Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 51358 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 257(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51358 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 257(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
“Look,” he says. “The blow we dealt the Sons was monumental. So monumental that Kyle and Samuel went into hiding. The second they pop back up on the grid, we’ll be all over them.” He scrapes his hands over his face.
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen the king look so…unhinged? Am I really pissing him off that much, or is there more going on?
“The priority now,” he continues. “Is ensuring the family we have is strong.”
“You have five hunters that have recently joined your family,” I counter. “I know you understand our powers.” But maybe he doesn’t understand them enough. “I’m not sure how taking Annika and Aurora to the island is going to bolster your—”
“You’re going with them because of your power,” he cuts me off. I arch a brow at him, not out of disrespect, but the tone of his voice. There’s an urgency to it. “You’re the only one who can help Annika control her newly surfaced water abilities. And Aurora…” His voice trails off.
Aurora. The vampire Samuel forcefully turned who has a healing ability right alongside a severe case of PTSD. Saint has been practically glued to her side, using his gift of mind manipulation in order to grant her some peace from her traumatic memories. He blames himself for not stopping Samuel sooner. I’m not sure what he’s doing is totally helping. That kind of trauma can’t be ignored and glossed over forever. It’ll surface eventually.
“Aurora needs space,” he finally says. “She’s constantly worried Grace or myself will read her thoughts, even though we’d never invade her privacy that way.”
Grace, Ajax’s mate, had the king’s unique ability that naturally set anyone not used to it on edge. I understood that, but…
“Do you think Aurora has something to hide?” I ask, shifting my weight.
“No,” he answers confidently. “She granted me permission in her mind shortly after arriving here. I saw enough to know she’s not withholding anything. There’s no grander plan there. Just…terror.” He shakes his head. “What he did to her…”
He doesn’t need to continue.
We all know. We’ve all seen the aftermath—the way she flinches at things we can’t see, the way she curls inward as her eyes glaze over, her mind broken. Every night she gets a bit more lucid with Saint’s help, but I’m not sure she’ll ever be whole again.
Shame curdles inside me over what Samuel did. What he was capable of. I hate that I didn’t see it. That none of us did.
One of our own. Samuel was one of us, and the betrayal he’s dealt…the betrayal he keeps dealing…
Talk about fucking trauma. I bury that shit even though I think Aurora shouldn’t.
“Time away will be good for her,” Alek continues. “Maybe the break and space will give her time to heal. Then she can focus on sharpening her power. Just like Annika needs to do.”
Fuck. I’m not getting out of this.
I know the others can handle things here while I’m gone. Hell, the king has a pretty stellar arsenal of magical beings at his disposal. I know he doesn’t need me right now. Know that Kyle and Samuel will have to regroup for a while, but damn. The idea of being trapped on an island with Annika, being forced to spend so much time with her, train her, be close to her…
Lava slices through my veins. A need I haven’t been able to ignore grabs me by the balls and yanks.
She’s gorgeous. That’s it. That’s the only reason she’s haunted my dreams for the last few months. And yeah, she’s got a mouth on her too. One I wouldn’t expect from a noble. But that’s it. It’s intrigue. Curiosity and the fact that I haven’t gotten laid in centuries.
That’s all.
“Will you do this?” Alek asks, jolting me back to the present.
I tilt my head. “You’re asking me? Not ordering this time?”
Alek folds his arms over his chest, staring me down. When he shifts like that, it’s easy to remember he’s the most powerful vampire in existence. Easier to forget when he’s informal and downright friendly.
“Do you need me to order you?” he asks.
I blow out a breath. He doesn’t. I understand why Annika needs help. I struggled with my own elemental powers when they surfaced. They can be finnicky bitches when they want to be. I want to help her; I just want to put an end to the destruction Samuel has dealt since we awoke more.
“No,” I say, bowing slightly. “You don’t.”
Alek smiles and nods. “Good. You leave tonight.”
Wonderful.
“One big happy fucking family vacation,” Saint grumbles under his breath as he shifts in the seat next to me for the eighth time since we boarded the plane.
Cassandra and Talon are in the back, fully wrapped up in each other like they can’t bear to be apart. Mating bonds look more like a shackle than an enhancement to me, but to each their own.