Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 121324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 485(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 485(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
“If they’re thinking that there’s no way they can get you back to Aeon to lift the curse, they may be instead willing to settle for a little revenge,” mused Xavier.
Wynter inclined her head, conceding it was possible.
“Or they could have managed to convince him to instead return you to Aeon,” suggested Hattie. “He probably would have agreed to just about anything if they’d only free him.”
“Definitely. But we shouldn’t overlook that it could have been someone else.” Delilah perched her hands on her hips. “Personally, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that Ishtar had something to do with it.”
Wynter felt her brow furrow. “Ishtar?”
“I don’t know what exactly Cain told you about himself—purely because you won’t satisfy my nosiness like the good bestie you’re supposed to be—but I’m betting she won’t be happy that he trusted you with it,” hedged Delilah. “It means she has to face that he’s serious about you. That will have crushed her delusion that she could somehow shove you out of the picture. Might she seek some other way to get rid of you? Possibly. She has to know that Saul would be sure to come for you if he was released.”
Xavier pointed at Delilah as he said to Wynter, “That is worth considering. Ishtar has proven time and time again that she’s one vindictive bitch.”
“But I’m not the only person Saul wants dead,” said Wynter. “He’s also gunning for Cain. She wouldn’t want anything happening to him.”
“She might trust that he could defend himself against Saul,” Hattie suggested. “Or maybe she’s mad enough at Cain for choosing you over her—something she’ll for sure see as a betrayal—that she won’t mind betraying him right back. After all, she’s done it once already. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: A scorned woman is a dangerous creature.”
A theory of which the old woman was living proof, so she did indeed make a good point. Wynter let out a heavy breath. “Ishtar’s a spiteful enough person to be capable of it, I’ll grant you that. But I would think that she’d hesitate to do it, since she’d have to know that someone might point the finger at her—especially given that, as Hattie pointed out, Ishtar recently betrayed Cain in a whole other way. The Ancients won’t find it hard to believe that she’d do it again even though it would mean another punishment.”
Delilah raised her index finger. “But unless they can prove it was her—and she’s devious enough to ensure that the crime can’t be traced back to her, even if it means having someone else do the deed for her—she won’t be punished again. Technically. I mean, taking Cain’s nature into account and how he feels about you, it’s possible that he’d punish her on the off-chance that it was her.”
Yeah, a little thing like “reasonable doubt” wouldn’t mean much to Cain in such a situation. Wynter puffed out a breath. “I’m more inclined to believe it was her than that it was all or one of the Aeons. But that’s more because I don’t want it to be one of Cain’s relatives.”
“It would be horrible if it were one or all of them,” said Hattie. “Cain’s dealt with enough betrayal from family members. Abel and Adam are worth shit.”
Adam wasn’t really family to Cain in even a biological sense, but Wynter wouldn’t be sharing that with anyone.
“If one or more of the Aeons are responsible, what do you think Cain will do to them?” Delilah asked her.
“Nothing painless, even if they are his relatives,” replied Wynter. “I could almost pity them. They won’t only have to face Cain, they’ll have to face the other Ancients. I wouldn’t want all seven of them on my ass, taking turns torturing me.”
Xavier winged up a brow. “And if it transpires that the culprit was Ishtar?”
“Cain will obliterate her just the same, fellow Ancient or not,” replied Wynter. “Of that I have no doubt.”
*
Following Seth’s aide along the large stone passageways toward the library, Cain found the other six Ancients waiting outside the room.
Seth thanked the aide and politely dismissed him.
Azazel looked at Cain. “I’m guessing you went to check on Wynter.”
“It occurred to me that Saul could have made another attempt on her life,” said Cain.
Seth took in his expression. “Since you don’t look intent on destroying the world, I take it she is fine.”
“Saul didn’t get to her,” Cain confirmed. “She knows now to be on high alert.”
Seth gave a curt, satisfied nod. “Eve and the twins are in the library, but we’ve all agreed that we should question their guards before we head inside. I’m assuming you have no issue with that.”
“None whatsoever,” Cain told him.
“Personally, I don’t see how it would be possible for any of the three Aeons to have snuck away to free Saul. They’re watched day and night by not only guards they see but guards they don’t. I suppose we’ll soon find out if I’m right.”