Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 78259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
“Enough!” Father snarled.
I tensed.
My mother went silent and looked away.
Father glared at me. “You mentioned needing two things. What is the second?”
“When I rescued my daughter, there was another person with me. He helped. Later, he was captured. I would like to take some of your warriors and go back to save him.”
Father raised his eyebrows. “And what is this being that you want to save? What sort of creature?”
I gritted my teeth. “He is a demon.”
My father laughed.
His advisors joined in.
Then the people returned to what they were doing—dancing and feasting, conversating and chuckling as if our conversation no longer mattered.
Damn it.
I grabbed my wine and took a large gulp.
“Demon?” Calming his laughter, Father coughed in his hand. “You will not get one warrior for that mission. Never.”
“Then, can I get some of your—”
“No, you cannot!”
“But you didn’t let me finish.”
“First a vampire!” Father’s voice rose in the air. The whole party went silent again. He glared at me. “Now a demon?!”
I shivered. “He helped free your granddaughter.”
“For what reason?”
“Because he wanted me to get her back.”
“Aww. My poor Fatou.” Father shook his head. “So gullible. So unwise in all of your judgements.”
I set my wine down.
“I will keep my granddaughter.” He pointed at me. “That is all that you will receive. Nothing else.”
Zoe and Jade gave me sad glances as they nibbled their food.
My mother watched me. “Fatou, what will you do now? Will you still return to where this sorcerer is and try to save this demon?”
I nodded.
Her eyes watered. “Are you sure, Fatou? This could be. . .a mission that you may not survive.”
Jade looked up at me. “Mommy?”
I squeezed her leg. “I will be okay, baby.”
Zoe gave a slow nod. “We will be okay. I’ll go back with you.”
“Thank you, Zoe.”
“Then, so be it.” Father clapped his hands and gestured for everyone to return to the feast.
So be it. At least Jade will be safe and with our people.
I sank deeper into sadness, but made sure that the emotion didn’t show on my face as everyone returned to eating and drinking again.
Azar. . .it doesn’t matter. . .I’m coming for you.
Chapter 23
Redemption
Azar
The blackness of my cell seemed to cast a shadow that reached out to swallow me. Or perhaps it was my despair, making me think I was seeing things. Either way, the shadows and the darkness were the same thing, and neither of them would help me escape.
Please, God.
I remained on my knees with my forehead touching the cold stone, talking to a God that would never answer, begging for Fatou and Jade’s safety.
Sometimes, I prayed for the grace of death to take me, knowing that Adae probably would soon torture and maim me.
God, protect Fatou and keep her daughter safe.
I had no idea how much time passed as I remained bowed in agonizing grief. My knees became sore. My head throbbed in pain. My soul shrieked with fear and loneliness.
Tears left my eyes.
Sometimes, they were tears of happiness, knowing that Fatou and Jade were alive and safe somewhere.
Sometimes, they were tears of grief, feeling the pain of Fatou’s loss like a phantom limb. Fatou’s beautiful face flashed my mind—those gorgeous eyes, the cute, pointed ears, and full lips.
A masculine voice sounded in front of me. “When was the last time you prayed to God?”
Who said that?
Shocked, I lifted my head up.
Several feet outside the cell’s window, an angel slowly flapped his huge wings. He wore white pants and shirt with no shoes. A halo of golden light radiated from his body. His skin sparkled with gold dust.
Stretching past his muscular shoulders, his wings were larger than Lucifer’s, and every white feather was perfectly formed and tipped with gold.
What. . .
Unlike Adae and even Lucifer’s eyes, his golden gaze held warmth and kindness. His platinum blonde hair fell past his shoulders.
Speechless, I stared back in shock.
The angel curved his lips into a smile.
Is this really happening?
I inhaled the air and noted the scents.
The sweet smell of summer flowers. The sun’s heat. The perfumed breath of life.
“Did you hear me, demon?” The angel flapped his wings faster and flew closer to the barred window.
“I. . .”
The angel leaned his head to the side. “Yes, demon?”
“I have not prayed to God since. . .”
“You cannot remember?”
“I can’t.”
“That sounds like a very long time.” And just like that, the angel flew into the cell as if the bars were never there. As if no barrier could ever stop him.
I rushed and rose to my feet. My legs ached, but I couldn’t care less. “You. . .”
With his winds still flapping, he hovered above the ground and stayed three feet in front of me. “Why do you pray to God tonight?”
“I. . .want someone to be safe.”
The angel scanned the space. “Fatou and Jade?”
“Yes!”
The angel directed his view back on me. “Why do you want them to be safe?”