Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 49388 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49388 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
“No!” The woman shoots up from the chair and grabs Tarian’s hand. “Please don’t hurt him. He’s… He’s not a bad man.”
“What do you mean?” I question, not understanding how she can say that. The man I met a few months ago was vile. He was cold, and there wasn’t a compassionate bone in his body for anyone.
“He loves… He loves Rukaiya. I know he does. But he’s confused.”
“Confusion didn’t make him kill. It also didn’t make him behave like a heartless bastard by kidnapping his own daughter.” Tarian’s tone has turned to ice as he pulls his hand away from the woman’s. “Thane was involved in the death of my father, he made me believe my mother was dead, and he stole your daughter’s life by giving her to a couple who worked for him. He treated Rukaiya like a fucking abandoned animal.”
“You don’t understand,” she pleads once more, but Tarian is not listening. He’s shut off, and I know there’s no getting through to him when he’s like this.
“Perhaps we can talk about this later?” I suggest as I cast a glance at Heinrich, hoping he’ll see the shitstorm that’s about to hit his office if this disagreement continues.
“Yes, of course,” our host finally says, pulling Rukaiya’s mother from the room.
He takes her out into the hallway, and I can hear raised voices, but I can’t discern what’s being said.
“Tarian—”
“Don’t,” he bites out, holding his hand up to stop me from speaking.
Frustration blooms in my gut, but I give him the space he’s demanding. I’ll allow him to stew, for now, but when we get to the hotel we’re staying in, I’m not shutting up.
I refuse to stay silent ever again.
CHAPTER 6
TARIAN
The church we’ve come to is ancient with crumbling walls. It looks as if the interior of the building hasn’t been cleaned since the eighteen hundreds. There’s a musty smell that makes me think about all the dead bodies buried here, and as we’re led down some concrete steps, the churning of anxiety in my gut intensifies.
We’re escorted into an underground crypt where we find Heinrich talking to two men. I don’t recognize either of them, so I take up a position a few feet away from where they’re standing. I’m wearing my Sovereign black cloak with the hood pulled over my head, partially covering my face, and Grecia, who’s dressed in a similar way, is next to me.
I can tell by her rigid stance that she’s nervous, and I don’t blame her. This place is like a fucking prison. There are cells surrounding us on all sides, and in the center of the room, there’s a large ceramic bowl of water perched on top of a pillar that puts it at chest height. It reminds me of the fonts used for baptisms.
I count at least twelve men already seated around the room. They’re all draped in black. Grecia has never been directly involved in the Gilded Sovereign before, so it has to be difficult for her to be in the middle of this group of men who believe they own the world. And when I think about how many countries the Sovereign control, I’m fairly sure we do rule the world.
A low hum catches my attention, and I realize the men are chanting. I can’t tell what they’re saying, their voices are far too quiet, but the sound echoes, bouncing off the walls and offering up an eerie atmosphere to the whole proceeding.
“This is freaking me out,” Grecia whispers in my ear.
Dressed in the hooded cloak with her face partly covered, it’s impossible to tell at a quick glance she’s a woman, but the moment she removes the head covering, I’m concerned the men will believe she’s easy game.
That’s not happening.
Not on my watch.
“Tarian,” Heinrich calls, and I turn my attention to him. “These are my two most trusted advisors. They’ve found Thane. I’ll give you the information after the evening’s entertainment is at an end.”
“That’s fine,” I tell him. “But then we’ll have to leave.” I keep my voice conciliatory, hoping he doesn’t lose his shit at my eagerness to escape.
Even though I know he won’t hurt me, because I’m a Crown, it’s the girl beside me I’m worried about. Every time he looks at Grecia, I feel the heat of rage bubbling beneath the surface.
I notice his gaze land on her now as he asks, “Would the young lady like to perform for us?”
It’s a question, but it’s also an order. The tone of his voice implies, if she refuses, he’ll make her do as he requests anyway.
I turn to Grecia, meeting her gaze. I’ve asked her to come here to do this, even though she’s not mine to command. She could easily say no, but she shocks the shit out of me when she smiles at Heinrich and nods her agreement.