Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 140940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
Baba put her view back on my mouse. “Emilio and his wet nurses were perfect. However, every two hours the spoiled lion cub gulped and gorged on milk as if he was a starving baby. This is probably why in all of my future visions of Emilio, he is quite a big man.”
“Really?” My mood brightened. “Emilio will end up being even bigger than me?”
“A few inches taller, Kazimir, and with your hefty shoulders and bulky arms.”
“Well.” I gazed down at Emilio. “That will be interesting indeed. As soon as you are walking, son, we will be in the gym.”
My mouse rolled her eyes. “Can you let this boy be a kid?”
“What? I lifted weights when I was young.”
“We are not giving our kids the same childhoods we had. Remember?”
“My cub will need muscles—”
“Emilio will not need muscles to lift a paint brush.” She kissed Emilio’s forehead and then she winked at Paolo. “Both of my babies are going to be famous artists, learning art in some of the best schools in Europe, and knowing all different types of languages. They will have their own studios and maybe even tons of art museums throughout the world.”
Absolutely not. They will rule our empire and be threatening, murderous bastards that terrify the world.
Baba leaned against the wall, silent, but with that knowing look—the one that said she knew the boys’ outcomes and even more.
Tell her that I am right, Baba.
“Muscles.” Paolo went over to Emily.
“No.” She shook her head. “Art.”
I nodded. “He was correct the first time.”
Paolo sat down next to her and held his cookie close to her face. “Mysh? Want?”
“Aww. So sweet. Yes, baby.” Smiling, Emily leaned over, took a tiny bite of the cookie, and chewed it. “Yummy. Salted caramel with pecan and chocolate.”
Paolo beamed and returned to munching on the cookie.
Emily swallowed and frowned at Baba. “I can totally taste the vitamins.”
Baba smirked. “And now that we are here, how are you both feeling about New Orleans?”
Emily let out a long sigh. “I am ready to get this started.”
“Good.” Baba gave me a sad smile. “The cards said that Lunita appeared. How are we doing?”
“She came. . .twice.” Emily rolled her eyes again. “But. . .I figured something out to knock her back down.”
I shifted my weight to the other foot.
“Excellent. You are getting more control.” Baba leaned her head to the side. “What do you think changed from usual?”
“I don’t know. Maybe, it’s because now I truly know she exists and will harm people I love, so there’s this. . .necessity to control. Now, I’m ready to get on with this.”
Baba gave her a sad smile. “This voodoo woman will want to take her time. That means that patience will be important in these first few days.”
I focused my view on Baba. “The Butcher talked about my need to be nice to people in New Orleans. What do you see?”
“I agree.” Baba let out a long breath. “This Delphine will need you to acquire certain items that will require you to step outside of your comfort zone.”
I quirked my brows. “What do you mean step outside of my comfort zone?”
“Kazimir, your comfort zone is homicidal maniac. While in New Orleans you need to walk on a different path—one that will involve friendly smiles, saying thank you, and even asking for these items with the world please.” Baba blinked. “Do you know how to say please?”
I scowled. “What items will Delphine need?”
“She will tell you.”
Emily rocked our son in her arms. “Can’t I just get the items myself?”
“I wish, Emily, but the answer is no. You will be busy with Delphine, beginning your mental training so that when Kazimir gets these items, you can go within yourself and use them.”
“Go in myself? What does that mean?”
Baba sighed as if already exhausted with us. “Do you think that all Delphine will need to do is make a potion, you drink it, and that’s it, you are healed?”
Emily nodded. “That was my thinking.”
“We are talking about layers upon layers of trauma that involved your brain splitting to defend itself. Delphine even attempting to heal your mind is an almost impossible mission. I am still not sure why she is so. . .determined to do it. When I look, there is this. . .wall of darkness like she is trying to hide it.”
What?
Emily’s bottom lip quivered. “But can she heal me?”
“I see many different outcomes.” Baba’s expression tensed. “Let us just. . .proceed with caution.”
“That was useless information.” I pointed at her. “I want more of an answer than that while we are here.”
“That is all you are getting, Kazimir.”
Someone knocked on the door.
I called out. “What?”
The door opened.
Tisha stepped inside. He wore a dark blue suit with his hair tied up in a ponytail. When his gaze went to me, he snickered. “You look very cute, Kazimir.”