Total pages in book: 203
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
“Danica Young already delivered them to the archives,” she states. “They’re no longer in Young coven possession. We have to deal with the Supernatural Council Collective to get them back now. I can’t help with your magic shield. That has to be managed by the coven that put it on you.”
“It was crafted by someone in your coven,” I tell her.
She frowns. “Aphra?”
“Can you get it off me?”
“As if I’d put myself in the line of fire with you. No, thank you. I asked Fab to bring those items to keep your woman comfortable until Danica arrives. Danica’s eldest sister has been informed you’re here and I told her we’re leaving before she arrives. I’ve been summoned home. Please accept the blanket and pillow as well as the food to sustain your woman until she arrives. You look strong enough to withstand that wait yourself. She’s welcome to use the bathroom before we leave. But we won’t hesitate to prevent her from harming one of us if needed. I promise the food and beverages have not been tampered with.”
“I’m supposed to believe that?”
“I’m under orders by my coven. And I’d like to extend my apologies on behalf of my coven for my lapse in judgement.”
Like I’d trust anyone in that coven. And I sure don’t fucking believe she’s sorry, either. Probably just sorry she didn’t get her hands on that wand because now she’s got egg on her face. At least it sounds like Anya Starling isn’t looking to go to war with us. My guess is she got wind of how much power Grey and Erica have and don’t want to get on the wrong side of them.
“I want to speak to someone from home,” I demand.
She pulls her phone from her pocket. “I’ll reach out.”
The guy in front of her holds the blanket and pillows out. I can’t accept them, so I back down three steps. He drops them on the top step before shutting the door and locking it.
Bailey’s eyes are puffy from crying, and she shoots a suspicious look at me before averting her gaze and pulling her lips into a tight line.
“We’ll be out of here tomorrow,” I tell her, pacing some more. Of course I know she just heard all that; I hate the look on her face right now so feel like I have to say something.
I feel like I’m in the wrong skin. The wrong place. And fuck, I wish we could do this over. I wish she’d stayed home and I could’ve figured this out there, without this between us, without me spouting off in anger and frustration. Because I’ve hurt her feelings now. Though I know I’ve been doing that a while already.
I grew up in a house outnumbered by females with strong personalities, emotional personalities, so I know I’ve got work ahead of me. I couldn’t help but hurt her feelings thinking she was carrying this torch for me that wasn’t going away, hoping she’d set her sights elsewhere before I identified my mate. I’ve been wigging out for weeks now about the pending mating thing. And now there’s this bullshit in the way.
Of course there is. It’s Arcana Falls and the first four had to wade through a whack of drama before getting to the easier part. Why would I rate an easy ride?
Fuck, I hope Linc and Joel get off easier than this. Because this drama shit surrounding finally knowing who’s mine getting in the way of what’s supposed to be the good part… it sucks.
“Bailey,” I say.
She huffs, but doesn’t look at me.
“Bay?”
Her light brown eyes dart to me and … shit… that’s some angry fire blazing in them.
Fuck, she has pretty eyes. Our eyes are nearly the same color, mine a darker brown. Same goes for our hair, though mine is a little lighter than her natural color. My thoughts flit to pups with her. I’ve got nieces and nephews and I love kids. Bailey is great with the kids in the pack. Putting on puppet shows for them in the library, doing different voices for each character. I’ve watched her doing crafts with them, being patient with them when I’ve stopped by to drop off or pick up one or more of my nieces or nephews. A strange, new affection rises in me.
My thoughts now flit to Sherry, and what she’s just gone through, being identified by that asshole brother of Stacy’s. And I wonder how she’s doing, if she’ll find someone else and give me more nieces and nephews. My thoughts don’t stay there long, because at least Sher is surrounded by family right now. And that fucker is nothing but a pile of chewed bones we threw into the river at the same place that other Starling witch fell.
Bailey is playing with a thread of her torn and grass-stained pantleg, an angry look on her face.