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)
“So you exist only to spite the rest of us?”
“I wouldn’t say that it’s the only reason. You’re not quite that important to us.”
“I disagree. At least when it comes to me, my father, and Saul.” Abel grinned, smug. “We are your jailers, after all.”
“I don’t know why you insist on believing that you’re all so very clever for caging us. In truth, letting us live was a monumentally stupid thing to do.”
“You think we fear that you’ll one day come for us?” Abel scoffed. “You will never be free.”
“Of course we won’t,” Cain agreed, a mocking note to his voice.
Abel clasped his hands in his lap, his knuckles white. “Things can get a lot worse for you, you know.”
“Can they?”
“Yes. I know of the conversation that you had with Lailah via Griff. You refused to give up the witch, despite the danger she represents to you and your land. Shall I assume that you have not changed your mind on that score?”
“You should,” replied Cain, keeping his tone neutral, careful not to let Abel sense that Wynter meant anything to him.
“Surely you see that releasing her into the custody of the Aeons would be the sensible thing to do.”
Cain arched a brow. “Do you think I fear the prospect of another battle?”
“No, actually, I don’t. Fear was never something you seemed to experience in any depth. Not even as a child.”
“Never met a person worth fearing.”
Abel’s lips flattened. “My gut feeling is that you would welcome another battle. It would alleviate the boredom that must be plaguing you after being confined for so very long. It would wear on anyone. A battle would also give you the opportunity to hurt those you hold grudges against.”
“I wouldn’t have thought you’d believe I stand any chance of avenging myself.”
Abel huffed. “You would not defeat me in battle, dear brother. But that is neither here nor there, because what you don’t understand is that I have no intention of declaring war. If you fail to hand over the witch, I will not attack your town. I will not seek to kill you. I will instead shrink your prison and make it a lot less comfortable.”
Surprise bubbled to life in Cain’s stomach, but he kept his expression blank. “Is that a fact?”
“Yes, it is.”
“I don’t think so. Maybe it could in fact be done if all four of the Aeons who created the cage worked together. But one of those Aeons is dead. Another is flirting with death by lingering near my home, and he stupidly thinks that it’s an inconvenience. On the contrary, he will just make it easier for me to kill him. At the moment, he holds both you and me partially responsible for Lailah’s demise, so he won’t be in any rush to help you do anything.”
“You are mistaken if you think I need Saul’s help. I could most certainly make adjustments to your prison without aid. Never doubt it. But it does not have to come to that. If you surrender the witch, I will leave you be. I will not retaliate over the death of Lailah. But if you don’t do as I request, I can assure you that you will very much regret it.”
Pausing, Abel stood. “You have thirty days to make your choice. I will have my conduit return to Devil’s Cradle once that period is over. You and I will then talk once more. If you do not accept my terms, I will make good on my threat. And trust me, the life of one witch is not worth the suffering you would then forever more endure.” Abel winked out of sight.
Cain returned to his physical body, blinking hard as he “settled” back in his skin. “Thank you for your service, Griff.” Cain looked at his aide. “Show him out.”
David obediently did so.
Cain headed into the neighboring room, finding that all the other Ancients were sprawled around it.
“Well?” prompted Seth, sitting up straighter on the sofa.
Cain exhaled heavily. “Abel has given us an ultimatum.” He quickly elaborated, and silence briefly fell.
Pushing out of an armchair, Lilith frowned. “How on Earth could he possibly adjust the size of the prison?”
“Probably the same way he created it in the first place,” hedged Inanna, exchanging an uneasy look with her sister, who sat beside her on the loveseat.
“It wouldn’t be that simple, surely,” said Lilith. “I’m inclined to think that he’s bluffing.”
“Bluffing, or believing what he wishes to believe—one or the other,” said Azazel. “Abel always was a fan of fooling himself.”
Cain inclined his head. “That cannot be denied.” Personally, he didn’t see how Abel could live up to his threat. If the four people who’d created the prison worked together to minimize it, it might be possible. But no way could Abel do it alone, or even with Adam’s aid.