Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 53656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
I nodded, doing my best to wrangle my emotions so that he wouldn't scent the terror and panic in my blood. That he wouldn't notice every instinct in my body screamed at me to run down to that dungeon and release my mate.
My mate.
“I’ve been working on a plan to strategically remove you from court for quite some time now, sister,” he said. “This only accelerates that plan.”
“I'm ready to do whatever you need me to do,” I said.
“I'm going to need that gift of yours,” he continued. “Mom’s has never been as strong as yours, the ability to sense supernatural blood and human bloodlines, though don't tell her I told you that. I really don't want to deal with the blowback.”
“I can help you find more bloodlines,” I said. “I could’ve been helping you this whole time,” I said, letting a little bit of that anger slip into my lives. “If you wouldn't have left me at court so long—”
“I couldn't tell where your allegiance lied,” he said. “At least now I know why.” He shook his head. “I’ll ensure that when the time comes, the king will suffer for that.”
“Are you making a move against him soon?”
Edward shook his head, looking like he was lost in his own thoughts. “That step is much further down the line,” he said. “The only objective right now is to ensure that no more powerful bloodlines are allowed to rise up. That's the only thing that matters. Because if we eradicate that, then we'll have the numbers we need to really focus an effort against the king and his assassins and now the hunters that have aligned with him.”
“By working with the Sons of Honor?” I asked, arching a brow at him. “Honestly, they're pathetic humans, what need could you possibly have of them?”
“They are pathetic,” he said. “But they're nice tools to have. And they have shown some advancements, especially in their weaponry against our kind and other supernaturals alike. Aligning with them only ensures our family stays out of their fire, and we’ll reap the benefits when they help us take down everyone standing in our way. And when the time comes, the rightful vampire will sit on the throne.”
“You?”
“Who else?”
“I didn't know if you’d put your stock into that one hunter who has been driving the king and his assassins crazy lately.”
Edward cut his gaze to me, shock showing for the barest of seconds. “You were privy to that information?”
“They sent a hunter here with me,” I said. “I was privy to everything because they didn't think anything could break Alek’s compulsion. They didn't think anybody would notice that the hunter shifter was not in fact my actual panther.” I did my best to look sad and concerned. “They've probably killed Shadow already,” I said. “And Warrick will be next if we don't take action.”
“We don't need to take action,” he said. I tilted my head. “They wouldn't be stupid enough to kill Warrick, knowing it would only accelerate this war that they think they have a handle on. We’ll continue to do our work, and you can go back and convince them you're still compelled. You can be my source of information and when the time is right, we'll strike.”
“And in the meantime?”
“I’ll heed your advice,” he said, shocking the hell out of me. He snapped his fingers and a guard appeared at his side. “Make sure my mother has at least ten guards on her. Go now.” He looked back to me. “Mother is the one who relayed every ounce of information to me after Father passed,” he explained. “She knows just as much as I do about what our father's grand plans were before he'd been ruthlessly killed. Her being captured is not an option. You're right in the need for us to protect her.”
“And you,” I said even though it made me want to throw up in my mouth.
“That's cute,” he said. “I can handle myself.”
“Now,” he continued. “I'll need to go wrangle more information out of this hunter. Care to join me?”
I shook my head. “I've had enough of him to last me a lifetime,” I said, my heart cracking as the words left my mouth.
“Fair enough,” he said. “Go be with Mother. You'll be safe there. I'll fetch you when I’m done.”
I nodded, and it took every ounce of strength I possessed to wait until I heard his footsteps disappear down to the basement before I raced with vampire speed to the edge of the island, to the spot I knew was just outside the protective wards of this place, and I wended. I only had enough strength to make it to the border of the Florida Keys, my power not nearly as great as those of my mate.
I grabbed the burner phone that I’d taken from Talon, redialing the last number that he had called.