Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 124870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 624(@200wpm)___ 499(@250wpm)___ 416(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 624(@200wpm)___ 499(@250wpm)___ 416(@300wpm)
“Don’t!” I screamed as they savagely beat him. I didn’t even see the third lunge for me until my scream was cut off by his hand covering my mouth. I fought him, which loosened my mask until it fell from my face. I stared at the black feathers detailed into the leather and realized I was staring at a replica of Angel’s. I was too stunned to fight and was draggedaway. The last thing I saw before being pulled around a corner was Lucas sending the head of one of the attackers into the wall.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
…will she live?
ANGEL
The bad feelingin the pit of my stomach wouldn’t go away. My grandfather insisted on talking to me in his office. I had been reluctant to let Mian out of my sight, but then reminded myself that my protection was not hers to have. She wasn’t leaving this party alive. I needed to remember that.
“What did you need to talk about?”
“I take it you have not recovered the book.”
“She’s not talking.”
“I see. And do you have any other leads?”
“Not even a crumble.”
“Then you’re prepared to do your duty tonight?”
“She’s not dressed in black because I like the color.”
He nodded and clapped me on the shoulder. “Good. Now I have a speech to give. Join me.”
I followed him back to the party, but as we passed the entrance,I noticed Z arguing with security. He had the man’s shirt in his fists and lifted him off the ground just as we passed. Z’s hair was standing on end like he’d tried to pull it from the roots. He even still wore his jeans and t-shirt.
When Z saw me approach, he shoved the guard away. Time was running out, so I cut to the chase. “Did you find something?”
“Where is she?” He looked around frantically, and his skin went pale.
“She’s with Lucas.” I caught the relief in his eyes as some of his color returned to his skin.
“What did you find?”
“She didn’t do it. Shecouldn’thave done it.”
“What—”
The music suddenly cut, plunging the party into silence, and stealing my attention.
Fuck. The speech.
“Later,” I said to Z and gestured for him to follow me. We made our way to the top of the stairs where my grandfather presided over his guests. I stood by his side like the dutiful grandson. Even though I was the Knight, I paid grandfather respect as my elder and was willing to let him take the lead when I didn’t need to.
“Many of you are Knights, and many of you are friends,” Grandfather began. “Nonetheless, we are all here to celebrate the year which marks two hundred years of prosperity. My grandson, as you know, has taken his rightful place as The Bandit and The Knight, but I am thankful to still be alive to deliver this speech…”
I drowned my grandfather out and searched the crowd for Mian and Lucas. I couldn’t see them anywhere even though everyone in attendance had gathered in the foyer and on the stairs for the speech.
That feeling in my stomach intensified, but the hairs on my skin stood up when I tuned into my grandfather’s next words.
“I hope even after my death, the next two hundred years are as successful as the first, and that responsibility starts with my grandson who recognizes thatfamily,” his gaze met mine, “will always mean sacrifice.”
I heard the gunshot and recognized the satisfaction in my grandfather’s gaze.
I was already running by the time the screams started.
Chapter Forty
Everything’s different now.
MIAN
I stared atthe hole in the man’s head while his face froze from death just before he dropped to the floor.
He tried to shoot me.
Hewouldhave shot me.
Lucas rushed forward and picked me up from the floor. I couldn’t believe he just saved me. “What just happened?”
“He was going to kill you, so I stopped him,” he answered gruffly. He looked down at me as he walked swiftly for the door of the room I’d been dragged into. “You got a problem with that?”
“Why did you save me?”
“It didn’t feel right to let you die.”
“It didn’tfeelright?” He grunted his response. Lucas saving me didn’t make sense. The moment I looked into Alon’s eyes, I could feel my mother surrounding me. Her arms pulled me in as she welcomed me home.
I knew then that Angel planned my death that night.
Without Caylen, I might have accepted death, but I remembered Angel’s promise regarding my son’s fate. I couldn’t give up and leave him to his mercy. I’d hoped the bathroom would allow me time and space to plot an escape. But then Lucas was beaten, I was dragged away, and a gun was pointed at my head.
And then I was saved.
By Lucas.
He ran with me still in his arms. The closer we made it back to the party, the more vivid the screams became, and I realized they weren’t in my head. The gunshot must have frightened the guests, and I wondered if Alon would blame me for ruining his celebration.