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)
“I feared it might be,” Benedek said. “Still, I had to ask her. The cards can give insight when needed. I’ve come to believe in them when before I thought they were a child’s game.”
Petru sent him a smile. “I will admit I felt the same.”
Safia returned to the room and took the seat across from Benedek, immediately handing him the deck.
“I thank you, sisarke. I need this information, or I wouldn’t have asked.” Benedek took the cards and began to shuffle before she could reply.
He seemed to be more careful and meticulous, as if he were handpicking his cards, although that would be impossible. He divided the deck into thirds, laid each stack precisely and then drew a card from each pile, leaving them face down on the table.
“I’ve asked my questions.”
“Turn them over.”
Benedek looked at the cards for what seemed several minutes before he turned the first one over slowly, then the second and third. Safia took a long breath and let it out. Petru could have sworn her face paled. He moved closer to the back of her chair and wrapped his long fingers around the tops of her shoulders while pouring strength into her mind.
Tell him, sívamet. He already knows or he wouldn’t have risen this early and insisted on leaving now, when he knows he still needs the healing earth. Anything you give him will help.
The room remained eerily silent. At some point during Tomas’ reading, Amastan and Izem had joined them, but they stayed in the back of the family room and were quiet, listening to Safia’s interpretation of the cards for their Carpathian allies.
“There is trouble coming from every direction. Above. Below. East, north, west, and south. I see injuries. Chaos. There is no one to trust but those you bring with you.”
Safia hunched over the table to study the three cards as if, by staring at them, she could discern so much more. Find more details for him.
“Benedek, our world appears to be shaky and under attack from all directions. It isn’t just your lifemate in danger. It could be all of us.”
“The answer to my second question?” he persisted, his voice calm and steady, strictly neutral.
Petru felt her heartbeat accelerate, but she forced it under control.
“The cards say you have a chance to get to her. Follow your instincts. Trust yourself. Trust your brethren. No one else,” she emphasized again. “Only those you know to be true friends.”
Benedek nodded. “Thank you, sisarke.” He put his palms on the table to push up.
She laid her hand over his. “I thought we should stay here, but I think you have more need of us with you.”
Benedek shook his head. “I believe Justice is going to make his try, and we don’t yet know which gate he will choose. He’s powerful, and he will create chaos. He was a brilliant man. A brilliant tactician. And now he’s a cunning beast. He has an escape plan that he’s been working on for centuries. If he’s about to implement it, every gate must be guarded. You and Petru are needed here.”
Safia removed her hand and stood as he did.
Amastan and Izem came forward. “You fought beside us, Benedek,” Amastan said. “We would go with you now and aid you. Safia and Petru along with Zdan and Lunja will be fine caring for the farm. The others will be given a choice to stay or help you.”
Benedek stepped forward to grip Amastan’s forearms in the way of respect from one Carpathian warrior to another. “Thank you for the offer. You may be needed here. If Justice attempts to break free here, few, if any, will be able to stop him. Be safe. I am honored to have fought beside you.”
Benedek did the same with Izem. Nicu followed suit.
Petru faced Benedek. They’d been together for centuries, watching each other’s backs, ensuring they stayed strong and never breaking the code. “It feels wrong that I won’t be there to fight for your lifemate.”
“I know this is how it has to be,” Benedek assured him, gripping his arms tightly. “Stay strong. We will meet again soon.”
Petru nodded, unable to say what was in his heart. He regarded Benedek as a brother, and letting him go into a nightmare situation without backing him up was difficult. He understood that if Justice chose the gate in Dellys to attack, he would be needed to try to stop him, but he also knew Benedek was heading straight into trouble.
They said their goodbyes, and through it all, Petru found that having emotions wasn’t always a good thing. Aura transferred the map in her head to Benedek and the others so they knew the exact location of the fourth gate.
There was a long silence after the Carpathians left. Safia turned to Petru and wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning her body into his. He knew she was comforting him, not the other way around.