Riddle of Fate by Tania Johansson

day.”
    “She.”
    “What?”
    “It was a female Collector. And you are asking too many questions.” He harrumphed. “I don’t know exactly what, but she realised that there was something wrong with Khaya’s aura. She’d never seen anything like it, so reported it.”
    The story Brier had heard didn’t make it sound like Khaya had at any point been close to death, so what could have changed the appearance of her aura?
    “I will find you once everything is in place,” Heran said before disappearing.
    Brier sighed. He still had questions, but he supposed that once he died, he would have a lot of time to find all his answers. He was so close to success now. He allowed himself a small smile. No more pretending. He was glad to be rid of Khaya. She’d become too dependant on him. He never did like anyone too close to him. They tended to want things from him that he either couldn’t give or didn’t want to.
    When Brier arrived home, he didn’t quite know what to do with himself. What do you do while you wait to die? He’d heard that it was customary to give prisoners facing imminent execution a good meal. He supposed he could do that.
    The hours seemed to drag on. Midnight. He just had to wait until midnight. The clicking of the pendulum clock seemed to slow the longer he listened to it. Looking at it only made it worse.
    When Heran finally appeared, Brier leapt to his feet, his stomach fluttering in anticipation.
    Heran’s mouth was set in a grim line, his eyes hard.

Chapter Fourteen
    Risk It All. Or Lose It All
     
     
    Derrin hadn’t said what his plan was, only that he would be back soon. Khaya didn’t know what to think of him. An angel. Truly? And what did he mean by ‘of sorts’? Or was she being taken for a fool? Perhaps if she knew why he was helping her, she would know if she could trust him. In her experience, no one did something for someone else unless there was something in it for them. The only person who didn't fit the pattern had been her mother.
    She chewed on her lip while trying to puzzle out where she’d seen him before. She wondered if he could have been an employee at the Company. That might explain why he could make himself appear and disappear at will.
    She jumped when he appeared before her. He held up a key ring with several keys hanging from it. Jangling them, he said, “Sorry it took a bit longer. Had to wait for the guard to get distracted.” He set about unlocking her restraints while speaking.
    She rubbed her wrists when he took the chains off but before she could say anything, he disappeared again. He returned a moment later without the keys, but took a single large key from his pocket.
    “Why can’t you just make both of us vanish from here?” Khaya asked.
    “Doesn’t work like that.” He didn’t look at her as he spoke, but unlocked the door, taking care to turn the key slowly. It barely made a sound. “When we go, you follow close behind me. Do exactly as I say without question.” He waited for her nod.
    Khaya walked closer, expecting him to open the door. “What are you waiting for?” she asked when he didn’t.
    “Shhh.” He closed his eyes and cocked his head. “Now.” He pulled the door open and grabbed her hand, pulling her along behind him.
    The moment he touched her, a vision flashed before her eyes. She was a little girl, and playing outside. It was a beautiful sunny day. She’d climbed to the top of her favourite tree and sat looking out over the fields.
    She was wrenched back to the present when Derrin suddenly halted in front of her.  She nearly crashed into him. He turned and pushed her against the wall, his finger across his lips. She stared up at him. Who was he?
    Footsteps approached from down the corridor to their left and her heart started thundering. To her relief, the pair of guards turned left down another hallway, walking away from them. Derrin waited a few moments longer before pulling her along again. They turned left down the