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)
He lifts his hands and snaps several more times, glaring up toward the ceiling. Ah, so perhaps we weren’t as alone as I thought. It makes sense. No true leader would leave himself completely defenseless. And yet, for whatever is about to happen, he won’t allow any eyes at all. I repress my grin.
I turn and walk back toward him. “We both have something the other wants,” I say quietly, not wanting to press my advantage but still trying to appeal to his deepest desires. “My family and I are immensely powerful beings. And what I ask would not only make me more powerful still but put us further in your debt.”
“I do not know that our blood would do what you seek,” he says.
“But you are the oldest of your kind, so surely your blood is the most powerful.”
A growl comes from his throat, and I know I’ve asked more than he’s comfortable with. So, I decide to sweeten the pot.
“My brothers and I are known as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. For millennia, we have been the power behind the powers that shape nations and empires. I am the angel of War, Layden is Famine, Abaddon is Pestilence, and Kharon is the angel of Death.”
Vlad’s eyes grow wider with each of my words, widest of all at Kharon’s designation. “What does that mean? What are your powers?”
“All I ask is a small price for any question you might have for me,” I say meekly.
Vlad looks frustrated, and at the same time, I see the moment he makes the decision. He yanks a small dagger from his waistcoat, then leans over to snatch a crystal goblet from a nearby table.
His movements are so quick even my superior senses struggle to follow as he slices a neat slit along his wrist. Dark red, almost black liquid gushes into the goblet. It fills halfway before he winces and lifts his wrist to his mouth, licking the slash there, after which it neatly closes.
I eye the goblet greedily, but he holds it away from me. “My father met one of your kind once. On the battlefield. He warned me, should I ever come upon your kind again, to run and never stop. He said you were the only thing on Heaven or Earth that could challenge us.”
Ah ha. So it was his father I met that day. I decide not to inform him of this.
“How many of you are there? How many angels?” he demands.
“Only my brothers and I. And, once upon a time, our father. But we sent him back to the realm we came from.”
“Only ever you and your brothers?”
“Before our time, long, long ago, others like my father roamed this plane. But they retired back to their home many millennia ago. My father alone stayed, stealing the spark from the realm we call the Great Hall in order to fashion us, his children, that he might rule this world.”
“So what is this threat my granddaughter speaks of? Tell me true.”
“That I do not know. But if it is any apocalypse, who better to meet it than with the Horsemen by your side?”
“And the world to reshape as I will it in the aftermath,” Vlad grins, finally handing me the precious goblet of red.
I nod my head to him. “I care nothing for kingdoms,” I say. “All I want is my parasite gone and a quiet corner to retire with my woman.”
“Then we have an agreement, friend.” The last word sounds dangerous on his tongue but I don’t care. I’ve made plenty more dangerous alliances in my long life, and never with as much potential as this.
I take the glass and raise it in a toast. “To our glorious future, friend.”
He smiles, blood from his previous meal still coating his teeth. “Now, tell me in detail what you and each of your brothers can do.”
I close my eyes, tip my head back, and down the thick goblet of his blood. And then I begin telling him all he wants to know.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
LAUREN
I was sad to wake up alone this morning but decided that was selfish, considering where we are. I mean, there are issues of global significance going on. I do realize that even though I’m so wrapped up in my own personal relationship drama.
It’s just so easy to get lost in it all when every time Remus or Romulus walks in the door, so entirely swoonworthy. And I’m not usually a girl who swoons. Seriously. But I’ve never been around a man who seems so intent on me, my feelings, my well-being, my— Well, I’ve never had anyone in a relationship actually pay me enough attention beyond how often they could get me compliant enough to use my body as a wet hole for their dick. Oh, and the last one really liked it when I cooked.