Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94823 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 474(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94823 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 474(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Or so my boyfriend tells me.
"Wait here," Hadrian said gruffly after switching off the car's engine.
I watched him walk around the car to get to my side. He looked ruggedly handsome as always, and though I used to go for guys in suits, there was nothing sexier for me nowadays than Hadrian's hoodies and jeans. All black, too, including the umbrella he was holding.
Guys opening doors for girls might be a thing of the past for most, but Hadrian was different. He had always been sweet and charmingly old-fashioned that way, even back when I was a ghost, and I could easily float out of cars and walk under the rain without getting wet.
A woman mustn't ever open her own door when a gentleman was around, the Lord of the Underworld once told me very, very seriously, and if she did, then it only meant her companion was an arse.
A strong gust of wind slapped my face as soon as Hadrian opened the passenger door, but I knew better than to wince. Hadrian could also get really overprotective, and while I found that trait rather endearing, right now it was more imperative he didn't waste time worrying about me.
He had a kingdom to save, and as his (new) Lady, I didn't want to risk having his people to think I was a royal burden in any way.
Rain lashed down at us in large, hard-hitting drops, and the howling winds that whipped about us were frighteningly vicious. There was almost a point I feared it would literally blow me away before we could make it to the bookshop, but Hadrian's arm curved around my waist to anchor me, and it was all good again.
A cozy, wraparound porch welcomed us to the bookshop, and I absently noticed a newly added rocking chair in the corner while I gave my wet hair a little squeeze and shake.
"You okay?" Hadrian asked.
I nodded, and at that time, I meant it. I did feel fine. But when Hadrian received a call from someone named Paul, who then asked for his help to keep Zeus' deadly thunderbolts from randomly killing people—-
"Will you be alright if I leave you here?" Hadrian asked tautly.
"Of course." A total lie, but I had a (future) reputation to uphold. I wanted to be the kind of consort Hadrian would be proud of.
There might come a time when people would ask, Where were you, when Zeus went a few fries short of a Happy Meal? And no way did I want someone to answer, On that day, Hadrian's new LOTUS proved herself to be the world's biggest scaredy-cat.
So with this thought in mind, I gave Hadrian my best big-girl smile. "Don't worry about me."
"I don't think the thunderbolts will make it here, but if something happens, just give me a call—-"
"I have my own powers as your LOTUS," I reminded him.
His lips twitched. "So we're still sticking to that?"
"Never even considered looking for an alternative," I answered airily. "Now go and save humanity." I pretended to shoo him away, but Hadrian only pulled me close with a smile...
And then we were kissing.
The long and slow kind.
Oh.
Wait.
It's hard and deep now.
Toe-curling deep.
And then...nothing.
"Take care, love. Stay safe for me." The words were his favorite way of saying goodbye, but before I could answer, Hadrian was already gone...and my teeth started chattering, the moment I realized I no longer had to fake things.
Because honestly?
I'm terrified out of my wits right now, just completely out of sorts, and feeling like my hormones were all over the place.
What in Hell's name was happening to me?
Horrific scenes from disaster movies started flashing in my mind.
Armageddon.
The Day After Tomorrow.
Interstellar.
Even Riverdale. I mean, if you've watched the show, you know that makes sense. The crime rate in the supposedly idyllic town was horrific, and they had everything from serial killers to gargoyle kings terrorizing the townsfolk. Oh, and let's not forget how almost every resident had at least one murderous secret hidden in their closet, and if they didn't, it only meant their turn to play killer would come next season.
Add all of those things together, and it's kinda obvious, isn't it?
Riverdale is set in post-apocalyptic times, but because CW knows where the money's at, teen drama it is.
But on the other hand...
I started pacing, hoping to distract myself from the boom and flash of thunder and lightning overhead, but since the porch wasn't exactly expansive, it only meant six steps forward and back.
Total, not each.
Archie and company still had it good, I thought gloomily. Since they were just playing make-believe, they only had to bleed fake blood and never had to actually fear for their lives.
Back in the real world, however...
Our villain was an honest-to-goodness Greek god, which meant he could also just as honest-to-goodness kill all of us—-
Boom! Boom! Boom!