Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 105815 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105815 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
But this morning, Rei was standing at the end of the hallway for Erik’s and Junjie’s rooms. He cocked his head at the elf, who waved for him to follow. The elf darted away without making a sound, and Leo scampered after him. Rei continued to the foyer, a playful grin spread across his lips.
Leo shifted into his human form. “What’s up?”
“We’re making a breakfast run. You wanna join us?”
Leo blinked at the elf, stunned silent by the invitation. “Uh…seriously?”
Rei jerked his head toward the front door and led the way out. “Sure,” he said as they crossed the front porch. “You’ve been pulling some long hours, keeping the little family safe. You deserve a break. Kai is making sure Xiang is up and mobile.”
The cat shifter was still trying to digest the “little family” comment as Rei let out a short, sharp whistle. A couple of seconds later, a larger-than-normal orange fox with a flurry of fluffy tails behind him came bounding out of the miniature forest behind the house. On his last spring before slamming into one of the SUVs, he shifted into Huli the human.
“Is it happening? Are we really going to do it?” Huli asked, bouncing on the balls of his feet. The fox spirit looked as though he were going to vibrate right out of his skin.
“At this point, I think only the gods can stop us.” The elf leaned on the SUV tailgate and rested his foot on the bumper. “All I’ve heard out of Kai’s mouth for the past forty-eight hours are his raptures about the fried potato planks.”
Fried potato planks?
He was trying to figure out which of them had it confused when it dawned on him. Someone had introduced Kai to hash browns.
The dragon showed up a minute later, appearing his usual dapper self in slacks and a light V-neck sweater. “Xiang is awake and checking all the locks and windows in the house. The clan will be safe while we are away.”
“What about Moon? He’s coming, right?” Huli turned to the manor and lifted on his toes as if the fox couldn’t stand still.
“I think he’s still in negotiations with Chen,” Kai murmured.
Rei huffed. “That doesn’t sound good. Grumpy puss keeps tightening the leash on Moon. That vampire is going to bite soon.”
Huli snickered. “From what I’ve heard, Chen likes it when Moon bites.”
Leo cleared his throat to stop his bark of laughter from escaping. Rei didn’t bother to hold his in.
Kai rolled his eyes. “Chen is terrified of Jiang Chong killing Moon. Xiang said that Moon wouldn’t be a vampire now if he hadn’t almost died because of the fae king.”
Huli broke the heavy silence that settled over them. “If Moon can’t go, is there anyone else who can drive?”
Rei shook his head. “I’m still getting lessons.”
“Definitely not,” Kai snapped.
All eyes fell on Leo, who shrugged. “I don’t drive often, but I can handle the SUV.”
The words were barely out of his mouth when the front door burst open. Moon jogged out, jangling a ring of keys and a car fob above his head. “I’m free! I’m free, but only for an hour. We gotta be back well before the sun is up or Chen is gonna have kittens.” Moon almost stumbled the moment his eyes locked with Leo. “No offense.”
The cat shifter chortled and held up his hands. “None taken. Congratulations on your freedom.”
Moon giggled. “Thanks. Now let’s load up and get us some breakfast!”
Their group piled into the SUV and Moon peeled out of the driveway, handling the vehicle as though he meant to jump the gate. Thankfully, he allowed the double doors to swing open so he could safely drive through.
They rushed along the road, the windows down and the wind flowing through to pull at his hair and caress his face. From the front passenger seat, Kai complained about Moon’s excessive speed and how the rolling death box was going to kill them all.
Rei cackled from his spot in the middle. “You need to relax, Kai, and enjoy it. You’re a dragon. What do you have to worry about?”
“It’s not so much myself that I worry about, but the other occupants of the car. Vampires are not invincible.”
The elf sighed. “You remind me of Yiyi. He’s constantly saying that I can’t stand on the roof while he’s driving.”
“You stood on the roof?” Leo gasped.
“Elves surrounded Yiyi the first time. It was the easiest way to shoot the enemy with my bow and arrow and then launch myself into the fight. The second time was when we were being chased by Black Dogs from the Wild Hunt. Nasty stuff.”
“Insane,” Leo exhaled.
“I’m jealous!” Huli shouted and turned toward the driver. “Moon, can I—”
“No! Absolutely not!” Moon cut the fox spirit off as he tried to make his plea. “There will be no standing on the roof while I’m driving. Everyone is staying inside the car. I am not explaining to Chen how we ended up on the morning news.”