Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 109477 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 547(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109477 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 547(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
That brought a wave of fear that clenched her heart, and so she switched gears, thinking about the scuffle with these fae and how she could’ve been better. She’d completely ignored Tarian. That had been a mistake. She should’ve at least thrown a weapon at him to make him scramble. That might’ve given her those few more seconds to get out of his reach.
Of course, he would’ve just tracked her down anyway. It had been stupid to run. A waste of energy. But then, she hadn’t had time to think, and as she remembered, it was better to run than tuck yourself into a box for someone to bury at their leisure.
When a small collection of shacks, clustered close together, came into view, she was glad for it. The heat and lack of sustenance were getting to her. An electric zigzag appeared in her vision, blocking some of her view—a coming ocular migraine often set off by exactly these circumstances. Her vision would continue to get blotchy, her mind hazy, and a headache would set in. Maybe she’d feel sick or her fingers would start to tingle or go numb. It wouldn’t kill her. The cold shivers racing across her body, however, weren’t as great. Heat stroke, most likely. Hopefully a slow onset. She hadn’t completely stopped sweating yet. She’d need water and shade, preferably cool. As a captive, she probably wouldn’t get to make those demands.
It took her a moment to realize the guys in front had slowed, turning around. Tarian pushed in close, one arm around her shoulders and the other scooping her up under her knees.
“What—” She shoved at him weakly, which was not her finest moment. “I can walk just fine. How’d you even hear that?”
“Mental communication isn’t exactly like talking, no,” he said, increasing his pace. The added weight made him limp harder. “The mind can do more than one thing at a time. More than two things at once, even. Especially a mind trained to keep track of multiple situations or conversations at once. Your analytical ability is incredibly interesting and a little humbling. Your rambling is entertaining. Your current state is worrying. How bad are you? Don’t lie. You’re no good at it.”
“I’m”—she shoved at him again—“very good at it, actually. I’m a master at it. You just cheat by listening to the truth in my head.”
“Yes. Which makes you no good at it with my kind. How bad?”
“Water, food, and a cool and dark place—that’s all I need. The possible heat stroke is the only worrying thing, and it isn’t too far along yet, I don’t think. I’m assuming we’re going to stop soon, at the Shanty Township. I’ll make it. Please put me down so I don’t look like a frail human who needs to be carried through the fae lands by Lord Dick.”
He smirked at her. “Lord Dick. I like that. But don’t you like being underestimated?”
“I look plenty pitiful, thanks. Plus, I doubt it’ll stick after you replay the scuffle earlier. This is your last warning. Please put me down.”
“That was a very polite warning—”
In a swift, fluid motion, she swiped her hand up, grabbed the hilt of her knife, turned it blade side up, and bonked him on the head. He squeezed his eyes shut and staggered, letting go of her legs. She twisted to get out of his grip, but anticipating it, he squeezed her upper half to him and grabbed her wrist with the other hand.
I cheat. Remember that, he thought as he secured her. She wheezed within the hold.
He must’ve directed that into her mind alone, because then he said, “That wasn’t very nice, little dove. Now we have to do things the hard way.”
His lids slid open, but she could barely make them out. The fuzzy zigzag had grown within her vision, pulsing in time with the oncoming headache, blotting out a solid chunk just off center. She had to look away and see the situation from her peripheral vision. These things were seldom timed well, but in the human world, she had medicine to stave it off. No such luck now.
“Take her knife,” Tarian barked, and someone pried it from her fingers.
“Careful,” Lennox said in his drum-deep voice. “She has the ability to kill us now.”
Tarian hoisted her up and tossed her over his shoulder. A wave of shivers washed over her body, and her head felt woozy. Yeah, heat stroke. Super.
“Go.” Tarian directed his team on. “Go!”
“I’ll…be…” She grunted as his shoulder repeatedly dug into her middle.
“Curse the wingots, Daisy. Do not say you are fine. What are these human maladies? You can’t see!”
“You guys don’t have migraines? Well, technically, it’s an ocular migraine. It’s a little different.”
“No. I need you alive.”
“You need me alive?”
“Fine, I want you alive. I want to show you off to the court as I play with you. I didn’t put all this effort into getting you here just for the sun and situation to kill you off. I have plans for you. You will be a much-needed distraction to give me time to work the chalices.”