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)
“Okay, let’s filter out all the bullshit in your head by summing the situation up,” said Anabel. “You have two choices. Remain mortal, grow old, keep partial rights to your soul but eventually lose Cain, who’ll then later find someone else.”
Wynter’s chest went painfully tight at the mere thought of that.
“Or you could choose to live forever, get to enjoy the perks of immortality, and remain his consort indefinitely.” Anabel tilted her head. “Which would you prefer?”
It should go without saying, but it apparently didn’t. “The latter obviously, but—”
“Is the ownership of your soul really more important to you than he is?”
“No.”
“Then you know what you have to do.”
It really was that simple, wasn’t it? Wynter either wanted to stay with Cain permanently, or she didn’t. The price was hefty, but—
Just then, the back door hinges squealed as it swung open.
A book in hand, Hattie made a show of awkwardly shuffling into the house, a self-deprecating smile directed at someone outside. “Oh, these old bones of mine need oiling.” The moment she was inside the kitchen with the door closed behind her, she walked normally to the table and took a seat.
Delilah shook her head at the woman, a smile plucking at her mouth. “You’re diabolical.”
Hattie smiled. “Why, thank you, darlin’. That’s always nice to hear.”
Xavier slanted his head as he stared at Hattie. “I don’t suppose you’d give up your mortality, would you?”
“My mortality?” Hattie repeated.
“Cain wants to make Wynter immortal,” began Xavier, “but she’d have to give him full ownership of her soul in exchange.”
Hattie raised her shoulders. “So?”
Wynter frowned. “So it’s a high price.”
“The best things in life usually require sacrifices,” said Hattie.
Xavier nodded. “Exactly. Me, Del, and Anabel were saying we wouldn’t mind making that same deal with Cain.”
Hattie set her book on the table. “I’d be on board.”
“You’d be ‘old and frail’ forever,” Delilah pointed out.
Hattie let out a low chuckle. “Dear, I’m going to hell for certain. If I can delay making that journey somehow, I’m all for it.”
On the one hand, Wynter was delighted that her coven wanted to give up their mortality right along with her. It would mean she didn’t have to watch them age and die; that she wouldn’t lose them. But on the other hand, it made her incredibly selfish, didn’t it? Because she knew exactly what would happen to their souls when they died. Cain could allow them to be reborn, of course, but whether he would or not she couldn’t be certain.
Anabel went rigid. “Oh God, what’s buzzing? Is it a wasp? Tell me it’s not a wasp.”
It was in fact a wasp, but it quickly zoomed upstairs.
Xavier noticed the insect but told Anabel, “You’re hearing things again.”
She put a hand to her chest. “Oh, thank the Lord. I despise those shits.”
Hattie glanced at the wall clock and then opened her book. “We only have fifteen minutes left before our break is over. I’m gonna do a little more reading.”
Delilah turned to Xavier. “You going to let me try my luck with your cards again?”
“They won’t have forgiven you that quickly,” he told her, his hand flexing around the deck. “If ever.”
“Give me a reading,” Anabel said to him. “I promise I won’t accuse them of lying this time.”
Wynter shook her head in amazement as they all so easily moved on from the subject of losing their mortality . . . like it would be nothing.
A knock came at the front door.
Xavier cut his gaze to her. “That’s probably Cain coming to check on you.”
Probably. Which Wynter didn’t at all mind, because it meant she also got to see for herself that he was fine. After all, Saul hated Cain even more than he did her.
Wynter headed to the front door, opened it wide, and took in the tower of raw sexuality standing before her. And he was all hers. “Hey.” She stepped back.
He stalked inside and then landed a kiss on her mouth all while mule-kicking the door shut. “You okay?”
“Fine. Nothing untoward has happened. All’s been quiet on the western front.”
He hummed. “You may be interested to know that Demetria had a vision. It would seem that Kali is no longer obstructing the oracle’s attempts to communicate with Nemesis.”
Good. Maybe the oracle would now stop turning up here to bug Wynter and continue to offer insincere overtures of friendship. “What was the vision?” After he gave her a brief summary, Wynter smiled. “So you succeeded in pushing Abel to come here. Good.”
“The part where Saul will inform him that you’re mine won’t be ‘good.’”
“No, but it does help to know that Saul isn’t sneaking around the city like we thought. You could call off the guards you put on me and—”
“Not happening. I still don’t know who freed Saul. I’m not saying that person wants you dead so let him go for that reason. I’m simply saying we have a traitor in our midst and I won’t be able to relax until I know who they are. Keep the guards a little while longer. It will make me feel better.”