Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 128061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
I had no idea where it came from, but I felt a smile bud. And then stretch. I knew the sentiment didn’t reach my eyes.
I let the words come slowly.
“You think my silence can be bought?” I shook my head. “I’ll tell you what. You keep those guardians. Send them to your production cairns and batten down your hatches, because I am going to show up with my shifters and take or destroy everything you own. They’ll beg me to take their affiliation when I’m done just so they can have their equipment back. You think plenty of warning is enough to defend against me in a raid? Think again. I’ll crack your whole world wide open and show you how your name fits your personality, Withor. Now get off my property before I lose my temper and make you call me ma’am.”
He didn’t budge for a moment, staring me down. Slowly, though, as if it greatly pained him, he took a step back. Then he turned, fists tight, and took the two steps down to the walkway.
“Who will you tell?” he asked stoically, not looking back.
“You will send the woman and the child to me,” I told him. “I’ll ensure they are looked after. I don’t want her to have a fatal accident, since I know how those accidents tend to happen under your leadership. I won’t allow the child to become an orphan. If you do that, I won’t let this information slip. However, leave here knowing that I have a lot of proof that would call your leadership into question. If you’re thinking of setting up a smear campaign against me, you’d better think again. You’re outgunned in every way. I’m more than happy to prove it, but I doubt you’d want me to. Do we understand each other?”
Once again, he didn’t speak for a long moment. His body stayed tense. Finally, though, he cracked his neck and started forward.
“Understood.” He climbed into his Mercedes before screeching away.
I let out a shaky breath, adrenaline coursing through me. The door opened behind me. Patty and Mr. Tom were still standing there. They’d clearly been listening through the door.
“So…that didn’t go very well,” I said softly, turning toward them.
“For him, no it did not,” Mr. Tom said stiffly. “Calling him master—as if you would ever!” His wings fluttered. “No, miss, that would be preposterous. How dare he!”
“You hear some stories,” Patty said, “and you think to yourself, That can’t be true. No one is that evil and ruthless. Not to mention that dense!” She shook her head and tsked. “He didn’t even bother denying it. I can’t believe it.”
“Maybe that gift basket thing was a mistake,” I murmured, heading into the kitchen. I needed some chocolate.
“You heard how he addressed you,” Patty said, following me closely. “I hate to say it, but he wasn’t ever going to be your biggest fan.” She shook her head when we reached the island. “I have no idea why. He didn’t know anything about you. He still doesn’t.”
“He knows I’m in league with shifters,” I said, breaking off a square of Godiva from a bar on the counter. “And he hinted that I should have guardians to form a cairn, which I technically don’t if Nathanial and Ulric and the others don’t count. I don’t have the set up to impress him.”
“Hmm.” Patty broke off a square as well. “Unfortunately, that is probably true. But! He’s always been a curmudgeonly sort of leader. I think I must’ve mentioned that before, haven’t I? I’m sure I have. And he had the worst secret out of all of them. Being exposed would make anyone grumpy. We still have hope with the others. They’ll be in better moods, I’m sure. There are still three more. You only need one to like you! Just one!”
I sat down at the island as I felt Austin heading my way. He’d been downtown, probably in the bar, so it wouldn’t take him long.
“All things considered, I think you handled that beautifully,” Patty said, taking out her phone and laying it on the island. “Just like a female gargoyle should’ve.” She set her hands on the island. “I just cannot believe his leadership is sprinkled with so many dirty deeds. I mean the”—she did bunny ears with her fingers—“‘accidental deaths’ used to happen more back in the day, but that practice has gone out of favor. Hard to put faith in a leader who kills off anyone who disagrees. It’s not the epitome of stable, I’ll say that much.”
Mr. Tom put some lemonade in front of me. “A little sugar will help with the come-down of adrenaline.”
Patty tsked and shook her head. Then threw up her hands. “Well, I have to tell someone something! I can’t just not say anything about all of this. He’s too good at keeping secrets. The community has a right to know.”