Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 75457 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75457 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“What about the Blood Stone?” Finley asks. The Blood Stone is a legendary magical jewel with such tremendous power Kymaris was able to use it in a ritual to bring down the veil between the Underworld and the First Dimension. It’s been under lock and key with Carrick since her defeat. “Its powers were amplified by being dipped in the Crimson River. Maybe it’s a key somehow.”
“That’s not a bad thought but we have no idea how to use it,” Carrick says. “So we’re right back to needing the spell book.”
“What’s the deal with the veil tearing between Faere and the Underworld?” Finley asks, changing subjects.
I shake my head. “I’m not sure. It started during an uprising led by a Dark Fae named Jago who wanted to carry out Kymaris’s plan to release all the dark creatures from hell. Amell originally thought it was an alternate route through which they wanted to escape, but he’s not so sure anymore.”
“Why not?” Carrick asks.
“It just feels… diversionary, if that makes sense. The rips are small, barely big enough for one or two to get through at a time. Repair one, and another opens up somewhere else. It’s enough of a worry that Deandra and Amell must have constant vigilance, but it seems… almost petty.”
“And we know what that means,” Carrick says, leaning forward and crossing his arms on the table. “Something bigger is brewing.”
“Yeah,” I mutter. But then again that always seems to be the case.
The doorbell rings and Finley pops up. “I’ll get it.”
Carrick’s eyes follow her and when she’s through the door and out of sight, he turns on me. “What was that exchange between you two?”
I play dumb. “What exchange?”
“The one where she was threatening to cut your balls off with just her tone of voice if you banged Deandra.”
Rubbing at the back of my neck as it tenses up again, I lay it out as quickly as I can. “I’m seeing Zora. I think Finley knows, and she’s warning me to not cheat on her sister, as if I’d ever—”
“You’re seeing Zora?” Carrick barks.
“Well, yeah.”
“Since when?” he grits out.
“Since always,” I snarl.
He leans back in his chair, looking at me in disbelief. “I thought that was just a few times before she…”
“Died?” I finish, and he nods. “It’s continued. I didn’t think anyone knew. I definitely didn’t think Finley knew about it, but maybe Zora told her.”
“If she did and asked her to keep it a secret, she wouldn’t have told me. Finley’s loyal to a fault.” He pauses, glances at the deck door, and then back to me. “Is it serious?”
A laugh escapes me and within it, Carrick must hear my confusion and frustration. “Hell if I know. We fuck like champions. I’d like more, but she’s very closed off and prickly. You know that.”
My brother shakes his head and laughs. “Oh gods… this is priceless.”
I have to restrain myself not to punch him. “What’s priceless?”
“The fact that you went and fell for a god. It only took a few thousand years, but hey… go big or go home.”
“I didn’t—” I start to say, but my mouth snaps shut when the sliding glass door hisses in the track and Finley steps out.
And right behind her… Zora.
I’m stunned to see her here, not because it would be unusual for her to visit her sister. She visits Finley all the time.
But because we were just talking about her, and I showed up here frustrated from being away from her, and having my brother throw it in my face that I’m essentially screwed for having feelings.
It’s been three days since we were together and she’s wearing an outfit of scarlet-red leather pants, a black turtleneck, and a long, black leather duster. I have no clue where she’s been, but if she’s been with the Council, I’m guessing leather is her new battle armor.
Her eyes lock with mine, and I’m sure Carrick is watching us like hawks. I can’t control what my expression says, but within it, she should know I’m happy to see her. I think I see a flash of the same but it could be the sunlight.
It’s broken when Finley taps her on the shoulder. “I forgot… do you want a beer?”
The spell is broken between us, and Zora shakes her head. “No. I’m good. In fact, I remembered something I need to do.”
“Come sit down and relax,” Finley says as she grabs Zora’s arm. “Hang for a bit.”
“No, really,” Zora says, and her voice has a low boom to it that causes Finley to release her.
Not in fear—because she could never be afraid of her twin, the woman who gave her life for the world—merely in surprise, and I can see Zora’s surprise too. Her expression gentles, and she pulls Finley into a hug. When she steps back, she says, “Truly… I have to go do something. I’ll catch you later.”