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)
The vampire looks pleased with himself as he turns to go. He came alone, and now I’m grateful for that fact. It’s easier to deal with a single vampire than a couple. The last thing I want is him telling his tale to all and sundry. The minute he mentions my name, the brothers will be after me.
I pull the silver knife from my sleeve. I say a quick spell to make my aim true and then plunge the knife into the vampire’s back. I’m far stronger than I look. The form I present makes me look frail and weak, but my true body is solid. The vampire jerks once, and then he falls apart as his heart is torn asunder by the silver.
I shiver as I look down at my previously pristine clothing. I really shouldn’t have worn my second-best dress. Killing vampires is a filthy business. They tend to explode when their hearts rip apart. I’m covered in blood.
Though if I move quickly enough, I might be able to preserve some of it. Vampire blood is powerful. Perhaps the day isn’t a complete waste.
The sound of laughter filters across the pond. I have to find a way to get that bitch alone. I must get her off this plane and make it look like she walked away. If the brothers think she was taken, they’ll move mountains to find her. If they think she’s been killed, it could get ugly. I don’t like to think about what they will do to me. I have no plans to martyr myself.
As I make the long walk toward my cottage, an idea comes to me.
No. The day isn’t wasted at all.
Chapter Thirty-One
Beck
I stride out of the caves and hand my sword to Colin Dellacourt. The heat of the desert scorches everything it touches. I’m filthy and covered in blood and I don’t want to think what else, but the job is finally over.
Colin takes my sword and reverently wipes it clean. He motions to the employees walking around camp. A young vampire walks up to answer the sidhe’s call.
“His Highness is finished,” Colin announces. “Take the telemetry unit and gather the data we need.”
The young vampire looks to the mouth of the cave with obvious anxiety. “He’s sure?”
Colin’s brown eyes narrow. I hide my smile as the former farmer scares the shit out of a young executive with just a look. “Are you questioning His Highness?”
The young executive shakes his head. “Not at all, Mr. Dellacourt. I’ll get you those readings immediately.”
Colin stares at the small group of Dellacorp employees as they scramble to do his bidding. I pull my filthy shirt over my head and reach for my robe. I need a shower. The vampires’ camp is set up with all the luxuries their technology has to offer. One of those luxuries is the portable shower that cleans with something called sound waves.
I prefer a good soak, but it isn’t available out here in the desert. I can’t help but think about the gift I approved before I left for the Bad Lands, as they called this place. Susan was insistent on getting us a wedding gift. It’s probably being delivered this very day. I can’t wait to lie in the soaking tub with Meg in front of me. I’ll hold her as we soak in the hot water and talk about our days. I’ll tell her about the work I do in the fields, and she’ll talk about…
“What do you and Susan talk about?” I hear myself asking. I didn’t mean to. It just popped out. I won’t take it back, though. I’m curious about the consort’s relationship with my cousin.
Colin sits down beside me and pulls out a bottle of whiskey. He’s quickly handed two glasses by an assistant who always seems to anticipate his needs. I gratefully take the glass and tip it back. I’m going to be damn sore tomorrow.
Colin thoughtfully sips at his well-aged whiskey. “We talk about everything, Your Highness. Mostly, it’s business, of course. She is the CEO of one of the most powerful corporations on the plane. It helps that I have a fairly decent head for numbers and processes.”
He does. It surprised me when Colin announced he was accompanying me on this job. Susan told him to send detailed reports but didn’t argue. She wasn’t his CEO when they parted, however. She was simply his wife when they said good-bye. She asked Colin three times if he remembered everything and checked his bag. She kissed him good-bye and made him promise to call.
“I also have a very thick skin,” Colin says cheerfully. “That helps a lot when your wife is also your boss. Damn woman can flay a man alive with that tongue of hers. I screwed up the quarterly reports a few months back, and she took a chunk out of my hide right there in the boardroom.”