Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 115886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 464(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 464(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Khloé’s heart jumped as Teague’s hellhorse slid into second place. “That’s it, that’s it, keep going.”
The small female hellhorse was hot on its heels. It moved closer, and closer, and closer.
“Okay, they’re coming up to the last hurdle,” said Harper, bouncing from foot to foot.
And it was a bitch of a hurdle, too. The flaming hedge was wrapped in thick, thorny vines that snapped out like small whips.
“Go, go, go!” yelled Raini.
Just as the remaining steeds neared the hurdle, the female hellhorse slammed its body so hard into Teague’s stallion that the male almost crashed into the fence that bordered the track. Worse, the move put the steed at an angle that made it awkward for it to clear the hurdle.
“What a devious little bitch,” spat Khloé, forgetting she wasn’t supposed to swear.
She almost covered her face with her hands as the stallion and the female leapt into the air. Teague’s steed successfully jumped the hurdle, to her utter relief. The female, however, wasn’t so successful—its leg buckled as it landed, and it went down hard, tripping up another competitor and taking them both out of the race.
Khloé grabbed Keenan’s arm as her anchor hurtled into first place. The people around her yelled encouragements at the steed, but she held her breath. Finally, it ran over the finish line.
She beamed. “It won!”
An applause broke out, and the spectators went wild. Some people in the neighboring box began swearing and kicking up a fuss. Apparently, they’d bet on the wrong hellhorse.
Cocky and proud, it slowed to a trot and tossed its head, flicking its luxurious mane.
“I totally knew it would win,” said Devon.
Khloé winced at its injuries. “It’s hurt, though.” It had cleared the hurdles, but it had come away with burns, puncture wounds, and ugly cuts.
“They’re all wounded,” Harper pointed out.
Keenan turned his little imp to face him and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Feel better now that it’s over?” he asked.
“Yes, I do.” She blew out a breath. “I gotta pee, though. The intensity is always too much for my bladder.”
Harper chuckled. “I’ll come with you. I’m potty training Asher, so I take him to the toilet every now and then to keep on top of it.”
Keenan nodded, taking his mate’s hand in his. “Larkin and I will escort you.”
Larkin put down her soda and crossed to them. “Ready when you guys are.”
He stayed in the front while Larkin took up the rear as all five of them exited the VIP box. They headed down the empty hallway toward the restrooms. Hinges creaked as a door up ahead of them opened, and a small child stepped out.
Unbelievably fast, Lane raised his hand and sent out a stream of magnetic energy. A stream that careened toward Asher.
Everyone acted at once. Larkin pushed Harper and Asher to the floor and snapped out her wings to help shield them. Keenan tackled Khloé to the floor and covered her with his body.
But the blue steam soared toward Asher, as if it was destined to hit whatever it was aimed at. Asher didn’t pop up his protective shield. Something black and oily seemed to splutter out of the little boy’s hand, and that “something” crashed into the stream and seemed to … consume it, turning it just as black, and rushed toward Lane. It poured into his eyes, nose, and mouth, making his head jerk back. Thea’s son then promptly blacked out and hit the floor.
Before anyone could react, Thea appeared in front of Lane, gripped his arm, and teleported him away.
Everyone jumped to their feet, looking from Asher to the spot where Lane and Thea had just been.
“What in the everloving fuck just happened?” demanded Khloé.
“I don’t know,” said Harper, examining Asher closely.
“Is he okay?” asked Keenan. The kid was pouting but otherwise looked fine.
“Not sure,” replied Harper. “I don’t understand what—” She cut off, her eyes widening. “Khloé, behind you!”
Keenan spun just as Thea looped her arm around Khloé’s neck and teleported away.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Shock numbed Keenan for all of three seconds, blanking his thoughts. Then reality hit him like a blow to the jaw. His demon roared, and his mind lunged for hers. Khloé?
Oh, I’m gonna murder the shit out of this bitch. Khloé hissed in pain, and a weak vibe of dizziness touched his mind. Mother—Her voice cut off with a crackle, as if their mental frequency had been jammed somehow.
His heart slammed against his ribcage. Khloé? Khloé?
Nothing but white noise.
He spat a curse. “Something’s blocking my telepathic connection to Khloé—all I can hear is a faint crackling.”
Rubbing Asher’s back, a pale Harper said, “I can’t reach her either. It’s like there’s psychic interference of some kind.”
Keenan glanced around him, as if there would be a clue as to what was happening or where his mate might be. He dragged his hands through his hair. “I have to go fi—”