Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 79726 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79726 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Vlad turned away from her. “You call betrayal a gift?” he snorts.
“You would not have me but for the witches,” Phoenix says, standing her ground.
“And what have you been but a thorn in my side?” her grandfather shoots back. “And now a canary to warn of a coming doom it sounds like you can do nothing to stop?”
Phoenix swallows hard, taking a step back. It’s clear to anyone that her grandfather’s words have wounded her, not that he seems to notice or care.
“And what can you do?” Vlad says, turning accusingly toward Abaddon and me. “You come here for safety, but it sounds like you’ve only painted a target on our backs if this spirit finds we’ve given safe haven to whoever’s watching it.”
Abaddon looks like he wants to stand toe to toe with Vlad, but I put a hand on his knee to stop him. Huffing in annoyance, he stays seated. “My family has many gifts,” he says through gritted teeth. “We can help in the coming storm.”
“How, exactly?” Vlad says, coming to stand over my brother in a way I know must set all Abaddon’s predator instincts on edge. “What do you bring to the table? Tell me or leave the sanctuary I have offered immediately!”
I see Abaddon’s face coloring with rage and quickly lift from my seat, stepping in between Vlad and Abaddon but making sure to stoop slightly so that Vlad retains the advantage of height. Time for the tactician to make an appearance.
“As Layden says, we have some experience with spirits from other realms. You’ll forgive our reticence to expose any weaknesses we may have to one as strong as you. We’ve never met any beings of such might.” I bow my head and hear Vlad huff slightly.
It’s an old tactic. Bullies who are scared love to be mollified by praise, reassuring them they’re the biggest and baddest in the room, regardless of the truth of it. Reason is of little use with them, only flattery.
“But I promise we are allies you may rely on.”
“I rely on no one but myself,” Vlad sneers.
“Whenever your wise granddaughter finds this spirit to target, will it not be better to send us out as soldiers to face the threat first, at least, before endangering your own far superior family members?”
When I glance up, I see that the idea of using us as cannon fodder, at least, appeals to him.
He huffs out his displeasure as he steps back, then glares at where Phoenix and Layden are standing together near his golden throne. “If you don’t have something more concrete for me by the end of the day, I will expel every last one of them from the compound. Including the witch. Now,” Vlad looks Phoenix’s way, lifting his eyebrows significantly, “your uncles and I will do our part to siphon you strength for any coming conflict.”
Phoenix sighs and looks toward the floor. “Moderate feeding should be enough.”
I have to work to keep my eyebrows from lifting. So, she is not a vampire but still gets power from them when they do feed? How exactly does that work? Is “granddaughter” as loose a term as “son” is? How exactly are they all related to one another? Layden mentioned there was a god here. Did he mean Phoenix? As soon as we can get our hands on him, Layden has some explaining to do.
Vlad glares at Phoenix. “Now is not the time for moderation,” he snaps. “And a better leader would know that.”
As he turns and begins to walk toward the door, his “sons” immediately move in formation to flank his sides and back.
“Yes, Grandpapa,” Phoenix says to his retreating figure, her posture deflating the second he turns the corner out of sight. “Fuck,” she says as she looks between Layden and Sabra. “What are we going to do?”
Layden looks worried, but Sabra just rubs her hands together. “Blood magic, baby.”
Phoenix winces but looks resigned.
“I’m going to check on my wife,” Abaddon says, finally standing. “Keep me informed.” He looks around, his mouth curling in disgust. “The sooner we’re gone from this place, the better.”
I keep my peace. I’m torn, both wanting to stay to find out what will be involved in this “blood magic” the mage speaks of and needing to get back to Lo-Ren to make sure she is unharmed in this dangerous vampire’s nest.
“What did you mean with that last bit about feeding?” I ask. Phoenix and Layden both look my way, before Phoenix drops her face, turning away from me.
“Can I tell h—” Layden asks her, and she waves a hand. “Whatever.”
“Phoenix isn’t like. . . them.” Layden scowls, looking toward the door.
Phoenix huffs out a mirthless laugh. “Aren’t I? Just indirectly.” She turns back toward me, then confirms my theory. “When my ancestors feed, it feeds me. Don’t ask me why.”