Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 109329 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 547(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109329 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 547(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
Her voice was wispy and her heart glowed as brightly as his eyes. “I promise,” she said, and meant it. She felt grounded and confident, knowing this big gargoyle-monster had her back.
He yanked her closer and kissed her, hard. Butterflies exploded through her middle. She melted against him for a moment, borrowing his strength. His confidence. His brutality in battle.
He pulled away, his eyes still delving into hers deeply. “Sink into the darkness, little deathwatch angel. You own the shadows. You were inducted into them early and have structured them into your home. Other mages are in your kingdom. Use that darkness within you to protect those you love.”
Heat prickled her eyes as she remembered what he’d said in the gargoyle cairn. That she’d chosen to be a hero, to stand up when others might quail. He, too, was morally gray. Like her. Like Niamh, and Edgar, and Sebastian. And Austin. Like Jessie when she needed to be. When they loved, they loved completely, and they’d do anything to protect what was theirs.
“Okay,” she said, steeling her determination.
“Good girl,” he murmured, his whiskey voice sending a thrilling shiver up her spine. “Momar’s people have nothing on the captain. Prove it.”
A little grin curled her lips. Good Lord, this man would be fun to play with. Was fun to play with.
Maybe it was time. Maybe she’d finally beg.
Maybe she’d make him work for it first…
“Okay,” she said again, her body on fire, adrenaline starting to pool in her gut.
She owned the shadows. She’d chosen to be here all those years ago when she’d protected Sabby and Jala. She’d returned again and again, a life carved out of necessity. Skills forged in blood.
And now she’d use them for good. He’d erased her guilt and set her free to be the monster she’d been forced to become…and now chose to be. She felt like laughing. Like dancing on the bones of her enemies. She was uniquely suited for this type of espionage, harnessing the energy around her, desensitized by her past.
Well…actually…not uniquely suited.
She looked to the side, into the deep shadows at the corner of the alleyway in which Tristan had first touched down. Edgar waited there with a little smile, wearing purple sweats with a little stain down the front. She hadn’t heard him creep up. Tristan probably still didn’t know he was there. The vampire was like an eclipse, and somehow, she was still his shadow.
“Okay,” she repeated with a smile. She looked back at Tristan with gratitude. “I hope you have an oil warmer. I like when my gargoyle’s muscles glisten in the candlelight.”
His whole body tensed in surprise. Lust immediately danced in his eyes. She giggled softly before turning away.
Edgar came forward immediately, and the currents of power settled around them.
“Shall I lead this time?” she asked Edgar. “Or do you have an idea where you want to go?”
“Hmm.” He skulked off to the north, melting into the shadows before turning into a cloud of insects. Apparently, he had an idea.
She took out a mirror and sauntered after him, adding a little wobble as though she’d drunk too much. She was just a woman out for a stroll.
Jessie
I felt Edgar and Nessa moving together. Tristan rose, his connection clearer now, something that happened when he shifted into gargoyle form. Ulric and Jasper were perched on rooftops about a mile apart, on either side of Nessa’s location. Other gargoyles waited in the area, knowing something was going on by Tristan in the area, but not what.
I opened more connections, organized them, and enhanced them, the practice nearly second nature now. I’d been working on it religiously.
“We’ve got company,” Niamh murmured, sitting in her usual spot at the bar.
“Oh yeah?” Fred said from her other side. Sue stood a little removed, watching the bar.
I blinked and looked around, noticing a glass of wine in front of me and Sebastian staring at me, pushed in close to fit between me and Sasquatch. We hadn’t been long in getting to the bar and sitting down. Probably. I tended to lose track of time when I homed in on the connections.
“Would ye quit starin’ at her, ya eejit,” Niamh berated Sebastian. He flinched. “She’s just tired, like. That gnome infestation is draining the life outta her. She’s running here and there the whole time. Can’t get a moment’s peace. What that vampire is doing about it, I have no idea. Ah sure, he’s busy making his doilies and tending his flowers. He ought to be retired, that’s what he ought to be. Useless. But does anyone listen to me? Not a-t’all.”
“Huh.” Fred nodded, staring at her computer. “That is a lot to unpack. Has he tried bug spray on them? Everyone hates bug spray. Or, you know what?” She didn’t look away from her computer. “Something sticky. Honey, maybe. Even inanimate but somehow magically animated items hate stickiness. I bet honey or candy or something would make them think twice.”