Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66383 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66383 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
“You want to do it now?” I ask Max.
He simply nods.
I hear footsteps and see all the guards are now here. Glancing around, I take a deep breath. What if I fuck this up and kill everyone?
“You won’t kill anyone,” Max says, as if reading my mind.
“Max, I don’t know…” I shake my head. Someone grunts at the sound of my words, but neither of us pays any attention.
“You let her call you that? You just stand there and let her call you Max?” Levy shrieks.
“Levy, now is not the time,” Max replies.
She throws her hands up in the air. “I think now is the time. You have everyone who lives here in this village in attendance. We should vote. We should get a say in this. Our opinion matters too.”
Max stands, and he seems taller than almost everyone here. Actually, maybe he is.
“You wish to disobey me?” he asks darkly. And it’s then I see a different side of him. He is usually calm and relaxed. But now, his back is straight, form intimidating, and his jaw is set in a hard line. His hands clench at his sides.
When I look past him to Levy, I watch as she changes. She doesn’t change into just anyone, though. No, she picks me. The crowd gasps as she starts to speak. “Is this what you want? I can be this for you, King Maxilliam. Or do you prefer Max now?”
“Levy, I’ve let enough slide. You will change back right now and get rid of this thing you have going on.”
“It was me you were meant to choose. Why do you let this abomination get away with so much?”
“Levy, change and stop! Now!” I feel her eyes shift to me. They lock on as she stalks past Max and straight in my direction. She gets close and drops down, so we are eye-to-eye.
“You can’t have him. He was never yours. Everything was perfect until you came along.”
“Was it, though? Has he kissed you, Levy?” I taunt, because I can’t help myself. I watch as my mouth on her face turns into a sneer. Ewww, do I look like that when I’m angry?
“Die, witch!” She transforms back into herself and pulls a knife from her pants, raising it above me. I manage to catch it mid-air while my other hand comes up and lands on her bare shoulder. I start taking power from her, and her eyes go wide as she drops the knife. Then I feel her weaken, so I release her and step back. She falls to the ground, landing like a piece of shit.
“Talia.” I turn to see Max, and I smile up at him.
“She has some juice, but not quite like yours.”
“You allow this?” Levy gasps, hardly able to move from the ground. “You let her harm your people.”
“You attempted to kill her, Levy. We all saw it,” Adam says.
Max looks at him and nods. “Please remove Levy and hold her back while we work.” He shifts his attention to where she’s slumped on the ground. “You are coming with us, no matter how mad I am at you right now. Even though you defy me, I will not leave you here.”
“You should,” Levy says.
I start to laugh, and Max steps forward, his hand resting on my hip to steady me. “Your eyes. Why do they do that?” he questions, his gaze searing.
“Who knows.” I find myself leaning into him, resting my head on his shoulder. “Are they pretty, though?”
“Yes,” he replies in a low voice that only I can hear. I smile into his chest as I feel Alan approach.
“It is time, miss.”
I offer Alan my hand, and he takes it, helping me back to the bench. Alan leans in and says, “I’ve seen you before, miss. You truly are remarkable.”
“You’ve seen me?” I ask.
“Yes, when you were born. All us seers had a vision of you. Of what you would become.”
I didn’t know this. How could nobody have told me this before now?
“I’m sorry you got sent here,” I reply.
“I’m not, miss. It has been an honor knowing you all.” He bows his head. “May I touch you?” I nod, and he places his hands on my head. It’s soothing, and I close my eyes for a brief second before I open them to smile up at him. “That was calming.”
“Thank you.” He removes his hands, and I look at Max.
“Are you ready?” he asks, stepping closer.
“I think you should sit on the ground. What if you fall when I take your power?”
“I appreciate your concern, but I am stronger than you think.”
“I can taste how strong you are, Max.” I grin up at him. “At least sit next to me.” He does, and I reach for his hand. “What if I try to kiss you again?” I ask him in a small voice.