around here somewhere. I think we should either leave her in the snow or at a church,” Yvonne muttered. “But since she’s enhanced, I’m sure the Kurjans will want to keep her. Somebody will want to mate her when she’s an adult.”
Grace swallowed. “Forget what I said. You’re definitely going to see hell someday.”
Yvonne sighed. “You’re as much fun as that old hag, Karma.”
Grace’s chin dropped. “Old hag? She looks around twenty, maybe twenty-five at the oldest.”
“No. She’s ancient. At least a couple hundred years old and a total wallflower. No fun whatsoever.” Yvonne scratched her wrist. “We’re going to try the virus on her first, before using it on others. At least she’ll be good for something. Plus, Terre needs a mate. The guy needs heirs.”
Benny coughed and stirred.
Grace whirled around. “Ben?” She dropped to her knees to lift his head. “You with me?”
His skull had already stitched itself together, and the skin on his forehead was mending quickly. He opened his metallic eyes, and blood dripped out of one. “Ouch.” He mended his eyeball and sat up, groaning like an old man. “Shitballs,” he muttered, seeing the cell.
Grace patted his shoulder. Relief ticked through her. Thank goodness she wasn’t alone any longer.
Benny leaned around her. “Who’s the hot blonde?”
Grace stood and tried to help him to his feet. “Long story, but she’s not on our side.”
Benny wavered but remained upright. “Did I get blown up?” He shook out his right leg and winced. His growl was both pained and pissed off. “Did you blow me up, Blondie?”
Yvonne smiled. “I’ll go let Dayne and Terre know you’re ready to chat, Benjamin Reese. We can talk more later, Grace. I’m sure we’ll end up becoming great friends through the years.” She turned and strode gracefully away.
