Shadow Kissed 03 - Shadowman

“Hmm.”
    Layla called up the names and faces of her new “extended” family: Talia, pale and fair; Adam, managing everything; the babies, black-eyed Michael and cherub Cole. She hadn’t lost them. She recited her phone number, her address, even her computer login. All good.
    It’s nice to meet you. I’m . . .
    Nothing.
    Layla drew a deep breath of frigid air and puffed smoke into the winter wonderland. Her nose was doing that prickling thing that came with cold or tears. She’d remember if she just didn’t freak out. She was doing this to herself. Had to be. If Zoe could find power, Layla could. She would not let this harpy wreck her. In the meantime, “Stop calling him ‘my man Death.’ His name is Shadowman .”
    The three sisters sneered.
    Wait. Hold it. Just. One. Second.
    Death as Layla knew him was gone. Okay, she could take that. He didn’t even want to be Death anymore. But was Shadowman gone?
    Moira and her sisters began their circling again. “Shadowman is a fool to trade power and time for a handful of years.”
    â€œHe’s alive.” Heat surged into Layla.
    â€œHe’s mortal,” Moira said, as if he were beneath her.
    Layla would take him any way she could get him. Determination beat her heart faster. She wasn’t cold anymore. Not at all. “I found a way back to him before. I can do it again.”
    The old sister looked over. “That life is over.”
    Good. Layla wanted that life to be over. She’d been miserable and alone for most of it. And then she’d ripped out her heart and told the one she loved to do his duty. Her mission was complete. Yes, she was very glad that life was done.
    She wanted a new one, on her own terms. “I’m leaving.”
    Layla made for the edge of the circle, to a space between one fate and another, but the circle moved with her. Moira smiled. “To go where?”
    â€œAnywhere you aren’t.”
    â€œImpossible. I am Fate. I am everywhere that you are. I tell you what to do and where to go. Do you think it was coincidence that you found Death in that warehouse? No, I took you there. Or that you rediscovered your daughter? Fate did that, too.”
    Layla wasn’t buying. There was no way in Hell, and Layla knew a little bit about that place now, that this hag was going to take credit for every decision humankind made, least of all hers.
    â€œWhat about Zoe?” Had she predestined that transformation?
    Moira declined to answer.
    â€œI didn’t think so.” Layla made for the edge again, but the Fates effortlessly followed. “Don’t you have anything better to do?”
    â€œBetter than you?” Moira tilted her head as if to think. “Not at the moment. I’ll tell you what. You figure out who you are, and you can lose your mind elsewhere in Shadow.”
    Moira inclined her head, and around the circle gilded mirrors appeared, glittering and sparkling enough to make Layla wince. Within their long ovals different people stood as if trapped within the frames. Old and young, all of them female, looked out at Layla, their gazes imploring, Pick me, pick me . Some were strangers, faces that seemed only faintly recognizable. An old lady; a young woman; a round, middle-aged housewife. As Layla surveyed the faces, she found several that struck home. Within one frame stood Layla the child, her hair in a ragged bowl cut, arms wrapped tightly around herself. The child was wounded—the pain was right there in her eyes. Then there was a serene woman who had to be Kathleen, long reddish blond hair waving over her shoulders. And across the circle stood Layla as she was today, freezing with the cold, dirty tear streaks down her cheeks. Red nose to match. And still no name.
    But at least it was something to work with. A puzzle to sort. A trick to turn to her own advantage.
    â€œPick one.” Moira twirled, arms out, gesturing to all of them at once.
    Yes, but whom? Layla’s gaze darted from face to face. Was she Kathleen, the one who started it all? Layla took a step toward her, then paused. There was no going back. Kathleen was gone. Well then, what about the adult version of herself in the glass? It seemed a straightforward solution. But hadn’t she just said she wanted a new life? Should she then choose a stranger?
    She was all of them, and none of them. Who was she? She didn’t know. Again.
    Temet Nosce. It still made