Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 132582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
His words bring tears to my eyes, hot and thick. He’s right, I guess. And it seems he and Caz already have it rough. I don’t want to make things worse.
I draw in a breath, exhale, and read the chant.
The time has come.
Be removed as one.
Tether and pain.
Break away again.
There’s a crackle in the air as purple light surrounds me. I notice Killian backing away as I’m lifted off the ground, and beside him, Silvera appears, barking as I’m taken higher into the air.
It’s just like the first time it happened. Purple everywhere and then complete darkness. Quiet. I close my eyes. Breathe in deep. Exhale. And when I open them, I’m staring up at the ceiling fan in my bedroom.
I sit up slowly, in the quiet of my apartment. The sun sits on the horizon, rays sweeping across the room. It’s so quiet.
The purple light above me fades, and I glance at my nightstand, at my phone perched on a stack of books where I last left it.
I pick it up, but the battery is dead, so I plug it into the charger, then I look back up, and the purple light is completely gone. An ache clings to my chest, and the urge to cry is strong, but I keep the tears at bay because this is it.
I’m home, and I won’t ever see Caspian Harlow again.
Fifty-Four
CAZ
After Willow’s departure, I didn’t have much time to waste. I’d spent five days away from Blackwater trying to find a way for her to get home. I wasn’t supposed to be away for so long, but because I was, a lot of things have fallen behind.
Fortunately, Della handled everything around my home, as she always does, but the tavern is another story. Shipments have fallen behind because I wasn’t able to sign off on them, a group of people tried robbing one of the ruby warehouses, and Simpson has made the urgency about both very clear with all the contact he’s made to my transmitter. He expected me back days ago, but I didn’t foresee all the bumps in the road with the Rippies and Rami.
“It’s about damn time you showed up!” he shouts when I enter the tavern. It’s daylight, so not many people are in right now. Just the usual drunks slumped in the corners, sleeping in their own vomit. Paulina is taking down chairs and wiping down the tables.
“Get those people out of here, will you?” I demand.
“On it, but I need you to sign these first.” Simpson places a clean glass down and walks around the counter with a stack of papers. “It’s for the next shipment of gold and blue tonic, and essence elixir from Vanora. You know their queen won’t ship until it’s signed by you.”
I take the papers from him. “How is the warehouse holding up?”
“Remaining steady. A couple of fuckers tried stealing some of the rubies when they found out you’d left Blackwater, but we handled most of them.”
“Who were they?”
“Not sure. We didn’t ask for names, just beat the asses of the fuckers we caught and took the rubies back. One of them got away, but we’re finding out who he is.”
“Well, when you do, give me his name. I’ll deal with him myself. Paulina, send some tea to my office, please.”
“Yes, sir,” she calls.
I turn away, marching down the hallway that leads to my office. I unlock the door and step in, making my way to the desk. I sign the papers for Vanora first. The essence elixir is priority here. Without it, many people wouldn’t be alive. They don’t like waiting to purchase their jugs either. If they do, they go mad and start fights, commit arson, and other ridiculous crimes.
My office door creaks open, and Paulina trots in with a silver tray. She places it on my desk, then pours tea for me into a black teacup. With a smile, she goes, closing the door behind her.
I sip my tea, light a bloom, and begin signing the rest of the papers.
I spent as much effort as I possibly could blocking out Willow’s thoughts. It was hard, especially when I heard her talking to Killian. I couldn’t bear hearing her thoughts when she finally left. I forced myself to stop tuning in, but I could feel her pain, her worry…her heartache. Even now, it continues to gnaw at me. I can’t understand why she cares so much about me. I’ve given her nothing to care for. I jeopardized her safety more than once in less than a week. She should be glad I’m not a permanence in her life.
A knock raps on the door. “What?” I call.
Maeve opens the door and trots inside, dressed head to toe in a red suit. Her hair is in pin curls, and a black hat is on her head, crammed with red feathers.