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)
She pulled her hands back. “Get in line.”
“If it were that simple, I would have done it last night,” Graves said from his seat. A small leather book was open before him.
“Why the fuck not?”
Kierse couldn’t even get the words out. The anger ripped through her anew at the lack of magic, the violation that cut to the bone.
“The binding allowed him to also take control of her magic. Usually, it’s a bridge between the two. Power sharing,” Graves explained. “But he’s cut her off. It’d be like if someone else decided when you could and couldn’t shift.”
Nate’s eyes widened in barely suppressed rage. “I’m all for torture,” he suggested. “We tie him to a chair and fuck him up until he releases her.”
“Tempting,” Graves said under his breath.
“We’re going to try the cauldron first,” Gen said.
“Might be less violent,” Ethan added.
“What he did was violent,” Nate all but roared.
Ethan held up his hands. “I’m aware. I’m on your side. Not his.”
Kierse shuddered, feeling the fresh reminder of her assault.
“I’m sorry,” Nate said automatically. “I’m so sorry. We’ll figure this out. I’m here for the cauldron, too. Let’s go use it and see if it lives up to its name.”
“Agreed,” Graves said, dropping his book onto the counter. He nodded at Isolde. “Thank you for breakfast. Delicious as always.”
She preened. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. If you need anything else, just let me know.” Isolde’s gaze fell on Kierse, and she turned away from the pity in the other woman’s expression.
The five of them headed upstairs to the library with Graves at her side.
“How did things go for you last night?” Graves asked Nate.
“As planned,” Nate said on a sigh. “I was nominated for the convocation alongside Amberdash.”
“Who else did the Men of Valor nominate?”
“Amberdash’s second, a wolf by the name of Nova Lee,” he said with a wrinkle of his nose. “She’s had it out for me since I helped with the Treaty. She’s going to be upset when I beat her.”
“We’ll deal with it,” Graves told him.
“Nothing I can’t handle,” Nate said. “Plus, I have wedding festivities that are more important. Maura’s family is hosting an entire week of Indian wedding parties since the ceremony is more traditionally American. Are you still planning to come to events this week?” Nate’s eyes flicked to Kierse. “Maura would understand if you had to cancel.”
“I’ll be there. Gen and I both,” Kierse said at once. She’d rather be celebrating someone else’s happiness than thinking about her own misery.
Gen smiled. “I’m all for it. I used to tattoo with henna for fun. A Mehndi would be an honor to witness.”
Nate blew out a breath of relief. “Great. She’ll appreciate you both there.”
Kierse’s hand reached for her wren necklace, remembering again too late that it wasn’t there. Lorcan still had it. The last piece of her mother and it was gone. She’d kept it all those years on the streets, and somehow now it was lost. Her father’s knife was on her belt. She reflexively rubbed her hand along the handle, imagining burying the thing in a Druid’s chest.
Graves pushed open the door to the library, and for a second, Kierse’s breath caught at the sight before her. Almost every available square space was covered with valuable collectibles that had been the showcase pieces for the Curator. Jason’s thievery on display in the Holly Library.
“Whoa,” she whispered.
“We did good, eh?” Nate asked, nudging her shoulder.
While Kierse and Lyra had been getting through the security for the cauldron, Nate and Edgar had cleared out the showcase room into a van. With the ballroom on lockdown thanks to Walter’s warding, they’d been able to steal the entire lot of Jason’s collection, not just the cauldron, without anyone the wiser.
“How did everyone take it when the doors reopened?” Kierse asked, running a finger over the crown jewels she’d noticed the day before.
“I was just as shocked as they were,” Nate said with a wink.
“Lyra claimed the photograph.” Graves pointed at a black-and-white picture. “If you have something in mind, you can take it. Otherwise I’ll sell it all off and give everyone a cut.”
“What do you think that cut will be?” Nate asked.
“I was estimating each cut at twenty-three million apiece.”
Gen gaped at him. “What?”
“Too low?” Graves asked her. “It may be higher if we find the right buyer.”
“That’s…” Gen floundered. “That’s… You’re going to give me twenty-three million dollars?”
“Each.” He sighed softly. “Though I may have to find new help.”
Kierse shrugged. “New blood might be good for you.”
“Perhaps.”
Ethan’s eyes widened between them. “How do I get in on this?”
Gen leaned her head on his shoulder and grinned. “Don’t worry. We’ll share.”
“I won’t,” Nate said with a laugh. “And the money’s great and all, but what about the cauldron?”
“Genesis,” Graves said, tipping his head at her.
“Oh,” she whispered. “Yeah. I mean…you want me to?”