"Why does this have to be done under the new moon?" I ask, curious. This lines up with what Kassam had hinted at, but the whole “moon” thing has me baffled.
Lachesis shrugs. "No big reasons. What we're doing isn't exactly in the rules, and certain moon goddesses are a gossipy sort and like to get people in trouble."
"Even after all these years, Selene hasn't learned to keep her mouth shut." Seth chuckles. "Doesn't she have anything better today?"
"You know she doesn't," Lachesis says lightly. "No one does."
That sobers him. Seth's expression is no longer laughing. His face hardens and he studies the glowing strands in the air, all business once more. "When we reach the other side," Seth asks, "We'll be in the mortal realm, yes?"
Lachesis nods. "They're currently experiencing a crisis and most of the gods are walking the mortal realm. I haven't been able to glean too much from peering in from afar, but yes. I haven't wanted to get involved." Her mouth pulls up on one corner and she gives Seth a wry look. "Until now, when my hand is forced."
"But such lovely hands," Seth murmurs, grinning at her. He reaches out and takes her hand in his, kissing the fingertips.
The goddess just rolls her eyes.
I hug my chest, a little worried and trying not to look at that whole thread mess that I thought was so beautiful just a few moments ago. I don't like the sight of Kassam's thread entwined with mine, overwhelming it, and stretching out into nothingness with me as the only flimsy anchor to this world. I glance over at Kassam to see what he's thinking, and instead of watching Seth flirt with Lachesis or eyeballing the threads, he's watching me. There's a sad, soft expression on his face, as if he knows just what I'm thinking and he's silently apologizing for it. That he knows this is a difficult thing to ask, and he's asking it anyhow.
I move to his side and link my hand with his, showing him that I know what I'm getting into…and I choose him anyway.
The smile he gives me is dazzling and full of promise, and my heart flutters at the sight.
"You're not witches at all, are you?"
Margo's hushed voice makes me pause.
Seth doesn't even look at Margo. He gives Lachesis an impatient gesture. "Let's just get things moving. Quickly."
At Margo's terrified look, I change my mind. I've always been a bit on the fence with the whole thing, and I decide it's time to take a stand. "Actually, this isn't fair to Margo," I say, and ignore Kassam's squeeze of my hand. "She needs to know what she's getting into."
"I thought we just went over that," Seth snarls.
"Don't yell at my wife," Kassam says, stepping in front of me.
"Your wife?" Seth's eyes widen and then he throws his head back, laughing. "You have got to be shitting me. You married a mortal? You? She must have a cunt of solid gold." He shakes his head and grins at Lachesis. "He really is desperate to get home, isn't he?"
"Who are you people?" Margo's keys jingle again and she pulls out her pepper spray, holding it up. "Actually, I take it back. I don't care. I'm getting out of here, and I don't want anyone to follow me. Understand?"
"You're not going anywhere," Seth says, moving back to Margo's side. He plucks the can from her hand as if it's nothing and tosses it away, her keys jangling as they land in the grass somewhere. "You said you'd go on a date with me, and we're not done. I told you we were going somewhere special, and you said you were all for it. That hasn't changed." He grins coldly. "It's special indeed, wait and see."
Margo gives him a terrified look.
"Stop it," I say, moving toward Seth. "This isn't right. You—"
Lachesis pinches the air and my thread jerks. The words die in my throat. I'm frozen in place. I can't move. Can't speak. Can't do anything. I'm not even breathing. I'm not sure my heart is beating. I'm just…frozen in time.
My eyes are open, and even though the rest of me can't function, I can watch as Margo takes a step forward—and suffers the same fate. She freezes, her mouth parted as if she is going to speak, her hand stuck in mid-air.
The goddess turns toward Seth, giving him a cranky look. She swings that gaze toward Kassam, reproaching him as well. "I thought you two secured your mortals? Do we have a problem?"
"No problem here," Seth says smoothly.
I feel Kassam's hand brush my shoulder, then my jaw. "Let her go."
"Not until we're certain we all want to move forward like this. You told me it was under control," she says to Seth, accusing. "We're going to be in big trouble if I ask the Fates in his world to move over a mortal and then she cries that she was coerced. She has to step across the threshold on her own." Lachesis sighs heavily. "I need a fucking cigarette. Okay, here's what we're going to do. Regroup again. Both of you get new mortals, and we'll try again next month."
"No," Kassam says flatly. "I am bound to Carly. She is my anchor."
"I know, dummy." Lachesis pulls out her pack of cigarettes, and the hold on me wavers as she pulls one stick out and lights it. "Here's the thing. I can move your anchor bond to someone else. You just say who and we'll get it handled. No fuss, no muss. They're such little lights in the cosmic tapestry that no one will ever notice."
Little light.
Kassam calls me little light. Is this why? Because I'm so insignificant to the gods? Hurt and anger blaze through me both, but I'm helpless to do anything. I can't even flip anyone the bird or clench a fist. All I can do is stare mutely at all of them. If I'm nothing to him, of course he's going to switch me out. He'll find someone more ruthless, someone that won't care if Margo's being manipulated. Someone that's eager to join him in his world instead of worrying over her mother.
"No," Kassam says. "Carly is my wife. I made a vow to her and I intend to keep it. Now, let her go."
"She's not hurt. She's just silenced while we figure this out."
"There's no figuring out to do," Seth counters. "We move forward. Margo said she'd go on a short trip with me. This qualifies. I'll deal with her later if she gets upset. She agreed, and that's all that is required, yes?"
Lachesis tilts her head, a reluctant agreement. "If we're splitting hairs, sure, it's an agreement. There might be fallout in the future though."
Seth just gives her a sly grin. "As if I'm not familiar with handling such things. I will take care of it." He looks over at Kassam. "And your mortal agreed. She even packed a bag. So what is the hold-up? Do you wish to return to your world or not?"
Kassam hesitates. He moves to my side, running his knuckles lightly along my jaw as he gazes down at me. I can see the torment in his eyes. He's weighing whether or not my good opinion of him outweighs his need to go home. "I care for Carly, as much as any god can care for a mortal," he admits, looking over at Seth. "But I know you care nothing for yours. I have made a promise to mine to keep her safe. I need you to make the same promise to yours."