Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 121324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 485(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 485(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
Cain tensed as a thought occurred to him. If Saul was still down below, there was one place he was bound to go; one person he’d want to find. Wynter.
Without a word to the others, Cain raced at preternatural speed to his Keep via the manor’s upstairs mirror. He then just as speedily left the building, heading straight to Wynter’s cottage. An audio announcement played loud, informing the residents that the exit would temporarily be closed and that people should lock themselves in their homes.
She wasn’t in the shed behind her cottage where she usually worked, but he didn’t panic because he heard her voice filtering out of the open kitchen window. He pounded his fist on the back door. She opened up, a scowl on her face that melted away when she saw him.
A breath rushed out of him as he raked his gaze over her. “You’re all right.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” She stepped aside so he could enter and then closed the door behind him. “What’s with the audio announcement?”
Skimming his gaze along her and her coven, Cain explained, “Saul has gone. Either he escaped, or someone freed him.”
Wynter’s lips parted. Xavier spat a curse. Anabel gripped the countertop. Hattie and Delilah exchanged a worried look.
“Depending on how long ago he was released from Azazel’s dungeon, he could have gotten to the surface and escaped the town by now,” Cain went on. “But there is a possibility that he instead chose to hide somewhere in the city.”
“So that the people he wants to kill would be within his reach,” said Wynter.
“Yes,” Cain confirmed, his gut twisting. “The likelihood is that he’s fled. He can’t call on the natural element of air here to move himself around. But he’s a man who knows how to hide. So be vigilant. Stay inside for now.”
She frowned. “But I could help look—”
“No. If everyone is inside their homes and the streets are empty, it will make it easier for the search parties to spot him. Keep your windows and doors locked. Don’t open up for anyone other than a member of the search parties.”
“All the houses will be searched?” asked Hattie.
He nodded.
“Where will you be?” Wynter asked him.
“I’ll be with the other Ancients while we work on finding out who freed Saul.” Cain squeezed the side of her neck. “Stay safe.”
“You be careful too,” she very much ordered. “Saul wants you dead as much as he does me.”
Cain planted a quick kiss on her mouth. “I’ll be careful.” He left through the front door of the cottage, finding Maxim waiting for him outside the gate to the yard.
“Seth wished me to tell you that he and the other Ancients will wait for you at his Keep, Sire,” the aide reported.
“Thank you, Maxim. I’ll head straight there.” And hopefully not discover that one of his relatives had betrayed them all.
*
As the front door closed behind Cain, Wynter could only stand there, utterly stunned. The others were just as quiet, looking to her for cues as to what to do next.
Snapping out of her daze, she rolled back her shoulders. “First things first, we need to do a quick but thorough search of the cottage. It’s unlikely that that Aeon asshole is hiding somewhere inside, but let’s not take any chances. Xavier, Delilah, Anabel—look upstairs, including the attic. Hattie and I will search down here. If there are any windows open, shut and lock them.”
Everyone dispersed. Wynter walked from room to room, checking cupboards, looking behind large furnishings, and even peering under the sofa. She left no corner unchecked and was sure to lock both the front and rear door shut, just as she did the windows.
“He’s definitely not upstairs,” Xavier declared as they all gathered in the hallway.
“Downstairs is clear as well,” Hattie announced.
“I glanced through the attic window to check the backyard,” began Anabel, “but it doesn’t look like anyone’s out there.”
“We need to try scrying for Saul again,” said Delilah. “I’m not saying we should go nab the bastard ourselves—like it or not, we can’t do it alone. I’m saying we could then tip off whoever comes to search the cottage for any sign of him.”
Wynter nodded. “Considering there’s every possibility that he’ll come here for me, we need to take some magickal precautions, too, and maybe even lay some traps.”
“I’ll whip up some brews that will help,” declared Anabel, hurrying up the stairs.
Xavier squeezed Wynter’s shoulder. “If he does come here, he’ll fucking wish he didn’t.”
“Amen to that,” said Hattie. “Who do we think freed him?”
“The three Aeons living with Seth are the obvious suspects.” Delilah folded her arms. “One of them could have acted independently. Or they could all have been involved.”
Wynter bit the inside of her cheek. “I would agree if Saul merely wanted to return me to Aeon so I could fix the land—that would for sure suit them. But he doesn’t intend to do that at all. He wants me dead. I don’t see how Eve, Rima, or Noah would benefit from that.”