Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
“I did not say that. What I meant is that—”
“Never mind. I gotta go, Damien. Have a nice life.” She stood to leave.
“Sky, wait.” He stood and grabbed her arm. “I want to choose you. I do.”
“Well, I don’t want you to. Because if you did pick me, you’ll always be feeling guilty that you turned your back on Willa.” She threw her hands in the air. “Cimil’s made it so no matter what you do, I can’t win. And neither can you. Not unless I make the choice for you, which I just did.”
“But, Sky, you don’t under—”
“Damien, I’ll be fine. Hearts heal. And look at all the stuff I have to be grateful for. A second chance at life. I can hug my sister and nephew again. I might even get to live forever in this body.”
Damien’s heart sank to the abyss of his soul. “No. You won’t, Sky. That’s the catch. Cimil will execute the woman I do not select. I have until the end of the day.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Willa couldn’t believe how wonderful this new modern world was! People were dumber than ever and so easy to control.
For example, take this room the hotel staff called “the penthouse” with a big bed, modern gadgets, and fine upholstered furniture in autumn tones, all overlooking a glorious park! All for free! And they even brought food to her room on a small rolling table.
“I’m so glad that taxi man brought me here.” She crunched down on a thing called an egg roll. “Where’s the egg?” She shrugged and kept chewing.
After she finished eating and figuring out how to use the bathing chamber with magnificent indoor plumbing, she would throw on one of the new outfits she’d obtained from the small store in the hotel’s greeting area. Also free!
Then she would make the man downstairs summon a ride to take her to see Damien. She had not had the chance to ensure Damien chose her today—not that she had anything to worry about—but why risk it?
Maybe I can get that beast to come out and play again. And she knew just the mind trick to make it happen. I can’t wait. She had never experienced such savage pleasure as she had with the beast in that jungle. He took her like an insatiable madman, leaving her deliciously sore and limp. Damien had never made her feel like that.
Maybe after Damien chose her, which he would, she might remove him from the equation altogether. Put the beast completely in control forever.
The beast would make the perfect weapon and, of course, lover.
A loud buzz echoed through the suite.
What is that?
Buzzz!
There it was again. “Hello? Is someone there?” She looked up and around. “Reveal yourself.”
“Willa! It’s Cimil!” a voice called from outside the room.
Cimil’s here? This could not be good. Nothing involving the goddess ever was.
Willa got up, closed her pink silk robe, and opened the door. Cimil stood there in a sparkly shirt and white pants that shone like glass.
Odd clothing, but what did Willa know? She’d been dead for almost two hundred years.
“Cimil, do come in. I am sorry to say these accommodations do not come with a butler or servants of any kind, but there is a magic box on that table. If you press six, a woman will answer and make suggestions of strange foods to eat, which then appear at the door in about twenty minutes.” Willa looked at the dining table, where her food was laid out. “At the moment I am eating something called an egg roll, but I think they forgot the eggs. Would you care for one?”
“No, thank you, sugar. I’m still digesting the roasted pig I ate yesterday.” Cimil walked over to the sitting area and plopped down on the stuffed purple chair. “I’m gonna make this quick, Willa.” Cimil pointed to the armchair across from her. “Sit.”
Willa did not like the sound in Cimil’s voice, but she sat anyway. What choice did she have?
“I’ll cut to the chase,” Cimil said. “I know what you did.”
Willa winced. Oh no. How did she find out? “I understand why you are upset, Cimil; however, I had every right to follow Damien to the jungle. After all, you told me I had to be his partner, so that is what I did. I partnered. Without him seeing me.”
“Not talking about that, Queen of Mean. I’m talking about you giving the whammy to my vampire. Did you honestly think you would get away with it?”
Oh. That. “I can explain. I overheard Damien speaking about the ultimatum you gave him along with the requirement to get Maxton to LA. So I just decided to ensure his success.”
“By telling Maxton to explode himself if you weren’t chosen and died? Tsk-tsk.” Cimil clicked her tongue.
“I wanted insurance. You of all beings know how treacherous you can be.”