Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
After years of knowing Lizzie, this wasn’t a shock to him. “Elle was your destined mate, and Layla was always meant to be born and make her way to the Northern Forest Pack.”
“Yep, because Layla and Elle were meant to be best buds, and who helps to guide the powerful being—only me. We’re going to have a lot of fun together.”
“Hold on,” Lewis said. “Layla is human.”
“Yep, human and immortal at the same time.” Crazy Lizzie giggled. “Don’t you think that’s a hoot?”
“None of this is making any sense,” Lewis said.
“And you think witches, wolves, gargoyles, and vampires make a whole load of sense?” Crazy Lizzie asked. “And they call me the crazy one.” She rolled her fingers around in a circle close to her head.
“It doesn’t matter how anything is possible. What matters is Layla is here. She has been attacked and now she needs to know what’s going on,” Alexander said.
“And you’ve got to be the one to do it,” Crazy Lizzie said. “As her mate, you’re the only one to keep her calm, and if she gets nervous or freaks out, with her abilities growing fast, she’ll be out of control.”
“What exactly can she do?” Lewis asked. “Why does the cult want her so much?”
Crazy Lizzie turned toward Lewis. “Have you not been paying attention in class?” She lifted a finger and waved it from side to side, while also going tut, tut, tut. “Layla possesses the five-pointed star. The four elements of the world—earth, wind, fire, and … what is that pesky fourth one, ah, right…”—she took a deep breath—“air.” She giggled. “Then the five-pointed star also refers to all of us. The paranormal element. Do you want to take a guess that if she can command a lake, probably handle fire, earth, and wind, what do you think she can do to all paranormal beings?”
“There’s no way someone can be that strong,” Lewis said.
“You’re saying she can command everyone here?” Drake asked.
“Bingo.” Crazy Lizzie winked and clicked her tongue. “So you see, she is very … er … powerful.”
“They’re going to kill her,” Elle said.
“Yeah, that’s their plan, but they need to get Layla to where she was conceived as well as born, then kill her, drain her blood completely, and ta-da, whoever consumes that blood will gain her power. There are a few caveats to that as well. You know, the person who kills her must drink her blood, and if Layla has fed anyone, they must kill them. You know the drill.”
Alexander held his hand up. “What?”
Crazy Lizzie let out a hum and a whistle. “Come on, fang boy. You and I both know you’re going to drink from her. It will be your way to connect to her. Also, seeing as she is powerful with her blood in your veins and her ability to control the elements, you will be able to walk in the sunlight.” Crazy Lizzie slapped a hand over her mouth and gasped. “Upsy-daisy.” She giggled again. “I guess I let that one out of the bag.”
“But, wouldn’t that kill her?” Elle said.
“Here’s the clever one.” Crazy Lizzie danced toward Elle.
Alexander noticed Brandon tightening his hold on her.
“Go on, special Elle, tell them.”
“You said they have to kill anyone who has shared Layla’s blood, but wouldn’t that kill her?”
“Only if we drain her dry, but if we don’t drain her, she’ll replenish.” Crazy Lizzie snorted. “She is not the most powerful being to ever walk the earth without, you know, having awesome little tricks.”
“Then why don’t we all have some?” Elle asked.
“See, you’re going to be the brains between you two,” Crazy Lizzie said.
“No, not happening,” Brandon said. “We’re not bloodsuckers.”
Crazy Lizzie tutted.
“No one is draining Layla,” Alexander said.
“And who gives you the right to an opinion here!” This came from Lewis.
“She’s mine!” Alexander snapped, showing off his fangs.
Tension rose within the room, and he was surprised as the gargoyles stood in front of him, facing off against the rest of the room.
“Layla’s blood cannot be taken,” the gargoyle said.
Crazy Lizzie smacked her head. “Yeah, that’s right. Sorry. So many caveats. So much to remember. Duh.”
“Only what is given freely. Layla must offer her blood up willingly, otherwise, nothing will come.”
Alexander looked down at Layla. Even being hit by a spike, her wound hadn’t bled. She refused to give a drop of blood to the creature.
****
Layla wiped the tears from her eyes. Her hip, where she had always carried the birthmark, seemed to hurt today.
“Are you okay?” Alexander asked.
Layla looked up from where she was sitting on the edge of the spare bed in Brandon’s house. She hadn’t been allowed to go outside, but her parents, or more importantly, her gargoyle protectors, had just told her the truth.
They didn’t use words, but touched her head and allowed her to see her parents. They told her the truth, showed her everything. Wiping at her eyes, she smiled up at Alexander.