Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 89023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
“So he’s not part of your job?”
Paul scoffs. “No. I am decidedly off task when it comes to Ryet. But you see, Syrsee”—he turns in bed now, facing me like we’re best friends ready to gossip—“you see… it’s one thing to know one’s job. It’s quite another to live it for two thousand years, and get used to who you are, and gather minions that you love and care for, and immerse yourself into the lifestyle and… well. It wouldn’t be the first time that a spy has gone rogue, now would it?”
I’m… shocked. “What. The fuck. Are you talking about?”
“I am human, after all. I mean, I was. Once. And there’s… you know, desires in there.” He points to his chest. “We’re not perfect.”
I just shake my head at him. “Who the hell do you work for?”
He simply laughs. “It doesn’t matter. Because I’m… I’m going to see this through. I’m going to make sure that Ryet lives. And don’t worry. I’ll save you too. Even if he didn’t need to feed on you, I would still save you, Syrsee. I have to now. Because he wants you. And I will do anything to make Ryet happy. Even give up my eternal soul. I mean, who needs it at this point, right? Mine was taken by the Darkness long ago and… well, I’ve seen Hell, Syrsee. I’ve looked that Devil straight in the eyes. It doesn’t like me because it’s never trusted me. For good reason. But I answer to someone far more dangerous than some silly Devil. Still, I think I’ll be OK.”
I blink. Because… is he saying what I think he’s saying? “Paul, you need—”
But he’s gone. And while I am still in a bed, it’s not the same one. It’s a real bed and Ryet is looking down at me with a worried face.
“Syrsee?” His voice is low, nearly a whisper. “Syrsee? Can you hear me?”
I nod my head, but I can’t answer him with words because everything I thought I knew about myself, and Paul, and Ryet, and the Darkness, and the Black witches—well, none of it is true.
“How do you feel?”
How do I feel? I suck in a long breath and slowly let it out. “Tired. I’m tired of this.”
Ryet presses his lips together and nods. “Yeah. Me too.” He lies down next to me, pulling me into his arms. “Do you hurt?”
I mean… I almost laugh at this absurd question. “No, Ryet. I don’t hurt.” Which is a lie, but what’s one more in the grand scheme of things? Still, I don’t like lying to Ryet, so I add in a little truth. “At least not on the outside.”
“I’m so sorry for attacking you like I did. I wasn’t myself.”
I scoff, then actually let that laugh out. “Yeah. I’m not really myself either.”
Ryet hugs me a little tighter. “It’s gonna be OK.”
And I just nod and agree.
Because whatever happens, I’m not in control.
Paul is.
And if there’s one thing I know about Paul, it’s this: He wins.
So I decide to believe Ryet and just let him hold me as I drift back asleep.
14 - Paul
I hope he’s worth it
The leftovers are waiting for me in the main floor grand lobby when I make my way down there. They are all lined up, like they’ve planned a little ceremony.
Twenty-one. Twenty-one lost men. My army.
I pause on the last landing to sigh. It’s not Legion, by any means. But it will have to do.
One of the scions steps forward. “My lord!” And when he says this, they all kneel in unison, bowing their heads and staring at the floor.
The one in front lifts his eyes up. They are a nice shade of gold, which I like because he reminds me of Ryet, and this is the only reason I know his name. Everything I do these days goes back to Ryet. Since the moment he was born, it has always been about Ryet.
Why, though? Why am I obsessed with that man? There’s no rhyme or reason to it. He’s attractive and I am drawn to him for that reason, I’ll admit that. But this one here, Jeff, I like him naked as well. And though this one does balk a bit at times, he never positioned himself as an adversary the way Ryet did. He’s much easier to enjoy, that’s for sure.
So why Ryet?
When I don’t say anything, Jeff gets anxious and stands back up, which compels the others to do the same. “We haven’t completed the coat yet, but we have secured some pelts from a local fur trader about twenty miles south, so we’re…” Jeff looks over at another guy. “Well… tell him.”
“Yeah.” The other guy looks very nervous. “I did check the YouTube and I did find a pattern for Jon Snow’s coat. But—”