It's strange how what can seem like a good idea one minute can turn into something else the next. The last two days had been a blur, and now taking a couple of hours to relax as every person I know keeps telling me to do, sitting with Raya and Penny discussing what it takes for a baby to actually get born was not relaxing.

"So, what's your birth plan?" I ask Raya, browsing over the folder of paperwork Doctor Katie offloaded onto me at my appointment this morning.

"Mostly to just get the baby out while I remain in one piece, but with Taylor Swift's Red album on repeat, soft lighting and to stay in the birth pool for as long as I can hold out on the epidural."

"Taylor Swift? Are you serious?" Penny looked horrified and well, I was surprised too. It wasn't something I'd ever heard Raya mention before.

"It speaks to me on a soul level." She munched happily on the popcorn before taking another handful, throwing a piece at me. "Yours?"

"I don't know. I wasn't sure I'd even get this far and so long as I don't end up on a creepy island near an even creepier dead tree, with Gaia getting a clear view of everything, it's a win. Can I copy yours?"

"It's not a test, you can't write the same answers as me and expect a pass. This is your moment, bringing your baby into the world." She scolded, throwing more popcorn at me.

"You need to write a book, Elise, no one will ever believe your life," Penny looks completely confused. "Are you actually saying Gaia, like the mother of all, could end up as your midwife?"

"No, because it sounds completely horrifying to talk about anyone being my midwife. I like Doctor Katie, but knowing what's coming is just making it awkward now. I don't want to talk about her hands up my birth canal checking out my cervix and dilation stuff. Do you really poop too?"

Raya shrugs. "What happens in the delivery room stays in the delivery room."

"That isn't helpful." I frown. "You know, I really don't think I am ready for any of this. I shouldn't be left alone with an open box of chocolates let alone an actual tiny human. It's too much responsibility."

"Says the girl who has superpowers, Gaia on speed dial and is at war with Fate?" Penny rolled her eyes.

"One of the Fates, two are on our side." I remind her.

"Okay, so write a list of things you like and see what will work making you feel most comfortable and safe during this transition from Maiden to Mother," Raya ignored the look I gave her from that comment. "And a list of what you don't want and see where you end up. Will Cain be there?"

I paused reaching for another chocolate from the tray in front of us. "Where else would he be?"

"Waiting outside like it's nineteen fifty? Smoking a cigar with his chums, ignoring your screams of pain down the hall while everyone congratulates him on doing such a good job?" Penny laughed. "I've seen Call The Midwife. It's what they used to do!"

"Keiran probably wished that's what they still did. He struggled to see me in pain but got better once I agreed to every drug known to man. Stab me or shoot me and I can handle that. This is something else, and I want those drugs."

"That's so sweet!" Before I asked how she came to that conclusion, I realised Penny was looking over at the trio of men being led around the garden by a very bossy little fairy called Olivia. Penny was all doe-eyed as she watched Colton. "I can't wait to see Colton join the dilf crew. Remember when we used to be all about guns and killing monsters?"

I had to laugh. "Some of us still are."

"Spoilsport." She pouted, suddenly gasping as Olivia made 'pow' sounds and hit at Colton's legs with her glittery plastic wand. He went down dramatically, dragging out his death scene for at least three minutes while the toddler laughed hysterically. "What exactly are you raising? A demon!"

Penny was up, abandoning us to play hero as the guys needed reinforcements. Raya laughed as Olivia clapped her hands excitedly before charging toward Penny with her wand raised like a sword.

"I'd go with a little Hunter," Raya smirked. "Don't stress about this birth plan stuff, it's not an actual plan and even the most well thought out guide changes once the show gets started. You okay though, I'm thinking it's more than this that's bothering you."

"The Furies are getting into my dreams, well nightmares and I can't handle anyone getting into my head. They seem to want to bring me to their side, which is ridiculous but I won't deny the temptation." I watch Cain lift Olivia into the air, her screams of delight filled with giggles as he moves her around as if she's flying after Penny now. "It's nothing I can't handle. I'm just tired and sad I won't be able to be here for you."

"I have Penny, and I understand. The last thing we need is something happening while one of us is in labour." Raya smiles before realising that might actually happen and she takes my hand, giving it a squeeze as her smile returns. "I'm glad you're here today and any updates on what went down between Deimos and Kara?"

"It's too easy, I'm not even going to comment on that one. I am happy she agreed to see Richard. I think he's going to need someone once we're all done with him though. Maybe now she's not in denial about Deimos, things will be easier for her anyway."

"We should have made bets. Penny never thought it would happen."

"I was starting to think so too," I admit.

It was then that Kara appeared beside us, and looking around she smiled seeing the others playing. Her eyes were red, her cheeks flushed and wiping her nose. Whatever she'd been discussing wasn't so easily left behind in her two-hour appointment.

"Speak of the devil." Looking up at her, I patted the space on the chair beside me and she slipped in beside me. "How was it?"

"Hell. I see why you do it though."

"Everyone needs Dick in their life. Speaking of," I started.

"No." Her face went a deeper shade of red. "Way too soon for any of that. It was one time, well, one night and many times, but we haven't really talked about what it means yet."

"It's not just going to be a one night, many times thing, is it?" Raya frowned.

"I don't know." Kara sighed. "I hope it's not."

"I do not miss going through this part of a relationship at all. I do miss the many, many times though." Raya sighed with her, as she looked over at Keiran with an almost longing.

"You're pregnant, I'm sure you've had plenty of those times." Kara laughed.

"No, not since the baby happened.  Maybe once or twice. Between morning sickness, chasing after Olivia. Keiran being away and now this watermelon out front, those times have well and truly died like my libido." Shrugging, Raya simply rubbed her stomach and watched the others playing.

"Are you okay?" I ask her.

"I'm fine, really. Everything has been so great these last few weeks. Keiran is home more, helping with Liv, and treating me like a queen as we go into the final countdown. The only thing I miss is having you around, but Penny is making sure I'm not lonely and has been a huge help too." She smiled at me.

Guilt burned through my gut, and as she looked away I let my smile fade. I wanted to be here for her, for all of them but the price I'd have to pay to do that wasn't one I was willing to consider. Until the threat was gone, sneaking in short visits like this would have to do; staying away was keeping them all safe. Kara's knee nudged mine as she put an arm over my shoulders and gave me a squeeze.

"They understand." She whispered.

"Doesn't mean it's not hard."

"The Queen has returned." Penny greeted us a little coldly as she joined us. A not so subtle glare was served at Kara, her jealousy clear as she looked between us. "Should you be sitting here like that when you have a kingdom to run?"

"Penny," I warned.

"She's right. I do. I should get back, thanks for today and I'll see you tonight?" I nodded as Kara got up and moved into Raya's waiting arms - the pair hugging. I didn't hear what Raya whispered to her, but I saw the tears reappear in Kara's eyes. "Stay safe, and well Raya. Thank you."

A second later she was gone.

"Why are you two looking at me like I'm the bad guy? I was just asking a question."

"Sure you were." Rolling my eyes, I stand up and stretch. "We should go too. Thanks for lunch and I'll be back soon. We're getting closer to this being over, I'm sure of it."

I wasn't, but the hopeful smiles that appeared made me wish it was true as we grouped together for a hug.

"Look after yourself, Ellie. We love you." Raya kissed my cheek before Penny slipped in between us for a hug of her own, only it was then I felt a change in the air a second before Olivia screamed. "What on earth is- Olivia!"

Raya shoved our chairs out of her way as Penny and I spun around to see her running towards the stairs out to the garden. One look was all it took for me to chase after her. I couldn't see Colton, but I saw Cain getting back onto his feet while Keiran stayed still and face down on the grass beside him.

"Mama! Lise!" Olivia cried out. "Daddy!"

I grabbed Raya the second before she hit the grass, missing the last step she stumbled and fell before I swirled her back around while managing to keep her balanced before shoving her towards Penny.

"I'll get her," I promised. "Nothing is going to happen to her."

"Olivia!" Raya screamed.

Her fear was my fear as I forced them both back, my heart breaking at the sound that Raya made when she realised I wasn't going to let her get any closer than this. Cain stood in my path now, the cackling wheeze coming from Nieve sending goosebumps across my skin as her boney old hands held Olivia's arms. She cried and struggled to get free, but the Crone wasn't allowing it.

"Cain," I whispered, trying not to panic as Olivia's beautiful brown eyes found mine filled with a fear I never wanted her to know.

I don't know what he was doing as the air seemed to shudder with power, a vibration ripping through us that left me feeling cold. My arm touched his, every inch of him tense as his face was filled with concentration. Now wasn't the time for me to freak out, Olivia needed me to be everything I did not feel like at this moment as my fear for her took control. I wiped the tears from my face and focused only on her direction and the hand that had no right to touch her. I was going to rip it off as soon as I got the chance.

"This isn't her magic. She shouldn't be this powerful." Cain did nothing to boost my confidence as the Crone barely managed to hold Olivia as she lifted her onto her hip.

Whatever Cain tried, the result was the same and no matter how deep I dug or the freedom I gave my power, neither of us was getting through to them. Raya sounded completely broken behind us, a distraction that I couldn't deal with right now, and with a subtle flick of Cain's hand, Keiran vanished. Finally noticing Colton just behind Nieve, he was gone a second later. I hadn't even thought about the guys, torn between trying to keep my other friends back and safe and getting Olivia with them. Just like with Matt, Cain had stepped up when I hadn't been able to.

"You really are predictable. Do you think I didn't see what you would do? That I haven't spent a thousand lifetimes watching and preparing should it ever come to this?" Nieve bared her teeth, well the ones that remained before her head fell back and she began to laugh. "No one thought it would be worth waiting near your mortals. Too busy with your new friends and new life. I know you, girl."

"Sounds like you really need to work on finding yourself a hobby." Taunting the crazy lady with my Goddaughter in her arms probably wasn't the greatest idea, but she had a point.

We stayed away for a reason and now look at what had happened.

"No matter what you do, what you think to try, I've already planned for it. The only way this ends is if you, girl, come with me willingly, and then you can have this one back."

"No," Cain answered instantly.

"Cain," I started, but he shook his head.

"No."

"We get Olivia, and then we deal with her."

"We don't get Olivia, you can't think she'd actually follow through on her end of the deal." His aura was dark, dangerous, and angry. Everything around us seemed to dim as the light vanished, covered with dark clouds promising as much destruction as the man in front of me. "I'm not losing you."

"You won't," Olivia screamed my name again, her sobbing ripping me apart inside. "It's okay, Livvy my little love. You are so brave!"

"Lise!" Her arms reached out to me and on instinct, I moved towards her.

I thought I was fast, but not fast enough as Cain grabs my wrist. "You're not doing this. You can't. Elise, Elle, think about it. This is what she wants. An emotional, impulsive reaction. She's insane, she wants you dead and-"

"I know, and I'm going to give her what she wants because she does know me, and knows what I will do either way. Our way through this is you." I lowered my voice, turning my back on Nieve as I looked at him, desperate for him to understand. "None of them will expect my Emperor and know what he will do. They don't know him like I do because they only see who he was, not who he is."

If I was one for emotional, impulsive reactions, he could be worse but this here and now wasn't about him, it was about me. Nieve was hitting me where she knew it would hurt the most. Olivia being collateral damage from this stupid game wasn't an option and since we couldn't defeat her now with simply our powers, which she had just made clear, this was such an obvious next move. Cain of course would never allow it and I would do what I had to for Olivia - whatever the cost. Nieve had us right where she needed and without doing anything. We had the potential to solve another of her issues by fighting among ourselves.

"Now, girl!" Looking away from Cain my stomach dropped at the sight of the dagger in Nieve's hand, and the way she struggled to hold Olivia who was fighting to be put down.

One wrong move could turn this into even more of a disaster, especially when she made a point of bringing it close to that little round tummy I had been tickling barely twenty minutes ago. I struggled to remember the sound of her giggle now, her screams still echoing in my ears and the tears that wet her cheeks were not from laughing so hard it gave her hiccups.

Why didn't I stay away?

"Cain, please," My wrist was released, and instead of giving me the freedom to go, his hand grabbed the back of my neck as he stepped closer, forcing me to look up at him for the type of kiss I already knew I'd still be feeling hours later.

I tasted my tears, a hint of blood followed by the jolt of pain from a bruise that would undoubtedly be there later; he was rough, angry, and possessive, and I loved him even more for it. This wasn't goodbye it was a claim, a promise that I was his and this was his way to remind me of it. There would be no escape from the wrath he was capable of and I wondered if Nieve and the Furies were prepared for that too.

"When I find you, we will kill them all." He promised.

Cain lingered at my back like a shadow as I stood before Nieve. The power that surrounded her stung and pinched at my skin as if it was checking me over before I felt a pull at my own powers. I tensed, keeping them tightly coiled around my body like a shield and smiled as best I could at Olivia.

"You're going back to your Mummy, okay Liv. Cain will take you to her." I looked at Nieve, the pressure surrounding me growing as whatever was following her silently fought me. "You give your Mummy a big hug for me, can you do that?"

Olivia sucked in a loud breath, her chin trembling as she nodded.

"Good girl. I'm so proud of you. Now, when you get put down, you run your little fairy legs to Uncle Cain, okay. He will keep you safe." Nieve looked at Cain, her eyes narrowing.

"Stand there, Fallen One." She growled, pointing a short distance away to my right. "You girl, come here."

"Put Olivia down first," I ordered, looking at Cain as he moved where she wanted.

With a groan, Nieve actually set the little girl down. The Crone's face scrunched up in pain as she forced herself to stand up straight. Her hunched back weighed her down, but she hid her weaknesses better than I hide mine.

"You, here." Nieve pointed closer to her and as I took the first step, she roughly shoved Olivia in Cain's direction.

As soon as I'd gone too far, Raya's screams were silenced, Pennys as well and Cain reached down to help Olivia before she hit the ground as Nieve moved with more ease and agility than should ever be possible to stand over Olivia. The dagger in her hand was poised as she slammed it down into Cain's shoulder with a grunt of effort and a squeal of pure joy. Falling onto his side, Cain held Olivia safely and shielded her from any other attack Nieve and this new power with her attempted to serve on them while he was down.

"No!" The second I made a move, her power found a crack in my defence as I rushed to shield them.

The pricking sensation intensified as if I was the one stabbed. It was sharp and instant, the sting from my stomach way too brutal for Blueberry's usual standards which shocked me more than hurt as it happened again. Whatever Nieve was doing was forced back as I took a breath and pulling my own powers back from Cain and Olivia, kept my own shield in place.

"Couldn't have him ruining my plans," Nieve mumbled, grabbing a fistful of my hair as I swung around to punch her in the jaw with a sickening crack.

She let me go, her eyes full of rage as she squared off in front of me. I caught Cain standing, Olivia in his arms as if he didn't realise the knife was in his back at all. If he was hurting, he didn't show it and right as I was about to end Nieve here and now, Olivia's cries were caught in her throat, the pair of them frozen in place. The feeling of this new, odd power thickened the air as I felt the rush of it pass me by and head back towards them. It was like when the Furies had everyone in their hold when they first came to the palace, and I had a feeling it was why Nieve now joined their team. Looking at Cain, the rage in his eyes only intensified as it became clear any chance we had of ending this now, was over.

I couldn't distract Nieve long enough for him to get Olivia to safety. We wouldn't fight her now, at all. She had the element of surprise and really had this all planned out perfectly so we were at her mercy.

We burn brighter as one.

We'd never get through this alone.

Anytime I attempted to change this fate, that sting of her attack was quick to try and break down whatever defence I left weakened. Gunshots echoed like thunder around us, and catching sight of Penny and Colton doing what they could made me feel so proud of them yet as they were sent flying backwards without Nieve so much as blinking, I could already hear Cain screaming at me not to do what I had to for them to survive, for him to survive, and he hadn't even moved his mouth.

"Stop! I'll go with you." I declared, holding my hands up in surrender. "Just, leave them all alone. We leave, they all stay here unharmed."

"Smart choice," Nieve grumbled, rubbing the sore spot on her face as her teeth were painted red.

My stomach churned at the sight of her blood, not helped as she spat sending tiny red droplets across her chin and white hair where it sat over her shoulders. With one final look at Cain, he gave a little nod as much as I felt it killing him, so I only focused on Olivia and the way she had her arms wrapped around his neck. That tiny body shook as he held her tight and then they were gone.

All of it vanished and instead Raya's backyard was replaced by the cave of no wonders. I was the one frozen now, the sight of the Furies sitting around a fire looking a million times better than they had the last time I saw them not exactly ideal. My hopes of Nieve acting alone and taking us somewhere quiet and private where I could kill her myself instantly void.

Just my luck.

"And you doubted me." Nieve scoffed, shoving me in the back as she moved us closer to them. "I have the girl."

Any other time, in any other circumstances, I would have enjoyed the shock and surprise that appeared on their faces - and the fear. The three scrambled to their feet as if they couldn't move fast enough, caution replacing the surprise. Standing close together, they looked at me as if I was Nieve's show and tell news item, not daring to get any closer in case I might bite.

"The girl has a name." I remind her.

"Hush." Nieve snapped, ageing a million years as she now moved to sit by the fire on shaky legs. I got too much joy out of seeing her still rubbing her jaw and in the firelight, the red and purple mark of her bruise was clearer. "Predictable. So predictable."

"It is her." The smaller of the Furies, Megaera, whispered, looking at the other two as if she still couldn't believe it.

"Elise. My name is Elise. Not Girl or Her. Why do you all have such a hard time with it? It's not like, Tisiphone or Uranus." I made sure to really extend the sound into your anus, hoping it would annoy them. "So this is your lair? I was expecting something a little more, liveable, grander like an old castle perhaps, but I guess you had to leave places like that behind."

"Well done, Nieve." Tisiphone smiled but it did nothing to put me at ease. I wasn't sure what she was planning, and I didn't want to know either.

"Oh, so you remember her name." I sighed, looking around curiously. Daylight filled the cave entrance, and I wondered what would be out there.

Were we close to my friends?

In another realm or still on Earth?

"So, you caught me. What now?" Turning around to look at them, the three and their staring antics are starting to creep me out.

Nieve is mumbling to herself by the fire, and they seem happy to ignore her.

"You know what we want." She answered.

"Death to the Fates wasn't it, well can I start with that one?"

Alecto tilted her head slightly, boldly coming closer to me. "I stand by my earlier assessment. She is mad, there is something broken within her head."

"I'm working on that, and this isn't helping." I motion around us. "Also, I think it's a fair request."

"I don't!" Nieve snapped, standing with a grunt. "You're delaying the inevitable. Kill her now, she is not needed."

"Speaking of being needed, why do you three need her? She's the Crone. She's old. The power of three is their deal for ultimate strength, which if anyone understands, I'm it's you three. Besides it's not like she's good company or brings much more to the table than creaky bones and that weird musty decay smell."

"Her mind is perfectly sound, Alecto." Tisiphone soothes her, stroking her arm as she keeps her from moving any closer to me.

"It's really not," I assure her, winking at Alecto. "I'd say be careful but I doubt it matters if crazy is contagious with you four here it's void."

Alecto looks at Tisiphone with the expectation that she will be believed now but it doesn't happen. Just like last time, there is something about the way the trio's leader looks at me that makes me hope I am crazy enough to survive this insanity.

"And the Crone brought us you. Not quite as useless as you would want us to believe."

"Maybe I wanted to be here." None of them looks like they believe me. "How about we call a truce and move on with our lives. I go home, you go, anywhere but wherever I am, and end of the story."

Apparently, that's what I did now. Cain's thing was banishment, mine is calling a truce. Great.

"And here we thought you were a threat," Megaera sneered.

"So, that's a no?" I shrug, welcoming my sword into my hand. "How do you wanna do this? One on one, I'm game for all at once but I still think I should get the Crone just to myself what with past history and all."

Blueberry moved around as if reminding me how much of a bad idea that would actually be but I don't think I had much choice in the matter now.

"We don't want to fight you," Tisiphone answered calmly.

"Because it ended so well last time?" I saw her flinch, the hand at her side not so subtly moving to her stomach where I had stabbed her. "Why else would you bring me here?"

Nieve got up, grumbling and groaning as she stood beside Alecto. "To join them as I did you, silly girl. There is power in numbers, and deciding whether you live or die comes down to one simple decision. Join us, or die."

"I really feel like you're missing a third or even fourth option. I mean, did you hear my truce thing? There's a third option right there." Nieve glared at me now, but whatever had been with her at Raya's was gone.

The other three seemed to be treating her more like an inconvenience they had to deal with rather than a fourth player, so I was willing to take my chances with her. Blueberry wiggled around, while my sword pulsed in my hand. Just what would the Furies do without Nieve, and how much of a chance did I have in removing her from the equation now?

"I'm sure you could talk to Portia and Adala, apologise, promise to never go bat shit crazy on them again and they'd forgive you with enough time." I shrugged, enjoying the way her lips twitched from side to side as I could hear her teeth grinding. "We can call it a senior moment. I'm sure even the Crone is eligible for one of those."

"You're merely showing your age. Your mortality is still strong within your aura and-" Megaera growled, yet Nieve held up a hand silencing her.

"They are weak." Nieve spat taking the bait. "Useless. That Oracle was nothing more than a whore who knew exactly what was waiting for all of them at that temple. The other is an ungrateful bastard who forgets her place."

"And yet they are both doing so great without you around, having temper tantrums and probably needing them to cut your food up real small. Wait, you're technically a toddler. I bet they have to make sure you get back to wherever home is, for nap time as well. No wonder they're doing so great. The Furies have become your babysitter instead of them!"

Her first few attacks were easy to dodge and expected. Tisiphone looked extremely annoyed at the turn of events, slapping a hand to her forehead while the other two watched and it didn't seem like they were in a hurry to lend a hand. Naive was moving better than she had a minute ago, but it wasn't anywhere near as unnatural as the speed and strength when she'd stabbed Cain. Just thinking about that again made me mad and the second I had her in my hold, I wasn't wasting any time.

She was on her knees, thrown forward as her wrinkled old face hit the dirt. There would be no mercy, and I didn't care she was old. Any chance of redemption or a second chance had been vanquished after the shit she pulled today. I planted my foot on her back and pushed until she screamed, feeling the bones inside giving way under my weight. There was an urge to feel her suffer, to know that I had beaten her and maybe she had underestimated this side of me.

How well did she really know me?

My sword was poised above Nieve's neck and as she cried, shaking yet not fighting me anymore, a flicker of something ran through me. Regret? Remorse? It didn't matter. In seconds my blade hit the skin of her neck, yet it never fully cut or made contact as our watchers chose then to intervene. No, it wasn't them at all; at least not how I would have thought.

Pain exploded in the back of my skull as I hit the cave wall, and I barely managed to get enough of my powers to work in time to break my fall so rather than slamming further into the rock and collapsing, I just fell awkwardly, and rolled onto my back. Black spots flooded my vision, and blinking them away, I saw the trio and a shadow standing around Nieve. They held hands and glanced from them to the exit, the wetness I felt on the back of my head needed to wait until later.

It wasn't clear how I managed to stand, but fighting back the spinning and nausea I used the wall as a guide and went towards the light. Each leg felt like it was made of lead, and the closer I got the more my head began to hurt.

Get out of the cave.

Hide.

Get out of the cave.

Hide.

The order was loud and clear, only my mind was at war with my body who wanted to do anything but that. If I could just stop for a second, a quick nap and wake up feeling as good as new - that would be perfect. I had to blink a million times for my eyes to adjust to the outside and when they did, I wished I hadn't looked.

I knew this place.

Standing on the edge of the rocky outcrop, it was like a small stage with a field of dead grass spread out before it. If Matt had coloured it in, would the ground have been dirt or lush and green? There was a chill in the wind that made me wonder if this place had ever been either of those things. In the distance trees stood like waiting soldiers, a dark mass that was impossibly far away and around me there was nothing but a plain sheer wall of rock, There wasn't anywhere to hide here, and looking in the direction Matt had his vision from, there was only a place for me to die.

The crushing weight of defeat made it harder to stand and as I sensed the others getting closer, there was no other option other than facing them all now. I wasn't expecting Nieve to look as improved as she did, no signs of our fight existed on her anymore while I was still very well aware of the throbbing ache in the back of my head.

"Just needed some fresh air." I forced a smile. "Nieve, you're looking well in the daylight."

Instantly the old bitch made a move for me, but Tisiphone was quick. Her arm shot out to grab onto Nieve's coat and from the look on the Crone's face, it hurt more than a simple action like that should.

"So who is your little shadow friend in there? I'd almost think it was some kind of selling your soul to the devil deal but I'm not stupid enough to think you have one of those."

"The Great Father is with us always." Megara kindly shared. "He joins his daughters when we are in need and now we have given him release, our connection is stronger than it has even been before"

"Sounds like you have some daddy issues that really need to be discussed. Blink three times if you're as stuck here as I am." I whisper to her, which only seems to put me even higher on her do not like list.

"Cut out her tongue, she does not need it." Alecto hissed, inching towards me as Nieve nods along.

"And you keep saying I'm crazy?" I felt myself sway; everything about this was painful and not just the conversation.

"Enough." Tisiphone orders, sending all of us into silence. "You are here as you should be. We feel your power, Elise. A creature such as yourself is not one to conform to the likes of another's wishes. You decide your own fate, as it has been done time and time again, has it not?"

"I'd call it more of a conflict of opinions between myself and not pointing fingers, but Nieve."

"The Fates were put on their path as you were put on yours. Nieves revelation has brought her great freedom." The Fury glanced at Nieve with a look that almost resembled pity. "No more will either of you be bound to the old ways. Destroy the Fates, the Maiden and the Mother and permit yourself freedom they deny both of you."

"Both of us?" I didn't get it.

"All power will be returned to Nieve once the other two are dead. She will inherit all three bodies as one unified being as it should have always been and was originally intended."

I was not drinking the kool-aid. "I hit my head inside and none of this is making sense. You're saying there was only one Fate originally, and she was split into three and now Nieve, the crazy, old, backstabbing, psycho, wants to make it one again? Do you really think giving her that kind of power is a good idea?"

Alecto looked at Nieve like she might actually agree with me on that one.

"Your powers are your own. The Great Mother may have shown Fates a destiny of greatness for you but you defy us all, even her. You were created in the form of the Empress, and the five of us, with the Great Father's blessing, will start to reform this world. We will create a new era, a truly feminine uprising they have never seen. Together. We will be unstoppable."

Well, fuck. This really was taking it to the next level.

"Is it truly feminine if this, Great Father is behind it?" I ask her.

"He gives us the power the rest deny," Megaera answered.

Nieve let out some kind of angry, strangled scream; her hand outstretched and she pointed and shook a finger at me and the urge to roll my eyes was hard to fight as she took a step, then another towards me,

"You listen to me, girl," She started.

Everything about the way she said that, looked at me, waved her fucking finger my way - cut through my very last nerve that I'd been fighting to hold onto. I moved quicker than I thought I was capable of right now, all my energy behind the action as my sword barely hesitated as it collided with bone and not much else. Her scream did nothing to help my headache but it still managed to feel good somewhere inside as one promise was fulfilled.

Half of her hand fell to the dirt with barely a soft thud, easy to miss over the noise she was making and because my life wasn't hell enough, my vomit joined the blood in the sand. Not surprisingly, I was left alone while the rest of them rushed around and fussed over Nieve. Looking would be a mistake on my behalf, and on my knees heaving over the edge of the rock was as embarrassing as I could manage right now.

"I don't judge you for what you just did." Tisiphone sat carefully beside me as I managed to take a seat rather than stay hunched over wishing for a death I was previously hoping to avoid. "Revenge is a powerful motivator. Even the most level headed, sensible ones gave fall into its grasp."

"I don't think any of you think that's me."

"You know revenge doesn't finish with one action or deed. It's an impulse, a hunger, that is never truly sated."

"That felt pretty good. She touched something she shouldn't have."

"Perhaps this time, but it won't last. At least not once you remember everything you've gone through, all that you have been denied, had taken from you? I know you think Nieve deserves a lot more than that, perhaps you could say this is karma."

"I doubt it."

"Elise, you are an anomaly as we all are, destined for something else. I feel your darkness, I see your potential. It isn't a weakness or something that needs to be extinguished. Why hold back, be less of who you are supposed to be for another's sake? They are not your friends if you hide who you are from them. Think back to that night on the beach, had your friends not been there, would you have stopped your fight? Reigned in your abilities to keep them feeling comfortable? But that's not even how that went was it? Instead, you caged that part of you. I feel it now, simmering under your skin like a tiger on a chain. I felt it, I saw it when you unleashed it in the other realm. We all did. Your people ran, hid you, forced it back. We would never make you stop."

"What if I want to make it stop?"

"That comes from a place of fear. The unknown. You know the weight of the Empress is one you can easily carry, yet your first instinct was to deny it, hide it, refuse it. Even giving who you are a name, a blessing from the Great Mother, it doesn't stop your friends from being jealous, rejecting this part of you. They will seek to stop you quicker than they would to ever aid you." She looked around us. "Where are they now? We are in your realm, hiding in plain sight. Is the Queen leading the march here, or hindering their attempts. It is her world, yet you seem to be the one in the charge."

"It's not like that." And they had to rejected it. I had a whole damn village as witness to the little display Kara, Deimos and Cain put on.

"No? The King of the Underworld seemed very invested in keeping us out, odd how that now extends to you. I'm sure he shared because he cares, not to lull you into a false sense of security as he prepares to do what he couldn't before. Any offer to keep you safe down there is purely for your benefit, not his." Sarcasm noted.

"I know what you're doing and it's pointless."

"I'm only going by what I can read on the surface, I don't even need to dig deeper. You know I'm right. That they are all just there to either wait for the right time to destroy you or control you. Apollo, your first actual love, was sent to your realm firstly to kill you and then he realised it would be much more beneficial to control you instead and of course, our dearest Fallen One. It's just you and him against the world, isn't it?"

I laugh. "You forgot to go over the part where he already tried to kill me and the rest."

"Did I?" She gave a little shrug. "He is your soulmate though, is he not? Surely that has been revealed by now at a perfectly convenient time. And you carry his child, yet you're not bonded. That is odd."

"Wow, you'd make a great grandmother or aunty with that expectation and guilt to offload on us. In my realm, they even have a song about it. If you like it, put a ring on it."

"Sounds like another way to control you," Tisiphone smirked.

"Just like how the rest of you are. I'm not foolish enough to think this is all coming from the kindness of your hearts. Kill the Fates, join our team. Yeah, no thank you. I feel better with the devil I know."

"We're not the bad guys Elise, we simply want change. Do you not want a better world for your baby to grow in? Instead of being worried by constant threats like blue demons and whatever Fate may have in store for her? Are you sure this conception was even that simple, and no other hands were involved? Your mother simply drank a tea without ever knowing. You may not agree with our methods, but if we really were intent on causing harm and even hurting you, don't you think we would have by now?" She might have made a few good points. "You are with child. There is no greatest weakness to an expecting mother than her unborn babe only we have not exploited that avenue. We have not left a path of death and destruction in our wake. I am sorry for our first interaction, we'd just woken up and hadn't fully adjusted to the world we were in or understood what we had walked into. Where are your reports of villages burnt down, murder and war since our return?"

"Um, just the other day your followers attacked the city and-" I started but she shook her head.

"We are not affiliated with them. They act on their own, as the ones before them did." She said it so sincerely I almost believed her. "We thought a few may join our quest, but their true colours were soon revealed."

"Before or after we killed them?"

"If you hadn't, we would have yet you and your friends were the ones interrupting us that day." She lightly scolded.

"Why not join us. We can all work together to bring on change, in the right ways." I offer a little too hopefully.

I was tired, sore and so thirsty after throwing up, if this kept going without a drinks break I'd be considering her offer a little more seriously just to get it over with. Licking my lips the sting on my lower lip instantly made me think of Cain and I wondered what he was up to right now.

"I know you don't believe that. Your people humour your way of thinking most of the time but will never accept this. Kill the Fates, remove the last threat to you both and join us, Elise. An Empress bows to no one and we will never expect or ask you to. Not how they do." She stood up and offered me her hand which I reluctantly took. "You're a smart girl, smarter than they give you credit for. I know you'll make the right choice."

"Why does it sound like this is it?"

"Because it is. In thirty seconds, your portal making friend will appear to rescue you. You are free to go, sorry about Nieve, but she is who she is." Tisiphone went back inside and I waited for a trap, or some kind of trick considering everything.

"You're just letting me go?" I call after her, not fully understanding what was happening despite the effort used to get me here.

"You wouldn't talk to us before, we had no other choice than to make it a face to face appointment." She stood in the mouth of the cave. "Think about my offer. I'll be in touch."

And then just as she said, Hermes appeared just down the side of the path to nowhere; a spark of a portal growing behind him as he cautiously looked around. Before anyone else could follow on either side, I ran over to him practically pushing him back through it as he looked as confused as I felt. I wasn't taking any chances in case they changed their mind or it was part of a bigger plan.

Cutting off Nieve's hand wasn't going to win me any points with her and she didn't need a new target like how she used Olivia. Even now that made me angry, and I hated that I hadn't gone for a more lethal shot. The thought left me as I felt an odd tug on my body, different to the vibe from the portal and turned around just before it closed behind us to see the three Furies watching me go.

I had no idea what would happen the next time we met, but I wasn't sure it would be as easy to leave them again - unless I joined their side first.

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So, I'm writing this and 'We don't talk about Bruno' comes on ..... Do you have any idea how many times I had 'understand' or 'do you understand' in this chapter? I think I'm still going for a record haha

Now how do I get this song out of my head?