MARKED BY FATE

Vivian’s POV As I negotiate the underbrush, moving as silently as I can, I feel it sinking into my bones. Here the wind is harsher, merciless, cutting through the flimsy jacket I grabbed quickly before I left the little rented cabin. I feel absolutely safe nowhere in this town, although the trees provide some solace under the heavy shadow of leaves and limbs. I raise the collar so the chilly air stings my face. One year. I departed one year ago now. Since I gave up all I knew—what I had imagined I desired. Still, I feel as though I am under observation no matter how far I travel or how well I fit in with the humans. Like his presence is somehow entwined with the air surrounding me and escape is not possible. But tonight Lucian's shadow is not chasing me. It is another, far more hazardous one. The idea of him makes my chest hurt and breakingly bitter. I keep on pushing the Lucian memories aside. I'm not out here to get caught in regrets or to consider him. I should be trying to forget tonight. I come to a little clearing and let my gaze float skyward. The stars remind me of home—of the life I fled and the people I left behind—sharp against the darkness, chilly and far-off. I stop at a rustle behind me. As I listen, every muscle in my body gets stiff. Although my senses have deteriorated over the past year, I still get the sound of danger. Still another twig snap, nearer this time, and my heart hammers against my ribs. someone is there. Observations. Pacing. I turn gently, trying to keep as quiet as I can. Though it's dark, I see a vague outline—a tall man covered in shadows—and something predatory about his stance. "Who’s there?" I insist, pushing power into my voice. Calm. The man neither moves nor speaks. He simply stands there, evaluating his choices as though he is evaluating me. I could practically sense his icy, calculated intensity of attention. My instincts scream at me to go, a chill runs down my spine and I naturally step back. Trying to keep the trembling out of my voice, I urge, "Stay away." "I want no trouble at all." He moves fluidly and deliberately one step forward. And then, at last, he speaks—a low, contemptuous voice that shakes me. "Vivian Cade." Though I can not identify the voice, his knowledge of my name tells me enough. This is not some haphazard stranger. This is someone who understands my former self as well as who I am. He also serves a purpose. I hunt for an escape while swallowing hard and rushing through ideas. I know one thing for sure: I cannot let him get near. I have no idea how he discovered me or what he wants. Not after all I have gone through, not with Lucian's treachery so raw in my thoughts. "What do you want?" I ask, my voice sharper than I feel. He tilts his head, a trace of fun in his eyes. Lucian offers his greetings. The name seems like a slap, and I try to remain objective. He is one of Lucian's soldiers. But why would Lucian dispatch someone here? Given all this, why would he care now? I say, clenched teeth pushing the words, "I don't want anything to do with Lucian." The man produces a sinister chuckle. "That's not up to you, I'm afraid. For you Lucian has a message. And he is not the kind to reject no as the response. He pulls from his pocket, and I tighten half-expecting a weapon. Rather, he pulls out a little envelope and extends it to me as if it were a type of peace gift. I fix it, my head whirling. Some of me wants to grab it, rip it open, and read what Lucian has to say. But another side of me—that which recalls how broken I felt when I left—wants nothing to do with it. I back off and shake my head. Tell him I have no desire. Whatever he desires is too late. The man's face hardens, and I catch a flash of annoyance in his eyes. "You consider yourself to have options in this, Vivian? Do you believe you could simply leave him? I ignore you, staring fixedly at him and not waversing. I will not let him scare me or allow him to believe I am weak. I have run too long and hidden too long. Lucian or anyone else cannot rule me. Still, he says something that freezes me. He is aware of the youngster. My blood freezes, and I sense the planet slink under me. Though I realize there is no obvious indication of the pregnancy yet, my hand naturally reaches to my stomach. How knowledgeable is he? How then could Lucian possibly know? I manage to say "Liar," but my voice is just more than a breath. The man's smile opens out, a predatory glitter in his eyes. Oh, all right; it is true. And he is not pleased you kept it away from him. Not the forgiving kind, Vivian, Lucian is. He is after what is his. I back off, my head whirling. It cannot be occurring this way. I felt I could keep this secret buried and that I was safe. Now, though, everything is collapsing with just a few words. My heart hammering in my chest, I turn and sprint. I look forward; I do not pause to check whether he is following. I just dash; my mind focused on one idea: I have to get away. far apart. But a terrible awareness falls over me as I sprint over the forest, branches ripping at my clothes and the frigid air searing my lungs. Lucian will always find me wherever I hide and no distance I run. And this time he will not let me leave so readily. My chest heaving, I lean against the door behind me to attempt to catch my breath. My hands are quivering, and I can still feel the frigid horror clutching me in the forest. How could he be aware? Lucian could not know about the baby, either. I lower myself to the floor and bury my face in my hands. Not meant to happen was this. I left to get away from him and the treachery that split my heart apart, shielding myself. Here, buried in this small village where nobody knew my past, I felt I would be safe. Still, I was mistaken. Lucian's influence spans more ground than I could have ever dreamed. I want to give in, let him find me and face whatever follows. But another side—that which is striving to survive and reconstruct my life from the wreckage he left behind—defies to yield. I refuse to allow him take what is mine or to let him rule me. But the truth of my circumstances strikes as I sit there. I am not only advocating for myself these days. I am battling for the child developing inside of me, a child who merits a chance at a life free from Lucian's shadow. And I will do whatever necessary to guard that. I hardly sleep; thoughts and worries occupy my head. Convinced Lucian's men are here for me, every creak and whisper of wind outside the cabin sets my heart racing. But I have to make decisions during my morning breaks. I cannot keep running, cannot live like this, always staring over my shoulder. I promise myself—a secret vow when the first light of morning dances across the window. I'll go up to him squarely. Still, it will be under my terms rather than his. He will also be surprised if he believes he can control me or if I am the same lady he betrayed a year ago. Standing here, resolve hardening inside me, I see something: this goes beyond survival now. It's about payback. And Lucian will pay for what he has done should he wish me back into his life. I have a flutter of hope for the first time in a very long time. a flutter of rebellion. The hunt this time will not be quite one-sided.