Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 147891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
“Hmm.”
“Besides, it isn’t like he can take over the world. He’s not that powerful.”
“Oh, but don’t you see? That’s his goal. When he had me, only for a split second, he told me my half of the Cold Tether alone would be enough for him to take over all of Vakeeli. With me, he says he can do it, and that you and Korah don’t stand a chance. And if he does, well good luck to you and your warrior women. I’m sure his first mission will be to take you down, then The Council.”
She stares at me, unblinking. “Do you mean to tell me that you have all three binding bloods in you? Monarch, hybrid Mythic, and a Cold Tether?”
“According to The Council, yes.”
“But I…how can that be possible? This wasn’t supposed to happen, ever. How can I not feel it?” She looks me from head to toe. “I should be able to feel it.”
She points her gaze another way, the moon causing her silver eye to glisten. “It’s no wonder you made it to Earth, that you are not dead yet. He’s waited a long time for someone like you. You are right. We must take him down.”
“That’s what I’ve been telling you all along.”
“But once he’s gone…” She taps her chin, eyes distant. I don’t even think she’s talking to me anymore, just thinking out loud. “Once he is out of the way, it is what comes after that will…” She trails off, and a fiery blue light emits from her hands and builds into flames. She gasps and shakes her hands, ridding herself of them.
“What do you mean what comes after?” I take a step toward her. “Hassha, is there something I should know?”
She turns her gaze to me, blinks a few times, then walks past me, the blue fading from her fingers. “It’s nothing we can’t handle. Come on. I’ll take you to your mate.”
She walks away from the bungalows and rounds the island, but I still sense some unease within her. She’s not telling me something, I know it. She and Korah are hiding something, and it doesn’t sit well with me, but who am I to demand answers? One stroke of Hassha’s finger, and I’m as good as ash.
We approach a white shelter on thick wooden stilts nestled between towering trees. The leaves brush the walls of the shelter as it overlooks the ocean, and I notice a large wraparound porch with chairs upfront. Lights illuminate from the inside, pouring onto the porch, and a marble staircase leads to the front door.
“You’ll find your mate in there,” Hassha says, pointing upward. “Give her a few hours, and she’ll be awake and better than ever.”
“Thank you, Hassha. I appreciate your hospitality.”
She nods and starts to turn away, but before she goes, she says, “Oh, by the way, I took your Blackwater gun.” She raises it in the air, and I drop my hands to my coat, feeling around for it with no luck. “I assure you it’s not to punish you, but my daughter Minka tends to develop these wild ideas in her head. I already heard her thinking about stealing your gun to try to use it, and to keep us all safe from random bullets, it’s best that I hold on to it.” Hassha flashes a smile. “I’ll give it back when you leave Kessel. Goodnight, Caspian.”
Chapter 45
WILLOW
I open my eyes to find myself in a dimly lit room. My body is weak, my mouth dry, and one of my legs is numb. I try moving one of my feet, but it doesn’t budge.
My eyes shift to the right when I hear rustling, and I spot Caz adjusting himself on a two-seater sofa in the corner. He’s shirtless, his pants low on his hips. I try calling his name, but it comes out in a croak. He rapidly swings his gaze to me and rushes my way.
“Willow?” He sits on the edge of the bed, stroking his thumb across my forehead. “Nice to see those beautiful brown eyes.” He smiles, and I can’t help smiling with him. “How do you feel?”
I shake my head. It’s the most I can manage at the moment.
“Tell me through here.” He taps two fingers against his right temple.
It feels like something’s been lodged down my throat, my mouth is dry, and my whole body is sore.
I’m sorry to hear that. Want some water? Caz starts to stand, but I tap his hand, rapidly shaking my head.
I don’t think I can drink right now even if I wanted to.
Yeah,” he murmurs. “The nurse said you might wake and that your body will still be going through the effects of the purging elixir. Give it another couple of hours and you’ll be all better.” He cradles one side of my face, and the comforting silence lingers. I hear the sounds of the ocean, the waves crashing to shore, and everything rushes back. The fall through the portal, the women on horses, the bronze, goddess-like woman with multi-colored eyes.