Total pages in book: 168
Estimated words: 160578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 803(@200wpm)___ 642(@250wpm)___ 535(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 160578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 803(@200wpm)___ 642(@250wpm)___ 535(@300wpm)
There are three things in this world that I’m sure of. One, Archer Thorn will be running for the next presidency. Two, what’s about to go down tonight is pure insanity. And three, not a single person walking this earth can tell me that Luna Nox isn’t mine.
Deacon kicks the door closed, holding his keys in his hand. Finding out we had another brother wasn’t at all shocking. The Kings are anything but breeders.
“Fuck me,” he mutters, tossing his duffel bag onto the floor. Beneath a ceiling of darkness is a puzzle as a playground for anyone who deems worthy enough to see it for what it is.
Some call it wonderland.
I call it home.
“I didn’t know that I was coming home to all this drama, I mean, damn…” He reaches out to touch the gold switches, his head tilting to the side. He slid into our group as if he’d been there since birth. Annoying, since I barely tolerated him at the beginning.
“How was the flight?” I ask from behind my glass as he shifts further into the house.
“Long. We’ve got problems.”
I pause, bottle in hand as I look at my half-brother. “Does Vaden need to move into his role sooner?” I hoped he wouldn’t until the end of the year. I need to watch his movements.
Deacon doesn’t answer, the same vacant look I saw in his eyes when Halen dragged him back from whatever hellish place she found him.
“Deac?”
“Hmmm?” He shakes himself off and runs his hand down the side of his face. “Maybe. Might need to be sooner than later.”
This isn’t good. I don’t bother looking at Vaden because I already know he’ll be glaring at me with the same look he gave when I told him he couldn’t take over Vitiosis yet until the end of my first year.
Deacon lowers himself onto one of the leather sofas beside the bar, still not having taken his eyes off Vaden.
“What’s going on with him? How long have I been gone?” He doesn’t bother to hide his question when he notices the distant gaze in Vaden’s eyes.
I hand him a glass and take the spot on the other side. Leaning my head back against the rim of the chair, I stare up at the ceiling.
“Everything has changed, yet seemingly staying the same.”
“Hmm…” He stares down at the liquor, and I roll my eyes.
“The beer is in the fridge.”
“Thank God.” He slides the glass I poured him across the table that separates us and makes his way to the bar. “I need to ask, though. Is this gonna be a problem?” He jerks his head toward Vaden. “I mean, for whatever he does for the society. Will this curse be an issue?”
“No.” I clear my throat.
Vaden’s head is bowed, allowing his short dark hair to fall as the muscles in his arms tighten. He’s conscious and can hear us, but he’s…losing.
“If anything, it’ll help him.”
Deacon falls back into his chair, changing the subject. “You never did tell me the purpose of the Hunt?”
“You’ve never been on one, that’s why.” I don’t bother to hide the smirk on my lips, since I’m pretty sure Deacon is already interested.
“I’m intrigued.”
“Well don’t be, because you won’t be attending one.” If I even continue them, since they don’t seem to be doing what I intended them to do, and now with Danny Dale out, Moses is far too volatile to be anywhere near the vicinity of the EKC. The mannerisms of the Gentlemen aren’t impressive, and as far as Moses goes, he’s an example of an offspring well undercooked to be running a family business like the one his grandfather built.
With walls painted a deep shade of murder, the clock hanging on the wall continues to tick.
“They’re always late,” I murmur around the cloud of smoke. “Why are they always late?”
“Maybe because your lovely wife decided to off Danny Dale.”
I freeze, my eyes flying up to where Vaden is now standing. “Vade.” It’s a growl that rattles the cage of the animal that threatens the surface any time she’s near.
“River already filled us in on her royal assassin queen.” Halen’s heels clink as she lowers herself on the chair opposite mine. “Not that I’m complaining. She definitely has it in her, if you know what I mean…”
She tilts her head, and I know she’s about to say something that will both piss me off and make me want to kill her. That’s saying something, since I don’t kill when I’m mad. “Or maybe not, since you still seem agitated.” Leaning forward, her eyes catch mine. “Are your tricks not working, dear brother? I’d hate for you to put all this time into her for it to fail.”
My jaw snaps closed.
The fireplace burns heatwaves into the soft melody playing in the background, as a door opens and footsteps patter over the concrete.