Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 141492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
“They shouldn’t be able to come through the ground on the farm. They might be able to access it from another direction, but all of you wove safeguards, so I’d be surprised.”
“Look everywhere, not just the farm. We protected the farm, but it was impossible to lock down the entire city. Once we’re married and you have the shifting down, we can investigate the city thoroughly.”
She was uncomfortable with the idea that Lilith could send her spies into the city, and she hadn’t been as vigilant as she should have been. Petru had taken to the air. As he told her, he went very slowly.
No one can see us? She needed reassurance.
No. Now that she was using the more intimate form of communication, she was opening the door between them even more. She really enjoyed being in the sky, but she was concerned about the city’s occupants and their businesses.
I want to practice shifting, Petru, but I’d like to go into Dellys and look around if you wouldn’t mind. It’s extremely important to me. I don’t just defend my family.
He didn’t make the mistake of hesitating. His brethren had checked the city many times for signs of vampires and Lilith’s demons. Aura had as well. They had not found any indication that the city had been penetrated. Aura had made it plain to them that Safia had a sixth sense about demons and spies that she didn’t, even though she was Carpathian. His brethren were skeptical, but Petru was in Safia’s mind, and he caught many small suggestions that she did exactly as Aura said.
You don’t need to convince me, Ku Tappa Kulyak. You are the demon slayer. If you must investigate, then we will do so.
I suddenly have this feeling.
Safia had trailed off, but he was solidly in her mind, and he caught a coiling pressure beginning to surface. The sensation was vague at first, barely there, but Petru felt the heaviness in her growing and spreading as they approached the harbor town.
Petru stayed low enough that he could easily see the more modern buildings surrounding the Casbah of Dellys. The fortress was over a thousand years old, a beautiful walled-in city, historically preserved and thriving.
Go toward the main road where the tourist section is.
Safia had ceased being polite or worrying about whether she would offend Petru. She had slipped into the mode of huntress and had become the defender of her people. Her entire being was set on ferreting out the spy. She knew there was one hiding among the people she loved so much.
Petru found her utterly fascinating. Her brain worked at an astonishing speed. Her vision and hearing were extremely acute. She didn’t seem to notice the change in the way she expanded every sense.
She hissed a denial. Oh no. I should have known.
What is it? Petru felt the increase in the coiling pressure she felt. She was like a laser, locked on to a target. He sealed himself to that beam and followed the trail. A line of vehicles was parked around a very modern restaurant located right above the harbor. It was in a prime location. On the side overlooking the harbor was a canopied deck with several tables and benches. The front of the building had large glass windows, and inside, at least ten men were gathered around a large glowing firepit.
Lilith preys on weakness. On what people want the most.
Yes, he agreed.
Aabis Kalaz owns the restaurant. He’s a good, hardworking man. He supports his parents and sisters. Unfortunately, he’s asked Jeddi and Baba several times if he could marry me. He was told I was already promised to someone else, but when you didn’t come, I don’t think he believed them.
You believe this spy has been sent to turn him against your family.
I know it is so, she stated. I will need my things to send the demon back to her or destroy it. I usually keep my weapons with me at all times.
Show them to me in detail.
Safia did without hesitation. While she did, she was still concentrating on those inside the restaurant. The weapons were so much a part of her, she didn’t have to think about them as she built the images of them in her mind. The descriptions were so vivid and real that her long hooded coat with the many loops and pockets was suddenly on her, filled with everything she carried with her, including her emergency medical supplies.
Thank you, Petru.
He didn’t point out that she had been the one to call her weapons to her. His lifemate was more than extraordinary, and she wasn’t in the least aware of it. His heart swelled with pride for her.
HOPE. POTENTIAL. FUTURE.
CHAPTER
16
Petru. There wasn’t panic in Safia’s voice, but something quite close to it. They have Charif.
He knew that had been her greatest fear. The boy was indomitable and very curious. They had safeguarded the farm, but that didn’t mean those living there couldn’t come and go as they pleased. Charif was known for sneaking out. He had Safia’s personality when she’d been young. Curious and not one to acknowledge authority.