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)
Afanasiv thought that over. If Justice, the ancient Carpathian demon, had an active mind that required knowledge all the time, he would be desperate to get free. No matter what his original motivation was, he had been behind those gates for centuries. That alone could drive someone mad.
“He doesn’t need to work so hard at Leona’s safeguards,” Petru said. “He knows them. So he’s taking his time unraveling the other three, leaving Leona’s safeguards for last.”
Sorina nodded. “That’s our best guess, and there doesn’t seem to be a way to stop him if we’re right. Gaia asked him, but he goes for long periods of time without speaking. When he does speak, it’s usually only a few words, and then he’s back to pacing away from her.”
Benedek continued to look at her. “Your brothers know you are alive?”
Sorina sent him that same smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “If they knew, I imagine they would have visited some time ago. My father knew I was not suited to be a lifemate. There were things . . .” She broke off and waved her hand as if it didn’t matter. “He told me a woman was needed, someone strong enough to guard without knowing how long that position would last. I volunteered, and he brought me to the palace to meet Vasilisa’s family. They had the tarot deck and took care of any demons slipping through a portal. We made a good team.”
“And your lifemate?” Petru asked. “What of him?”
She tilted her chin. “It isn’t as if I’m wandering around the world. I’m in one place. I suspect if he was going to find me, he would have already. That’s his duty, not mine.”
“Do you mind if I get word to your brothers that you’re alive?” Benedek pushed. “The dead were never spoken of in the old days. They believe you have passed from this world.”
For the first time, a real smile touched her mouth. “I suspect you would let them know I still live no matter what I said.”
Benedek gave a slight bow. “I would stay to persuade you my way is best.”
Afanasiv laughed. He couldn’t help it. “He would, too. Thank you for meeting with us and giving us your opinion. I will be staying here with Vasilisa, but my friends go out in the world to seek their lifemates. We return to the palace so Vasilisa can give them a reading in the hope that the cards reveal more clues to their whereabouts. Would you care to join us?”
Sorina shook her head. “Thank you, but not this time. Perhaps another.”
Afanasiv understood. She was uncomfortable in the company of so many male Carpathians but didn’t want to say so.
“It was good to finally meet you.”
* * *
• • •
Vasilisa sat at the table, with Petru across from her. She liked him. She liked the set of his shoulders and his odd-colored eyes. They looked as if they were liquid silver. His hair was almost silvery-white and long, as the other ancients seemed to wear theirs. It was braided and fell nearly to his waist. It didn’t make him look at all feminine. Mostly, she liked him because he’d been there unfailingly for Afanasiv.
She simply handed him the cards. He took them without hesitation. Instantly, power clashed against power. A fierce storm brewed. Ice and fire clashed. Lightning seemed to fork from the cards, flashes of white reflected in his eyes. Petru was calm, merely shuffling the cards while the storm raged through them and tried to snap at his palms with flashes of lightning.
When the storm had calmed, he divided the deck and set one half aside. From the remaining half, he chose his six cards.
Vasilisa looked at them, butterflies in her stomach. She wanted so much for these men. She wanted to give them something in return for all they’d given Afanasiv, her and her people. She looked his cards over.
“The six of swords is transition, moving from one situation to another, hopefully a better one. The chariot indicates action, travel, forward movement. The seven of swords indicates an element of danger surrounds the issue, and you should plan carefully. The two of cups tells you there is a love connection between two people that will be successful. The magician has the innate capability of showing you the way.” She frowned, waiting for the right reading. “Do you have scars from a particular battle? A map of scars? That battle, those scars, show you the way.” She lifted her gaze to his, but his expression was unreadable. “The three of cups indicates a surprise, a wonderful one. I believe that would be the woman you seek.”
Petru nodded his head. “You have aided me tremendously, sisarke.” He stood and bowed to her before stepping back to allow Benedek to take his place.