Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 112287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 561(@200wpm)___ 449(@250wpm)___ 374(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 561(@200wpm)___ 449(@250wpm)___ 374(@300wpm)
But she’d matured and so had he.
These days, he treated her as an equal, and she didn’t see insult in what were pragmatic decisions that came with being one of the Cadre. Or with the gentle choices made to protect an already emotionally bruised lover. “Did you set up the test before you came to meet me?”
Illium waited to answer until they’d crossed the street, entering a quieter residential area full of spring-green trees that nudged at her memories. “Yes. Played it off as a test of their observation skills, with the aim to spot a concealed building, and hid the Refuge feed in a group of five—one of which does feature a building that’s difficult to spot.
“I gave the task to the junior security team—the five of them do low-stakes computer work for us. First one to spot the building gets an extra paid day off.”
Elena’s throat burned at the idea of Sam and other angelic children being exposed to the world. As with mortal children, they were so damn helpless. But unlike the vast majority of mortal children, they’d also draw hate virulent and vicious from those who wanted to strike at their elders. “How long did you give the searchers?”
“Three hours.” He came to a halt after turning the corner onto a street with lovingly maintained brownstones. “This is where I leave you.”
Only then did Elena realize why the other street had looked so familiar. She’d just become used to seeing it from the air rather than from this perspective. “You brought me to Sara.” Her throat grew thick.
“I’ll meet you back at the Tower.” Illium pressed his cheek to her temple just as Elena’s best friend opened her door to run down the steps. She was dressed in jeans that hugged her legs, along with a simple sweater of aqua green that made her brown skin glow. Her black hair was pulled back into a knot, her bangs as thick and flawless as ever.
“Ellie!”
Elena let her best friend enclose her in an embrace tight. She couldn’t cry, the tears locked up inside like hard little stones, but oh, it felt good to be held by the woman who’d been a part of her life for so long that she might as well be her sister.
A strong gust, Illium a streak of blue in the sky when they glanced up.
It was only after they were inside, with Elena crouched down to pet a big black dog who now moved with slow deliberation and had white in his whiskers, that Sara told her the reason why Bluebell had walked her over.
“I was on the other side of the city helping one of the younger hunters when Raphael called,” she said as she bustled about making coffee. “I was going to head straight to you, but he said you’d feel better in my home, asked me to wait here for you.”
Elena bit down hard on her lower lip, overwhelmed by the love that surrounded her. “Thank you.”
Slayer rose under her touch to pad out, probably to go find his favorite human in all the world. He moved like the very senior citizen he was; in human terms, he’d passed the century mark. Melancholy hit her hard as she stood. She remembered when he’d been a puppy, rambunctious and with so much energy in his body that he’d needed three long walks a day.
“Shut up,” Sara said in response to her thanks, the words spoken with the ease of a friendship set in stone. “As if I’d be anywhere but with you at this time.” She put an empty mug down on the breakfast counter, in readiness for the dark brew that already scented the air. “You want eggs or pancakes or both? I’ll throw in bacon for sure.”
“I don’t think I can eat.”
Sara put both hands on her hips. “You’re eating if I have to hand-feed you. I haven’t forgotten the whole burning-energy-at-crazy-speed-while-flying thing.”
“My wing is injured,” Elena grumbled. “Also, you’re using your mom voice.”
“Good. It works.” Sara winked. “Speaking of being a mom, the demon child will be happy with the unexpected goodies for breakfast.”
Elena took a seat on one of the stools at the counter. “Pancakes, and don’t call my goddaughter a demon child. Zoe Elena is the epitome of an elegant and refined young lady.”
Sara snorted as she began to whip up the pancakes. “She’s an only child, that’s what she is. Expects restaurant service when she comes to visit.” A lift of her eyebrows. “So?”
“Bad.” Her hand clenched on the mug Sara had just filled. “ICU.” She wanted to tell Sara about her conversation with Jeffrey, couldn’t quite get it out. It was too soon, her mind and heart unable to process it. “Shit, Sara. I thought he’d live forever.”
“Bastards usually do, so I’d say he has a good shot.”