Total pages in book: 194
Estimated words: 187021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 935(@200wpm)___ 748(@250wpm)___ 623(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 187021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 935(@200wpm)___ 748(@250wpm)___ 623(@300wpm)
“Let me take that,” Kierse said.
“Thank you. Oh! Do you want to see the cake?”
Kierse grinned and followed her into the kitchen, where a stunning, multilayered cake sat on the counter. It was several layers of white buttercream with a wave of roses falling down one side like a river of blood.
“It’s stunning.”
“Ready for my delivery tomorrow,” Isolde said with a wink. “Now, let me grab the snacks.” She hefted a second tray into her arms. “Here we are. Let’s go to that meeting.”
“Has everyone already arrived?”
“I believe they were still waiting on Mr. Schwartz,” Isolde said.
Kierse smirked. Mr. Schwartz sounded like Schwartz’s father. The thought of calling him that almost jogged her out of her bad mood. But it didn’t explain why the library was so quiet. With that many people, she should have been able to hear with her enhanced abilities.
They had begun their climb to the library when the elevator dinged and Schwartz appeared.
“Sorry I’m late,” he said, catching up to them. “Allow me.”
He took the tray from Isolde, and she kissed his cheek as she headed upstairs with them.
“Of course,” he said with a short bow.
“Busy?” Kierse asked.
Schwartz huffed. “Purchasing explosives last minute raises flags. I had to call in some favors.”
“Oh, explosives,” Kierse said. “Fancy.”
“Hopefully, it’s enough,” he said with a shrug.
Her unease intensified as they reached the second-floor landing to continued silence.
Schwartz raised an eyebrow. “Are we the first ones here?”
“Isolde said we were the last,” Kierse said as she pushed the door open.
Everyone was seated at the center of the massive library. In fact, an extra couch and chair set had been brought in to accommodate the additional members. Anne Boleyn lounged languidly between Laz and Gen. Walter sat across from them in front of his computer setup. Nate sat on the other couch with his ankle crossed over his knee, typing away on his phone. George and Edgar stood sentinel in a corner. Isolde headed over to them. Graves had his arms crossed over his chest as she stared at the girl sitting opposite him—Lyra Anderson.
“What the hell did we miss?” Kierse asked.
Schwartz deposited the tray of food and then did the same with Kierse’s full of drinks. He took the open chair, leaving Kierse standing beside Lyra’s seat in confusion.
“We have an interloper,” Graves explained.
“Opportunist,” Lyra interjected.
Kierse glanced between them. “What happened?”
“She was snooping around.”
“Trying to get your attention,” Lyra corrected.
“Why would you do that?” Kierse asked.
“Because I’m not an idiot,” Lyra said, breaking Graves’s gaze to look at Kierse. “Look, I was interested in the offer and everything, but I was raised to ask questions. And the more questions I asked, the deeper I got into whatever this is, and I want in.”
“Why?” Graves barked.
“Why not?” Lyra asked, arching an eyebrow at him.
“This isn’t fun and games,” Kierse argued.
“Who said it was? My parents did this sort of shit all the time, and I grew up on stories of the scary motherfucker who helped them.” Lyra gestured to Graves.
“Your parents were not doing anything like this,” Graves assured her.
“Mind if we know who her parents are?” Laz asked.
Nate scoffed. “You don’t recognize the vampire princess in our midst?”
Kierse glanced between Nate and Lyra. She knew that his family had connections with the Andersons.
Laz shrugged. “Fill me in.”
“Beckham and Reyna Anderson,” Lyra muttered.
Schwartz whistled low. Laz looked impressed. They were sort of legends for their part in the first vampire war.
“Anyway,” Lyra said. “If they can do it, then so can I. Plus, if you’re going to use me anyway, then I at least want a cut.”
“That’s fair,” Kierse admitted. It would be simpler for Lyra to be involved than to use her and ditch her the way they’d planned to. A lot fewer questions.
“Fine,” Graves said with a shake of his head.
“Oh and…maybe don’t mention this to my parents,” Lyra added with a wince.
Kierse bit back a laugh. She was all hard-hitting confidence until it came to her parents finding out what she was doing. Joining the theater against their wishes was one thing. This was something else entirely.
Graves’s eyes met Kierse’s. The look curdled the laughter inside of her. She had to tell him about Lorcan. They had to talk about what had happened. And he had gotten much better at reading her without ever laying a hand on her.
She broke eye contact and sauntered across the room to take a seat next to Nate. Right now was neither the time nor place.
“You seem tense,” Nate said, throwing an arm across her shoulders.
“We’re stealing the cauldron tomorrow.”
Nate arched an eyebrow. “Normally you’re hyped up for this shit. Jonesing for some thievery.”
Damn her friends for knowing her too well.
She shoved Nate’s arm off her with a good-natured laugh. “I’ll be there tomorrow.”
“Suit yourself,” Nate said.
Graves cleared his throat. “Let’s address the new factors. The troll revolt and the Men of Valor logos spray painted in the subways. It’s unclear if they’re going to make a move at the conference while we’re busy, but it is a possibility. Nate and I will be on high alert throughout and we’ll have Walter with eyes in the sky. Otherwise, proceed as normal.”