Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 106600 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 426(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106600 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 426(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
I didn’t force him into the bracelet. I’m not on the clock and I just didn’t feel right forcing him to do something he’s never done before. I’m sort of hoping Ardan returns before my shift starts.
It’s clear Dracon is nervous about entering the charm and remaining there for hours. However, now that he’s speaking up, I’m second-guessing my decision.
“I will be in and out. I just need to know if he’s been here,” I mutter as I continue to watch the building from my car before we enter.
“He who? Only the lowest of the low hang out here. Others who could never join the brotherhood or reap its benefits. Who would you know here?”
“I don’t know him. I just need to find him.”
“King Ardan will have my patch if something happens to you. This seems like a bad idea. I am one of the youngest, and yet the kings have promoted me time and again. Please, being your guard has been one of the highest promotions I’ve had yet.”
“Lighten up, Dracon. I’m not helpless. I don’t need you to guard me. If you are worried, stay here. You can tell Ardan I gave you the slip.”
“He is not likely to believe that. There is a reason I was chosen.”
“Fine … wait, that’s him,” I say as Bardo walks toward the building, looking around as he goes. “Got him.”
“You are looking for the ice titan? Do you know how dangerous he is? Only ice creatures have clearance to hunt him.
“This is how he’s been eluding King Ardan for so long. There haven’t been enough hunters to confirm his death and now there aren’t enough to hunt him now that it’s been confirmed he’s alive.
“I’m sorry, My Queen. Neither of us should engage him. I will take my punishment for this. I cannot allow it,” Dracon says firmly.
“Calm down. Get your drawers out of your ass. I’m not going in. I don’t need to ask questions if I’ve seen him with my own eyes.
“I now have solid information for Ardan. Let’s get lunch before my shift starts.”
“Woman is going to be the death of me,” Dracon murmurs under his breath.
“Or I just might toughen you up,” I laugh.
“Running into burning buildings doesn’t make you tough. Knowing when to sacrifice for the good of your team is as tough as it gets. To be tough is to know when to stand and when to stand down.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Ardan
I had to move quickly to get to The Final Tides. I barely had enough time to mind-link Dracon to give him instructions and leave the bracelet for him. I made sure he could be with Billy all in one thought.
The problem is. The shark-shifters who have been guarding The Final Tides in the titan’s place can’t mind-link from down at that sea level. One had to rush to the surface to contact me. I knew by that time, the water spirit who escaped had too much time to get a lead on us.
There are traces of magic all over the outside of the cell the water spirit had been housed in. Yet, it has no distinct marker of who it belongs to.
“What water spirit was in this cell?” I ask before I walk inside to see what I can learn.
“It was İntikam,” the shark-shifter whispers.
I roll my eyes. Beings have refused to say the name aloud for fear that the spirit would be released into the world again. It is already out. There’s no need to whisper now.
“Leave,” I ordered as I step into the center of the cell.
Once I’m sure they have left me alone, I go to release my powers so I can figure out how this spirit managed to break free. It’s clear that it had help.
“Ben kralım,” I say as I hold out my hands at my sides.
The water surrounding me begins to ripple, then it starts to spin counterclockwise, encircling me. The old spirit appears before me. It seems to be waiting for something. I tilt my head to study the spirit more closely.
That’s when rustling happens outside the cell. I turn my attention to the barrier meant to seal this spirit in. However, instead of seeing who helped this creature escape, I’m blinded by light.
I inhale deeply and shake my head to clear it. “What the fuck was that?”
İntikam
I can feel my host awakening. She is powerful. Her powers are growing and rising to the surface. Her vengeance is growing, making room for me.
I have known that I needed to be free of this prison to take my place. Yet now that I have been freed, I know not how to get to her once I escape.
The force that broke my cell open gave no further help. I couldn’t even sense who or what it was. My instincts told me to stay here, remain hidden.