Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 112089 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 560(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 374(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112089 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 560(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 374(@300wpm)
He turned to the book and randomly traced a line down the page with his finger.
“Though I guess I should have,” he mumbled, “since I can’t take down a phoenix, and he managed to. I thought that was all physical ability, but no, his physical power manifests into the ability to combat spell work. Or at least resist it.” He dropped his hand again. “I had no idea. I know for a fact that none of the other mages are aware of that possibility. How could they be from their positions hiding behind mercenaries? They attack from a distance. Momar has no idea what’s coming for him. No idea. I’ve had to completely rework all my plans. I’m now way behind…” His voice trailed off, and he looked at nothing for a while.
“Okay, let’s…” I stepped away from the book stand, giving myself a little space. “Let’s just unpack this a little more slowly, okay? First, you need sleep. You look and sound like a mad scientist.”
Sebastian blinked at me. “Probably, yeah. I get a little intense when I have a major problem that doesn’t want to be solved.”
“Right. Except it does want to be solved. I’ll help you. Together, we can figure it out—”
“I love you.” His smile was grateful. Then it slipped. “In a way your large boyfriend won’t be mad at, I mean. You’re so lovely and helpful—”
“But we need to back up,” I interrupted, laughing. I’d never seen him like this. “You were saying I was too honest and kindhearted, and then you mentioned Austin. Let’s finish that train of thought.”
“Oh, right, yeah.” He pointed at my mug. “Are you going to finish that? I could use it.”
I frowned at him but handed it over. I needed the caffeine too, but I was half worried he’d start crying if I said no.
“Austin is the ultimate alpha. I think we can all agree on that,” Sebastian said. “And he wants to succeed where his brother failed and bring the shifters together to stand against the mages. Noble plan…” He raised a finger, then tilted his head. “You know what, I bet Edgar is so odd because he doesn’t sleep much. He just randomly says creepy things and messes up names and stuff. That’s not normal, even for a really old vampire.” He paused to drink the coffee, downing it incredibly fast. “Is it normal? I confess, I don’t know any really old vampires.”
I clapped my hands. “Focus, buddy. Focus, and then bedtime.”
Sebastian shrugged and set the second empty mug to the side. “I just need more caffeine. Sometimes, the best answers come when I’ve been up for days.” He held up a finger again. “Anyway, Austin plans to unite the shifters, as you know, and many will go along with that because there is power in numbers. But some of the packs won’t want to be ruled. And while that might be fine, what if the people in power are corrupt or violent or just plain bad for the people in their pack? What are the odds that Austin will let them stay in charge?”
“Zero. Because if he doesn’t help the people trapped there, I will.”
He pointed at me. “Exactly. Actually, that’s an even better point. How are they going to react to you, a gargoyle, sticking your nose into shifter affairs?”
“I don’t need to be one of their kind to help them.”
“The people in danger aren’t the ones in power. Anyone with something to lose will push back. And they might not do it by challenging you or Austin. What I’m trying to get at is that I don’t just need to figure this out for myself, but for you. They might try to catch you in the shadows, like mages do. If it’s just one or two of them, you’d win, no question. But at a certain point, numbers will win.”
“I have wings. I can fly out.”
Sebastian blinked rapidly. “Yes. This is true. Let’s hope you can carry me. But what if you’re inside or trapped somewhere or… I don’t know. What if you can’t? Or what if I’m the one who’s surrounded? We need to prepare to protect ourselves against that sort of attack. We have shields for magical attacks, but we’re less prepared for attacks that combine a physical charge with magical resistance.”
I put up my hands. “We have a lot of time to think about this. We’ll be confronting mages before we try to unite the shifters, I think. Kingsley’s issue, remember?”
He ran his hand down his face. “True, yeah. That’s true. Combating mages, I got. Combating mercenaries, I got. Lurking in shadows—I got all that. So at least we’re good there. Still…this problem…”
“Will keep,” I said firmly.
“Yes,” he said softly, staring at nothing again. “Speaking of combating mages and mercenaries…”
He turned to me, and his gaze was direct, as though he was preparing to deliver some bad news.