Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 76370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Aurora finally shrugs. “I don’t really know what I want. I had this guiding light for a really long time, but now that the bargain with Hades is coming to an end, that light’s faded. I have a master’s in business administration, but I mostly got that because it seemed like the logical next step and I had money to pay for it.”
“Have you done anything beyond the Underworld and school in the last nine years?”
“Stop it.” She looks away. “You say that like it’s a bad thing, but what else could I possibly want? I’ve dated outside the Underworld, and you already know how well that’s worked out. Carver City might be run by territory leaders, but most of the people who live here are normal. I don’t fit in. I don’t want to fit in. That’s a choice I made for myself, so stop looking at me like you pity me.”
“I don’t pity you.” It’s the truth. But I can’t help feeling that Aurora could do so much more if she ever had the fire of ambition lit inside her. One only has to look at how she blossomed as Megaera’s second-in-command to see that she only needs the space and she’ll continue to expand. But she won’t thank me for saying as much. I turn away. “Come along.”
“Where are we going?”
“Tonight? Nowhere. I have plans for you.” I walk into my closet and pull on a pair of lounge pants and a fitted shirt. Then I lead the way into the spare bedroom. It smells of lemon and pine, and the mattress has been removed—Rogue was too effective in marking his territory, and it’s well beyond ruined. “You’re lucky the closet was shut or Rogue would have done a number on your shoes.”
“Your shoes.” She pauses in the doorway as I peruse the selection. “You’re the one who bought all of this.”
“And you’ll take it with you when this is over. Consider it a tip.” I finally land on a black, oversized knit sweater that’s long enough to be considered a dress—barely. I pull it off the shelf and toss it to Aurora.
“A tip, huh?” Her lips curve the tiniest bit. “It wouldn’t be a way for you to mark your territory the same way your demon cat does?”
Truth be told, I do like the idea of Aurora wearing clothing that I personally picked out. It satisfies something deep and dark inside me that I mostly refuse to acknowledge. “Stop calling Rogue a demon. You’ll hurt his feelings.”
“That creature doesn’t have feelings. All he has is spite.”
I arch an eyebrow. “He simply sees you as an intruder and took the steps to rectify the situation.”
“Uh-huh.” Aurora makes a face. “How many pieces of furniture have you replaced because that animal destroyed them?”
“In the last year or since I’ve had him?”
She blinks. “How old is that cat?”
“Ten. He was among a litter left in a box by my building. The kittens were so young, not all of them made it, but Luna has his sister.” I frown. “That cat is a demon.”
“I’m going to ignore that statement, since you are obviously biased.” She shakes her head. “How many pieces of furniture has he destroyed in the last year? I’m afraid of the lifetime answer.”
I do a quick count, realizing halfway through that I’m going to lose this particular argument. “Eight, not including the mattress.” When she stares, I cross my arms over my chest. “As I said, the mattress was a territory dispute and so is completely justified.”
Aurora looks at me like she’s never seen me before. “You love that cat.”
My face heats under her intense gaze, and even as I try to muscle down the reaction, I have a feeling that a tinge of pink colors my cheeks. “We have a mutual understanding.”
“Right. Sure. A pair made in heaven.”
“I’m taking that as a compliment, rather than the insult you intended. Rogue is particular with people.” I turn away before she can keep pressing. The truth is that the cat barely tolerates me, let alone anyone else, but I like that about him. Some days he feels like my own personal dragon, guarding our castle of a penthouse. A fanciful thought, but Rogue has the tendency to attack unwanted guests at his whim. The fact that he hasn’t touched Aurora, marking his territory aside, is moderately shocking.
“As I said, a pair made in heaven.”
I lead the way into the kitchen and head to the fridge. As promised, there’s an entire meal waiting with a note about reheating instructions on the top. I double-check them and then preheat the oven. When I turn around, Aurora has an expression on her face like she’s trying not to laugh. “What?”
“When I saw how stocked your fridge is, I thought you cooked. But you don’t, do you?”