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)
“And clearly, I’m upsetting you,” Vasilisa said. “Perhaps it is time for us to leave, Skyler. We did interrupt your meeting, Stepan Belov.”
Skyler set down her teacup and, with a show of reluctance, put the rest of the scone on the painted plate. “Thank you for your hospitality. It was lovely meeting you. I hope to come back when you have time to talk,” she added to Polina. “I really am interested in your recipes and would love to talk about your garden.”
She stood up and made a show of swaying a little, reaching out to catch Vasilisa’s arm for balance.
The men stood as well. “Polina, show the girls the new garden I have been building for you in the back,” Stepan instructed.
Lada made a sound of distress and shook her head adamantly.
“Lada.” Barnabas simply said her name.
Lada put her hand over her mouth, but her eyes, when they met Vasilisa’s, were wild with distress and warning. She had tears spilling over, and twice she gave small shakes of her head.
Vasilisa gave her a reassuring smile and then turned to follow Polina through the hall toward the back of the house.
The men followed behind them in a little procession.
There is no fighting room with Skyler trapped between the demons in the portal and the men of the Sacred Circle. If that isn’t bad enough, Afanasiv, the high mage is bringing up the rear. He would be enough to contend with. Vasilisa sounded worried. There were others in the room when we first arrived. They didn’t show themselves to us, but I knew they were close. I could feel them. We could be in a little bit of trouble.
Woman, really? Do you think I would allow you to be in real danger?
CHAPTER
15
Vasilisa heard the amusement in her lifemate’s voice. Her stomach did a slow roll in response. You are relying on a royal to counter a high mage’s spell.
Naturally. That shouldn’t be a problem for my woman. Saving the day is her specialty. In any case, when the princess goes all royal and warrior woman, it seriously wreaks havoc with my body. In a good way, Afanasiv assured her.
Skyler sighed. You did not just insert sex into this very serious conversation about fighting the high mage, which I’m about to do, and now all I want to do is laugh.
Laughing at the high mage might get your mouth sewn shut, Dimitri cautioned. He’s very sensitive, and I’m fond of your mouth.
“Polina.” Vasilisa spoke very softly as she dropped one hand gently on the woman’s shoulder to halt her progress. “Don’t take one more step.”
Polina stood in the doorway and turned her head to look over her shoulder at Vasilisa. Her eyes shone with a zealot’s fervor. “The greenhouse Stepan is building for me is right over there. Do you see it?” She indicated the long crack that had opened in the backyard.
“Yes, Polina, I see it. I want you to hear me.” Vasilisa spoke low, but her voice changed subtly. It was filled with power, with a bright, hot energy. “We are bound together by the Lycan code. By the earth we guard. It is our sacred duty placed above all else. We are bound together by the code of honor we speak every morning and evening. No constraints are put on us in terms of beliefs of religion, but we always follow the code of the Lycan first. We are individuals. But we are part of the tapestry of the earth and were put here as the guardians. Our lives are intertwined, and each is needed for the other. We believe and live by the code. I am a royal, Princess Vasilisa, and I command each of you to see with the eyes of the Lycan.”
Polina, closest to Vasilisa and the portal, gave a startled gasp and tried to clutch at the royal’s arm. “Get inside. Stepan. Hurry. There’s terrible trouble out here. A crack in the ground has opened, and it’s horrible. Very large. I think I can see red eyes glowing inside of it.” With each word she uttered, the pitch of her tone rose higher and higher until she was shrieking.
The men separating Skyler and Barnabas began talking all at once. Stepan pushed Skyler aside in an effort to get to his wife.
See what I mean? Afanasiv said. It’s sexy when she talks like that.
Afanasiv, Skyler protested.
He has a point, Dimitri weighed in. I love to watch you when you work. It gets me in the mood fast.
Everything gets you in the mood fast. Skyler pretended exasperation. I have to concentrate. I have to keep the high mage’s attention on me. And get these men out of my way.
“Stepan, Polina, take your company into the study, where it is safe,” Vasilisa ordered.
Stepan and his wife immediately rounded up the other members of the Sacred Circle to go to the meeting room.