Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 121008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 403(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 403(@300wpm)
“You LoJacked me?”
Dante shakes his head, seemingly unconcerned. “I don’t know what that is. However, I did make sure I could keep tabs on you. Don’t mention it to Ci, but I LoJacked him a long time ago. I was too scared to try it with Beck. I do it to the people I care about. I like to know where they are.”
“So where are Beck and Ci?” I choose to set aside Dante’s questionable actions for now. Those locators proved fortuitous any way I look at it.
“About a half a mile north. I don’t know what happened, but the twins took refuge in a small cabin in the middle of the forest. It’s covered with vines, and let me tell you, those vines have thorns. I tried to hack my way in while the hag was sleeping. The plants took exception.”
I pull off my jeans and shirt and run the towel across my skin, marveling at the way it instantly dries me. “That’s Cian’s doing. He came into his power shortly before that asshole demon hauled my butt back to Earth.”
“Cian’s a Green Man?” Dante lisps a little around his fangs. I throw him a dirty look because I know what the fangs coming out mean. “What do you expect? You’re half-naked. It would be rude not to get horny. Now tell me about Ci.”
I roll my eyes and accept that Dante is just Dante. I move to my duffel bag and am pleased to find that everything I own is not soaking wet. “All that legendary stuff about royal symbiotic twins is true.” I put on the soft, suede-like pants the village women sewed for me, and my shirt and vest. “Cian is a Green Man. Beck can control storms.”
“Well, he’s not doing a good job of it, is he?” Dante asks, referencing the raging storm outside. “It’s been like this since I got here a week ago. I came when your locator signal went off-line, and I couldn’t get the computer I gave you to answer me.”
“About that, I’m going to need another one of those,” I admit. “Your human self stole mine, the little weasel. I have no doubt he is, even now, plotting something ruthless. He had that look about him.”
“Nice,” Dante says, showing off his fangs. “So you met the human version of me. How hot was I? I was really rich, but, like, on my own, right? I see myself as a self-made man.”
“You were sad and sweet and potentially very selfish.” I strapped my shoulder holster on. “Your life wasn’t as good there as you have it here. I’m actually worried about what you, the other you, is going to do with that computer.”
Dante looks vaguely pleased. “Probably something incredibly evil. I always thought I’d make a good super villain.”
I check the .357. The weight feels good in my hands. “Speaking of villains, tell me the blonde bitch who’s trying to kill my husbands is Liadan.”
“Is that the chick Beck’s been banging?” He quickly corrects himself. “I mean was banging before he met his one true love and started being completely faithful?”
I should have expected Dante will always back his cousin up. “You’re a good wingman. And yes, I’m talking about Beck’s ex-honey. Please tell me I get to kill her.”
Dante takes a long gulp of Scotch. When he looks back, I see the fear in his clear eyes. “If she doesn’t kill you first. She’s quite horrible. I saw her face, her real face. I wish I didn’t have to see it again.”
I place the .357 Magnum in the holster and reach for the jacket the vampire offered me. It’s too big, but it will keep me dry. “You don’t have to. You point me in the right direction, and I’ll take care of her. It’s my responsibility, not yours. You’ve done your job.”
Those clear green eyes roll back. “Stuff it, sweetheart. Don’t give me the lone warrior routine. I’m still a freaking vampire, and I have my pride. Besides, my cousins would kick my ass if they found out I sent their wife in to face a hag and her nasty cat while I stayed safe and dry in my tent. I’m going with you, and that’s that. Now, since we’ve gone ahead and acknowledged that we’re about to die, how about some end-of-the-world sex? If we’re going out, we should go out with a bang and a really good orgasm.”
I pointedly zip up the jacket. “You’re worried Beck and Ci will be upset if you send me in alone, but you think they’ll be okay with a little infidelity?”
“It’s for a good cause,” Dante explains innocently. “Besides, if they don’t understand and we happen to survive and they happen to survive, then the ass-kicking I get will be totally worth it. And if you do anal, that would make my impending death so much more meaningful.”