Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107619 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107619 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
You are the only one I trust, Emma. But I will do as you ask.
Thank you, Zohr. I—
“Hurting?” Old Jerry asks, distracting me.
“Huh? What?” I blink at him, trying to focus.
“You’re frowning. Your head hurting you?”
“No, I feel much better,” I tell him, clutching my blankets tighter to my chest. It’s not a hundred percent the truth, but I do feel much better than yesterday, and I’ve got a lot to do. “I’d like to get back to work in the kitchens, if that’s not a problem.”
“You sure?” He gives me a long, hard look. “Still seem kind of…” He shrugs.
“I still seem kind of what?” I prompt when he goes quiet.
Old Jerry shrugs. “Out of it. Distracted. If you need to sleep another day, I’ll tell Azar and the others you’ve got the plague or some shit. For the right price, of course. You got more of those granola bars?”
“I have two more in my bag, and I promise I’m fine,” I tell him with an over-bright, fake smile. “Nothing a good breakfast won’t fix.”
“Shame you’re with this crew, then. A good breakfast ain’t something you get around here unless your name’s Azar.” He gives a phlegmy laugh at his own joke.
I laugh along with him, even though I don’t find it all that funny.
Is he bothering you?
No, but you are! Can you be quiet for two seconds so I can think?
Only two seconds? Not much thinking.
I snort aloud at that, and when Old Jerry gives me a weird look, I slide my legs over the side of the bed. “Let me get you those bars.”
9
EMMA
I wipe my watering eyes as I flip a pancake over the makeshift grill set up in the kitchen. The smell of my rose perfume seems exceptionally strong today, and it’s so bad that it’s destroying my sinuses. I used a lot of it. A hell of a lot. I can’t afford to run into Azar and have him suspect anything, and if Zohr’s right and my scent is off, Azar’s sure to notice.
The other ladies give me weird looks in the kitchen as we work. Carol’s doing her best to stand far away from me, and when I hand her the plate of food and ask her to take it out to Azar, she looks relieved to get out of the kitchen and away from my stench.
That’s all right, though. Let them think I’m stinky. I have other things to focus on. Zohr’s still in my head—I don’t know if he’ll ever be out of my head, to be honest—but he’s being quiet, and I wonder if he’s sleeping.
Just observing.
Guess not. We need to think about a plan to get you out of here. How is—
Carol returns a moment later, a troubled look on her face. “Hey, Emma? Azar said he wants to see you.”
“Me?” The word comes out as a squeak. Sometimes I bring Azar his food, and sometimes I let the others do it. He’s never asked to see me specifically, though, and I’m a little worried. “Did he say what he wants?”
“No.” She moves to the sink and begins to wash the dishes busily, as if making eye contact with me will get her in trouble.
Well, shit. Do you think he knows? I ask Zohr.
That we are mates? If he cannot smell it on you, I do not see how. Should I connect my mind to his and—
No, I tell him quickly. Sasha was very adamant about keeping Dakh away from Azar, and even though I don’t know a lot about dragon communication, I’m guessing that if they connect minds, it’ll be a bad thing. Just talk to me, okay?
That will be a pleasure. Come sit with me, if you cannot free me. I wish to see your face.
I want to, but I have to go see what Azar wants.
Tell me if he touches you, comes the startlingly possessive thought. You are mine, and if he even tries to sniff you, I will rend him limb from limb.
I thought you were going to do that anyhow? I tease, trying to keep the mood light instead of bloodthirsty.
I am. I am just curious if I need to do it fast or slow.
I laugh, because for some reason, his wry response makes me smile. I have very few things to smile about lately, it seems. I’m still smiling when I exit the kitchen and head into the dining room. The moment the door swings shut behind me, though, it feels as if all the air is sucked out of the room.
Azar sits alone. He stares in my direction with cold, narrowed eyes, and I feel goosebumps crawl up my spine. No sunglasses today. I wonder if that’s a bad sign? I’m too far away from him for my scent to carry, aren’t I? I keep the calm, take-no-shit expression on my face, but inside I’m freaking out.