Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 145341 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 727(@200wpm)___ 581(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145341 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 727(@200wpm)___ 581(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
Let me take a look at it. Afanasiv moved right up against his lifemate, so close he could inhale and take her into his lungs if he had them. He was only molecules. The sitting room window was cracked open, the tiny slit allowing fresh air to circulate in the room. For what purpose? He was certain Barnabas was aware of the breach of safety. He had to have either allowed it or orchestrated it.
“Yes, the flowers are exotic and would never survive our extreme cold,” Stepan advised her, pride in his voice. “Polina had to study each of the exotics and learn what they needed to thrive. It took a great deal of time and effort.”
I will take on the safety issues while you see to the tracker the mage put under the royal’s skin, Benedek instructed.
He is up to something, Petru reported. There is activity at the portal. A five-man team of demons awaits at the entrance.
Afanasiv considered what that meant. Describe them to me.
As he waited for Petru to give him the description, he moved to the left side of his lifemate to study her cheek. She had gorgeous skin. Almost luminous. Her complexion was smooth and very pale, almost alabaster, as she rarely saw the sun. Her long, feathery eyelashes and mass of sable hair appeared even darker, contrasting with the tone of her skin. Then there was the color of her eyes. They could go a deep royal blue, like now, or a light, almost crystalline blue that seemed to pierce one’s soul.
“Was this a joint project? The various shelves made from rock and wood are beautiful and really seem to showcase each species of flower,” Skyler said. “I especially love the ones that are grouped around the little waterfall. Those rocks look so natural.”
Stepan’s chest expanded. “Polina must take the credit for all the work with the flowers. She is the one who manages to get them to thrive. She tells me what environment she needs, and I provide it for her. That is very little to contribute.” He spoke modestly, but the underlying tone was definitely a brag.
Both women immediately exclaimed over the rock shelving and wooden settings.
The demons are fierce in appearance, with massive bodies in that they are dense. Each has four horns, two on the front of their skulls and two larger ones in the back, but up on top of their heads. The horns have very wicked points.
Afanasiv feared he knew the five demons already, before Petru was finished describing them. In the hierarchy of demons, these five were at the top for a very good reason. They rarely failed when a prisoner fled. They were sent after escapees Lilith wanted back at any cost. If they couldn’t return them, she wanted the prisoners killed and the bodies brought to her. That was the usual state of any escapee she set the team on.
Their heads are very large and look heavy, the jaws extended in order to accommodate their teeth. They have more teeth than can fit into their mouth, so no lips, just curved, spiked teeth that look as if they can do a lot of damage. The forehead clearly has a bony plate between the horns. Lots of hair.
Afanasiv studied the tiny flaw that was under his lifemate’s skin. It showed itself the way a blackhead might appear, although this moved in tiny increments. At first, he could barely tell that the thing was attempting a migration. When it moved, Vasilisa would put her hand to her cheek and rub or scratch over the spot with a long fingernail. Each time she did, Barnabas’s gaze would jump to her, his eyes almost glowing. The tiny creature would stop moving, and Vasilisa would drop her hand and continue the conversation as if nothing had happened.
These demons are taller than some I’ve seen. Deep chests, strong arms, big thighs. They have claws, but their hands work, just that they have fingernails that look more like a cat’s hooked claws. I think they’re venomous, Petru continued.
Afanasiv knew they were. That is one of Lilith’s most lethal teams right there. They are considered elite even in the underworld. If any other demon comes upon one, they step aside for them instantly. If they don’t, the elite will kill them without a second thought. They are venomous. Behind all those teeth is a long tongue. It looks like a snake when it unfolds and it drips venom. It’s spotted purple and will strike just as if it were a snake. Their bite is poisonous. Their claws are. Even their horns are, if they gore you.
Lovely, Petru said. How do you kill them?
Under their arms, in the armpit, and if they open their mouth to use their tongue, you can fire into the back of their throat. The eyes. If you notice, they wear protective eye gear. It’s for a reason. They have body armor, so it is pretty difficult anywhere else, but their eyes are very vulnerable if you can strip away the eye gear. Their eyes bulge in the sunlight. Or any light if you shine it directly at them. The protective shield over the lens of their eyes doesn’t help them much, Afanasiv explained.