Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44450 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44450 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
As I ventured through the woods toward the mountains, I left the stones near trees I passed to make a makeshift trail. No one else would notice it but me. I didn’t like keeping secrets from the boys, but there were some things that I needed to keep to myself. It was safer that way.
When I reached the edge of the woods near the base of the mountains, I dug a hole in the ground near a tree for a hiding spot, making sure the stones led me to that exact tree. I didn’t need to lose it. It was my final card to play, and I needed all of the moves I could play to win this fight.
CHAPTER 16
BIBA
With noon looming just ahead of us, the four of us headed to Stormcloud. There was tension in the air as we all remained quiet for the majority of the journey, eyes locked ahead of us. There was no need to speak because we were all thinking about the same thing.
This could be the start of the end. We could take down Arvo and reclaim Stormcloud if things went right, but that came down to luck. We had to be very lucky for that victory to land in our lap.
There was a chance that we wouldn’t make it back to the cottage as a foursome. Everyone’s lives were in danger the closer we got to Stormcloud, but none of us were backing down. We were too invested in this fight. Each of us had been affected by Arvo in some way, and it was time to put him in his place.
Theo carried a rifle that he purchased in Wachsbrunnen. He and Sol would watch the courtyard from a distance in case there was an ambush, and there was no telling what would happen the moment Zephyr and I stepped into the courtyard. We were going in blind.
“Right here should be good,” Theo said as he crouched near a bus. He could see the courtyard from that position, and he and Sol could hide if need be.
I wrapped my arms around Theo in a tight hug, hoping that this wasn’t the last time I would see us all together. Last night, we’d all bonded, and it was one of the best nights of my life. I wanted to be able to experience another one after all of this was over.
“Be careful,” I told Sol before hugging him. “Please.”
Sol kissed me on the forehead before nodding.
“You two be careful too,” he told Zephyr and me.
“See you on the other side,” Zephyr smirked, trying to lighten the tension. There was enough to suffocate us. He motioned for me to follow him toward Stormcloud.
“Are you scared?” I asked him.
Zephyr glanced over at me.
“I’m just ready for this to be over with,” he replied. “I’m ready for you to be completely safe.”
My face softened. They were all so protective over me. I hoped they knew that I was just protective of them, and that I would do anything in my power to protect them from harm. If Arvo went down, we would all be much safer.
“Let’s end this,” I replied. I had no doubt that Arvo would show his face one way or another. It was too good of an opportunity for him to miss, and we were ready for him.
Zephyr and I strode onto Stormcloud’s property and made our way to the courtyard, seeing Schmidt emerge from the other side. He looked tense and exhausted with dark circles under his eyes. He looked noticeably pale too, like he hadn’t gotten enough sunlight in the last few weeks.
“Make this quick,” Schmidt murmured as he glanced around warily.
“Did you know that the Kings’ fathers were involved in this ploy?” I asked him, wondering how much he kept from me. Honestly, I hardly needed him for information anymore. I had gathered all the pieces along the way. All he was to me was bait for Arvo.
Schmidt narrowed his eyes at me.
“You’re the one who called me here. You have to give me something,” Schmidt snapped at me. “I’m the one risking my life here.”
“We’re all at risk as long as Arvo is in control,” Zephyr told him. “He knows that you went to Geneva to hide the money.”
“Of course. Arvo and his little birds know everything,” Schmidt muttered bitterly. “I’m not stupid. I know he always has eyes on me.”
“Is all of the money in Geneva?” Zephyr asked him.
Schmidt scoffed at Zephyr.
“I don’t owe you any information,” he replied before looking at me. “My deal is with her.”
“When Peter and Edward blackmailed you with my life, you didn’t care,” I murmured as I glared at him. He didn’t even care that he had a deal with me. He was too worried about saving his own skin. He didn’t even care about his students. He only cared about the money he took from the Kings.