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)
They were approaching the cabin. The dead bodies of the demons were nothing but ashes lying in the snow not far from the cabin steps. Afanasiv was an elite hunter. He would be able to read exactly what took place without her having to confess a thing. He was asking her out of courtesy.
I’d prefer to show you the images, Siv. I don’t come off looking very intelligent. I took Odessa at face value instead of paying closer attention and really watching her every move.
Afanasiv was silent as he studied the replay Vasilisa had stored in the memories of her encounter with the demons. I would say you did very well, considering restocking the cabin was already expected. Not certain where you want to go from here, my lady.
He moved swiftly over the ashes and began unraveling the safeguards surrounding the cabin. Once inside the cabin, his spirit traveled straight to his body. He’d been away from his physical body far too long, and he needed to allow himself time to reorient himself. Unfortunately, Gaia couldn’t handle fifteen demons on her own. Andros and Grigor would fight to the death, but they wouldn’t win against demons without the proper tools. Afanasiv didn’t know how experienced they were in fighting demons. He wasn’t going to take chances with his lifemate’s brothers.
“You want to sit this one out, sívamet? I would be grateful.” He didn’t make it a command. His woman didn’t react well to commands. She had to make her own choices. He was coming to understand that his need to protect her was bound to be in a constant war with his need to make her happy.
She came across the room to stand in front of the cot where he sat. Her hands framed his face, crystal-blue eyes looking down into his. “You know I cannot. These are demons we face. I am the most experienced out of the royals at demon killing. I can open the portals and consecrate the ground, closing it off so they cannot escape from the underworld. You know I am needed. I was taught from birth that this is my destiny, my role. You are a hunter of the vampire. I am a hunter of the demon. Just as what you are is embedded deep, so is my legacy embedded deep within me. I will get my energy back quickly.”
He had known what her answer would be. Still, a part of him had hoped. “We have to get back now, Vasilisa. Who knows how many Lilith can muster quickly? Once she realizes which way her prisoners have gone, she will send as many of her demons as she can to retrieve them. The sun is rising, and I will have to go to ground. She is aware of that, as well—that you will have little help during the daylight hours.”
Vasilisa stepped back to give him room to stand. “I suspect she is wrong about that, Afanasiv.”
He arched an eyebrow at her in inquiry.
“Tell me you are not capable of walking in sunlight if you have to,” she challenged.
“Why do you think that I can?” His tone was curious.
“I just have this feeling,” she countered. “You cannot lie to your lifemate. Can you be out in sunlight?”
His impossibly long lashes swept down and then up again, lending him a softer look as he gave her a slightly mischievous grin. Her heart did a funny little somersault and sped up. “Can’t everyone?” He took her hand and led her back outside. At once he dropped her hand and launched himself into the air, shifting into the body of an owl, wings straining to gain altitude fast.
“Show-off,” she muttered, but found she was laughing. How could she not when being with Afanasiv was fun, even under these circumstances? There was no leaping into the air and shifting for her, although she was tempted to try it. Lycans were capable of tremendous vertical leaps. She was going to practice the minute she had time. She would not be outdone by him.
His laughter was low and played along her spine, scattering goose bumps over her skin. She stood on the railing of the porch, took a little hop as she shifted, holding the image of the owl in her mind as feathers broke out over her body.
She noted the male turned in a circle above her, waiting for her to complete her metamorphosis before he rushed off to aid her siblings. Clearly, she was his first concern. While she did want him to save her brothers, she couldn’t help the thrill that ran through her bloodstream at the idea that he would put her first. In her life, no one, not even her parents, had ever done that.
Once in the air, the two owls flew fast together to the small portal where her brothers waited with their women and Gaia. When that door was opened, it would alert the commander of the demons, and those demons lounging would come to full attention and do their best to kill the escapees.