Total pages in book: 241
Estimated words: 229266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1146(@200wpm)___ 917(@250wpm)___ 764(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 229266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1146(@200wpm)___ 917(@250wpm)___ 764(@300wpm)
“I am.”
He laughed softly. “I don’t believe you.”
All of my senses went on alert as I spared a brief glance at his hand. The veins stood out starkly. He was not well. Not at all.
Chaney tsked softly under his breath. “The King and Queen are going to be so displeased.”
I didn’t dare take my eyes off him. “Displeased by what? You ordering a knight to strike me?”
“They may be unhappy to learn that, yes, but I do believe they’ll be more disturbed to learn you’ve been compromised.” The red burned brighter in his eyes. “And most likely in more ways than one.”
The implication in his tone ignited my temper, and for a moment, I remembered that I wore no veil. “You should be more concerned about yourself.” I met his stare. “You’re not looking well, Lord Chaney. Perhaps the wound is more serious than you realize.”
“That bastard Atlantian almost got my heart,” he said, features turning hollow. “But I’ll survive.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” I bit out.
“I’m sure you are.” The carriage hit a rock, jostling me, but Chaney didn’t seem to notice. “There was a reason I was charged with finding you. Do you know why that is?”
“Your patience and generosity?”
His chuckle was like nails dragging along my nerve endings. “I didn’t know the Maiden was so feisty.”
I arched a brow.
“I was chosen because I know what you truly are.”
I forced my hands to unclench.
“I know what is really in your blood, and I dare say I know more than even you do.”
“Is that so?”
His lips parted, and I wanted to recoil from the sight of his fangs—a reaction that was nothing like when I saw Casteel’s. “You cannot even begin to comprehend why you were Chosen, but that’s neither here nor there. You’ll learn soon enough.”
“And what is it that I will learn?”
His eyes, a kaleidoscope of red and black, fixed on me—on my neck. “That you will usher in a whole new era of Ascended.”
Disgust rippled through me. “Do you think I don’t already know that?”
“I don’t think you can even possibly begin to understand what that means. But be that as it may, you were right. I am a bit more wounded than I let on. If it hadn’t been bloodstone, it would be healing by now. I’ve said to the Queen and King, time and time again, that all the bloodstone needs to be destroyed. But without it, she worries that the Craven would then overwhelm the people.”
“Can’t have your food source being destroyed now, can you?” I said before I could stop myself.
“The Dark One has obviously been whispering in your ear.” His tongue ran along his bottom lip. “He’s obviously been doing more than that.”
“It doesn’t matter what he’s been doing.” I smiled just as coldly as he. “What does matter is that I know why I’m the Queen’s favorite. I know what you all plan to do with me. I know you won’t touch me. I’m needed alive so that I can either keep the Atlantian you have held in captivity fed or be used to make more Ascended.”
His head tilted. “You’re right about one thing. We do need you alive. That’s about it.”
Before I could even process what he said, that I was only right about one thing, he rose and moved toward me.
And I reacted.
Leaning back, I planted my booted foot in his chest and kicked him back to his bench.
His eyes widened as he laughed. “Dear Maiden, that was unnecessary. I just need a sip. The King and Queen never need to know. It will be our secret. One you would be wise to keep—”
I kicked out again, catching him in the chest once more.
He hissed in pain. “That wasn’t very nice,” he snarled as I shifted, reaching for the knife. “That actually hurt.”
“That was the point.” I unsheathed the blade, holding it steady. “If you know as much as you think you do about me, then you’ll realize I know how to use this. It may not kill you, but I can make you wish it would.”
His burning black eyes widened as he held up his hands. “Now. Now.” His tone was placating. Patronizing. “There’s no need for threats of violence.”
“There’s not?” Keeping an eye on him, I scooted across the bench, toward the door.
He tracked my movements. “Did you forget about the speed in which we’re traveling? The knights?”
“I’d rather take my chances of being trampled to death. At least I’ll go to the grave knowing you’ll probably be right behind me once the King and Queen learn that I’m dead because of you.” I reached for the door—
Chaney struck.
I expected him to go for the knife. I reared back. The moment his hand reached around my ankle, I realized I had made a fatal miscalculation. He yanked hard, pulling me off the bench. My back cracked off the edge of the seat, sending a jolt to my already aching head as I went down hard in the cramped space.