Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 40050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 200(@200wpm)___ 160(@250wpm)___ 134(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 200(@200wpm)___ 160(@250wpm)___ 134(@300wpm)
It seems just then that Grace looks down at her outfit and realizes she’s going on camera in sweatpants and a simple gray T-shirt. Lizzie is just as casual in worn, faded jeans and a blush tank top. Both of their faces fresh, without an ounce of makeup on.
From one event to the next, they’re thrown into it with no warning. Grace’s unease comes and goes quickly as she squares her shoulders. I don’t miss Devin’s hand squeezing hers either.
Alec hands Carol a mic that she immediately turns on and taps lightly. The sound vibrates through the room, making her smile. There’s an innocence in Carol that hundreds of decades of violence have yet to break.
“There’s a five-second delay in case we need to cut the feed.” Alec speaks only to Carol as he gets behind the camera. “We’re live in three, two …” He finishes by mouthing one.
“Hello, Carol.” We hear a woman’s voice from the screen.
“Hi, Amber. How are you this evening?” Carol’s sweet voice takes on an edge of professionalism. It’s her mask for the humans. Far less theatrical. She’s the Authority’s PR dream.
“We’re all a bit anxious over here to see the state of Elizabeth Weatherly and Grace Windom. I can see they’re sitting with you now. Is that right?” The news anchor’s dress shirt remains stiff when she leans in slightly, as if she could get a better view. Her anxiousness is more than obvious and the back of my neck heats with a tingle.
“They are. I can assure you that I was just as anxious watching the offering of Shadow Falls as it aired on the news and saw the clips that were shared on social media. The Authority was prepared to take action and mete out justice had the werewolves of Shadow Falls violated the law. We will always honor our pact with the human nation. However, we have no desire to interfere in this case. As you can see, both humans are doing well. The Authority’s investigation has determined that no laws were broken.”
“Carol, I have to ask. Why is it that there was such a difference at this offering? We’re given so little information that the sight of the Shadow Falls incident was very disturbing for the human population.” The anchor drops her tone, matching the somber expression on her face when she adds, “It reminded us all of much darker times.”
“As we promised years ago when we formed our alliance, we will not allow supernatural beings to harm humans that reside in areas of treaties.” Carol answers with an air of authority and confidence. “Unfortunately, this offering was different due to the mistraining of a wolf. The werewolf collecting Elizabeth Weatherly was given poor advice on how to handle humans. As you can imagine, a paranormal being’s touch can be intimidating and forceful.” Carol turns in her seat to face Lizzie and tells her, “I can only imagine how scared you were.” Her eyes and tone turn sympathetic. “Would you like to tell us how you were feeling during the offering?”
A chill spreads through me and I swear my heart stops. The gulp of Lizzie’s swallow is audible.
Lizzie’s arms wrap around her midsection as she answers, nodding her head. “I wasn’t so much scared as I was shocked when he grabbed me. I wasn’t expecting it and then … Without knowing what would happen, I reacted without thinking.” Her voice is small but firm. She tacks on an apology. “I’m sorry.” The shock I feel in this moment is genuine.
It takes everything in me not to comfort her, not to tell her she has no reason to be sorry.
“Stay still.” Devin’s command comes with a force that bows my head. Gritting my teeth, I shut down every emotion. “We’re live,” he reminds me.
“And how were you feeling, Miss Windom?”
The attention moves to Grace, all of our eyes on her. “I was startled and genuinely scared for Lizzie. She’s been my friend for as long as I can remember. She obviously wasn’t okay.” Grace’s eyes find Lizzie’s and she squeezes her hand. “My reaction was purely one of trying to help a friend.”
“How are the two of you feeling today? Now that you’ve had time to adjust.”
Lizzie and Grace both smile sweetly into the camera. “Oh, much better,” Grace answers with a hint of comedic flare that seems to resonate with the anchor. Her lips turn up slightly. “We’re much better today.” Grace answers for them both.
“I can’t tell you two enough how much the nation is relieved to see that you’re happy and well.” Carol faces the camera again. “Do you have any more questions for us, Amber?”
The woman on the screen doesn’t hesitate to ask, her words rushed, “What is the purpose of the offering? For what reason were they taken?”