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)
“I had wooden bullets made as well, compatible with your gun.” She takes my hand, and I open it so she can place twelve bloodstained bullets in my palm. “I want you to be aware that these weapons won’t kill him, but they will weaken him, especially if you aim for the heart. Once you have him down, you must keep a piece of the wood in his heart so he remains weak.”
“So he won’t die?”
“I’m afraid not.
I would prefer he’s dead,” I mumble.
“Yes, but without Selah, we simply will not be able to kill him. We can hurt him as much as we can, weaken him, take his energy, but he will still breathe. Selah is the only way and she…” Hassha’s words turn to a whisper. I know there isn’t more she’s telling me, but I don’t have time to wait around for an explanation. Take Decius down first, then figure out how to wake Selah up so she can kill him. That’s the goal and I have to be quick.
I accept the bullets and shove them into my pocket. I tuck the gun into my waistband, collect two daggers, then tell Hassha, “I’m ready to go.”
“I’m coming with you,” Willow says, snatching out her own dagger from the basket.
“No.” I leave the cabin before she can protest, following Hassha.
“I’m not staying here, Caz! I’m going!”
I shake my head, ignoring her. Hassha side-eyes me as she continues walking, pushing through a thicket that guides us to an open field. The grass is dark in the night, the blades swaying with the breeze.
“Caz!” Willow shouts when we stop.
I whirl around. “Willow! For once, would you please just listen to me?” I grip her by the shoulders, forcing her to look into my eyes. “I am not sending you into that fucking trap, okay? Your best bet is to stay here or go back to Earth! He can’t harm you in either of those places.”
Her eyes glisten, and her mouth turns downward. “And what happens when you walk into that trap and he kills you?” she demands. “You die, and I’ll be dead too. Or have you forgotten that?”
“Not if I stick to my bargain.”
“You and I both know it’s too late for that, Caz! He killed Della! He’ll kill everyone, just because he can!”
“Just stay here where it’s safe, Willow. I’ll try to tap in with you mentally when I’ve done what I need to do.”
Her head shakes defiantly. “No. I don’t care how you feel about it, I’m not letting you go into this fight alone, Caz. If you die, I die, remember? And if I’m going to die, I’d rather go out with you. Now shut up and get over it because I’m coming with you, and you can’t stop me.”
I snatch away from her, shifting my gaze to Hassha. “Is there any way you can keep her here?” I demand.
Hassha delivers a slow headshake. “I won’t deny her what she wants.”
I groan. “Love of fucking Vakeeli! You women and your stubbornness!”
Willow folds her arms, smirking. Hassha smiles at her and tosses a wink, as if proud.
“Fine,” I snap. “But if she dies, Hassha, her blood is on your hands.” I face Willow again. “If you go, you have to promise you’ll listen to me. Whatever I say, goes. Do you understand?”
Willow nods, a bit too eager for my liking, but I won’t win this fight, and I’m wasting time. If Hassha won’t stop her, how can I? She’s so much safer here. Why won’t she just stay?
“Hey.” Willow’s hand falls to my arm. “It’s you and me ’til the end, Caz. You won’t fight your battles alone. Not while I’m here.”
I hold her eyes, wanting to be angry and proud of her all at once. I think of the woman who landed in my forest not too long ago, how she’d have run the other way if faced with a situation like this, but now she’s willing to do the opposite. Now, she’s here, and I’m not normally one to thank the Regals like all the other crazed commoners, but I do. I thank them for giving me a mate and a partner riddled with compassion and determination. Someone who truly will go to the ends of the world for me, just as I would her.
I take Willow’s hand in mine, facing Hassha again.
“Very well. Send us to Blackwater.”
Chapter 55
WILLOW
I’m not sure how she does it, or how it happens so quickly, but one minute we’re standing in the field beneath a dark blue sky, and the next, we’re in a forest, surrounded by an infinite number of trees.
The sky is gray with thick clouds. I can smell rain in the air. I look behind me, and there’s the gate I’ve seen many times before, the one that cuts off the forest from the castle.